Her Majesty's New Dress!

I am completely buried right now in 007 projects, so decided to share some of the UFO busting I've been doing lately.

One of my favorite UFO finishes in 2017, is the new outfit gown dress (cover) I made for "Her Majesty"!

The pattern is from Lori Holt's Quilty Fun book.  I first made it as a door prize for our guild's spring retreat a few years ago.  This version was made using a charm pack and bits of yardage!  I liked the results, and honestly it was a bit difficult to donate!  However, it went to a really good home, QBee Barb H won it!

The second one was made for a guild gift exchange!  We drew names, and I knew immediately that I wanted to make this again!

It was for QBee Susie ... I loved making it for her!  For this one I used a fat eights pack in quilting themed fabric.  It was so fun playing with bright fabrics ... matching the personality of the recipient!

Long time readers know too many things about me ... the references we'll use for this post are: a) I've been working on Lori Holt's Vintage Farm Girl quilt and b) I love gingham ... in every form!  A year ago I decided to make my sewing machine cover using the 6 inch gingham blocks from the Farm Girl book!  I was so excited ... using stash fabrics I cut it out ... pieced four blocks ... and then life happened and it was boxed up and placed in the UFO pile.

When I decided to tackle that UFO pile, I made this project a priority!

Because it had already been cut and organized, before long the blocks were pieced!

Sew many seams ... I willingly admit that I am a bit strange ... but I love the backside of quilts!

Next it was time to piece the front pocket panel.  Quick ... easy ... completely fun!

The pieces were done!  Piecing is my favorite part of the quilting process.  This is the point where many of my small projects land back in the UFO pile.  But I was determined not to allow that to happen with this project.

The dillydally truth is this ... I am not very good at machine quilting nor do I enjoy it!  I am not being falsely modest, and am completely comfortable with not being good at everything!   However, it is the primary reason why my UFO pile exists!

Half of the quilting is done in this photo ... loved using this piece of fabric for the backing!  I purchased it while on the Oregon Trail trip ... brings back sew many wonderful memories!

UGH ... it felt like the machine quilting took forever!

Finally the gingham panel was done! It was "stitch in the ditch" for the pocket panel! Quick and easy!

And of course ... the binding had to be gingham as well!

Finished!  The back!

The front!  Yep, in my mind I was doing back flips!

Her Majesty finally has a dress fitting of her status!

When I walk into my sewing room, and see this ... it makes me smile.  It just makes me sew very happy on many levels!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

An "Egg-ceptional" Adventure!

Shortly after I retired, my friend Barb and I began having "Dillydally Playdates".  We try to get together once a week, and work on projects while visiting and solving all of the world's troubles!  Over time, others have joined us ... it is sew dang fun to dillydally with friends!  

Barb's birthday is in early April ... a while ago I came across the kit from Purl Soho ... and decided that we would celebrate her special day by making wool felt Easter eggs!

Our first playdate resulted in us each making one large egg!  We had mastered the technique and were hooked!

We met the following week ... added fellow dillydallier Sue, to the mix ...

... and between the three of us, we made a nest full of eggs!

Easter came and went ... and the three of us continued creating eggs!  

Yep ... we are addicted!  I have several 007 projects underway, so felt the need to tie up this adventure.

I made two additional large eggs, so that I would have a half dozen for my spring basket.

Then ... right before I packed up this adventure ... those dillydally winds began to blow!  I had to make one more small egg ... put an Alaskan Forget-Me-Not on it ... and under stuffed it!

It has a purpose!  I have been in need of a small pin cushion for my "Wool Applique' Tool Kit" ... and this sweet little egg works and fits perfectly!  Plus ... it will remind me of the fun I've had on this Egg-ceptional adventure with my dillydally playdate pals!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Finding Fairyland

Happy Earth Day!  One of the advantages of retirement, is that I can make time everyday to be outdoors!  Today I thought I would just share a few pictures of Nissa and I enjoying nature this past week!

There are days when we linger and spend hours outside ... life is busy so there are instances when we only have time for a quick walk.

"The world calls them the singers and poets and artists and story tellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland."  

L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

For me ... being outdoors instantly takes me to "fairyland".  I am so grateful.

Do what you love!  Spend time with nature!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Easter in DillyDallydom!

Here in my remote corner of the planet the most prevalent sign of spring is the increase of daylight hours!  Currently the sun rises around 6 am and sets after 9 pm!  We continue to gain an hour of daylight every 11 days!

We enjoyed Easter by celebrating a meal with family and friends!  Potlucks are such fun!  Everyone brought something to share ... all of us could relax and enjoy the food ... that was until I spilled hot coffee all over Mr. DillyDally during dessert!  Omgosh!  Can that man jump!

Friends and I prepared for the holiday by making wool felt eggs during recent DillyDally Playdates!  They are a kit I purchased from Purl Soho.  We have had such fun making them ... that we're going to continue making them this week as well!  Easter may be over ... but spring arrives late here!

This year I noticed that I obviously associate eggs with the spring season.  Long-time followers of this blog will remember some of my springtime dillydallying from years past.  Knit eggs and bunny, crocheted coasters and tablemat are on my buffet this year.

More eggs on this wool applique' mat, another knit bunny as well as a spring lamb!  My treasured dillydally wall quilt is front and center in our living area ... to remind all who visit what we value most here in DillyDallydom!

The eggs of 2017 have been nestled with the wool felt bunny peeps!  I need to make more eggs!  Today's dillydally playdate will help with that!  They really are adorable and it is impossible to have too many!

This sweet little violet egg was made by Barb ... a sweet hostess gift on Easter!

She brought this delicious and adorable chocolate cake for dessert on Sunday!  And yes ... every adult present ate a marshmallow peep!

Easter was a gorgeous day ... one filled with good food and great conversation ... and it ended with a beautiful sunset.

We were slow starters on Monday ... you'd have thought that little Miss Flicka had hosted the entire event!  I must admit, that I didn't rush her ... kitty snuggles are such a wonderful way to begin the day!

Do what you love.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally