Tuesday, March 5, 2013

 
It's time for the Nancy Drew Blog Hop!  It starts tomorrow, March 6th, and runs through March 15th. The schedule is below...... my day is March 13th.  (Please come back!)
 
Like all of the blog hops, this one will be full of inspiration for everyone and I can't wait to see the creations!  Our only requirement was to use some fabric from the Moda "Get A Clue from Nancy Drew" fabric line.  "Some" meaning that at least part of your project includes this fabric..... you can add other fabrics too, as long as "some" Get A Clue fabric was used.
 
For those of you that are not participating, there are giveaways for you too.  If you comment on all of the blogs, you will be eligible for some wonderful giveaways, as well as individual giveaways on some of the participating blogs.
 
So have fun hopping, getting inspired, and maybe even winning a special gift!
 
THE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Michelle’s Romantic Tangle
Life in the Scrapatch
Debby Kratovil Quilts
Selina Quilts
Meadowbrook
Hilltop House Creative Works
My Sister Made Me Do It
Whims and Fancies
Pieced Brain
Just Let Me Quilt

Thursday, March 7, 2013
Simple Sew
Sewing By Moonlight
Beaquilter
Pat Sloan’s Place
A Stitch In Time
Judith Handmade Treasures
Gingersnaps Fabrics and Quilts
Judy At That Other Blog
Fabric-ating
Melinda Quilts Etc

Friday, March 8, 2013
That’s Sew Julie
Scrapbook-ChickADoodle
Lily Patch Quilts
Cherry’s Prairie Primitives
The Thimble Room
The Treehouse
The German Mom
Stitch, Stitch, Stitch.
Quiltin’ Jenny

Monday, March 11, 2013
Dancing thru-threads
Traveling Quilter
Wish Upon A Star
Jane’s Quilting
More Stars in Comanche
Moose Stash Quilting
Quilt Doodle Designs
Cate’s Linens
Sew Incredibly Crazy

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Marjorie’s Busy Corner
Kris Loves Fabric
The Slow Quilter
Accio Fabric!
Sew Many Yarns
Lixie Makes It
Betty at That Other Blog
Marcy M. at That Other Blog
Pigtales and Quilts

Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Gracie Oliver Arts
Life In Every Breath
Made By Me In Red
Agnes At That Other Blog
Words and Stitches
Rose Creations
Retired to Quilt
Leslie Tucker Jenison
Feathered Nest Studio

Thursday, March 14, 2013
Rose Prairie Quilts and Farm
Quilt ‘n Queen
Our Busy Little Bunch
Just Quilt It
Hilachas
Loves to Quilt
Sew. Darn. Quilt.
From This To That
LynMarie At That Other Blog

Friday, March 15, 2013
Little Mushroom Cap
Why-Knot-Kwilt
Daisy Days
Julia P. at That Other Blog
The Day Before This Day
Sew Far
Rainbows. Bunnies. Cupcakes.
Les passions de Cliodana
Sew We Quilt
Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: ,

Sunday, March 3, 2013


Just wanted to give you a heads up that the 2013 Designer Mystery Block of the Month program offered by The Fat Quarter Shop will be starting soon. 

I'm a HUGE fan of this BOM series and I've blogged about it before.  The block design is the "mystery" part of this BOM series.  They tell you the fabric used in the series, so you will know if you will want to join in....no mystery there.  The 2013 fabrics will be Avalon by Fig Tree for Moda.

The price is reasonable....$11.99 per month, which includes shipping....this is in the US.  You receive the block pattern of the month along with the fabric required to make the block.  And this is the best part.....they include extra fabric and I have always been able to make two blocks out of every kit.  Now that's a bargain!  (Don't you hate BOM's where you have to buy more fabric if you make an error in cutting..... and maybe just a tiny error.... where they have included only the minimum amount of fabric required to make the block.... grrrrr.....)

So.... click on the Fat Quarter Shop link.... go to the clubs and programs..... and sign up for this BOM.  While you're there, I'm sure you'll find other BOM's that will interest you.

Now I need to get some 2012 BOM's finished.  I think I'm three months behind right now!

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , ,

Friday, February 22, 2013


HAPPY BIRTHDAY OLIVER!
 
Today is Oliver's 17th birthday.....or at least his "approximate" birthday.  I adopted Oliver from the ASPCA 16 years ago and the vet estimated his age at 1 year at that time.  Since his assumed birthday is February 22, also George Washington's birthday, Oliver's middle name is Washington...... Oliver Washington.
 
I had no intention of adopting a cat.  I stopped at the pet shop to pick up dog food for my Labrador, Arielle (she passed away a few years after I adopted Oliver) where the ASPCA had set up an adoption area in the store for the day.  Long story short, I fell in love,  filled out the application and Oliver came home with me the next day.
 
He and Gracie have enriched my life in so many ways.  All of you pet lovers understand that a pet in your life can be one of your greatest comforts.  Gracie passed last July causing great grief for Oliver (and me) but he now seems to be doing well on his own.
 
I don't know how much longer I will have Oliver.  He has two life threatening health issues that are somewhat under control as of this writing.  I hope to have a few more years with him, but this is an unknown, making this birthday very special. The quality of his life is still very good but it could change in a heartbeat and I keep very close tabs on his health and behaviors. 
 
So, today, I celebrate Oliver's loving personality, his unconditional love, and his tender charm.   I thank God for creating animals that would become faithful, loving companions through life's ups and downs, giving everything of themselves, asking nothing in return. 
 
Happy Birthday, my sweet Oliver!

Posted by at 8 comments:
Labels: , ,

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

It's All About Me Blog Hop

Welcome to Gracie Oliver Arts!
 
 
Here we are, the first day of the It's All About Me blog hop!  We were generously provided a free pattern by Amy Bradley (one of my absolute favorite designers) to get our projects off to a great start.  Thanks, Amy! 
 
I also want to thank Marlene and Madame Samm for all of the organization that goes behind keeping us all on track and on time.  These wonderful blog hops don't just happen..... they are orchestrated and planned from the get-go.
 
So here's my interpretation of me.  I didn't change the pattern much at all.  I gave myself a short hair cut, which actually does resemble me when I wake up in the morning (I call it my exotic chicken look!) .... dark brown hair with streaks of gray....... and added my favorite little fellow, Oliver.... and my Faith necklace. 
 
 
 
My DeMille close up.  I'm also wearing sunglasses because my eyes are super sensitive to light..... (hey..... maybe it makes me look cool too!)


 
 
And here's Oliver, close by my side, my shadow, my most loyal friend.

 
 
I made this to hang on my Ackfeld stand where it will smile back at me in my sewing room. 

 
 
Thank you so much for visiting today!  I hope you will return often for more visits!

Please visit all of the other "Biased" blogs today and see their wonderful creations too!



 
 
Happy It's All About Me blog hopping!


Posted by at 189 comments:
Labels: , , ,

Monday, February 18, 2013

 
Get ready...... the It's All About Me blog hop begins tomorrow (not the 21st, the 19th).  There were so many participants that they added a couple of days to fit everyone in the hop.
 
Here's the full schedule.  Notice that I will show my blog creation tomorrow.  I hope you'll stop by and check it out as well as visit all of the other blogs!
 
Tuesday, February 19
 
Wednesday, February 20
Thursday, February 21
Friday, February 22
Monday, February 25
Tuesday, February 26
Wednesday, February 27
Thursday, February 28

See you tomorrow on the blog hop!

Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, February 14, 2013

 
 


Happy Valentine's Day!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Music Video w/Sewing Materials


Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Monday, February 4, 2013

Finally...... my last Christmas gift has been completed and delivered so that I can now show it to you.  (Kathy had been warned that it would be late.....really late.)
 
I wanted to make something for her sewing room, a little caricature that would make her smile.  The finished measurement is 20" x 22".
 
 
 
Here's a close up of the embroidery.  I did it as a blue work project, using a navy cotton perle for the whole picture.
 
 
 
 
Closer yet......
 
 
 
 
And the quilting.  I only used straight lines, nothing fancy.
 
 
 
This is the backside.  Depending on the project, if I can, I back the fabric with the darkest color of thread that I'm using on the front.  This coloring looks light.....but this backing fabric is the same navy fabric that is on the front of the hanging.  I fuse it to the lighter front fabric after I have drawn my pattern and before I begin to stitch.  When you do this, you don't see through the front fabric and see the places where you have made knots or carried the thread.  It just keeps the project very neat and tidy looking on the front side.  It's the same principle as backing a double sided document with a dark piece of paper so that the writing on the backside does not show through on a scan. 
 
 
 
 
Hope you like my sewing lady..... she was fun to create and Kathy likes it.....that's the most important part!
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: ,

Saturday, February 2, 2013

 
 
Maybe Phil knows more than we think!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels:

Sunday, January 27, 2013

****February 1**** Just an update on my manicure's life span for anyone interested.  It lasted 2 weeks and 6 days before my pinky chipped.  I only had the one chip, but I'm sure many more were destined to follow suit.  I could not believe that a manicure could last this long.  The downside of the gel polish is that it was difficult to remove....time consuming and it was hard on my nails.  Next time, I'll soak my nails for the time that they recommended... 15 minutes...and actually save myself some labor.  None the less, I love this product and I'm glad that I gave it a go.
 
 
I'm a bit "off topic" today with a product recommendation.  I recently bought an at-home gel kit manicure.  This particular kit was made by Sensationail. Sally Hansen makes another gel kit, although it didn't rate as high as the Sensationail kit (at the time I purchased my kit- could have changed by now).  They are expensive and I had my doubts about the product living up to the reviews.  It says the manicure can last "up to two weeks."  I've never had good luck with a manicure, salon or otherwise, because they just don't last with the abuse that I give my hands.  I'm lucky to get 24 hours out of a manicure without serious chips.  Well, this kit has exceeded my hopes for an at -home manicure.
 
 
The picture above was taken today, exactly two weeks and two days after I gave myself a manicure.  (Please ignore the old, dry, arthritic, chapped thumb!)  You can see the two weeks+ nail growth at the base of my nail, showing just how long this manicure has lasted.  Not one nail has chipped (yet)!  I did not change any of my normal habits and did not baby these nails in any way.  The manicure is cured with an LED light that is included in the kit, so there is no dry time at all.  You can give yourself a manicure and immediately go on with your life.  You MUST follow the instructions to get these results, but it wasn't rocket science.  I don't have a dishwasher..... just my hands.... and I've even opened up pop top cans, using my nail as a lever.  No chips!
 
So there you have it..... a "thumbs up" review for the Sensationail gel nail kit.  (No affiliation here....just a happy camper.)  If you are interested in giving this a try, be patient and wait for sales or coupons.  I managed to buy mine at about half price online at CVS, making it worth the risk to give it a try.  I hope you have the same results!
 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

 
Another blog hop!  I've signed up and I can't wait to get the patterns.  This one will be include an embroidery section in your project with 8 provided patterns of your choice.  Click on the link for details and sign up info.  Join me for the fun!
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

 
It was 1 degree this morning when I put my trash cans out for pickup..... the wind chill was between -10 and -15 degrees.... bitter....... and what do I see?...... my crocuses are coming up!  I guess they didn't get the memo!  We've had a very warm winter with the exception of the past 24-48 hours and the crocuses were ready to make an entrance.  This has become a somewhat normal scene with our crazy weather patterns and even though my crocuses sprout months too early, they seem to survive the winter freezes and bloom in the spring in the appropriate weather.  In any case, spring is on the way!
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels:

Monday, January 21, 2013

In between posts of actual sewing projects, I thought I would show you one of the collections that I have.  "They" say that any more than two is a collection which means that I have more collections than you can count!
 
This is my collection of darning eggs.  Even though many are not egg shaped, that seems to be the standard description for these darning tools.  Many of the things that I collect are small and inexpensive, as I'm short on both space and money. (Aren't we all?!)  Most darning eggs can be found for $5 to $15.  Naturally, there are exceptions and some darning eggs may cost much more.   
 
 
 
 
 
Here's a good variety of eggs.  The ones that look like maracas are the most common and usually the cheapest.  Most households would have both a dark and a light colored egg to contrast the fabric that they were working on.  It just makes it easier to see the threads or yarns that you are repairing if you are using a contrasting egg color.  The green glass one and the maple one next to it are foot shaped.  The maple foot egg has the most beautiful wood pattern on it..... it might even be birds eye maple.  The green glass one was hand blown.  The hand painted, mushroom shaped egg has a spring around it that is used to hold the sock or fabric taut, just like an embroidery hoop. 
 
Hope you enjoyed seeing these eggs.  You can readily find them  and they are easy on the budget.  Happy collecting!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: ,
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)