Spring is Here!

I am happy to say that spring is here - even in SW Montana. Our snow is nearly gone here in town - still a lot in the mountains. The gophers and robins are out, and I see my tulip bulbs peaking through the mud! Recently I signed up for a giveaway at To Dwell in Primitive Thymes blog and I'm a winner! I won this beautiful 'spring' banner from Melissa of Wings and Paws Whimsies! Lucky me! I know right where I'll display it!

Eco Colour

I've been dreaming of this book by India Flint for quite awhile and it just arrived in the mail today! I have dyed my own fabrics for years - I love experimenting with different flowers and plants from my garden. This book contains some beautiful 'eye candy' and it also has great info on how to dye your own fabrics! I can't wait to plant my garden (June, I hope?!) - and I'm envious of you who already have a garden growing!

Busy, Busy!

I've been neglecting the blog again! Sorry about that. Lots of exciting things coming up! I will be selling some of my quilties soon on Etsy. I am going to be selling them as well in a local Antique Store, and teaching vintage crafty workshops - so excited about that! I am also gearing up for the annual Junk Fest which will be held in June - I did some craft demos last year, but I think this year I will have a booth - so that means I need to create a lot of goodies to sell! I am also delighted to hear that I will have one of my quilties in the next issue of  Art Quilting Studio! More on that later! I had a great time in Arizona - more on that later, too! (Picture by Cori Dantini - I love her artwork! Check it out here ...

A Swap for All Seasons!

I received my beautiful quilty yesterday from Terri - it is so pretty! I love the blues, I love the buttons and the quote! I think I complained enough about how cold it was in Montana that the quote seems very appropriate! Thanks, Terri! I have already found a spot for it!

These photos are of the quilt I sent to Terri! This was a great swap!

Out of Touch

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity! Lots of good stuff! Lots of changes in the near future~ I am even contemplating a move if I don't find a job here soon!  I am in a position to go wherever I want - provided I can find a job there! If you could choose, where would you go? I would like to stay in the western part of the U.S. for sure. I am thinking I'd like to be in a warm climate for most of the year....! Who knows? I have lots to think about. I am taking a trip soon to Lake Havasu, AZ (photo above) for some r & r! Looking forward to that!

A Few Swaps For the New Year!

I was going to ease up on the swaps, but I really can't help myself! I enjoy 'meeting' new, creative ladies and I usually end up with some fantastic artwork! So here's the first - It's the a mini fabric collage swap - right up my alley! I'm excited about this! Just waiting for confirmation from Linda at A Swap for All Seasons - I believe she's taking sign-ups until January 15th!

Next is the Easter Egg Swap hosted by Cindy at Thimbleprims Studio... can't wait for this one!

Happy Birthday To Me!

Last year was a major birthday; I am now (happily) one year past a half century!

New Book!

I don't shop much, but I love a bookstore! I found myself in Border's today - I have a membership there and saw on an email message that I had $10 in Border's Bucks! And I also had 50% off! Yippee! So I find this new book, Sharing Stitches by Chrissie Grace. It looks great. So when I went to pay I got the 50% off and I actually had $15 in Border's Bucks, so I got the book for FREE! How about that? I've chosen my word for 2011 and it's GLORIOUS! Free book = great way to start the New Year = GLORIOUS!

Happy New Year!

Here's to a 'GLORIOUS' new year! I am looking forward to all things wonderful... Here's a recent Christmas photo of my four kids. It was early morning so they will say they look a bit 'haggard'... i couldn't get them all to 'behave' at once, so all of the 20+ photos I took of them look kind of goofy~ I am fortunate that I had them all here for Christmas!

Snow Lady!

I neglected to highlight the Snow Lady gifty from Cindy. She made this beautiful doll that was tucked into my stocking package and I absolutely love it. Though Christmas is over, I plan to keep my stocking and snow lady displayed all year long. They are just so wonderful to look at ~

Stocking Swap from Cindy

I was so excited for this swap and it didn't disappoint! Cindy, you have

outdone yourself. My goodness! Thank you so much, new friend~

 First, I get this really fabulous vintage stocking which Cindy trimmed with lace and old jingle bells!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

There is an assortment of wonderful goodies - vingtage childrens books, wooden spools, Christmas tissues,
lovely little tags and two really beautiful vintage dolls! I love the dolls so much.

Close-up of the dolls... I'm contemplating names for them at this point!

More awesome goodies - she knows I love lace and textiles!  Plus Cindy sent vintage Christmas cards, icicyles for the tree, more tags, pearl trim, Chrismas hankie and cherry decor!

As if all that wasn't enough, some gorgeous vintage linen napkins, a lacy little baby bonnet and some lovely bird/nature-inspired fabric!

Still more.... some old dolly clothes -

and lastly, an absolutely exquisite baby dress to add to my collection! Wow. This truly made my Christmas!

Check out Cindy's blog for more photos!  

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Photo shows the stocking swap I received from my new friend, Cindy! I am just thrilled with this. I'll share more later!

Snow Angels

It's nice to have my oldest home for a Christmas visit (from Michigan) and she's having a blast with her sister (the youngest). The two boys spend enough time working in the snow so I rarely catch them playing in it!

Christmas Helper

I'm getting help decorating the tree whether i want it or not! Our cat loves it!

I also got a lovely little coffee mug in trade from my friend/superb artist, Carl Sheehan. Carl was the resident potter at Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone Park for many years. Check out his beautiful pottery here!

I'm So Lucky!

I just found out that I won a copy of Sandy's new book - Artful Adventures. I'm so excited because I've wanted to do an art retreat/workshop here in Bozeman for quite awhile. This book will help me make it happen! I'm so happy!

Into the Christmas Spirit!

My college final is complete - classes are over for the semester! Now I'll have a little more spare time!? Today I received the most gorgeous Christmas Inchie Swap  - a lovely little tree made by Marylin for our Christmas Inchies! I love it. Everyone is so creative!

I also started making a hexagon-pieced banner to string across something -- I don't have a fireplace!

I found this cute little 'homespun' ornament - I think I'll try to figure out how to make a few more of these!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your day!

Too Cold

This is the time of year when I decide that I'm moving to Arizona! The snow is lovely, but the bitter cold is getting on my nerves. Supposed to be temps of negative 15 degrees by mid-week!

Stop the (Vintage Textiles) Madness!

Here I go again! More vintage treasures from the local Senior Center Boutique! I found these two cloth thread holders. I have never seen these before! I'm not even sure how the thread got into these tiny little spaces! Does anyone know how these work? The thread is Royal Society which was manufactured by a company in New York from the 1890's to 1930's. Very cool.

I also found more great doilies, lace, and this great coral-color grosgrain ribbon! Can't get enough!

Facebook | Montana Christmas Wreaths

My friend Erica and I are making beautiful "Montana" Christmas wreaths for sale! We can deliver locally or let us know if you need us to ship out of area! These are the real deal! Check out our Facebook page for more information!  Click on link below!

Facebook Montana Christmas Wreaths: "Montana Christmas Wreaths"