GREAT VACATION

Just got back from a wonderful vacation.  We spent a week camping at Luna-White Deer lake in northern Wisconsin.  What a fantastic place.  We were virtually alone there - no phones, no people, no one else but the loons.  I really didn't want to come back.

Sunset from our campsite.

Mad Dog the Magnificent surveying her new domain.

It was cold, she is old, we thought we should keep her warm.  This lasted about 30 seconds before she burst out of her little cocoon to bark at the squirrels.

From inside the tent.

Is it time for dinner.

A GREAT CLASS

I had the opportunity to take a class with Betty Pillsbury a couple of weeks ago at Designer's Desk in Geneva, IL.  She is a wonderful teacher.  I just brought muslin with me instead of a block.  I always agonize over what to put in any seam treatment.  After 2 days with Betty I have much more confidence.  She was also very generous in sharing her stash.  I didn't have all the right supplies with me and she was quick to share.  These pictures are just what I was able to get done during class, but I'm going to expand on them greatly.  My only regret was that I was unable to make the first day as well.

This was wired ribbon scrunched up and tacked down.  And the feather stitches were actually done with no marking.  That is definitely a new one for me.

 This is the SRE.  I had some trouble with the iris, but I loved the delphiniums on the right.  I'll definitely use those in the future.

 This was a piece of velvet ribbon covered with herringbone stitches and bugle beads - a few french knots to finish it off.

Feather stitch with BEADS!!!  How cool is that?

All this is just some of what we did.  Bottom line, don't miss a chance to take a course with Betty.

FINALLY FINISHED LESSON 6

I've been taking a basic CQ class on STITCHMAP.  I've fallen behind, but over the holiday weekend I caught up.  The class has us making a thread holder, a pin cushion and a needle holder.  The thread holder was focused on seam treatments and embroidered motifs.  The pin cushion will focus on beading, and the needle holder on SRE.

This is the thread holder.  I made the spider web with DMC metalic floss- that stuff is hard to work with.  The button cluster again showcases my love for the bright and shiney .  I will probably add some beading when I complete the beading lesson.

3 LOVELY GIVEAWAYS

First of all Ruby is giving away a lovely assortment of fluffy yarn.  I'm hoping to be one of the winners.  I think it will be lovely couched on a CQ piece.
http://neitherbrilliantnorbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/06/cool-giveaways-hot-summer-days.html

Second, Kerry has started a weekly giveaway that she wants to continue until she runs out of stash.  I believe this will be going on for a very long time.
http://kerrykatiecakes2.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway-days.html

And third, Pat Winters is celebrating the first day of summer with a wonderful giveaway.
http://gatherings100.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-day-of-summer-giveaway.html

Go check these 3 giveaways out and have a chance to add some wonderful items to your own stash.

Great New Web Store

One of my friends has opened up a new web store with the most beautiful CQ stuff.  She has beaded motifs - her dragon flies are amazing.  Also a really nice selection of laces - and dyes if you want to try coloring them.  Her hand-dyed silk threads and ribbons are from Judith Baker Montano and beautifully done.

Check it out!

http://shawkldesigns.com//INDEX.html

It's great eye candy and she is offering free shipping during May.

Remember that fantastic giveaway?

I WON!!!!  Cathy's Crazy By Design celebrated her 200th blog by having a wonderful giveaway - fabric, threads, and buttons.  I won the buttons!!!  What a great haul.

Thank you again Cathy.

Fantastic Giveaway

I came accross this wonderful giveaway. 

http://cathyscrazybydesign.blogspot.com/2010/04/200th-post-giveaway-finally.html

This is one of the best I've seen.  Check it out.