Catching up on some CQ RR's & more Dyed Pretties

For the last couple of weeks I've been playing roulette with my  CQ needles,  my dyes and lots of tiles/grout for my new walk-in shower.  Yea!  The shower is finally done and I'm happy to say that I actually enjoyed my first loooong hot shower in my own home in over a week! I'll post pictures of the before and after once the walls are painted.  I'm thinking maybe I'll give myself a break from this type of hard labor until next week.  Already have my paint picked out (warm coco) and have plans on making a one-of-a-kind shower curtain - wait until you see what I've dreamed up - I can't wait to get that project started!

After my days of tiling & grouting I relaxed by catching up on some of my RR's.  3 of them are already in the mail leaving me with about 4 more to do.  Once I've completed these RR's, I need to get caught up with the TAST and CQJP projects.   I've decided to combine both and actually have January's done.. but here it is March so I guess I need to get my mojo working overtime!  After that I think I am going to give my hands some much needed rest as they have seriously been hurting over the past week.  I know I should have elected to have the surgery in January but I just didn't have the time to have my hands tied up for weeks at a time.  Tough getting old.

A weeks worth of CQ -

SRE Spider & Cabbage Roses for Kathy S

Framed Hat Lady for Kathy S

6" Vintage Valentine for Connie

Roses for Rita

Butterfly & Roses for Ely

Cabbage Rose Frame for Ely

 

6" Under the Sea for Ruby

Not sure where I got the energy but I also dyed up about 200+ pieces of new lace.  Pictures have been taken, items packaged so all I need to do now is upload them into my shop..... when I catch my breath.  Please peek into my Etsy shop during the next week for lots of new Spring Time pretties!

Pretty Spring Time Trio

Gorgeous new Rose

Is this not the most beautiful heart you've ever seen!

Can you just picture the center cut out
so this could be used as a beautiful frame!

CQ Valentine Challenge Contest

Yea!!!!!!!! I can finally show ya'll what I have been busy working on for the past month or so.  I'm so happy to have another project done and one that I really enjoyed creating.

2 months ago I Challenged a group of Crazy Quilters on the HGTV board to a Valentine Contest.   Each participant was mailed a kit consisting of 7 items - 2 pieces of fabric (red & cream) 2 medium size lace motifs,  2 small heart motifs, 2 charms and 1.5 yards of pale pink rayon ribbon.  The Challenge was to create something no smaller than 10" using every item but with the extra added bonus of adding anything else they wanted to incorporate.  Materials in the kit could be altered as long as they were used.  If you'd like to see some pretty eye candy please check out the CQ Valentine Challenge in my Flicker Albums.  The names of each participant and their Winning blocks are noted under their names.

This was my entry into the Contest (12"):

CQ Valentine Give Away Winner & Devils River

Oh My! I am amazed that there was a grand total of 114 ladies who left a comment for a chance to win my Valentine Heart.  Thank you all for stopping by - I'm sure there will be many more Give Aways throughout the year so please stop by again.  I got hubby to draw a name out of my basket just before he went to bed... and the winner is..........

Judy of apronstrings !!! Congratulations Judy!  Could you please contact me at bnickilee@aol.com with your mailing address so that I may mail out your heart.  I have decide not to post a picture of the inside goodies right now so that they will arrive to you as a surprise.  I read that you are new to the world of Crazy Quilting so I hope you enjoy these pretties.  Not sure if anyone has told you but... CQ is extremely addicting! 

Looks like a busy week ahead for me and not much time for stitching.  We've decided to get rid of the bathtub and make a huge shower.  We've lived in this house for going on 13 years now and neither one of us has ever taken a bath... always a shower.  The tile area is absolutely horrible - hate it!  I think it must be the original tile from when the house was built in 1986.  I've picked out some pretty beige, stone looking tile with an darker accent for a trim.  Demolition will begin Tuesday morning and I'll start tiling Thursday with hopes that it'll all be done by next Sunday...anyone want to take bets?  I bet ya'll didn't know I am a lover of tiling?  Well before CQ I was addicted to mosacing - love it!  I've done a few jobs but my favorite is my gorgeous turquoise bathroom counter top. 

Just this past summer I spent 3 weeks down at the Devil's River in Texas.  My bestfriend Bev finally built her dream home atop the cliff over looking the most gorgeous River.  I always promised her when she was ready, I would be there to tile her ktichen. She picked out stainless steel tiles - talk about a Challenge!  Took 4 days to complete but in the end it turned out fabulous and to the 1/4"!  I don't even think I have to tell you how much fun we had being together...3 weeks was just not enough time.

Hard to believe this wasn't here a year ago -
it will now be my forever favorite place to visit.

Ahhhhhhh A well deserved float down the River

 

Bev, thrilled that the tiling is done!

Happy Valentines - Let's Celebrate with a Give Away

Happy Valentines!  Wishing you a day filled with love, hugs and kisses!

Last year on Valentine's I was given a big beautiful red heart filled with chocolates.  As Forest Gump would say "Life is like a box of chocolates"  Well, sorry to say those sweet chocolates are long gone but I might have something for all you CQ lovers out there that is just as sweet.  How about a box full of pretty laces and some other CQ surprises?

For a chance at some real CQ candy, just leave a comment and on Sunday, February 19th, I will have my wonderful husband draw a name out of a basket.  If you do not have a Blog, please leave an email address where you can be reached in case your name is pulled.

A couple CQ treats to be sure to check out :

1. 
Crazy Quilts are Quilts Too Contest - hosted by Thearica Burroughs, be sure to stop by and check out the many beautiful entries to this Contest and then peek into the wonderful CQ blogs that have been linked.  pigtalesandquilts 

2.
Check out the List of wondeful Online Classes that Maureen Greeson has put together - Online-Crazy-Quilting-Classes

3.
The Spring Time 2012 Edition of Pat Winter's "Crazy Quilt Gatherings" is out!!! Head on over an place your order - I'm proud to say I have every copy so far - yummy eye candy! gatherings

There's a Crazy Quilt Show Going On & Online CQ Classes Available!

Over the years I have been to tons of Quilt Show but seldom see any Crazy Quilts featured. Well,
Thearica of pigtalesandquilts has taken it upon herself to give all us Crazy Quilters a place to show off our stuff. With lots of eye candy to be seen over the next few weeks you certainly are not going to want to miss this show Crazy Quilts are Quilt too!

I have always loved color, lace, beads and all things pretty so what better way to combine all of these pretties into one hobby.... or should I say addiction. Over the past 6 years I have Crazy Quilted just about anything I could think of: Blocks, needle books, pillows, purses, framed art, jewelery. lampshades... you name it I've tried it. One thing that remains a constant in my work is LACE. When I first started out I could only find ivory/white lace and since I'm a lover of color I had to change it up a bit by dyeing my own laces. With so many people asking where I got my laces I decided to open up RavioleeDreams last year and have had a ball doing what I love.... playing CQ.

Here are some of my favorite work from the many projects I have made and worked on:



Last year I was one of the lucky few who was able to attend a Crazy Quilt Adventure in CT hosted by Maureen Greeson of maureensvintageacquisitions  Maureen has done it again, but this time she is making it so that anyone and everyone can take a class. 

If you are a Crazy Quilter or have never tried but dreamed of creating beautiful  items using luscious fabrics, beads, lace, silk ribbon, beautiful threads and would like to learn, please check out Maureen' s Blog for information on some fabulous online classes : Online-Crazy-Quilting-Classes  Over the next year there will be some incredible teachers teaching what they know best about Crazy Quilting.  To name a few -  Pat Winter, Betty Pillsbury, Kathy Shaw, Cristen Brown and Nancy Eha will be hosting classes in the very near future.  And while you are visiting Maureen's Blog, check out her fabulous store!

Another New Baby coming to my house!!

OMG!  I haven't been this excited since Lily came into our lives!  I did it! I did it!  I pressed that "Buy it Now" button and in a matter of 19 more days this brand new baby will be mine! Singers' 160th Anniversary Edition!  Thank you Rob - you are the bestest husband in the world!

Yesterday my friend Lynn (Thank you! Thank you!) posted on the HGTV forum that HSN was having a special on this Anniversary Edition for $389 Free shipping all inclusive of attachments and carrying case.   When I logged in to HSN there had already been 4800 units sold and I was panicking because I couldn't get a hold of Rob to tell him that I had found the perfect B'Day present for my 60th B'Day.  Well.... long story short, he was out of the office for the afternoon so I got on the phone with Lynn for some moral support and hit that magic button... yep, I did it - somewhere just after the "Units Sold" was reading 5200 units.  Rob came home, said he got my email and decided to go on line and order it for me as a surprise for my birthday but they were already Sold Out!  I let him think for a brief minute that I was bummed out but started laughing because I just had to tell him "I got it" went ahead and bought it.... lucky guy, now he doesn't have to stress out over what to buy me come July 4th LOL!  He said to me afterwards, "well most women would want something like diamonds or rubies... I'm the lucky one - you just want a sewing machine"

Another Day in Lace Paradise!

Ever feel like you are dancing your way through life?  For the past couple of weeks I feel just that... sorta of Flights of Fancy.... working on one project and then flittering over to another.  In a matter of a couple weeks I have been dyeing lace, crazy quilting, working on my TAST and CQJP projects for 2012, rearranging my Crazy Quilt Room (again!), putting the binding on a surprise quilt, making promised gifts, finishing up a couple of Crazy Quilt RR's and uploading new pretties just in time for Valentines to my Etsy shop  RavioleeDreams.   Please come take a peek.  

With Valentines being right around the corner I think it'll be time for a Valentine Give Away - hmmmm let me see what I can come up with - please stay tuned! 



An Incredible Surprise!

Happy New Year! 

 May 2012 bring you all health,

 happiness, peace at heart

 and lots of love!

Have you ever found yourself dancing alone in your kitchen, singing a crazy made up song and just being plain silly?  If so - feels good doesn't it?  Well last week I found myself doing just that.  I think my new pup Lily was thinking "OMG! is she for real!"

The reason for my giddiness - I had just picked up a box at the Post Office that I was not expecting.  At first glance I noticed the return address and was thinking "now what in the world is Jayardi sending me?"  Jayardi is my friend Jean who lives in WI.  We met on the HGTV Quilting forum about 6 years ago and have met once in person in NH at Quilting Retreat in 2009.  She is such a talented soul and just as sneaky.  Little did I know that when I opened my mouth a couple years ago and told her I loved a quilt that she had made that she would send it to me.  Look at this BEAUTY!  It's mine!  All mine!  I still can't believe she gave this up and sent it to me. 

Every year for as long as I can remember, Jean hosts a Scraps to Treasures Quilting Challenge.  All the money raised for the raffle of these quilts goes to Charity.  Each participant is required to send in a set of blocks (same fabric) for every person in the Challenge.  Once the blocks have been distributed you are to make a quilt using all the blocks plus a few extra that you can earn as Bonus Blocks.   It is simply amazing how everyone can have the same fabrics to work with and there end up being 30 totally different quilts.  This quilt was Jean's entry - she won 2nd Place.  Before the voting even took place I mentioned to her that I'd love to know who made it as I absolutely loved it.  Little did I know that she was the maker and that a few years later she would gift it to me.  I love you Jean - you are #1 in my book!

Oh, did I forget to mention that Jean is also a gifted artist when it comes to machine quilting?  Check out the back of this quilt - AMAZING!  It is just as pretty as the front.  I have the perfect place to hang this quilt - now to buy a beautiful rod.

 



Merry Christmas - See you next year!

Merry Christmas!

With Christmas only a few days away, the holiday rush on and not much time for anything, I thought I would sneak in here and wish you all a Merry Christmas filled with lots of love & happiness and a Happy New Year!  May you all find peace in your hearts and good health in the New Year. 

So many of you have come into my life this year as strangers

but as I close out 2011 

I say Thank You for becoming my new friend.  

Lily Lee is home and we're loving it!

First, thank you everyone for all your congratulations on me becoming a new mommy and your well wishes.  It is so wonderful to know there are so many dog lovers out there.  Before I get back to chatting about Crazy Quilting and Lace, I'd like to share one more story about Lily's homecoming.

Been busy dyeing up laces, putting kits together and trying to get into the Holiday spirit.  Well, Saturday came and all I can say is "Merry Christmas Seavey Family"  The best present in the world arrived around 4:30 - have to tell you is was love at first sight.

Lily's van arrived a bit late and Rob was kinda laughing at me as I was so excited I was crying... it was like a Hallmark card for sure.  As Rob and I sat in the parking lot waiting for the van to arrive from Alabama we noticed one by one cars pulling into the same area...some with couples some with families.... I just knew they were there for the same reason.  The minute the van stopped it was like magic - everyone quickly filed out of their cars and hurried over to stand in front of the Transport van.  The door opened, a small fella came out and immediately welcomed us and said "we are going to call the dogs names out one by one, when you hear your pups name please step forward... first name..... Lily! Will the parents of Lily please come forward.  OMG! Can you say excited!!

Lily was taken from her crate and handed over to Rob while I gathered up her paperwork.  It took us all of one second to fall in love with her.  I knew the minute we laid eyes on her that we had found a forever little girl and that she, a forever family with us.   I have to honestly tell you she is an angel sent down to take care of us.

Many many thanks go to all the ladies who were involved in our being able to adopt Lily and especially my friend Margo for giving us a good referral and to Candy who is a volunteer with Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue Corp, she  spent plenty of time listening to me go on and on about how much I wanted Lily and helped make it happen.  If you are ever thinking about adopting a rescue dog SGRR is the best - a first class organization.  The whole application process might be a little daunting but it is so worth every minute spent.  I can understand why they do such an intense screening, it is necessary to make sure that these pups go to the right homes.

Not wanting Lily to be scared, I sat in the back seat with her the whole ride home.  Funny, she walked into the house like she owned it.  Went to her basket of toys and right away was ready for play.  I'm thinking that she was not abandoned on purpose but maybe got lost and separated from her family during the bad weather down south had months ago.  She is so well behaved, knows all her commands, lets you know when she needs to go out and is so happy and loving. 

Sunday we decided to introduce Lily to the ocean.  She loved running on the beach and of course had to check out the water.  I was holding her leash when out of the blue she jerked away to chase a sandpiper and ended up in the water... she has officially been initiated by the New England seashore!  Sleeping now in the family room we have only one slight problem.... she sneaks off her bed in the middle of the night and seems to have claimed the sofa as hers - NOT!   Sweet dreams precious Lily.