Part 2 of Before's and After- The Foyer

Ok, so last week I showed you the many phases of the "Friends Entry" to my home. It was so fun to see which one was your favorite. I believe it was unanimous that the Country Cottage style was the winner.

Today I thought I would show you the "Formal Entry" phases. Oh, many of you asked the time frame for all of these phases. These changes were made from 2005 until this month. Again, I have a decorating disorder. hee,hee,hee.  Alrighty then, let's get hopp'in.

This is the "Frou Frou" phase complete with Victorian fainting couch and expensive hand painted mural and Venetian plaster by a local, Russian, Artist, Irina Skalova. (yes, she know's I got rid of it)

Next, we have the "I'm kinda over Victorian stuff" phase so out with the fainting couch and in with the cottage style display cabinet (made in China and a piece of crapola).

Then we have the "bye bye yellow walls and you're so outta here frou frou mural, Shell has lost her mind, can you believe she painted over the mural, I love this Italian antique mirror" phase.

Then we have the "I moved the vases and the pussywillows to the whirlpool tub and replaced them with these French style lamps with annoying gold cords phase."

And finally, here we are today with the "Country Cottage" phase complete with old shutters and a solid wood chair from a thrift shop. The chair even has a brass plate on the back so it may have been in a library or business office. The hammered aluminum pitcher came from Ebay. Those fuzzy things in it reminded me of bunny tails, so I had to get them. Of course, they shed like bunny tails too!

I also brought out an old doll cabinet that has been in my family a while. I filled it with things that are very meaningful to me.

I found this cute little sign and just had to have it as most of you know, I adore little houses. Even if I had millions of dollars, I would still live in a little house.

Well there it is. My new "formal entry." The front door actual has leaded glass in the door and the transom. You just can't see it in this picture. I'm also on the lookout for the perfect braided rug to put at the front door.

So which phase do you like the best?
xx, shell

A million hugs of thanks!

A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift.
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.
    -Jean Kyler McManus 

I want to thank my dear, sweet, friends, Donna of Brynwood Needleworks and Jillayne of A Fine Seam and each and every one of you for all the wonderful birthday messages you left for me! I have to say it was such a surprise and I feel like I've received a big hug from all of you! What a fun party!

   Zoey Bunny sent me a lovely photo of herself for my birthday. (She's so fluffy I'm gonna die!)

Friendship really is a gift we give ourselves and I sure do know how to pick out a present! hee,hee,hee.

Of course, I'm also incredibly blessed to be married to my best friend. We've shared 22 birthday celebrations since we stared dating in 1989. David and I hardly ever get a picture together. I thought this one turned out great. (Plus my hair and makeup were playing together nicely for a change!)

Love to all of you and a million hugs of thanks. You are truly a treasure to me! Blessings come in many ways and the nicest come as freinds. :)
xx, shell

Love is the Greatest of All

With all the sadness in the world, all the hurting, all the war, all the disasters, sometimes I need to let go of my mind for a while and listen with my heart.

Love is the Greatest of All. Sending love and hugs to everyone, everywhere.

Happy Friday everybun!
xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Before, before, before, before, After!

I debated about showing ya'll this as you'll really think I need some medication! Remember, I have OCDD (obsessive compulsive decorating disorder) hee,hee,hee. But my friend, Lyd, said it would be fun to see all my phases over the past years. Plus, it will be interesting to see what your favorite is.

I decided to start my before's and after with my "Friend's Entry." All our friends enter our home through the side door. The first time you come to our home, we have you enter through the front door, but when you leave, you go through the side. I've always liked that saying, "enter as a stranger and leave as a friend." So are ya ready? Here we go.

The "Frou Frou" phase complete with pink accents, yellow walls, crystal fringes and lace curtains.

The "Minimalist, I'm soooo over cleaning and polishing all that crystal sparkly stuff" phase.

The "bye bye yellow walls and oooo la la, I like all this French garden decorating stuff going on" phase

The "white and fleur de lis" phase

and finally today, the "Country Cottage" phase.

I'm really loving the warm and welcoming feel that this look has. Most of the pieces came from thrift shops. I love the hammered aluminum and have been collecting some pieces. But, in keeping true to my word this year about buying art or handmade things, I purchased the picture above the bench from artist, Jeri Landers of Hopalong Hollow. I just had to have one of her prints. I adore her work and she is also a critter lover and has a truly wonderful blog. She reminds me of Tasha Tudor. Hop over and visit her. You won't be disappointed.

I think this piece has the perfect saying for my "friends entry." Jeri also has some wonderful pieces featuring quilts! I'm saving my pennies for one of those too!

Well there ya go. I know, I know... I'm nuts, but I do have fun! ;)  I'm interested to know which one is your favorite.

xx, shell, sugie and harrington

They're beginning to Multiply! A sneaky peeky.

Here's a little sneaky peeky of my new design. It will be a twin size quilt or perfect couch quilt. I'm loving how it's turning out!

I should have it finished and the pattern ready for release in a few weeks.

Now back to work I go. Hop, hop, hop.

Have a fun and magical week everybun!
xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Happy Friday!!!

What in the world!!! You've got to be kidding me!!

                            "Uhh ohh"

I can't believe this! Who dug a hole in my sewing chair? Stuffing all over the floor! What a mess!

"Ummm...exactly how much trouble am I is this bunny person in?

Lot's of trouble Harrington! Lot's! Why can't I have a comfy chair without somebunny digging it to shreads!?! This is the second time!

"In that case, it was Sugie. She couldn't help herself. I tried my best to stop her, but she was taken over by aliens and they forced her to dig and dig looking for ....um carrots. Yeah, carrots that were buried in the chair, and then they threatened her with a nail trim if she didn't use the nails to dig for the carrots.. and then..."

"Mama know's better than that Harrington. You're totally busted."

Happy Friday everybun! Hope you get to enjoy your weekend on comfy furniture! Seems around here only metal chairs are safe in Bunnyville!!! (If only he wasn't so darn cute.....naughty bunny, hee,hee,hee).

xx, shell, sugie and harrington (the naughty one)

Winner of 12 of Hearts March Giveaway

Thanks to everybun who has left such nice comments about my logo and my new color direction! We sure are gonna have lots of fun! I hope to have two patterns next month. One stitchery and one quilt. :)

So this month's giveaway was for two inspiring books on French Decor.

Congratulations goes to Stitches of Stitches and Etc. She has the best sugar cookie recipe on her blog right now! Hop over and get it. I'm thinking bunny cookies!!! Send me your address my friend and I'll get your prize on it's way to you! Congratulations!

Next I wanted to share a beautiful gift I received from my dear friend, Carolyn of Little Bear Studio. Carolyn went on vacation to London and bought me a present! Can you believe it? How sweet is that!

She said she just had to get this beautiful tea towel for me. Well I'm glad she did! I love it!! (The chocolate disappeared moments after this photo was taken). Yummy

I decided it would make a perfect cover for my sewing machine to keep the dust bunnies off. This way I can enjoy it every single day. Thanks so much Carolyn! I love it!

Next, I won this sweet little birdie pin cushion with a nest for threads from another dear friend, Di of Quilting is Blissful. It's perfect to take along with me when I'm stitching in public or at a friends house. I mean after all, leaving thread bits all over someone's floor is naughty and rather tacky. hee,hee,hee. This way I can keep all my bits in the nest. Thanks so much Di! I love it!

Finally, you may remember this incredible doll that another dear and talented friend, Jules of Adventures in Thread, made for me when I lost my Razzy bunny last year. Jules even wrote a beautiful story to go with The Rabbit Herder. The other week I was in a thrift shop and way up high on a shelf, I spotted this chair. I did the happy bunny dance and asked a nice, tall,  fella to get it down for me. It was only $6.00! A perfect and proper chair for such a lovely Rabbit Herder. Don't you agree? I love it!

Well, that wraps it up for today. I have lots of work to get done, so I better get hoppin. Have a fun and magical day and prayers for all those hurting in Japan. May light and love help them through this incredible sadness.

xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Trademark and Adding Color

Well, I was beginning to think it would never happen. In fact, I had pretty much had given up since it was almost 2 years. But then I got word that my bunny logo made it through all the Trademark Office pile of  paperwork and viola' it's official!

My little bunny logo created for me by Cottage Collections, is now Trademarked. So now I'm really inspired and have more designs in my head than I can get out. And, all of you will be shocked by the color I'm adding to my life.

Here is just a sampling.

My Shop and my blog will now sport this new look. Looking forward to sharing new fun and folky things with you!
Don't forget to scroll down and register for the giveaway on the previous post! The winner will be chosen tomororw.

xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Next Block in 12 of Hearts and a Giveaway!

Are you having fun with these blocks? I sure am! I like having a fast little project to work on that I can take places!

So here is the block for March.

The whole project will be made from small, medium and large hearts. One row done! I love how "Folky" it looks.

Remember, you can purchase the Valdani Floss Kit from me and any other supplies you need, as well as, collect your pattern.
Just Hop over to my Shop. The bunnies and I truly appreciate your support of small business owners. Thank you!

Now on to the giveaway! As many of you know, I have a love of books and enjoy giving them as gifts. Even though computerized book readers are nice for holding lots of books, there is just something so special about touching a page of paper. Plus, licking your finger flip a page on a computer screen makes a mess! hee,hee,hee. So anyway, this month I'm thinking a little French Inspiration would be fun!

The first book is The French-Inspired Home by Kaari Meng of French General. Those in the quilting world are loving her right now! Here's a little peek inside.

Pretty cool huh?

The second book is Creating the French Look by Annie Sloan. Here's a little peek inside this one.

The winner will receive Both, yes Both books! To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on This post. As always, if you are signed up (on the sidebar to the right) as a Follower, you are extra special and get two chances!

The random number generator will pick the winner on Wednesday, March 16th. Everyone worldwide is invited to register for the prize. We are delighted to have friends in so many countries!

Good luck and happy stitching everybun!
xx, shell, sugie and harrington

Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's....Zoey?

I honestly feel just like Agnes from Despicable Me everytime I see...

Zoey bunny!! She's just sooooooooo fluffy!! I'm gonna die!!

Zoey lives all the way across the country with RG and BL from A House Full of Rabbits. They do indeed have a house full of rabbits (hello! love these people!). So do you really think they would miss one little ball of fluffy sweetness if she came to live in Bunnyville with Auntie Shell, Sugie and Harrington? Well apparently they would! Because even though I leave comments and have been stalking visting their blog and stating the fact Zoey needs to live with me, they simply refuse and pretty much tell me to find my own fluffy! The nerve! Dag!!! hee,hee,hee.  ;)

I know, I know, thou shall not covet thy neighbor's Zoey. Naughty!! Oh well, at least I can visit in blogland.

Happy Friday Everybun! Don't forget to hop back tomorrow for the next block in 12 of Hearts and a giveaway!! Yipee!!!

xx, shell, sugie and harrington
p.s. sugie and harrington are fuzzy, not fluffy. different thing altogether.

The Grand Finale

Hi my friends! I sure have enjoyed sharing all these quilts with you. Isn't blogging such a fun way to travel without leaving home? Of course, I do recommend visiting this show if you can. You won't be disappointed. My goal is to get to the Houston show one year!

Here are some more lovely quilts.

I love that little pieced block!

This was a bag created for the Hoffman Challenge. I thought it was so cool! A mermaid bag indeed!

I also love the dolls that are created for the Hoffman Challenge. I took these photos especially for my dear friend, Jules of  Adventures in Thread . Jules is an incredible doll maker and I think she should enter this challenge! Hint, hint, hint! :)

Little Bo Peep was my favorite. I love her face and her outfit. Plus I have this thing for sheep, goats and wool right now. If I didn't live in a neighborhood, I would have some sheep and goats and maybe a cute cow, oh and some fuzzy chickens and probably a donkey and ten more bunnies....ok...sorry, I get carried away with critters.

Anyway, there was a section set up with ladies spinning wool. I think it would be so fun to learn to do that. It looks so peaceful. I could spin some angora bunny fur! Yeah!

Well all this wool and creating with wool has taken hold of me this year. Maybe because it's been so darn cold this winter and I've been freezing for months! However, I do love the look and feel of wool and I have several new patterns in the works that will have wool. This brings me to the Grand Finale!

This incredible piece was made by Debora Konchinsky and was my most Favorite quilt of the entire festival!! I love everything about it. A combination of fabric, wool, hand embroidery, needle felting, quilting, beading! Oh my gosh!!!! I want to hang this in my house! I stood here for the longest time studying all the details. This one was really, really, hard not to touch!

I love all the critters! I loooooooooove all the hand embroidery work!

I love all the beautiful texture, warm colors and dimension.

Well hi there little bunny!

Then I found out Debora is an instructor! Hello!!! If she is there next year, I will be signing up for a class with her!!

This is a look at her quilt displayed on instructor's row. This was my second favorite quilt of the festival. Ooooooooo.....ahhhhhh.....fuzzy!

I hope all of "ewe,"  hee,hee,hee, sorry I couldn't resist, had a good time on the tour with me and are inspired to get creating. I have lots of new patterns in the works and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you!

Have a fun, magical and creative week everybun!
xx, shell, sugie and harrington