Lorali's Studio

I have a sweet quilting friend who's name is Lorali Longfellow. When I first visited her studio a few weeks ago, I was completely charmed by it. It is one of those places that lights up your eyes and inspires your mind. I will take you on a little tour so you can see what I mean.

Everywhere you look is a feast for the eyes. She has filled the room with objects that "speak" to her and apparently she is fluent in many fascinating languages.

This is just one of the little cubby holes I explored. The miniature sewing machine, dress form and vacuum cleaner were so fun!

This is her embroidery machine. She produces BEAUTIFUL embroidered quilts as well as pieced and appliqued ones. You will notice that all the furniture pieces she has collected for her studio are all painted the same color as the wall. (She calls it "Lorali blue") This gives the illusion that many of the pieces are "built-ins".

Her studio is really just a small bedroom, but she had utilized the space so well, that it doesn't feel small at all, and she keeps it very well organized and tidy.

This is just one of her wonderful collections. They are miniature rocking chair pin cushions. What she loves about them is that each one was hand made by someone who added individual details and took pride in what they did. Lorali has a very sweet sentimental side that influences the typed of things she likes to collect and get inspiration from.

One more fun shelf to peek at. The buttons in the apothecary bottles look like little jewels.

Now we get to the heart of any quilters studio: her stash!  As you can she, we has one to envy!

If only I could be this neat and organized.

Another cute vintage table.

Here's where all  the magic happens. She converted her closet into this sewing station.

Her ironing board is right next to her while she sews which is SO handy.

Above her sewing machine closet, she has all the quilted post cards she had received through exchanges in her quilt groups, displayed on hanging rings. I love this idea!

Here is Lorali, my very talented and generous friend. She is not a blogger, but is actually the person who first told me about "Where Bloggers Create", which in turn inspired me to start my own blog. So, since she wouldn't be entering her studio in any blog parties, I wanted to show it off for her.

I wanted to also show you one of her beautiful quilts. I hope you've enjoyed this tour.

 If you are visiting from  "Grow Your Blog", there are just a couple days left until my Give Away. Please see the posts below for details. Thank you so much for visiting and please come again  -Derrith

Cherries Anyone?

I simply cannot resist cherries! Whenever I come across cherries on dishes, I snatch them up for my daughter-in-laws Vintage Shop. Then, I am sad when someone else buys them! I just found this cherry bread box at Goodwill, the same day I finished appliqueing and embroidering these dish towels. Serendipity!  Welcome to visitors from Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party. Please see my Party Post and Give Away details below.

There are a few other cherry items left in the shop right now, along with this cute vintage canister set.  Anyone love RED in the kitchen as much as I do?

Well, there is more to come so I hope you will stop by again. I welcome your comments...they are like gold!   -Derrith

Tickled Pink Give Away!

I would love to welcome any new visitors to my blog from the Grow Your Blog Party. Vicki at 2 Bags Full has been so generous to help us meet each other and gain new followers. I became fascinated with blogging after visiting all the blogs on "Where Bloggers Create" a couple years ago and being so inspired. I thought "I want to do that!"  I hope I have something to offer that might appeal to someone else or spark their imagination and creativity. Pictured above, are some dishtowels I dyed and appliqued and added a ruffle to. I enjoy having handwork projects to work on in front of the TV. I also enjoy "treasure hunting" in thrift shops and garage sales. The junior baking kit and the heart shape vase, above, were fun vintage finds. These valentine-y dish towels are my Give-Away gift for this Blog Party. All you need to do to enter is to leave me a comment. I will announce the winner on February 1st!

I also like to sew things for my home and little gifts for others. I found this pattern by Murial Anderson at the "Material Girls" Quilt Shop in Salt Lake City when I was there this Christmas.The sentiment is so true!

Quilting is my passion. I love COLOR. I love picking fabrics and I love creating something out of nothing. AND, I love all the friends I've made through quilting. Quilters really are the nicest people! This was a quilt I recently finished.

In my quilting group, we have a sweet tradition of exchanging quilted post cards each month. I do think Christmas and Valentines Day are the funnest themes to work with!

So you may wonder why my blog is called "Tied Up In Ribbon". I have always loved ribbon and gift wrapping, and when I was thinking of a name, that popped out. I'm afraid it doesn't quite reflect all of my interests, but once you commit to a name, it's yours for the duration:-) Thank you so much for visiting me. I can't wait to visit you too! I hope your come back soon and good luck with the drawing!  -Derrith

Baby Chicks Appliqued Dish Towell

This was just a little project I finished yesterday. I thought I'd add a fabric border to make it a bit more interesting.

I do love the yellow and red, I must say. Well, I am working on about four projects right now and will share them in my next post. Until then, thank you for visiting and hope to see you again soon!  -Derrith

Bruges Belgium Waffles in Sugarhouse

A trip to Salt Lake would not be complete without a visit to Bruges for the BEST Belgium Waffles I have EVER tasted!

We visited the new location in Sugarhouse which was really great since there was plenty of sitting room inside on a very frigid winter day.

This is the second time I've blogged about these Belgium Waffles. Honestly, they are so superior to any other waffle of any kind that I just can't say enough about them. This one that I ordered has a layer of Belgium chocolate melted in the middle of the waffle and was topped with fresh strawberries and cream. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! Well, I am home now and trying to get Christmas put away and start on some quilt projects, so there will be more news to come. Thank you for visiting and I truly hope your new year has gotten off to a great start! -Derrith

La Caille in Winter

When I visit the Salt Lake area, I find it hard to resist the La Caille restaurant. It's grounds are so charmingly beautiful and well kept.

Even though the snow can make things look a bit stark, I still found it enchanting.

This frozen over fountain was really fun. You can see the water spraying out the top of the "ice trees". Well, one more highlight of my trip to come in my next posting. Until then, Have the happiest of New Years Days.  -Derrith