Too Early For Easter?

Like many of you, I am anxiously anticipating spring. Since Easter is early this year, I am now officially in Easter mode. I found this precious lamb cup at Goodwill. It really is so dear...not very practical for a child because it's breakable, but just right for Spring-y pictures. I had a dish towel I had dyed pink for valentines that I hadn't used yet, so I bleached it out a bit to soften the color and appliqued the lamb on it.

Isn't this the sweetest thing! It makes me sad that my youngest grand children are 8 years old (three of them) already.

I'm not sure why anyone would want a lamb on their dish towel, but nevertheless, there she is.  I hope your day is a happy and fulfilling one.  Thank you for stopping by.  -Derrith

Fun New Finds and Bev's Fab Give Away

Happy Thursday everyone. I finally finished my "Blue Vase" dish towels last night- as with everything else- they took longer than I thought. I found a new vintage consignment shop in Battle Ground yesterday, called "Nest". I couldn't resist this beautiful bright red pitcher. It's not vintage but I love it anyway.  I picked up the tin tray at a flea market a while ago.

I wanted to tell you about a great Give Away from Bev at 44th Street Fabric. Click on the link to visit her blog and follow the instructions for entering to win this gorgeous 5 yard stack of fabric. The contest closes on Feb. 28th so hurry!  Gary and I are off on a weekend jaunt tomorrow. I hope your weekend is wonderful! -Derrith

 

Reed College

Gary and I enjoy taking drives and exploring this neck of the woods. There is a lot to see in the greater Portland Oregon area. I remember seeing this beautiful college campus several years ago, so I asked Gary if we could find it again on a grey Sunday afternoon.  This is Reed College, a highly respected Liberal Arts college in the East Moreland area of Portland.

The campus is so charming. I love the Tudor - Gothic style of the buildings. Even in the winter, the lawns are lush and green. We took a walk around with Molly in tow.

Then we started exploring the neighborhoods close to the school. I love charming old homes with historical interest. Here are just a few of the beautiful houses we saw:

Well, I must get back to my cleaning and sewing this morning. Today begins a new week and there is much to do! Please visit again...I so appreciate you stopping by! -Derrith

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