A Bit of Hooky!

My crochet skills remain very basic … but I have fun dabbling dillydally style!

Five years ago I met Quilt Rock Star Sherri Falls of This n' That Patterns!  I was experiencing my first Metro Bus Tour during the Minnesota Shop Hop and one of the stops was the Heavenly Patchwork quilt shop!  The shop was owned by Sherri's mother, Kay.  They are both such wonderful women.  I am a huge fan of Sherri's patchwork patterns.

In March, Sherri invited me to test a crochet pattern she was developing.  Of course I was flattered … but … I did everything in my power to convince her that I was completely unqualified.  She is sew nice … I couldn't refuse!

I got busy … and had such fun!

Flicka gave her paw of approval!

Sherri gave her approval as well!  The pattern is available for purchase here on the Craftsy site!  Do look it up and see her color choices … very inspiring!

The pattern is called Spring Bliss … I used it for my Easter dinner table.  Sorry … but remember ... I am not a professional photographer … and obviously I'm too lazy to iron my tablecloth … we keep it real here in DillyDallydom … there is no staging! ;-)

I've also been making single units …

… and using them as candle mats!

They are just so cute … quick … fun … and make nice gifts!  A great pattern for any crochet skill level!  Thanks for the opportunity Sherri!   I love engaging in new adventures … learning new skills step-by-step … enjoying my time with the hook.

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

  

A Bit of Retail Therapy!

When I am super busy … too busy with obligations that prevent me from dillydallying the way I would like … I go shopping!  Shopping is a great way to dillydally!

Walk with Kysa - April 23, 2014

Here in my remote corner of the planet … when I can't find what I want need locally … I can usually find it online! ;-)

Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet is one of my favorite designers.  I find her work so inspiring!  Her Quilty Fun book is such a kick… I want to spend the summer making everything in the book!

Sew … when her new book was released … I truly needed it!

And while shopping I came across her latest fabric line as well …

… yep … I needed the fabric too!

I have read the book cover to cover at least three times … and pet the fabric often …

… retail therapy is a great way to dillydally!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

007 Easter Bunny Mission

Flicka checks out my machine quilting efforts!

Flicka and I spent most of our spring break in the sewing room … it was top secret … a 007 Easter Bunny Mission!

Flicka thinks that if she is very still, she is invisible! ;-)

As you all know … I buy fabric that inspires me … on a whim … with no plans.  Eventually it speaks to me and communicates what it wants to become!  Seriously … that is the way it usually happens here in DillyDallydom!  Both kids have recently moved into new apartments.  I had fun making them "housewarming" themed gifts for Easter.  I raided my stash and got busy!

For Sister DillyDally … in the stash a very girly kitchen themed fabric collection!

 How fun is this?  It just makes me giggle!

The fabric collection was called "Domestic Diva"!  Two very practical pot holders.

Two tea towels, two terrycloth towels and a hand knit dishcloth.  Rickrack on both her towels! ;-)

A topper for her dining table.

 And to top off the girly theme … a super fun apron to wear while entertaining!

Every "Domestic Diva" needs cupcakes on her apron pocket … don't you think?

For Brother & Girlfriend I used a "kitchen/nongirly" themed fabric.

 Two large potholders designed to handle large cooking tasks.

Two tea towels and two terrycloth towels with a hand knit dishcloth.  Cute, but somewhat understated to fit into their new lifestyle together.  I couldn't resist … had to include just a bit of rickrack! ;-)

Easter 1992 - Sister (age 8) and Brother (age 3)

The DillyDally nest has been empty the past seven Easters …

… but with Brother and Girlfriend DillyDally moving here this winter, we had family at the Easter table once again!

Of course we made them hunt for their basket!  They were good sports … and humored us!

Easter Sunset - 4.20.2014

A great week of sewing that ended with an Easter celebration!  Life is good in my remote corner of the planet!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

The Journey

Life is a journey … after 29 years of teaching I have decided to retire.  I still look forward to Monday mornings … I love the students who spend time in my classroom … I continue to be passionate about the subjects I teach … my teaching career has been a source of immense growth and joy!  Teaching is something I am very comfortable with … a path that is well groomed and easy for me to navigate.

 I have never feared change … I have always faced challenges … it is time to create and build a different path … a new journey.  This is not a decision I spent a lot of time thinking about … nor do I have any plans in place … a new adventure without expectations!  Everything will be all right.  Wish me luck!

Do what you love.  Embrace change!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Preparing for Quilt Camp!

At times … all this 007 work gets confusing!  I have spent the last three days sewing like a crazy Easter Bunny person, but can't share until after Easter.  ;-)

Secret Agent Flicka is a professional … she loves to play "Hide n' Sneak"!  Never a dull moment here in DillyDallydom! Cats don't understand our confusion … they always have everything under control and are never confused.  Too fun … how I love this kitty!

So … let's see … I can't share with you what I'm currently working on, so I'll share what I was working on a few weeks ago, because I couldn't share it with you then.  No wonder I feel like a fruit loop most of the time! ;-)  Supplies for Camp Quiltathon … it is impossible to have a camp experience without plastic lacing, pipe cleaners, beads, dowels, and popsicle sticks.

It was my task to come up with table centerpieces that would identify each table by a color.  Bud vases and beads were a beginning.

I am not a whiz at paper crafting … but card stock and paper was an especially quick way to piece our guild's Northwind block!  Obviously, Flicka wasn't impressed with my paper crafting skills either!  ;-)

Yep … the glue stick was much more interesting … it rolls around on the floor!

The message is quite clear … it's pretty obvious what Flicka thinks of my paper crafting abilities!

 Eventually I finished two blocks in each color …

… attached them to a wooden dowel and into the bud vase they went.  Yep … they look a bit naked.

 Next … I moved on to name tags.  Now here is a paper craft I should be able to handle!

 Secret Agent Flicka thought these were great fun!  Help like this is hard to come by!

I dressed those naked center pieces with pipe cleaners … it helped!  And I made the camp directors hats to match their whistles.  Yep … every camp director needs a whistle!

All camps begin their day with warm-ups … so we planned "Sewing Warm-Ups" for the beginning of each camp session.

 I pulled out the very last of the Dilly Dally fabric I have.  It was designed by Me and My Sister Designs.  Gosh, how I wish I had bought more … I should have purchased bolts!  Here are the remaining layer cake pieces I have left.  (Insert a very deep sigh)

No … these are not panty liners!  ;-)  Hee-hee!

They're cord keepers.  We all have these electronic devices and the cords can become a tangled mess!

These are fun to make and practical to use … the pattern can be found here.

 My second "Sewing Warm-Up" was this sweet fabric box!

 Once again … quick, fun, ...

… and useful!

Dress it up with some cute buttons … very fun!  Pattern and tutorial can be found here.  I have made several since … I keep finding uses for them!  A great gift container too!

Whew!  Am glad these dillydally efforts are finally unclassified!  Agent Flicka is always on duty … she handles secrecy so much better than I do!

We had such fun at our Camp Quiltathon Retreat.  Guild members provide me with so much inspiration.  If you would like a to take a look go here, here and here!  Have fun!

Do what you love.  Go quilt camping.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally