Calling all Want to be Quilters!

 

"Helloooo friends and followers, I would love to welcome you

                                                 to a Wantobe Quilters Campaign over here at

 

There will be quilting supplies giveaways 5 x a week for 12 weeks! Hello! That's fantastic!

Have you always wanted to start quilting, but needed some encouragement, some supplies and some ideas to get you started? Well my friends, this is going to be the event to get you going!

Supplies that will have you quilting

before you know it...From sewing machines to irons, to die cutters,

to mats, to rotary cutters, sewing baskets, scissors, batting, needles,

rolled sewing machine bags, patterns, books, magazines...everything

you could imagine to assist you in being a NEW Quilter.

Even if you are already part of this community you can win

quilting stuff too...Tuesday and Thursday are days for us..

All you have to do is give me your name and phone number

and email sew I can submit this to the organizer, because if you win

anything I can win something too.

All you have to do is be my follower and a follower

over at Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure....

That is all! There are over 49 Sponsors involved! Woo hoo!

 

I am pretty excited to be part of this and sew should you!

I have been a quilter since 1989 and I love being a QUILTER! This is a wonderful opportunity to get you started! So send me an email containing your name, phone number and email and I'll register you! It's that simple!! Let the party begin!

 

Work'in on it Wednesday - Guest Blogger at Sew we Quilt!

Helloooooooooo! I'm the Guest Blogger over here today!

Just click HERE and hop over to see what I'm work'in on. There's a giveaway too! Oh boy!
xx,

Pressies from my Aussie Girlfriends!

Somebunny's been spoiled again! Me!!!! I got two wonderful pressies in the mail from dear friends in Australia!

The first came from Jo of Lilly Pilly.  Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things! (you'll be singing that song all day now!) Isn't the Koala a cutie!

Inside, Jo made me this wonderful sewing bag and needle keeper! I decided Mr. Koala would be most happy hanging out on the bag.

Here's the back of the bag. Gorgeous isn't it and all that work! On the bag it says, In my heart there lives a joyful song. The road to a friends house is never too long. Love it! Thanks soooooooo much Jo! I will treasure it always. It's already getting lots of good use!

Next is a pressie I won from Jess at Scrap-in-Happy. Jess had this giveaway on her blog a little while back and I was lucky enough to win! Yippeee!!! Perfect for my iced tea in this hot Summer we're having!

I borrowed these photos from Jess' blog so you could see the beautiful detail.

I must say that I was equally excited over the postcard! One day I will visit Australia and I hope to meet all my wonderful friends and customers there. Group hug for sure!

Thank you so very much my Aussie girlfriends! Once again I have been spoiled! :)
xx,

Happy Vacation Friday!

"Vacation! What do you mean vacation?!? I didn't approve any vacation!"

"I'm tell'in ya Hannah, Mama and Daddy are going on a vacation to Tybee Island in Georgia with Daddy's family. Mama and Daddy have not been on a vacation together since 2006 and Mama say's she needs a break. Auntie Shawn is coming to stay with us and take care of us and the house. You know Mama is so protective over us and the house."

"Harrington, does Auntie Shawn have experience with bunnies?"
"Well I'm not sure, but Mama say's Auntie Shawn owns her own insurance agency and something about 'you're in good hands with Allstate' so I guess we're in good hands. She also say's that Auntie Shawn is just as anal as she is about stuff."

"What's insurance? Does it have anything to do with food or treats or chewing the carpet? What about partying in the poo poo bucket?"

"Harrington...do you think Auntie Shawn will give us banana chips and kisses at bedtime like Mama does and tell us we are the most precious bunnies in the entire world and that we bring her so much joy, happiness and love and that she is grateful for every day that she has with us?"

"She better if she know's what's good for her!"

Happy Friday everybun! Yes, David and I are finally taking a vacation. We're going to Tybee Island and I can hardly wait. I haven't been away in so long and I'm looking forward to seeing David's family and exploring a new place. I do love an adventure! Stay tuned next week though as I have lots of fun things to share with ya'll.

Have a wonderful weekend and do something fun!
xx,

What I'm work'in on Wednesday and a Special Visit from Denmark

Helloooo! If you are here for WBC party, click on the link to the left. :)

How is everybun? Has your week been good so far? Mine is super busy and super fun! This is what I'm work'in on. My next Folk Art Fusion piece. "Lady Hannah Goldenhare." I still have the hand stitching to do, but I'm thrilled with it so far! I love this wool felt and sell lots of colors in my SHOP if ya'll want to play with some too! This method is so much fun and I'm thrilled to be giving workshops and lectures on it.

Hannah is quite delighted that I named the piece after her. (the star on her nose shows up really good in this photo. cute huh?)

Next, I'm over the moon excited to tell you about a very special visit I had last Thursday!!! I received an email back in May from Susanne. She is one of my customers and blog followers from Denmark! I have to admit, that when I go to the post office with a package going to another country, I get very excited! It's just so darn cool that the internet has introduced me to soooooooooo many fabulous friends around the world! Even the fella at the post office is impressed when I tell him where something is going! Susanne doesn't have a blog yet, but I've been encouraging her to start one.

So anyway, I get an email from Susanne saying she and her family will be in the USA for a vacation and they would like to stop and meet me and the bunnies in person on their way from Myrtle Beach, SC to Nags Head, NC! I couldn't believe it! They wanted to go out of their way to meet me and the bunnies? Oh my gosh!! I'm so honored!

So last Thursday they arrived and had lunch with me! From left to right is Sophie Amalie, Marie Louise, Rune and Susanne. Aren't they such a lovely family?!? We had a wonderful visit, the bunnies adored them and did their best to get as much attention as they could.

Susanne gave me these beautiful gifts. A plaque, a flag of Denmark, a wonderful artist post card, and a goodie bag. The bag and artist card have bunnies on them!

I can't thank ya'll enough for taking the time to drive out of your way to see me. It was such a wonderful visit and something I will remember forever! The door is always open for another visit anytime you're around this way! :)

See ya on Friday everybun!
xx,

12 of Hearts Giveaway Winner!

Helloooooo everybun! If you are here for Where Bloggers Create Party, scroll down one post or click on the link to the left.

Thanks for all your comments on the "to sash or not to sash." I do hope ya'll will share your finished photos with me! *note* Terri Sue, I read your comment, but I have no way to contact you. Please send me an email so I can help you with your first quilt. :)

Ok, now onto the winner of this month's giveaway! Congratulations to our new friend and follower from Canada, Elizabeth from Blue Clear Sky! (She has a beautiful blog ya'll, hop over and visit!) Send me an email with your address Elizabeth and I'll get your prize on it's way.

Remember, you can always purchase this pattern and the floss kit from my SHOP if you would like to make one for yourself. It's fun and easy!

Have a fun week everybun! I have lots of things to show you on Wednesday!
xx,

Where Bloggers Create 3rd Party! Welcome to Bunnyville!

Helloooooooooo everybun! Welcome to the 3rd annual Where Bloggers Create party hosted by the lovely Karen Valentine of My Desert Cottage! Many warm hugs and thanks to Karen for all the hard work she puts into this fun event! Be sure to visit her blog for the list of this years participants. I do love snooping looking in other's creative spaces! hee,hee,hee.

Step right up my friends. For those of you who are new to my blog, my name is Michelle May, but everybun calls me Shell. (Shell fits better with a woman that wears a crazy bunny hat) I'm soooooooooo delighted you are here for a visit! Take a hop up these stairs to my studio. I call it "Bunnyville" as I have been obsessed with bunnies since I was 6 years old. Plus, my real rescue bunnies live here!

Sweet little Tille is here to wish all of our guests a warm welcome. I just love her darling, happy face. I always pat her head on my way up.

So what goes on in Bunnyville? Well lots of fun stuff! I'm a textile folk artist and have been quilting since 1989. I was hooked at the first stitch not to mention all the glorious fabrics! Hello! I taught quilting for 10 years and have been designing patterns for my web business, The Raspberry Rabbits since 2006. 

Recently I developed Folk Art Fusion. This technique involves fabric and wool combined with the fun  of folk art! I will be teaching workshops on this method at art festivals and quilting guilds. Maybe I will meet you some day!

This piece, on my worktable, is called "The Royal Wedding." I still have some hand stitching to do before it is finished, but I love how it's turning out.

In addition to Folk Art Fusion, I also design stitchery and quilting patterns. This is Little Houses     No. 2. I sell my patterns, Valdani Floss and other supplies in my Webshop.

At the top of the stairs, I have many wonderful collections of bunny items. There are things people have made me as well as art I have purchased. Two pieces from Diane Duda are among my most favorite! I own her original "Bunny Bliss" mixed media piece and a print of her "She believed in spontaneous dancing." Both have bunnies of course! These pieces surround a frame with photos of all the bunnies I rescued and brought home to live in Bunnyville to assist me with my work. 

In fact, here is my newest employee, Lady Hannah Goldenhare.

Bunnyville is a wonderful place to work. Here Hannah and Sir Walter Harrington (aka, Harrington) take a break in the employee lounge. There is a snack bar, a water cooler and a gym!

Of course, they prefer to hang out and socialize in the gym rather than actually exercise.

Our restroom facilities are so clean you can eat off the floor!

"Harrington, I thought you said we were getting doors installed for privacy."

"Sorry Hannah, budget cuts."

My vision board displays all the things I want to accomplish. I look at it every single morning for inspiration. I have used a vision board for many years and find them quite helpful in focusing on my goals. Above it it says, "if you can dream it, you can acheive it." This area also contains many beautiful treasures that have been given to me by dear blogging and bunny friends.

This beautiful doll was made by my fun, British, friend Jules of Adventures in Thread. This lovely lady is called The Rabbit Herder. Jules even wrote a wonderful story to go with her. I found the chair in a thrift store and knew it was perfect for such an important lady! The lamp and other stained glass pieces you see were made by my honey bunny of 22 years, David.

This adorable pinkeep and mug mat rest near my sewing machine. They are treasures made by my dear friend, Donna of Brynwood Needleworks. Donna is sew talented and spoils me rotten! (love ya girlfriend!)

In April of 2010, after 10 years of  hard work, I was laid off from my construction job as a project manager. I sat for many an hour thinking long and hard about what I was going to do with my life. Mary Englebreit is one of my most favorite artists. (I still miss Home Companion magazine) When I saw this print on her website I just knew I had to have it. Was I ever over the moon excited when it arrived personally signed by Mary and numbered 500 of 500! Wow O Wow!! Can we say happy bunny dance!

The charming little paintings on each side of it are new purchases from the talented Jennifer Lanne. I have admired her work forever and just had to purchase these little beauties after seeing them featured on Earth Angels Toys.

This incredible piece was given to me for Christmas last year by my sweetheart of a friend, Margaret of The French Bear. Margaret has the biggest heart and one day I hope to meet her in person and give her a big hug. This piece is handmade by Susan Pilotto of Crowsnest Pass Primitive Folk Art. I must admit that I jumped around, clapped my hands and did the happy bunny dance when I opened this gift. I simply adore Susan's work and stitched on the cushion is "The Raspberry Rabbit" in French. This piece always reminds me of Harrington standing on my fabric pile.

Art imitates life for sure!

Most of my days are spent at my desk by the window. I love the natural light for drawing new designs and daydreaming of fabric combinations with bunnies playing underfoot.

My wonderful sewing table was custom made by my cabinet maker from my construction days. I keep the doors off one side of the cabinet as my employee's like to keep an eye on me while I work. (Harrington is in the bottom shelf) They also like to run through it as a shortcut to the other side of the studio.

Hannah likes to keep an eye on me too while I'm cutting out a project.

Occasionally I can get the bunnies to help me pick fabrics.

So Hannah you really want me to use the flower fabric huh?

Of course, somebunny else really wants me to pick the white fabric.

"Mama! Fur boy is digging in the bucket again! Where's the lint roller!"

I'm quite embarrassed to say, but I was recently brought up on charges for sexual harrassment in Bunnyville.

"I'm tell'in ya Harrington it was awful. She tried to kiss me with that Starbucks coffee breath!

The charges were dropped after a plea bargan of banana chip treats, a new toy for the employee lounge, and a promise that I would not give bunny kisses after drinking large amounts of Starbucks coffee.

"Uhhhh excuse us! Doesn't somebunny have some work to do around here? Mama, that would be you!"

Oh ok you two I'll be right there. Geez, who's the boss around here anyway? ;)

In parting, I would like to leave you with this saying as you hop outta Bunnyville. Pretty much, this is how I sum things up and how I try to live each day.

So be happy, have fun, laugh hard, and love fully every minute of your life.

Down the rabbit hole I go...or maybe it's up in this case. :)

Thanks for visiting with us in Bunnyville. Come back soon! Oh, and don't forget to register for our giveaway on the post below!

xx,