Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye something... 

kaleidoscopic!

Clockwise, starting top left:

Pocket Notebook

Summersville Fat Quarter Selection

Guppies Baby Shoes

Spring Woodland Print

Modern Stripe Bottle Vase

Wishing you a dreamy summer day!

Maggie the Owl...

Yesterday I introduced my new "Ruffled Bib" pattern...

At that time I mentioned that I'd be making a couple of different accessories to accompany a Ruffled Bib as a gift for a new arrival. Here's a sneak peak at one of those items.

Her name is Maggie...

On Monday I'll post the pattern and tutorial for the Ruffled Bib and later next week, I'll show you how to make Maggie. Stay tuned... ;o)

New "Ruffled Bib" ...

Last year was what we commonly refer to as "The Baby Boom" in our family. Four grandbabies were born -- one in the winter, one in June, one in July and one in August! It was a happy time for our family and a busy time for me as I created a variety of baby items for those little ones. One of my creations was the "Pocket Bib". Since that time I've had many requests for that pattern, which I'm happy to offer free of charge. Many grandmothers request this pattern, but more often than not the requests come from younger women who finds themselves surrounded by peers about to deliver. They especially seem to appreciate ideas that are cute and affordable!

This week I began dreaming once again. We have another grandbaby -- a little girl -- due in November, and I wanted to make some special things just for her! This "Ruffled Bib" pattern is one of the things I dreamed up...

I love bold bright colors, but sometimes I yearn for the tiny pastel little-girl prints that have a more vintage feel. I also adore tiny little ruffles and baby buttons...

Next week I will offer this pattern to my readers -- along with a detailed tutorial.

At that time I'll also explain how to make two other items
that you might want to pair with these Ruffled Bibs
-- a "Ruffled-Edged Burp Cloth" and a "Tiny Tag Blanket."

Till then -- have a great day!

Bloomin' Tuesday...

Last week in my Bloomin' Tuesday post, I took you to Pike Market and Butchart Gardens and mentioned that my husband and I had just returned from an Alaskan cruise. May I make a suggestion? If ever you get the chance to go to Alaska -- go! It is an incredible experience to be in such pristine surroundings. While there I captured many beautiful landscapes and wondrous blossoms. I thought I would share a few of those with you today...

 

For more Bloomin' Tuesday posts, head over to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's.

Coming soon... Yesterday I created a new sewing pattern that I'm anxious to show off! I'll post about that pattern soon and give you the opportunity to claim the pattern for yourself before I place it in my Etsy later this week!

Friday's Fabulous Finds

I spy with my Etsy eye some... 

Alaska!

Clockwise, starting top left:

Rustic Photograph
Felt Ram
Painted Stones
Nautical Charts Alaskan Earrings
Wrist Warmers

Wishing you a cool weekend!

And the winner is...

It's time to annouce the Give Away results...

The winner can choose this cute Matroyshka pattern
or others from Whimsy Couture's online pattern store...

Lisa M. has won the three pattern give away from
 Whimsy Couture.

Congratulations, Lisa, and thanks to all who participated.

Bloomin' Tuesday @ Pike Market & Butchart Gardens

Last week my husband and I traveled with a small group of friends and relatives through Alaska's inside passage. On either side of that amazing cruise, we visited two locations with flowers galore, which is where I'm taking you to today for Bloomin' Tuesday.

Our cruise departed from the beautiful city of Seattle. We arrived there the day before so we could take in Pike Place Market and dine in the Space Needle that night. Pike Market is a century old farmer's market with almost 300 vendors. I thought you might like to see some of the gorgeous flowers for sale there. These huge bundles of flowers were priced around $19 a bunch. One can deduce that in the pacific northwest flowers are plentiful and well cared for...

Fast forward seven days to the last evening of our cruise and our final excursion to Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, just north of Victoria.

In 1888 Robert Butchart began manufacturing Portland cement at Tod Inlet, on Vancouver Island. By the turn of the century he had become very successful, and in 1904 he and his wife, Jennie, established a home there. As the limestone was exhausted from the quarry near their home, Jennie conceived a plan to refurbish the bleak pit that had been created. Under Jennie's supervision top soil was delivered by horse and cart and in time the quarry blossomed into the spectacular Sunken Garden...

By 1908, a Japanese Garden resided on the sea-side of their home and the Italian Garden was added in place of the former tennis court...

Hope you enjoyed this different version of Bloomin' Tuesday this week!

Linked to:
Bloomin' Tuesday @ Ms. Green Thumb Jean's
Garden Tuesday @ Sidewalk Shoes
Tuesday Garden Party @ An Oregon Cottage

Friday's Fabulous Finds...

I spy with my Etsy eye...

a June wedding.

Clockwise, starting top left:

Solid Perfume in Brass Compact

Crown Pearl Ring

Soft Leather Ballet Flats

Lace Hair Pin

Chiffon Button Clutch

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ahhhhh.... Fabric

I love fabric. Pure and simple it makes my heart go pitter-patter. A couple of weeks ago I hit upon a particularly fabulous sale. Not only did I get shipping free, but I got an additional 30% off sale items. Yum. What's more it was fabrics that I absolutely adored! See that newsprint fabric below? I've been wanting a fabric like that for months. I know just what I'm going to make with it...

L to R:

Crabtastic Newsprint Ivory

Woodland Dots & Vines Teal

Woodland Dots & Vines Pink

Woodland Dots & Vines Yellow

Look at these fabrics below. Isn't the one in the middle with the corn and sunshine adorable. Love the gray, lime and lemon color combination on that fabric. It would be fabulous with the newsprint fabric above. The floral fabrics below are two fabrics from the same collection -- just different color combinations. If you look carefully there are different critters (squirrels and birdies) scurrying around the design...

 

L to R:
Garden of Delights Flora & Fauna White
Crabtastic Corn Maze Grey
Garden of Delights Flora & Fauna Taupe

Oooh la la! Take a look {below} at this adorable fabric with a Parisian flair! Corner cafes, the Eiffel Tower, and side streets punctuate this charming fabric. Paris at its best!

L to R:
Woodland Dots & Vines Yellow
 Woodland Dots & Vines Pink
 Woodland Dots & Vines Teal
J'Adore Stella Paris Map Blue

I love the designs on the Woodland Dots & Vines fabrics (blue fabric below, pink and mustard above). These fabrics are so versatile that they could be used in practically any project I could dream up. I should have gotten about 50 yards of each color. The little birdie and birdcage fabric below is from the same "Parisian" line as the road map fabric above -- so cute.

 L to R:
J'Adore Stella Birdcages White
Woodland Dots and Vines Teal

Matroyshka, Pattern Give Away & a Discount!

Everyone's a winner with this Give Away and Discount -- 

please read to the end of this post for all the information! 

Last week I introduced to you a Matroyshka plushie that I made from a pattern that was given me by "Whimsy Couture".

We've named her...

Natasha.

"Whimsy Couture" is an online Pattern Shop 

with instantly downloadable patterns. 

In addition they have  

an Etsy Shop, also called "Whimsy Couture", 

where you can purchase patterns.

Today I'd like to acquaint you with another version of a plushie Matroyshka that I created! 

Meet Valentina...

For Valentina I used the basic Matroyshka pattern that was give me by Whimsy Couture, and I added a scarf and apron to make her mine. I love it when I can easily alter a pattern to change things up a little!

Now for the Give Away... 

Whimsy Couture is offering my readers a Three Pattern Give Away!

To enter, simply follow the instructions below...

•  "Like" them on the Whimsy Couture Facebook Page. 
• Then come back and leave a comment below. 

This contest will run through Monday, July 2nd. On Wednesday, July 4th a winner will be announced! No anonymous comments please. We will need an email address or accessibility to a public blog in order to contact the winner.

But wait -- there's more!

Whimsy Couture is offering ALL my readers a 50% discount on all their patterns!

"Simply visit the Whimsy Couture Pattern Shop and type in TAKEOFF50 when you go to check out!

(The discount won't work in their Etsy Shop.)

If you've never appliqued fabric before, don't be intimidated by this project.
Simply go to my tutorial on "How to Applique on Fabric" for step-by-step instructions!

Good Luck to all!