QBee Julie

This is difficult …

… those of you who have been followers of my blog have grown to know my close knit group of QBees (Quilt Buddies).  It is with deep sadness … that I share this ... Julie and her middle son lost their lives in the mudslide that occurred a week ago in Washington.

We QBees are an eclectic group of characters … each adding an element of fun, craziness and hilarity!

Julie's sense of humor was exceptional … she literally kept us in stitches … laughing until we hurt all over!

My troop of QBees … we know how to enjoy a good meal!

Guess that is pretty obvious as most of our photos include food! ;-)  Julie was a great cook … but in my humble opinion, she made the best pies on the planet!  Seriously … her crust was perfect!  She was famous for her apple pie … and would not share the recipe … I should have wrestled it out of her!  Truth be told … if we had wrestled, she would have won!

Mississippi Headwaters

I loved traveling with Julie!  Her sense of wonder and adventure made every trip extra enjoyable!

Mississippi Cruise in St. Paul

She loved new experiences and liked learning about things unfamiliar to her.  Her intellect and curiosity were infectious.

Quilt shop loot!

Yep … she made everything fun … so you can imagine shopping with her.  

 We would enter a shop … and find all sorts of things the other should buy!  We never needed sales assistance … we were always selling … to one another.  Much of the fabric and patterns I own are because Julie convinced me I needed them!  Shop owners were always happy to have us walk through the door together!

We grew together in multiple ways over the past 30 years.  Quilting is what brought us together, but our friendship was really about so much more.  We shared all the things that matter … the joys and sorrows of parenting … our concerns for our community … marriage and careers … solving all of life's problems with sincerity and humor.

When I was in the process of developing the dillydally lifestyle … Julie was an important source of support!  She immediately "got it" and did everything she could to encourage me in my efforts.  We often talked about how friends should serve as cheerleaders for one another … I am so grateful for her friendship.  I love that she shared in the enthusiasm for my dillydally silliness!

  Two years ago Julie and her husband realized their dream of retiring and moving south to live near their grandchildren.  And returned to spend summers here at their cabin.  A dream they had turned into reality!

My heart is broken … I am consumed with sorrow.  Initially I clung to hope … and eventually I wrapped myself in my faith as I work to accept the unimaginable.

 I'm not ready to say good-bye … I treasure the memories … but we had intended to create new ones … acceptance is difficult.

As much as I ache, my heart bleeds most for her family.  They lost everything.  Her surviving sons have lost their mother and brother.  Her grandchildren have lost their grandmother and uncle.  Her husband has lost his soul-mate, life partner, best friend … his wife and a son.  My grief is nothing in comparison … please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  So many are suffering from this natural disaster.

My sign off has added meaning now …

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

How I Lighten the Load

While the rest of the house slept … I enjoyed a couple cups of coffee … and made my "to do" list for the day!  OMGosh … it was a long list!  I immediately decided to do something that was NOT on the list!  After all … that IS the dillydally way!

I grabbed the car keys and Kysa …

… we drove out the road and took a nice long walk …

… it gave me just the recharge I needed to attack that list!

Most of my list today (and all week) has been work related ... the third quarter ends next week … a busy time for students and teachers!  I was so much more productive after our walk this morning … dillydallying with my sweet Kysa always helps.  How I love that pup!

I was finally able to begin one of the projects I purchased at the Madrona market this week!

It was fun to try the beading technique in this pattern … that small crochet hook can be dangerous! ;-)  Can you tell I 'm speaking from experience?  Yep … I have a puncture wound to prove it!  Ouch!

I spent Saturday at our guild's "Time to Sew" event piecing backing fabric for a few quilts that I plan to send to the long arm quilter soon!  I have been stock piling quilted tops … and hope to have a binding marathon during spring break in April!

 Time passes so quickly … I blink and another week has passed by … it is in those moments of dillydallying that I am able to clear my head … that is when I can focus and prioritize!  We all carry so many responsibilities … do dillydally … it will lighten the load!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Everything in Place!

Between work, a basketball tournament, and life in general … I would grab segments of time here and there this past week to continue my efforts in reorganizing my our ( mine and Flicka's) "happy place"!

This isn't the type of weather that usually inspires me to take photos from the front deck … but snow mixed with rain, is the perfect excuse weather to hole up send me into the depths of the sewing room!

Once all the books had been organized by designer or category …

… it was time to tame tackle the individual patterns.

Going through all of the patterns (and books) was like visiting with old friends.  I did do a bit of purging, but honestly … I want to use them all!

Flicka was ever present … watching my every move … disrupting assisting in multiple ways! ;-)

The worst part about reorganizing is the mess that is made while going through everything!  Flicka loves "messy" and found all sorts of treasure to get into!  I love her companionship and her shenanigans!  A constant source of entertainment!

We stuck with it … it took all day … and yep, it was exhausting!  No naps for me … supervising must be especially taxing. ;-)

Hello cutting mat … gosh it feels like forever since I last saw you!

"Her Majesty" can breathe freely again!   There is a place for everything and everything is in its place … feels wonderful!  Now … instead of avoiding the room, I don't want to leave!  I am so happy to have this done!  A side benefit to doing this was finding forgotten projects … some very near completion!  Looks like there is a new stocking cap in Brother's near future! ;-)

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

Dabbles in DillyDallydom

View from front deck

The weather here in my remote corner of the planet has been beautiful this week …

… but cold!  Jack Frost left this beautiful design on my windshield … I love the color too!

A few of us QBees got together to celebrate both Valerie and Lila's recent birthdays!  We had such fun catching up with one another!

I've been busy reorganizing the shelves in my sewing room.  A bit of purging and labeling … the hope is that it will be easier to find what I'm looking for when I want it.  We'll see how that works out.  ;-)  Life always seems to move at a record breaking speed.  Our community is hosting the regional high school basketball tournament, so we all have been very busy.  It is fun … and I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sunset 3.7.14

  Tonight's sunset seemed like the perfect way to begin this busy and hectic weekend!   Hope your weekend is wonderful!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally  

Flicka's New Friend!

Recently, I moved a few things around here in DillyDallydom …

… Flicka does not embrace change.  She was not happy about Mr. Mallard being moved to her perch by the window.

Introductions were made …

… a conversation ensued …

… and a new friendship was made!  Mr. Mallard is very patient and understanding … just what we all need in our friendships.

Do what you love.  Be a friend!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally