just a peek...

at what I have been working on this weekend. I will show more later, but thought you might like to see this photo to peak your curiosity...

xoxo

Di's gift to Oolie

When Oolie came to visit last week, she brought the book that Di made for her for her birthday

What a masterpiece! It is filled with wonderful papers and pockets and pictures..

Really delightful! I took a few photos and promised Oolie I would post them - here they are:

Isn't it cool? Nice job, Di - really nice!

Love to you and everyone..

...and Happy Birthday to Joanna and Sue, too.

xo

Di's Beautiful Handmade Book!

Dear Violets-

This is my first attempt at posting more than one photo on this blog! I won't really know if it worked until I publish it, but I think I have figured it out!!!!!!

Anyway........here is a lovely handmade book from Di that I just love! Many things used to create it were gathered at Ali Baba, which makes it all the more special!!!!!

I was all inspired to take Rachel Hazel's bookbinding workshop after seeing Di's photos of the workshop, and then this very fun book inspired from that workshop at Briancon! But that will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, I will look at this one often and dream about books I would love to make! Thank you dear Di! Keep binding books!! LOVE- Oolie

INCHIES!

Just a heads up Clare! Please check your "eclare" email as Katie is in need of the project before she starts her big travels, etc. Jone and I are not sure we have your most current email address.

Please let us know which one to use. As Joanna has said in the past......."make a noise" dear Clare so we can keep in touch! LOVE- Oolie and the Pantry Violets

Happy Birthdays!

Happy Birthday today, all day....to Joanna AND tomorrow, all day to Sue!!!!!!! I have completely lost track of the month of November, but just know that I carry you both deep in my heart pocket! LOVE- Oolie

polka dot heart charm pin

I am on a bit of a roll with the charms I made in Santa Fe last week. Now I am having great fun decorating them and deciding whether to make pins, bracelets or necklaces! It is like putting the frosting and sprinkles on a cupcake....one of my other passions! So....these 2 little pins are heading to Malmoe, Sweden for my 2 little girlfriends who happen to be sisters! There is a surprise picture on the back of the hearts which I hope will evoke a smile from Charlie!!!!!!

With love to the sisters- Oolie

Sammy's Vintage Fabric Bag

I am the luckiest Bday girl on the planet! The packages arriving on my doorstep this past month have been so full of love, friendship and creativity.....it is truly heartwarming to count all of you wonderful Pantry Violets as my friends! Merci Beaucoup!!!!!! This darling little bag was waiting for me when I returned from my busy and fun week in Santa Fe at Jone's. Sammy used the "daisy" technique that we learned from Julie Arkell this summer and made these darling flowers out of 3 layers of different vintage fabrics......so beautiful! And the quilt fabrics adorning the bottom of the bag are to die for!!!!!!!! And lastly, the little hand embroidered "Oolie" name tag is just the piece de resistance!!!!!!!! I am receiving loads of compliments, and everyone wants to hold it and give it a very close inspection!!!!!! Sammy- many heartfelt thanks for this lovely, treasured gift! I feel a workshop coming on with this inspired gift!

LOVE- Oolie

Charm Pin with Photo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started working on these charms at Jone's recently and she suggested that I try making a broach type pin with them dangling off. Easier said then done, especially when I seem to have 10 thumbs whenever I try a new craft!!!!!! The hardest part was sewing the polka dot bow onto the pin with the charms bouncing all around and getting caught in the thread! And then I discovered I sewed the pin backwards as far as pinning it on easily! Lots of first mistakes, but I think I am on a roll with this idea! I hope to have photos of a precious sewn bag from Sammy soon, but they are stuck in my camera....really, I am hopeless with this blog business if I don't do it often....please bear with me! LOVE to all- Oolie

Charm Pin

so inspired

When Oolie left last Wednesday, I couldn't wait to start

making more of the little "jar gardens"

I cut up LOTS of flowers and leaves in lots of colors

and popped 'em into little empty jars

forget-me-nots

I just love them all together! So fresh and colorful.

I can hardly wait to finish these up so I can make MORE!!

Thanks for the inspiration, Miss Oolie!

PROCESS

Here are a few photos of the process I have been going through the last few days....

Here are a couple of the nests almost finished.......

They are about 6 1/2 inches across and I am pretty happy with the result.

I'll share more tomorrow....

xo

First Place

"There's a Rabbit in the Flowerbed"

by Samantha Nixon

Could not have been prouder, showing off Sam's masterpiece

Which Won First Place (!!!!!)

Isn't it magnificent?!

My friends were blown away...

The flowers are just over one inch in diameter

which completely baffles me

(how DID she DO it?)

CONGRATULATIONS, Sam!

Thought you might like to see some of the others in the competition:

This one is pretty nice, I must say..

Runner Up in the Traditional Category

And a Fairy Bed (!)

very traditional

This one is beautiful. The bed was also painted.

The work in this quilt is exquisite...

2nd Place in the Traditional Category

...but not like our Sam....

These two are cute - above (2nd Place Handmade)

and below (Runner Up Handmade)

The entire Quilt Show was overwhelming. I will post some photos of the larger quilts as time goes on. It astounds me the work that goes into these pieces of art... and the thought and attention to detail that goes into each one.

Sam, You Are Awesome! Congratulations again, for your beautiful WIN!!!!