Applique!

I don't know how this happened but somehow I forgot to share photos of the applique bee that met last month. Shame on me.

Made by Marianna.
Made by Peggy.

Made by Ellen H.
Made by Ellen F.

Made by Shirley.
Made by Beverly.
Made by Shelia.
Such Talent!

I also would like to share this Aunt Millie Garden block from a new friend, Mandy, who does not have a blog but sent me a picture. I just love the blue fabrics on the black background.

Last year I showed this quilt. (scroll down to the bottom of the post) It was a free a mystery BOM at Apple Blossom Quilts. Connie Sue is going to offer another mystery BOM. This BOM is geared toward first time appliquers. She will will releasing the first pattern September 15. If your are interested you have to go to her web site and sign up for her newsletter. She only sends a newsletter once a month so you won't get a mailbox full of stuff from her. She designs great patterns and has some great applique tips on her web site too. I am excited to see what she is going to come up with this year.

With Passion, Carrie P.

Great thoughts come from the heart. Marquis de Vauvenargues

"Just Do It"

I attended a guild meeting this past Monday. Some great show and tell. Here are a few of the quilts.



If you look close at this photo you will see tiny crystals on this quilt. It was very pretty as the quilt moved under the light and you could see the little shimmers from the crystals.

Our guest speaker was Paula Golden. (www.paulagolden.com) This quilt is one of hers. Check out the gallery on her web site to see some fabulous quilts she and her students have made.
Paula came to speak on the subject of Ergonomic Quilt Making. She is planning to have the sheets that she passed out to us on her web site in a month or so. They are pictures of stretches to do. She is busy getting her Masters degree right now so check back on her site later.

What she suggests is great for those of us who sit at the computer too long also. How many times have you sat sewing or at the computer for hours at a time, you get up and you are so stiff? Or you have been sitting at the sewing machine for hours caught up in your project? She suggests setting a timer for 45 minutes so that when the timer goes off you should get up and move around, do some stretches and drink some water. Since the incident with my elbow I am really trying to listen to my body and pay attention to how much time I am sitting. It is so easy to get to involved in what we are doing and forget what time it is. So I hope that you all will start to take a little time to stretch and move. Our bodies were made to move. So "Just Do It."

With Passion, Carrie P.

The mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work unless you open it. Anonymous

Christmas In July Swap

The Christmas Swap has begun. I sent mine out last week. My partner has not recieved hers yet so I will not show the things that went out in the mail to her. I did receive mine this past Monday. My daughter brought up the mail that day and she said "I pulled this package out of the mailbox and it just kept on coming." It was funny. You can see from this picture how long it is. I was surprised that the mailman did not bring it up to the house. My package came all the way from New Zealand. Keep reading to see who it was from. When I opened up the bubble wrap this is what was inside.

This bag is so cute. Look at the hand embroidery design. Sweet!
This was all in the bag. More goodies to unwrap. I was just as excited as I am at Christmas.

Yummy chocolates made in New Zealand. And a bottle of room and linen spray from Avon. And the best thing in the bag was this table mat. More hand embroidery!
Look at the details!!!
Here is what made the package so long. This wonderful little wall hanging. When I saw this I was just overwhlemed. More hand embroidery. If you do hand embroidery you know how much time is involved. My very generous partner, Deb, at The Angel and Pukeko, made all this for me. This little wall hanging was made special for me because her and I read each others blogs and she knows how much I love watching the birds.


Deb, Thank you just seems like it is not enough to say for the beautiful things that you sent to me. I love them and appreciate all the time you put into each and every piece. I will cherish them always. A big hug and a big THANK YOU!

With Passion, Carrie P.

May all your weeds be wildflowers!

Sig Block Swap

Sunday I was catching up on my blog reading. While I was reading Mel's blog I noticed this button on her blog.

Then I went over to Brenda's blog and saw the button again. So I decided to check it out. It took me over to Cornbread and Beans Quilting's Weblog. Melissa is going to host a signature block swap for U.S. residents only. Sign up ends August 31. Go over and read the rules if you are interested and sign up. I would love to have a block from those of you who read my blog.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Exercise those smile muscles... many "reps" per day. Plan little treats for yourself as you accomplish your tasks throughout the day.

Little Things

Making Half Square Triangles...
Making Binding...
Sewing Rows Together.Another sneak peek of one of the things I am sending out in a couple of days for the Christmas in July swap.
For those of you who love applique you must add Quilts A Lott to your blog list. Today Janet is showing some great photos and giving great tips for applique. Don't miss it.

And check out a new embroidery pattern at Allie's blog called Portholes. Very cute!

With Passion,

Carrie P.

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Bernard Russell