tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70149568931398199452012-01-04T13:55:16.631-05:00Linda Zokan, quilt designer, blogging about creative endeavors, musings, pattern design, quilts, and the everyday life of a quilt pattern designer living in Naples Florida.Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.comBlogger1791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-54618428689627481742012-01-04T13:55:00.002-05:002012-01-04T13:55:16.647-05:00

Happy New Year!  Did I make any resolutions for 2012?  Well..... I decided to go green this year and recycle the ones from last year. Why waste time and energy making new ones when the old standbys are at hand and can be pulled out and used again? If you used up your resolutions from years past, then by all means get some shiny new ones and embrace the feeling of a fresh start, I applaud you for

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-86891946266170337332011-12-28T17:24:00.001-05:002011-12-28T17:24:48.618-05:00

Ho - ho - ho - hope your Christmas was filled with delight. I purposely stayed away from the keyboard over the holidays so I would spend my time doing fun stuff like baking cookies, visiting, sleigh riding, napping, eating, watching cheesy Christmas movies......... all that good stuff that goes along with Christmas and the holiday season. Fortunately , unlike my friend Karen, (poor Karen) I

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-68755730860864884502011-12-18T23:25:00.000-05:002011-12-18T23:25:15.426-05:00

..... hopefully going to be very happy with their prizes. I so enjoyed the comments that were shared and I truly wish everyone a glorious Christmas season. The reason I didn't post sooner is because I was busy wrapping gifts so I could get them mailed off to my family to the north. I was also pouting because the Packers lost the game today. I guess I shouldn't pout though,  it's the first game

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-90107987045715053472011-12-16T22:16:00.000-05:002011-12-16T22:16:19.992-05:00

Calling all procrastinators.......If you know me, you know that I am the reining queen of procrastinators. All hail the queen! NOT. Today was spent in my studio stitching in double time. I thought I would be farther along with my gift making but alas here it is a week before Christmas and I am frantically stitching away. Please tell me I am not alone....please don't tell me that you had your

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-47637228954139753782011-12-09T00:50:00.001-05:002011-12-09T14:50:54.878-05:00

Do you like gift cards? How would you like a $20.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble?  Then you'll want to enter my new (and long overdue) giveaway and perhaps you'll be the one to win it. In this giveaway I wanted to give a gift that everyone can use and I'm sure that you can find something fun there to treat yourself to. The $20.00 Barnes & Noble gift card will come in a little handmade gift

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com145tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-84822792441779202432011-11-30T12:30:00.001-05:002011-12-04T23:03:15.929-05:00

You know the feeling... the feeling you get when you finally put the finishing touches on a quilt you've been making or a room you've been decorating, or even a junk drawer that needed cleaning. I have just finally finished up an exciting project that I have had in the works since the summer. It is such a nice feeling to have it all come together. I'm guessing that you have children or

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-7437539461793641362011-11-17T22:35:00.000-05:002011-11-17T22:35:48.397-05:00

Look what I found! Actually my hubby stumbled across it and took me to see it. We didn't see Gort or Klaatu anywhere around so maybe it is filled with chocolate....mmmmmm! Anyway it's pretty cool looking. Got a new camera today, an early b'day present from my family so I'll be back to taking more pix again. Didn't realize how much I used my camera until my old one broke. Had a hard time finding

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-21252113653325342462011-10-31T11:03:00.000-04:002011-10-31T11:03:05.646-04:00

Well, it was dark anyway. It did threaten rain last night, and after the 3 or 4 inches we got the other day it's a bit soggy out there. Today is gloomy and drizzly, perfect zombie weather, but hopefully the rain will abate in time for all the costumed kindlings to trick or treat to their hearts content.  Our candy supply is dwindling though, hmmm wonder how that happened? I knew I should have

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-19155720284509054622011-10-23T00:04:00.000-04:002011-10-23T00:04:37.805-04:00

I don't want anyone to swoon by posting again so soon but I have a little time before calling it a day... Back to our latest quilt retreat.... My friend Peggy had made some pretty Christmas ornaments and when she came back from lunch one afternoon one was missing....  There was however a ransom note on her table....                      (it reads, "Your ball is mine, leave 5 bucks on piano")

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-25810943987924080922011-10-20T15:24:00.000-04:002011-10-20T15:24:07.112-04:00

 I am happy to report that the lights are back on.  LOL Since my last posting of July 22nd, (OMG not kidding) the lights again went out Tuesday night when our latest storm rolled through. Now however, we are thoroughly enjoying the cooler temps here in South Florida. Only in the 70's today! So where have I been all summer????? It's been a bumpy road....  it's a long story that I will edit

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-79160865102986516562011-07-22T23:51:00.000-04:002011-07-22T23:51:21.567-04:00

Ah yes...just another ferocious afternoon thunderstorm in "sunny" Florida.  There were some real window rattling booms today. The lightning was super intense and had us scampering around the house unplugging vital equipment such as the computer, phones, printers, tv's, etc. We're a bit gun shy since getting zapped by a lightning hit last year which took our tv's, modem, intercoms and phones.

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-59586422361030125642011-07-19T12:02:00.000-04:002011-07-19T12:02:51.287-04:00

Yes we were over a rainbow! On our way back from our Wisconsin visit to see family and friends we flew over a rainbow! Our very nice flight attendant came over and brought it to our attention and it was so beautiful. I have never been right over a rainbow before. Anyway, were' back home and had a fabulous visit. It was my parents 6oth anniversary - yes 60th! They are an amazing couple and truly

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Wow! It can't be July 4th already, but it must be because an increasing amount of American flags are lining the streets, there are red white and blue yummies at the bakery, firework tents have sprouted up at all the shopping centers,  mosquitoes are buzzing about, and the smell of charcoal is wafting through the air. Yikes...where has the year gone? Do you realize the Christmas is only about 5

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-38751229018868518592011-06-16T23:13:00.000-04:002011-06-16T23:13:11.888-04:00

Go fish...........we had a whopper of a storm roll in last night and lost power about 7:30. Of course.....just before I was going to make dinner. The winds were ferocious and brought down some large limbs and toppled our ginormous potted cactus on the deck. before the storm  After digging out our battery lanterns, battery radio and battery fan, we dug out an old deck of cards and played "go

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-82189604799399000272011-06-08T23:57:00.000-04:002011-06-08T23:57:54.432-04:00

Karen's stencil from our "art camp" reflects my feelings right now. We've been in upheaval around here since my father-in-law went into the hospital the day before Mother's Day. We were very afraid that we were going to lose him and are so very joyful that he rallied through. We are also very grateful for my DH's step family that have been by our side through it all. We ended up having to move

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-79432881829875519572011-05-11T08:30:00.003-04:002011-05-11T08:30:00.192-04:00

Let's see, where did I leave off???? Oh yes, we rust dyed our fabrics and then we were playing with creating our own stamps to use on our fabrics.  We used all manner of things to make our stamps..... Cathi used some sort of discarded kitchen utensil for this one. Hmmmm, Cathi, won't you miss that in the kitchen???? LOL Then she over-stamped it with a small commercially made texture stamp. This

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-10884417730219192652011-05-06T00:34:00.000-04:002011-05-06T00:34:07.159-04:00

A Monarch caterpillar decide that this wall plaque on our patio, was where it wanted to make it's amazing transformation. We came out one morning and this lovely chrysalis was hanging form the edge of the wall plaque.  several days later it was changing........ then we came home the next afternoon and ..... we had missed it..... but one of the monarch butterflies fluttering about our yard

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-86087177101869375922011-05-03T23:31:00.000-04:002011-05-03T23:31:11.429-04:00

Hooray - Cathi just sent me her pix of her rust dyeing and she got some really cool results. Tell me this one doesn't look like C3PO from star wars...... Cathi's C3PO? I like these two a lot too...... Cathi got some good rust going here Cathi's rust dyeing - to me, this one looks like fossils of long legged bugs. Hopefully someday we will all do something with our rust dyed pieces - 

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-76274734593072988312011-04-29T08:00:00.001-04:002011-04-29T08:00:04.045-04:00

Okay....so our fabric has been sitting in plastic bags with all manner of rusty things, and hopefully it is becoming fabulous. I rinsed out my two smaller pieces that were scrunched up on the cookie sheet by the end of the day Saturday and they had already been sufficiently rust dyed. I used a white on cream fabric and after rinsing it out I laid it in the sun to dry and then stenciled over it

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-85301683276914201442011-04-27T12:14:00.000-04:002011-04-27T12:14:40.935-04:00

WOW...... what a fun-filled day of fabric play at "Cathi's summer art camp" Last Saturday, me and 3 of my bff''s spent the day at bff Cathi's house where she hosted an awesome day of creative play. We have been trying to plan this day for months and it finally came to fruition. Cathi had her large cutting table all set to go and we protected it with a large canvas tarp she purchased. This is the

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OMG, I should finally have my taxes finished this week (yes, I know) and then I have plans to do some major stitch-a-thons in my studio. I think my new sewing machine must think I don't like it, as I have not been spending much time with it. The "season" in S. Florida is always a busy time for everyone, between visitors, extra hours at work, lots of seasonal events, and the holidays. Although

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-21760278236249414072011-03-30T23:37:00.000-04:002011-03-30T23:37:46.295-04:00

My parents were just here visiting from Wisconsin for a week but unfortunately my Dad arrived with a nasty cold and cough. It slowed him down a little but didn't dampen his spirits and the four of us had a wonderful, quiet, lazy week together. We reminisced, laughed, cried, ate, took naps, fed the squirrels, and went for walks.  My mom and I had a shopping day together and my DH made his out of

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-8798340894820503252011-03-22T00:13:00.000-04:002011-03-22T00:13:01.949-04:00

I think I need a time management expert to move in. With work (yes I work outside the studio too), designing, writing, sleeping, shipping, eating, socializing, and gardening, I must shamefully admit my blogging has suffered. I had such high hopes that I would be able to keep a steady flow of interesting posts for you. There are days that I just don't grab the camera and find something to share.

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-62920349140863489382011-03-14T19:33:00.000-04:002011-03-14T19:33:02.081-04:00

Goodness, sewing machines seem to be multiplying like rabbits in my house. My dearly loved and much used Viking 990 died on me a few weeks ago (r.i.p.) and the part to fix it is not to be found right now. Rest assured I will keep looking, but in the meantime my dear, sweet generous friends all offered the use of their spare machines to use. First I had Marti's Janome and it was very easy to learn

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-65097060146955403322011-03-10T23:24:00.001-05:002011-03-10T23:27:01.544-05:00

Our local guild just held it's annual quilt show this past weekend and as always... it was fabulous. We have such a creative talented group of quilters in our area and they never disappoint. I was too busy looking and chatting to take many pix but I did snap a few to share. I really liked this star quilt. I like the setting and the little detailed block in the center. It is like a quilt in a

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-79905222093877998082011-02-03T18:51:00.000-05:002011-02-03T18:51:59.359-05:00

Well ~ at last my DH and I decided on a new color for the kitchen walls. Gee, you'd think I was making decision with global implications for as long as it took me to choose a new color. There were paint color samples all over the place. Here's the boring before..... yawn....of course this was after the ugly wallpaper came down. here's the change in progress.... and the all done.... Anyway

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-84003692295218050272011-01-21T08:00:00.001-05:002011-01-21T08:00:17.122-05:00

Even though it was only 4 nights it did the trick for me. Our semi annual quilt retreats have a way of recharging my batteries or hitting the reset button. Our retreats do not have any scheduled events, the only requirement is showing up and doing what you want. What more can you ask for? This retreat was a small one...only six of us instead of the usual 8-10 and though we missed our friends we

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2011..... it's a brand new year, you'll use a new calender, write a new year on your checks, turn another year older, maybe clean a few closets and even make yet another round of New Year's resolutions. HA! Not this girl, not this year! Don't get me wrong....I could come up with a ginourmous list of resolutions like.... keep up with my paperwork finish a project before starting another ~ LOL go

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-91106636390113154092010-12-24T00:31:00.000-05:002010-12-24T00:31:17.572-05:00

.....a lot like Christmas, and I should hope so, seeing as tomorrow is Christmas eve! Wow! Where did the year go???? Has anybody seen it???? Actually we had the tree and lights up pretty early but of course it's everything else that I put off to the last minute that catches up with me. I did get several batches of cookies made and I still have some sugar cookie dough to be rolled out and baked

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-3418851186903164172010-12-08T16:40:00.000-05:002010-12-08T16:40:13.370-05:00

Look what we found just outside our front door yesterday morning.... we have had very cold weather, by south Florida standards anyway, in the 30's overnight brrrrrrr and double brrrrrr.  I don't know who made this cozy little spot during the night but I took a peek late last night to see if they had returned to it again and it was empty. It only measures about 4 or 5 inches across so I'm puzzled

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-59117165477865936862010-11-28T16:56:00.000-05:002010-11-28T16:56:40.256-05:00

So...... just how many turkey leftover recipes have you been cooking up?  I hope that everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends. We had half of my DH's step family and his older step brother had the other half. No....there's no bickering, just making the size of the gatherings a little easier for the hosting families. The family has grown with nieces and nephews marrying and

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-66645814453466648642010-11-17T12:08:00.000-05:002010-11-17T12:08:38.503-05:00

OMG - I am so sorry. The blog post for assembling the quilt blocks did not post as scheduled and I guess that could make this stitch-a-long a bit challenging, don't you think? Thank you so much Penny for calling it to my attention. Now I have to go wash the egg of my face. Here is the missing post for assembling the blocks and sashing: Now we get to put the rows and sashing together and it's

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-25944259991613434552010-11-08T23:37:00.001-05:002010-11-08T23:46:37.100-05:00

Okay, enough goofing off - here's the next steps for the Stitch -a-long  with Linda. So far we have made all the blocks, the sashing and the most of the borders. Now we can start putting put it all together. Kathleen is keeping right up...... check out her progress at welcome to my world Border 1 The first border that gets added are the 4-1/2" x 34" print border strips. Add one to each end of

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Hahaha .... if you actually used the word groovy, along with 'far out',  'dig it'  and truckin'  extensively at one time, you're gonna love these snaps! Enjoy a stroll down memory lane :) Far out! groovy!  by the way.... those are vintage suede boots, suede belt, tie dye t-shirt, headband, tank top and some of the jewelry - the hair is new LOL. I'm waiting for the snaps from my

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-85102439379379393512010-10-31T08:15:00.002-04:002010-10-31T08:15:00.811-04:00

Happy Halloween...watch out for zombies this weekend, you never know where they might be wandering about. I spied this one waking up in our yard. How many of you carved or painted pumpkins already? Share your links if you have them. Did you bake the seeds?? They are so good right out of the oven all salty and crunchy. How are you doing with the candy around the house? Did you eat most of it

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-61572943267172791632010-10-28T00:37:00.000-04:002010-10-28T00:37:56.214-04:00

Before we get to the next steps in the Stitch-a-long I had to share this awesome blossom that was on our dragon fruit cactus. The bloom at first appeared very similar to the blooms on our night blooming ceresus but on second look we saw this wacky anemone looking part. (lower front) It is actually the pistil of the flower and I think it is just so cool looking. Too bad the blossom only lasts one

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-6205368486224186322010-10-17T01:30:00.000-04:002010-10-17T01:30:29.116-04:00

I told you this wasn't going to be a hurry up stitch-a-long project.  Like you, I have a lot of things vying for my attention with many glamorous things..... such as work, laundry, cleaning, gardening, cooking, sleeping, you get the idea. Speaking of gardening I have been planting my earthboxes with the Fall crop  and now have brussel sprouts popping up and my beans are really going to town.

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-48768437524774478002010-10-05T17:36:00.000-04:002010-10-05T17:36:55.643-04:00

Do you have your rulers, mats and cutters at the ready?? I hope you've had a chance to gather your fabrics for the Stitch-a-Long with Linda but if your still waiting for a shopping order to arrive, fear not. This is going to be an easy and relaxed Stitch-a-Long. I am posting the cutting instructions for those that might be all set to go already, and if that's you, I don't want to keep you

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-17655521705500119972010-10-04T15:11:00.000-04:002010-10-04T15:11:58.261-04:00

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that I will be the featured designer for the next 2 weeks over at the Quilter's Showcase blog. Hooray! I had an interview with Kathleen that will be shared as the feature continues. They are also doing some giveaways so you'll want to get in on that. Kathleen will also be linking to the Stitch-a-long so you can find it here or on the Quilters Showcase blog. She

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Need some good reasons to go fabric shopping?Reason #1...... I need fabric to join in on Stitch-a-long with Linda.Reason #2 ...... because it's Friday (fill in the day of your choice)Reason #3 ...... I heard there was a sale (there's always a sale somewhere)Reason #4....... the fabric I have doesn't fit anymoreReason #5........ I need one more fabric to go with the others I'm using in the

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Sounds like tomorrow is going to be great weather for frogs...... fungi .......... bumpershoots .......  and staying inside and stitching!

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-62350655282943958532010-09-22T21:05:00.000-04:002010-09-22T21:05:58.183-04:00

September in Florida means it's time to plant the veggies again. That's because it's too blasted hot to grow them in the summer! DH helped me dump the soil out of my Earthboxes from last season so we could spread it all out on some black plastic, cover it, and bake it in the sun to sterilize it. One of my Earthboxes had a bell pepper plant that was planted from seed 2 (maybe 3) years ago. I was

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-41885744101850415362010-09-20T00:02:00.000-04:002010-09-20T00:02:56.454-04:00

Did you really think I was going to stop at day one???? (see my August 24th posting if you missed day one of how to traumatize a quilter) I find this is becoming a very cathartic experience. Today I also began the process of starting anew by choosing the fabrics for the quilt that will supplant the %#@* quilt. In the meantime my DH was helping out his nephew by working on his truck. I think

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-79968799430097057922010-09-13T00:15:00.000-04:002010-09-13T00:15:42.594-04:00

Back home from another exhilarating quilt retreat and I have finally made some time to download the few pics I took to share with you.  Welcome to quilt retreat..... Here's a stunning Southwest style quilt that Brenda was working on.... This is a lovely wall hanging that Marcia started. It is Brodiere Perse applique and done by hand as that is her favorite method.....love the fabrics. She had 

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-64012688603629826462010-09-01T19:32:00.000-04:002010-09-01T19:32:40.382-04:00

We have a cactus that has been growing on one of our trees for sometime now and just this summer it has bloomed. Turns out it is a night bloomer like our other cactus in the yard (night blooming cereus). This vine growing cactus is the Pitaya cactus and about a week after the bloom dropped there was this awesome looking large fruit! According to legend and lore during a battle the dragon fruit

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-54371327161488637932010-08-24T11:12:00.000-04:002010-08-24T11:12:00.150-04:00

I didn't start out with the intention of traumatizing anyone but as it turns out I have. It all started with a new project of mine that is intended to bring to conclusion, an aging, unloved, and bothersome project. A couple of years ago I started a new quilt design. I was actually working on it at one of our quilt retreats a.k.a. giggle fest. It is a small quilt and when I was making it I did

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-34006600099298971302010-08-08T14:04:00.000-04:002010-08-08T14:04:01.522-04:00

We've all heard the cliché that two heads are better than one. I know I relish insight from another when I am fraught with indecision.   Well.....how about 3 heads??? We just came across one of our pineapple plants in the yard that seems to be bearing fruit based on that cliché! This plant is growing very near the spot that the lightning hit a couple of months ago. Don't know if that is what

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-52885913485955243862010-08-06T09:57:00.000-04:002010-08-06T09:57:28.876-04:00

How many orphaned quilt blocks do you have hiding around your studio? I was going through some drawers (gosh - they need to be cleaned out) looking for something and came across quite a stash of them. Some long forgotten. Poor things, just sitting in a dark messy drawer dreaming of a home. When I dug them out and looked through them I saw that I had quite an odd assortment. It was a fun trip

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-80499107532712627902010-08-01T13:20:00.000-04:002010-08-01T13:20:56.827-04:00

The lucky winner of the $60.00 shopping spree by random number generator is comment #1- Jen. Congratulations Jen and it would be fun if you let us know what treasures you decided to buy on your shopping spree. Watch your e-mail for the details Jen, and thanks to all that entered and for revealing your favorite or not so favorite chores. Frankly, I liked Karen's favorite chore of putting away

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-91122827552669459522010-07-31T11:35:00.000-04:002010-07-31T11:35:04.748-04:00

Even though it has been steamy hot outside, hubby and I always try to make some time in the relative cool of the evening hours to go outside and see who may be out and about. One of our favorite visitors has been making frequent visits lately and it may have something to do with the fact that we just brought home a fresh bag of tasty peanuts!!! This is "baby" the fox squirrel that first appeared

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-7899522955324158442010-07-20T21:51:00.000-04:002010-07-20T21:51:53.554-04:00

I just wanted to share this scrumptious recipe with you that my mom gave me, and she's a really good cook - to say the least. She's also a very good hostess. It doesn't require too many ingredients and they are quite easy to find. I hope you enjoy it! Recipe for life       serves - allno stirring necessary measure 1 cup friendly words carefully Add; 2 heaping cups of understanding Add; 4 Tbsps

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-68893907571073649642010-07-14T21:54:00.001-04:002010-07-20T21:54:26.098-04:00

Is it Wednesday already - gosh time sure flies when you're having fun. I have been promising you a new giveaway and I have finally got it all set for you. I meant to post earlier but I came home from work and decided to have fun cleaning the bathroom sink first! I know, I know, I'm a wild and crazy woman, what can I say. Maybe tomorrow I will clean off my desk, hmmmm then again, that might be

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-6641426088663843662010-07-04T14:08:00.000-04:002010-07-04T14:08:50.807-04:00

 It's the 4th of July today - Happy Independence Day! This year we're just playing it lazy. It's raining and it looks as though it's going to keep raining. It's a good day to do inside things like watch some tv, nap, quilt, and update my blog! No this isn't our dog. This is Maggie my brother-in-laws dog. She obviously isn't a morning dog. I took this pic (when we were in Wisconsin for my

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-37449449687222197332010-06-08T18:11:00.001-04:002010-06-08T19:02:39.425-04:00

Hi remember me??? Golly, where does the time go? Recently me & my dh flew up to Wisconsin for my nephews wedding...more on that fabulous event later... but on the way we had a connecting flight through Washington DC with a 4 hour layover. Not wanting to sit in the airport for 4 hours we decided to go exploring and we found out that Arlington National Cemetery was just over the hill from the

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-89241835438568174192010-05-28T23:52:00.000-04:002010-05-28T23:52:05.389-04:00

Here's a thought.... Warning - this is a blond thought. If you don't have the constitution for it stop reading now. Sadly, as of today it doesn't sounds as though the massive oil leak in the gulf has been stopped. Even when it finally does, there is so much oil to be cleaned up. What a horrible mess, what a terrible catastrophe. My heart goes out to everyone being directly affected with the

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-83066483228487398482010-05-05T00:22:00.001-04:002010-05-05T10:43:03.924-04:00

Have you  de-gunked your iron lately, or is your iron sparkly clean? Well mine wasn't and I finally got fed up with the gunky mess. It has been accumulating from all the fusing I have been doing this past year.  I came across this cool product at a quilt show somewhat recently and I bought it hoping it would bring my poor pitiful iron back to it's former glory. It's called Iron Clean by Bo-Nash

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-71157352350683505692010-04-27T18:13:00.000-04:002010-04-27T18:13:11.036-04:00

 This is what I've been so busy with.... Studio Bling - is a really fun new product that I just released. Studio Bling is my line of  reusable FABRIC stickers that you can use to "bling" your sewing machine and just about anything else in your studio. The stickers come of clean with no sticky residue and you can use them over and over again. They make a great gift for your quilty/crafty pals and

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-36296454007689846322010-04-25T14:54:00.001-04:002010-04-25T14:55:34.601-04:00

Sorry I have made you wait, but I was out in the lawn pulling weeds this morning. Doesn't that sound exciting and glamorous???? Actually, it can be very meditative - in small doses! So anyway, thanks so much to all of you for your sweet comments, your  mentions and links and I am sorry I can only choose one winner. The winner of the Sweet Vintage giveaway, by random pick, is Miniature Quilter.

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-9163321777783854742010-04-23T14:04:00.000-04:002010-04-23T14:04:00.004-04:00

I say - wow do I have tomatoes! My Roma tomatoes have really taken off since the weather warmed up. Fortunately, my mom shared this yummy recipe with me and so I will share it with you. My DH really liked it too. Skillet tomato/zucchini melt 2 cloves garlic minced1/4 cup finely chopped onion2 T olive oil2 zucchini  - peeled2 tomatoes  - sliced1-1/2 tsp. basilsalt and pepper1/4 to 1/2 tsp. red

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-3088564139613499162010-04-18T15:05:00.000-04:002010-04-18T15:05:58.111-04:00

Those crazy squirrels are at it again! Well, okay we may encourage them a bit. We finished off a jar of peanut butter (yes, making cookies again) and we thought the squirrels might enjoy cleaning out the jar.....we were right. I missed getting our buddy "Spot" while she was enjoying the jar, but I was laughing too hard to think about the camera. This other little fella came along and was more

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-45789098397355103962010-04-15T21:20:00.000-04:002010-04-15T21:20:15.393-04:00

Hi, I just finished up a little quilt I've been playing with and I didn't want to use a binding on this piece so I used a facing instead. I also used this technique on my little Migration quilt, where I also did not want to use a visible binding. Here's how I did it...... Doesn't mean there aren't other ways to do it, this is just how I did mine for what it's worth...... First, I cut the facing

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-68948302209481987102010-04-13T14:54:00.000-04:002010-04-13T14:54:45.331-04:00

Cleaning out a closet this week and can't decide whether or not to keep all the games we have up on the shelf. Not  electronic or computer based games like PS2 or Xbox, we don't even have any of those...but old fashioned board games. Games like Scrabble, Yahtzee, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Clue ( it was Col. Mustard)  and do any of you remember Skunk???? That's an oldie but a goody. Actually

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-61838827779608063032010-04-09T12:41:00.000-04:002010-04-09T12:41:43.364-04:00

I know, I know, I have been so bad about blogging with you lately - I think I was suffering from blog block and I think it's becaue I've been buried under loads of paperwork and tax prep. Hey  -  I still have 6 days. LOL I told you I was a recovering procrastinator :) But anyway, while I was working, I was gazing longingly out the window and I was thinking spring and flowers and sweet things like

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-62083382241864214192010-04-04T08:30:00.004-04:002010-04-04T09:59:16.658-04:00

Happy Easter everyone! I figured we're all getting enough sugary sweets today..... so I decided to share some eye candy with you. These were taken at the Naples Botanical Gardens. We went there recently while my parents were visiting. This first pic is of the wall you see from the parking lot to the entrance and the blooming bougainvillea were just incredible. I just love the colors against the

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-76419527019993628192010-04-01T00:16:00.000-04:002010-04-01T00:16:34.353-04:00

I've been fiddling around with a little bitty quilt to try out a few new techniques. First step was to print my fabric. I use the sun blueprint fabric, in this case the cheddar yellow and I "dyed" it in the sun.  My DH just happened to have a great selection of metal washers so I placed them all over my fabric piece and put it out in the sun to print.....  Voila! after rinsing and drying I now

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-28437312566595965382010-03-29T08:30:00.012-04:002010-03-29T09:03:45.509-04:00

I finally downloaded the pictures from my week of goofing off while my parents were here visiting and thought I would share some with you. I won't bore you with them all but I thought you may enjoy seeing a few. I must say that I was inspired anew after getting out and playing tourist in my own town. I guess we all tend to get too comfortable in our surroundings and it's a good thing to view

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-74158375945977765472010-03-25T23:39:00.000-04:002010-03-25T23:39:35.261-04:00

I have been making - and eating - way too many treats around here lately, So today's button is my belly button. I embellished it with a fun button of course. Other button news..... The Heritage Button show takes place this weekend in Sunnyvale CA , if you happen to be there. Want a fun button project? Check out this post at Design Sponge. I love this idea. Want to shop for some unique button

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-31555574430754018852010-03-19T21:30:00.000-04:002010-03-19T21:30:06.207-04:00

What are you doing to celebrate National Quilt Day??? Do you have plans to attend an event, get together with friends to stitch,  go shopping for fabric, or start a new project? Maybe you're participating in one of the many group charity projects.Here are just a few projects you can get involved in:project linusa million pillowcases  quilts of valor quilting for peace In celebration of

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-35446904523431441412010-03-11T10:06:00.000-05:002010-03-11T10:06:39.878-05:00

I was busy last weekend at our annual quilt show. When I wasn't busy shopping, visiting or gazing at quilts I did remember to snap a few pics to share with you. I am so bad at remembering to take pictures when i am out running around. I guess I must not have what it takes to be a photo journalist! Anyway here are a few highlights that I captured.... This gorgeous whole cloth quilt by Joyce Novak

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-88325879842694694242010-03-04T14:00:00.003-05:002010-03-04T14:45:28.459-05:00

It's button-button Thursday already! Gosh that was a quick week. Well dear friends, during this weeks journey into the button tin - red caught my eye and I found a tresaure trove of glorious red buttons. I love seeing the buttons with little pieces of thread still looped through them. You know they were sewn onto something at one time. Did one fall off and never get sewn back on, or was it taken

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-77238567338714876142010-03-03T23:18:00.001-05:002010-03-03T23:19:05.248-05:00

Okay, technically this is still winter but OMG it's just not usually this chilly -  in March - in South Florida. Hopefully it won't get as cold as it did the morning I took this picture of our frozen bird bath! The frogs BTW were a hostess gift from my dear SIL Lisa and her sisters, Dorrine, Linda and Joyce that came to visit us. Aren't they a hoot! Now I'm not complaining about the below

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-96017340449306082010-02-25T23:57:00.000-05:002010-02-25T23:57:55.639-05:00

Where did the day go??? I guess I got too wrapped up in designing the cover sheet for my new pattern and then I decided to clean out a couple of cupboards and then watered my plants and made dinner, blah, blah, blah, all of a sudden it's 11:30!!! Oops - Project Runway is on....I'll be back later.  Never mind it was a rerun. I just love that show. Can you imagine making a designer piece in ONE day

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-84861311016361770562010-02-23T16:54:00.000-05:002010-02-23T16:54:23.779-05:00

Well, this weekend I entered my little art quilt "migration" into our upcoming quilt show. The quilt is named after the theme of the excercise which was the word migration. So whales popped into my head - not literally- but the concept of the gentle giants migrating through the oceans did. The piece only measures about 9" x 11" and I used some simple and fun techniques..... First I chose the

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-82366435244407834672010-02-19T23:16:00.001-05:002010-02-19T23:17:07.807-05:00

If you want a good laugh at my expense, take me to a museum. I can't believe I'm admitting to this but here goes. My friend Karen & I wanted to go see the Illuminated St. .Johns Bible voumes exhibited at the Naples Art Museum and the corresponding calligraphy exhibit, we each had a break in our schedules and so hopped over there to see it. The Bibles are so beautiful and we wished we could turn

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-76549432125857700712010-02-18T00:15:00.000-05:002010-02-18T00:15:12.462-05:00

No not you, my buttons. As I was enjoying a few meditative moments digging through my button boxes I found very few that weren't round. With modern buttons, especially novelty buttons,  the sky's the limit when it comes to odd and varied shapes. Now, I don't profess to having an extensive assortment of button styles, (most are probably form the 30's to present, although there are a few that may

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-41645395752696445662010-02-13T23:18:00.000-05:002010-02-13T23:18:29.908-05:00

Today was a total goof off day. Started out with an early lunch with my BFF's  followed by a trip to Barnes & Noble where I ran into an old friend. I used to read about his adventures when I was little and so I was thrilled to see him in person...or should I say to see him in monkey? Does he look familiar to you? My friends helped critique a small art quilt I have started and I am always grateful

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-22335083715974717762010-02-11T16:28:00.000-05:002010-02-11T16:28:58.018-05:00

Who's got the button? Do you like buttons? Do you collect them, use them, display them? Do you have oodles of buttons or just a modest few? I love a good button collection. When my mother-in-law passed away about 9 years ago I inherited her button boxes. I have one tin from her with mostly white and mother of pearl buttons, and then a small cigar box that is filled with all sorts and sizes and

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-37837374954425846602010-02-06T08:10:00.000-05:002010-02-06T08:10:01.376-05:00

Good Morning and today I would like to welcome and introduce my guest blogger Ladipo. Click on this link to take you to My Structured Chaos and today's post by Ladipo. Now mind you - she is a college student and might be sleeping in this morning so if Saturday's post isn't up yet check back in a bit. She is a delight and you're sure to enjoy her blog. Thank you Ladipo for sharing your day and

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-84254914189168056722010-02-05T10:55:00.000-05:002010-02-05T10:55:56.035-05:00

Just want to let you know that tomorrow Saturday (Feb. 6th) my blog will feature a guest blogger.  I am really excited to have my first guest and I hope you will stop by to see her post.  Her name is Ladipo, she is an interior design student, and she just celebrated her 21st birthday!  I met her via etsy and I'm glad I did. So stop by on Saturday and I will have the link to her blog post which

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Thank you one and all for leaving such endearing comments and for putting up with the extra task of finding the pink thistle. You are all so sweet and worthy of winning but alas the winner for this Hello Valentine giveaway is the Happy Cottage Quilter!CONGRATULATIONS!I will be e-mailing you so I can get your address to send out your prize.Also of note, I will be having a guest blogger on the blog

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-39429612030779275002010-02-02T22:43:00.000-05:002010-02-02T22:44:09.765-05:00

I am having too much fun. Our quilt guild had a guest speaker Carol Anne Grotrian and one of her specialty is Shibori dyeing. I was fascinated with her fabrics and her quilts. Thank you Carol for inspiring me so.What is Shibori you ask?Shibori is a Japanese term for resist dyeing, such as tie-dye. Remember all the tie-dye t-shirts - that's just one Shibori technique.When I got home and kept

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-38829196629430951472010-01-30T12:26:00.003-05:002010-01-30T12:42:35.188-05:00

Wow, I just realized that this is my 100th blog post!I can't believe I had that much stuff to share with you, but it has been a lot of fun and I will keep trying to share things to bring a smile to your face or to inspire you to create.I missed my blogiversary, but I was able to take note of this "milestone" thanks to blogger's data.This calls for a celebration of some sort doesn't it.I know!How

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-7373188015881313382010-01-27T17:05:00.005-05:002010-01-27T17:39:14.449-05:00

Hello Valentines,This giveaway is a sampler of sweetness.....for all of my sweet visitor friends that stop by to say hi and browse a bit even on busy days.Sweet words, sweet fabrics, sweet tooth, sweet stripes ....There are eight 8-1/2" pink dot fabric charm squares, a cute pink bookmark that reads "stay calm and have a cupcake", a cute striped zippered (pencil) case, Valentine cupcake papers,

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-31392951321768463952010-01-25T00:42:00.007-05:002010-01-25T18:45:38.087-05:00

Yep, I still have my earthbox gardens going and so far so good once I got rid of some critters (caterpillars) on my tomato plant. I am now having a bumper crop of Roma tomatoes and one of my broccoli has finally sprouted a head. I can't wait. See it in the center? It's small but it's there.I hope the weather stays cool. (it doesn't care for the heat) My friend Karen has already harvested some

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-2233498429441668382010-01-24T15:07:00.004-05:002010-01-25T00:41:09.691-05:00

Well, here goes, I am going to try to define my year, or at least give it a kick in the pants, by owning the word I chose to define it.My friends and family say that I am not a procrastinator (aren't they sweet).Maybe it's just that I have so many things that I want to accomplish that I feel as though I am one. So perhaps I just need focus!There are so many things that can claim our time. I am

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-81886308957019082542010-01-24T08:30:00.001-05:002010-01-24T08:30:00.242-05:00

Hmmmm, we started out with 8 of us. Who's missing? Someone must be taking a break and it's not Barbara.OMG, my sides were aching from laughing so hard all weekend.I don't know, but there's just something about getting a group of friends together and the smallest silly thing will result in peals of laughter. Naturally, posing our feet for this pic became fodder for even more giggles.We quilted our

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-74518584213825737742010-01-23T08:30:00.000-05:002010-01-23T08:30:00.379-05:00

I got home Monday night from retreat but have just now had a chance to download my camera because I had to hit the ground running to catch up when I got back.As always, we were certainly a productive group. I think "quilt-a-thon" is what we need to re-name our quilt retreat!Check out my "souped up" machine! Just for fun I had added some removable decorative stickers to my machine before I left

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-52861966274965568902010-01-12T14:17:00.012-05:002010-01-12T15:12:31.619-05:00

This past weekend my BFF's and I went to the quilt show in Ft. Myers. It's put on by the Southwest Florida Quilters Guild. It was a lovely show with lots of quilts to admire and plenty of vendors to shop. The only thing to dampen our day was the rain and frigid temps, which of course they have no control over.I snapped some pics to share but sorry to say some are pretty bad because I was having a

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-14495442030905924072010-01-11T17:16:00.004-05:002010-01-11T17:41:53.413-05:00

I just released my latest new quilt pattern and I hope you'll like it.It's called Lollipop Garden and it was a fun quilt to design and make.I enjoy working with stripes and plaids and had fun going through my stash picking them out.The scrappy pieced border is super easy and if you don't have enough stripes and plaids in your stash, then it's a great reason to go shopping!The quilt measures 40"

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-52684769278491706152010-01-10T18:18:00.004-05:002010-01-10T22:32:39.436-05:00

One good thing about the unusually cold weather here in South Florida is I get to wear all my fun socks to keep my tootsies warm. My friend Cathi gifted me these fabulously fun tie-dye socks from Artfabrik. I don't get the chance to wear them often enough but these past few weeks has had me scrambling for socks.We had ice on the birdbath once again and the squirrels stayed tucked away in their

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-4657519529132939602010-01-08T13:36:00.005-05:002010-01-08T13:55:34.009-05:00

No - not the group that did "In- A Gadda- Da-Vida" , although that is a rock classic.I received a very special hand wrought iron butterfly garden sculpture from my DH for Christmas!He is oh so handy and he made me this delightful sculpture out of one continuous piece of iron rebar. No an easy feat if you've ever worked with rebar. I love the little brass antennas and the fact that he went into

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-10900783221286243902009-12-29T13:15:00.007-05:002009-12-29T13:48:50.301-05:00

First of all thank you all for your glad tidings at Christmastime.I can't believe this week will ring in the New Year! Where-o-where did '09 go?I am happy to say I have been getting some projects finished up though.A couple of them were just for fun holiday projects.The first was an ornament I saw on a Martha Stewart holiday special and so I dragged my DH to the craft table and actually his

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-89722069664510403052009-12-22T12:00:00.009-05:002009-12-22T12:52:59.061-05:00

Gosh, sorry I haven't been blogging much lately.I want to make sure to wish you all (y'all) a very Merry Christmas season.Today is only 3 days from Christmas, (how did that happen?) so, I hope you all finish up your lists and get all your errands run so that you can take the time to rejoice in the meaning and enjoy time (or long phone calls) with your family and friends. Enjoy embracing your

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-22962552504285824612009-12-16T12:59:00.005-05:002009-12-16T13:22:13.058-05:00

Say what?It's pronounced to-do, as in a to-do list. This is a new computer app that is free and I am loving it.. The site is www.Teuxdeux.comIt's a TeuxDeux (to-do) list on your computer and you type in your list for each day and you can move your items to the next day or even days down the road ( good for us procrastinators). Then the fun part is you can even cross things off the list! *If you

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-53285481786155803302009-12-09T14:44:00.007-05:002009-12-09T15:01:58.803-05:00

About 4:00 yesterday I heard a loud bang followed by the power going out.Well, now we know why the power went out. One of the furry little fox squirrels that frequents our property met his (or her) demise via a whole bunch of electricity. Hubby said it looked like one of the new fox squirrel babies, but not the one in the picture. Needless to say I didn't take any pics of the tragic end. Poor

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-39647669096699390332009-12-07T00:18:00.004-05:002009-12-07T00:55:58.223-05:00

OMG, Stitched With Prayer, I am so happy to have made you do a happy dance! I got your e-mail and your prize is on it's way to you. Thanks for the hug, you are sweet.In fact you were all such sweet and gracious guests.I wish I could share a cup of tea and the ginger snaps I made with all of you.I will at least share some sweetness by sharing the recipe with you. As a matter of fact, several of my

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-51892541117745564232009-12-01T22:08:00.007-05:002009-12-01T22:41:24.085-05:00

Sorry I made you wait all day.....I couldn't tear myself away from the studio.Thanks so much to everyone for all the kind comments and I know some new friends will grow from this. Thanks also for the birthday wishes and Happy Birthday wishes to Kate, Linda B and Laurie as well - celebrate!I wish you all could have won. I don't want anybody to be cold but the lucky winner of this giveaway is......

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-59072043628671306572009-11-29T00:17:00.007-05:002009-11-29T01:06:55.353-05:00

It's getting chilly outside and so the BFF's now have their new winter/Christmas wardrobe!Here is the newest BFF paper doll quilt pattern. It is up on my site so you can order right away.This pattern not only has delightful winter/holiday outfits and hairdo swap-pliqués to mix and match but it has oodles of fun festive holiday trims to decorate the quilt with. All of the appliqués, even the trims

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-23448672366333218372009-11-25T15:08:00.005-05:002009-11-25T15:21:31.732-05:00

I harvested the first bunch of pole beans 2 days ago from my earthbox. They were plentiful, ginormous and delicious with a capital "D". I only planted about 6 or 7 seeds and at this rate they are going to swallow the neighborhood! I love it! There may be enough to harvest again by tomorrow for the green bean casserole for Thanksgiving Dinner.The bell peppers are running a close second I must have

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7014956893139819945.post-1863828031396800242009-11-22T17:45:00.003-05:002009-11-22T18:16:46.521-05:00

Thank you to all of the kind visitors from Quilt Hollow and of course to Mary of Quilt Hollow for posting my Winter giveaway on her delightful blog. She has some scrumptious looking brownies on a recent post along with the recipe of course.Also, to clarify....you can keep posting to the Nov. 19th post to enter in the giveaway. The deadline to enter is Dec 1st, which is the day I will be drawing

Linda/Thistledown and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00707752178000695549noreply@blogger.com5