An Apron Journey!

It feels sew dang good when I can finally reveal a 007 project!  But even better when that project gives you the opportunity to make new friends and gift another!  This one was a 6 month journey!  That is a long journey for a simple apron!  Yep ... this dillydally life cracks me up!

A few years ago, this amazing women opened the "Little Cordova Bakery"!  She and her business have been such a blessing to our community!  She makes everything with fresh ingredients!  Delightful treats are mixed and baked in small batches.  No item is created with pre-made mixes, nor is anything fried!  Her business has grown and she now employs others, some who are former students in my classroom.  For quite a while, I had been trying to think of a way to show my appreciation.

Enter into this journey ... Smiling Seal Sewing!  A quilt shop in Valdez ... our neighbor here in Prince William Sound!  Owner, Karen Feero contacted me late in 2016 about coming to their community to teach a quilt and apron class!  We scheduled the weekend event for February 2017!

Karen requested an Alaskan themed apron in the "Kuspuk" style.  She sent me a pattern that I could adapt and the fun began!  I raided my fabric stash and came up with these blueberry prints!  I associate blueberries with our summers in Alaska and thought they would be perfect for this apron!  It was while working out the bugs ... making it reversible ... and updating techniques that I got the idea to make it for Theresa!  My visits to the bakery began to take on a different focus ... yep, I continued to buy coffee and bakery treats ... but I was secretly estimating her body measurements!  Custom fit aprons function better and are flattering!  I wanted both for Theresa!

In Valdez, this QBee modeled my sample for everyone!  Perfect fit on this adorable model!

It was lovely spending the day with these women ... making aprons ... talking about preparing food for our loved ones ... sharing our Alaskan lifestyle!  Focusing on the important things in life!  I loved building friendships with these women!

Bright spring flowered apron!

Beach themed apron!

These two Valdez QBees sent me pictures of them in their finished aprons!  So fun to see them modeling their perfectly fit aprons!  Makes my heart sew very happy!

Yesterday, I dropped by the bakery for a loaf of bread.  Yep, Theresa was wearing her apron ... am thrilled that she likes and uses it!

I am so grateful for this simple apron and the journey it took me on.  The opportunity to make new QBees in Valdez ... and to thank a woman who has had such a positive impact on the community I love!  I am so fortunate to live this dillydally life!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Our Hearts are Hurting

The human experience is filled with complex circumstances that force us to travel emotionally from extreme joy to excruciating pain.  Here in my remote corner of the planet ... our small community is dealing with a great deal of hurt.  A young man has left this earthly life, and we are drowning in sorrow.  We celebrated his birth ... we participated in his childhood ... we guided him through his adolescence ... we celebrated his personal and professional success ... and we are unprepared to say good-bye.

The depth of pain we feel is a direct reflection of the powerful love we had for him.  We wrap our love around his parents and brother as their pain is indescribable.  Hoping that our love will bring them comfort.

The world kept turning this past week ... here it seemed to stop.  We have been brought to our knees and are reminded that above all else, only love matters.

"Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth." John 3:18
"Love one another." John 13:34 

Spring Knitting!

Spring has finally arrived here in my remote corner of the planet!  Every plant is displaying their new growth in my favorite version of green!

Two weeks ago, the same pond looked like this!  As mentioned previously, I have been buried in 007 and UFO projects.  Fortunately for me, Nissa requires a lot of exercise.  That means we spend time outdoors every day ... no matter what the weather!  With spring arriving so late this year, I was forced to seek and create spring dillydally style!

Daisy Girl and Company Wristlet Bag

Yep ... I am a professional at creating my own fun!  Retail therapy to the rescue!  If Mother Nature wasn't going to cooperate ... I would buy my own version of spring!

As long term followers know, I am a big fan of Sherri Falls and her quilt designs, This and That Patterns.  She is also a knitter, and makes the sweetest and most useful knitting bags!

I love to take handwork out the road when temperatures allow ...

Impossible to get Nissa to pose for pictures.

... it is so nice to linger after a long walk ...

Sometimes her photo bombing works to my advantage!

... and cradle myself in Mother Nature's arms while dillydallying.  I filled my new bag with a project I had started right before my knee surgery a year ago!  It was impossible to knit during my recovery and it quickly became a knitting UFO.  It felt wonderful to pull it out and make a bit of progress!

Coastal living means that weather patterns change quickly ... one day after a walk, it took an entire pot of tea to warm up! Yep ... we were wearing mittens on our walks in May!

After a few rainy afternoons, Little Blue Bear began to come to life!

He really is turning into a cutie!  And I have had to convince Nissa that he is not a "dog" toy!  Even on dreary rainy days life is never dull in DillyDallydom!

Little Blue Bear is also developing a personality of his own!  He is a sweetie and a bit precocious for a bear who is still waiting for arms and legs! ;-)

The sun is shining and temps are supposed to be above 60 degrees today!  Welcome June!  Let's fill the month with dillydally fun!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally