Pretties created by my customers

Happy Spring!  Are ya'll as happy as I am that winter is finally over, the snow is GONE and the birds are singing?  To me spring represents fresh new life - beautiful colors, all things pretty and like they say "a breath of fresh air".  I'm so looking forward to spending lots of time on my deck this summer playing with my laces & dyes and stitching like a crazy lady!

Over the years I have enjoyed seeing some beautiful creations that my customers have made using my hand dyed laces.  I thought I would share a few of the beautiful pictures that have been sent to me lately.  If you have bought any of my pretties and used them in a project, I would love it if you would please send me pictures so I can Blog about them   I would love to make this a regular feature here and will be happy to link your Blog or Website too.

Today I would like to show you some gorgeous jewelry that my friend Eleonora makes.  She doesn't have a website or shop but she sells her jewelry at Exhibitions in Italy.  For the past year I have had the pleasure of not only making a new friend but I've been able to be treated to some of the most gorgeous eye candy.  Enjoy!

By the way.... don't you think it's time for a Give-away - maybe one to celebrate spring arriving?  Let me think about it for a few days and see what if I can come up with something unique and pretty so stay tuned!

Message in a Bottle Contest - 2nd Place!

Here it is a month later and I finally have some time to sit and catch up on all my Blog reading and even post some pictures.  By now you'd think we'd all be enjoying some beautiful spring time weather but Noooooo old man winter still is hanging on - temps today were in the low 40's which wasn't quite warm enough to start melting the snow.

I've been quite busy over the past month.  Rob's mother is now safely moved into an Assisted Living facility and now we are left with trying to clean out the condo and get it ready to sell.  Not too busy though...found time to work on an entry for   Thearica's  "Message in a Bottle" Crazy Quilt Contest.  The perfect theme for me as ya'll know how I love anything that is related to the ocean and the color blue.  I've decided my entry will be called "Mermaid's Fantasy Land"

Each person who entered the Contest purchased a ready made kit which consisted of fabrics, silk ribbon, thread, beads, lace, charms and of course, a little glass bottle with a cork (message in a bottle) ... all of which needed to be incorporated into your choice of design.  If you look closely you will see that I fused some of the fabric and made seaweed and fish out of it.  Also cut apart some of the fabric to use the turquoise sequin trim and lace for some of the ocean and even dyed some of the silk ribbon for some bright colored seaweed.  I estimate that I spent approximately 80-90 hours just in all the hand sewing not to mention putting the block together and the time I spent taking things apart that just didn't fit.  All in all... love it!


UPDATE!  I was just notified that I took 2nd Place with my "Mermaid's Fantasy Land" - $50 Gift  Certificate to Thearica's shop and a 2013 Pat Winter CQ Calendar - doing the happy dance!!!  To see all the entries ,please check out Thearica's post:  Message in a Bottle Contest Winners  Next time Thearica has a challenge - jump in - so much fun!

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Mermaid's Fantasy Land