Doll Quilt Swap 4 Reveal

Finally a picture of the Quilt that I sent out to my swap partner the end of August. What do you think? I hope she likes it. :-) The name of the quilt is "B is for Butterflies", my own design. Unfortunately I did not think to take a picture of the tag on the back before I sent it out. The off white center of the quilt is hand quilted and the rest of the quilt is machine quilted.

I am the lucky recipient of this very cute fish quilt named "Aqua Fishy". Isn't it just adorable! I love the colors! :-) Thanks Adrienne for a positively lovely quilt. You did a great job! :-) Along with this quilt Adrienne sent me some fabric, one of them being a fabric that I have been wanting for a long time. Yea!!! :-)

I enjoyed participating in this swap so much I can't wait for Doll Quilt Swap 5!

Doll Quilt Swap 4 Sneak Peek #2

O.K. so I did not finish the quilt top like I thought. I decided to add a little more to it. Here is sneak peek #2. What do you think so far? I am farther along on the quilt then what is shown in the picture.

Doll Quilt Swap 4 Sneak Peek #1

Thought I would let you in on some of the fabrics I am using in the doll quilt. The fabrics are a mix of vintage reproductions, vintage with a twist and new design fabrics. I should have the top done tomorrow. Check back for more sneak peeks this week. :-)

Still Here! Update On Quilt Projects

Hi everyone! Sorry I have not been posting very much lately. I don't like posting with out a picture but this post will have to be picture less. Sorry. :-( I have been working 3 days a week at our shop so have not had time to post much.

Thought I would give you a little update on my quilt projects. I am still trying to catch up on my Dear Jane Quilt blocks. I am also still working on my sampler quilt and have 3 blocks left to do. I should have some time on Monday to take pictures and post them. I have not started the doll quilt for the Doll Quilt Swap 4 yet but have been drawing up some different ideas. I had an Anonymous person leave me a note on my doll quilt post, stating that maybe I should post on what kind of doll quilt I would like to receive. Well, I have to say I would be happy with most anything that someone would take the time to make for me. In case that was my anonymous partner that left the message, sorry for not posting about what I would like sooner. Here are a few ideas of the types of fabrics I like. The doll quilt by no means has to be made using one of these fabrics this is just to give you an idea of the styles I like. I like Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner and Heather Bailey fabrics. I also like 3 Sister by Moda, most all Moda fabrics, Micheal Miller fabrics, retro, modern, Aunt Grace type fabrics. As you can see I like a wide variety of styles so am easy to please. :-) I hope this helps. Please don't stress about it just have fun making it. :-)

Well, I better go for now, I am tired and going to bed. This is early for me, but I have been feeling a little under the weather for a couple of weeks. I think going to bed earlyer will do me some good. Cheerio & Happy Quilting!

The Pink Artist Drawing

Starting August 1, 2008 - October 15, 2008 we, The Pink Artists will be raising money for Susan G. Komen For The Cure. For every $10 you donate your name will be put in a draw to win "Love Squared" and other artist items. Click on the link above to find out more or stay tuned for more information as time gets closer. Feel free to copy the image below to make flyers to pass out to your family and friends. For more posts on "The Pink Artist Project" click here.

A Little Bit Of Everything

Notice the new button on my blog! I joined a Doll Quilt Swap. I am so excited! It is round 4 at the Doll Quilt Swap blog. I wanted to join this swap the last round but just missed the cut off date. This time around they decided to increase it to 100 people. I just made it in at #90 and am so excited to get started. Yeah!!! I know who my partner is but I can't say because it is a secret (zzzzzzzzzzziping my lips). I will let you in on my progress but have not decided if I want to reveal the full quilt when I am finished until my swap partner receives it. We'll see though! (wink, wink) ;-)

I am still plugging away on my Dear Jane Blocks and am still behind. I will take pictures of my new blocks and show them to you soon. I joined the fabric swap at the Dear Baby Jane blog so am excited to get some new fabrics for my quilt. I don't remember if I told you before but I am not repeating any fabrics in my quilt except for the creamier back ground fabrics.

Last but certainly not least I have got to talk about the weather. The weather? Yes, the WEATHER. I know it does not sound very interesting but you won't believe this, it is June, well that part is believable, LOL! but this part is not, we woke up to snow half way done the mountain. I know, I know crazy isn't it! I just don't know what to say about this but "strange!" I have never seen fresh snowfall in June.

Well that is all I have to say for now. Have a great day!

Dear Jane Blocks Update

I finished five blocks yesterday and 1 today. I now have 7 blocks done. Just 19 more blocks to do to catch up to everyone over at the Dear Baby Jane Blog. Did I say "Just 19 more blocks..."? Oh boy! I better get moving on these blocks! :-)

Finally! A Dear Jane Block!

I have officially started my Dear Baby Jane Quilt. Yes!!! Here is the first block B13. I am, oh lets see, 21 blocks behind!!! :-0 I have a lot of catching up to do. I am hoping to show you more blocks next week (crossing my fingers). :-)

Making Butter How Cool Is That!

I thought this was really neat. I did this a couple of months ago with my children but am just now getting around to posting the pictures I took on my butter making attempt, which was very successful, I might add. :-)

You will need the following:
1. Jar
2. Heavy Whipping Cream
5. Salt (optional) I did not use any.
4. An arm that is in really good shape to shake, shake, shake, LOL!

The first thing you need to do is let your whipping cream sit out on the counter so it will get to room temperature. I only let mine sit out for about 4 hours or so. The longer it sits out the less sweet your butter will be. When the whipping cream is at room temperature pour it into the jar and tighten the lid. Now it's time to exercise those arms, shake, shake, shake that jar! That's right your doing fine! LOL! Anyway, keep shaking. The jar will be white for a while, then you will notice the milk starting to separate from the sides at this point the butter is start to form. Keep shaking until the butter starts to solidify. At this point you can stop and pour the butter milk out, then place the lid back on and keep shaking. When you have more butter milk stop and repeat pouring butter milk out. Keep doing this until you have no more butter milk. Take the butter out of the jar and place in a bowl, pour a little cold water over it and start patting it with a spoon so to take out any remaining milk out of the butter. Repeat cold water process until no more butter milk comes out of the butter. Drain. Your done! You can also clean the butter milk off of the butter while it is still in the jar if you like, rather then putting it in a bowl. Save the butter milk to use in banana bread or blueberry muffins. Yummy! Oh, how good is that! :-) You can also use a Kitchen Aid mixer. That's right let the blender do all the work for you. Try it and let me know how your butter turns out. This is a great thing to do with your children. All though I have to say I think I was more excited about the whole process then they were. LOL! It might be because I really like real butter. My motto for butter is "if you can't see it, there's not enough on it". I have to say, I am getting better and not using so much, now if I can just cut back on the sour cream (my other weakness) then I'll really be doing good. LOL!

A little side note to all my faithful readers, sorry for not being very good at posting this month. I promise I will do better next month. I will be posting some of my sampler quilt blocks soon. Remember the Dear Jane quilt project? I will be starting that soon also. I finally got the computer program for it, now I just need to find the time to start the blocks. I hope to be posting some of those soon also. A new thing I want to start on my blog is posting a really good recipe every month. Check back in May for my second recipe post.

Remember if you try the butter come back and let me know how it went and what method you used. :-)

The Pink Artist Doll "Love Squared" Reveal

The Doll is finished! Her name, "Love Squared". She wears 180 two inch squares. 182 artist total created her. She is just under 40" tall and weighs 6 lbs 2 ounces. Monica said it beautifully "She smiles because already she knows love and is able to give love unconditionally. To many she is a symbol of hope. She stands for courage and was built by a community of givers."

In case you missed my earlier post about The Pink Artist Doll let me catch you up on what I am talking about. Monica Magness of Girl Gone Thread Wild had an idea to make a doll to help raise money for breast cancer research. She asked for artists to make two 2" squares. I answered the call and sent in two squares. I did this for my sister-in-laws mother Gail and all the other beautiful ladies in the world who have had to fight cancer. Love Squared has been sent into Art Doll Quarterly, who is going to do an article on the doll. The doll will be auctioned off on eBay at a later date. The money raised will go to Susan G. Komen For The Cure. I will keep you updated on what is going on with doll as I find out. :-)

Below are the squares that I made for the doll. Feel like playing I spy? LOL! You can see one of my squares on both bottom row close up pictures. The square that is shown has one of my favorite quotes, "Beautiful people cause beautiful things to happen".

Last but certainly not least I want to thank Monica Magness for thinking up such a wonderful idea and seeing it through to the end. You did a beautiful job Monica! Hats off to you!!!