Button Drawing Winner...Maybe!!??

A couple of days ago...we had a little contest...for a free button from my Etsy shoppe. It ended Sunday (i.e. midnight last night...CST). So, today, I sat down and wrote little slips with the name and button selection of all the folks that left comments. Here they all are:

Then I selected a winner...and it was Wendy (maybe...keep reading). 

 Wendy's comment said "I love them all, but since I have to choose, it would be B112 the blue flower button...just gorgeous!". 

 However, Wendy's profile is not set to public so I can not see her profile information and get her email address...and she did not include it in her comment...SOOOOO....have no way of contacting her. So, Wendy...normally, I'd pick a new winner. But, since I did not state these "guidelines" in the original post...and to be completely fair...you have 24-hours to contact me with your mailing address so I can send your prize to you. (By 12:30 CST tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/12/2011)

If Wendy, does not email me (or comment here on this post with her email address) I will pick a new winner. So, right now...I'm saving my bowl of slips along with Wendy's button...just in case. UPDATE: Wendy send me her mailing address...and her button went into the mail today. Thanks to all who played...we'll do it again real soon!

PLEASE READ...I know it's long...but, it's important!!

Today, a very good friend sent me this message…and she gave me permission to post it on my blog (I changed the last names to just the initials)

I’m requesting that you read it…and if you have a blog, or belong to a quilting or needle-arts group/guild/club that you make them aware of the effort as well. Getting the word out is most appreciated!!

QUOTE: The following letter is being sent to this and several other needlework sites.  I am hoping we can get a good response that will rock the socks off of the Bastrop community! 

We are all aware of the devastating fires that recently shook eastern Texas.  We know several ladies who have been affected by these fires.  For instance,  Michele P., and Debi H. both of Bastrop have lost there homes completely  to the fires there this past week as have several other of our stitching friends. Lyn G., who is also from Bastrop, has her home still standing but she was totally without

power/electricity for several days.  Frannie S. and Kay F. of nearby Cedar Creek have their homes still

standing but they had been evacuated. All three of these last ladies have suffered a great deal of smoke

damage to everything in their homes, including their stash.

The members of Stitchmap are working on coordinating donations for helping to replace the stash of the

ladies who lost everything and those who may have suffered smoke damage beyond repair.  We are accepting donations of all types of stash from scissors, floss, fabric, mags/books, needles, etc. If you use it in CQ, embroidery, quilting or other types of needlework, they can definitely use it to replace what has been lost. We have also had a suggestion that a donation of gift cards for the local needlework supply stores - such as the local quilt shop, Joanns, Hobby Lobby, etc. - might be a good idea so that they can replace those items like cutting mats, etc. that are awkward to mail. Whatever we can do to help will be done.

It is our intention to collect the donations at one central location here in Colorado.  Then we will personally transport a delivery as soon as we hear that they have had a chance to regroup, talk with their insurance agents and that they have decided whether to rebuild or move into some already built place. Some are living in 5th wheelers right now.  We are coordinating with one of our Austin members (just 30 miles away from Bastrop) who will help oversee the distribution of the Christmas ornament donations. Without a place to store the needlework stash donations, and with the holidays soon approaching, it seems senseless to send that to them right now. I am sure they have more important things to worry about at the moment than where to put a new donation of stash. We have had a watertight, covered 8 'x 12' trailer offered for hauling the things down to Texas (can we say Road Trip!) and to deliver the stuff to these stitchers personally. Several of us from Colorado will be going down at the time so there will be a complete accounting for all donations.

Here is the plan: Once the fire victims who have lost everything have had an opportunity to take what they can use from our donations, we will arrange for the members of their local quilting group (who were also affected but not to the degree of losing everything) to have an opportunity to take what they can use. If there is anything left at that point we will offer it to the local community to help replace what may have been lost by any stitchers in the area. We are working on establishing a site to set the donations out so that these needle-woman can come and see what is offered/donated.  We are working on a method of advertising this opportunity to the community beforehand.  It is our intention to come home with an empty trailer.

ALSO: In the meantime, we have agreed to work on helping to replace precious handmade Christmas ornaments for these fire victims. We would be more than willing to include your ornaments among the donations if you are inclined to make some for them.

Everyone will be credited on a list of donors that will be given to the recipients. We are targeting the week of Thanksgiving as the completion date for Christmas ornaments so that we can get them to Texas before Christmas. We will take stash donations between now and the end of the year, to be delivered in person right after the first of the year, hopefully. Exact delivery date will depend on their ability to receive something at the time.

If you would like to help in this effort please contact me privately (if you haven't already) at ladyjspice@aol.com or call me at 719-392-6303.   I will be in touch with you right away with more information and details.

Hugs, Shari Jensen (Colorado)
          Stitchmap Yahoo Group Owner 

ENDQUOTE

Donations should be mailed directly to Shari. Please email her or call her to obtain her address for mailing/shipping/drop-off. Please spread the word! Thanks so much!!!

BTW, Lyn will be helping in this larger effort as well…and I posted about her story just this past week…you can go back a couple of posts to get a link to that and you’ll be able to read her own personal account of this tragic fire on Bastrop and her own family.

HUGS to all!!

 

Donating...to Texas quilters that have lost their stash!

I'm sure that most of you (especially those in the United States) have seen news stories of late about the Texas Wildfires. Personally, I have 3 quilting friends from some of my cyber groups that have really been in my mind lately. Two of them have lost their homes and (horror) all of their stash! The third is fine, have suffered through loss of electricity...and smoke damage only. She has posted her story today on her own blog...and I invite you to go read it.QUILTING LION BLOGSPOTSome of my books are on hold for these ladies...but an effort to collect for all quilters in the area is underway if you have any items you'd like to contribute to their cause. The information is in Lyn's post...please go read it. Thanks.

I'm Drowning!!! Let's have a Give-a-Way!

I'm drowning... in CLUTTER!! And it just keeps getting worse! I've pulled out so many things to de-clutter...and this week, it was books! This is not easy work! I have selected about half of my bookshelf to "dispose" of...around 60+ books. But, to put them on the Studio site..they have to be photographed...then the webpage has to be built. Actually, several pages...because I like a variety of subjects...cross-stitch, quilting, silk ribbon, etc...etc. So, for the past two days I'm stuck working on this laptop and with my books surrounding me! It is more mess than when I began! But, I am so looking forward to when all of this stuff has found a new home, and is being enjoyed by someone...instead of just sitting on my shelves gathering dust! I hope to have all of the pages ready for publishing today or tonight!!

 And to add to the problem...these (and about 20 more styles) of gorgeous Czech Glass Buttons arrived this past week! I have spent more computer time...loading them on my Etsy shop! 

 Yes, I'm adding to the "clutter" as I am disposing! But, the Etsy will be limited only to cabochons, buttons, and my autographed book! This square button is my favorite! What is your favorite? Oh, I know...let's have a little contest! 

 You pick a favorite style button from the Etsy shop...and come back and post a comment here...Tell me your favorite! On, Sunday...I'll pick a winner and you get your favorite button! I'd appreciate your passing the work along that the buttons have arrived in the shop as well of course. Hugs! PS: Books are now loaded on the Studio....and next, I'm going to start working on photographs, etc of PATTERNS!

First Thursday Thimble - Late

We did not get to vacation at the beach this year, as we did last year...and the fun was really missed. Hope your family was able to catch a few waves...but if not, here's a little thimble for you. Perhaps it will remind you of days past with sun, sand, and lot's of beautiful water! I've include a png and a jpeg format photo for your use.

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - Q

 

Large Rose Clay Bead

I'm still trying to get over all the work for the wedding...feel so tired! More rose beads came in on Saturday, and I've loaded them on the Studio Clearance Page.

It's Over..Woot!Woot!

The wedding went just fine...everyone loved the dress...and the candy! Thankfully. The bride was especially happy...and that make all of her "contributing aunts/uncles" happy too. Here are a few photos of her dress, here ceremony, and one of my brother (bride's dad) and my Mom. These are with the cell phone...so excuse the quality of the distance shots. Now, it's off to bed...I'm dog-sitting until the honeymooners return on Tuesday...and I hope that "Bella" doesn't wake me at 6:00 tomorrow...like she did this morning!

More Candy!

For those of you keeping up...no, the veil is not finished. But, it will be today. HUGS!We spend the afternoon and evening making candy yesterday. Here is a recipe for the one that was the fastest...and the best tasting (IMHO). Of course, I was on chocolate overload when I tasted these...so that might have contributed to their getting the highest vote...cause those chocolates were pretty good too!The ingredients are 1stick of butter (1/4 cup) softened; 2 cups of confectioner (10X) sugar; 1 small bag (about 8 oz) of shredded coconut. Make sure the butter is super soft. I left mine on the counter all day...so it was just right! Mix everything together...(wash you hands and use those...they work the best!). Form into balls. Place on cookie sheet. Put in freezer for about 15-20 minutes. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top (optional). Bet these would be good with chopped pecans added as well!And, these are great to get kid's involved in rolling them up, or even mixing them together...as there is no cooking involved!!

Still working...

I'm working on the veil, 12 feet of lace to adorn with sequins and beads...here it begins.And, here you can see the second layer that is not yet begun. 

 At this photo, there is about 10 feet to do. As I type, I have about 3 feet left...but I had to take a break...to make some candy.

Here are some caramel pecan pieces getting dipped into melted milk chocolate. 

 Tonight...more of the veil will be done...and more candy. Tomorrow...repeat. Hugs to all!BTW, if you are wondering about the 1st Thursday Thimble design...this month...it will have to be the 2nd Thursday as I'm not finished with it yet...and have no time to worry over that right now.

Flower Girl Dress Adorned

Still stitching lace motifs on the wedding gown bodice...should be finished this afternoon. But, last night I took a break from the dress to put crystal trim and buttons on the flower girl dress. 

 She will be sporting some "Bling" and will be so happy about that!

Would You...Could You...Cut This??

In the mid 80's my husband and I were living in Europe, courtesy of the Army. We loved our 6 years there, and were fortunate to take several trips. On one trip to Belgium we bought a tablecloth after seeing a young lady working to create a similiar one. 

 She sold this one to us for $300 at a time when the conversion rate was very good. Today, it would be impossible to find a hand-made lace table cloth anywhere near this price I'm pretty sure (especially one measuring 47 x 73 inches). A machine manufactured or Chinese knock-off perhaps...but not true handmade lace.

 So, here is my dilema...I've had this in a hope-chest for the past 30 years. And it has never once been used...which seems like such a waste. I'd love to sell it, but I don't know of any high-end designers that might think $300 for a tablecloth is a steal...do you? Seriously, I don't know anyone.So, I'm considering cutting it up for crazy quilt projects. So, far...I can't seem to make my self pick up the scissors...it just seems like a waste to cut such a great object up. At the same time, it's not fair that it just lies in my hope chest...What would you do? Could you ...would you...cut it?

Clearance Sale Continues--

Yesterday, I showed you the brooches and pendants I "unearthed" in my storage cabinets. Today, I added some enamel butterfly charms...

Cherub charms...Butterfly charms w/inked wings...

five different slides for button clusters...

 and four more lace motifs.

That's all the time I have to pull more stuff until after the wedding. I'll fill orders as they come in...and then after the 5th, I'll try to upload some of my "slightly loved" books and perhaps the spider bead kits too.
[Note to all you ladies on "fixed income" like myself. If you are waiting until the first of the month to order...please don't. Just email me the stock number, item, price you need...and I'll pull the stock to make sure it won't be gone by the 1st. I fully understand how that is.]

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, ...It's Off to Work I Go!

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Well, this one was stuck there for several hours last night as I stitched lace motifs on Melissa's wedding gown. And, I woke up to the tune still ringing in my ears this morning. It's been several weeks at least since Aidan and I watched the Disney DVD of Snow White...so I have no idea why it "popped" into my head last night!

Anyway...here is the lace that is already on the dress. The dress is ivory and so is the lace. Problem: Lace trim we ordered/received to go around the hem and down the side (bride's request) was white. So, now that it is on...it sticks out like a sore thumb. No big surprise to the seamstress...(me)...and the solution is to add bits of the same lace to the bodice to hopefully tie all of the components together. 

 This is not the only adjustment...and when I have a few minutes...I'll post on the problems with purchasing a wedding dress off Ebay! For now...the lace trim is being cut into individual motifs...floral and little bits that can be pieced in a pattern. Can you see the floral and the little pieces "trailing" off of that like a lace vine? That's what we're trying to do...and it covers some of the ivory...making it look like a background. At least that's what we are hoping. I'm 2/3 done with the front bodice and then I move to the back.