BABY COME BACK

You can blame it all on me! I have been gone three weeks, and I fear I may have lost some readers. Worse than that, I haven't been able to keep up with YOUR blogs! According to by Bloglines guide, I have over 3000 posts unread! Well, that's just crazy! Yes, they have been accumulating for a while, and no, I won't get them all read. But I will try to fly through Blogland on my mop and see where I land! Look out, I may be heading your way!

Upon my arrival home I had some surprises! This wonderful little trio of angels was sent to me by my quilt blogging buddy, Karen, from Sew Primitive. She digitized these cross-stitched pieces on her machine and set them into a quilt just for me! The surrounding fabric is so perfect! Karen is one of the most talented people I know. She always leaves me in awe. She truly has the heart of an artist. Her newest pattern has the most adorable bunnies on it. Just perfect for spring. My sidebar hold links to Karen's website as well. Spend some time with Karen and you will begin to see things through new eyes.

Today I was presented with this wonderful bag by my friend Connie. Connie is a very clever lady who has made countless bags and taught classes for them as well. She also does the digitizing on her machine and as you can see she put my Patchalot Patterns logo on one side of the bag, and Grandma Mousie on the other. For those of you who may not know, Grandma Mousie is what my granddaughter called me when she couldn't pronounce Marcie. Connie lifted the illustration off my sidebar (Karen-Sew Primitive did the illustration). Connie digitized it and colored it and it is so cute! Plus the bag is beautifully made! If you live around here and want to make a tote bag, check out Connie's class at the local shop, What's Your Stitch 'N Stuff.

I had a wonderful three weeks in Arizona with family, LOTS of family! It was great! I also am glad to be home in my own bed with my own pillow and my own quilt. Thanks for visiting with me. More later....

LOOK WHAT I MADE!

Last night was so much fun! I took a class from Connie (of the Civil War Diary Quilt fame). I can't believe all that she does. She is such a sweetheart and I enjoy being around her and am constantly impressed with her talent. The class was for making the Bow Tucks Tote (designed by Penny Sturges). The first bag pictured with the sailboats is one that Connie made. (Whoops, the handles flopped over). Connie also has become very proficient at machine embroidery and is doing wonderful things on the pockets of the bags she makes. Everywhere she goes people admire her bags, so now she makes them and personalizes them for people. The purple one with the big embroidered W on the front is a baby gift that she made that includes a darling baby quilt inside. Connie did a great job teaching this bag. She has made so many of them that she made it very easy for the rest of us!

My bag (hasn't a button yet) turned out great too! We actually finished the bag last night, in our second class. We had some quilting homework, but that was simple, even for me! Notice how the bag has cute little ties on each side. The bag gets "tucked" in on the sides, and then you tie the "bows", hence the name Bow Tucks Tote! Everyone in my family is going to be begging me for one of these!

Also, let me direct you to Dawn's blog, in case you haven't seen it. She is working on her own rendition of Williamsburg Medallion, and you must see it! She also shows Libby's and Karen's quilts with links to their blogs. I love the way they think and then do it! I am so impressed and honored to have them make my pattern. And I love that they each show their own creative talent in the process.