how on earth...

...did it get to be December 5th already?! Is the month slipping swiftly past you, too?



Speaking of earth...aren't these earthy-inspired batiks just lovely!

My mother-in-law -- Marlene G. -- pieced this table runner for her first-born grandson and his lovely wife...and gave it to them as a wedding gift. The newly weds both love earth tones...so I'm positive this looks terrific in their home.



Speaking of gift-giving...and December...are you giving away any handmade gifts this year for Christmas?

draw a straight line

"...but I can't even draw a straight line."

You've heard that said, haven't you? Or perhaps...you've humbly said it yourself? I know I've said it a time or two.

Or three.



And with the quilting on this quilt, I've proven that I cannot! (*Tongue-in-cheek statement.)

Seriously now. The owner and creator of this sumptuous flannel quilt -- Carrie O. -- wanted her Blue Meadows Designs quilt to have a snuggly feel upon being machine quilted. And as you see in the following two photos...Carrie chose the perfect backing for just that: Minkee Dimple Dots.

Or is that Minky Dimple Dots? I can never remember.



That aside...a very loose...flowing...freeform...cross-hatch inspired treatment is what I decided to stitch upon Carrie's quilt. I was first inspired to use this type of treatment through Mary. Go ahead and click on Mary's name...I've linked you back to her current and ever-active blog.

The gigantic snowflakes? I outline stitched those.



Can't you just imagine its warmth! Now this is a quilt that I could certainly be drawn to on a cold winter's night! You?

happy thanksgiving!

Whether you celebrate a tradition Thanksgiving Day or just a typical Thursday...may you enjoy an abundance of comfort, love, and laughter this day....

I hurriedly snapped this picture -- exactly one month ago today -- of pheasants out in our front yard. Today? We have snow and ice covered ground and the pheasants are quite likely under cover in the tall grasses that are in the distance in this photo.

God paints a beautiful picture, doesn't He!

as cute as a button

Don't you agree?

Allow me to introduce to you: Little Diesel. He is what I've been doing for the past 10 days. Pup sitting for my son and his girlfriend.

My, am I ever thankful that I finished most of my Christmas machine quilting deadlines early!



He's a handful...but I love him to pieces!

Oh...and please forgive my lack of photog skills. Little D is always on the move...and that movement is nothing less than fast and full speed ahead!



Look at that expression! Doesn't he just warm your heart?

don't water the flowers!

You don't read those directions very often, do you!



Isn't this sampler quilt just sweet! I love the mix of applique with pieced blocks. That always seems to catch my eyes.

And the color scheme. Grand, isn't it!



This quilt was created by Lynda D., a client of mine from the western area of North Dakota. I machine stitched a variety of textures...all freehand...throughout the quilt.

Lynda and I spoke on the phone a few times, regarding this sampler. And what did I find out during our conversations? She thinks of herself as a novice! Lynda has pretty superb skills, if you ask me!



She is definitely a master of this garden!

being framed

I am totally smitten with simple quilts, containing simple lines, created from absolutely delightful fabric! Oh...and let's not forget the most fabulous color scheme -- one of the most fabulous, anyway...in my opinion -- on trend these days: Turquoise and brown.

***Hmmm...note to self: You have turquoise and brown yarn, don't you? Let's get the hooks out and start crocheting, you!

My good friend and machine quilting client, Julee H., pieced this quilt as a gift for a special little youngster. I machine quilted it with my edge-to-edge Swirls...and used a variegated thread. That too, in yummy, hot chocolately shades of cream and brown.



What color scheme are you infatuated with these days?

they all felt just great!

Or at least...that's what I concluded from all of their comments!

I feel that I can safely say that we all had a wonderful morning, needle felting at the Putnam House!

Laughter...creativity...and the gentle sound of needle felting filled our classroom.

Pictured below, left to right are: Corean, Jan, and Val.



And here, in the pink is Pat...and Linda in the gold.



In the following photo are the two ladies that have been hidden by the lamps in the previous photos. From left to right, you find Brenda...and Rosemary...and Corean (pictured in the first photo as well).



There they are...all seven talented ladies!



Each one of them carried home a finished needle felted project! And hopefully a day's worth of inspiration and smiles.

I know that I certainly did!

it's new! it's true!

Big announcement everyone!

Yours truly is truly an Etsy Shop Owner!

Check it out...over in my right sidebar! Please visit my October's Child Etsy Shop!

Oh...can you tell...I'm excited!?!

I will be adding more things, so please stay tuned!

making house calls

What a fun day I experienced this past Saturday, during my Trunk Show and Needle Felting Class at the historic Putnam House!



To be honest...these photos were actually taken on Friday, as I had the House to myself to set up my wares.

Both Friday and Saturday were gorgeous Autumn days though...with beautiful sunlight streaming in through the Putnam House windows. I couldn't have asked for more!



My sincere "thanks" to those who stopped in to browse my trunk show. Your feedback was inspiring!



And to Alison and the Foster County Historical Society: "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

(Stay tuned for more photos of our Needle Felting Class.)

sweater weather

"Sweater weather." Say that out loud...fast...five times.

Oh come on....

You have to! Please?

See...I knew that you would!



It is definitely sweater weather here in North Dakota...no matter how many times you can say it without getting your tongue tied in a knot. And I love it! Sans the snow!

Oh...but you don't always have to wear a sweater. No no no. How about a sweater handbag?

Now...I have to admit. This may not be your everyday-sort-of run-of-the-mill handbag. Maybe you'll just save your sweater handbag for certain occasions.

Like going shopping...when you only need your wallet...perhaps a cellular phone...maybe some lip balm. Oh...and a little bundle of tissues. It is tissue weather, as well!



I created this sweater handbag from a wool sweater that I purchased from one of my favorite second hand stores.

***Ooh...note to self: Second-hand-store-wool-sweater-shopping weather is in full swing!



So how 'bout it? Do you have any wool sweaters in your closet that you may need to re-purpose into a one-of-a-kind handbag?

the simple things in life

A hot cuppa coffee in the morning. Chats with friends near and far, via this wonderful technical highway. Homemade soup for lunch...simmering in the crock pot.

Simple things. All of these and oh-so many more that will, for now, just go unmentioned. But in this month of Thanksgiving for us Americans...I am in a state of reflection and gratefulness....



This quilt may be noted as being simple. But no quilt is ever easy. There's a difference, don't you agree?

It has simple lines. Mostly solid or at least solid-reading fabrics. Simple quilting. And in my opinion, all of these factor into it being a scrumptious quilt!

Ah...but it is not mine to take credit for. Okay. I will gladly take credit for the machine quilting: Swirls in the body of the quilt...and piano keys in the outer borders.

This quilt was pieced by and belongs to my client, Bonnie N. And if I remember correctly, Bonnie was going to give this quilt to a special someone for a gift. How nice!



What simple gifts are you thankful for?