Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Good and bad, sweet and sour

What a week!  I disappeared of the blogosphere there for a bit to energise myself and spend time with family but at one stage I couldn't access my blog or anything associated with it due to a message from Google that I'd breached terms of service. What ... ..???
Don't panic if this happens to you, just follow the links from the message and reset your password.

I had a wonderful surprise which came in the mail last week, this sweet little doll quilt from Kathie over at Inspired By Antique Quilts. I'm so happy to have received a random act of kindness (RAK) after admiring it on her blog. Thanks so much Kathie, it's a special treat to have something from your heart and hands.
I love the all over clam shell quilting that her friend Lorre did and I'm still looking at all the fabrics so I can't hang it up just yet.

I've had a few lemons in my life this week too, it must be the law of opposites.
Thinking along those lines, I decided if life is giving me lemons, I'll make strawberries to balance things out. Even better, I made strawberry pincushions.
The pattern and kits are from Heather Bailey and are a lovely size to pop in the sewing bags I have all over the place. They're quick to make and great to look at and use. They're so addictive that I'm now thinking that they'd make great Christmas tree decorations.
If you're a hand quilter, have you linked up to Caron's celebrate hand quilting post yet? Lots of lovely quilts to visit there.
Another fabulous way to promote hand work and give each other motivation for those long slow burner's is to visit with Kristen over at So Happy to register your interest at having a place to show your progress and help each other along each week.

44 comments:

Christine M said...

Your strawberries are gorgeous!

Heather said...

I love those sweet strawberries. Oh my I think I may have to order a kit!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Those strawberries look almost good enough to eat! I hope lifes lemons sweeten up for you...it is no good when things get a bit sour.

Cathy said...

Oh, those little strawberries are so cute! I think they would make wonderful Christmas tree ornaments.

Barb said...

YOur doll quilt is just lovely....love your strawberries

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oh lucky you to get such a gorgeous quilt from Kathie, I love the quilting on it. And your strawberries are almost edible, absolutely stunning! xo

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Oops you got me twice!!! Now three times! xo

Nedra said...

I've seen a lot of cute strawberry pincushions out there, but these are the cutest ones yet!

taylorsoutback said...

Luscious strawberries! And your presentation is stunning - what crystal clear photography!

Nifty Quilts said...

It sounds like you received that lovely quilt at just the right time. I love stories like that. And now you've made strawberry lemonade!

Unknown said...

Очень красиво и красивые фотографии!!!

Janet said...

What a marvelous little quilt - a wonderful gift!! There are so many different fabrics to enjoy. I really like how it is quilted.
Your strawberries are darling!! You make such pretty things :0)

Donna Keating said...

Such a generous gift. And your strawberries look good enough to eat. But I won't

PJs Lapperier said...

Lovely strawberries. Have to order a kit :o)

Salley said...

What a little treasure! I hope there is a deserving little Dolly to slide under this quilt. You deserve this RAK because you are always so generous with inspiration and instruction for your readers.

Miriam said...

What a sweet quilt from Kathie!

I hope those lemons in your life can be turned into lemonade and that there are no more lemons!

The strawberry pin cushions are gorgeous! They will look wonderful as Christmas tree decorations!

Thank you for the link to Kristen's blog. Lots of long, slow projects here!

Great to see you back blogging!!!

Jane in Cumbria said...

What a lovely little quilt to receive in the mail!
And I love your strawberries!
Jane

Oops-Lah said...

Yes, it happened to me too. Nearly had a fit when my blog disappeared. I had to appeal to have it re installed and after about 24 hours is was back. What cute strawberries you've made and yes, they would indeed make lovely Christmas decoration or any decoration for that matter.

Katie said...

I must say, those strawberries are hard to resist! :-)

Abby and Stephanie said...

I like how you add sweet to the sour. Some people would take those lemons and make Margaritas! :o) Another tasty option. I can imagine an entire little tree filled with the sweetest strawberries ever. Perhaps a white tree? Beautiful little quilt from Kathie.

Terry said...

Love your strawberries! And that quilt from Kathie is so pretty! Lucky you! :0)

Darlene said...

Adorable quilt from Kathie! She's been spreading sunshine all over blogland. :-)

The strawberries are Ahhhhdorable, Janet.

Dolores said...

Gorgeous strawberries and yes, I did sign up to celebrate hand quilting.

Judy said...

What a thoughtful gift from Kathie!! Sorry to hear about the lemons, but your choosing to make strawberries must have brightened your day.

Thimbleanna said...

That little quilt is just beautiful -- you lucky girl! It's so nice to see you back too!

Shirley said...

There would have been a world wide web demo had they not put you back on air. Gorgeous strawberries love the counterbalance and what a treasure from Kathie. Methinks it cheered you up no end. xx

Kaaren said...

I made lemonade from my lemons, Janet but your strawberries look and I'm sure 'taste' soooo much better!

I hope all is well in your little corner of the world.

Kathie's mini is awesome. I know you'll enjoy it as will your grand babies when they come for a visit.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Those strawberries are darling! I love the idea of them hanging off the Christmas tree!

Karen said...

Love the little quilt and the strawberries are adorable!

Janet O. said...

Lucky, lucky you to receive that little mini from Kathie. I remember it from her blog. What a treasure!!
Those strawberries are adorable. Definitely a great ornament!

Sewjournal said...

What a kind thing to do. Sorry about your lemons but your strawberries look good enough to eat. :)

Rachaeldaisy said...

That little quilt from Kathie is just so beautiful. The fabrics are so lovely, the pattern works so well and I love the scallop quilting!! Your strawberries are so sweet and would make wonderful decorations. The picture of them hanging on the tree looks like a magazine shot.

Lori said...

The little strawberries are so cute! Mine would never looks as good as yours:)
What a sweet and thought RAK from Kathie.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

The little quilt is so sweet, you are a lucky girl! Your strawberries turned out beautiful. I think sometimes I get as much enjoyment out of a small project as a big one.

Lisa said...

Oh Janet, Kathie's quilt is gorgeous!! How lucky you are. What a riot of fabric. Those strawberry pincusions are darling. I may have to make some.

Doniene said...

Hi Janet, I'm a new follower and admire your work! I was wondering if it would be okay for me to copy the picture of the mini quilt from Kathie? I just want it for my files - possible to make one in the future? I'm about to make a quilt with more applique, so I'm looking forward to using all your tutorials!!

Blessings

Kristen said...

The pincushions are so cute. Hope the lemons turn to sweet lemonade! Thanks for mentioning me! :)

Barb said...

What a sweet kindness form Kathie and it sounds like you needed one.
It is a sweet half square triangle and very clever, I think.
Love your strawberries - sorry about the lemons. They are inevitable, aren't they?
xx

Jeanne said...

Love the strawberries and what a gorgeous gift from Kathie!

Ruth said...

When I saw your little quilt, I had to make one for myself. By the time I started it, I forgot where I saw it, but when I posted a picture of mine, Barb reminded me that it was from you. I hope you don't mind that I copied it! I love scrappy little quilts!! I posted it on my blog yesterday, in case you want to see it. Thanks for the inspiration!

Carrie P. said...

Oh, that quilt from Kathie is beautiful. I read her blog and she is so talented.

Robin said...

Wow! What a wonderful RAK-- the quilt is just lovely. :) And the strawberries? Awesome. They really would make super cute ornaments too!

Sonja said...

I love your doll quilt!!!
Good way for my come-back in patchwork;)