New FO Challenge - April

Where the heck did April go?

They say time flies when you're having fun....

If that's the case...

then I must have had a blast!

It was nice to have a month without

"incidents"...

no middle of the night phone calls...

no hospital visits...

I'll gladly take another month like that!

We are busy busy getting ready for a Quilt Show this weekend...

one more day to get it 'all together'

of course I could really use another 'week'...

but it will all work out...

We're really looking forward to visit with some

of our out of town quilting friends!

Meanwhile...
it's time to link up with
Smitty and Barbara from
Cat Patches
(did I just give that fun furry feline top billing?
Well whadaya know...I sure did...
KiDee influence for sure! MeOw)

Here's a quick (oops, when have I EVER been quick?)
Let's start again...
And now for a wrap up of  April FO projects started
(some even finished)
where oh where to begin...

First of April I participated in a Covert Robin
handmade gift exchange...
made and sent this to my
secret robin friend...

Next up I got really excited to join the fun
with  Scrap Basket Sunday
and made....

one.whole.block.
yep...
just one so far.
I LOVE this block and had such high hopes
to play with my scraps and finally make blocks
for this quilt that I have loved since the book came out.
One Block.
At this rate...I'll have a quilt in 2015...
if I'm lucky.

The April Showers Blog Hop
resulted in these two Mug Rugs

I had soooo much fun creating those.
Can you tell?

Then came the
Spring Fling Blog Hop
and my 10" block foundation pieced offering

The "Shake Your Pom Poms" Blog Hop
ended up my month...
and I have to admit I think this little guy girl
is my favorite finished thing for April.

(check my previous post...this little mouse has quite a wardrobe!)

I finally started a quilt with
"The Googlies"
an oh so cute panel
from Benartex Fabrics.
It's in the 'binding' stage now...
but here's a pic in progress from a couple days ago.

Another panel I've been wanting to play with....

by Amy Bradley for Timeless Treasures...
I'm REALLY excited about this one!
I have finally come up with a pattern to adapt
with 'panels' like this.
Nice to know I will have at least ONE
started/finish for the next New FO!

oh wait...

make that two...
Just started this Monday
(which was still technically April - lol)

New Riley Blake fabrics!
Yummmmy!
Not the most exciting picture I give you that...
but OH how I LOVE what it's turning into!

Be sure to bee-bop on over to the
Linky Party @ Cat Patches
and see
Who has been starting What!

Florida Friends in the Gainesville area...
Tree City Quilters Show
Saturday and Sunday
May 4th & 5th
Hope to See You There!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

MeOwZa MoNDaY - OPAM March Finishes

Welcome April!

Time for another

MeOwZa MoNDay!

>^..^<

>^..^<

OPAM FINISHES FOR MARCH

Wow!....Lucky 7!

>^..^<

Be sure to check out our

OPAM Leaders "Extraordinaire" 

Kris @ Tag Along Teddies

and

Sweet Peg @ Happy In Quilting

the

KiDees

>^..^<

OPAM February Finishes

As I've been exploring blogland, I kept coming upon this badge in some of my favorite sites

I was intrigued.

What did it mean?

The number kept changing...Who  was Counting?

And What exactly was being counted?

I'm so nosey...I had to find out what I was missing out on.

And then one night, I came across a post, inviting any and all to be an

"OPAM-er" 

... well, you know, I couldn't resist...

(even tho I still didn't really have a clue if I was even OPAM material).

A little click here...a little click there

and I discovered 

Peg of Happy In Quilting

and

Kris of Tag Along Teddies

They are the hostesses with the mostesses

both in charge of the

OPAM year long party!

So...what does OPAM mean?

I'm so glad you asked.

One Project A Month

Isn't that clever?

It's really a fun 'challenge' ~ to finish at least ONE project a month and on the last day of the month to write a post and show what you've done.

I really liked that idea...I like anything that will motivate me to finish something.

So here they are...my February Finishes.

Lookie Look...I had Three!

That's kinda exciting...even tho many have more...and most of my OPAM party pals are already in the double digits for the year totals to date.

But I'm happy...I have Three

And at least this month,

I made it to the party on time!

Thanks for stopping by...til 'laters....

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

It's About Me (and my 'KiDees") - Blog Hop

I've been watching the clock....tick tock, tick tock....

...Just waiting for midnight to strike so I could share this post.

So without further adieu....

I bring
ME
to
YOU!

Ain't she I a hoot?

Debuting my new red glasses (I only wish my real ones sparkled...maybe next time). 

How 'bout those danglers...I'm talking about the earrings...what were you thinking?

All of our 'kidees' insisted on being part of this project.
How could I say no?

Jaxson with his very own mousie pincushion and Marvin with his thimble...

Lookie look...I even found a  shiney little mouse 'hair comb'

(yikes what happened with this close up? I think I need a change of moisturizer!)

It was a challenge to find fabrics that would work for this project. I was determined to use only stripes and plaids that would really show off the "Bias" theme.
I raided my stash...ok, you're right...I own a quilt shop - I have a LOT of stash, but really and truly with the exception of a few of pieces, it all came from my personal booty!

That gold and red check that became "Jaxson" is from South Seas Imports and about a hundred years old (ok, maybe not that old...but it's at least 15yrs if it's a day)...the teal stripe (background) and purple/green stripe (border) and "Marvin" fab - those fabrics are part of my special treasures...left behind given to me by Jan Mullen when she taught at our shop many years ago-I use them sparingly! But I think my absolute favorite is my dress - that is so me...when I'm on a quilt that is - one of my favorite oldie but goldies from Free Spirit.

I am really REALLY pleased with how this turned out....over 25+ hours of planning and searching and cuttin' and fusin' and stitchin' and re-stitchin' (oops...not going there with this post)....
but worth every minute!
And.....every smile!

Twins?
I think maybe yes!
Especially if you compare noses!

This "All About Me" wouldn't be complete without one very special girl...I think you know who I mean...yes, I'm talking about sweet Maggie...you can't see her, but trust me, she's there.
Keep tuned in because in the coming days, we'll take a closer look at this little quilt and the 'KiDees' that inspired it! Learn who's who...discover the secret of Willy (yep, he'd be the re-stitchin we're not going to talk about this time, lol) and find out where Maggie's hiding...maybe you can already guess...she's still always close to my heart!

Thank you Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt & Marlene of Stitchin By The Lake for this blog hop and the most fun I've had creating in a kitten's age! Thanks also to Amy Bradley for creating this pattern for the hop - I hope you'll enjoy my little furry additions.

Be sure to visit the other super fun Bloggers also 'revealing' their "Me's" today - I can't wait to check them out....won't you join me?

Today - Thursday, February 21

Kris Loves Fabric

The Quilting Alleycat

Cat Patches

Bumbleberry Stitches

Chickadees Country Cottage Crafts

In Stitches and Seams

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Quilting Unleashed

Rosemary at That Other Blog

Thimblemouse and Spouse (you're here)

Sew Many Yarns

Thanks for visiting...hope you enjoyed...

cuz afterall...this was 

All About ME!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

2013 NewFO Challenge - January

I'm a little behind posting my January NewFO diddies...but better late then never they say...

I was so excited to join this group - it's all about starting at least one project a month (I'm pretty good at that) ...and even better- we don't really even have to finish...anything (I really excel in that department - hmm...probably not something I should so easily admit...but what the heck, we're friends, right?)

I seem to remember posting a list of things I wanted to get started and yikes...guess what? Not ONE of those things is here! 

(another secret - I don't always stick to 'lists')

Here was my January....

This little 21" wall hanging was started and finished in one week's time for Project Quilting - Season 4 - Challenge 1. It's Wonky Square in a Square...and eventually will hang on my Mom's wall.

Next up...I Dared to Dresden...another challenge...and I actually started "two"different "dresdens" - only one was finished in time....

It's a little rug for my mug and I love it to pieces.

(click Tutorials & Freebies at the top of this page - you'll find links to make your own Wonky Squares and the Mug Rug too)

What I started and am still working on....

With any luck, I'll finish it in time for Valentines Day...another pressie for ma Mere!

Project Quilting - Challenge 2 was using our favorite color and white....

I started and finished in a little over 24 hours. There's something to be said for a 'challenge' - I wasn't in the mood for sewing...but once I got going, it really helped my aching heart.

Speaking of hearts...I had the brilliant idea to do a Valentine Block Swap with some very dear friends.

I even set the deadline to mail as Feb.2nd.

It's now Feb.4th and guess WHO has missed her deadline?

*sigh*

Here's the one and only block I've finished....

Only 11 more to make....oh my!

Thankfully, I'm getting ready to run away for a few days of playtime...I'll be working too - setting up a little vendors space at a local retreat. I know I'll have some sewing time there...I'll take the supplies for the heart blocks...I will should might get them done. I'm packing up tons of projects to take...if nothing else, next months NewFO post should have plenty of STARTS!

Thanks so much to Barbara from Cat Patches for hosting the 2013 NewFO Challenge!

Click HERE to visit her linky party - see what everyone else is doing!

Have a great week everyone! I'll be back next Sunday night after retreat..then again, I might just sneak in here before that...we shall see.

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<