Stithcer's Angel and Heart Challenge

This past week I received a very special parcel! A while back I had joined Helen's Stitcher's Angel swap. I made and sent my gift but for some reason never received one back. My Angel (according to her blog) had some personal issues that prevented her from following through. My name was put on a list on Helen's blog and a very gracious lady became my new Angel! I do not think she has a blog but I know she reads them. Her name is Cristina and she lives in Milan Italy. She sent me the most awesome stitching portfolio (personalized- how cool is that!). Complete with matching button bag and pin cushion. Oh ya and, that's right I said and, she included an Italian stitching magazine, some gorgeous buttons and rick rack and the cutest little zippers in wonderful spring colors!

Close-up of the portfolio

...and the inside-too cute!

I have already moved my applique and stitchery projects to the portfolio! Thanks so much Cristina! You truly are an angel and made my week with your wonderful gifts!

On Thursday, we had our Guild meeting and since it was the month of February tonight was the judging night for our guilds heart challenge. Unfortunately I had not been to a meeting in a while (life just got in the way) so I only found out about it last month and could not get a finish in time. I will however show it as one of my pattern line once it is finished!

Back to the guild meeting- below are the pics of some wonderfully beautiful show and tells and also some of the heart challenge entries. Our guild has some very truly talented ladies in it!!

This is Barbara's paper pieced quilt- stunning!

Sue's Beautiful hand appliqued Baltimore Album- WOW!

Then here some of the heart challenge entries...

...the picture may not reflect it, but this quilt had a lot of texture to it that made you want to touch it to see if it was real or just the fabric- cool!

oh and this quilt is smaller than it looks- about 15 inches probably- such tiny applique and hand quilted! Fabulous!

This quilt was hand quilted and I know for a fact that it was their first quilt! Wow!

...and last but certainly not least...the winner voted by our members

again not bigger than about 15 inches but very intricate hand work- those bullion's were perfect! The hand quilting- just stunning!

Well I am going to go now but I wanted to leave you with the coolest link that I found while searching through some blog sites. Apparently this guild decided to create a unique exhibit for Breast Cancer Awareness and made a bunch of OOAK quilted bras! Yep, you read it correctly Quilted bras! It is so cool! Some of my faves: the political bra, the nurse bra and being a military wife I loved the support our troops bra. Go and check it out! http://www.quiltersofsc.org/artfullbras/artfullbras.htm%20make-make sure you are doing your self breast examinations!

Cara

Candle Mat

Today I decided to finally make this cute little Valentines wool candle mat. This is one of the many projects that I picked up the pattern and the supplies for the last time I was in San Diego. It is a pattern by Bareroots and called "Hearts and Flowers". Not sure if it counts towards the OPAM challenge but it is something that has been in the queue for a while now. I replaced my house mat that I made for my kitchen island until Valentines day has gone then I will try to find an Easter one! Just a small finish but still something! I have a few of these patterns and they are a lot of fun to make. I did put buttons on the hearts though instead of felt just to make it a little different! Now I have to replenish my red button supply.

I am also continuing to work on my MODA Piece and Plenty blocks- 2 more appliques to finish and then I can finish the last 2 filler blocks! I have, however,started to put together the different sections that I have all of the blocks finished for. Hoping to have it finished this weekend to show at least the top! Otherwise, i have decided to go through my nook and make a list of my WISP's as well as other projects that are not necessarily started, but that I have the pattern and supplies for already. This way,I won't be at a loss for the OPAM challenge this month. So,back to work!

Happy WISPing!

Cara

A finish of sorts...

Oh my...January- where did it go? I can't believe another month got away from me! This has to stop! LOL! Unfortunately I never did get a complete finish in time for January of the One Project a Month Challenge. I have several of my WISP's being worked on but unfortunately chose the ones that will take the longest. I will be finishing in February though!
I did have finishes of a different kind though. A while back I had ordered from Robinson's Woodcraft's a quilt ladder and a wall shelf. Let me tell you- their workmanship is incredible! I will definitely be using them again! I have since painted them and put them in place with their perspective decor. The ladder is in our family room and houses the throw quilts used there. I decided to paint them black as we have several pieces in that color throughout the room and the kitchen. Here it is with some of it's quilts.

Next we move to the foyer. I have wanted to warm this area up and so in the summer I started this quilt with the intention of hanging it in the foyer to welcome people. As you can see I painted the shelf the same black and it turned out better than I expected! Of course Home Sweet Home is not yet finished so it has not been hung. Instead I took one of the first quilts I made- and a fave, and hung it there instead. I also had been collecting some cute prim and quilty things to decorate the top with. Here is the final product!

I have some housekeeping to take care of now. First, I just wanted to let all of you that read my blog as well as those that leave comments know how much I appreciate you visiting me and I love to read what you think too! It is fun to see what others are doing. I have had a few comments as of late that I have not been able to respond to as they have a "no-reply" listed as their email. I have to apologize if you have not received a comment back from me but I cannot if this is the setting on your comment. If you are not sure what to do, go to ChookyBlue's blog, she has been kind enough to post on several different tips for Blogger! Anyways, thanks again for all of you who visit! I enjoy meeting you!

Second, I know I have said a couple of posts ago that I would blog about the Ornament exchange that Stefanie over at The Quilt Buddy and I did . I have found that my pics are very dark so I am referring you to her wonderful post here about our exchange. It was a fun thing to do and I believe we are doing it again next year! It is so cool to have such a good friend that you can do this with and it was interesting to see that we came up with fairly similar ideas! Check it out and let us know what you think!

And on the last note, when I went shopping for the Super Bowl munchies, I came across some awesome crackers! Check this out....

...a hexagon cracker flower! :) What a hoot! They are Wheat Thins crackers and I thought they are the perfect snack for quilters!

Now all we need is hexie cheese!LOL! So, thanks for sticking through this longer post and hopefully I will make a dent in my WISP's this month!

Happy snacking!

Cara