A little something...

Yesterday, as many other people were, I did some Christmas shopping.  I went to one of my favorite stores, Archivers.  I was there for probably for two hours or so looking at everything.  I picked up several items and managed to cross my Oregonian peep off my list.  I did pick out one thing for myself; here's what I did with it.

Totally completed...and finished!

Last week...correction...a couple of weeks ago, I posted a progress report on the Yellow Brick Road...and that it would be finished by the end of the week.  Well, it didn't happen until now...here's a better picture of the completed quilt.


And if you noticed...there's no snow on the ground...this time last year...parts of Minnesota had 17 inches of snow on the ground...not this year!  Kinda puts a damper on the Christmas spirit and all...

Another progress...

Here's another progress report....I have the Yellow Brick Road laid out. Now I just need to sew everything together...hopefully...by the end of the week.


And as the end of the year approaching (really) quickly...I'll be able to start my 2012 Project List...Fun, Fun, Fun! Check back...later...to see unveiling of the list!

Yellow Brick Road by Terry Atkinson

A little progess...

Holy Cow...has time flown by...I should have posted something...anything before today. But life has been very busy...sometimes not by choice! 
Anyho, here I am with a little progress report. I'm happy to be able to scratch another item off my 2011 Project List.
It's an I-Spy Quilt for my husband's grand daughter, Hazel. Hopefully, she'll get a kick out of the different fabrics...it has a couple of Hello Kitty, which she LOVES!
I think the quilt turned out really cute, but it was a bugger to sew the rows together!
Now I just have to get it to a Long Arm Quilter for completion before Christmas....(with fingers crossed).

I Spy Diamonds by Sandi Irish

A well needed vacation...

This past weekend, I went on a well-needed vacation.  Myself and 14 other quilting ladies went up north to Forest Haven Retreat located just outside of Sebeka, MN on Highway 71.  All I can say is....ahhhh...It was sooo relaxing...even with the late nights....so little sleep, a whole lotta giggling, a couple mixers, the amazing meals...yummy, a sewing machine or two over heating from pure exhaustion, and a road trip to Perham, Detroit Lakes and Park Rapids for some fabric retail therapy.  


I had sooo much fun....thank you guys...thank you...thank you....thank you!


(and thank you, Michelle...for all your work planning this event...[heart] you woman)


Here's what I managed to get accomplished...a Quiltsmart Wedding Ring for my parents, French Rose (a block exchange from over 4 years ago) and a Hello Kitty pillow case for my husband's granddaughter.  I, also, worked on an I Spy quilt, but had some complications putting the rows together...you'll understand when you see the completed quilt top...a posting for a later date.

I got a card in the mail...

I got a card in the mail from my Oregonian peep.  Thank you for the beautiful card!  I love it!

She is sooo talented! I love her cards!

I'm starting to get ready...

I'm starting to get Halloween gifts ready for my nieces and nephews.  I found this pencil case template on Anna Wight's blog: Pencil Case Template I thought it was really cute, so I thought I would try it...finally on the fourth try, I got it right!  I colored the pumpkins with my  Prismacolor markers.  They are alcohol markers just like Copic...but a different brand.  I wanted to add more accessories, but wasn't sure where to add them.  

I didn't want to do it...

I didn't want to do it, however, I had to do something...I started a halloween-ish stitching project.  I know it isn't part of my 2011 project list.  But I need to get out of my slump...I had several projects out, but wasn't motivated to work on any of them.  I've had this pattern for SEVERAL years...and happy to have the opportunity to finally getting to stitch it.

Bent Creek,  Scary Stack with WDW and DMC
on 28ct linen

A little card...

I created this card for someone who just bought their first home.  I'm going to include some votive candles which I purchased at a friend's PartyLite party.  I used the Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge 353 as the card base; here the card:

So my darling hubby...

So my darling hubby starts cracking up with laughter during dinner...here's what he was giggling about.  The comic strip is an example of several conversations we've had in the past...seriously!

Getting ready for....

H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N!!  Yummy!

It's the end of September....

It's the end of September...where is the time go?  I actually had time to participate in the Mojo Challenge 208.  I was really nice to spend some time creating...I'll be back sooner rather than later...

Hey...I'm in my...

Hey...I'm in my craft room...WOOOHOOOO!  It's been a busy fall for me...you know... work, husband, garden, canning...simply said, "life is busy."


On Saturday, I was hoping to get in my craft room; however, there were what seems like a million things I needed to get done before I could play!  As it turns out, I ran out of time! 


So, as a result, today was the day!  Right after I did 6 loaves of banana bread! YUMMY!


Here's what I created for the Splitcoaststampers.com sketch challenge from last Wednesday!  The card is for my first STL; she's really a neat individual!

Since today is my last day...

Since today is my last day...off of work...tomorrow...back to work...oh well, all good things must come to an end...right?!  Retract...they just called in into work...so this one is going to be quick.  Here's the sketch I used from Paper Crafts September/October 2011:


It was the first time I did the rolled paper flower technique; needs more work...

Fall is coming...

Fall is coming...you can feel it in the air.  The nights get cooler...the weekend fall craft fairs and bizarres...I (heart) Minnesota fall weather...because right around the corner is one of my favorite October holiday...Halloween.  I created this little number for the Splitcoaststampers.com sketch challenge 348.  

A little card for...

A little card for Steph...This week is her last week at our store.  I got her a little something as a "congratulations" and "going to miss you" gift...and of course it needed a card to go with it.    


I used the The Paper Players Sketch Challenge as the foundation of my card.  Here's what I created for her:

I've been working on the flowers...

I've been working on the flowers...three more blocks to go:

If you've seen my bear encounter...

If you've seen my bear encounter picture....than you'll understand why this next picture isn't the greatest...however, it's much better than the bear picture.  Check it out:


The doe decided to bring the two fawns by the apple tree for a little snack.  One of the fawn was really cute to watch...it was jumping and hopping all around...making a huge scene...and it really didn't care.  A lot of fun to watch!

Here's what I created for Splitcoaststampers.com Sketch challenge:

A basket full of flowers...

A basket full of flowers...is perfect for today.  It's a hot and humid day in Minnesota...a far cry from the winter weather I'd been wishing for in the last posting.  Oh, well!  I got another flower basket completed...I think I only have three left!  WOOOHOOO!  I'll probably be hot and heavy on getting the rest embroidered, so I can get another 2011 Project List item completed.  Now it's off to lunch with a couple of my girlfriends...


Until next time...later gator!

Block #9

Ready for a change...

Ready for a change...of season.  I think you'll know what season I'm thinking of when you see this card.  Yep, I must be a "TRUE" Minnesotan or a little off my rocker saying that I'm ready for Winter...and I'll bet money when Winter is here...I'll be wishing it was Summer!  


Anyho, I participated in The Paper Players Sketch Challenge...and they are becoming my favorite challenge blog.  I love the variety and I love that all of the design team leaves comments...It's not big of a deal, but as a blogger it's fun to know that someone is looking at your creations.  So hats off to you, ladies! Thank you for leaving a comment!  

New Etsy Listing...

I've listed some new cards, check it out:

Seriously, what a mess...

Seriously, what a mess...I don't know if you create like I do, but it takes just as much time in creating as it is cleaning.  Check out the tornado...

what's on my craft table...and just saw the adhesive dots I was looking for...

this is what's on the floor...at least to my left...

I was in my craft room creating a card for this week's The Paper Players Color Challenge.  This week the challenge was to create with the colors of Regal Rose, Rose Red and Pretty in Pink.  Here's my finished card:

I had envisioned this card...

I had envisioned this card since I received the stamp set last year.  I finally got the opportunity to create what was in my thoughts...now there should be room for other things, right?  This week, I'm participating in the Pals Paper Arts challenge, which is to use 1 piece of designer series paper, 1 punch and 1 sentiment.  Wait! Hold UP! Hold UP!  


I thought it's to use 1 STAMP, not sentiment...unless the inside of the card counts as sentiment?!  Oh well, it's done and I think it turned out cool!  Here's my example:

I'm in a lull...

I'm in a lull...on a beautiful Minnesota summer morning.  I didn't think that was possible...really.  I thought maybe creating a card would help me out of my funk...but I'm done with the card...and nothing.  So after this posting, I'm going to clean the house alittle...then maybe workout at the local fitness club.


Anyho, I created this technique card from splitcoaststampers.com posting on Monday.  It's the swing z-fold card...here it is:


I ordered some papers from Stampin' Up! yesterday; I'll be excited to have some new stuff to play with, but until then, I'm working with some vintage Stampin' Up! Designer Papers.  I still like the paper, so it wasn't a hardship to work with...you know!?

Look what is visiting the flower patch...

That's it for now...I'll be back soon!

A little progress...

I have a little progress report on the flower baskets from the Starry Pines Pattern Co.  I've been working on a little here and a little there...and as a result I'm more than 1/2 way completed.  They have been going easy...I'm hoping I'll be done by the end of the month...another 2011 project would be done, done, done!! 

Block 9

Block 6

Block 4

Block 2

Block 3

Soxie says, "look at me"