Woodlands, Forests RR

I am doing a CQinternational RR started by my friend Colleen. This is going to be so much fun! I had Pam`s block first and she had a great plan for hers. She wants the center flower to be highlighted by stitching all around it. I just finished my work and mailed it off to Cobi in the Netherlands.

I did the tree with all the roots under, then felted leaves for the branches. I wanted an owl for in my tree, but could not find one that fit, so the little squirrel moved in.

CQI Round Robin

I just finished working on this piece. I joined this swap to get back into round robin crazy quilting. I haven`t done any for awhile, and am happy to be stitching again.
I did the crocheted flower, and butterfly on top of the feather stitching that I did to match her colors. I also had this little squirrel and knew he would work perfect on a branch, so that was my other work on this piece.

BOM on HGTV

I am doing the BOM on HGTV message boards. I am not a great piecer, when it comes to matching points. I like randomness. I even do my plants outside randomly. I planted bushes one time, came home from work, my husband had dug it up and planted it so they were in a straight line! OOPS, got off on a tangent there. lol
Anyway, this block is all about points, and I did it!! And wanna know I secret, I love the block.
So here it is,,

Take a Stitch sign ups

http://www.pintangle.com/community-challenges/2011/12/1/take-a-stitch-tuesday-2012-challenge-information-page.html?lastPage=true&postSubmitted=true
I signed up for Take a Stitch Tuesdays! Sharon will be posting a stitch every Tuesday on her blog, you can do this all year and learn new stitches, and practice them on your own. This is something everyone can do, only takes a little time.
So join me and lets see what we make throughout the year.

Been a longgggg Time!

I never seem to have time to post, but finished this Halloween top the day before Thanksgiving. So here is my newest top. I love Halloween!

Latest Challenge Piece

This was our challenge for the last month, do a Self Portrait.
I tried two different ideas until I did this one, and am happy with everything except my zigzag stitching on the border. It was my first try at that, so will improve with time!! For all the challenge pieces, check out Challenging Ourselves link on the sidebar.

Look Out North Carolina!!

Today is all about packing, headed to NC tomorrow morning for a great retreat with over 80 of my online friends!! This is the fourth HGTV Circle Of Friends retreat.
Every year it is held in a different state. Some of our wonderful board members step up and agree to host. THEY do all the work, we descend upon them, and they are never the same!! lol
Classes, fun, eating, shopping, and this year sexy firemen are in my future. ha ha
I will explain the firemen when I get home. wink wink
I will get lots of pics, and spend lots of money on fabric, and other quilty things.
But it is only once a year, so you have to do that.
I can`t wait to see old friends, and put faces to others.

The Great MDA Quilt Raffle

This is a great raffle, and a chance to win a quilt! Jean is putting this together,and I think there are over 30 quilts to be given away.
Tickets are on sale at this site, check it out!!
Click on the above link and read the first two written postings after this picture of the raffle button.

My new challenge, Favorite Places

Our theme for this was Favorite Places! I picked a sea turtles favorite place.
I did not get completely finished before time ran out, but wanted to show it so far anyway. Now comes the beading and all the little extras, but here it is for now!

PJ party scarf

On our quilting board on HGTV, we do a PJ party Friday nights. Every Friday in January and February, one of our board members teaches a class on a small project. This last Friday was a quilted scarf. It was fun and so easy, would make great Christmas presents for next year. This is the one I did for my sons girlfriend, if you can`t tell, her favorite color is green!!

Finally some new stuff to show

Some pics of things I have been working on, first up is my Twister top, thanks to Kim, then a candlemat for my Mom. Way too busy, way behind like usual. lol

My latest challenge

My challenge group just finished our latest piece. It was to use the theme Four Elements. I finished mine today! lol Today was the deadline. I liked weaving the fabrics, and did my first free motion stitching. I love my new Janome, it worked perfectly. Well on to the next challenge.

A blogger I just love to read!

I have a friend named Penny! I think I would love her if I knew her in person. She is so funny and her blogs almost always make me smile. She really should be a writer, not a lawyer, but in some ways that is the same thing. Her blog is on my sidebar, check it out, you will be glad you did.
Anyway, today when I read her blog, I kept thinking I KNOW THAT FEELING!
She discusses menopause in her witty, funny way. Seriously, I know how she feels, FAT, hmmmm When you reach menopause, your fat moves around on you, some days it is your butt, some days it is your belly. It all depends on what pants you wanted to wear that day. And stock up in bras of different sizes, cause the fat goes there, but only when you are not watching. I remember when I use to laugh at old lady nightgowns, but know wear them. They are wonderful, you get a shower, throw on the OLN (old lady nightgown), and you are good to go for the night. Get too hot, just rip your undies off, and you cool down at least three degrees. LITTLE things mean a lot!!
So all you young ladies, don`t laugh at the OLN, you will love them at some point.
:)
Tammy

Blog giveaway for CQers

http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/
You really want to check out Pat Winters Blog, it is a crazy quilters dream.
And she is having a great giveaway. I am still trying to figure out how to post a link, so you will have to copy and paste, but it will be well worth your time.

ONE VERY HUGE SMILE!!

I am so excited!!!! I am having a ball in Columbus with all the girls. Spent the first night at Becky`s with her, Donna, and Kathy. Becky is a sweet lady and we had a lot of fun. She took us to two bead stores, and a wonderful thread shop. I got some great threads for CQing, and embroidering. Then I met up with Joyce in our hotel for three more days of good times. We bought some Paintstiks a few weeks ago, and were so anxious to try them out. They really do work so nice, easy to do, but if you are trying them out for the first time, there is a great video that you can get that really explains so much. We played with darker fabrics and the effect was very cool.
I will post pics when I get home. I brought my camera, but don`t have the cord to plug into the computer.
AND now the most exciting part!!! I bought the Janome 6600P!!!! I have wanted this machine, well drooled over it, dreamed about it, and envied everyone that had one for so long, is more accurate then wanting it. I bought it at the quilt show, and am waiting for delivery to my hotel this morning. I can`t wait to play with my new baby.

Been a Month!

Geez, Loueez, I was on my friend Kathy`s blog, and realized it has been a month since I posted anything. So here is an update.
I am getting ready to head to the Columbus quilt show tomorrow. I am staying for a few nights with different friends. First with Becky, Donna, and Kathy, then on to a hotel for a few nights with my best friend Joyce. We have so much planned for that time, we could probably stay a month and not get them all done! rofl
I will post pics as soon as I get back.

"Hidden Treasures" art quilt challenge!

This is the piece that I did for an online group that I belong too. Our first piece was to be based on the theme "Hidden Treasures". We were to interpret this in any way we wanted. I chose the sea turtle as my main subject. I fused pieces of green to create the turtle and stuffed the shell from the back to make it stand out. I did the changing moons to show the eggs as they hatched and the wondrous turtle emerge. I wanted to do it as a film like in high speed motion, that is why the reels are above and real 35mm film running between them. I crocheted the border piece and birthed the whole piece to have it stand out. I hope you like it!
Can`t wait to find out what our next challenge subject is.

New Giveaways

http://ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/2010/04/5-days-left-in-ihan-30-days-of_11.html#links
Check out this site!!
They are giving away prizes for 30 days, and one of the prizes is the AccuQuilt Go machine. What a wonderful site this is, and you need to see all the prizes. I have entered a few of them, well most of them! lol

You really need to see this!

http://decisionportraits.blogspot.com/
You really need to check out this blog!!
This woman is amazing, and her pieces are wonderful. Awe inspiring, and just simply the truth of life.
I can`t do links for some reason. (me) You will have to copy and paste or look for the blog on my sidebar. You will be thankful you did.

The Under the Sea, BOM

These are the first two blocks from Willowberry Designs. I thought they were just darling, and could not resist doing them. I started them thinking a wall hanging for in my bathroom. BUT, now I am getting a new grandson in June, so am thinking it will be for him. I love the effect the colored pencils give. They are a free online set, so if you like them, her link is on my sidebar.