It's A Challenge

I attended the Quilt Challenge reveal luncheon where I saw some very pretty and creative wall hangings, table runners, and a bed quilt.  My local shop hosted a Dresden Plate quilt challenge so I decided to sign up and spent the past few months in my sewing room.

The Dresden Plate pattern was first published in 1920 and became extremely popular through the 1930's.  The design was known by several names:

Dresden Plate 

Grandmother's Sunburst 

Friendship Ring

Aster

Dahlia

Sunflower

Some are made with the a smooth outer circle...

But more often you see the blocks with either rounded petals....

Or pointed petals....

Not sure what to stitch, I searched the Internet and found a picture that inspired me.  Here is an in progress picture of the wall quilt that I made...

My search for "just the right color" of Ric Rac left me in a quandary, I managed to find the right color but it was not the right size.  What would I use for the stem? Given the large selection of ribbon in the store I managed to find what I needed and set out to do some Ruching...approximately 10 feet for the stem work. 

After many weeks I successfully completed my entry just days before the Quilt Challenge Reveal and here it is...

2013 Dresden Plate Quilt Challenge

I attended the luncheon at the quilt shop where I met some nice ladies, saw some wonderful quilt entries, tasted some delicious food, and had my entry judged. 

So, how did I fair in this challenge?  

I took 2nd place and was awarded a $75.00 Gift Certificate to the quilt shop.  

First Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

As you can see there were many beautiful entries! 

For those interested in making a Dresden Plate block or quilt, HERE is a good tutorial. If you prefer a YouTube video I found one HERE.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Until Next time...

A truly Generous Friend

As I stated in my previous post, Blogging friends are the BEST! Here is just another example...

My dear friend Vonna, who is the person that helped me when I first started Blogging back in 2007, did a beautiful job stitching Midnight Ride.  I contacted her about the pattern and days later I received an envelope from her that contained not just Midnight Ride but also Forget-Me-Not Sampler by Country Stitches.  

Look closer, do you see all the WDW? Yup, she sent that as well! 

I wanted to return the kind gesture so I stitched up this candle mat...

Designer: Pineberry Lane

Design: Fancey's Sunflowers

Fabric: 32ct Linen over 2

Floss: Victorian Motto Sampler Threads, Threadworx

And this little treat bag...

Designer: Drawn Thread

Design: Spiders 'N Bones

Thanks again Vonna...As always, you are the BEST!

Until Next time...

Spooktacular Surprise

Blogging friends are the best, truly the BEST.  I received a package from Julianne today that certainly put a smile on my face.  I have been "blogging friends" with Julianne for many years and am blessed to have a number of treasures stitched by her.  When I think of Julianne I think of Prairie Schooler, this is one of her favorite designers.  She is so very sweet ~ she sent me this spooktacular gift!

2013 Gift from Julianne

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: Boo Moon

Stitched by: Julianne

How awesome is that? This great design is such a wonderful addition to my Halloween Tree. 

Julianne also included a bag of the most delicious candies.  Hmmm, I am wondering if she made these?

The Halloween Ornament was a joint effort, Julianne stitched it and her DD did the finishing and mailed it off to me.  Great job on the finishing "J" ~ I love the braided trim!

A huge thank you to Julianne and her DD for this RAK; your package brightened my day! 

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Until Next time...

A Sweet Exchange

I spent the last week in South Carolina with two great friends, Anne and Kathy.  We headed to Georgia to attend the Southern Living Fair.  While I was gone my HOE Runners Up exchange arrived from Conny C. and here is what she sent...

2013 HOE Runners Up

Designer: LHN 

Design: Baked Goods

From: Conny C.

So sweet!  Beautifully stitched and creatively finished.  I love the tiny colored bells and the adorable gingerbread button.  I am so lucky, Conny stitched for me in the HOE Halloween exchange so I hope someday soon I can stitch for her.  Thanks again Conny!!!

On November 8th I am planning to attend a quilt challenge reveal.  My local quilt shop is hosting a Dresden Plate Quilt challenge and I decided to join in but I still have a bit to do on my entry so I will end now and head up to my sewing room.

Have a great day ~ Thanks for stopping by.

Until Next time...

Halloween Stitching

I'm so excited to share a picture of the wonderful HOE Halloween Exchange that I received from Conny. She selected a design from one of my favorite designers, BBD and stitched two designs. I absolutely adore this two sided ornament and love that she included my initial.

Designer: Blackbird Design

Design: Cast A Spell

Stitched By: Conny C.

The ornament looks great on my Halloween tree.  Thanks again Conny!

My HOE Halloween exchange arrived at Linda's door.  Here is what I stitched for her...

 HOE Halloween Exchange

From: 2013 JCS Halloween

Design: Roly Poly

Finish: Small Box and Scissor Fob

Stitched for: Linda O.

I also heard from my dear friend Carol S. that my HOE Runners Up ornament arrived at her door.  Here is what I stitched...

2013 HOE Runners Up

Designer: LHN

Design: Little Sheep Virtue ~ Hope

Stitched for: Carol S.

Carol is such a generous friend, always sending me something wonderful, I wanted to send her a surprise.  She is interested in building a stash of Halloween Ornaments so I stitched this little treasure:

From: 2012 JCS Halloween

Design: Salem

I found a cute black cat button and stitched it on the back.  

If anyone is interested in stitching Halloween ornaments then check out the HOE blog.  I am coordinating a bimonthly exchange that will run alternately with the Christmas Ornament exchanges.  This is a great way to build a stash for your Halloween tree.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until Next time...

Oh So Clever

I saw this on Pinterest and thought, what a great idea!!! Being a big coffee lover I go through a lot of these.  No longer will I discard them into my recycle bin. No, they will be re-purposed by simply tearing off the wrapper and washing them out. 

What can you do with them? Here is an idea for you...

Designer: Scarlett House

Design: Death by Candy Corn

How cute is that? And so fast to stitch/finish. I used the Death by Candy Corn design, with a few modifications, to construct this container sleeve. 

Next up, making a sleeve based on this design and filling the container with M&M's...

Designer: Scarlett House

Design: No Quitter

Off to stitch a few more container sleeves...

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great weekend!

Until Next time...

Pumpkins For Cathey

You are one SWEET...

Who is cared about and thought of often!

HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY Cathey!

Love, from one of your many Pumpkin Patch followers...