A Couple of things to Celebrate-Time for A Give-Away

WOW! Someone just brought to my attention that October 24th will be my second year on Etsy.  Although I was a lurker and a frequent buyer for the first year, I finally jumped in and started my little Shop, RavioLee Dreams just under a year ago.  So... not only am I celebrating my 2nd Anniversary, I am just about to celebrate hitting my 600th Sale.... and I just hit my 200 Blog Follower!  Sooo - what dose this mean to you?  Fun stuff!  Looks like I will spend tomorrow gathering up some pretties as a Give -Away gift.  Please stay tuned for the specifics.

I've been busy for the past 2 weeks dyeing lace, taking pictures, cropping picture and getting them ready for the shop so be sure to stop in within the next week for lots of pretties. You can be sure that the Give-Away prize will have a few purty pieces of lace included in it.

Seems I can never make a post without posting some pictures so I thought I would show you my first attempt at making an Altered Art Book.  I belong to the Artsy Fartsy group and we decided a few months ago to work on an altered book together.  Each one of us had to make our own front and back covers and a full page.  We then pass the book around so that each member (6 of us) creates a page for our book.  At first I was "oh no, now what do I do?"  Well I thought about what it was that I loved so decided to name my book "For the Love of Lace".  Each page I created has some of my dyed pieces incorporated in it and enclosed is a note asking the girls to do the same on the pages they make in 
mine.

 My book was made by tearing out some of the pages of a 1970's Dictionary.  I ripped out just enough to make room for the thickness of each new page.  Then I divided the pages into about 6 scetions and glued the sections together giving each person about 1/4" to play with.

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover & 1st Page

Back of 1st Page

Inside Back Cover

Back Cover

CQ Challenge Contest Winners!!!

As mentioned in a previous post, I recently hosted a Crazy Quilt Challenge Contest on the HGTV Quilting Forum.  All votes were tabulated late Friday night and the Winners Announced on Saturday.  Many thanks go out to all the ladies who signed up for this Challenge - your participation was what made this contest such a huge success and the pieces of art you all created were fabulous!

You can view each of the 22 entries here:  HGTV CQ Challenge Contest  - please feel free to leave a comment under the pictures as I'm sure the ladies would appreciate them.  To view a larger picture just click on the picture or go to "Details".   All participants were sent a kit consisting of the blue/green swirly fabric, white textured fabric, 2 bird charms, 1 - I love You charm, 2 pieces of lace and a strip of green silk ribbon to incorporate into a block of their choice.

CONGRATULATIONS go out to:

1st Place Winner of $100!

1st Place Winner - Maureen Greeson

 2n Place Winner of $70

2nd Place Winner -  Me! Nicki Lee

 3rd Place Winner of $50

3rd Place Winner - Lynn Gelston

 4th Place Winner of $30

4th Place Winner -  Ely Ahsanulla

Wanna see some fabulous Quilts and CQ Blocks?

For the past couple of days I have busy counting votes for the 2nd Annual Crazy Quilt Challenge Contest that I hosted on the HGTV Quilting Forum.  22 ladies sent in their entries and all have been posted to my flicker album :  2nd Annual Crazy Quilt Challenge   If you'd like to see some pretty eye candy, please grab a cup of coffee and take a cruise through some creative and talented Crazy Quilt work.  Once you are in the Album be sure to click on the pictures for a larger view or just click on "Details" under the title of the Albm (you can then also click to make pictures larger).
Each participant was given the same 5 items in a kit and set free to create whatever theme they wanted to.  Only restriction was they had to incorporate the 5 items - 2 pieces of fabric (1 textured white piece and a blue/green swirly piece), a piece of lace trim and a lace motif, green silk ribbon, 2 bird charms and a little "I love you" envelop charm.  Each entry is featured with 1 Full Size shot of the block and 2 - close ups.  Voting will end for the Board members Friday evening win the winners will be determined.  Prize monies will be sent out Saturday.

Prizes:
1st Prize - $100!
2nd Prize - $70
3rd Prize - $50
4th Prize - $30

Another Contest I would like to alert you to is quite Fabulous!  My friend Thearica over at   pigtalesandquilts is hosting a Quilt Show called "MEN QUILT TOO"!!   You have just got to stop by and check out the work of these men - incredible doesn't describe the talent that they have.  I have stopped by many times already trying to decide who is going to get my vote - Wish I could vote on all of them!  be sure to stop by and click on each Quilters Link as you are in for a treat!

Well while I'm here I thought you might like to see a couple UTS (Under the Sea) blocks I have created for Lisa in the CQI Group.  I am currently involved in two separate UTS RR's and am having a blast embellishing .... just love anything that has to do with the ocean... and of course blue.

 UTS Block for Lisa
See that cute little tatted seahorse? That was a gift to me that suz made for me a while ago
- perfect fit dont' ya think?

My work on Lisa's 12" UTS Block

My Stained Glass Gift

Ever think "when I get the time I'll do this, I'll do that?"  Well every day that passes I seem to be adding more and more to my list of things to do.  I keep telling myself I want to try and Blog at least a couple times a week and it seems I just get further and further behind.  So... where to start first.  I did so many things over the summer and received back and completed so many CQ RR's that I want to share it all... little by little I guess.

Just the other day I received a package in the mail.  When I saw who it was from my first thought was "now why is she sending me something?"  I totally forgot that it was time for the Stained Glass projects to be sent out (mine not being done yet - so sorry Charlyn).  I received this gorgeous mini Stained glass quilt from my friend Amanda.  We both belong to a Blog group where we each make someone different a gift each month.  This past month was our Stained Glass project.  Isn't it simply beautiful? 

Finally, I'm back up and running!

Hello everyobody! It's been a looooong time since I've blogged and I'm so sorry. I could give you a list of reasons why I haven't been around for the past two months but I think I'll skip that. One of the main reasons for no blogging is that my old computer finally died for good and I've had to wait until just recently to get a new one. Now that I have a new one with Windows 7, I hope to be able to post nicer looking pictures and blog a whole lot more.

I hope ya'll had a wonderful summer and did something fun. Mine was spent running here and there all over the country. Not only did I spent time in NC, FL and VA I also spent 2 weeks in CA with my grand babies and then took off for a 3 week trip to the Devil's River down in Texas.

I just wanted to check in and let you know I'm back to Blogging, CQing and working on my Etsy Shop so please stay tuned. I've so many goodies to share with you and have received so many of my CQ RR's back over the summer that I can't wait to figure out this new photo sizing so I can show you some of the beautiful work that some of my CQ friends did for me.

Are you a Patriots Fan? Well I sure am now - check out my beautiful babies!

It's been a while ....

since my last post and I'm sorry to say that it will probably be at least another month before I will be able to post any pictures. You see, my darling computer of 7 years finally went to the hard drive graveyard and I am now awaiting the delivery of a new computer.

It is amazing how much you can get accomplished when you don't spend time on the computer. With all my free time I've been able to CQ quite a bit and get caught up on some other projects. Maybe I've learned a lesson... spend less time on the computer and more time on sewing. Once I have my new computer I will have lots of pictures to share of both my work and that of some beautiful CQ blocks I've received from friends.

I am packing my suitcases to fly off to California on Thursday for a couple weeks as I'm going to spend my 4th of July birthday with my two beautiful grand babies, Evita and DeAngelo. They are 2 years old now and already talking up a storm so this trip is going to be full of fun.

After visiting with my beautiful family in CA, I am headed to Houston to spend 3 weeks with my best friend Bev. Bev and her husband Chris just built a house at the Devil's River and I am going to help her mosaic her kitchen back splash and create a walkway. She tells me the temps will be in the 100's so it's a good thing we are right next to one of the pretties rivers I've ever seen - at least we'll have a place to jump in and cool off. Along with some tiles, I've also packed plenty of laces. We are going to dye up some pretties using natural resources... like bugs from a catus plant. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures as I think it'll be quite an experience.

Enjoy the summer and have fun creating!!!

My Fabric Art Journal is Home!!!

Well I'm finally home after a long 3 week road trip and can't tell you how nice it is to finally sleep in my own bed. My trip to NC for the 5th Annual COF Quilting Retreat was a blast and I truly enjoyed my visit to Florida with my friends Shey and Carolyn. Visting my parents in VA was sweet especially taking my mother to her birthplace on Mother's Day. I think I'll try and stay home for a bit so I can rest up for my next trip in July to CA to visit my grandbabies.

In late 2009 a group of 4 of my crazy friends got together and formed the "Artsy Farty" group. Journal Project We decided we would make an Art journal using any meduim we wanted to create with and send our journals around to each other - somewhat like a Round Robin. We'd each create a page for each others journal.

While in NC a few weeks ago at the COF Quilting Retreat, all of us met up and exchanged our finished journals - a year and a half in the making! I can't even begin to tell you how excited we all were and how very thrilling it was for me to have such talented ladies work on my journal. Every one did a fabulous job on their pages. Funny thing... before I even read whose page was whose, I knew - just by the artistic expression.

My journal was called "Real Name". I wrote the story of my names and each girl was then to express in their own way the story or meaning of their name(s).

This little story, "Real Name" was written by Brian Andreas of Story People. I remember when I first read it I immediately thought "WOW! he captured just what I was thinking about my Real Name"

I'd like to share with you my journal with pages created by my friends - Jody, Denise, Colleen and Kathi. Thank you ladies - I LOVE it!

This is the front cover of my Journal - My birth name: Nicki Lee Chantiles

Inside cover with my written story:

Each girl was given a piece of double sided peltex 8.5 x 11 and asked to create a front and back page depicting their name(s). This first page was created by Jody using stamps, paper fabric, beads, lace and sequins. You can see that she spelled out her name "JODY"
Jody created a pocket on the backside and inserted her story of her names.

The second page was created by Denise. Denise did a beautiful job of crazy quilting a beautiful frame around her picture - Simply gorgeous!

The backside of Denise' page is a fabulous zipper pocket - just big enough to hold her story. How cool!!

Page 3 was created by Colleen. This Journal project was Colleen's brainy idea and I for one am so very grateful that she put it together. Colleen's fabulous page was hand stitched using various threads, lace, beads and charms.

The backside of Colleen's page was also made into a pocket which holds the story of her names and her picture. I love the handstitched fabric she used and am sure it was something special that she shared with me.
The last entry was that of Kathi. Kathi used tiles to write out her maiden name "Darcy". Kathi framed out the month of March and circled the 18th - Kathy - I promise, I'll never forget your birthday again!

Kathi's back page included a copy of her birth certificate which she downloaded onto fabric - great idea!! Tucked inside a little pocket was her story.

The last page is the inside of my back page... a picture of my eyes looking over everyone. Finally, the back cover of my journal.... me, Barbara Nicki Lee Seavey -

2 years old and now wondering... where did all the years go?

Thank you Jody, Denise, Colleen and Kathi for sharing your personal stories with me. For me to trust you with my story was liberating and a bit of self discovery..... I thank you sharing your creative talents with me and also your friendship - looking forward to ourt next great project together!

A Little Bit of Craziness

Remember that song "Leaving on a jet plane"? Well in just about 4 hours I will be headed to the airport boarding a plane to North Carolina for the 5th Annual COF Quilting Retreat. COF (Circle of Friends) Retreat began in MN in 2007 when about 40 ladies from the HGTV Quilting Forum decided to get together for 4 days of fun. We have been doing it ever since. Golly, I'm not even sure I've recuperated from the CQ Adventure in CT !

I know I promised pictures of the Crazy Quilting Adventure and I will post some as soon as my new cable cord comes in. Seems "someone" lost it and now is unable to use the camera she used at the Retreat. As soon as I am able I will give you a complete rundown of the fabulous 4 day adventure. Let me just tell you - we had the time of our lives - a whole bunch of crazy ladies all together in one building - what a blast! Our host, Maureen Greeson, with her side kick Susan Elliott, did a fabulous job! Our teachers, Allie Aller, Betty Pillsbury and Sharon Boggins were absolutely incredible. More to come later.

Before I head out on another adventure I thought I would post a few things. First, I was surprised to learn last month that I actually won a Blog Give Away! Judy sent me my prize, one of her GORGEOUS CQ hearts, along with tons of pretties just for me. Thank you again Judy, I love everything!

Beautiful dyed laces, adorable little seahorse, fabulous fabrics and a pretty little face pin.

When not dyeing laces, I actually have been catching up on a lot of CQ RR's. I completed the final two blocks I have to work on for the Birds DYOB RR and will truly miss working on this theme. I really enjoyed working on the bird blocks and can't wait to get mine home.

This one is for Cathy L:

This one is for Cathy L:

Well I'm off to try and get a couple hours sleep. Good thing I'm all packed and ready to go ... hopefully I can sleep on the plane. Thearica - here I come with plenty of laces in tow !!

A Crazy Quilt Adventure - Here I come!

The day is finally here! I've been waiting a year for April 8th to come and now that it is here, I'm beside byself with excitement! In a matter of a couple hours I will be headed to Connecticut with my friend Ely to attend my first Crazy Quilt Adventure. Thanks to my wonderful hubby Rob for giving me this trip - I love you Babe! The thought of being able to take classes with teachers like Sharon Boggins, Allie Aller and Betty Pillsbury is just .... WOW! To be in one room with all that incredible talent is going to be soooo enlightening and so much fun. I am going to be like a sponge soaking up every bit of CQ I can and I've got my tinted glasses ready to help my eyes with all the beautiful eye candy I know I will be seeing. Not to mention being able to meet so many of the ladies I've have met over the past years who love CQ as much as I do. One lady in particular is my friend Lil who will be driving in from New York. We have been cyber friends for 4 years now and have never met - being roommates for the next 4 days - bets are that there won't be much time to sleep. When my invitation to the Crazy Quilt Adventure arrived a blank CQ name tag was enclosed. We were all to embellish our own tag. Well... here's mine. The beautiful invitation - Maureen Greeson and her committee did a fabulous job in putting them together. Thank you thank you all for all your hard work!

My next post will certainly be about the wonderful time I had - with tons of pictures too!

Pretties to show off

Ohhhhhhh have I got pretties to show you today! Whenever I mail out a lace order I ask my customers to please sends me a couple pictures to let me see what they are creating with the laces. Two of my favorite customers have bought the Mini/Middie Packs of lace and have sent me pictures showing me how they were used. Here are few pictures of some of the beautiful creations made by two very talented ladies.

These gorgeous hearts were created by Diane Knotts . Be sure to check Diane's Etsy shop out : Cottage by the Pond as she has tons of beautiful items for sale. Diane dabbles in all kinds of pretties so be prepared to see lots of eye candy.

Another of my customers is Jackie who has her shop Catangel on Ebay. Jackie makes the most gorgeous beaded ornaments and right now she is making egg shaped ornaments for Easter using lace and beads. Simply beautiful!

This pretty purple Easter Egg is one that I bought from Jackie's collection.

Winner of CQ Give Away!!!

It's amazing what one week can do for your life. Like the quote that I have on my header says "All in a matter of time..." Life is sorta getting back to normal (whatever that is LOL!) for me and I'm starting to feel human again. Never ever think "that can't happen to me" as just last Sunday I found myself in a health scare that rocked me. Thank God that he was watching over me as today I'm feeling great and just want to put the drama behind me, grab the bull by the horns and do what I have to do to make this 58 year old body the best it can be. Thank you everyone who sent well wishes and prayers... they are working!

So... a week later and I bet you are all waiting to hear who won the Give Away. All day long I tried to get that dang Random.org site to work for me but to no avail... this is actually how I was starting to feel before I realized it might be easier if I just wrote down everyones name and had hubby pull a winner. Don't laugh - I'm sure you have all been this aggrevated with your computer at one time or another!

Wrote down, numbered (in case of duplicate names) and cut up the strips - mixed up the names and had hubby draw one

and... the winner of this adorable little glass bird jar full of lace is SHARON!!! She was the 28th person to comment. Congratulations Sharon. Please send me your address so I can get these pretties to you this week. You can send your address to me at bnickilee@aol.com

Hmmmmmm, I feel bad that I had ya'll wait so long so how about I pull another name out for a sweet little package of some of my recently dyed laces.... be back in a minute.

Ok... times up - the winner of the lace pack is #96 LifemyWay - again, please send me your address so I can mail them to you.

Have a great week everyone and remember... be kind to your body - it's the only one you have.

My apologies on Announcing Give Away Winner

Sometimes life gets in the way ... sometimes the unexpected happens in life.

I would like to apologize to all of you who left such nice comments on my blog and entered my Lace Give Away. I'm so sorry that I have yet to announce the winner. I promise to announce the winner this coming Saturday.

Since last Sunday life has been a blur. I've spent the last 3 days in the hospital being poked and prodded by numerous Doctors and having every test known... and way too many needles to count. I'm not going to elaborate on the details but would like to share with you all a piece of advice....

Please, Please, listen to your body. If you feel that that something just isn't "right", that something is out of the "normal" for you, be sure to do everything to be heard by your Dr. Don't let anyone let you think you are imagining a hurt or an ailment. You and only you know your body.... it is a temple so take care of it. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and remember that we are human and are given only one body to take care of. I don't want to get into preaching just want it to be said that we all need to be the keepers of our own beautiful bodies.

For those of you who have a lace order in, please know I will be filling them this week and will have them all out in the mail by the weekend. I'm sorry you have had to wait a few days. Hopefully, once I get my feet back under me, I'll be back in the swing of adding new goodies to RavioLee Dreams and happily stitching some new CQ pretties.