Dilly-Dally Days

Iceworm Handcrafts!

2012-02-09T06:55:00.001-09:00

One of the events I enjoy most during our Iceworm Festival is the Handcraft Show. Every year it is a bit different ... I love its unpredictability!

One of local treasures, an elder, does the most amazing hand embroidery. This is a table cloth with all four corners done in perfectly stitched satin stitch. I also love how she finished the table cloth with beautiful lace and ribbon...what an outstanding piece of workmanship!

Remember 10 years ago, when hand embroidery was a dying art? Well ... she never paid attention to what was "in" or not ... she continued stitching, doing what she loved. I wish my little point and click camera could capture the beauty of her work.

Every time I see her workmanship, I am inspired to put a little more care and effort into my own embroidery. Every thing she does is heirloom quality ... what talent ... what a treasure!

Between the light, the camera and my skills, this photo does not in any way capture the beauty of the objects on this table. These are glass balls that occasionally wash up on the shores in our area that a local artist has covered in bead work. They are stunning! I wish my photos were better, so that you could see the value of her talent.

Again...the light coming in the windows really effected the photos. I hate to complain about the sun, especially in this remote corner of the planet ... but it really got in the way of this show. Here are some paintings, woven items and handmade jewelry on display.

Of course...there were beautiful quilts on display! Again the lighting was horrible, so I am unable to include all the quilts ... the picture quality is just too poor. Please use your imagination when viewing these photos ... the quilts are so much more beautiful than the picture!

I've included this quilt in earlier posts, but it is so nice to capture it hanging like this. It is stunning! QBee Valerie's piecing and hand applique skills are amazing and then it was embellished by The Green Fairy's machine quilting ... over the top amazing!

Another beautiful quilt ... when I look at this one, it brings a smile to my face. Such a happy quilt!

Gosh ... I just love samplers. They always remind me of the women who came before us and what they contributed to the life that we enjoy ... yep, a sampler turns me to mush every time I see one.

Remember last September when Bonnie Hunter came ... this is a version of her Blue Ridge Beauty quilt. I love it! The multi colored blocks just dance! Such a happy quilt!

I love seeing work done by the hands of others ... especially my friends and neighbors! It is a blessing to live in a community with so much talent!

Do what you love. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Happy Iceworm Festival!

2012-02-05T20:55:00.002-09:00

Have I told you lately ... how I love my remote corner on the planet, and all who live here?

After a week of hurricane force winds and torrential rain ... on Saturday, the clouds parted and this was the view from my front deck.

Mother Nature decided to smile upon our small community and help us celebrate our annual Iceworm Festival!

All that rain turned nearly every surface very icy, because of my knee issues we had to limit our Iceworm activities. There was no way I would miss the parade ... when we got to our vehicle we found the older boy scouts putting the finishing touches on their float.

Our parade always begins with the Coast Guard Flag presentation and someone local singing the National Anthem. The Coast Guard members and their families are such an important part of our community... they work and play along side of us in every way while serving our country.

Have I told you lately ... how much Mr. DillyDally and I enjoyed raising our children in this remote corner of the planet?

Both of the DillyDally children were involved in (almost everything) scouting, so that meant we all participated in the parade for many years!

As the scouts pass by...

...the entire town claps and cheers them on! It is great to be a scout in Cordova!

The Salvation Army Band played and marched to "Onward Christian Soldiers"!

Our local telephone cooperative brought a happy snowman to help with snow removal.

The local U.S. Forest Service employees ...

with the assistance of Smokey the Bear...

... were able to apprehend ...

and conquer the snow monster or Yeti! ;-) Too fun!

We all appreciate our city road crew and the work they have done ... it was fun to have their big vehicles in the parade! They have given us much to cheer about!

Miss Iceworm and her royal court wave to the crowd from the top of a fire truck.

The parade always ends with our guest of honor, the giant Iceworm!

He is a very long Iceworm ...

... with many legs, accompanied by loads of giggles! ;-)

Have I told you lately ... how grateful I am to live in this remote corner of the world? Yep ... I am very fortunate to live here!

Love what you do. Love where you live. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Celebrate Your Local Quilt Shop!

2012-01-27T08:32:00.000-09:00

Did you know that today is a holiday for quilters everywhere?

When in Anchorage, I make sure to visit all three quilt shops. I enjoy each one, and even though they don't know me personally...they are always friendly and helpful. I always leave with a bag and receipt in hand... ;-) ... yep, they don't know me but they appreciate my visits!

Quilt shops are sew inspirational ... and in Anchorage, The Quilt Zone never disappoints ... take a look!

Love neutral quilts ... see the Blooming Nine Patch on the left ... almost tempted to make another one! Dena! Stop me before I re-enter the Blooming Idiot Sisterhood again!

Simply stunning! This hand appliqued quilt is "to die for"! It just oozes inspiration!

I love finding new versions of old friends...

... Terry Atkinson's pattern "Lucky Stars"! Have made three of these ... there may have to be another one in my near future! ;-)

A gorgeous wool applique' quilt!

Simple shape... huge impact!

A not so simple shape ... a gigantic impact!

I love seeing patterns I've made interpreted by another quilter ... very beautiful version of Rain Drops!

The shop owner, Diana Bradley is an amazing quilter and designer! This is the shop's Fall Mystery Quilt, designed by Diana! I hope she publishes a pattern for it!

I hope you enjoyed visiting one of my favorite shops ... if possible, spend some time dillydallying at a quilt shop in your area! You are sure to find tons of inspiration!

Do what you love! Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Where is Mrs. DillyDally?

2012-01-25T15:20:00.000-09:00

I need to explain where I've been ... you see, I haven't been home. Can you guess where I am?

It looks like I could be somewhere in Minnesota, but actually I'm in Anchorage, Alaska! Visiting Target here really messes with my head ... it looks like Minnesota ... when I go inside, it feels like Minnesota ... I immediately become homesick for my children ... and buy them things they could pick up for themselves at a lower price. Crazy, isn't it? But I've given up trying to explain how things work in my dillydally brain!

I'm here in the big city, getting some things done that can't be taken care of in my remote corner of the planet ... health related ... nothing serious, mostly maintenance!

I have been working in a bit of dillydallying, some knitting while in waiting rooms. The real fun has been finding that a few of the offices I've visited have had quilts on display!

This quilt of Sandhill Cranes was stunning. I am returning to this office tomorrow and would like to get some closeup pictures of the detail. It is over the top ... beautiful!

This one was equally as stunning! A fireweed wall quilt mounted on a background quilt. The talent this quilter has is amazing. When I return tomorrow, I will try to get some information on the quilter too.

This trio of quilts depicting Alaska Native designs are made with patterns that are available ... and were also extremely well done! Someone in this office values quilts and sees them for the art they represent!

At yet another medical office this original wall quilt was in the examining room. Another very "life like" depiction of interior Alaska!

I tried getting a close up to show the detail...but my little "point and click" camera just can't capture it. Seeing this talent on display sure makes medical exams easier! ;-) All for now!

Do what you love. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

I Love Snow and Snowpeople!

2012-01-19T07:22:00.000-09:00

After our recent Snowpocalypse...it takes courage to say that out loud, let alone post it for all of blogland to see! Yikes! But it is true ... I have and continue to ... love snow. Maybe it is because I grew up on a dairy farm in northern Minnesota ... perhaps it is because of my nordic heritage ... but I have always looked forward to snow and winter. I consider myself fortunate to feel that way ... because in my remote corner of the planet ... our longest season is winter! ;-)

And ... I love snowpeople ... like us, they come in all shapes and sizes. Have you ever noticed ... they are always happy ... when we see them, they bring a smile to our face ... they make us happy! I can't help but love what makes me happy!

I don't make many snowmen out doors any more ... but I love making the kind that don't melt! I save all my snow themed decorations to use in my home after the Christmas holidays! I surround myself with their cheerful whimsy from January through March! Over the past weekend, I continued working on these pleasant snowpeople ... here they are appliqued on their pieced backing ... waiting to be quilted and bound.

I used pearle cotton and did a large running stitch around each wool applique'.

I machine quilted "in the ditch" around all the piecework and in the border.

While finishing up this wall quilt on Sunday, I entertained myself by watching this movie! Recently Sister DillyDally gave me this copy ... you see, I was one of her Girl Scout leaders ... for 12 years! This movie came out when she was a Brownie, and we must have watched it ... oh, at least a million times! ;-)

When I finished the binding ... I liked it ... but it seemed to need a bit more ... it sort of looked like a cupcake without frosting. My first thought was to hand stitch some snowflakes in the black squares ... which would have been great, but at this point I was ready to be done with it ... the dillydally winds had already begun blowing in a different direction! I knew that I had collected snowflake shaped buttons over the years ... so I started digging. Can you believe it? I actually had beige colored snowflake buttons! And I had enough! It was destiny! I am sew happy that I ~~hoard~~ collect things without any intent in mind ... it is the dillydally way!

Now... back to snowpeople and their relationship to Girl Scouts ... yes, there is "sometimes" a connection within my dillydally thoughts.

These sweet little snowpeople were made as a Girl Scout activity ... when they were Junior level scouts. They are made with tube socks. Those of you who know Sister DillyDally ... even at an elementary age she was "glamorizing" things! I love how she added matching fringe to the pink scarf and fancy buttons! Wonderful memories!

Here is another pair of snowpeople we made ... when she was a Cadette scout! See how she added "lashes" to her snowmaid? I loved every moment of our Girl Scout experience ... wonderful girls ... terrific memories!

We spend our entire lives learning to accept what we can't control ... like the weather and the seasons. So my advice is ... embrace winter. Find whimsy where you can! ;-)

Do what you love. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

My Escape Paid Off!

2012-01-14T17:53:00.001-09:00

Clear skies (relatively speaking) and cold temperatures have arrived here in my remote corner of the planet! Everyone in town is enjoying this chance to get a handle on our "Snowpocalypse"!

On my last post I mentioned my plans to escape reality by saving Middle Earth and dillydallying with Aragorn.

Sew... while he implemented the "Fellowship of the Ring", I pieced and cut my 128 red string triangles for the Orca Bay Mystery! Outside my fantasy, it was raining. Which helps the snow to melt, but also turns it to ice...making it more difficult to remove from roofs. Ugh...glad I could escape for a few hours.

On Thursday...the rain continued. Here in Dillydallydom the winds were blowing in a new direction ... time to work on something new. So I pulled out two kits that I had purchased this summer at Ann's Quilt Cottage in Bemidji, Minnesota. They were both designed by Emily of Red Button Quilt Company!

Emily creates the sweetest snowman themed designs I have done several of them over the years. I chose to do the one on the right ... the other one used red fabric ... having done all those red string triangles the day before, I was ready for a change.

While Aragorn was trying to defeat the "Two Towers", I pieced the 18 inch top and...

... began the wool applique' snowpeople. As I've mentioned before ... I am still a beginner at this wool work! Sew it was a bit of a challenge to do pieces this small. The Lord of the Rings movies are long ... it took me several hours both Thursday and Friday to do the applique" work.

By the time Aragorn had taken his rightful place in "Return of the King" on Friday, I had given the snowpeople their features. My escape to Middle Earth with Aragorn really paid off ... I escaped reality for a few hours each day ... my stress level had been reduced ... and I made good progress on two projects! It was win/win all the way around!

In order to update you on the Snowpocalypse...

...here are some recent photos of places that were in my last post...

...as you can see a lot of progress has been made in removing snow...

... but there is still plenty left to do. No we haven't completely returned to normal, but we are getting closer every day! The forecast is dry and cold for the next several days, just what we need to reclaim our community!

Many of you dillydalliers out there in blogland sent messages of concern and support over the past couple of weeks ... I have been so touched by your thoughtfulness. Thank you! I love you and your part in my dillydally life!

Do what you love. Escape when you need to. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Too Much Reality! Seeking Escape!

2012-01-10T15:15:00.001-09:00

Yep ... Mother Nature continues to focus on our remote corner of the planet. It has been all over the internet and even made national news! I'm not going to sugar coat it ... conditions have been harsh and our community has found itself overwhelmed and exhausted.

Yesterday, Mother Nature gave us a much needed break. The Alaska National Guard arrived Sunday night to assist with snow removal. With their help, our community was able to make progress...

...we have been struggling to shovel off roofs, three industrial and one residential roof have already collapsed.

There are piles of snow everywhere ... once it is off the roofs ... our city crews struggle with where to put it! Everyone is working around the clock trying to protect their homes, business and public buildings.

And of course ... snow removal is a constant effort at the DillyDally home as well!

School was closed both yesterday and today ... for obvious reasons ... as you can see, it is buried in snow.

See that corner classroom on the right ... that is my classroom. A lot of progress was made yesterday! And then Mother Nature hit us with another storm today.

High winds and snow mixed with rain. Conditions that make snow removal dangerous ... prevents planes from flying in or out ... increases avalanche possibilities ... keeps everyone indoors ... and creates an abundance of stress and worry! We've all had too much reality ... we need an escape! Seriously, we do!

In true dillydally fashion ... I chose to distract myself!

"Her Majesty" and I have been sewing...

... and knitting of course! But try as I might ... I am unable to escape the concern and worry that wants to consume me! I need to take my dillydally projects and travel to a place that in no way resembles my reality. I am in serious need of fantasy ....... but where? And who will take me there?

You know? I haven't visited Middle Earth in quite awhile. It is filled with fantasy!

And ... I know exactly who I want to take me there!

Yep ... I'm already feeling better!

Look at that face ... reality is quickly melting away!

Mother Nature can go ahead and dish out whatever she wants. Aragorn and I are escaping reality! ;-) Thank heavens I own the extended DVDs ... hours of fantasy!

Do what you love! Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

P.S. Please continue to keep our remote corner of the planet in your thoughts...thanks!

P.S.S. Don't worry about Mr. DillyDally, the ESPN Channel is helping him escape! ;-)

Mother Nature and Her Gift!

2012-01-07T13:04:00.000-09:00

Mother Nature has been the center of attention in my remote corner of the world!

In the past two weeks, she has gifted us with about 15 feet of snow.

Her dillydally whims can make for beautiful scenic photos...

however...there is a dark side to this heavy quilt of white stuff...all that volume of snow has to be moved in order to protect property and ensure safety.

Mr. DillyDally (and Brother, while he was home) have had to shovel both decks and the stairs (there are 33 of them) a minimum of twice a day! We live on the beach, so our snowfall is much smaller than our friends and neighbors who live up the hillside. Shoveling has been a full time job for everyone...often taking more than 8 hours a day.

It has been a challenge for everyone. The conditions were so bad on Thursday (Jan.5) that the city had to shut down ... visibility was nonexistent ... even the snowplows were stopped, it was difficult to maintain emergency services. The conditions have been hard on everyone ... especially their backs and in their hearts!

This You-Tube video does a great job of showing the conditions on Friday as our community worked hard to restore their property ... it also serves as a tour of our remote corner of the planet ... I think you'll enjoy it!

Now ... for the bright side of our "Snowpocalypse"! It is in time of trouble that our true character is revealed. Watching neighbor helping neighbor ... witnessing people rushing to assist those in need ... that is the reason I refer to all this snow as a gift from Mother Nature. It is a gift and an honor to see the best in our fellow man. I am blessed to live with my neighbors in this remote corner of the planet.

Do what you love! Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Odds...Ends...and Treasure!

2012-01-03T13:12:00.000-09:00

Let's begin with the odd! ;-) In this remote corner of the planet, when it comes to odd we're talking about our recent weather!

We received over seven feet of snow in the month of December! That is extremely unusual for us ... remember this is a temperate rainforest...it is not uncommon for us to not have snow for Christmas!

Yep...this is the "infamous" view from my front deck. This reflects snowfall that occurred in less than a 24 hour time period!

It snowed nearly every day of the holiday break ...

...this remote corner of the planet looks beautiful under a heavy blanket of snow!

Now for the ends...

... another 007 project reveal. Camo wristers for Brother DillyDally! He put them to good use ... he and Mr. DillyDally spent everyday shoveling snow!

This photo was taken on December 30th ... his holiday break here at home ended that day. Between the snowfall and the snowpack sliding off the roof, they were shoveling the side deck at least twice a day! He is currently somewhere in Montana, seeking out a ski adventure. I doubt they have as much snow as we have! ;-)

Now ... take a look at this treasure!

Isn't this sweet Dove of Peace beautiful? She was handcrafted by and a gift from Roseann Kermes. It was a part of the gift package I shared in an earlier post. I immediately hung her on our Christmas Tree, where she was admired by all who visited! When we took down the tree...I just couldn't part with her and pack her away.

I decided that she should accompany me while I'm dillydallying in the sewing room. There she will be a constant reminder of all that she represents ... peace, creativity and friendship!

I'll end this post with a picture of the view taken today ... see the railing? ... only three inches of snow last night! Mr. DillyDally gets a break in the snow removal department! ;-)

Do what you love. Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

A New Dillydally Year!

2012-01-01T11:18:00.001-09:00

Photo taken by Mrs. DillyDally

The sunset from my front deck ... September 21, 2011

Photo taken by Bonnie Hunter

Bonnie Hunter's interpretation of that sunset in quilt form!

What a wonderful way to ring in a New Dillydally Year!

Wishing you a year filled with dillydally moments...

Mrs. DillyDally

A 007 Project Revealed!

2011-12-29T09:48:00.000-09:00

We have had an unusual amount of snow this holiday season...which has made for a wonderful Christmas vacation!

Finally... I can reveal one of my 007 projects! Ya-Hoo! As you might recall, last year I made Sister DillyDally a Christmas themed quilt, you can see it here.

Sooo...this year it was Brother's turn!

Pattern comes from Sherri Falls of This n' That Designs and fabric is from Holly and Taylor.

The pattern I made is called Confetti and is pictured on the back cover. As you can see, I left the corners square on mine...Brother DillyDally literally wraps himself up in his quilts when he uses them, square corners make that a bit easier! ;-) It finished up to be 60 X 73 inches ... perfect lap size!

These center blocks were all made with a "jelly roll" ... love that! I love patterns that use precuts ... half the cutting is done ... I get to the piecing part faster! ;-)

Sherri's patterns are a pleasure to make ... her instructions are always clearly written ... and accurate! Love that ... makes it a completely enjoyable process!

I backed it with a black plaid (printed, not woven) flannel. Local long-arm quilter Linee' Perkins did a terrific job quilting it for me.

I had purchased the pattern and supplies a year ago when QBee Diane and I visited Heavenly Patchwork Quilt Shop on our Mini MN Shop Hop, here is the post. Sherri often publishes recipes in her books ... she had asked for recipes on her blog while writing and designing this book. I had submitted a holiday favorite, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms ... and she included it!

Here are the ingredients. I have made these every year of our marriage (30 yrs!) it would not be a holiday without them! They really are easy to make ... we make ours with Alaska King Crab, but they can be made with any type of crab or shrimp ... for those of you without access to fresh seafood, canned will work! I had intended to take a picture of them cooked and ready to serve, but our company was here and I forgot! Just trust me ... if you have Sherri's book, give the recipe a try!

I have finished three of my knitting 007 projects and have only one remaining! Yep ... the end is in sight! I'm not complaining ... each one is a dillydally choice! It is the secrecy that is difficult for me! ;-)

Look again at the first picture in this post ... do you see something in the water?

Sea otters are a very common sight here in my remote corner of the planet! They are very difficult to photograph ... especially with a simple point and click camera like mine! Fortunately he held still for a fraction of a second!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

A Blessing!

2011-12-27T08:41:00.000-09:00

It was nearly five years ago that I created and implemented the concept of a "dillydally lifestyle". I had experienced three life altering events that left me contemplating many aspects of my life and how I wanted to live out the remainder of my days. Wow... I just reread that ... ;-) ... sounds awful serious! I don't mean to be overly dramatic, but one of the most wonderful decisions I made was to surround myself with people who impact me and others positively. Since making that decision ... amazing things have happened in nearly every area of my life!

Once you stop allowing those who are quick to judge, criticize, or drag you down to have an impact ... the "cream rises to the top" ... sorry, but I am the daughter of a dairy farmer ... ;-)! When you filter out the negativity ... positive people become more obvious and can enter your life!

Case and point ... Roseann Kermes. I met Roseann briefly while on a bus tour during the 2008 Minnesota Shop Hop. She greeted the bus as it pulled up in front of her quilt shop, Rosebud's Cottage. While in the shop, she sought out and had a conversation with every customer. Her kindness made it easy to remember her. In 2009 when I returned to her shop, I shared with her that I had begun a blog designed to record my MN Shop Hop experience with the intent of inviting the QBees to join me in the future. She was the first one to link my blog from hers ... I was ( and still am) so touched! In 2010 she assisted me in making the plans for our trip ... and this picture is of her sharing her studio with us this past summer! Roseann is a nationally recognized quilt designer (yep...a Quilt Rock Star) and owns and operates a quilt shop. She is a very busy and productive person ... yet she takes the time to reach out in kindness to others ... like me!

On Christmas Eve, I received a package from Roseann ... I had ordered cuts of the Pam Kitty Morning fabrics that she had in her shop. I was so busy with holiday preparations that I didn't open it until late yesterday.

I have been looking forward to these prints since they were first announced last spring!

They literally make me smile!

Be still my heart ... gingham checks and polka dots ... heaven!

This print is my favorite ... yes ... I think I should redecorate my entire home with this fabric! It just oozes Mrs. DillyDally!

And then there is the panel of Kitty Fashionistas! They are sew stinkin' cute ... yep, I ordered two panels! Of course, I have no idea what I'll make with them...

... for now, they make me happy ... eventually they will tell me what they would like to become!

A pile of happiness! A bit of dillydally heaven!

It is sew nice of Roseann to go to the trouble of taking on my mail orders ... but you can imagine my surprise when I found additional goodies in the box!

What fun! Such thoughtfulness!

Three kits ... new notions .... but mostly the gift bag was filled with kindness. Kindness that traveled thousands of miles ... fills me with joy! There is nothing better than knowing that someone was thinking of you! She also sent some goodies for our guild members...I'll share those later!

This post is about so much more than the fabric I ordered ... although I love it. My hope is that I've driven home the point that when you shake off the negative people that are a part of everyday life and spend your time and energy seeking out the positive forces around you ... amazing people and experiences will enter. Roseann is one of those people who has a positive impact on others, she is like having your own personal cheerleader ... which is how we should all serve one another. She has been a blessing in my life ... may we all be a blessing to one another.

Doing what you love is a blessing ... dillydallying is a blessing!

Merry Christmas from the DillyDally Family!

2011-12-25T22:38:00.000-09:00

We slept in and woke to fresh snowfall ... assured of having a White Christmas! A leisurely breakfast of Glogg and lefse ... exchanging gifts ... it was so nice to have a quiet morning together.

Apparently Christmas is exhausting! Who knew? ;-) At least it is for the four-legged member of the family!

Close friends joined us for dinner ... it was an wonderful day filled with great food, good friends and family! A very quiet and peaceful day ... lovely.

The DillyDally family hopes you had a day filled with all that is important to you!

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Night Before Christmas...

2011-12-24T19:33:00.000-09:00

The rain has...

...turned to snow. It looks like we'll have a white Christmas!

The tree is up and decorated! It's filled with memories of past Christmas'... each ornament has a story behind it! Love it!

The cookies have...

...been baked and all passed their taste tests! ;-)

This sweet knitting angel watches over me as I continue my covert knitting projects! No worries ... I'm still on schedule, they aren't due until after the first of January!

All is well in my remote corner of the planet as we prepare for tomorrow and all that Christmas represents ... wishing the same for you.

Full-Time Dillydallying!

2011-12-23T13:21:00.001-09:00

Yesterday was the first day of Christmas vacation! That means that I get to dillydally full-time...for a couple of weeks! ;-)

Brother got home from Minnesota Wednesday evening ... so nice to have at least one of them back in the nest! Yesterday's big adventure involved harvesting the Christmas tree! The weather was not cooperative...

My camera doesn't do well capturing rainfall ... but the truck's windshield does! ;-) It was pouring and turning the snow into "snow cone" quality mush. Yuck! Mr. DillyDally decided that because of my knee I had to remain in the truck...no complaints from me, I didn't even pout! Remember...Santa Claus is coming to town!

The DillyDally men put on their hip-waders and braved the elements. Even Kysa wanted to stay in the truck with me, but finally they got her to go along! ;-) It cracked me up ... a Husky dog that doesn't want to go on an adventure in the outdoors ... proof that the weather was n.a.s.t.y!

The fellas didn't waste any time in finding a tree ... they were on their way back before I even had a chance to begin worrying about them!

It was a work out for them...walking in that deep slush! And the cloud cover was so thick that it felt more like twilight rather than the middle of the day.

But...the annual tree hunt was successful! When we got home, we warmed ourselves with homemade hot cocoa and cookies while breathing in the scent of a fresh cut Sitka Spruce. Love it!

Progress on my 007 projects are on target. Here is one of them, soaking and nearly ready to be blocked later! No peaking through the bubbles!

Here is another hint...along with a DVD that keeps me entertained while I knit like a wild woman! What a hoot! There are holiday episodes from multiple shows. Many of the episodes on here are older than I am ... I know what you're thinking ... be nice ... remember ... Santa Claus is coming to town! ;-)

Gosh ... full-time dillydallying is fun! I think that should be my next career!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

A DillyDally Family Milestone!

2011-12-18T20:44:00.000-09:00

Do you see the light behind those blue eyes? And that sweet dimple on his chin? This is Brother DillyDally's kindergarten picture. Of all his school pictures this is my favorite ... they really captured his personality! He is our second and youngest child ... and has always been a source of joy and adventure!

Here he is as a high school senior ... mountain biking ... covered in mud! No...he didn't have a disease of some sort ... ;-) ...that is mud sprayed all over him, and he loved it! Yep ... he is "all boy" ... always seeking adventure ... those blue eyes and that dimple are still there!

He loves being outdoors ... from early on he was in a constant state of motion ... still is ... he creates adventure!

See ... I'm not kidding! He is the one in the background ... I can't even think about how high up they are without getting dizzy! Whew! I am so glad I wasn't there ... this sort of thing I like to hear about after the fact!

He has spent his summers working and playing in the woods while attending college. It makes him happy ... inside and out! And every day is filled with adventure!

He is an Alaskan child ... very comfortable and at home in the wilds of our great state.

He has traveled the world ... and taken that dimple with him! ;-)

He obviously took his sense of humor with him as well! Geesh...is this "guy humor" or what? ;-)

Every time he comes home from college, Mr. DillyDally and I marvel at the growth in him as an individual. Like all parents, it is a thrill to watch your child evolve into the person they were meant to be.

Friday was Brother DillyDally's last day as a college undergraduate! The college does not have a winter graduation ceremony, so we will see him in his cap and gown next May! When he comes home next week for the holidays ... his new adventure will have already begun!

We are so proud of you Son! Congratulations!

Orca Update & Val's Quilt!

2011-12-13T22:34:00.000-09:00

My Orca Bay Update

Yep...my little snowmaid is helping me make progress on the Orca Bay Mystery and the many 007 projects! She keeps my coffee nice and hot! ;-) I was thrilled on Friday to learn that we were back to making string blocks! Thanks Bonnie...you must have known they would be just the break from right triangles that we needed!

I don't have a stash of strings ... yet ... I have been working on it! ;-) So I raided the 1.5 and 3.5 strips from my Red (Blue) Ridge Beauty that I began last September when Bonnie was here! Have just been rough cutting them with my scissors as I go!

They look so much more manageable when they've been trimmed! Now what to do with that pile of red "crumbs"? I'm not telling! ;-)

I have to avoid caffeine in the evenings ... sew ... I called on Ed Sullivan to assist me in maintaining my stamina this evening! I love watching DVDs while sewing ... and have a love of vintage films and TV! I think many of us remember watching the Ed Sullivan Show while growing up! I love revisiting the styles and sets from the 50-70's. Vintage television and string blocks ... complete win/win! ;-)

I did go ahead and cut a few of my blocks into triangles. Have to say that I have found more uses for this ruler ... love it! Sew ... that is my progress. Again, I am just enjoying the process ... working in a bit of Orca Bay here and there. I have found it to be very rewarding and love seeing the progress of others!

Val's Quilt!
You may have seen, on the last post, Val's Cobblestone quilt that she had just received from a long arm quilter here in Alaska. Well today ... she received more fantastic news! Make sure you're sitting down when you see this ... it is ...

... heart. stopping. gorgeous! This is a photo that the quilter, The Green Fairy(Judy Madsen), sent her today! Sorry about it being a bit fuzzy. You must read the Green Fairy's blog post about this quilt, you will find it here. Prepare to be transported to quilt heaven! When Valerie receives it, I will dedicate an entire post to it. I am sew thrilled for her ... what a treasure!

View Update

Well ... that's an update from my remote corner of the planet!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

QBee Birthday Breakfast!

2011-12-11T09:40:00.001-09:00

We, QBees love to find excuses to celebrate! Birthdays are a given...both Terry and Barb have December birthdays so we celebrated yesterday by meeting for breakfast!

We had fun ... always ... catching up on one another's lives. Some had been traveling ... some getting ready to travel ... others expecting company over the holidays ... current gifts we were making ... very busy lives for such a small group!

Valerie had recently gotten her Cobblestone quilt back from the long arm quilter. It is a BOM that we participated in through Heavenly Patchwork Quilt Shop a couple of years ago. The pattern was designed by Sherri Falls of This n' That fame.

The machine quilting is stunning ... wonderful workmanship from a machine quilter that none of us have had quilt for us before. Valerie is the first in our group to have her top quilted...so it inspired us all to get ours completed ... soon! I know it has inspired me to pull mine out after Christmas and finish it up! ;-)

I used Minnesota fabric to make Barb and Terry's Tool Kit Mug and Thread Catchers! I hope they will serve as reminders of the wonderful trip we took together last summer.

December is such a busy month for all the obvious reasons ... at work I am extremely busy with the holidays and the end of the semester just weeks away. Sew ... when I add to that my 007 projects and the Orca Bay Mystery ... it has been a tad crazy! But a good crazy!

This sweet little snowmaid keeps my coffee or tea warm while I work frantically on my 007 projects! Yep ... the caffeine helps me maintain the pace necessary to get this project done on time! ;-)

I am so grateful for the friends in my life ... they are such a source of inspiration and support ... and their birthdays give us a reason to celebrate together! What a wonderful way to dillydally!

Do what you love...do dillydally with your friends!

My Orca Bay Update!

2011-12-05T21:33:00.000-09:00

I have completely fallen in love with string blocks! This is the first time I had ever made them ... sew fun and relaxing! I had to cut the strings ... how I wish I had known and been collecting them over the past 30 years of quilting! Think of all the fabric I unknowingly threw away? Oh ... it makes my heart ache! But you can bet ... I will be collecting them now. I can clearly see myself raiding the garbage cans at all future quilting events! Easily finished all 72 of the three and a half inch blocks! I have my fingers crossed that there are more string blocks in this mystery! ;-)

Am busy working undercover on Christmas gifts, so I used the half triangle blocks as leaders and enders this weekend! ;-) They added up to 118 ... not too bad ... I'm a third of the way there! My goal is to get some of every step done before the reveal ... I'm placing absolutely no pressure on myself!

Now for an update on the view...

...this was the view yesterday afternoon. We were enjoying rain and 50 mile an hour winds. Yep ... the rain was falling horizontally! No kidding ... that is common this time of the year.

Today ... the wind remained ... blue skies replaced the rain ... and yes, the temperature has dropped. This is coastal Alaska after all! ;-)

Do what you love...do dillydally!

Let the Holidays Begin!

2011-11-29T07:26:00.000-09:00

My camera doesn't capture a beautiful snowfall very well! ;-) There really were big fluffy flakes gently falling. What a beautiful way to begin the holiday season! In my remote corner of the planet, there is no Black Friday ... our local quilt guild's Annual Tea & Auction kicks off my holiday celebration! Sunday was one of those perfect dillydally days! And it all began with the beautiful snowfall that I can't capture with my camera ... you're just going to have to trust me ... it was wonderful. ;-)

I began the day early ... made a holiday favorite ... Cranberry Eggnog Braid! Bread making is my favorite type of baking ... I enjoy the whole process ... especially when I have the time to mix it by hand. Of course I have and love my bread machine and Kitchenaid mixer ... both of which make great bread! But ... when I have the time, I love to dillydally in the kitchen by making bread with my hands. This recipe was in a Taste of Home magazine ... I've had it since sometime in the 90s and tweaked it just a bit so that it is more moist and tender.

While the bread was rising ... I finished up my blue string blocks for the Orca Bay Mystery! OMGosh ... I love string blocks! I can't believe that I've been avoiding some of Bonnie's patterns because of them. Sometimes I am the silliest person I know! They are so relaxing to piece ... I am addicted and am now disappointed that we only need 72!

Now... I am able to reveal three of the 007 projects I've been working on ... they were auction items!

As some of you might remember ... this was that woodland panel I struggled with in an earlier post. The piecing ... eventually was very simple ... hmmm, funny how doing the math correctly makes things easier! ;-) The machine quilting is what ate up a lot of time ... yep, I quilted around every little bird in the border fabric! I ended up really liking it when it was finished ... even thought about keeping it ... I liked how it really was more of a winter theme rather than Christmas! Perfect to hang from January through March. It sold for $55 and will help cheer up someone's home during our winter months!

These two pillows were my other two auction items. I bought the fabric this summer while visiting the Thimbleberries Studio Store! I did an extensive amount of machine quilting on these as well ... couldn't help myself ... it just brings them to life! For me ... ruffles are just one of life's necessary evils ... love the look, only tolerate the process! ;-) Anyway ... I was very happy with the way they came out. And I was thrilled that they went for $135!

Guild members are asked to decorate a table for the auction ... this was my table ... simple and mostly handmade. ;-)

I made the napkins years ago ... loved having a serger ... they made napkins simple to make. I am in the market for a new serger ... too many choices. Table favors included an icicle and stocking ornament with a chocolate treat!

Used the Tomten family I knit years ago as the centerpiece! Simple and easy ... that is my dillydally style! It is fun to see what guild members do every year! Love it!

I came home with treasure ... I love this kind of holiday shopping. These potholders were made by one of my 7th grade students! She is the guild's youngest member! We won't mention what I paid for them, but Mr. DillyDally has been told that they are not to be used in any practical way, they are just for looks! And ... they are just as sweet as the teen who made the ... plus ... they are worth every nickel! ;-)

This amish inspired quilt was made by one of my former students ... who is now an adult ... she and her husband are expecting their first child in the near future. Much to celebrate! I love amish quilts, her color choices are stunning and her hand quilting is inspiring! Beautiful!

The third treasure I brought home was made by QBee Julie! Love the pattern ... love the fabric ... but especially love the quilter who made it! ;-)

Yep ... it was a perfect dillydally day! What a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season!

I wish for you many perfect dillydally days!

Orca Bay Mystery Progress!

2011-11-26T10:57:00.000-09:00

Thanksgiving Morning

I have several 007 projects looming...but decided that I would treat myself to some dillydally self-indulgence on Thanksgiving! What can I say? It's the dillydally way! ;-)

Look at how nice and neat these quarter square partners look ... they remind me of soldiers lined up for inspection!

Here they are...transformed into half triangles! No longer neat and tidy! ;-)

Now they are finally squares! The pies were baked... turkey was in the oven...Mr. DillyDally was in a football coma...

...I decide to stick with it and trim my squares! Because it is Thanksgiving Day, I can bring out the Christmas DVDs! They make great company...

...while I press and trim. I ended up with an additional 90. That means my total is 134...I only have another 90 to make. I'm not worried...I'll catch up on those later. ;-)

Thanksgiving Sunset

I woke Friday with every intention of working on my covert projects ... but knew that Bonnie would be posting Step 2 of the Orca Bay Mystery. Of course my curiosity got the best of me ... I had to check it out!

OMGosh! Step 2 is making blue "string" blocks! When Bonnie was here in September, I picked her brain every opportunity I had concerning strings. She used string blocks in last years mystery...I love the look, but they intimidated me. Her explanation really helped me to visualize the process and clarified how to make and use them!

Because strings are a new concept for me ... I don't have a collection of strings, but I do have blue fabric! It was time to make strings! ;-)

I love having an excuse to go through my stash...many fabrics filled with many warm memories. This fabric comes from Jinny Beyer's first fabric collection! I was a newly wed...working partime at Carenda's Fabrics in Juneau, Alaska thirty years ago! The store had just begun to carry quilting fabrics and had the entire line ... yep ... I had a piece of each one! Not many remnants left ... but this mystery has to have some in it!

How appropriate ... orca fabric! This remnant is about 20 years old. Brother DillyDally picked this fabric during one of the many times I took him fabric shopping with me. In order to entertain him I would let him choose a fabric. He was a preschooler at the time and wanted a pair of pants out of this. I made them and he wore those pants until he out grew them ... wish I could find a pic of him wearing them to share ... hee-hee ... he would die! Yep ... very fond memories!

I spent more time pressing and cutting my blue strings than it will probably take me to sew the 72 blocks. Especially since they are only 3.5 inches square! So ... here it is Saturday morning, and what am I doing? Well ... I am not working on the 007 projects that have deadlines!

I had to fussy cut this little sea otter string ... so he could peek out and say hello! I couldn't help myself ... after all ... they are a very common site in my remote corner of the planet!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T08:08:00.000-09:00

It is with grateful hearts the DillyDally family wishes you a holiday filled with family and friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dillydally Weekend!

2011-11-21T22:50:00.001-09:00

Our winter wonderland weather has continued ... I love it! What a beautiful way to begin the weekend! On Friday evening a couple of friends and I attended the local theatre production. The play was about the lives of Shaker women ... it made us laugh ... reduced us to tears ... and involved the use of many shaker hymns! It was so touching to see the talents of women I know and two of my students showcased in such a powerful way. There is an abundance of talent in this remote corner of the planet! After the play, we went out and spent a few hours catching up with one another ... yep ... time enjoying the arts and my girlfriends ... the beginning of terrific weekend!

I spent Saturday morning finishing up two more 007 projects ... my undercover work has kept me busy ... because they involve deadlines! When you're a dillydallier ... deadlines can be difficult ... we are often distracted by dillydally whims! ;-) But occasionally even we dillydalliers must focus ... especially when involved in covert operations. I have finished three quilting and nearly three knitting 007 projects! Whew! I see light at the end of this tunnel! Reveals will occur when recipients have received them!

Early in the afternoon, a friend and I went to our favorite place here in Cordova ... our local yarn and gift shop ... The Net Loft! They were having a Holiday Open House! The shop was filled with fiber and holiday goodness of every kind! It is always so inspiring ... I bought yarn to knit mittens ... little gifts for the kids ...

... and this book! I have fallen in love with Arne and Carlos ...

... these ornaments are the reason why. I am dying ... yes, I mean dying to knit some of these! I feel faint just thinking about it!

I worked hard finishing those 007 projects in the morning so that I could spend the afternoon and evening focused on this ...

Click here to join the fun!

... OK ... I think we would all agree that I have talked about this nonstop ever since Bonnie announced it! I know ... I tend to go on ... and on ... and on ... and on. Sorry, but when I'm excited ... I just can't stop myself! ;-)

I went through my stash ... selecting the blacks and lights I wanted to use. Pressed and cut strips. Gosh, I love the process.

On Sunday, our guild held a Quiltville Special Interest Group meeting. You can read about it here on the guild blog. Warning ... our guild members are very inspiring ... enjoy!

Here is my Orca Bay Mystery ... now I can carry it all in this box, but that is because we are only working on the first clue! ;-)

I ended up with 44 hour glass units ... only 180 more to go! ;-) I don't make myself crazy with the numbers or with the deadlines. Bonnie breaks her quilts down into manageable chunks ... which prevent it from becoming overwhelming. I like to cut some ... piece some ... cut again ... sew again ... and eventually they all add up! Let me repeat myself ... I find joy in the process and do not worry about keeping up or being ahead!

Yep ... it was a terrific weekend here in dillydallydom! Do what you love ... do dillydally!

My Front Yard

2011-11-18T06:25:00.000-09:00

I have lived in my very small and modest home for 25 years.

My home is only 1500 square feet, has one bathroom ... and is on pilings.

These pictures were all taken from my front deck.

I never tire of the view ... it is my front yard.

And...this view is the reason we tolerate all the inconveniences of our house.

I love sharing my front yard. You can imagine the thrill I felt...

...when Bonnie Hunter based the color palette for her new mystery on the sunset we experienced when she was here for dinner!

Step one can be found here!

We are all so excited here in this remote corner of the planet! Bonnie named her annual mystery design after her visit here. What an honor for Cordova quilters!

Bonnie has such incredible talent ... and she generously shares it with quilters all over the world. But it is her generous heart that is most impressive.

Hope many of you will dillydally along with us on this mystery! I am not a competitive quilter ... I don't pressure myself to keep up each week ... I don't mind getting the next step before I finish the last one ... and I don't mind when the mystery is revealed before I've gotten there. However, I do savor the journey!

Enjoy your front yard ... do dillydally!

Dillydally Updates!

2011-11-15T07:06:00.000-09:00

Wow! I am having a tough time accepting the fact that it is already November 15th! When did that happen? Time passes too quickly ... I am always in the perpetual state of having so many things I would like to do and never enough time to accomplish it all ... yep ... that is my normal! ;-)

Undercover 007 Projects
I have been knitting and sewing away. When it comes to knitting I have been traveling backwards! Yep ... a lot of ripping out! It is a necessary evil when designing knitted objects. Sometimes the design work done on paper and the actual knitting appear to be two completely different things! ;-) Even though I have brief moments of complete frustration ... I love the process ... and enjoy the end result!

Here is a tease ... hey, remember this project is classified! I have to stop here and cannot reveal any more! It is very difficult being a secret agent!

Dillydallying in the Kitchen
I love cooking with pumpkin this time of the year! I find it hard to resist a new recipe for something made with pumpkin ... which is fortunate for Mr. DillyDally and my friends!

Meet Nutella Cheesecake Pumpkin Muffins ...

...they are delicious and will be placed permanently in my recipe file! I did replace 1/2 cup of the oil with 1/2 cup applesauce. It is a large recipe, the yield is 20 but I ended up with 24! Perfect for a potluck or guild event!

Weather In My Remote Corner of the Planet

View from my classroom

Since my last weather report (here), we've had two snow storms, a lot of rain and one thaw. ;-) Welcome to my reality!

View from my classroom

Currently we are in a cold and clear pattern...love it!

Unclassified Project

Progress on my wool applique project is slow but steady. This project has no deadline ... I have found it to be very relaxing! It has become the dillydally calm amongst the storm of ... rip, reknit, rip ... and sewing with the door closed! ;-)

And that's the news from dillydallydom ... where the attitude is positive ... the projects are fun ... and all intentions are good!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

Happy Veterans Day!

2011-11-11T05:48:00.000-09:00

I love many things about teaching ... one of which is beginning everyday with the Pledge of Allegiance. Standing with my students ... our hands on our hearts ... facing the flag ... speaking those powerful words in unison. It serves as a daily reminder of the wonderful freedoms we enjoy ... and those who have and continue to defend those freedoms for us.

Veterans ... thank you for your service ... I appreciate all that you've done and continue to do ... I am forever grateful.

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

2011-11-08T20:53:00.000-09:00

This is what's currently happening in my remote corner of the planet ... the weather outside is frightful!

On Saturday we had a taste of what was to come...

... a bit of calm...before the storm.

The view Monday morning...

...that afternoon, the snow began to fall...we had about an inch by the time I came home from work.

Kysa was happy! She loves snow...her new winter coat keeps her toasty warm!

This was the view at 8:00 am today ... snow gently falling ... very beautiful!

Here is the view from my classroom this afternoon. The snow continues ...we've received about 10 inches in the last 24 hours. But snow is beautiful and easy to manage...other parts of Alaska are having severe weather causing concern for many coastal communities.

My current dillydally projects are classified...007 items! I'm pleased that Mother Nature cooperated and gave me something to blog about since my current dillydallying is top secret! ;-)

Keep warm...do dillydally!

Bits of DillyDally News!

2011-11-04T23:02:00.002-08:00

Life is always hectic...no matter what corner of the planet you live in! I shared with a friend earlier this week, "All I want is just one boring day!" It makes me giggle, because the truth is that a boring day would drive me crazy! OK...I know what you're thinking...yes, I'm already nearly crazy .. but at least I am a "happy" crazy!

The picture you see above...it is supposed to be my header for November. Mr. DillyDally took it this week. Blogger and I are having a personality conflict...they said I had used up all the memory they provide free and that I needed to purchase some ... so I did ... weeks ago. They continue to tell me I am out of memory ... so I used every help button I could find ... since that didn't produce any results, I have been trying to figure out how to contact them ... it is impossible! UGH!! If anyone out there knows how to assist or direct me, I would really appreciate it!

The Really Big News

Of course the biggest news in dillydallydom this week was the announcement of Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt! We here in Cordova are all a twitter over it! Bonnie's online mystery quilts are always a big event. I have only made one, but follow them when they're in progress! I cannot believe the frenzy they create! Some participants have become very competitive and demanding ... makes me giggle ... we dillydalliers are laid back about this sort of thing. Having just started two of her quilts while she was here in September ... I was looking forward to the mystery, but wasn't planning to make it. SNAP!!! When I checked her blog Tuesday morning for the announcement ... I nearly dropped my laptop!

Of course I'm going to make it! And I hope you'll join me and the hundreds of others as we take this journey! Now because I live by the dillydally creed...

I will work on it at a pace that is convenient for me
I will enjoy seeing the progress of others
I will not whine, nor feel any guilt
I intend to enjoy the process ;-)

QBee Sara serves as President of the Cordova Chapter of the Bonnie Hunter Fan Club ... she has some great ideas of how we can celebrate making Orca Bay together! I cannot wait for the fun to begin!

How Something Sew Simple Became Complicated

Our guild's annual Tea & Auction is just weeks away! It is time to get serious about making auction items. While going through my stash, I came across a panel that I purchased this summer. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a photo of it when it was still in one piece. I had also picked up a few fat quarters of coordinating prints. Great! I'll chop it up ... piece it back together ... easy, right?

Wrong! My brain was obviously somewhere else when I did the math! What to do next? Time to put this dillydally brain to work!

Instead of one wall quilt, I ended up with two! It is amazing how far you can make fabric go when you have to! Now... to get them quilted and bound ... always something! ;-)

Slow & Steady Progress

Thought I would share the progress I've made on my wool applique project. Most of the produce is stitched down. I love holding the wool in my hands ... and am savoring the process.

And that my dear dillydallies ... is the news this week from dillydallydom. I hope you were able to work a bit of dillydallying into your week as well!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

I Can Barely Breathe!

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Holy Moly Hot Bologna!

I am so touched and overwhelmed...I can barely breathe. Check it out for yourself... HERE!

Bonnie ... you are such a peach! Thanks for all you do and for touching the lives of those who live in my remote corner of the planet!

Do dillydally! And you have the opportunity to dillydally with a Quiltville mystery! I know what I'm doing this weekend!

P.S. Yes, I am hyperventilating! ;-)

Recycling...DillyDally Style!

2011-10-30T21:47:00.001-08:00

Friday was a gorgeous day here in my remote corner of the planet! This was the view when I got home from work...about 4:30 in the afternoon! Our days are getting shorter...it happens very quickly up here! Before long it will be nearly dark that time of the day!

The first dillydally project this weekend involved recycling. ;-)

Remember these bad boys? Yep...I am still in love with my Crazy Jacks! I had about 20 inches of the Candy Corn border left. Hmmm...hate to leave piecing unused.

So I went to the linen closet and pulled out a couple of dishtowels. I decided the gold one would work best.

Searched the stash and found some rick rack ... suddenly the gold is looking very dingy... blah...

...so back to digging around in the linen closet! ;-) Found this neutral gingham check ... loved it!

Here is the finished project ... hanging on the dishwasher ... already in use! Gosh, repurposing a dishtowel and using leftover patchwork ... feels great! Recycling is always win/win!

Do recycle...do dillydally!

A Great DillyDally Weekend!

2011-10-23T21:42:00.000-08:00

My knee cooperated...as did Mother Nature...

...it was a great weekend here in my remote corner of the planet!

I love pansies ... they are such happy and hearty flowers ... my friend QBee Diane loves pansies too! I fell in love with this fabric when it came out years (too many to count) ago. ;-) I bought 10 yards of it then ... used it multiple times over the years ... after this weekend, I have only a 1/2 yard left. And you know ... I love this fabric just as much today as I did when I first purchased it!

I brought the fabric out of storage because Diane had a birthday this weekend, and I used it to make her gift. In the summer of 2010, she traveled to Minnesota while I was visiting there and we created a little shop hop of our own! She was with me on my first visit to Country Fabrics & Quilting in Brainerd. You can read about our visit here. While there again this year, I came across this pattern ... they had samples every where in the store ... it looked very useful ... not to mention fun ... and one of the women working there explained that it was also a good way to use those random mugs that seem to accumulate in our homes. Win/win in every way, don't you think?

Of course, I had to make her a thread catcher as well! All the QBees have gotten one so far this year! ;-)

Both items should serve her well at our local retreats. Yep ... I think these little tool kits are my new favorite gift to give QBees! We were talking today about how they remind us of those tool aprons our husbands use with 5 gallon buckets.

We got together this afternoon to celebrate Diane's (second from left) big day! Two QBees were out of town so it was the five of us. I mention the number in attendance, because look at all the food we created ... ;-) ... for only five! It just makes me giggle ... we sure know how to feed ourselves. It was a feast that we washed down with hot mulled cider!

It felt so good to be back in the sewing room ... her majesty was very happy to be put to use again! I even made some progress on my wool applique wall hanging. When my hands are busy ... and I'm cocooned in my tiny little creative space ... all things feel right with the world. Yep ... it is a healing experience!

I want to thank everyone again for the many gestures and comments of kindness over the past weeks. I am overwhelmed and touched by your thoughtfulness. When I began blogging, I never imagined what a blessing it would be ... I am grateful.

Do what you love ... do dillydally!

Good Medicine

2011-10-19T22:52:00.002-08:00

Now that it is nearly over...I can let you know that life in dillydallydom has been a bit rough lately ...hence the reason why very little dillydallying has been going on.

Why is it that when life becomes challenging, a storm moves in to complicate things further? As a family we suffered the loss of my father-in-law. The loss of a parent is such a heavy hit. Then we lost Teacup ... Mr. DillyDally was still in SD when she passed away.

We have no vet in town, and I had made arrangements to send her to Anchorage the next morning. I just had a feeling that she may not make it, so I was getting up every couple of hours to check on her. It was in the middle of the night ... I hadn't bothered to turn on the lights and took a horrible fall. It wasn't pretty ... ;-) ... maybe it was a good thing the lights were off! By morning, Teacup had passed away and my knee was the size of a watermelon! I stayed home from work that day to nurse my knee ...and my heart.

I have always dealt with stress by making myself extremely busy ... yep, it seems to work because then my mind is on something else. But all that distraction wasn't helping my knee ... in fact it was getting worse. When Mr. DillyDally came home, he couldn't believe how bad my knee was nor the stubborn behavior of his wife! ;-) But ... I remained resolute and pushed through the pain ... my knee ... it kept getting worse.

Finally ... three weeks after my fall, I gave in and went to the doctor! Yep ... all the health officials involved flipped out ... I was chastised ... given medication ... and instructions that included elevating my leg until all swelling was gone. It took six days of living in a recliner ... using the stairs once a day to enter and leave our bedroom. Yep, I didn't leave the house for six days! Poor Mr. DillyDally! I couldn't sew ... knitting and handwork were impossible with my legs elevated that high ... I was in pain ... I had to miss four days of work ... spent too much time on the internet ... it made me "crazy crabby"! Again ... poor Mr. DillyDally!

QBees Lila and Julie to the rescue! Lila came by with books! We spent a lovely couple of hours catching up and talking about everything but my knee. It was wonderful ... good medicine!

Julie came over and brought some show and tell! It was sew inspiring to see her recent projects! This wall quilt is the result of purchases she made on our MN Road Trip! I love it!

She recently pieced this baby quilt made for a little girl who will be arriving soon! ;-) Such sweet fabric!

This was a kit that Julie purchased on our road trip! I loved the sample on display where she bought it ... it is a beautiful wall quilt with an empowering message. Love it!

This is the "Six Pack" project that she also purchased on our MN Shop Hop trip. Such fun...you buy a pack that includes 2/3's yard of six different fabrics and then choose a pattern from a selection designed especially for that amount of fabric!

I shared with her my six pack project that I had pieced a while back. We are both donating them to our Guild's annual Tea & Auction. Julie took mine with her so that they could both be delivered to a long arm quilter! Celebrating her projects ... being inspired by a friend ... that is good medicine!

Remember earlier in this post, when I mentioned that I spent too much time on the internet? Today a package arrived...

... from the Green Fairy. Oh-oh ... you know what that means...

... new fabric to (someday soon I hope) dillydally with!

Yep ... retail therapy ... it is also good medicine!

The storm clouds have moved on. Monday afternoon I finally got permission to go back to work! I would have done a happy dance, but my knee still hurts! ;-) Sooo ... the sun is setting on this most unhappy chapter! Those who love me hope that I have learned something:

Denial when it comes to our health is not a good thing.
Friends are great medicine!
Shopping makes you feel better too!
Marry a very patient and loving man.(Like I did!)

Do what you love. Do dillydally. And take care of yourself!

;-) Onward!

My Love Affair...with Wool! ;-)

2011-10-17T16:26:00.001-08:00

This affair began early in my life...

Photo from Google images

... my great uncle and aunt, Harry and Clara Branigan, were the only sheep farmers in our small community in northern Minnesota. I would find every excuse I could to ride my shetland pony over to their place. They and their farm were such an important part of my childhood.

Photo from Google images

As a child, I dreamed of becoming a sheep farmer when I grew up. I fantasied about my lifestyle of raising sheep, sheering them, spinning fleece, then knitting and weaving their wool into garments that I could sell and use. What a wonderful lifestyle that would be! ;-)

While in junior and senior high school, I hung on to that dream...secretly. I sewed most of my clothes all through high school. My mother, 4-H and my home economics classes provided me with many opportunities to grow and develop my sewing skills.

I was introduced to sewing with wool by the American Sheep Industry and their "Make it with Wool" contest. I am thrilled that this competition still exists... ;-) ...good things "live" on! Once you sew clothing with wool, you can't help but fall in love with it! It is delightful to sew with ... sewing with wool is like baking with butter ... yep, a little slice of heaven here on earth!

My affair with wool was interrupted with college and beginning a teaching career. My dreams of being a sheep farmer were filed away in the depths of my heart. Then during the summer of 1980...

Photo from Google images

... I spent some time in Iceland ... and my love was reignited!

Mr. DillyDally and I were visiting with a cousin who was stationed in Keflavik. While driving to Reykjavik, we would see Icelandic sheep all over ... it was wonderful. Now you know where the sweaters in our engagement picture came from. ;-) Mr. DillyDally fell in love with me ... and wool!

I bought wool to knit with while there (read about it here) that began my many adventures in knitting with wool. Most people who don't work with wool, remember it without fondness because it was "itchy". Without going into a great deal of depth, let me just generalize ... high quality wool is not itchy. I have sewn and knit with all quality levels of wool ... believe me, you can feel the difference.

I eventually gave up the dream of having a sheep farm ... but that didn't change my love for wool! I live in an climate (temperate rain forest) that allows us to wear wool nearly year round. Wool really is the only fiber, natural or manmade, that keeps you warm even when wet. In my remote corner of the planet, we are usually wet! ;-)

This was the view from my front deck this weekend ... yep, it was very rainy! See what I mean ... doesn't it make you want to pull on a wool sweater? ;-)

One of the many blessings I enjoy in my remote corner of the planet, is the access I have to wool. No ... we do not raise sheep here, but we do have an amazing yarn shop, The Net Loft. When I travel, I always visit yarn and quilt shops along the way. None have ever come close to this shop! The shop and the owner inspire us to create knitted and woven projects ... wool ... it is just too much fun! Here are a few wool knitting projects I've been working on recently...

... all that is left on this sweater is attaching the sleeves and blocking...

...I best finish this pair of mittens soon, it usually snows before Halloween...

...hand dyed yarn...future sweater for Brother DillyDally!

In the past year, I've been gradually entering the world of wool applique. Those of you who have read this blog over the past year have seen my two projects. While on the Minnesota Shop Hop this summer I started doing some collecting...

... I just love it all! Especially the over dyed plaids! I bought these with the intent ...

... of making this! I bought this pattern way back in 2008 and have been dreaming about making it ever since! It is a Simply Need'l Love pattern by Maggie Bonanomi. This dillydally dream will eventually come true!

No ... I did not become a sheep farmer ... but my love affair with wool continues! I do everything I can to support sheep farmers ... everyday involves the use of wool in one form or another. Even our couch quilt is made with a wool batt!

After my great uncle and aunt passed on, my small community was without a sheep farm for many years. However, in the past 10-15 years, a young couple bought a homestead farm in the area and are raising sheep. Guess what kind of sheep they raise on Reedbird Farm? Icelandic! Can you believe it?

Our dreams don't always materialize in the way we envision them ... there is often a far bigger plan.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. Proberbs 31:13 KJV

More Odds & Ends

2011-10-11T05:28:00.000-08:00

Mother Nature provided us with wonderful weather this weekend...

...most of our leaves have fallen...

...and Jack Frost is making his presence known! Mr. DillyDally and I went on a picnic...it was so cold we decided to eat in the car! Yep...Jack Frost is here! It is time to pull our mittens out of storage!

OMGosh Good Golly! I have over half of my Blue (Red) Ridge Beauty blocks pieced ... a total of 144! Yep ... I'm doing the happy dance! Only 100 more to go!

I did put it aside for a while ... I have a few 007 projects that I can't put off any longer and there are a couple of "want to" projects as well. I will continue to do the 4 patches and right triangles as leaders and enders. They add up so much faster than I would have ever imagined! Thanks Bonnie!

While traveling in Minnesota this summer, I picked up this kit. ;-) I fell in love with the fabric! Halloween is fast approaching, so I thought I had better get busy! I cut it out on Saturday, and spent Sunday morning piecing it while listening to NPR.

The fabrics were so fun! I love this one with candy corn and pumpkins! Why is it that candy corn only taste good during the month of October? Years ago...I purchased some "Easter corn" which was candy corn in pastel colors. The entire DillyDally family decided that it just didn't taste right! Too funny! Mr. DillyDally likes his candy corn refrigerated ... what a hoot!

The border fabric was just too cute! I wish I had had yardage of it ... while working with the small piece that was part of the kit, I could think of many possibilities ... lots of fussy cut ideas were swimming around in my head!

This fabric ... it just sings to my heart! I love it ... it makes me happy! I wish I had yards and yards of it! I am strange that way ... when a fabric appeals to me ... it has a very loud voice! OK...OK... I am strange in many ways, but you already knew that!

So ... I made a design decision ... I chose not to add the Jack O' Lantern facial features. They just muddied up the fabric designs ... and my affection for the fabric won out! ;-) The fabric makes it very clear that it is a Halloween themed table runner! Pumpkin faces were not necessary!

Piecing is my favorite part of the quilting process ... it was a wonderful way to dillydally on a Sunday morning!

Our days are becoming shorter in my remote corner of the planet. This sunset photo was taken about 7:00 pm ... and yesterday, while walking to work at 8:00 am, the street lights were still on. Yep ... winter is fast approaching ... indoor dillydallying will prevail!

Do what you love...do dillydally!

Some Odds & Ends

2011-10-08T11:45:00.002-08:00

The week passed quickly here in my remote corner of the planet. An old acquaintance has begun his return to the neighborhood...

...yep...Jack Frost is working his way down the mountainside. ;-)

In all honesty, I have been having a difficult time dillydallying without my supervisor. She always made sure to be in the middle of my quilting and knitting journeys. Dillydallying is my form of therapy ... it has been hard to find it therapeutic without Teacup. Adjusting to a new "normal" is challenging.

To deal with the loss ... I have been obsessed with 4 patches and right triangles ... again, spending a few minutes here and there have added up to ...

... yep ... I'm nearly half way there! It is so nice having it all cut out ... I can just sit down at the machine and sew full speed! Bonnie Hunter Rocks! I love living the Quiltville lifestyle?

I want to share with you how I spend my Monday nights ... no, I do not spend them watching Monday Night Football! I want to show you how I avoid that! I go into the sewing room ...

...bring my laptop and listen to Pat Sloan's Quilt Radio program that she does for American Patchwork & Quilting magazine! Roseann Kermes, one of my favorite Quilt Rock Stars was featured last week, and that is what made me think of sharing one of my football season survival skills with you!

While Pat and Roseann were discussing quilt vacations (one of my favorite topics)...I worked away on my 4 patches! If you haven't listened to Pat's radio program, I would highly recommend it! Because I am unable to listen to it live, I subscribe to the podcast through itunes. It is free and they are automatically downloaded by the time I get home from work! Pat always links the information to do that on her blog every broadcast. I love it when technology connects me to the "real" world, it allows me to enjoy my remote lifestyle and stay in "touch" with what's happening!

I want to thank everyone who left kind comments both here on the blog and facebook ... life has been a bit difficult for the DillyDally family lately. Your gestures of kindness have touched my heart in so many ways ... you have been a blessing. Thank you.

My Quiltville Experience

2011-10-02T20:54:00.001-08:00

Where to begin? I guess I'll begin with her quilts. To say that Bonnie's quilts are inspiring ... feels like an understatement. They are "heart stopping"... in every way!

The detail is unreal ... even after touching them it is hard to wrap the mind around how ornate they are.

They were all "jaw dropping" stunning! I had to keep reminding myself to close my mouth... yes, it's true ... I was drooling, everyone was ... didn't want to get any saliva on her quilts! ;-)

Bonnie was so willing to let us handle and photograph her quilts. I have purchased all of her books, but seeing many of the quilts live ... well ... photos just can't capture their personalities. ;-) Honestly, you all know it's true, all quilts have an essence of their own!

Like I mentioned earlier ... I bought each of her books as soon as they were published ... I've been reading her blog and visiting her website for years ... have always appreciated her talent and quilting philosophy. But when it came to using old shirts, well I just didn't think it was for me. That was until I saw this quilt live! I have informed the DillyDally men that all shirts purchased from this time forward must be 100% cotton and that after 6 months of wear ... they are mine! Yep ... they better not leave any shirts on the floor! ;-)

I brought in one of Brother DillyDally's summer shirts for her to demonstrate her technique with. What he doesn't know won't hurt him!

It was so fun watching her make very short work of that shirt!

In less than 5 minutes she had that shirt dissected into usable fabric ... I think she could do it in her sleep! Too fun! Yep ... I am now on the hunt for used 100% cotton shirts! I'm sure that I am not alone ... the men in Cordova had better keep a close eye on their shirts! Can't you just see the male population in this remote corner of the planet walking around shirtless? OMGosh Good Golly! We have had the giggles over that one!

This is the quilt that really does cause one to have cardiac arrest! It is made with a trillion bezillion hexagons! Each side of the hexagon is 3/4's of an inch. Yes...you read that right! If you follow her blog, you know that she has been working on this for 12 years! It would take me 12 lifetimes!

She gave us a demonstration...it was great to see how she breaks things down into manageable steps. Doing that ... helps things look possible rather than impossible ... gosh, it was fun to watch her brain at work! Believe me! Bonnie is like the energizer bunny ... she keeps thinking and going!

When you're around someone who is passionate about what they do ... it rubs off on you ... I love catching that kind of enthusiasm! If you would like to see everyone's (Guild members) projects and more on Bonnie's lecture and classes, check out the guild blog here. Just scroll down to see the stories of Bonnie's visit. She also posted about her visit to our remote corner of the planet ... be sure to go and take a look.

This is what I accomplished during class last Saturday. I love two color quilts! Bonnie had many hints and techniques to make four patches and right triangles fun, easy and accurate! She talked about making them as leaders and enders ... even though I had read her book ... it seemed more doable when she explained it in the class! I have proof that it is very doable ...

... look at how a few minutes here and there can add up! Wow! This morning I made my four patches and right triangles into blocks ... it all added up to 1/4 of my queen sized quilt! I was sew excited when I laid them out ... too fun!

I also spent some time today making a few more blocks for my Cathedral Stars quilt. As I mentioned in an earlier post ... I decided to make mine with 1930's themed fabrics ... so far I'm excited about the results, but need more to know for sure. ;-)

Bonnie's visit to our remote corner of the planet was even more than I had hoped it would be! She was such a good sport ... about everything! The weather ... our limited resources ... non-quilting activities ... all of it! She embraced us and our lifestyle with warmth and acceptance. And generously shared her time and talent with everyone! Her quilts are a reflection of the person she is ... exceptional! Yep ... my Quiltville experience was a little slice of heaven here on earth! I'm honored to call Bonnie a QBee!

Do dillydally with Quilt Rock Stars when you have the chance! If Bonnie is within 500 miles of you ... travel to attend her lectures or workshops ... it will be worth the trip!

P.S. Bonnie asked me to let her know the next time we plan a MN Shop Hop Road Trip! On a quilt vacation with her ... can you imagine?

Another Good-Bye....

2011-09-27T22:00:00.000-08:00

Teacup Dainty DillyDally

March 15, 1993 - September 26, 2011

The DillyDally family is saddened by the loss of our sweet kitty, Teacup. She passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Monday.

Her devotion to her family was legendary ...

... especially to the DillyDally children. She gave them comfort and loved them unconditionally. When it came to the DillyDally parents, she took an affectionate but supervisory position. ;-)

Even Mr. DillyDally was not exempt from her scrutiny. Teacup understood the importance of dillydallying.

Unlike most of her species, she developed excellent knitting manners. She enjoyed sitting on my lap while I was knitting. However...

...her true dillydally passion was quilting. She especially loved it when I was working on a scrap quilt ... as they require me to make a bigger mess. Here she was relaxing on a pile of 2.5 inch strips!

All quilts had to meet her approval ... yep, she was a Bonnie Hunter fan! ;-)

She was also a huge Terry Atkinson fan ... obviously! ;-)

She even attended quilt guild meetings on occasion!

Our hearts are so heavy ... we miss her presence ... the house feels empty. We keep expecting her to be underfoot or in the middle of what we're doing. She held such a special place in our lives and in our hearts ... we loved her deeply ... and miss her severely. We will treasure the many years of memories ... she lived a full and valuable life.

Love your pets ... do dillydally with them...

Dillydally Dreams Do Come True!

2011-09-23T07:45:00.001-08:00

Guess who is hanging out with us here in our remote corner of the planet?

Yep...Quilt Rock Star Bonnie Hunter! Believe it or not, we were on the same flight to Cordova! No ... I can't explain how that happened ... it felt like the heavens were in charge! She arrived to heavy rain and high winds ... yep, it was some serious weather! I was impressed ... it was a rough flight ... she didn't even flinch ... in fact she pieced hexagons the entire flight! We arrived here in Cordova about 8:00 pm ... that is midnight east coast time ... she had had a very long day of traveling!

Remember what I said about the heavens being in charge? Well, even though the weather experts said differently ... this was the view from my front deck the next morning!

We know how to feed a Quilt Rock Star ... Alaska style! Yep ... your looking at King Crab Legs, fresh salad, halibut, fresh dinner rolls, clam chowder, kippered salmon cheesecake and for dessert we had cheesecake topped with our wild blueberries!

All that food can make a quilter thirsty...we took care of that as well! ;-)

Here is Bonnie with the guild committee that has worked hard over the past two years to bring her here! I am so fortunate to call these amazing women my friends! We had a wonderful evening filled with laughter, fun and "quilt talk"! Be sure to follow Bonnie's version of her experience here on her blog!

As we ate, chatted, and giggled our way through the evening, the heavens crowned the day by giving us this sunset! What a wonderful way to end Bonnie's first day in our remote corner of the planet!

Do dillydally!
Do dream!
Dillydally dreams do come true!

Saying Goodbye to My Father-In-Law

2011-09-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

My father-in-law passed away unexpectedly ten days ago. We all feel saddened and confused by this sudden change in our lives.

Although he spent most of his life working in an office ... in downtown Chicago ... in a skyscraper ... his heart remained on the prairie of his childhood home in rural South Dakota.

He loved everything about the prairie ... the agriculture ... the animals ... the seasons ... the people ... the expansive sky ... all of it! On the prairie, Mother Nature is in complete control ... she alone determines the pace by which people live and shapes who they become.

He loved children ... the five he fathered ... and the ten who call him Grandpa. He treasured their individual personalities and cheered their many "antics"! He was often the biggest kid amongst them!

We have spent this week ... in South Dakota ... remembering ... and loving one another.

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

DillyDally Bits & Pieces

2011-09-09T21:19:00.002-08:00

Honestly...the only exciting thing happening in my remote corner of the planet is an early coastal storm! Yep...we've had 60-75 mile an hour winds and over 15 inches of rain over the past 7 days! It is a good thing that I have a job that forces me to get out of bed every morning, shower, dress and leave the house! ;-) When these storms come ... the urge is to stay in bed all day! ;-) Up here...we don't name our hurricanes...but that doesn't stop them from coming! ;-)

Am now able to unveil one of the 007 projects I was working on in July! I gave it to a friend for her birthday. It is a Bare Roots pattern from their book "Down to Earth". I love their designs ... and replaced Love what you do with "Do dillydally". ;-)

I was finally able to finish the candy corn border on my Crazy Jacks! Gosh...I love these bad boys... just enough of a challenge to keep me focused, but a ton of fun to make! Now I'm trying to decide if I should quilt it myself or not ... will keep you posted!

Mr. DillyDally left about 10 days ago to be with family in South Dakota. During the storm, this lone eagle was perched on the mud flats in front of the house. He looked as lonely as I felt that day ... a kindred spirit. ;-)

Yesterday, Mother Nature showed us a bit of mercy ... ;-) ... and all is now well in my remote corner of the planet!

Wishing you well ... do what you love ... do dillydally!

News...Good & Not So Good

2011-08-31T22:16:00.000-08:00

OK ... I'll begin with the "Not So Good" news.

My. Feet. Are. Angry!

No ... I am not showing a picture of how unhappy they are ... believe me ... it is not pretty! They are angry because...

...I expect them to wear these. They are a well made, known for their comfort, brand of shoes ... but my ungrateful feet literally rebelled!

Being the clever person that I am ... ;-) ... I pulled out the shoes they were happy to wear last year. The revolt continued! UGH!

This would be their first choice ... not only are they broken in ... let's be honest, they are broken down!

My feet are willing to wear these when they go out into the great outdoors!

When they're chilled ... wool clogs warm them and make them very happy!

These sandals are as close to dress shoes as my feet want to get ... they are broken in, but not broken down! What is a working woman to do? It is frustrating, as I spend the whole day on my feet!

Hmmm ... I wonder ...

Do you think these might make my feet happy? Thanks to reader, Carol, a pair of these "beauties" may be coming to my home in the near future! Thank you Carol! I am always surprised that anyone reads my silliness, but you sought out useful information and shared it with me ... you are a peach!

Now the good news! Finally! I have a new love...

... his name is Jack. In fact ... I love all nine of them! You can call me crazy ... after all the pattern is named, Crazy Jacks! He is one of those "Bad Boys" we were attracted to as teenagers ... difficult to handle ... charming personality ... a challenge to tame ... yep, you remember the type!

Each one has a unique personality ... remember microdots? They were the "new solid" in the 80's! I bought far too much of every color I could find ... what a hoot! I swear ... it reproduces! Every time I think I've used it up, I find more! Love this Jack ... microdots with corn cob features! Too much fun!

A spotted Jack with blueberry background...striped Jack with polk-a-dots ... see why I am in love with these bad boys?

But ... lumberman Jack is my favorite! A man wearing brushed flannel plaid has no trouble winning my heart! He is the most wonky ... I love wonky!

Well ... that's the news from my remote corner of the planet. I can't believe that I wrote a post about my feet ... or that I walked around my home taking pictures of my shoes ... yes, the DillyDally family members are worried! ;-)

Do what you love ... do dillydally!

Back to School Week! Love It!

2011-08-26T21:42:00.001-08:00

Growing up on a dairy farm ... I always loved the seasonal cycles ... spring always meant newborn calves and lilacs ... summer was fresh creamed peas with new potatoes and haying ... fall was harvesting oats and going back to school. We'll talk about winter later, when we have to ... ;-)!

In my remote corner of the planet, we teachers returned to school on Monday of this week for two days of inservice. This was the view from the front deck Monday morning.

This was the view on Wednesday morning when the students returned to school! I love seeing the kids ... all spiffed up in their new clothes! They were busy learning their new locker combination ... talking about their summer ... and showing off their new shoes.

My first day of school took place in the fall of 1962 at the Alida Country School ... I was in love with my new "saddle shoes" along with my box of 8 large crayons. Every morning my mother made sure my pigtails were in place ... neat and tight. And every morning, Mrs. Jurgens would place me on her lap and undo the tight pigtails then redo them gently. I have been in love with school ever since.

Yep ... this week has been crazy busy! But, when you love what you do, it doesn't really feel like work. My throat is sore ... yes ... believe it or not I talk more while teaching than I do in "normal" life! ;-)

Returning to work means that the dillydally winds have become more of a light breeze ... they usually arrive in the early morning hours or in the evenings.

Last weekend I took a lace knitting class with Nancy Davidson from Fairbanks, Alaska. She and several women traveled here to Cordova to spend the weekend taking classes at our local yarn shop, The Net Loft. It is always enjoyable to meet women with the same interests from other places ... I am now looking for an excuse to travel to Fairbanks ... I would love to spend more time with them!

Last October I saw this quilt made up at The Quilt Zone in Anchorage ( see story here) and fell in love with it ... sadly, they were out of the pattern. I was thrilled when I came across it during our travels in Minnesota. Sew ... I went to my stash and pulled out nine purples, oranges and yellows ... and started cutting! I had never used this technique before ... what fun ... scary at first ... but it sew matches the dillydally lifestyle!

They have you cut all nine layers of fabric at once ... yes ... a new blade for the rotary cutter was necessary! ;-)

It is pieced ... sort of like paper piecing, but without the paper! There are no lines to follow! YIKES! For a recovering perfectionist, that is tough!

Then they are trimmed down to 12.5 X 14.5 inches! No two are really alike ... each one slightly off ... just like us! ;-) Sorry, I just couldn't resist! Sew ... I've pieced three Crazy Jacks so far, and have six to go ... then the candy corn borders ... I'm without a deadline, so am just enjoying the journey!

It has been a crazy busy week ... but a wonderful one!

My mother never could understand why my pigtails were falling out by the time I got home from school every afternoon. Mrs. Jurgens and I never told her. ;-)

I wonder if they still make saddle shoes? I would love to have a pair of red and white ones.

I still love the smell of a freshly opened box of crayons. Do dillydally!

A Week Back Home

2011-08-20T20:21:00.001-08:00

After the QBees left Minnesota, I stayed for a few more days to...

...spend some extra time with Sister DillyDally...

...and my grandkitty, Mr. NaughtyPants (aka Peder)! Time with them is so precious when they live thousands of miles away and visits are infrequent! We had fun browsing through antiques and exploring the community of Red Wing ... a wonderful time!

I arrived home last Saturday and immediately noticed how the colors had begun to change. Fall comes early to this remote corner of the planet!

The DillyDally men had planned a Copper River Red Salmon dinner ...yummy...it taste good to be home! I spent Saturday and Sunday recovering from the trip and finding room for all my treasure bought during the shop hop!

On Monday morning, I was just dying to fire up "Her Majesty" (my sewing machine) but was overwhelmed by all the possibilities and didn't know where to begin! As often is the case ... Roseann to the Rescue ... the gift she had given us during our trip (can read here) provided the perfect "re-entry to dillydallydom" activity! She had given us a Skinny Minnie Table Runner kit! All the decisions had been made, I just had to trim and sew!

OMGosh Good Golly! It took me all of 15 minutes, and that's because I had to wind a bobbin with matching thread! What fun! It was just what Her Majesty and I needed to get those juices flowing!

The other items in Roseann's gift bag was this pattern and a charm pack of Minnesota fabric! I was on a roll...

... Supervisor Teacup returned to duty and helped me choose the charm squares! ;-)

After piecing it, I pulled out the variegated machine quilting thread I bought at the Thimbleberries Studio Store ...

...and before I knew it ... the table runner was done! What fun!

Early in the week, the weather cooperated, so Mr. DillyDally, Kysa and I went in search of blueberries. We had very little luck ... not a good year for them. Still ... it was nice to get out into the woods!

Next project ... comes from the shop in Cannon Falls, Fourth and Main Fabrics (see post here)! This is their "Six Pack". It includes a 2/3 yard cut of 6 coordinating fabrics and a free pattern. They have several patterns that work for that amount of yardage, which includes enough for the binding.

Here are the fabrics in my six pack and I had chosen the pattern called Hopscotch.

Teacup takes her supervisory job very seriously...

...she seemed to doubt my ability to maintain an accurate quarter inch seam! ;-)

It came out about 48 inches square, great size for a fall themed table topper! Have the backing prepared, just need to layer and quilt ... ;-) ... is that all?!

And that's the dillydally news ... from my front deck ... back home in my remote corner of the planet!

Do what you love ... do dillydally!

Life on the Road! Final Chapter

2011-08-17T21:41:00.001-08:00

"OOO...I want to linger ... a little longer ... a little longer here with you ... " Those are the lyrics from a girl scout song my little scouts would often sing. It sums up the way we were all feeling the last two days of our trip. We hurried less ... would drag our feet a bit ... in a attempt to soak in every bit of the remaining time we had together ... none of us wanted the adventure to end.

Sister DillyDally joined us Saturday night ...

...we went to the dinner theatre and saw a performance of Hairspray! What a wonder way to have a "Girls Night Out"!

You all have heard the saying ... "Shop til you drop"!

Shop hopping is exhausting...

... visions of quilts are dancing in Barb's head!

Don't worry ... she didn't shop until she dropped dead! ;-) She just went into a "quilt coma"! We were cramming a lot of activity into every day ... so power naps were necessary to keep up the pace! ;-)

There was no rest for Lila, my copilot and backup driver! See...even while driving, she pointed us in the right direction!

And here I am, Mrs. DillyDally, completely out of my comfort zone ... driving an oversized van ... in traffic I see only once a year ... traveling to several places I've never been to before ... with some of my dearest friends! What was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't! ;-)

But ... somehow ... I think the quilting gods were with us ... we survived and accomplished all that we had planned. We celebrated with cheesecake our final night in Minnesota!

None of us wanted to get into the van for that final ride to the airport!

Such sad faces as we prepared for the 5 minute drive to the airport...

... Co-pilot Lila tried to mess up the directions to the airport, but I already knew the way there ... ;-)!

(Insert very whinny voice) Why must allll goood things come to an end? ;-) We had such a wonderful time ... so many unexpected acts of kindness had been bestowed upon us ... ten days of quilting inspiration ... I have to pinch myself even now, to remind myself that it is all true ... I didn't just dream it!

Dillydally dreams do come true ... I've wanted to do this since 2007, when I accidentally discovered the Quilt Minnesota event. I believe that when you find something good, you should share it! It was such a joy to share this with some QBees ... I love my dillydally life!

Do dillydally! ;-) I hope and wish for you many dillydally dreams that linger...

OOO, I want to linger

OOO, a little longer

OOO, a little longer here with you.

OOO, it's such a perfect night

OOO, it doesn't seem quite right,

OOO, that this should be our last with you.

OOO, and come September

OOO, we will remember,

OOO, our quilting (camping) days and friendships true.

OOO, and as the years go by,

OOO, I'll think of you and sigh,

OOO, this is "good night" and not "good-bye".

Life on the Road! Part 5 Drama Day!

2011-08-16T23:48:00.001-08:00

Every trip is destined to have some drama (or trauma) at some point ... ours occurred on Friday! Let me explain ...

... we are a band of middle aged women who live in a very remote corner of the planet, a small town without stoplights ... we are from a very isolated (can only get there by air or by sea) community! We had no business (obviously it was ignorance) driving an oversized vehicle in downtown St. Paul with only mapquest as our guide! We attempted this DURING RUSH HOUR ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON! Of course there was ~~TRAUMA~~ DRAMA! Especially for the driver...ME! We finally arrived, after navigating through construction zones that mapquest was unaware of! ;-)

We were scheduled to take a dinner cruise on the Mississippi that evening ... after arriving a new challenge presented itself ... the hotel had no parking available for oversized vehicles! YIKES!!! We dropped Terry, Barb and Julie off at the hotel to check in while Lila and I searched for a parking garage that would take our vehicle. It was very stressful ... we thought we were going to miss the cruise!

With only minutes to spare (Lila and I still had not checked in to the hotel) we grabbed a cab to take us to the launch site, which was visible from the hotel. Our cab driver didn't know how to get us there, so he took us across the river and dropped us off ... we had to walk fast across a large park area but arrived in time! We were hot ... sweaty ... tired ... and I was completely stressed out!

But "old man river" worked his magic, and once we were on board ... all the stress left!

We were all surprised at how natural the shoreline along the river was ... it didn't feel like we were in a metro area!

It was a beautiful cruise ... great food ... just what we needed!

The QBees with the St. Paul skyline behind them! What a great way to end the day!

This was the view from the hotel room. Can you see the boat we took the night before? Too bad the cab driver couldn't! ;-) At least we were laughing about it the next day!

Saturday morning we had breakfast at this St. Paul landmark ... Mickey's Diner!

It has been featured on numerous television shows, including Mr. DillyDally's favorite ... Diners, Drive Ins and Dives!

The food, service and atmosphere was a wonderful way to end our time in the big city!

Getting here almost did me in ... ;-) ... but once here we enjoyed every minute! The trauma had passed and has become quite the "story"! Yep ... reliving the drama leaves us in giggles ... even I can laugh about it now!

Neal, the gentleman in the photo, did so much to make our experience here at the hotel memorable. He really went out of his way to help us out! The people who enter our lives, even briefly, can have such an impact ... he truly was an angel in disguise ... an unexpected blessing! I love my dillydally life and the people who, however briefly, enter there!

Life on the Road! Part 4

2011-08-15T11:22:00.000-08:00

You know you're in an area predominately scandinavian when the public restrooms are identified by...

... ;-) ... we won't even discuss the accent! I must admit that I sure do seem to catch it quickly when I'm surrounded by it! And I make no apologies! ;-)

A sunfish, painted in the Norwegian Rosmaling tradition was outside our hotel! Love it!! This is the land of "my people"! Yep...I felt very much at home! ;-)

If you are ever in Detroit Lakes ... you must eat dinner here! Yep, the food is good, but most important is how they wrote the menu! We laughed so hard ... literally we were in stitches! Yes, that pun was intended!

This is a Minnesota/Scandinavian Margarita ... glacier blue color and served with a fishing bobber ... too fun! We enjoyed good food, live music, and great company! What a great way to end that dillydally day!

When in Perham, you must eat a meal or snack at "Gathering Grounds"! The decor there is darling, I posted about it last year...you can see the pics here. The food is always terrific! This is what two of us had...the days special was cold peach soup, quiche, and banana chocolate chip bread! Yep ... a taste of heaven!

We all had a wonderful lunch!

The desserts are to die for...we all five shared this caramel rice krispie treat!

With today's technology, it is almost impossible to escape work! This is Lila, working from her new office in an alley! We kept teasing her ... because of all her shop hopping, she now has to work in the back alley! Too dang much fun!

Life on the Road! Part 3

2011-08-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

The Mississippi River is an important part of Minnesota's past and present. A trip to this state without exploring the river would be a shame ... and "shame" is not part of the dillydally lifestyle ... ;-) ...

... so we spent half a day exploring Itasca State Park! The home of the Mississippi headwaters!

The clouds had moved on by the time we got there ... it had become a beautiful day!

Yep ... you can't come this far and not get wet ... the cool water felt great!

Soaking in nature's glory ... so good for the soul!

We had lunch at Douglas Lodge, which is a log structure built over 100 years ago!

It was a great break from driving and shopping ... exercise, fresh air, historical sites, and Mother Nature at her finest! We left refreshed and rejuvenated!

Itasca is 8.5 miles south of the family farm that I grew up on, so this park was like my backyard while I was growing up. It was fun to share this special place with the QBees!

Life on the Road! Part 2

2011-08-14T09:37:00.000-08:00

From Duluth, we traveled west into north central Minnesota. First time visitors to Minnesota always question that it is the land of 10,000 lakes ... Julie began counting them on our first day ... by the third day, that task was abandoned! ;-)

Our hotel was on Lake Bemidji ...

... cloudy, cool weather is what we're used to ... it didn't slow us down at all!

The QBees met Paul Bunyan and Babe his Blue Ox ... and they learned that Paul and Babe are the ones who created those 10,000 lakes! ;-)

They also met Paul's girlfriend, Lucette...

... and learned of Minnesota's biggest scandal! Paul never married Lucette, even though she had his son! ;-)

They discovered that Minnesota Hot Dish isn't just a quilt pattern! ;-)

It became obvious that the Hot Dish is not only an important part of the Minnesotan diet, it is an integral part of Minnesota culture! Isn't it amazing what one learns while on a road trip? ;-) What a wonderful way to dillydally!

Time to "Hoot" about Our "Loot"!

2011-08-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

We, Alaskan QBees know how to make our own fun! After all, finding ways to entertain ourselves is an important survival skill in our remote corner of the world! Sewwww ... shortly after our trip began we started having "Loot Hoot" events in the evenings. It was like a shopping "Show & Tell"! Enjoy....

Terry's Loot

Julie's Loot

Barb's Loot

Lila's Loot

Mrs. DillyDally's Loot

Yep ... I think it is safe to say that our little band of Alaskan QBees did their part to boost the quilt economy in Minnesota! ;-) And we practiced the Principles of the Dillydally Lifestyle! No guilt, second guessing, or apologizing was allowed! We bought what we wanted on a whim ... everyday was like Christmas! As we work on or with the treasures we found, we'll be reminded of the fun we had! It is completely win/win ... that's the dillydally way! ;-)

8/7-Quilt Cove-Eagan, MN

2011-08-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

Quilt Cove was the final shop on our adventure...

... the store doesn't allow pictures ... we enjoyed our visit and found treasure to take home to Alaska with us. It is sad to have this journey come to an end, but all good things do ... will post more on that later! We visited a total of 26 shops! What fun and what inspiration!

8/7-Pumpkinberry Stitches-Lake City, MN

2011-08-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

The women at Rather Be Quilting encouraged us to visit another quilt shop that had recently opened a block away ... that gesture was so good of them!

Sew... we wandered over to Pumpkinberry Stitches! They have only been open for 13 weeks!

We wouldn't have guessed that ... there were samples everywhere and the store was well stocked! A much different style than Rather Be Quilting, which is wonderful for both stores!

They had a good supply of both small and large projects!

Because they have been open for such a short time, they weren't officially involved in the MN shop hop.

Love the plaid pumpkin quilt ... this shop is ready for the harvest season!

We loved the "blessing" worded on the wall ... "May your bobbin always be full" ... and may this sweet shop enjoy loads of success!

8/7-Rather Bee Quilting-Lake City, MN

2011-08-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

It was a quick drive from Cannon Falls to Lake City. This town is on the Mississippi River ... Wisconsin is on the other side of the river!

This shop offered many things we hadn't seen thus far on our trip! I know that seems hard to believe after nine days of shop hopping!

They had many patterns we hadn't seen before ... wonderful collection!

We Alaskans love these wildlife patterns! Barb has completed one and is working on another! A few of us crossed over and bought kits while here! ;-) Am sure Barb will have to hold our hands and coach us through! ;-)

A few years back, some of us QBees took a class from designer Jackie Robinson ... it was a thrill to see several of her patterns made up!

Their version of her quilts were stunning!

We had a wonderful time at this shop, friendly service and samples not commonly found, add up to a great shopping experience!

8/7-Fourth & Main Fabrics- Cannon Falls, MN

2011-08-12T06:43:00.000-08:00

I have never traveled to southeastern Minnesota before, and initially had no plans to do so during this trip. Roseann Kermes kept nudging me to spend one of our days in that area ... finally, at the last minute I took her advice ... gosh, am I happy I did!

The drive to Cannon Falls was beautiful and easy to navigate ... the town is also beautiful and well kept...

...and the shop? To die for gorgeous! All of the white cabinetry was made by a local craftsman, molded tin ceiling, neutral palette on the walls ... yep ... we wanted to move in and stay! ;-)

They had a terrific fabric selection ... a wonderful mix of styles! They also developed something they call a "Six Pack". Six coordinating fabrics are bundled together ... with their purchase you get to choose from several free patterns that uses the yardage in the bundle! What a terrific idea! We pounced on them! ;-) Yep...literally pounced, it wasn't pretty! ;-)

They gave us a tour of their second floor. This is the kitchen located in the classroom. I don't know about you, but I would love to have that kitchen in my home!

Built in cabinets were also along one side of the classroom! Stunning craftmanship!

This is the shop owners office. OMGosh Good Golly! I could work in that office! What am I saying? I could live here! Everything about this shop was wonderful ... I'm so glad we went there! Believe me, I'll be back! Thanks for persisting Roseann!

8/6-Heavenly Patchwork Quilt Shop-Waconia, MN

2011-08-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

We were all looking forward to visiting Heavenly Patchwork Quilt Shop ...

... four out of the five of us participated in their BOM by Sherri Falls of This and That patterns. It was called Cobblestone and the shop owner, Kay is the designers mother! How cool is that?

When you meet Kay ... you immediately feel like you've known her your entire life! Her warm personality and energy makes you just want to move in!

She loved our Shop Hop bags made from Sherri's pattern! We all stocked up on more This and That patterns ... with plans for Kay to send us those that were on backorder! We were having sew much fun, I forgot to take as many pictures as I had planned!

This is another of This and That's BOM ... it begins this fall ... to say we're tempted is an understatement! Hmmm... maybe if I finish mine when I return home... ;-)

Visiting with Kay in her shop ... yep ... it is a slice of quilting heaven!

8/6-Eagle Creek Quilt Shop-Shakopee, MN

2011-08-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

Visiting Eagle Creek Quilt Shop is always a joy. I discovered it while my daughter was attending college farther south on Hwy169!

The old railroad depot building is just the perfect facility for a quilt shop ...

... high ceilings ... large windows ... gorgeous woodwork ... it is just beautiful!

The samples are equally beautiful ... and plentiful!

We found lots of things that we just could not live without! ;-) A lovely shop ... with amazing fabric ... tons of patterns ... and terrific customer service! This dillydally life is great!

8/5-Glad Creations-Minneapolis, MN

2011-08-11T05:45:00.000-08:00

I first visited this gem of a store two years ago on a bus tour ... and fell in love with it!

I couldn't wait for the QBees to see the treasures inside!

There is some seriously stunning hand applique happening here at Glad Creations!

Yep... it is heart stopping!

We fell in love with their store patterns ...

... and learned that they all began as a mystery quilt!

How fun is that!

Gosh ... wouldn't that be fun? To spend time creating with the women to design these stunning quilts ... a slice of patchwork heaven!

We really appreciated the way they display their designs. Each pattern has a life sized sample you can see and touch ... like I said ... heaven! This shop really is a treasure chest ... where every pattern they publish ... the women who work there ... are its jewels!

8/5-Kindness from Minnesota QBees!

2011-08-10T14:08:00.001-08:00

Last summer, Sister DillyDally and I attended a quilting event organized by Rosebud's Cottage, it was held at a MN Twins baseball game ... you can read about it here. My seat was next to a very tolerant man who came to watch the game, but instead spent the entire time answering all of my silly questions!

He happens to be married to Randi, the woman on the right in the above photo. The woman on the left is Mary Ellen ... they were both at the game ... we visited ... Randi is an accomplished long-arm quilter ... Mary Ellen a retired CTE teacher ... I love the people quilting brings into my life!

Last summer, I had Randi quilt one of my Terry Atkinson tops, and Mary Ellen has stayed in touch through email and facebook! When it was clear that our Quilt Minnesota Adventure was going to happen, they invited us to meet them for lunch!

Mary Ellen used her "Private Investigator" skills to find us in the restaurant. Hee-hee ... ;-) ... she is such a stitch! She created "mug shots" of the QBees so that they would be able to identify us as we entered the restaurant! What a hoot!

On top of spending their valuable time with us ... they also showered us with gifts!

Each of us received a quilted wall hanging ...

... multiple quilt patterns ...

... a quilty pin, design pad ... it was amazing!

We were so touched and overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness.

We lunched for nearly two hours! The chatter never stopped ... because of all the giggles, I nearly choked to death! ;-) No one would have guessed that most of us had just met! Isn't that the way it is when kindred spirits find one another? Love it!

Randi and Mary Ellen's kindness added both warmth and fun to our Quilt Minnesota Adventure ... all the quilt shopping has been wonderful, but finding new quilt friends trumps shopping every time! Randi and Mary Ellen ... we thank you for your kindness ... and we consider you our Minnesota QBees!

8/5-Blue Bamboo-Plymouth, MN

2011-08-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

Our first stop on Friday was Blue Bamboo!

This store is always "over the top" inspiring! I was sew excited to show it to the QBees!

Add together the following ... a ton of samples + thousands of bolts of fabric + too many kits to count + inspiring patterns = a place that feels like a quilting amusement park!

The women working were so friendly and helpful!

This picture of Barb captures the volume of this store! Yep ... a slice of quilting heaven here on earth!

8/4-Quilted Treasures-Rogers, MN

2011-08-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

Yep ... we visited four stores on Thursday! Our last stop was Quilted Treasures!

They didn't allow us to take photos inside, so you'll have to take our word for it! It is a great shop!

8/4-The Noble Quilter-Elk River, MN

2011-08-09T19:16:00.000-08:00

Our third stop for the day was The Noble Quilter!

I had visited this shop for the first time last summer ... since then they have doubled their square footage! I am so happy for the owner ... she is one of the nicest people! When I called several weeks ago to let her know we were coming ... not only did she remember who I was, but she shared the shop's progress! I love it when good things work out for great people!

The MN fabric section was lovely ... very creative use of the fabrics!

Samples! Samples! Samples! Everywhere!

More samples equals more inspiration!

Yep ... the inspiration never stopped!

Makes you just want it all!

This is the block of the month they're beginning this fall ... heart stopping stunning!

We were tired when we arrived ... we had traveled many miles that day ... but once we entered this shop our creative juices were energized again! After visiting this shop, it is no surprise that they are expanding ... it is a wonderful place!

8/4-Thimbleberries Studio Store-Hutchinson, MN

2011-08-09T06:11:00.001-08:00

Let me just begin by saying that I have always been a huge Thimbleberries fan! In 2008, Sister DillyDally and I spent a day and drove to Hutchinson to visit the store ... at that time it was called Main Street something ... it carried Thimbleberries, but other fabric and pattern lines as well!

Terry's father grew up in Hutchinson, so we really wanted to drive through the area, as she hadn't been back there since her early childhood. Early this year, as I attempted to locate the shop, it looked like it no longer existed. The Main Street store had become an internet shop only ... gosh, I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was.

After sometime I thought, what the heck ... I'll just contact Thimbleberries directly! So I shot them a quick email, and Lynette Jensen herself replied! OMGosh Good Golly! I am sure they heard my screams back here in Minnesota! To say I was excited is an absolute understatement! In her response, she explained that now they had a Thimbleberries Studio Store ... and because they only carry Thimbleberries products, they're unable to participate in the statewide shop hop! We decided to hop on over anyway! ;-)

Inspiration begins the moment you open the door! This is the hallway that leads to the store ... I know what you're thinking ... we felt the same way ... let's just move in! ;-)

Thimbleberries everything!

Experiencing her entire palette of fabric ... organized by color ... yep, we were living a dream!

The opportunity to touch and see live the things we'd only seen in print or on the internet ... yep, it must be a dream!

Samples that have been published everywhere ... I had to pinch myself to believe it was real!

We were completely wrapped in Thimbleberry goodness!

Before we left Alaska, I made a list of every Thimbleberries book I own ... didn't want to duplicate any! I owned 15 books before I left Alaska ... no ... I'm not sharing how many I added to my collection! ;-)

We really like the way Thimbleberries uses simple embellishments, like rick rack to dress up table runners!

Terry found lots of treasure in her father's hometown!

(Insert squeals of delight) The highlight of the entire experience was meeting Lynette! (Yep, more squeals) She made a point to come and meet us ... such an honor! She was so gracious and generous with her time. She even came to visit with us while we ate lunch! We were very touched by her kindness!

Those of us who have been quilting for nearly 30 years, know the powerful influence Lynette has had on the quilting culture. For years, her designs, patterns and techniques have tutored me, as I developed the skills I enjoy today! I am so grateful for that relationship, and then to meet her personally was a thrill!

I love my dillydally life ... enjoy my dillydally friends ... and treasure dillydally moments like this! Yep ... I'm still pinching myself!

8/4-Grubers Quilt Shop-Waite Park, MN

2011-08-09T04:46:00.000-08:00

We were at the "mother ship" bright and early Thursday morning! ;-)

This is only my third visit to this quilt shop! It has just about everything under the sun! Honestly ... it is huge! I love their warning above the door ... it is true!

Their Minnesota section, like the shop, was "over whelming"! ;-)

They must have a lot of very creative people involved in all the samples that are on display in this shop. In order to showcase them all, I'd have to write a book!

That is why I stuck only to their MN themed samples for this post ... it was just too over whelming ... honestly it was! But in a very wonderful way!

8/3-Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe-Painesville, MN

2011-08-08T20:29:00.000-08:00

Our final stop on Wednesday was Sweetwater Cotton Shoppe!

I had never been there before, but had seen the article highlighting them in an issue of AP&Q Ten Best Shops a while back.

They incorporate a lot of antiques into the shop ... their MN fabric section was terrific!

This display and these quilts are creamy dreamy ... loved it!

We enjoyed the casual ... yet stylish designs and displays.

There was a lot of charm found everywhere!

I really like the pastel cottage style look ... a bedroom decorated with these pillows and quilt would ensure "sweet dreams" every night! We really enjoyed our time exploring this shop ... creativity abounds here!

8/3-Common Threads-Garfield, Mn

2011-08-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

Our second stop for the day was a shop I've occasionally visited for years!

The QBees were amazed at their location ... town of about 200 ... a four stop sign community! We loved it!

Their MN fabric projects were amazing ... and the display was "move in ready"... just beautiful!

Lila's shop hop bag was experiencing a "malfunction" ... ;-) ... they let her repair it on a machine in their classroom! Sew nice of them!

The entire shop is beautiful ... tons of samples!

Every time I come here, I just want to move into their 30's section ... it is incredible!

We hadn't seen this pattern anywhere ... large sized quilt ... love the design of half tree/half santa! Very unique and beautiful!

Last summer when I visited this shop with QBee Diane ... we agreed that if we lived here, these women would be our best friends! Each time I visit this shop, I leave happy and enthused ... this visit was no different ...

... the fabric, the patterns, the giggles and especially the women at Common Threads made us feel like lifelong friends. Our visit was ... quite simply ... lovely!

8/3-Bay Window Quilts-Perham, MN

2011-08-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasant drive to Perham Wednesday morning...

... we have been enjoying the warm sun and light breezy weather!

Bay Window is a shop that always inspires! We spent quite a bit of time in their wool section!

I loved the quilt on the left in this photo ... very traditional fabrics, yet contemporary in design. The table runner on the right was heart stopping stunning! My photo does not begin to do it justice!

Stunning pastel quilt with red accents ... I know ... yummy!

We named this room ... The Happy Place! It was lovely ... you can't help it ... the room just makes you smile! The QBees were impressed with the diversity of styles in this shop, but were touched by the personal attention received by the shop owner! What a wonderful way to begin our day!

8/2-Back Porch Quilts-Detroit Lakes, MN

2011-08-06T04:46:00.000-08:00

After a beautiful drive through the countryside, we ended Tuesday with a visit to...

I first visited this shop in 2009, and have been back every summer since! If I had a motorhome I would probably camp out in the parking lot for the entire season! ;-)

They had an incredible Minnesota section ... and had already sold out of many of their kits and fabric!

We loved how they displayed their full sized quilts!

More quilter's eye candy!

Too much fun!

Too dang cute!

It is always obvious that this quilt community knows how to have fun ... their clubs and retreats are so enticing ... one day a quilt vacation will have to include participating in their annual retreat!

Time for the Loot Hoot!

By the end of the day ... every day ... we, dillydallies are pretty silly. Lots of giggles ... we are loving our dillydally lives! Do dillydally!

8/2-Ann's Quilt Cottage-Bemidji, MN

2011-08-05T03:42:00.000-08:00

Yep ... a picture is worth a thousand words ...

... when we arrived in Bemidji it took two luggage carts to get our ~~loot~~ baggage up to our rooms. ;-)

Ann's Quilt Cottage used to be Emily's Country Cottage, it changed hands in May. In a way, that made it a new store for me as well!

Their Minnesota section was fabulous!

Lots of samples displayed with their yummy fabric.

Quilter's "eye candy" everywhere!

Loads of inspiration! We were so excited ... pulling out bolts ... looking at patterns ... fondling samples ... that we never noticed the treasure that had been left for us. The poor owner of the store moved it multiple times ... hee-hee ... finally she pulled Terry aside and asked which one of us was Mrs. DillyDally. She showed Terry the treasure and had her go find me ... poor Terry, she kept trying to entice me into following her, but I was in another room, engrossed in something wonderful. She kept pestering me, so I finally gave up and reluctantly followed her to see what she was so excited about. ;-)

There it was ... another large envelope of charm squares and a sweet note from our new dillydally friends! It read...

"Hello to the Alaskan QBees & Mrs. DillyDally!

We hope you're having as much fun as us

Even though you're not on our bus!

We are "charmed" you are in our great state

Here are more squares, but don't hesitate...

Please put them in a charity quilt,

And give it away without any guilt.

It's our way to say,

Please, just play!

After our recent state shutdown

We need to rebound...

Sew continue to drop more cash

And build up that STASH!

You know we are just being MN nice

And don't forget your bags of Wild Rice.

Be on your way...

Hip hip hooray!

Have a great Dillydally Day!

From the Sassy Sisters,

Silly & Sally"

We had a terrific time at Ann's Quilt Cottage! We found all kinds of quilting treasure there! As always ... the best treasure is the unexpected ... we found kindred spirits! Friends found through the internet ... that we've never met ... reaching out in kindness! I can't begin to tell you how much joy (and giggles) their thoughtfulness added to our experience.

Silly & Sally ... you Sassy Sisters ... we thank you for your sweet gestures of fun! It touched our hearts and has made our trip even more memorable! You represent the best of the dillydally lifestyle!

Remember everyone ... do what you love ... do dillydally!

8/1-Peacemakers Quilt Shop-Hackensack, MN

2011-08-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

Our final stop of the day was Piecemakers Quilt Shop in Hackensack, MN!

I drive Hwy 371 every time I visit family in northern Minnesota ... and I stop at this shop at least once ... sometimes twice. ;-)

Their samples are always stunning ... I love that kind of consistency!

Yummy wool projects!

Amazing stuff! The most fun and exciting thing happened while we were there!

There was a sealed envelope left in Peacemakers ... for us! What? OMGosh Good Golly! We were SEW thrilled! Inside the envelope were several charm squares and a sweet note! This is what it said:

"To Mrs. DillyDally and all the Alaskan QBees

We're so sad to say

we won't meet you today!

Our trip on the bus

means you're a day behind us...

But, we're thinking of you QBees

and all of your Tee-Hees

If you shop hop to the SE section

we know you'll find a great selection!

Will we meet at last?

To discuss this MN shop hop BLAST!

Remember to check at Ann's

for any future Shop Hop plans!"

Isn't that just the sweetest gesture ever? We were all so touched ... gosh ... life is just filled with wonderful people ... some we have yet to meet! OMGosh! I love this dillydally life!