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

Yipeeee I won / California here I come!

I'm so excited!  Last month I signed up for a Challenge hosted by  judymurrah .  Judy sent each contestant 4 pieces of her beautiful vintage lace and challenged us to create something with it.  The prize, a pretty chest full of more vintage laces!    Now ya'll know I love lace so I had to try!

Well, this morning Judy notified me that I had won!  Lucky me! Thank you Judy for making me step outside my comfort zone.  Working with tone on tone vintage colors was a first for me and I have to admit - I loved it! 

It didn't take me long to figure out what I wanted to do with the laces.  I cut a piece of double sided peltex 8x11 and went to town.  Not quite sure what I am going to name this one but I'm thinking of putting up for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Judy's Vintage Laces

Well, In a matter of 5 hours Rob will be trying to wake me up (4:30) to get to to the airport.  Heading out to California to see my precious grandbabies.  Evita and DeAngelo will be 3 years old on May 8th - where did the time go?  This Nana can't wait to wrap them up in hugs!

Evita & DeAngelo...almost 3!