Sewing Caddies

Some of you have been waiting in anticipation to see these sewing caddies that I was working on for the last several day. They are for the bridesmaids who will be in the soon coming wedding. Ta Dah!
The soon to be bride got the bridesmaids favorite colors and then I went from there to come up with something they would all like. If you would like to make your own you can go to Gina's blog and look on her sidebar for the tutorial.
I would also like to announce that Mr. Bluebird is the proud papa of 5 little ones.
The picture is a little blurry because we wanted to hurry. Both parents just left to find food for their babies.
With Passion,

Carrie P.

How does My Garden Grow?

Last week while I was reading my blog list I stopped at Karen's . She is very talented and I enjoy her blog very much.
She has started something called "One Flower Wednesday." The only requirement is to make one flower each Wednesday and to post my progress at least once a month. I thought, "I can do that!" so I joined the group.
I started my Grandmothers Flower Garden several years ago and have been thinking about getting it out again and Karen's post was my incentive.
My quilt is actually a charm quilt which means that every "petal and leaf" is made from a different fabric. You can see from these two photos that I have more flowers started and I have a pile of "charms" to work with.
I am really excited to have this out of the UFO pile! Now let's see what I can do with the flowers that have I have started.

I will be top stitching the sewing caddies this afternoon and will do a post tomorrow. I am off to hang out with my quilting bee.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

What a pity flowers can utter no sound! A singing rose, a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle--oh what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be. Henry Ward Beecher

Quilt Around the World

My Saturday and a couple of hours on Sunday were spent working on the sewing caddies. They are still works in progress. They are taking longer than I thought they would.
I was invited by Jane to join a block swap. This one is called Quilt Around the World. The theme is Christmas. So this little Christmas tree is going to make the rounds. One quilter will add a block and then another, and another until all the blocks make there way back to me.
This tree pattern is from an ePattern that I got from Piece O' Cake. It is called The Christmas Trees.

This should be a fun swap. I am looking forward to seeing each person's blocks. Now back to sewing caddies.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

ps New Blogger Alert. Go over and welcome Denise to blogland when you have minute.

Idle Hands?

No Idle hands here. Before I show you what I have been up to these days I just had to show you this bird.
He stopped by long enough for me to grab my camera and take a picture. I had to look him up in my bird book because I have never seen him in my yard before. It is a Rose Breasted Grosbeak. I hope he comes back.
So what have I been doing while I have been showing you other people's beautiful quilts? See all those 2 1/2" strips? Those are going into a signature quilt for my son and future DIL getting married in July. The orange/yellow strips are 1 1/2" . The signature block is also 1 1/2" wide which is going to be on yellow fabric. Her favorite color. I am going to have to get more yellow fabrics.
I have made one pillowcase for the 1 million pillowcase challenge. I plan to make some more but I have one done. (blogger turned the photo,sorry)
Our guild has decided to donate "nap" blankets to kindergartens in some our schools. Here are two reversible blankets that I made for a boy and a girl.
I also sewed up a friendship star block for our guild's out going president. The vice president comes up with an idea and then gets the board members to make some blocks to go in the quilt.
I made the binding for my Shabby Roses quilt which will be going to the quilter in a few weeks.

These two pictures show all the parts of the sewing caddies I will be making for the bridesmaids who are in the July wedding. They each chose two colors they liked and these are the fabrics I chose for the caddies.
Now I leave you because I am going to spend today working on them. Hope you all have a very productive or relaxing weekend, which ever you wish.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Like what you do. If you don't like it, do something else. Paul Harvey

Vicksburg BOM

I have finished the number seven block in the series just in time. I really like the look of this block. Now on to number eight which is a cactus block.
Dawn who has created this BOM is having a giveaway on her blog. It is for her newest pattern. It has birds on it and you all know how much I love birds. Check it out and tell Dawn I sent you.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

More to show!

More great works from the quilt show.




Can I brag just a little bit? Here is the bag that I made when I tested a pattern for Stephanie. I got a third place ribbon for it.
This little wall hanging brought a honorable mention ribbon and a second ribbon which was for Best Hand Applique! A big surprise!
Here are my ribbons. Aren't they cool? The theme of the show was Piecing Generations Together thus the tree, similar to a family tree.
You must go here and check out my friend Patti's quilt. She is in the applique bee and was one of my students. I will let you read about her quilt on the site. I am so proud of her.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.

Thomas Carlyle

Who wants to see quilts?

My guild quilt show was this past weekend and it was a really great show. I did not have Internet yesterday and now I am having problems loading pictures. Very frustrating. So I will just show you these today and more tomorrow, hopefully. Sorry that the pictures seem chopped off. It is because the aisles were a little narrow to get the whole quilt in the view finder. I hope you enjoy seeing them anyway.




With Passion,

Carrie P.

You can't run away from trouble. There ain't no place that far. Uncle Remus

Last post from the Applique group

This last post shows photos of the cutest pincushions that Paula made. She said because of all the snow we had this winter she got a lot of sewing done.



I have been busy sewing a lot this week. I finally finished my Shabby Roses top and will be taking it to the quilter in a few weeks. I can't wait for Jenny to see my version of her pattern.

Tomorrow I will be volunteering at our quilt show. So I will show you some photos of quilts in a few days.

Have a great weekend.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

More Applique Group

You might remember the post where I showed you a bunch of yo yos. Well, this is what the ladies were working on. These really cute table runners. This pattern is from Kim Diehl.


More Applique.


I will have one more post to share from the group.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Chance can allow you to accomplish a goal every once in a while, but consistent achievement happens when you love what you are doing.

Bart Conner

Applique Group

One of my applique groups met last week so I thought I would take a couple of posts to share what the ladies have been working on. Some really great things. Today I will show you the quilts.

This quilts is embroidery and it was done by one of the owners of the shop. I just had to share it with you. It is called Flights of Fancy from Crabapple Hill.
Here is a close up of one of my favorite blocks.



I just wanted to share with you the news about one of the blogs I read. Cathi of Shakerwoods Primitives has opened up a web shop. I am so excited for her. She hand dyes wools and they are very pretty. The shop is just opening so she has more to add to it but go by and wish her great success.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

May all your ups and downs in life be with a needle and thread.

Just Because

I know from many of you that we all enjoy getting surprises in the mail. Last week two packages came the same day. I couldn't imagine what they were. I knew who they were from but I was wondering why they were sending me packages.

The packages were sent to me because these two ladies just have that spirit of kindness, generosity, and friendship. If you read their blogs you know what I mean. You might have even been the recipient of one of their surprises.

This first photo is what Darlene sent to me. I just love this little tin box. I am always on the lookout for things like this when I go antiquing. Inside was the embroidery floss and needles. Thanks so much Darlene for you giving spirit.
This second photo is wool from Stephanie. I love working with wool. I have been collecting the tools to try my hand at rug hooking. Some of these pieces are nice and big which will work very well. I am so tempted to jump right in but it will have to wait. Thank you Stephanie for your kindness too.

Random acts of kindness! Pass it on!

With Passion,

Carrie P.

ps Another new blogger from Australia has joined us. Go over and say hi to Crafty Chookie.