Missing My Camera!

As you all know ... I am not a photographer ... obviously!  I have a very user friendly Canon Power Shot that my children gave to me several years ago.  It is very basic ...they know their mother ... not a lot of bells and whistles ... as it is, I don't know how to use all the features it has.  Saturday I was participating in our local yarn shop's (The Net Loft) Holiday Open House ...taking pictures of all the activities ... when it happened ... I dropped the camera!  Now, I have dropped this camera a million times ... no, I am not exaggerating!  But this time ... even Mr. DillyDally, who could also be named Mr. FixIt ... wasn't able to revive it.  I can't begin to tell you how upset I am ... I lost my blogging partner.  I am sincerely sad. :-(  We had spent a lot of time together on this blog adventure ... she had been there from the beginning.

Sooo ... tonight I will share some of the last photos taken by her this past week ...

This was taken this week while I was walking to work.  The building is our Jr./Sr. High School where I teach.  The mountains are named the Heney Range.  The sun rises on the other side of the range and was reflected on the clouds.  The time was approximately 8:30 am.

This was taken as the sun was setting ... about 4:30 pm.  Eyak lake is in the front, the mountain is named Queen's Chair.

This is a view of our city harbor ... about 9:30 am.

Machine quilting on a table runner that I will have to share in detail later ... but at least a little proof that I have been dillydallying! ;-)

I may have told you before, but I am married to the nicest man I ever met ... after working on my camera for quite some time ... Mr. DillyDally went online ... found one that is similar and ordered it for me!  Yeah!  A new blogging partner should be arriving within a week!

It will be difficult for me to wait until it arrives ... until then, enjoy the sunset from my front deck.

Don't Miss Out on the Fun!

OMGosh ... I hope you're not missing the fun!  You can find it at ...

It began yesterday with Sherri Falls of This and That Patterns!  There are 12 quilt designers participating ... they each share a cookie recipe every day for six days ... and they each contribute a free pattern once during the week!  Ya-Hoo!  That ends up being 72 cookie recipes and 12 patterns!  On top of that ... there is a grand prize for those participants who leave a comment on every blog each day!

Yesterday, Sherri began the blog hop by sharing with us a darling notebook cover with a snowman theme!  I think I'll make one and put the recipes from this blog hop in it ... making a recipe book out of it!  Yes ... I'm overly enthusiastic ... but this is just too much fun! Be sure to visit yesterday's post on her blog so that you can download the project she shared.  Her post today will lead you to the two designers that are sharing projects on Day 2 (that's today)!

Think of this ... it is day two of the blog hop and I have already collected 24 recipes and 3 free patterns!  It feels like Christmas already!  What a way to dillydally!  Love it!

Kicking Off the Holiday Season!

Our quilting guild held their annual Tea and Auction today!  I finally get to uncover some of my 007 undercover efforts!  Yay!  Two secrets are out in the open!

I'll begin with this wall quilt ... it is approximately 24 x 40 inches in size, made entirely with batiks.  I purchased the pattern in 2009 at Piecemaker's Quilt Shop in Hackensack, Minnesota.  It is a Cotton Tales pattern designed by Pamela J. Curo.   The snow flake is actually a very light lavender with hints of pink in it ... I really like how when it is placed on the navy, it looks almost iridescent.  I used the bling shown in my previous post to embellish it.  The Swarovski crystals were used to highlight the snowflake and scroll work.  I used the metallic treads to applique and quilt it!  I wish I had another 10 yards of the batik snowflake print used in the final border...I bought several yards of it a very long time ago ... and only have a quarter of a yard left ... it proves once again that one should hoard any fabric that they love!  I must add that to the Dillydally Creed!  I was thrilled today when it sold at auction for $175 ... and it is going to the wonderful home of a favorite QBee!

The second item I put up for bid was this tablerunner.  I pieced it a while back and finally got around to quilting and binding it!  The pattern is from Terry Atkinson's book, Confetti in the Corner.  It is made with fabric from a Kansas Troubles line and has a real traditional look to it.  This one sold today for $75, I was busy serving tea at the time and didn't catch who bought it.

This was the tablescape I set for today's tea.  The quilted tablemat in the center doesn't show well in this photo.  It was designed by Sherri Falls from This and That pattern company and is called "Pumpkin Party".  I tried a new recipe for Pumpkin Fudge ... which ended up tasting little like pumpkin and more like candy corn!  ;-)  It was alright, but I doubt I'll ever make it again.  I placed a pumpkin shaped sugar cookie at each place setting as an extra treat!  Be sure to check out all the tables and auction items at our guild's blog here.

I always look forward to this event ... for multiple reasons!  Seeing all the table settings members create ... the wide array of auction items (50+) ... the fellowship over food and tea ... guessing what things will sell for ... being shocked by how much or little is bid on an item ... having this event kick off the holiday season in our small corner of this planet!  It is all wonderful ... I admire the talent of the women who surround me ... and all that we accomplish with our efforts ... I am grateful.

A Bit of "Bling"

Many of you may not know this, but I'm allergic to metal.  Sooo ... I am unable to wear jewelry ... any fabric or tags on clothing that contain metallic thread ... even the front snap on my jeans will cause my skin to have a severe reaction.  I have had this since I can remember, but as I age it is getting worse!  How I envy those who can wear all the beautiful bling that is available!

So I like to add a bit of bling ...

to things I don't wear.  This is the bling I am using for  a 007 project I am currently working on.  It is for our Guild's annual Tea and Auction to be held this Sunday!  I am pleased with the way this project came out and will share it with you all on Sunday after the event!

I continue to spend most of my dillydally time on covert operations ... will share them all eventually ... keeping secrets is tough!

Mother Nature showed off a bit of her bling this week as well!  Have a dillydally weekend!

Meet Nita Beshear!

I continue blogging for reasons that have little to do with why I started nearly 1 1/2 years ago.  One of the things that has happened is that I've met people from far and wide.  I often feel somewhat isolated from the world outside of my little corner of the planet, but through blogging I have met lovely people who share many of my same interests.  Blogging has really been a blessing.

Today, I want to introduce you to one of those blessings, Nita Beshear.  Nita contacted me a few months back and asked if I would be interested in participating in a blog event promoting her book, Devoted to Quilting.  I'm always amazed that anyone bothers to read my humble blog ... thrilled when someone leaves a comment ...  overwhelmed when someone sends me an email ... lets just say that I flew to the moon and back when Nita invited me to be a part of her event!

She quickly sent me a copy of her book, Devoted to Quilting ...

... upon its arrival I began reading it.  It can be used as a daily devotional, or it can be read like a novel.  It is filled with wit, wisdom, humor, suffering, and love.  Each entry begins with a biblical reference and ends with both a moment of gratitude and quilting tip!  

I have always felt that the greatest compliment we can receive is when someone opens their heart and allows you to see their soul.  It is such an honor and privilege to share that space with them ... that is how one is left after reading Nita's book.  Even though Nita and I couldn't live in more different circumstances, I feel like I know her heart, and have shared her experiences with her.  If you are a person of faith who loves to quilt, I recommend this book.  It has a permanent place on my night stand ... it is a lovely way to end each day.  

Nita ... thank you for finding me in the www ... thank you for including me in your life ... I hope every day blesses you with a bit of time to dillydally ... ;-) ... please continue to share with us!  Congratulations on the publication of your book!

Missing Dad...Grandpa too!

I love this picture of my father and grandfather ... a simple photo taken with a simple camera ... on a typical summer day ... working the land that had been originally homesteaded by my great-grandfather.  It was taken in 1970 ... Dad was 40 years old ... Grandpa was 80 ... I was thirteen.  I've been missing Grandpa for thirty-six years ... Dad left this world a year ago today ... I miss him.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

I find comfort in my faith ... but I miss their presence and treasure the memories of our time together.

Keeping Secrets is Difficult!

Gosh ... I am so accustomed to sharing my rather mundane dillydally life that when I'm immersed in covert 007 projects ... it nearly kills me to keep them secret!  I really have been busy quilting and knitting ... I just can't share my progress.
So until they are finished or I work on something that isn't "top secret", I'll have to share other ways in which I dillydally ... remember these?

They are dear, old friends of mine ... each year they would arrive in the mail ... oh, how I looked forward to them!  As I mentioned earlier...when the first snow hits the ground I begin listening to Christmas music ... watch holiday movies ... and drink warm beverages in my snowflake mugs.  What I didn't share was that I also revisit these old friends...

Can you believe that Book One was published in 1987?  That was before Brother DillyDally was even born!  This book contains many decorating ideas ... oodles of projects ... yummy recipes ... great gifts!  As I page through it again, I find myself flooded with memories.  Projects I did with Sister DillyDally as a preschooler and later with our girl scout troop ... recipes that have become family favorites ... gifts that I've given to family and friends ... wonderful memories. 

A few years ago QBee Barb H. and I were talking about how much we still enjoy these books, after our conversation she went home and looked them up on ebay ... I can't remember what a full set was selling for then, but it was a lot!  But like all friends who have stood the test of time ... they are priceless!

My wish is that you have time to dillydally with an old friend or two!