BLISS! and American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine

Hello Woolies!

I hope you are experiencing a wonderful Fall Day!  When I look out of my windows I am amazed how quickly the leaves are turning and falling.  Chuck hinted laughingly that he thought it might be time to turn on the furnace.  That is his way of telling me that he is cold.  Here I am just loving the cooler temperatures and the last thing that came to my mind was to turn on the HEAT!  Isn’t that one of the reasons why we make all of these beautiful quilts…..to snuggle under them when it gets cold.  My friend and staff person Yvonne talks about how her and hubbie challenge each other to see how long they can go without turning on the furnace.  They just pile on the quilts.  My problem is…..I get cold, cover up with a quilt, get my stitching all organized in my lap (on top of the quilt) and then promptly fall asleep.  I guess it is just called BLISS!

 

I wanted to give you some exciting news!  As you know, our quilting Bible…American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine features projects from Quilters.  We as Designers submit projects to the magazine in hopes of being included in an issue.  In 2009, we were honored to in the Quilt Sampler magazine as a Top Ten Shop.  And, in 2010, I was selected and invited along with 20 other North American Designers to be honored in the “Creative Circle”.  It was amazing….kind of like being on the Oprah show!  Anyway….I am honored to have one of my projects featured in the December issue of American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine.  I am letting you know, because, they tell me it may hit the Newstands/Quilt shops this week, so look for the issue.  My project is called “Pocketbook” and those of you that know me, know that I love the challenge of taking trash and turning it into treasure.  A vintage piece – otherwise a “throw away” and giving it new life.  My way of recycling.  My BLISS!  See….I get BLISS from many different places.  I hope that the article will inspire you to create some treasures of your own.

 

 

This article is a perfect reason for a GIVEAWAY!  Maybe adding a bit of BLISS to your life.  I am giving away one of my creations (not the one in the magazine).  I found this cute round vintage navy blue purse at a local flea market.  Every part of it was in great condition, including the lining inside.  So, I designed a Penny Rug for the lid of the purse.  It features a Rose and of course….a BEE!.  Inside the purse where there once was a mirror, I added a small Penny Rug embroidered with “Needles” and glued it to the worn spot left by the missing mirror.  VIOLA! A Sewing Kit.  Small, but great for those important Sewing items….scissors, threads and needles, of course.  I like it because it sits flat on your table and opens to reveal all your necessary sewing notions inside.  Here is your chance to win this fun Sewing Kit.  Sign up as a Member or leave a Comment beginning today 9/25 through November 1^st.  We will draw for the Winner and announce the Winner on Friday, November 2^nd.  Good Luck!

 

 

 

 

 

           

“Snowbuddies” – November is Coming……..

This Free Downloadable project sure has been fun!  I swear, I just get one designed and it is time to design the next. I hope you liked our October “Snowbuddie” all gussied up in his Mask….Bats and all….for Halloween.  This Embroidery of the Month is designed to be whimsical and make you smile.  If you are signed up as a “Member” of the Blog it will just automatically appear in your mailbox to remind you that it is the first of the month.  I will include in November’s design how I am putting my blocks together.  It matches the whimsy of the project. Any ideas for the November design????? I’d love to hear them!

 

I think I will go walk on the leaves and see if they CRUNCH!  BLISS!!

 

Connie

 

Mini Moments with Bee…………………………….             

 

As you see below in the picture, I am drawing a pretty picket fence on the door outside the shop. As you might already know we are painting it. I am very excited to start it.                

 

I had a wonderful birthday about three weeks ago. I had a great birthday dinner/movie birthday sleepover with a friend.  I got wonderful gifts. One of which, I've been waiting for forever, a cell phone.  I also got to go shopping and out to dinner with my Tee Tee and mom.  We went to Aeropostale, Marshall's, and Justice.  I got lots of clothes.  Other than a birthday this month it has been great.  I can't believe it is almost October.  It seems like it was just the beginning of summer. Wow, life does go fast.

 

Phrase of the Day- Spend each day making small memories because some day when you look back to the memories they'll be big.

Fall is in the air....

Hello Woolies,

It has been a busy few weeks here.  We have spent the last two weeks closing out our Retail space – The Little Wool Shoppe.  After over 8 years of Retailing, it is time for a change.  Change is good and I am looking forward to focusing my efforts on my Quilt Pattern Design Business – Starry Pines Pattern Company and offering retail items for sale on our Wool Shoppe Website.  Although our brick and mortar doors will be closed to the public on a daily basis, we will still be offering lots of new projects, mysteries and Block of the Month projects on line.  First! Coming is The Red Chair project, so watch for details.

And Blogging, we will keep sharing with you – Savannah and I.  I have been wanting to paint our back door.  Now, it will be quite the process as Savannah and I will be painting a creative new “gateway” to the building .  Below is a photo of Savannah at what is now a very plain entrance….stay tuned for the changes as we make it a very magical entrance.

 

 

Moda Suitcase – The winner of the Moda suitcase is  Phyllis.   Congratulations!!  Phyllis, I responded to your post comment.  It should get sent to you as an email as well.  Please contact us with your address so we can send it off to you.

 

How Does Your Garden Grow??? -  If you have squash and zucchini galore here is a recipe that you will enjoy.  We have a cute towel pattern with the following verse embroidered on it……”if you don’t have zucchini, you don’t have friends!”  If your friends and neighbors are sharing their abundance, try this recipe.  It reheats beautifully.

 

Zucchini Casserole

6 c. sliced zucchini or mixed squashes

½ c. chopped onion

1 can cream of Chicken soup

1 c. sour cream

1 cube margarine

1 – 14 oz. herb seasoned stuffing mix

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 c. shredded carrots

Cook zucchini and onion for 5 minutes.  Drain.  Combine soup, sour cream and carrots, fold into drained squash and onion.  Add salt and pepper.  Combine stuffing mix and melted margarine which has been mixed with 1 ½ c. of water.  Put half of dressing into the bottom of a greased 9” X 13” pan.  Cover with vegetable mixture and put rest of dressing mixture over the top.  (I would add some shredded Parmesan cheese if you like)  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bubbly.

Have a great week!

Connie

Mini Moments from Bee………………

I auditioned for a Christmas show a few weekends ago that will be put on by my dance studio. It is the first time they have done a Christmas show and thank goodness it isn’t the Nutcracker.  It is a show written by the owner and her husband.  It is about a girl that learns about the true meaning of Christmas, and it is called Christmas Presence. Well anyway, I got the main part, the little girl. We will be performing at the Lincoln Center, in Fort Collins, on November 30th and December 1st.  I can’t wait!  I start rehearsing on Wednesday. The Christmas show is going to be a blast. For the show we even have a live camel and donkey. I’M NOT KIDDING!

Phrase of the day- Life is to short for us to get mad at things not worth getting mad at. So keep your madness for times when being mad is worth something to you.