Last Christmas Gift Completed!

It’s been a wonderful twelve month journey thanks to Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs. 

Anne started her Tisket-A-Tasket BOM in January of this year, the same month I started blogging.  Thank goodness for that or I would never have stumbled upon this wonderful design.  I don’t know about the rest of you but I certainly looked forward to the 5th of every month, the day when the next installment would be released.

As soon as I saw the first design, I knew that I was going to make this quilt as a Christmas gift for my friend Lucie.  I tried to keep up with completing the blocks on a monthly basis as they were released and for the most part, I was successful.  But then there were times where I had to concentrate on swap gifts and other things and found myself sometimes three months behind.

 

But I persevered.  And just last night, the final stitch was sewn!  Ta da!

My friend Nancy (no blog), quilter and long arm quilter extraordinaire, custom quilted it for me.  Nancy is the same gal who did the incredible quilting on my Lemoyne Star quilt.  I thought it was going to be touch-and-go to have the quilt finished in time to give it to Lucie for Christmas, but Nancy worked her magic and came through with flying colors.

Isn’t the quilting amazing?  And this was all done free hand!

I am so thrilled with the final outcome and I know Lucie will ♥ it!

Now I have to concentrate on finishing next month’s First Friday Freebie because I just looked at the calendar and realized the the First Friday of January is on the 1st!  Yikes!  But don’t worry because it’ll get done in time and I know you’re just going to ♥ this one!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

 

More Swap Gifts and Snowstorm…the Day After!

On Tuesday, I received two swap parcels.  You already read about the wonderful goodies that I received from Julz here and now I’d like to share the treasures that Carole sent my way.

Allow me to detract a bit.  A while back, I blogged about a day trip that my friend Nancy (no blog) and I took to Vermont.  Click here for story.  On our way, we stopped at a new quilt shop in Rouses Point, NY.  To make a long story short, Carole…my swap partner in the Secret Santa Christmas Swap…is part owner of the Fibre Junction Quilt Shoppe.  But I didn’t know this until I opened Carole’s parcel and checked out the URL to her blog which she mentioned in the card included with the gifts.

Inside the box, I found a lovely Christmas card, some Lindt chocolates (which have long since disappeared) a pattern for a mini quilt and the coolest turned wooden ornament that Carole’s husband Stephen made for me.  Here’s a closer look.  Isn’t it beautiful?

The rules of the swap were to include a Christmas tree ornament which could be opened upon receipt of the parcel and a hand made Christmas gift that should be wrapped and placed under our trees to be opened on Christmas morning.  Yeah, right!

Well guess what?  I broke the rules because you know what?  I COULDN’T wait til Christmas morning!  I have NO will power!  I could lie and not show you what I got til after Christmas but heck, it’s so gorgeous that I’m betting that you don’t want to wait til after Christmas to see it either…right? 

Are you ready?

Fooled you!  I just decided to prolong the suspense and show you the photos that I took around 7:00 this morning in the front of our house of the aftermath of yesterday’s snowstorm.

The walkway from the driveway to the front door is buried in over a foot of snow.

Mac’s not too sure whether to venture down the steps into the yard below.

We received between 12”-14” of snow but it seems like more than that because of the high winds and the drifting.

This is about 9:00 this morning and the sun is trying to shine.  It sure looks pretty…but now the digging out begins.

Okay…enough snow pictures.  Now it’s on to the “piece de resistance”.  My SSCS gift from Carole.  Are you sure you’re ready?

First the label.

 Then the back.

And now the front!

Can you hear my heart beating?

A  basket quilt done in my favorite vintage colors…cheddar, turkey red and poison green!  Be still my heart!!!

Now wasn’t this worth the wait and breaking the rules for? 

I’m soooo happy.  Two wonderful swap parcels from Carole and Julz…and on the same day!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

Snowed In!

It took a while to arrive but it’s here…and with a vengeance!

The first snow storm of the season!

It started snowing at about 6 a.m. and I took the above photos at 3 p.m. looking out into our backyard.  It almost looks like fog but that’s actually the snow gusting around in the high winds.

This is a view from out our front door.  When I opened the door to take the photo, the snow was piled about a foot and a half up the door from the drifting.  My pine boughs sure look Christmas-y now.

We are supposed to receive between 10” to 12” of snow before it’s all over, supposedly around 9 p.m. 

School bus transportation was cancelled and the streets are deserted.  Perhaps we’ll have a white Christmas after all.

But on the the brighter side, I managed to cut out and piece six blocks of a new quilt that I’m working on…and only six more to go!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

Santa Arrived Early!

How lucky can a gal be?  Two separate swap parcels arrived on the same day!  Who says there’s no Santa Claus?

The first package that Santa brought came all the way from New Zealand.  In the card that she included, Julz apologized for being a tad late in sending her gifts out but let me say that it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT!   Julz was my secret swap partner in the Stitcher’s Angel Swap.

A virtual sleigh full of goodies and all individually wrapped, each with it’s own tag!

The first package contained two fat quarters of The Floral Collection in Pastel  by Lecien.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Next was the “sweet”est needlebook.  I love needlebooks second only to pincushions of course.

And the inside.

 

Then I opened a journal that Julz covered with the same fabric as the needlebook  and with the same embroidered motif.  It’s new home is right beside my computer.  Also included was a calculator that Mr. Painted Quilt tried to pinch (to no avail) and a pin from a local quilt shop called Sawmillers Quiltery and Crafts.

Then I opened this amazing pincushion with a button down lid that when open, serves as a needle minder as well.  How cool is that?

Next I found a gorgeous scissor fob and a fused cut out in the likeness of Mac, our Westie which is destined to become a pillow.

Thank you soooooo much, Julz for all the wonderful goodies that you sent to me.  I love them all!  And thanks also to Helen for hosting this swap.

And if you think that these gifts were awesome, you’re just going to have to come back in the next little while to see what else Santa delivered.  Isn’t Christmas wonderful?

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

First Friday Freebie #4

 It’s the First Friday of the month again so it’s time for my fourth FFF (First Friday Freebie).  Do you realize it’s only 21 days until Christmas?  Yikes!  Where have the days gone?

Although Christmas is a short three weeks away, this month’s design can be stitched up relatively quickly and be ready in plenty of time to hang by the chimney awaiting St. Nick’s arrival.

This month’s design is adapted from an painting I did about 6 years ago that appeared in a Japanese decorative painting magazine.  It’s called Christmas Eve.

Just click here to download the PDF file for the photo, line drawing and instructions.  If you’d like to make a larger stocking, please feel free to enlarge the pattern.

If you’d like,  please grab my button  at the top of this post and place it on your sidebar with a link  back here in order for us to share it with those who might not otherwise find their way here.  The button will also serve as a reminder that on the First Friday of each month there will be another new Freebie design to share with you all.

Once again, I must thank my amazing friend Robyn for creating the PDF files for me.  Without her help, I wouldn’t be able to make these designs available for you to enjoy.

Thanks for stopping by and as always…

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

Gifts from a Special Friend

I just love going to the post office in our small town.  It seems like I always run into someone I know and it’s a great place to catch up on what’s happening in the community…and I don’t mean gossip.  *wink*

Yesterday was no exception because this was waiting for me…

My birthday gift from Julie in Australia! 

I was expecting  a parcel from Julie because she told me when she had posted it but nonetheless, it’s still a joy to find that little white card in the mail box stating that you have a parcel waiting to be picked up inside.

Mr. Painted Quilt was driving as we had run a few errands prior to making the post office our last stop before returning home.  Upon our return, I took my time putting the groceries away and did a few other things just to prolong the anticipation before opening the parcel.  I just wanted the good feelings to last and last.

Not until all my “chores” were done did I decide to take the plunge.

Inside was this beautifully wrapped package tied with a big red bow!

I first opened the card which expressed Julie’s sincere birthday wishes.  Can you see the koala on the front?  If you notice, I was still taking my time to savor every moment before opening the package.

This is the first gift that I found.  A simply awesome candle mat called “Under the Cherry Tree” done in wool…my absolute FAVORITE!  The sheep and the stitches are so tiny and the detail is simply amazing.  It must have taken hours upon hours to stitch this gem.  It now sits in our living room on one of the side tables and that will be it’s permanent place for all to see.

Next was this pincushion from Rosalie Quinlan’s new book…because Julie knows that you can never have too many pincushions!

Then I found this tiny scissor fob attachment x-stitched with the tiniest stitches.  The ‘K’ is for Kaaren and the ‘J’ for Julie to commemorate our friendship. 

And here’s a peek at the other side.  It is now hanging on our Christmas tree…front, center and at eye level!  Gorgeous, huh?

Then I found this Schnibbles pattern called ‘Tuffets’.  These are already on my ‘to do’ list for 2010.

And last but certainly not least…

A pair of “chook” scissors to add to my addiction…I mean collection and a gorgeous scissor sheath.  They took my breath away!

I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world for having met Julie through a swap that she hosted.  I think our husbands breath a sigh of relief that we live so far away from one another because there’s no telling what kind of trouble we’d get into if we were any closer.

Thank you, Julie…and from the bottom of my ♥ 

Your gifts and friendship mean the world to me.

And I just have to end this post with a picture of our Westie, Mac.  He just came back from the doggie beauty shop about an hour ago and I decided that I’d better snap a picture quickly because…being a typical male…he won’t look this clean, neat and tidy in a couple of hours from now.

 Not too bad for an eleven year old, huh?  No, not me…Mac!  *wink*

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like…

Christmas! 

At long last!  I’m sure I’ll be regretting these words in a couple of months but this is our backyard at 7:45 this morning…

 

 

 

It took until the last day of November to arrive…the snow, i.e. and not Santa…at least not yet!  As you can see in the background beyond the fence, the farmer has yet to harvest the corn so I guess the deer will be plentiful this winter enjoying the feast that was left for them.

Yesterday I started to decorate for Christmas.  Although I haven’t completely finished, the tree is up, a few of the other decorations are in place and the outside is done except for a string of lights in one of the urns that needs to be replaced because it decided not to light up this year.  That will be done later today after my trip to the store to buy a replacement set.

There’s nothing more beautiful than a Christmas tree shining brightly with  hand made ornaments displayed for all to see.  I can sit and stare at it for hours.

 

Can you see the reflection of the Christmas lights in the glass panes of the quilt cupboard?

And now the sideboard in our hallway has been changed to display it’s Christmas finery...

as well as the hunt table…

and the island in the kitchen.  Did you notice the sheep chocolate mold?  That was a recent birthday gift from my friend Lucie.  I absolutely love it and it will be a welcome addition to my sheep collection.

The quilt on the bed in the spare bedroom has been changed to the antique red and white one in anticipation of Christmas visitors.

And I couldn’t forget the feather tree on the corner cabinet with it’s pipe cleaner santa ornaments atop the corner cabinet in the kitchen .

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I still have some fresh greenery to add here and there but for the most part, the holiday decorating is done.  Soon the baking will begin and the house will be filled with familiar aromas, synonymous only with Christmas.

And if you can believe it, this Friday, the 4th of December, is the First Friday of the month…already!  You know what that means!  Don’t forget to come back because that’s when the 4th FFF (First Friday Freebie) will be made available for you to download and enjoy.  Until then…

Happy stitching…and decorating…and baking…and wrapping gifts!

Kaaren ♥

Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap

When Char of The Pickled Pepper Patch announced the she was hosting her first Olde Fashioned Christmas Swap, I decided that it sounded like too much fun to pass up.  So, without a second thought, I threw caution to the wind and sent her the email to “sign me up!”

Just last week, my swap partner, Nerina, received the goodies I sent to her.

My gifts from back to front in the photo included a pillow which I stencilled with authentic cream paints and then  hand quilted. 

In the upper left is a snowman that I made from a vintage bobbin.

To the right of the bobbin is a old world style santa that I made from a vintage pint milk bottle.  Can you see the original bottle cap? 

Coming forward and on the left is a primitive snowman ornament and to the right of him are two snowmen ornaments that I made from styrofoam balls covered with crinkled tissue paper.  The noses are made from the same sculpting clay as the santa beard and fur.

Hiding behind the snowmen is a candle in a glass votive and right in front is a battery operated tea light in an candle holder with some pears around it to add interest.

Today when I went to the post office, there was a card in our box indicating that there was a parcel waiting to be picked up inside.  Lo and behold, here’s what was waiting for me.

A parcel from Nerina!

And inside the box…

All these wonderful goodies…a framed stitchery with the words, “It’s a wonderful life”, 3 star-shaped bowl fillers, 2 glass votive candles,  a Christmas scented room freshener, a wooden placque and a garland with made made hearts, snowmen and stockings! 

Thank you so much, Nerina and a special thanks to Char for hosting the swap.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

Do you realize that Christmas is less than a month away?  I hope to start my holiday decorating this weekend but I’m having a difficult time trying to get into the spirit with the unseasonably mild temperatures we’ve been experiencing lately.  The grass is still green and the ground hasn’t frozen yet either!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

Happy Thanksgiving

May yours be a safe and happy one.

Kaaren ♥

What Would You Do?

There has been a lot of talk in the last little while about copyright and copyright infringement.  In all honesty, until I started designing and publishing in the decorative painting industry more than 20 years ago, I knew virtually nothing about copyright laws except for the obvious…that you can’t copy something and call it your own.

What has come up in recent discussions is the general belief that as long as a design is altered by at least 10%, then you can then call the “new” design your own.  Nothing is further from the truth.  Copying any part of any design that is not your own and using it in a design that you deem as yours and as original is a blatant copyright violation, especially if it is being sold for profit under a different name.  Ignorance of copyright laws is NOT an acceptable excuse in a court of law.

Just last week, when I was perusing one of my favorite magazines, I saw something that for a second,  literally took my breath away.  As I was flipping through the back of the magazine where one can read about and see items for sale (which admittedly I very seldom read), I saw this staring back at me.

“Nice fall flag” or “So what?” might be your immediate reaction, right?

Well mine was, I don’t believe it!  What I immediately recognized was a combination of some of my painted designs altered by some other ‘artist’ who is claiming this to be an original of theirs.  NOT!

This artist/thief has taken elements from three of my designs, two of which come from one of my books, specifically this one which was published in 2006.

The pumpkin, leaves and corn come from this design…

and the pear comes from this design.

Some of the corn, the crock and even the design on the crock were taken from this design which I designed, published and taught at a convention in Columbus, Ohio in 2000.

I am still shaking my head in disbelief, even as I write this.

Before I retired from the decorative painting industry, I was asked to sell the rights to some of my designs to a company who would then use them for whatever purpose they chose.  This is called “licensing”.   The company pays you a mutually agreed upon fee and the artist relinquishes all rights to the design thereafter.  For personal reasons, primarily because I had no input as to how or where the designs would be used, I declined.

Part of the licensing agreement is that one must sign a form stating that the design being sold is 100% original and is not in violation of copyright, thereby exempting the company of all liabilities should there ever be a lawsuit.

At this point I would like to say that I do not blame or hold either the magazine or the manufacturing company responsible.  I blame the ‘artist’.  As you have seen, even the theme of the design was not original.  All the elements for this ‘new’ design were taken from my copyrighted designs and reconfigured in such a way to be deemed unrecognizable.  I knew that they were mine as soon as I saw them.

My question to you all is what would you do if you were in my shoes?  I would really like to hear what you have to say.  Thanks and…

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥  

P.S.  A note to Kathy who left a comment on my post entitled “BOO” regarding the vintage images.  I would love to reply to you but you are a “no-reply” blogger and there was no email address on your profile page either.  Please email me if you would like an answer.