Project Complete and the winner is........

   A day later than planned but the CQ witches hat is now complete.  All names went into a box and out came the winner's name which is Go Crazy With Me.

Grandbaby's visit yesterday prevented me from putting the finishing touches on until today.  I will place in the mail tomorrow if you contact me with instructions.  My email is  msbjray@cs.com  This project like most of mine evolved along the way into this finished piece.  It was great fun to work on.     Hope you enjoy having it in your home.

Looking like a HAT

Today is the day.  Hat brim to be added, drawing done and hat goes in the mail to arrive just in time for Halloween. It is the perfect day to be inside where it is warm, stitching away.

I will be wearing my hat on Halloween and it will be fun to see the surprised looks from all.  I talk about my crazy quilting hobby and of course everyone thinks I'm making quilts.  This will give them a glimpse of the various ways that CQ can be enjoyed.  Check back to see photo of completed hat.  And it isn't too late to get in on the drawing.  Just leave a comment so I can put your name in the hat.

CQ Witchy Hat continued

This has been such a fun project.  As always I never know when to quit.  But with Halloween just over a week away I will soon need to wrap it up, do the drawing and get it on its way to a new home.
A few more stitches then will seam the top, add the hat brim and a few buttons and trims to finish.

It has been a beautiful weekend and much was accomplished.  Couldn't just stay inside and stitch all week end.  Flower beds were cleaned up, hay was hauled and put away in the barn and some baking done.  Along with the usual week end chores it has been a busy few days and gone by way too fast.

Missing embellishments-oh where could they be??

                                                               

  When something catches my eye as a future project the journey begins as I start to collect fabrics, trims and such. This to me is  part of the process and a part I really enjoy. That has been the case with the witches hat which stretched over quite a bit of collecting time.  As I started piecing I had  the fabrics all organized together; but when it came time for trims and buttons, etc. I have put things away so well that I now can't find them.  Frustrating!  Am I the only one who does this?  So today I made a trip to JoAnn store to explore.  Didn't come home empty handed as I found a few items that will be included; mostly I came away with more ideas so stay tuned to see how it all comes together.

 

Crazy Quilt Witch's Hat

I love to decorate for fall in and around my home but I generally stay neutral when it comes to Halloween decor.  I came across this fun CQ project that I could not resist.  I started gathering fabric, trims and such and have more than enough to complete two or more hats.  If any of the readers of my blog (which I know is rather random) comments I will gladly ship the extra completed witch's hat to a lucky winner.  My progress so far:

Pieced two hats and ready to start embellishing.

Added trim and now for the fun....stitching!

More photos to come as project continues.  It will be fun to see who stops by my blog.
Please leave me a comment so I can enter you into a drawing.

Shopping In Branson

Before returning home daughter and I took time to shop the outlet mall and my favorite needlework shoppe-Cecilia's. ceciliassamplers.com
They carry a nice selection of threads, beads,silk ribbon, many patterns for needlework and supplies.  I love to stop in and restock my threads and browse the great displays.  I always find new ideas to inspire me.

I picked up kits for two cute projects- A cross stitched heart and a Funky
Flower pin.  These are kits that came complete with fabrics, threads, trims, etc. If you look closely you will see a printing error.  Daughter had to point it out to me.... See the Funky Fower pin?

A storm blew in while we were shopping and we got drenched.  Had hoped for the same rain at home but upon arrival could tell we did not get a drop.  At least this week will give us some relief from this 90's and 100 degree heat.  So happy for this day of rest before returning to work tomorrow.

Allie's in Stitches: Easiest CQ Finish Ever...Herringbone Hearts

Allie's in Stitches: Easiest CQ Finish Ever...Herringbone Hearts

Daughter's 30th birthday

Enjoying some family fun over the 4th of July and celebrating daughter's birthday on the 5th out on the lake.  Husband with the help of 2 year old grandson did a great job of steering the boat.  We had a good time in spite of the heat.

The catch of the day

Our evening was spent with the entire family which doesn't happen often enough.  Dinner at The Landing Bransonlanding.com ending with an enormous slice of chocolate cake for our birthday girl which we all had a generous piece of. 
Still adjusting to the fact that I have a 30 year old child.  Yesterday brought back a lot of thoughts and memories of raising children and the good times we had at the lake.  Now a grandson that is growing up fast right before our eyes.  Good family time is the best.  Even worked in a little stitching time!

Crazy Quilting fun

Returned home a little over a week ago from a great Crazy Quilt retreat in O'Fallon, Illinois so inspired.  It was a relaxed time away to enjoy our common interest and each other's company.  Everyone was so ready to share their talents and tips and ideas as well as offer encouragement and praise for each other's work.  Of course we worked in some shopping and eating with lots of laughter mixed in.  My sister Bonnie and I left the retreat committed to spend some time each day on projects, even if only a few minutes.  So far I must admit I haven't held to that everyday-life gets busy and energy runs low.  My first choice would be to sit and stitch every evening but duty calls and I feel pulled in many directions.  I have several ideas for new projects as well as UFO's to complete.

I am please with progress made during the retreat on my cq purse.  It was a project started during a class taught by Barbara Randle randledesigns.com in Omaha a few years ago.  Will post pics of the finished purse when complete.

Now off to the lake for a few days to celebrate July 4th with family and daughter's 30th birthday.  Hoping for some relaxing time to stitch while there.

Homer Laughlin Currier & Ives china

Homer Laughlin "Home Sweet Home" collection

While shopping with my sister in law we discovered another common interest.  I have collected this set of vintage china since I first came across it in the early 90's.  I picked up several pieces at a silent auction we held at work.  It was love at first sight; they just really appealed to me.  I think I paid $30 or so for several pieces and over the years have had fun poking through flea markets and searching ebay to find additional pieces to complete my set.  They were first offered through Montgomery Ward catalog in the 40's and have many serving pieces to complete the set.  They are rather hard to find and can be rather pricey.  My first purchase was a steal!

St. Louis Botanical Center

 While attending the Crazy Quilt retreat in St. Louis we took an evening to attend the Japaneese lantern display at the botanical center.  mobot.org  Called "Art by Night" it was a wonderful visual display when the lights came on and the many lantern displays were lit amongst the flower beds, trees and lily pond.