A Big Shot!

Let me clarify the title of this post ... I do not in any way ... seriously or in silliness ... consider myself "a big shot"!

Flicka on the other hand, not only thinks she is "a big shot" ... but insists that we all treat her like she is one!  I love this picture ... the look she is giving me ... it is as if she can read the words on the box and is clearly communicating that there is room for only one big shot here in DillyDallydom!  Brother and Girlfriend DD gifted me with a Sizzix Big Shot for Christmas!  A huge surprise, as I had been thinking about getting one!

A die cutter isn't of much value without dies ... I was so fortunate to receive seven dies as gifts!  All of these dies were designed by Roseann Kermes of Rosebud's Cottage and are part of Sizzixs' Quilting and Applique' products!  Oh my ... the possibilities!

I have so many fond memories of making Valentine's with my children when they were young ... the Big Shot inspired me to make wool ones this year!

Oh my gosh good golly ... I can think of multiple uses for this scalloped square die!  So much easier than cutting out by hand!

Next I cut out a few hearts ... having no idea how I would use them!

Is it legal to have this much fun?  Still no idea how I planned to use them ... but found myself in the middle of a dillydally brain windstorm!

Yep ... I made a mess!  Pulling out all the embellishments I could think of ... the addition of caffeine ... yep, a very messy trail led up to all of this on my dining table!  And of course ... one cannot make Valentines without conversation hearts!

I just made it up as I went ... using as many embellishments as possible ... because restraint (obviously) is not one of my virtues!  Some might call it "gaudy" or "over the top", but I love it!

I had five hearts remaining ... wasn't sure what to do ... and then I remembered this idea (click the link) that Roseann had designed ... I just made a miniature version!

Suddenly ... I knew who this little bouquet was intended for!  A friend ... who is just the cutest!

More beads ...

... thinking about adding buttons ...

All the stitching was done!

Here are the three dies I used.  The top two are easy to identify in my Valentines.  The water can die is what I used for the vase, I just cut off the spout and handle!

I had to decide how to cover up my stitching on the back!  Solved that by fussy cutting some thematic fabric and signing it ... just like paper Valentines!

They have been mailed ... will arrive a week after Valentines ... but will reflect my friendship everyday of the year!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

Magic!

Another magical event was held at The Net Loft (our local yarn store) last night! 

Dotty, LYS owner, does so much to promote local talent ... she has hosted a "reveal party" for each release of Anna's Skeins in the Stacks hand dyed yarns! 

Dotty used her "magic" to add special touches to the evening ... all inspired by the theme behind Anna's yarn!  Local culinary artist, Casey made the beautiful and tasty cookies!  Casey is another amazing talent in our community!

Anna is a local librarian ... all of her colorways are inspired by her favorite books!

This release was inspired In My Heart, by Molly Bang.  I was unfamiliar with this book and enjoyed giving it a quick read last night!  It is lovely ... every family needs a copy!

The table was beautiful ... the cookies were delicious ... and the yarn made us swoon!

Each skein was dyed individually ... no two are alike!

Anna likes to include a knitting charm/marker with each skein ... and of course they always relate directly with the book she is highlighting!  Little Valentine cookie charms ... handmade by The Nome Knitter are included!  So sweet ... and calorie free!

Anna knit the little three heart garland ... pattern is free and can be found here! So very precious!

The weather was miserable, but that didn't keep knitters away from this event!  It was standing room only as Dotty shared shop updates and Anna shared her yarn! 

I came home with this treasure ... and the magic lives on this morning!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Freeze/Thaw & UFOs!

In coastal Alaska, winters are primarily a cycle of freezing and thawing! 

1.4.2018

Last week we experienced a seven day freeze cycle ... and dang ... we spent most of the week in Anchorage.  We were anxious to get home ... clear, cold weather is something to celebrate in my remote corner of the planet. 

1.4.2018

Nissa and I enjoy the freezing temps ... I dress for it and we spend time outdoors soaking up the daylight and basking in the arms of Mother Nature.  And if we have a bit of snow on the ground ... that truly feels like frosting on the cake!

Readers know that I got a head start on a bit of UFO (unfinished object) busting in late December, details are in this post.  It felt good to finish this charm square table topper from 2010!  It is on the dining room table!

In the spirit of finishing UFOs ... on Monday I placed a knitting UFO on it as a centerpiece!  My thinking was that if it is on the table ... I will be more likely to pick it up when I have a few minutes ... and knit!

1.5.2018

The forecast for later in the week warned us that a thaw cycle was due to arrive on Tuesday ... so we did not let the cold and sun of Monday go to waste.

1.5.2018

The coming warmth will mean that the ponds will turn to mush and the snow to ice ... we went out the road to enjoy the pristine winter conditions while they were available!

1.6.2018

As predicted, the thaw came yesterday!  Rain and 40 degree temperatures!  And yes ... our snow has turned to ice!   Flicka doesn't care about the weather ... she is happy to find wool to snuggle with!  Cutest centerpiece ever!  In my very humble dillydally opinion! 

1.7.2018

So far ... having this UFO out and on the table is working!  I enjoyed early morning knitting with my coffee this morning!  A wonderful way to begin a wet and dreary day ... dillydallying indoors!  I need to get a few indoor chores done, so this warm cycle is ok with me.  Another freeze cycle will eventually return and then out the door we will go!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

1.5.2018

Iceworm Festival 2018

It is a fact ... I love and appreciate my community!  I am proud to be a Cordovan and make no apologies for unabashedly declaring my appreciation for where I live! 

We just spent the past week celebrating our annual Iceworm Festival!  The theme this year was, Aloha Iceworm!

The week was filled with events ... one of my favorites is the Survival Suit Race!  Teams are timed while they put on survival suits, dive in and swim to a life raft!  Love this ... as it represents our lifestyle here on Prince William Sound.

For me ... the festival is all about Cordova's children!  I love the way our community values its children ... and it is especially evident during the Iceworm Parade!  Here the girls basketball team carries the parade banner!

Float built annually by one of our local daycare centers!  Such a valuable part of our community!

The cheerleading squad displays the festival theme for 2018!

A "school" of Cordova's "small fry"!  Melts my heart ... Cordova cuteness ... so sweet!

More kids ... celebrating our version of winter fun!

Miss Iceworm and her court ride atop the fire truck! 

The DillyDally children have grown ... Mr. and I shared the parade with a friend!  Baby Iceworm poses for pictures with adults too!

The star of the parade is our big Iceworm!  His many legs belong to Cordova's children! 

Communities everywhere find unique ways to celebrate and define their identity ... here is a glimpse of how we accomplish that here in my remote corner of the planet!

Do what you love!  Celebrate your community!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Home is Best!

On Sunday, Mr. DD and I flew to Anchorage.

We have to visit Anchorage for many of the medical, eye and dental services that aren't available in our remote corner of the planet.  We pack these trips full of shopping and fun too!

Simple pleasures ... a morning paper, coffee and knitting over breakfast ... a lovely way to begin busy days!

And we end the hectic days with a cocktail and dinner ... oh my golly ... a taste of luxury!

But after four days ... we are relieved to head home!  The weather was clear and cold all week ... true Alaska winter weather!

The view on the flight home was stunning ... flying over the ice fields of the Chugach Mountains.

Prince William Sound ... headed east ...

... to our remote corner of the planet ... Cordova, Alaska!

Mt. Eyak

Eyak Lake

Approaching the runway ...

... and home by sunset!  The DillyDally furbabies welcomed us home with loads of affection!  Time in the "big city" is nice, but being home is best! 

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally