Floral Happiness

I happened to find this cute "Breakfast Set" at a thrift shop and thought it had kind of a "Cath Kidson" feel to it.  I used it to inspire a design for a dish towel to go with it.

After experimenting with a couple designs, I ended up with pure Mary Englebreit. I guess that's not a bad thing, is it? This is a modified version of a design in one of her home decor books.  I still have to do all the blanket stitching on this and it's companion towel. I just wanted to share yesterday's project. I have to have a few smaller projects to work on when I am in the middle of a quilt because of my need for instant gratification.

By the way, does anyone know where I can purchase Cath Kidston products in the US?  I run into her things occasionally in gift shops and fabric shops, like this fabulous stationary. Isn't it To Die For?! I admit that I use it sparingly so it will last longer. I would especially like to find her fabric. I believe it is only sold in the U.K., but if I am wrong, please let me know. Thank you for visiting me. I hope I may have provided a little floral happiness today. Love, Derrith

Valentine Quilted Post Cards

Just one more Valentine posting and then I'll let it go till next year. I wanted to share the beautiful quilted post cards we exchanged this month in my quilt group. I hope you enjoy...

I couldn't resist sending a little more love your way. Thanks for visiting and please stop by again. -Derrith

Tea Time Gift and Quilt Show and Tell

I received my "Grow Your Blog" gift from Jocelyn at Just a Little Southern Hospitality. Look at all these fun goodies: A cute printed kitchen towel, the "Afternoon Tea" book, recipe cards, pancake mix and assorted teas. Lucky Me! Jocelyn has another fun blog I recommend: Happy Cottage Quilter. Thank you so much, Jocelyn!

I also wanted to share our Show and Tell at my February Quilt Group meeting. I have already shown you the fabulous Valentine Boxes we exchanged in my last post. This darling Halloween quilt was done by Pat K. The embroidery in the center is really cool.

Darlene produced these Nutcrackers on her Embroidery machine. They are quite amazing in person.

I know they take hours to do but the result is spectacular. We can't wait to see how she will use them.

Jayna made this fantastic quilt for a grandchild. We all loved it!

She decided to add  the center applique and drew the design herself. I love how the western shirt matches the rest of the quilt!

Anita made this really cute St. Patricks day themed piece.

Margy showed us her sweet flannel baby blanket.

Margy also made some of the cutest little bibs with her embroidery machine.

Our hostess, Darlene, had one of these little gifts for each of us. She made the butterflies and then inserted the seam ripper into it. I wanted to show you mine. I had already been using it at home and couldn't get the lid off to close it up, but I wanted you to get the idea. I thought it was very cute.  Well, I still haven't shown you our group of Valentine post cards. Perhaps next time. Thanks so much for visiting. -Derrith

Delicious Valentine Boxes

When I saw some of the fun Valentine Boxes being exchanged in blog land, I suggested the idea for my wonderful quilt group, and here are the fabulous and varied results! The box above was my contribution.

From Lorali

From Darlene

From Candy

Another beauty from Darlene

From Margy

Hand made boxes from Pat H.

From Anita

Another hand made by Pat H.

From Michelle

Beautiful cross stitched bag from Pat K.

This is one I made for a friend

This one and the one below are a couple I made for our shop.

I hope your Valentine's Day was LOVEly. Thank you so much for stopping by. Please come again. -Derrith

Liebster Award Nomination

I have been nominated for a Liebster Award by Nell at Moments in Maple Glen

She was so thoughtful to acknowledge my blog and help direct visitors my way. Please click above to visit her wonderful blog. Here are the rules for anyone receiving a Liebster Award:
1. You must tell 11 things about yourself 2. Answer the questions your nominator gives you, 3. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate 4. Choose new blogs with less than 200 followers and link them to your post and 5. Please leave a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster Award blog so I can learn about you.

Here are 11 things about me:

1.  I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

 2. I attended Brigham Young University. 

3. I love ballet. 4.I love peonies, lilacs, roses, wisteria and dozens of other flowers.

5. Some of the movies I love are "Enchanted April"," Sense and Sensibility", "Chocolat", "Dan In Real Life", "Moulin Rouge" and many many more.

6. My favorite dogs are spaniels. 7. I am very susceptible to purchasing a bit more fabric than I need. 8. I love to travel and Victoria B.C. is a favorite with my husband and me. 9. I believe just about anything can be improved with a little glitter. 10. I love all things scandanavian, tyrolean and bavarian. 12. I love love love my hubby, kids and grandkids.

          Here are the questions Nell wanted me to answer: 
What is your favorite hobby:    Quilting
What was your favorite memory of last year?  Our family reunion in Seaside Oregon

Where did you go on your most memorable holiday?   PARIS!
What do you like best about blogging?:   All the inspiration and ideas from  the generous and talented people out in blog land.
What is your favorite music?   Oldies Rock and Easy Listening
What is your favorite weather?  Clear and sunny with a slight breeze and about 60 degrees.
Do you try to eat healthy and if you do, why?   Weeeeeeell, I don't, but know I should.
Do you have a bucket list and if so, what are the things you want to do?  As I get older I get more content with what Ive already done in life (of an adventurous nature) and although there are still places I would love to see and skills I would like to learn and master, time with my family is still on the top of my list.
What is your favorite color?   Some days pink, some days blue, some days red.
What was your favorite subject in school?  Art and American History
What is your favorite time of day?   Morning!

                                                Here are the questions for my nominees:
1. What were your aspirations when you were a child?
2. What is your favorite romantic movie?
3. What is your dream vacation destination?
4. Do you have a favorite book(s)?
5. What is your favorite family tradition?
6. How long have you been blogging?
7. What do you most enjoy shopping for?
8. What pets do you have?
9. What one thing would you most like to do to change the world?
10. What do you collect?
11. Do you prefer being indoors or outdoors?  

                                The Blogs I nominate for a Liebster Award Are: 
timelessromanticdesigns.blogspot.com 
 gillymakes.blogspot.com 
krislovesfabric.blogspot.com 
thetiltedquilt.blogspot.com
scrapatches.blogspot.com 
mygardendiaries.com 
beadandneedle.blogspot.com 
acorntooak.blogspot.com 
thefinderskeeper.blogspot.com 
betsysheartstrings.blogspot.com 

Thank you all for visiting and participating if you choose to do so.  -Derrith 
   

Circles and Squares

I started a new project today. I have collected these fabrics, knowing that someday I would put them all together, but have never decided on a pattern until now...

Here is the pattern I will use. I decided to enlarge it to fit on a twin bed for one of my grand daughters. Therefore, I will need 20 full circle blocks to complete the quilt.

Here is block #1.  Just 19 more to go.  Wish me luck!

Today I received a Give Away prize that I won during the "Grow Your Blog" party. It is this beautiful hand knit scarf, made by Jan Yost of DreamChallenge. Thank you so much, Jan!

 I am almost embarrassed to admit that I won three Give Aways with this party. This was the first one to arrive and I love it and feel very lucky. Thank you for visiting and please come again.  -Derrith

"Pay It Forward" With Heart

I have accepted the challenge offered by Beulah, on sowingstitches.blogspot.com and am Paying It Forward. The first 5 people who leave me a comment with their email and blog address will receive a handmade gift from me sometime in the next year. These are a few examples of things I've made, but I probably won't be gifting a quilt. :o)

I can't tell you yet what the gift will be or exactly when you will receive it - that will be a surprise.  HERE'S THE CATCH: You have to agree to make the same offer on your blog.

Please leave a comment if your are up for the challenge. Giving a home made gift from the heart always brings as much, if not more joy to the giver!  Thank you for visiting. Please come again.  -Derrith

Winner Announcement and Fun Vintage Find

Today I am announcing the winner of my "Grow Your Blog" Give Away.
And the winner is...
Candy Mackey of Amboy Washington. Congratulations. You will be receiving the Valentine dish towels and the Child's Baking Kit.

Thank you to all of you thoughtful new friends who left such kind comments. They really meant the world to me. 
    Before it gets too late in the season, I wanted to share with you this treasure I found in a thrift shop. It is needlepoint and it is quite large and came framed like this. I really love the colors and the warm homey feel. Thanks so much for visiting and I hope you will stop by again.  -Derrith