Blue Monday ATC

A Blue Background on my ATC (Artist Trading Cards) for Blue Monday.

Visit Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

 to learn more about Blue Monday.

Blessings for a wonderful week, denise

LACE

I have a new acronym...LACE. 

It stands for Leave A Comment Everytime. 

I know people visit my blog...I see it in the tracker-thingamijig. 

But there's rarely any comments left.  :(

Now we all know how bloggers just love to read

comments left by visitors on their blogs - right? 

But then I got to thinking - that can be dangerous! 

And I have to admit...I hardly ever leave a comment on the blogs I visit. 

Guilty as charged!

So now I will LACE on every blog I visit.  How about you?  :)

Blessings to you, denise  :D

Red and Pink Charm Swap

Wanted to share my Red and Pink Charms for the

Charm Swap at the Art Charms Yahoo Group...

 I actually made an assortment of 5 different charms

using the pink heart in each one.

I'm excited to get my charms from the other swappers. 

Just in time to make a cute Valentine's Day bracelet.

What have you been working on for the Day of Love?

Blessings all, denise  :D

Block-of-the-Month 2012

I completed Block #1 of a Block-of-the-Month that my friend Karen of Briarside Lane is hosting this year.  She is actually making two versions - one in Fall fabrics and another in Christmas fabrics.  I chose to make my quilt with Thimbleberries fabrics.  (I have quite a collection since I have been 'gathering' Thimbleberries fabrics for several years to make a "Dear Jane" quilt.)

Each BOM will consist of a framed 12" block surrounded by a variety of other blocks.

Beginning in the upper right hand corner and working counter clockwise around the block, this is the main block.  They are going to all be 12" blocks from Quilters Cache with permission from Marcia.

Then in the upper left hand corner are these cute lil' hour glass 2 1/2" blocks.

Followed by 6" log cabin blocks using an array of fabrics...one of my favorite blocks.

In the lower left hand corner I have used a faux applique that is from the Thimbleberries BOM 2009 fabric collection.  The name of the BOM is "3's Company".  Gorgeous collection of warm, inviting colors.

And some more log cabin blocks along the bottom to tie it together.

With some simple 2 1/2" strips to complete Block #1.  (I haven't decided if I want to change this to a four-patch or something else to bring in some beige background fabrics here.)

I'm looking forward to participating in this fun BOM during 2012.

And you...what are some of your 2012 projects?

Blessings, denise  :D

Blue Birds for Blue Monday

I love birds.  To me they represent freedom and flight...nesting and nurturing...blissfulness and beauty.

So for Blue Monday I decided to take a stroll around my lil mountain home (whose name is Niecy's Nest)  and photograph some Blue Birds.  You can learn more about Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

Blue Birds on the fireplace mantel...

...in a quilt block...

...a stained glass in the bedroom window...

...a planter on the back porch...

...on the edge of a candle holder...

...to greet me each morning at my vanity...

...Blue Bird stuffies...

...and salt and pepper shakers...

...a Blue Bird atop a cute porcelain box from my sweet sister...

...Blue Birds on little pillows...

...and Blue Birds on BiG pillows...

...a Blue Bird and a bell...

...and on a plague...

...and on a vase...

...a Blue Bird sweetly singing in a cage...

...and playing with a friend...

...a Blue Bird cup and saucer for some hot tea...

...a Blue Bird with words of wisdom...

...and even lil' baby Blue Birds-To-Be!

Hope my Blue Birds brought you some happiness and a smile today.  :)

Tweet-Tweet...Chirp-Chirp Blessings, denise  :D

An Heartful Swap

Just wanted to share my heart charms with you. I am currently participating in the "Nothing But Hearts" Charm Swap with the Art Charms Yahoo Group. This is my first swap with this group. I can't wait to receive lots of heart charms in exchange.

Each participants will make 15 charms using a heart somewhere on their charms or dangles. (Mine are actually considered dangles from what I've read.) We will then get one of each participants' charms/dangles once the hostess has completed the swapping process.

Here's a close-up of mine. I love the vintage shabby chic feel of the charm hanging against the sweet pink paper.

And then an even closer close-up so you can see the details of the beads that I used.

I so enjoy participating in swaps...whether it be charms, chunky book pages, tags, envelopes, quilt squares, or whatever. Each artist's work is such a treasure. :)

What makes your heart happy today?

Blessings, denise :D

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Birthday wishes to the most awesome man in the world...My DaD!

Here he is at Christmas 2011 with Jeanette, his wonderful lady friend and care giver. (She's also a quilter extraordinaire!..and dear friend to me.)

Here he is with me and my two oldest children, Jenn and Chris, at Christmas 2010.

And here we are in February 2010 right after he was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer.

Nearly two years now since he was diagnosed and he is still going strong. He is 87 years old and is still such a handsome man!

I made this card for him for his 87th Birthday using Graphic 45 papers.

I love my Daddy something special for the years of love he has bestowed on his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Blessings to you all, denise :D