Quilt & Winner

I know, what an exciting and creative title for my post. FINALLY, I finished this quilt, and I've been meaning to bind it since, well, awhile. I did it on the way to California on a road trip a couple weeks ago because it usually takes 4 - 6 hours to hand bind a quilt. The fabric is called "Frolic" by Moda and I used the "Swizzle Sticks" pattern. There are LOTS of rectangles and a close up picture on the bottom. Somehow, I feel the need to share the colors I used: Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Tempting Turquoise, and Early Espresso (this won't be funny unless you're a stamper). Now for the winner of the stamp set . . . it's Debbie.

Little Piggy & Give Away

Here's a card I made from one of my favorite new sets called "Button Buddies". All the images are designed to have a button coordinating with them. I used Pretty in Pink and Pear Pizzazz along with four different punches. The words are from "Friendly Phrases", another cute set from the new catalog. I added the new Scallop Dots Ribbon in Pretty in Pink on the bottom. This is a new hostess set that you can earn, but you can also leave me a comment to enter your name in a drawing to win it. I will draw a name and announce the winner on Friday night.

Wheel Builders

Here are three new wheel builders: Henry (top), Albert (middle), and Chloe (bottom). These all fit on the Jumbo Wheel Handle. I stamped the top two in Soft Suede and the bottom one in Tangerine Tango. Then I stamped more argyles and flowers in Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, and Soft Suede, cut them out, and adhered them on top. I added brads to the flowers and popped them up with Dimensionals. Don't you love the new style of 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon? It's available in all of the new In Colors. The background was made with the new Houndstooth Embossing Folder.

Best of Everything

Hot off the press--I just got it today from the new 2011-2012 Catalog & Idea Book! It's called "Best of Everything" and has ten stamps including this cute little birdie, a tree, some flowers, a button, a berry, and some words. I used ALL the new "In Colors" on a Crumb Cake card with my sewing machine adding the trim. The colors from top to bottom are: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Wisteria Wonder. I used the coordinating "Buttons & Blossoms" Jumbo Wheel for the background. I also added a new Designer Printed Brad which comes in the five above colors. Finally, I used the Scallop Edge Border and Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punches.

Cats

Now these are the kind of cats (catamarans) that I like! We were in California for the holiday weekend and this is what I absolutely loved watching on the Pacific Ocean. We were hanging out on the beach right near the launching spot and I just couldn't get enough--it was 77, sunny, breezy, and the sails would catch the wind and just float away.

Red, White, & Blue

This card was made with the "July Fourth" stamp set from last summer. I used Real Red and Night of Navy, many circle punches, and coordinating brads. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Follow Up on "52"

We're halfway through the year and here's my follow up to my original post on January 1. I set goals in different areas and broke them up into 52 weeks. I haven't followed the plan exactly but I feel like I've accomplished much. I have learned 26 hymns/songs, walked at least 10 miles each week--I missed two weeks due to traveling. I reorganized around 20 different things in the house such as the DVDs, my fabric, the kitchen cupboards, my shoes, etc. We have actually had a date (movie, restaurant, park) once a week. I also listed my top 52 movies of all time. It's funny because most of them were either musicals or romantic comedies . . . and yes, I've probably watched half of them already. What I haven't done so well is journaling. I have found it's easier to write things in the computer rather than in an actual journal. I just need to take my short thoughts and make them into stories. Good thing the year is only half over--I have six months to work on the rest of the goals!