IT'S TIME FOR THE "STITCH ME UP" BLOG HOP

STITCH ME UP BLOG HOP--DAY 2


Madam Samm @ SewWeQuilt and Jane  @ Janes Fabrics and Quilts have done such an awesome job setting up the Blog Hops of late.  Haven't they been great???!!! sTITCH ME UP means that now it's my turn to participate. 

The Threads and patterns sent by Jane were so lovely!



I chose what I call a curly cue design and stitched in two different colorways.  Simple stitches in colors you love make for some happy happy stitching days.   I chose wool for the flowers as stitching with wool just does it for me if you know what I mean! (smile)~  Button centers also make me smile~~  Enjoy the view and visit every other blog listed below to oooh and aaah at all the great projects that have happened the last few weeks.  HAPPY STITCHING!!

 

Please visit all these blogs to see their creations!!  Your creative juices will begin to flow and secreet out all over!!  Hey!  This is a good thing!!  Remember where you are--- Molly's Place --.

THURSDAY March 21st

Janice@ That Other Blog

Angela@ That Other Blog

piece peace

Stitchin’ By The Lake

Phoenix Heirlooms

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Mamaccessories

Molly's Place

Kath's Creations

Get More Done Today

Sew Many Yarns

The Distracted Domestic

Sheila's Quilt World

UK City Crafter

I'M BBAAACCCCCK!

It's been 1 year and 2 days since my last post.  Alot has happened in my life that I won't bore you with, but the trials of life are not as fun at stiching and quilting.  But as my mother use to say "piece your trials and quilt your joys".  Let me just that I have learned that my trials are my joys!  Sew!!!  It's all good!  I think it is very ironic that it took almost exactly 1 year from me to get my desire back......and I am not contimplating being back with a bang, but at least I am back.  I have looked at my stats and I am very surprised to see that I am still getting alot of traffic.  Mainly to my Feathered Star Tutorial.  I have had posts of some who have been successful to make Feathered Star blocks for the first time and that makes me extremely happy!  Linda in California is the most recent. Little Bits and Pieces is her blog.  You can go there and among so many other inspiring projects, listen to her sing my praises.  Hey, I like it!!  This is her block----now, you can sing HER priaises, as I will because this is a fantastic block!!!  You did a great job, girl.

Then there is Julie from Maine Quilt Company .  Her block is equally as beautiful.  I do so appreciate the linking back to my blog.  It helps other find me.  Let me sing the praises of this beautiful block.  Love me some black and red although in High School these were our rivil teams colors.  But then who would remember as that has be 100 decades ago.

 

Isn't it just amazing how the fabric choices can so completely change the look of the block??  I just love seeing and pondering and dreaming of my next one.

GO TO civilwarquilts.blogspots.com to get a wealth of info from the Civil War Quilt historian, Barbara Brackman.  A while back (not sure how long--two years???? yikes) I started making blocks from her blog.  We all posted them in a Flickr group.  I didn't realize when I started that she would be using these blocks in a new book.  Well, one of my blocks was picked up for her book and I couldn't be more pleased.  What's even better is that I received an autographed copy of the book in the mail a month or two ago.  It's a great book even if you are not a quilter.  Great history. 

I was inspired to start stitching again by a friend.  This is what prompted me to blog today.  At the top of my right sidebar, you will find a link.  It's to Jane's Fabric and Quilts.  She has a new Blog Hop going called "Stitch me up".

 Precious idea.  So mosey on over there, cowgirls and see Jane and tell her Molly sent ya (please!).  Thanks  Hope you hear from me again really really soon.  We will see!

Boot Bash Blocks are Coming to the TOP!

Alicia became my contact in Flickr today and I found the cutest little  western wallhanging made with the April Boot Bash Block.  Alicia--it is just GREAT!!

You will find Alicia's pics on her Flickr page HERE.  Alicia--I love the bright red fabric chose for boot top that makes it POP, the small print bottom, and the black accent.  Your stitching looks neat and nice and the way you changed colors in the border adds so much interest to the simple wall hanging.  Thanks for trying out my pattern.  I love it and I know all Boot Bash lovers will also.

IT'S A BARBARA BRACKMAN DAY!!

How many of you remember the Civil War Block of the Week that started in 2011.  It is over now, but the blocks are still up on the blog HERE.  The blog will only be there for a few more months, but you can copy the block instuctions for your personal use (see her sidebar for instructions).  I started off with a bang, got about 20 blocks into it before the bottom fell out and family stuff prevented me from continuing.  I have saved most of the blocks and am about ready to continue them. 

As I was checking my email yesterday, I see an email that is a message to me from the Civil War group on Flickr.  GUESS WHAT!  It was from Mrs. Barbara Brackman. 
Seems she loves my "Fort Sumpter" block -----

and WANTS TO USE IT IN HER UPCOMING BOOK!!  Well if that is not just the hunkiest thing that could happen to a quilter.  I have always loved block and quilting history.  This is just an honor.  The permissions have been sent back so in 2013 I will once again be in print.  This makes 3 magazine issues and 2 books that my work is included in --Move Over Marsha McClosky--- AWESOME!!

LOADING DAY AT FRYER RANCH!

We have many loading days on Fryer Ranch, but this day is special as oldest GS, Caden got to help today.  A day off from school gives him the opportunity to strut his stuff (so to speak).   He called Pops last night several times to make sure that he understood that he wanted to be picked up "early".  He came adorned in his "cowpoke" attire of boots, jeans, and cowboy hat complete with a turkey feather.  This is a key issue as you will read later.  His first question is "what do I get paid"?????  Pops keeps avoiding this issue until he sees just how devoted Caden is to really "helping".  The cattle buyer guy-Curtis- picks up on this right away and assures Caden that HE will be glad to pay him to help.  This excites Caden to no end----

This pic is as close as you will get o anything quilty in this post.  This is just a FYI!!!

As you can see Caden has his cattle stick.  This stick is a very essential tool for Caden as it assures him that he will not have to get too close to any of the animals.

I was surprised to see him inside an enclosed area where cows would be, but he made sure that he "got out of Dodge" before any steers arrived.  LOL

He decided that he liked "working the Cattle Scales.  He even put down the cattle prod to do it.  Pushing buttons and hollering out the cattle weights is right down his alley.  Pops and Scott look own.  They are the perfect examples for hollering and have taught Caden well.

The final drive up the shoot is done safely "OUTSIDE" the shoot.  

A little tail gate sitting finished this job off, but the next one was soon to follow.

Isn't this just the cutest little cowboy you ever saw???

I didn't follow them the rest of the day, but Caden helped work small calves today also.  I only saw him at the house when he got hungry.  Bisquits and cheese and a turkey sandwich besides the lunch in town that his Pops bought for him.  The boy can EAT!

EMBROIDERY REVISITED!

My machine embroidery skills are much lacking.  I have often thought that I enjoy collecting designs more that I enjoy the act of embroidery.  I have done some with some success, but some fabrics and specific placement have been the elusive butterfly that "gets my goat".  This week I decided to "try again" to embroidery on baby knit as a shower is fast approaching.  My test was on a romper that I had previously been unsuccessful on and had promptly put it back in my "blanks" box.  I don't know why but probably just so I could say I had done "something".  This time will be different.  I sandwiched it between two pieces of water soluable stabelizer and placed it in the smallest hoop I have.  I had to flip the design because of placement on the right side.

                                As you can see, it was a success.  I was shocked and amazed!

                                            The new baby will be named Mason. 

                              His Mom's shower gift includes a bib too.  Read to be wrapped.

I decided to try my luck on a towel.  This time I only put the water soluable film on the top and a medium tear away on the bottom.

 Lookin pretty good!

Shoulda pressed out the hoop mark, but couldn't wait to see how it would look on my western towel rack. 

More experimenting is in my future.  I plan to try different techniques until I get familiar with what will work for me.  It's about time!  I also am writing down what does and doesn' t work so that I can refresh my memory between emboidery sessions.  That's say, huh!!  More later--

FINALLY FINISHED! Block 12--Late, I Know!

I am posting Block 12 of Boot Bash although it is not finished.  I am so sorry that I have disappointed you by being late, but hey--for free, what can you expect?  My New Years Resolution is not to post.   anymore Bocks of the Month until I have finished all of the blocks.   That way I can prepost all of them and there will be no procrastination and no chance of falling through the cracks.

Please find the link on the right sidebar under BOOT BASH BLOCKS.

Mine is still not finished.  The letters of December will be black when stitching is finished.  I appreciate all your patience and caring during a very difficult time in my life.  I love each and every one of you for it.  I hope you the very happiest of Holidays.  MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!