Sunny Days

Jo and I have been friends for about 18 years, she says 17, whatever its a long time. We met in a Prodigy chat room for quilters. She taught me most of what I know about quilting online and in the mail, sending me blocks to see how things are done. She has alot of patience this woman. She didn't only teach me about quilting she taught me about friendship, how to be a good mom and hopefully someday how to be a wonderful grandma like she is to her 3 boys.

Jo always amazes me with the quilts she makes, and how many she can make a year. Its amazing.

This slide show snitched off her blog shows some of her quilts and the hand stitching she puts into them.

I was always kind of jealous of her kids she is always doing something for someone and well I havent ever had anything anyone made for me, my mom knitted and crocheted and I guess she thought since I made lots of things myself if I wanted it for me or my kids I could make it myself. I am rambling back to the reason for this post.

I got a box in the mail from Jo about a week or so after my 50th birthday, with the most wonderful surprise in it.




A QUILT just for me, made by the best friend in the world. Hand quilted by Jo. What an amazing piece of love she made me. (just so you know the quilt holder upper wasn't very cooperative. I will get a better picture another time.)

Thank you Jo for my quilt and for being my best friend.

This was the garden 6 months after moving in. lots of work and I never really paid attention to it till this year.
A couple months ago...



but i kept on changing and adding...



and taking out and adding...


this was last week.

About a year ago Cindy of Sew Happy Designs asked me to make some embroidered blocks for her to turn into a baby quilt. I said yes then bought the designs she asked for.

She chose the Ocean Creatures from Smart Needle Embroidery



Cute HUH?? Well this week she finally mailed me the fabrics she wants me to use for the blocks.

The question is HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FRANNI TO ACTUALLY DO THE BLOCKS??
Are we taking bets?? Someone should :D You all know me, the queen of procrastination.

Time to start posting again now that things have calmed down.



Today is all about puppy love.

If you are looking to get really good quality items this Christmas, then you really should look into handmade items. When you have someone spend their time, energy and money on making an item, to me it is so worth it. It has been a very long time since I have bought items from retail stores. Handmade items are so much more special to give then store bought manufactured items. These are some of the best handmade shops to shop in. Stop by and take a look and I hope you decide to buy handmade this Christmas.


Auntifranni – ArtFire Artisan Studio


aislinnseroticjewels – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Badgereels -Artfire Artisan Studio


Butterfly-Crafts -Website

C Newcomb Woodworking – Artfire Artisan Studio


ColtPixy – ArtFire Artisan Studio

CWinspirations – ArtFire Artisan Studio

CatsWire – ArtFire Artisan Studio


CharSpirit – ArtFire Artisan Studio

CrysallisCreations – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Cymberrain - Artfire Artisan Studio

DerondaDesigns – ArtFire Artisan Studio

DsignsofAvalon – ArtFire Artisan Studio

EmilyClaireCreations – ArtFire Artisan Studio

FantasyClay – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Glasstastic Treasures - Artfire Artisan Studio


GypsyGoods – ArtFire Artisan Studio

HaffinaCreations -Artfire Artisan Studio

JewelledTrellis – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Merigreenleaf – ArtFire Artisan Studio

MamasLittleMonkeys -Artfire Artisan Studio


MicroMops - Artfire Artisan Studio

MothersLove – ArtFire Artisan Studio

MzzThang – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Nightmaiden – ArtFire Artisan Studio

ManyHorsesJewelrySupply – ArtFire Artisan Studio


Pegasus Soaps- Artfire Artisan Studio


SassyClayCreations – ArtFire Artisan Studio


Sewhappydesigns – ArtFire Artisan Studio

ShinyAdornments – ArtFire Artisan Studio


SilverRiverJewelry – ArtFire Artisan Studio


Simply Smiss – ArtFire Artisan Studio

StudioDTQ – ArtFire Artisan Studio

TheBeadedBranch – ArtFire Artisan Studio


WillowWalkerDesigns – ArtFire Artisan Studio

Wooleycreek – ArtFire Artisan Studio

RainbowFingers - Artfire Artisan Studio

Ignisfatuus - Artfire Artisan Studio

Madelines Wardrobe - Artfire Artisan Studio