Creativity and Bunnies

Hi ya! Did you miss me last week? I had the best intentions on writing, but alas, hackers had other plans for me. My business credit card got hacked so I had to deal with all of that and between my email, my credit card and now being bombarded with SPAM comments here on my blog, I'm about worn out!

On a positive note, I did look at my stats and I'm happy that the Russians are no longer reading things here. Yes, you read that right. I had a huge amount of traffic from Russia over the past two years and it has finally gone back to normal. I guess reading about bunnies, home decor and quilting was not their cup of tea. Of course, I'm sure there is some Google algorithm that will see I typed Russia and they heathens will come back. ;) I will be spending this summer learning how to transfer my blog over to my website where I have control over everything. I think Google, Facebook and Amazon have gotten too big and have too much control over the average person. Ok, there is my rant for this post. Just frustrated by the all the hacking and "Big Brother." They are total morons.

Henry is tired of them too. Doesn't it make you feel better just looking at his sweet face? It does me. My friend, Patricia always use to say, "The world is going to hell. Here are some bunny photos." ;)

After I got all that fixed, worked out and paid for and learned a new email system, I had to get ready to teach in Hilton Head Island for the Palmetto Quilters. Now that was FUN!!! With all the digital everything nowadays, there is still something so special about meeting with friends for a day of play and creativity in real life. I absolutely LOVE it!

I gave a lecture  chat first and one of the guild members showed off my Sir Walter Harrington pillow that she made! Yaaaaaaaay!

In class, Jeanette was working on this embroidery treatment to her flower. I get totally geeked out over everyone's creativity. It's amazing what happens when ones imagination has permission to play.

This is a finished pincushion from Deb Johnson. I love how she put her own spin on the finished piece by not adding border fabric and by using the grosgrain ribbon. I also really love the couching she did around the center of her flower. 

Here are my fun friends in my class. Everyone with their bunny ears of course. ;)

We actually had tornado sirens going off during class! I was cracking up as nobody was worried and thought we should move to the center of the building. They were having too much fun!! No stinkin tornado was going to ruin our Play Date! hee,hee,hee

Thank you to Cathy and Terri for inviting me to your guild. I had such a wonderful time!

Back home at my local guild, my dear friend, Candy Lord, showed off my "Seamore the Seahorse" design. Her home was damaged by hurricane Florence and she still has not moved back in. She decided to make Seamore for her new blue bathroom.

Candy is an amazing quilter and I think she did a great job on this! Bunny ears crossed her home will be ready soon.

Next, whenever I see a beautifully decorated envelope with "air mail" on it, I know it will contain something extra special from Jules!

As always, I was not disappointed. Jules painted Henry the VII for me! She used Henry's details and combined them with portraits of the real Henry the VII. She added a crown as it is more regal than a hat. Don't you just love how he is clenching Timothy Hay? hee,hee,hee. It's fabulous!

Jules and I were talking a while back and I told her I would love to have all my bunnies painted by her in royal attire as they have all had royal names. Here are Sir Walter Harrington and Lady Hannah Goldenhare that I already have and treasure.

Now, I'm super excited to add Henry the VII to my collection. I named him that because he is my eighth rescue rabbit. I'm one lucky bunny to have a best friend in England who is also one of my most favorite artists. Thank you Jules! Love you!!!

I also had a visit from the little bunny, Greyson Howser, who lives across the street from me. He's so darn cute! I can't believe how big he has gotten since August. He and his mom and dad will be moving the middle of next month. I sure will miss them. I'm forever grateful that I met them and got to teach Brandee to quilt. I know she will go on to make more quilts.

So how was your Easter? We had a lovely, delicious and peaceful time with our friends, Patty and Jim. David and I truly enjoy their company.

Oh, I have to show you my birthday/Easter present to myself. I call it my "bunny trophy." hee,hee,hee I just had to have it. It's perfect with my European Cottage Style. Now you know why I love all my  rabbit paintings from Jules too. :)

Well, that is all for this week. I hope you are well. Hannah is doing her Henry imitation with one ear up. ;)

Light, love and hugs,
Michelle

Hopping to Houston!

Hi ya! Just a quick hop in this week as I am running around like a crazy bunny trying to finish up getting packed for the Houston Quilt Festival! I'm so excited I could POP!!!

I learned that my "Beekeeper Pincushion" class is SOLD OUT! Wooooo hoooo! I can't wait to meet my 25 "Play Date" participants. We are going to have the best time and I'm truly looking forward to a week of creative energy. I'm also super excited that my dear friend and student, Sallieanne Harrison from England, will be my roommate. She is also going to be doing some demos at Open Studios on using the sewing machine to applique with Valdani size 12 perle cotton. Oh the adventures that await us!

I won't be posting here next week, but I will be sharing photos and video's on my Raspberry Rabbits Facebook Page and on my Instagram page. So be sure and check in with us there.

On another quick note, Sabrina kitty had to have her back tooth removed today. It had root rot and was all icky. She is doing okay, well mainly because she is on some super heavy duty drugs and she is rolling around the floor and rubbing up against everything. LOL!! The vet told me the drugs make cats super affectionate. It's rather funny. Of course, once the drugs wear off she might not be so lovey when she finds out her tooth is missing!!! Always something.

Have a great rest of this week and next week. I'll catch up when I get back from Houston!

Hugs and friends,
Michelle

Classes- Online vs In Person

Well hello there! It seems we can't get through one week this year without some sort of chaos or disaster! It's truly sad, exhausting and I know so many friends are feeling the same way. Everyone I know is just plain worn out with all of it. Thus the reason being able to hop down the rabbit hole is a welcome respite from the ugly and depressing world.

That being said, I had the most wonderful time last week with my new friends at the Charlotte Quilter's Guild. I truly enjoyed being around all the positive, creative and friendly energy!

I know that online classes are really big right now, and I realize they are good for lots of reasons like lack of time etc., but there is just something so special about being able to spend a day with your friends and also getting one-on-one support from a teacher. I get so excited to see what everyone designs and I love being able to inspire some unique embellishment techniques and color choices. Not to mention, everyone enjoys showing their masterpieces to each other. You just can't have that kind of experience being alone with a computer. 

Here are some photos from our "Play Date."

This is Melanie's finished "Beekeeper" pincushion. She showed me photos of a crazy quilt she made that was just breathtaking. Her crazy quilt stitching skills were evident on her pincushion.

This is Melanie

Here's another close up of her flower. I can't believe how much she got done in class! Super speedy stitcher!

This is Sandy. I love how her purple center pops on her flower. She also served as Pat's personal needle threader for class. ;)

This is Judy. She is the workshop chairperson who invited me. I love her to bits! What a great lady!

 Judy even brought treats to celebrate our adventure down the rabbit hole! Her father hand-carved that rabbit many years ago. Isn't it fantastic?

This is Vonnie. I met her when I vended a show and she asked the guild to invite me. I loved her bead selection for the center of her flower petals. Hugs Vonnie!

This is Jan. She was chatting about the methods her grandiekids use to learn math nowadays. Good gracious it sounded so HARD! I would flunk out for sure. LOL!

 Here is Jan's flower. I like the beads down the center.

This is Donna. Doesn't she have such a great smile? She gives you a hug with that smile.

I showed Donna how she could twist some yarns together to create an interesting center for her flower.

She sent me a photo of her completed pincushion. She even made the bee purple! Lovely!

This is Pat. I met her when I vended the show where I met Vonnie. Pat is such a sweet lady. She came up from South Carolina just to take my class!

Deanne chose warm, rich colors for her flower. Yummy! I also love the beads she put in her flower petals.

This is Debbie. She is an art quilter and this class was outside her normal "wheelhouse." I think she did a beautiful job with all the seed stitching and I was super happy that she decided my class was something fun and different to do. :) :) :) 

Anna's flower is so fun and festive like a celebration in the Caribbean sea!

Here's a close up of the little French knots she stitched on the rick rack. Sweet!

This is Sharon. She was my "Teacher's Pet." She helped me hand out kits and set up my supply tables. Thank you!! She also said I should apply to teach at Empty Spools. Boy would that ever be fun!!

I love how Sharon used a Lazy Daisy stitch with the beads. Very cool and very clever!

This is Marie. She is the guild President. This woman knows how to run a meeting! I told her that I was going to tell my guild they need to take pointers from her. We always drag on and on and Marie got things done lickety split!

She did a cute little cross stitch in the center of her flower petals.

This is Debra. She selected a Valdani thread color that I just got in.

Here's what it looks like on her flower. I'm loving it!!

Joyce was making a super sweet flower. She was couching a soft purple yarn around the edge. She chose some yellow buttons and a variety of purple beads. Perfect!

This is Angie. She is an Architect! (Brenda are you reading this?) Angie is the second student of mine who is an Architect. So darn cool! Girl power!!

Angie chose these really rich, warm colors for her flower. This was another Valdani thread color that I just got in. Super yummy! Makes me think of pumpkin and cinnamon.

This last flower is from Jan. She wanted me to take a photo her flower and not her. She is so darn funny! I love how she added the "fuzzy" stitching around the outside of her flower. Very cool!

Of course, no "Play Date with the Crazy Bunny Lady" is complete without bunny ear photos!

Woo hoo!!!

I love you gals bunches! Thanks so very much for inviting me to come and play. I hope you had as much fun as I did.

So, what are your thoughts about online versus in-person classes?

Hugs,
Michelle