Meet Mr. Nutty!

It is a pleasure to introduce a new friend here in DillyDallydom ...

... Mr. Nutty!  Mr. Nutty is a "notion keeper"!  It is his responsibility to assist me in keeping my projects organized!  My goodness ... I have needed a Mr. Nutty in my silly dillydally life!

Mr. Nutty is the creation of Kathy Schmitz.  Kathy is an incredible artist! Her designs are filled with whimsy and a gentle cheerfulness ... a true reflection of her!

Kathy was one of the instructors at the Martingale/Moda Quiltstock event I attended in July.

Each instructor had samples of their work on display ... Kathy's were so inspiring!  Her class was the first on my schedule ... such a lovely way to begin an event of this size.  Having traveled there alone and having just met the people at my table and in my group, hand embroidery allowed everyone to get to know one another while we were learning together!

Such a wonderful way to begin the first day of classes!

When given the supply list in June, I chose to purchase the kit for this project.  Kathy created the kits herself!  She hand traced the embroidery design in every kit ... OMGOSH! ... I cannot imagine the time that took!  She also prepared the finishing items essential to the project!  All her efforts made the class run smoothly for everyone ... both beginners and those experienced with hand embroidery!

Kathy's instructions and demonstrations were clear and easy to follow.  Her soft spoken personality put everyone at ease, and any struggles were easily addressed. 

Long time followers know that I have enjoyed hand embroidery since my childhood.  I learned so much from Kathy and added a few new stitches and techniques to my embroidery skill list!  The only complaints about the class came when it ended!  It was a half day class and we all wanted to extend our time with both Kathy and Mr. Nutty!

Once home, I gradually made progress on Mr. Nutty!  I decided to give him a green sweater ...

... and matching hat!

With the embroidery done ... time to layer him with batting and begin hand quilting!

It has been some time since I did any hand quilting ... it was enjoyable on a project of this size!

I neglected to take photos of sewing the pockets to the front.  But it was an easy task and well explained in the book!  Flicka finally showed some interest in Mr. Nutty when I began to tack on the cording for the edge.

Yep ... I am convinced Flicka wanted to get her paws on that cording!  She restrained herself, but it was difficult!  I assured her that only the strongest of kitties can resist that kind of temptation!  Kathy had made the cording using embroidery floss and included it in her kits!  Again ... I can only imagine the time that took!  Having that prepared made finishing this project so much easier!

The kit included a button for the closure, but I decided to raid my stash of antique buttons!  It was fun to dig through my big jar and I pulled several for consideration.

I auditioned them all ... the two finalists were this green one ...

... and the brown four-leaf looking one from the card!

And the winner is .... the brown!  I loved its unusual shape!  It is just so unique!

Mr. Nutty voted for this one as well ... by raising his needle in approval!  I loved the interesting way it had to be sewn on ... as it doesn't have holes or a shank.  It was fortunate to have it still on the card ... that way I knew how to apply it! 😁 Too fun!

Yep ... I'm very pleased with the result!

Mr. Nutty is fully assembled and ready to get to work!  Like squirrels everywhere, he is happiest when busy!  Yep ... he is a dillydallier!

Be. Still. My. DillyDally. Heart! 💖 Meet Kathy's community of "Kind & Gentle Soft Toys"!  I immediately fell in love with them!

Sew ... of course I purchased them ... all ten!

I will build my village by beginning with the bears!

I picked through my fabric stash ... pulled out the colors of floss I plan to use ... and last I added needles and a scissor!

All notions for this project are secured safely in one place!  Love this notion keeper already!

I live in Alaska ... sew ... of course the bears who live with me are brown bears!

Oh the adventures Mr. Nutty and I will have here in DillyDallydom!  Thank you Kathy!  You and your talent are a blessing in my dillydally life!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Soaking Up Some Sun!

To describe this summer as wet and cold is an understatement!  Mother Nature has been moody ... spring was very late ... one coastal storm after another was aimed directly at our remote corner of the planet!

Rain was constant and then ... on August 31st the skies cleared!  When the sun shines ... plans for the day are dropped ...

... and Nissa and I head outdoors!

We take long walks ... Nissa plays ...

... and I always bring a knitting project!

We seek out wide open spaces this time of year!

It is not uncommon for Nissa and I to find ourselves all alone on our adventures.  This is the time of year when bears are gorging on berries and salmon ... and the moose are busy breeding ... making both species especially dangerous.

I was standing on a sand dune when I took this photo ... considered making this our dillydally spot for the day ... and then I looked down at my feet!  Multiple bear tracks going in both directions!  Obviously, bears like this spot as well!

We moved on and traveled to the end of the road ... literally ... at 37 mile!  Gorgeous view and strong breeze that kept the biting bugs away!  A perfect dillydally day!

As autumn progresses ... the views change daily.  I enjoy noticing the transformation ... some subtle and others obvious!

Nissa loves playing Hide n' Seek!

My silly girl pup!

Although it has been warm and sunny ... autumn is a short season for us ... winter is coming!  Mitten weather is just around the corner!  Several pairs are in progress!

Nissa seemed to notice that this pair of mittens will match her fur coat!  She actually has great knitting manners and often likes to be closely involved in the process!  Love this goof ball!

When home, Flicka likes to soak up some sun as well!

Having a solid week of sunshine ... well ... it has been heavenly!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

A 007 Reveal! Forget-Me-Nots!

As some of you may recall, July 2017 was especially hard.  July 2018 was going to be different! I would fill it with fun!  I decided to do the most self-indulgent thing I have ever done in my 61 years!  Quiltstock 2018 here I come! 

A national event organized and hosted by Moda and Martingale

I had never been to Texas ... had never taken quilt classes at a national event ... and I went entirely by myself!

First day, on our way to Magnolia in Waco!

Do I look just a bit excited?  I rarely allow anyone to take my picture ... let alone post them ... but this one taken by a new friend shows just how thrilled I was to be in Texas and participating in this event!

But before the event, there were preparations to be made!  Not in terms of homework for the four classes I would be taking, thankfully!  Gratitude is a large part of the dillydally lifestyle.  I knew that I wanted to make small gifts to be given as a token of my appreciation for the instructors, new found friends, and any others that helped to make my experience successful! 

 A few years ago, I came across these tealight candle holders ... and thought that they would make great pincushion containers someday!  Well ... that day had come!  I had ten of them, it was time to get busy!

The day after Fiber and Friends, I put my knitting aside and stayed focused!  Long time followers know that Alaska's state flower, the Forget-Me-Not holds a special place in my heart!

Sew ... out came my drawings ... wool ... needle and thread!

No two were alike ... here they are waiting for their yellow centers!

One done and nine to go!

Circle shapes were cut ... running stitches made ... and then the dreaded stuffing!  Ugh!  Stuffing things is not my strength, but I kept moving forward!

Forget-Me-Not puff balls!

Glued them to the tealight containers ... and I am happy with the results!  I packed them carefully in my suitcase and off we flew ... to California!

Yep!  Stopped in LA for a week on my way to Dallas!  Spent a week with Sister and Future SIL!  Sister and I had fun finding supplies for gifting the pincushions!  We dillydallied by making the cards!

I knew that packaging them would have to wait until I arrived in Dallas ... didn't want TSA to find them suspicious!  Here they are ... in the hotel ... waiting to be packaged!

One finishing touch remained ... I wasn't sure yet who would receive them ... but after all, it is my mission to promote the dillydally lifestyle!  I had to work it in somewhere!  I don't know if any of the recipients will ever turn it over and notice ... but the attempt was made!

Here they are ... ready for gift giving!  I gave them to the class instructors, some of the conference organizers ...

... and to these three beautiful women, my New Mexico QBees!  They are friends that traveled together to Quiltstock!  Traveling alone, I asked to join their table ... and they welcomed me with open hearts!  I am so grateful for their kindness as they included me in their plans even during free time.  It was so fun to get to know them ... their families, work, and quilts!  I will treasure the giggles, challenges, and friendship that we shared throughout the week!  They hold a special place in my heart ... they are a blessing in my dillydally life!

Do what you love!  Be grateful!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally