A Little Reminder, you are Shore to Like

Mama asked us to remind you that the April Block in "A Sentimental Journey Through the Months" will be out on Thursday, April 1st. She also said to remind you to visit us here in Bunnyville to register for the giveaway. Something you are "Shore" to like.

Razzy, isn't shore suppose to be spelled sure? How the heck do I know Sugie? I wish I could spell carrot!

Bunny hugs,
Razzy and Sugie

A Very Happy Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 42. I never care about telling my age as I'm always glad that I have lived for another year on this journey called life. I decided I wanted to go to my favorite town, Wilmington NC. It's about 2 hours from where I live. I have a lot of major changes coming up in my life (more on that later) and I decided I wanted to "run away" and act like I was 22 again. To my surprise, my dear friends wanted in on the action! So, 13 of us hit the town, ate good food, drank fun drinks, laughed like crazy and boogied our booties off! Oh....there might have been some bull riding involved too! I'll have pictures soon. I also received some wonderful cards and gifts. I wanted to share these with you first. My life is blessed always by the people I choose to be surrounded by.

My friend Lyd know's my obsession with white things and blank frames. She gave me this gorgeous piece! She also makes beautiful cards and I won't let her "buy" me a card. She must make one. This beauty is her dog (my niece) Frankie dressed in her bunny ears and sporting the rose collar I made her. Isn't she precious!

This card was made by my friend Michelle, whom I call Captain. I'm so proud of her as she got promoted to Captain in the Navy. She is responsible for making me, the work-a-holic, remember how to have fun and thus Friday nights are always about relaxing and having fun. Captain is a lover of life and a ray of sunshine.

My sister sent me this card. I had to do a double take as I thought it really was from our family album. That looks just like my sister as a kid and the green shag, icky carpet....helloooo hideous flashbacks! This card made me laugh so hard as my sister really does know my personality.

Together with our husbands, this group of 40 and ups ran away for the night to 20 years ago. The time without the responsibilites, stress, and bills. We just played. They presented me with this wonderful book.

This is what they all wrote to me inside.

More than anything, I strive to "Be Happy." This was the first quote I found inside and it is exactly how I sum up life. Even when the "poo poo" moments come, I try and stay focused on this.

It was indeed a Very Happy Birthday.
Thanks everyone. I love ya bunches!
Your friend,
shell

Outside in, Inspires Within for Easy Elegance

It's always amazing to me where inspiration comes from. Even though I'm a stitchery and quilting designer, most of my inspiration comes from architecture and formal garden designs. Well... bunnies too! I guess because I have worked in construction most of my life and my father was a custom home builder, it was natural for me to fall in love with the creative end of building.  I just love architectural elements and the beauty of millwork. I am also "gaga" crazy over Rococo and Baroque styles. Adding in my passion for textiles and combining them all for a look that just screams my signature style, "Easy Elegance" is sometimes more than my little ol pea brain can keep up with! I love the soft comfy style and feel of an Easy Cottage life, but there is a part of me that just loves a bit of Refined, Clean, Elegance. However, when it comes to stitching and quilting, I love an easy pattern because frankly, I don't have 100 years to make everything I want to make! hee,hee,hee

I have a large collection of decorating and design books. I purchased this one many years ago and I still love it today. I have a totally black thumb. I love to design the layout of plants and gardens, but the thought of keeping them pruned, watered and fertilized is over my head. Thank goodness David loves yard work. If I wasn't married to the "yard guru" I would live in a condo!

However, decorating with "yard" elements and bringing the Outside In is always appealing to me. I love to decorate with things in unusual ways. This is my mud room that I have recently redecorated. I used a wicker porch settee with a garden elements to create a welcoming place for friends to enter our home.

I spray painted these pieces white. You really didn't think I would leave them black did you????

The flow and scrolly elements inspired me, with the help of some bunny magic, to create this new quilt design. It will be a "couch quilt." Don't ya just love to lay on the couch with a pillow and a comfy quilt! Well, this piece will be done pretty soon and you can make one for yourself.

Bringing the outside in, really does inspire me within to create pieces that are truly Easy and Elegant.

Stay tuned...more to come soon!
hugs and friends,
shell

A $6.00 Find and a little Sneaky Peeky

I went to Wilmington, NC yesterday with my friend Lyd. I love Wilmington and could move there tomorrow. Lyd and I go on a little shopping adventure twice a year. I refer to it as "Country Come to Town." hee,hee,hee.

My budget this year was pretty slim, but I still had the best time. I found this cutie little cream and sugar bowl in Home Goods. It was only $6.00 for the set! Of course it's white. You knew it would be. ;)

I've also been busy up in Bunnyville on a new stitchery design. You know I love empty frames for inspiration. This frame is in my dining room. I start my "doodle" process and then tape the design on the frame. Then I walk by it for a few days and adjust elements in my doodle. Once it is to my liking, I make the final pattern. This piece will be called "Baroque Bouquets." It will be a 16" x 20" piece. I think you will enjoy making this elegant piece and maybe it would be perfect for your dining room! I'll keep you posted as work progresses.

Here is one of my favorite bunnies that was given to me by my old boss about 13 years ago. He and I both decided that Valdani JP 12 will be the best floss color for this piece.  I can hardly wait to show you!

Have a fun day!
hugs and friends,
shell 

A Big Score for the White Bunny Decor

I just had to share my latest junk shop find with you. A major Score for my White Bunny Decor!

Isn't he great! I got him at one of my favorite junk shops. I walked in and he said, "Shell, I would like to come live in Bunnyville. I know I have mean eyes, but you can put me on top of the kitchen cabinet and I'll behave myself." I know you're asking yourself what the mean eyes is all about.

  

I have this thing about the bunny stuff I buy. The bunnies have to have happy eyes and faces, not mean ones like they have rabies or something. I decided that this fella looked a little more like he was just constipated and not really mean, so he could come live on top of the cabinet, hee,hee,hee.

This little girl I bought about 6 years ago. She is a smaller piece that goes inside my glass cabinets.

She has a happy face. No constipation. :)

Then yesterday, I was in Marshalls and scored this big ol' jug! It's huge and the perfect piece for the other side of my cabinets. It was only $19.00. I was so excited!

Finally, I wanted to thank all of you for your great support about my hair color. David is finally use to it and likes it. I truly love it and the bunnies could care less as long as it doesn't interfere with food delivery.

Have a fun day!

hugs and friends,

shell

A Triple Dog Dare and I Changed My Hair

Well, I have to say that it was so much fun reading everyone's comments to my last post about changing my hair color. It made me think of that movie A Christmas Story where Ralphie watched his friend Flick stick his tongue to a frozen light pole because Schwartz not only Double Dog Dared him, he Triple Dog Dared him!

Makes me laugh every time I say that. Of course, I normally only use the Double Dog Dare and save the Triple Dog Dare for those occasions that require a lot of daring activities. So..... I guess this would totally count as a Triple Dog Dare from all of you. 

Before.....
and.....

After......
What do ya think??? Of course, my stylist makes it a little more flat than I do and sprays all kinds'a gunk in it, but I really like it, It's still a bit weird to see me with dark hair. I mean it's been 28 years. David is still not sure what to think. He's been with the blonde for 21 years. hee,hee,hee.

Hugs and friends,
shell

Do I Dare...Change my Hare????

What you talk'in about Mama!!???

Ooops...sorry Razzy, I mean "Hair" not Hare. hee,hee,hee.

So this is how the story goes. I haven't seen my natural hair color since I was 14. Yep...that's right, 14. My mom was a  hair stylist, what can I say. While I was born a natural blonde, by the time I got to 13, it got dark and mousey and kinda boring so I started to color it.

Fast forward 28 years and here I am still coloring. I'm going to my stylist on Tuesday and I'm really thinking about reversing my hair and making it more dark with a few highlights instead of light with a few lowlights. See those dark roots? (It was hard to take this picture myself).

I wish I could be like Tiffany Taylor. Do any of you remember her? She was the only doll I ever played with. Basically, because she was 19" tall and a teenager doll. Believe it or not, me that doesn't save many things, saved the Tiffany doll. Here she is in all her 70's glory with her fabulous frock and blue eyeshadow! (I'm singing some disco songs right now)
Tiffany could change her hair color from blonde to brunette just by twisting her scalp around. Man...that would save a ton of money! Of course, my brains might get lost faster than they do now if I started twisting my scalp around. hee,hee,hee.

Blonde
Twist a roo...Brunette. Cool huh!

So, what do you think. Should I change my hair from light with a few dark pieces to dark with a few light pieces? My 42 birthday is on March 27 and I'm feeling as " Mad as a March Hare," so I might just do it.
Let me know what ya think. Do I dare change my hair?

hugs and friends,
shell

More from the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival

I though I would show you a few more pictures from the festival. This is just a block on a quilt, but of course I loved the Alice in Wonderland rabbit. Went to see the movie on Sunday and loved that too!

These bees were incredible! Look a the piecing and applique on their bodies!

This turtle was just precious. The fabrics were part of the Hoffman challenge. All the pieces below were also part of the Hoffman challenge. I really liked the fabric this year.

Totally loved this purse called Pursley! How cool is that!

Loved this purse too! Still working on my art purse. Never enough hours!

This is the doll that won first place. Isn't she adorable. I love her face.

Hope ya'll have a fun day.

Hugs and friends,

Shell

The Winner of the Whole Kit and Kaboodle!

Congratulations to Di from Quilting is Blissful!!! You have won the whole kit and kaboodle Bunny Love Pillow Kit! Yipee! Send me an email with your address and I'll get it hopp'in over to you!

Don't forget, April 1st will be the next block and there will be another giveaway. I hope all of you are having fun with this project.

Hugs and friends,

shell

Empty Frames, Open Inspiration, Simple Beauty

A lot of people crack up when they come to my house and see empty frames hanging on the wall. I'm always drawn to a beautiful frame. To me they are artwork by themselves, so I'm never in a hurry to fill them.

Plus, an empty frame provides me with open inspiration. I think you will really love my next stitchery design. Hint, hint, hint.

hugs and friends,
shell

The girl with the paint swatches

I have to laugh every year when I visit the wonderful vendors at the quilt festival and they remember me as "the girl with the paint swatches." Ya'll know I love my paint swatches and I never leave home without them. I can't help it, it's the designer in me. I find when I'm designing new patterns, it helps me to stay focused on my ideas if I keep my color scheme handy.

So here are my fabric, button and trim purchases along with my paint swatches. What do you think?

Now to get to work on those designs! Oh boy! Fun! Fun! Fun!

hugs and friends,

shell

My Friend Mandy

I just had to share this beautiful star I received from my friend Mandy Saile of Bijous Whimsy

Not only is Mandy an incredible and fabulous artist, but she too is a critter lover and has bunnies!
Her work is truly magical. She has such a gift with color. I'm drawn to her work because I love "flowing lines." Hop over and take a look and then go visit her blog too!

Be sure and tell her Shell sent ya!

Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, some of my favorites

As always, I'm in utter amazement with the talent of people in the quilt and textile world. This year's festival was no exception. While I loooooove all kinds of quilts and appreciate the hard work that goes in them, I tend to photograph those quilts that speak to me. I'm going to start you off with a little eye candy from an awesome woman named Gloria Loughman.

Lay on your back in the forest and look up. Incredible isn't it?

Her use of color is incredible. This quilt actually made me feel like I was being warmed by the sun.

This is just a few. I'll post some more soon. There were lots that spoke to me this year.

Don't forget to register for the giveway. See the previous post!

your friend,

shell

March 1st, A Little Luck and the whole Kit and Kaboodle!

Nothing like March to welcome in Spring and make me think of the Luck of the Irish.

I thought this quote would be perfect for March's block in the "Sentimental Journey Through the Months." Don't forget to hop over to my website and get your pattern! Remember, it's never to late to join as all the patterns are still available. I also have several floss kits left if you would like to get one! Pass the word around to your friends. It's always more fun to stitch with friends!

For this month's giveaway, I thought it would be fun to giveaway the whole "Kit and Kaboodle!" Well, a whole kit and kaboodle of my Bunny Love Pillow pattern! The winner of this giveaway will receive the entire kit! It includes everything you need to make this pillow (excluding the stuffing).

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and as always, if you are a follower or sign up to be a follower (look at the left sidebar on my blog), your name goes in the hat twice! Don't forget to tell me your following. I'll pick the winner Next Monday, March 8th! Pass the word along!

Thank you all for following along on our adventures. Your friendship is a true gift and blessing to me! You are my sunshine!

Hugs and friends,

shell