Holly Blog

My Favorite Things...231...A Funny Lady

Well, one of you did guess...It's Gina (who will forever be known as) "my dog ate my computer cord" Halladay.

After a couple of days of one-too-many Xmas cookies, and other holiday delectables, I must confess I can barely keep my eyes open between naps to write this post...

Besides, Gina says it best...click here to visit Gina over at her famous QuiltersBuzz blog.

Besides being one of of quilting's first serious bloggers, Gina owns Cranberry Quiltworks for Long Arm Machines, Threaded Pear Studio for Fun & Easy Quilt Patterns as well has her new store:  Fresh Picked Fabrics.

Thanks to all for the enthusiasm & holiday cheer from all who participated in our little Brownie Points Event.

Lots more about the winners & the prizes coming soon.

To all a good night.

Back in two shakes...H2

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...230...The Spirit of Giving!

WELCOME TO DAY TWELVE OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

As we await a visit with quilting's funny lady...Let me give you a little snippet, and we'll see if you can guess who my next guest was supposed to be today:

Tried to post & have technical difficulties...electricity out in the rain...then the dog chewed my cables... Am I just an old coot, or does this sound like the modern day equivalent of "the dog ate my homework"? LOL...

I'll send out some fat quarter bundles to whoever guesses who our tardy guest is.

And also in the spirit of giving, since quilter's flock to free stuff like scrambled eggs to bacon...

I have read most of your posts as of this morning.  It occurred to me that this would be a good time to tell all of you who make quilts for good causes, things like:  Project Linus, children in local hospitals, etc.  We do have a Free Fabric Policy at LakeHouse. 

First we verify that our excess fabric is going to a good home...many of you are in quilt guilds who are registered as non-profit organizations for this purpose.  There are also a lot of other ways to verify that you are "doing good works"

Second, we tell you what we have available that would suit your needs.

Third, we need to know how much fabric you can afford to have sent you you and how you want it sent. Because while our overstocked fabric is FREE, shipping to you is not.

Guess who helps us out with this?  Kristine Tate, she's the angel who made up all of our Fast Flowers Quilt Kits for this Brownie Points event.   You can write to her at:  [email protected]

Hope this gives the charitable amongst us some food for thought.

Peace on Earth,

Goodwill towards Quilters!

H:oP

H2

 

My Favorite Things...229...Families & Friends at Christmastime

WELCOME TO DAY ELEVEN OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

This is our second day with Kimberly & her gang over at the Fat Quarter Shop.  Since it's getting so close to Christmas, I'm feeling particularly nostalgic today.  First, I have to show you a picture of Kimberly and her brood, because it is a testament to multi-tasking, hard-working women everywhere...

I first remember meeting Kimberly at the Kansas City Quilt Show several years ago.  Almost every time I've seen her since, she's been walking the show (and pregnant) or she's not been at market because she was too pregnant to travel.

First there was Emma (on Santa's lap), who is looking almost grown up now.  Then the twins (in the matching snowman t-shirts).  Aren't they the sweetest little "toilet tissue" babies you've ever seen?  And in  November, another boy named Christopher.  Yet in the midst of all of all of this "family expansion", Kimberly's created an empire over at the Fat Quarter Shop.

Kimberly, her husband Kevin (who works with her) and all of their kiddles, are living proof that the American Dream still exists. 

As a fellow small business owner, I'd like to commend Kimberly and her "Stay Calm & Carry On" attitude.

Let's all take stock in Kimberly & her success ladies, and look forward to a prosperous New Year.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I'll remind all of you that Fat Quarter Shop is also selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit today, and their charity is the Make A Wish Foundation.

I'll be doing a little guest post over at the Jolly Jabber, so click here to go there...hint, more free stuff for deserving fabri-holics.

As we "wrap things up" (no pun intended) for Christmas, one of quilting's funniest is waiting in the wings to be introduced.  Can't wait...LOL

Back in two shakes...H2

PS  if you are here for my stash giveaway, pls leave your comment on this page!

PPS if you are involved in a group that does charitable works, pls click here

 

My Favorite Things...228...The Nieman Marcus of Online Quilt Fabric Stores!

WELCOME TO DAY TEN OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

My guest today is the lovely Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop  fame.  Not only does she have the penultimate online quilt fabric shop, but she's been busy on the home front too.

The Fat Quarter Shop charity for our Brownie Points event, and the Fast Flowers Quilt Kits is the Make A Wish Foundation.

Her brood has grown yet again just recently.  Here's her latest, Christopher, born just after Fall Quilt Market..

Looks like they'll be lots of dumplings at the Jolly Family Christmas Dinner, congrats Kimberly & Kevin!

I'm thinking that I'll have the just inspiration for another line of little boys fabrics, don't ya think?

Tomorrow I'll have more on the Jolly clan, and a  little guest piece on Kimberly's blog "The Jolly Jabber", so come on back here, y'all.  ;oD

Back in two shakes...

H2

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...227...More Talented People & Their Talented Pups!

WELCOME TO DAY NINE OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

The Fast Flowers Quilt Kits are selling like hotcakes, and we have a new store today who is also carrying them.  It's Shabby Fabrics, and their charity is the Humane Society.

If you've ever been to the Shabby Fabrics website, you know that today's special guest is the owner Jennifer Bosworth.  She's is a quilter, blogger, shop owner (and did I mention pilot...as in has flown 747's...yes mam, she's a dynamo!

Jennifer's sidekick is Pal, a golden retriever who insists on carrying a package to the postman every day at the Shabby Fabrics store, just look...

If you haven't yet seen the Shabby Fabrics website, you are in for a treat.  It's a little bit like falling into a soft pink featherbed surrounded by lots of fabulous french antique pillows.  It's a respit, a feminine and peaceful place to take a little mental health moment or two.  Especially if you love applique' as much as I do...Jennifer travels the world looking for the finest applique projects, and she has oodles on her site.

So take a gander, it's a site to behold  ;oP

Lots more tomorrow Ladies...

H2

 

 

My Favorite Things...226...Brownie Bites

WELCOME TO DAY EIGHT OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

This is our second day with Suzzett's Fabrics.

Suzzy Crowell is offering some freebies in conjunction with the sale of the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit...click here to see what's she's up to on her blog too, she's found some really cute free downloadable project patterns (that go great with the Fun Flowers fabrics) that she wants to share with you too.

After seeing Sew Fabulous Jenny's little pup Emma wrapped in the "Emma's Garden" quilt that I designed a few years back for McCall's, my wheels started spinning on a quilt design for one of my little poochies (since I don't have any non-furry-wee-ones).  I'm calling this quilt "Brownie Bites"...(We all know where the inspiration for the name came from, right?)

At 43 x 51" inches, it's the perfect "banky" size for your little angel (furry or not) to curl up in, or to drag around the house.  With brown as the background color, it will be a long time before it looks like it needs to be thrown in the washing machine. I now know why my mom made me wear little brown anklets when I was a kid running around the house in my stocking feet...nothing wears better!

I'll put up a free downloadable pattern for the "Brownie Bites" quilt by the end of the Brownie Points event.  We can make a quilt kit too, just ask!

Back in two shakes...of a puppy dog's tail.

;o)  H2

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...225...Quilting Texans!

WELCOME TO DAY SEVEN OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

The Fast Flowers Quilt Kits are selling well, but there are still some kits available through all of the shops participating in the Brownie Points event.  If you order today, you can still get your kit in time for Christmas...

 

All of the Brownie Points event kits will be sent priority mail.  USPS promises delivery anywhere in the US in 3 days.

Meet my next guest Suzzy Crowell of Suzzett's Fabrics.  This summer, I noticed that a lot of traffic was coming to my blog from Suzzett's website so I was so happy that she showed up at our Fall Quilt Market booth, and she agreed to join in the Brownie Points fun. 

Suzzy's charity is the Ellis County ASPCA.

Here's she is with her beautiful Border Collies...such great dogs, they love to have fun.

Lots more pictures & projects on Suzy's blog, so click here, for a look-see.

More tomorrow, too...Y'all come back now.

#:o

H2

 

 

 

 

More Favorite Things...224...And Favorite People

WELCOME TO DAY SIX OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

Those of you who have followed the blog, know about Penny Sturges & her wonderful pattern company Quilts Illustrated. 

Penny and I have been doing  projects together since the Spring of 2004, when she did the first quilted bags for display in the LakeHouse booth at our first Pittsburgh Quilt Show. 

Since then, Penny's been (to quote Oprah) like the sister I always wanted and the friend everyone should have. Penny has also become a fixutre at our booth at almost every market.

Penny''s never failed to entertain me with stories of her  daughter Darci's girls.

I'll never forget the time I was coaching her through a photo shoot over the phone.  Penny was taking the shot while standing on her bed.  Her granddaughters Camille & Taylor some how got a hold of the remote for the overhead ceiling fan.  They turned it on and clocked Penny in the process!

Here's some pics of these two little devils darlings...

Can you tell which one is the instigator?

Penny is also selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit at her online shop.  Her charity is the Make A Wish Foundation.  As promised, we'll make a $5.00 donation to Penny's charity for every Fast Flowers Quilt Kit she sells.

Make sure to go to see the new things at Penny's website.  Her daughter Darci, is now designing patterns too, she's a super smart & talented chip off the old block.

Still lots more to show & tell, and lots of new LakeHouse friends to come next week.

D:o

H2

PS, have you seen our tip sheet pages?  click here to see more FREE click & print downloadables!

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...223...More Furry Friends & Fun

WELCOME TO DAY FIVE OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

The Fast Flowers Quilt Kits are selling fast...

Here's more on Jenny & her furry friends...

Jenny has been sewing since she was 5 years old.  She loves all types of sewing, clothese, quilts, applique...She opened up Sew Fabulous after getting really burned out with all of the tragedies & trauma she saw as a vetrinarian.  When I was a girl I thought I wanted to be a vet, but at some point, I realized I just couldn't shut off my emotions enough when it came to animals in trouble...it's how Paton & I have ended up with 8 critters.

Here's Jenny's pride & joy, Emma.  Emma is the official host of Jenny's "Sew Fabulous" Blog...

Jenny has 2 dogs, 3 cats & a lop-eared rabbit...

It's Sweetie Kitty & that darn cupcake fabric...With all of the furry friends who love LakeHouse fabrics, I'm starting to think we need to design a little pet sized quilt..

Like all of the Brownie Points Shops, Jenny is selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit at the Sew Fabulous site.   I'll be donating $5.00 for every Fast Flowers Quilt Kit sold to Jenny's charity:   The Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Lots more tomorrow with Penny & Darci--two LakeHouse Favorites!

Keep those words of encouragements coming in for Velda, ladies. 

Thanks Jenny, for sharing some of your beautiful pets with us.

@;o)  H2

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Things...222...New Friends & New Fun!

WELCOME TO DAY FOUR OF OUR BROWNIE POINTS BLOG-ALONG-ATHON!

On Wednesday, I just finished up...

This is a special tip sheet that I did as an adjunct to the FREE FAST FLOWERS QUILT PATTERN.  When I read the pattern that they sent me for my approval, it left me with a LOT of questions.  Plus I thought, OMG all levels of quilters are going to read this pattern, and there are going to be a lot of questions...How am I going to help these people out? 

Being the control freak (that I admit) I am, I turned on the computer and wrote up two full sheets of notes & diagrams for you all.

I'll go through a lot of these tips with you over the next many days of Brownie Points...but if you want a copy right now, just go to my left side bar...it's the icon that says "BROWNIE POINTS QUILTING TIPS"

My next guest is a darling gal from Florida...Here's a picture of me (the smirk & the tired eyes) with adorable Jenny from Sew Fabulous at Quilt Market a while back LOL...

Imagine my delight when I found out that Jenny was not only a quilter & fellow animal lover, but a veterinarian, too.

Jenny is also selling the Fast Flowers Quilt Kit at the Sew Fabulous site.  As with all of the other Brownie Points shops, I'll be donating $5.00 for every Fast Flowers Quilt Kit sold to Jenny's charity:   The Alaqua Animal Refuge.

Lots more fun & frivolity tomorrow with Jenny, her charming blog & pictures of her fur babies.  Turns out that her kids love the LakeHouse line...

LOL

;oP  H2

PS  I'd love to hear your comments on the HOLLYTIP sheets and the Fast Flowers Quilt Kits when you get them in the mail gals...Kristine's studio (she's our designated kitmaker) is like Santa's workshop right now, there's ribbon & tissue & bundles of pretty LakeHouse Fun Flowers Fabric everywhere!

PPS  Keep those warm wishes for our Velda coming in girls!