Deal of the Week

Windmills & Wildflowers

This pattern free with your purchase.

It's my Birthday this week, and I am celebrating with a super deal. Today we sent out newsletter with a special for you in honor of my birthday. Here is the deal

Buy all three Sew Special Mini Charm Patterns, and get a free Windmills and Wildflowers pattern, plus a free mystery gift.

The Sew Special Mini Charms patterns are the ones featured in the post before this one of the little Christmas tree with all the little quilt block charms.

I can't tell you what the free mystery gift is!

Go check it out at http://www.chickadeehollowdesigns.com/

No special code, just purchase the 3 Sew Special Mini Charms Patterns and the rest of the deal is automatic.
Happy Stitching! Carol

Primitive Quilts & Projects

I had to share this photo, it is the cover of the first Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine. It is a wonderful publication, very nicely done, in fact when I saw it in my mail, I thought well that is strange I didn't order a book that I recall. It looks like a book it is so nicely done. The projects and photography are great. I am almost done re-organizing my studio, and as soon a I get it done, I promise some pictures. Gosh, I forgot how long it takes to move a studio; I am certain there are little gnomes living in there and bringing stuff in, because I don't remember having all this "stuff." But, I have to remind myself that it is not just a quilting room, it contains pretty much all my art supplies, painting, drawing, and all my stitching things. I will never move it again! It is hard to ask for help because I want to know where stuff is at, and I want to be able to throw as I go through everything, however, that pile is pretty small. Oh well, it is my life,so it is what it is..........I hate that saying and can't believe I just used it!

My poor little Honey (my little stitching partner) patiently lays by and moves from one spot to the next about a foot and a half away as I move about going through the next corner. What a trooper, and always there unconditionally. Hoowever, she loses her patience when it comes to about 10:30-11:00 at night; she wants to go to bed, she she sits behind me and lets out a little bark or sneeze every once in a while.

Happy Stitching! Carol

A Christmas Idea!

Sew Special Mini Charms I, II, III

It is never too early to start on Christmas gifts is it? Today I am sharing with you a picture of my designs that I put on my little Christmas Tree. These designs are called Sew Special Mini Charms I, II, & III. They are available at www.chickadeehollowdesigns.com go to Ornaments

and then select Sew Special Mini Charms, Each package comes with 6 pre-printed designs,pre-colored designs. Each one meausres approximately 2" square when they are completed. Decorate them with some of your favorite buttons, hearts, stars, rounds, whatever. We also sell buttons on our website that you can use on these. They are quick, fun easy, and cuter than a bugs ear!! Make a great gift for a stitcher, or for anyone for that matter. Attach one to your Christmas packages, or hang them around the house for some country charm!

It is defintely still stitching weather (it is always stitching weather!) in Minnesota, they are predicting snow and colder than normal here for the next five days, Whoopie!

Grab a warm blanket and snuggle up with your favorite snack, a stitching project, and the remote, (if you can get it away from your husband) and have yourself a great weekend.Happy Stitching! Carol

Will It Ever Be Spring??

My Crazy Summer

Oh my, will it ever be Spring this year? I have had a difficult winter to say the least. It was long, cold, gray, gloomy, no sunshine, lots of snow kind of winter. Had the Influenza B flu, my arthritis was not good, and all of that on top of working around a construction crew. Difficult to say the least, but I am going to be soooo happy with my new space, once I get everything put away and organized. Whoa, a person doesn't realize how much they have until you start trying to find places for it, and try to downsize a little at the same time. I will share pictures as soon as I get everyhting put away. I did find a little time to do some stitching and finished the last season in my Four Seasons little pillows. This is the last in that series. You can see all four of them if you go to www.chickadeehollowdesigns.com and look for the Embroidery page.

I really hope to take some time this summer and spend it at the lake, maybe even doing some fishing. How about you, what are your plans for the summer? Give me some feedback and tell me what you like to do in the Summer. Summer will eventually get here, but because Spring seems so far away, Summer seems like an eternity away! So, being it is so cold out yet, you may as well stitch!

Happy Stitching! Carol

Just Thinking About Thoughts!

Just something pretty to look at!

Do you ever wonder how many thoughts you have in one day?

I know it is crazy to be thinking about it, because as I am thinking about it, I am making another thought!

Today

was one of those days!

Thinking, Thinking, Thinking!

...and now I suppose you are wondering what I am thinking about!

I don't know if it is just creative people who have this mess of thoughts going around all the time in their head, but it does get kind of annoying sometimes.

I have read the book by Eckart Tolle called A New Earth and he talks

about "just being" sometimes.

Seriously, have you ever tried to do it?

I have tried, and it is not that easy,

to sit there and just be!

We have so many things in our lives that are contantly grabbing for our attention!

Cell Phones, regular phones, radios, TV's, door bells, dogs barking,

computers, e-mail, just regular activity, traffic, etc.

It really is a wonder we are all not in the looney bin.

I guess I am not sure where this is going, well I do too!

When you sit and stitch are you able to zone out the world

and really get some peaceful time??

I love my quiet time when I can just sit and stitch and be absorbed in whatever it is that I am working on. It is like the world has stopped around me. I can do that if I am drawing and designing too.

Maybe that is why I love it so much.

It's been a long day!

I hope I have given you something to think about!!

Happy Stitching! Carol

Prayers Please Today!

The events of the past 24 hours have made this a very sad day. Please join me in praying for all the people who have been directly touched by the earthquake and the resulting tsunami. If there are any of you that may know how any of us can help these people with quilts or anything else, please let us know. I would be glad to share the information in my blog.
I know that it is probably too early to even know what kind of help they need, but we need to help in whatever way we can. Sometimes I feel so helpless; I guess that is when we should pray some more.
Just pray for now, Carol

Thinking Positive in The Depths of Winter

House Finch
by Carol L Steffensen

I thought that I would share a spring bird with you today.Are you tired of Winter?? Waiting for the sweet sounds of the songbirds, open windows, flower buds, and the smell of fresh mowed grass? It can't come soon enough for me this year. I think this is one of the longest winters that I can remember . It has been a relentless, cold, and snowy winter. Our weatherman said that most of us have recorded 74 inches of snow this year, and the amazing part is that the majority of it is still piled high. We had a couple of days of thaw, but not enough to make a big difference in the snow plies. We are wondering where the water will go this spring, basically for our whole state.

The winter has definitely given me lots of time to quilt and also to add on to my studio. I am so excited to get moved into my new sewing room. I will share pictures when it is completed in about two weeks.
One of the things that hepls me to get through the long winters is to try to have a positive additude and one of the ways that I do that is by checking out positive places on line. This is one that I recenly found. It is called "The Positivity Effect." Here is a link if you want to check it out:
http://www.thepositivityeffect.com/
It is a fun site and has a lot of positive reading. Check it out!
Happy Stitching! Carol

Spring Is Coming 20% off sale

Just a quick note to let everybody know that we are having a 20% off sale to make room for new items that will start coming out next week.
So hop on over to www.chickadeehollowdesigns.com and check it out.
Watch for new items next week!!
Happy Stitching! Carol

The Civil WarSewing Circle.

I am recommending this book for anyone who may enjoy working with Civil War fabrics or small quilts. It just came out, Amazon has it and also the author, Kathleen Tracy. It is very well done.
Got some new items ready and will hopefully get the pictures and get it posted this week. We made the Civil War Nine Patch Quilt in a Navy Blue from Bonnie Blue basics and a cream color, and it turned out very pretty. You know Navy Blue and white was a very popular color combination from that era.
We will also be rolling out some new stitchery items here in the next week or so. We do stay busy, helps the winter while away!!
For those of us here in Minnesota, we are ready to say good bye to winter. And the cold has been relentless, making it very easy to stay inside!!
Stay warm, make a pot of chicken noodle soup, and curl up with some good stitching!

Happy Stitching! Carol

Civil War Stitch Along Has Started

The Civil War Stitch Along has officially started. Not all of the projects are ready yet but six of them are, so it is time to get started. We plan to make this a Year of Civil War. Projects will be added all the time and people can pick and choose what projects they want to work on.
What else is there to do for those of us who do not like to have snow ball fights, ride snomobile, shovel snow, drive in the snow, walk in the snow, slip and slide on ice?? I try very hard to ignore it by not looking out my windows. I really do like winter as a season, but since "arthur" took up residence in my joints, I try to stay away from it as much as possible. Thank God for my love of sewing and crafting, it does make the winter pass swiftly and keeps your mind off of the snow and cold.
I am working on new projects using Civil War fabrics, and it has been really interesting to look at the different designs and colors from that era. I am trying to do some pieces exactly as they used to do, using some English Paper Piecing, and I am also doing one that is totally stitched by hand. It is fun to try to do things as they were done back then, I have collected some old quilt blocks from the late 1800's and I plan to be working on some projects using actual fabric from that era. I will share some pictures as I get them completed.
For now, it is off to bed, to warm my feet!
Happy Stitching! Carol

Monday Is The Day!!

Well, we finally received all of the items that we need to get our Civil War Stitch Along Club started. By Monday 1-10-11, everything should be up on our website and we can get started. I have heard from several of you and I know you are anxious to get going and so am I, so between now and Monday, I will be busy posting all of the supplies, etc. If anyone is still interested in joining us, just send us an e-mail, you can jump in at any time.
Happy Stitching! Carol

Civil War Stitch Along Club

We are getting ready to start our club, those of you who have expressed interest, have received an e-mail with a copy of the Guidelines. If you did not express interest before and want to now, you can e-mail me at csteff46@tds.net and I will e-mail you a brochure. You can register by going to our website and selecting the Civil War Stitch Along Category on the left hand side of the Home Page.
Happy Stitching! Carol

New Online Magazine Coming Soon

The Blog Tour Cutdown is going on now, be sure and check it out. Click on the emblem on the sidebar..

On January 1st 2011, a new magazine will hit the Internet It is exciting and will be dedicated to quilting/stitching patterns. You can check out the website by clicking on the link above.

Happy Stitching! Carol

SNOWY 20% off

Just a quick reminder our 20% off sale goes untilo 10pm tonight! Go to http://www.chickadeehollowdesigns.com/ to take advantage of this great savings! Get a jump start on those projects you want to do after Christmas. It's a great time to start the Quilting Snowladies Throw.........you can save $17.00 right now on the complete set!

Or if you haven't done all of the Vintage ornaments, now is a great time to get the rest of those before the New Line comes out in January! Normally sell for $7.00 each.........with 20% off they are $5.60! GREAT SAVINGS!

Also, Check out our Heirloom Ornaments for Easter and Spring. Perfect time to get these at reduced cost....you can get them done before Easter!

Happy Stitching! Carol

A Year of Civil War

Chrysanthemum made with Civil War Fabrics

We are getting closer every day to being ready for our year of Civil War projects. While it won't officially be ready until after January 1st, we are getting ready for it. We have pretty much got all the projects started and some are actually completed. We are still taking names, so shoot us an e-mail and let us know if you are interested. Letting us know you are interested does not obligate you in any way. csteff46@tds.net By the way, we started a new blog just for the Civil War Stitch Along Club, and you can visit it already and get in on the "cutting edge." Here is the link: http://civilwarstitchalong.blogspot.com/

Happy Stitching! Carol

Civil War Stitch Along Club

We will be having a Civil War Stitch Along Club. Anyone that is interested, please drop me a line, csteff46@tds.net so that you may be added to the growing list. There will be three options and you may do all three if you like. If you love Civil War Fabrics, then this is the club for you. Details will be e-mailed after the Thanksgiving Holiday, requesting information does not require you to be a part of the Club. Tell your friends or anyone who might also be interested.

Happy Stitching! Carol

Freedom Is Not Free

To honor my husband who is a Viet Nam Veteran, and all veterans who have served us so unselfishly and with the courage that most of us can not even imagine. We are PROUD, of your COURAGE, and give THANKS, for our FREEDOM. He was very moved by this little wall hanging that I made for him a few years ago, so I know the feelings run very deep.

God Bless the Veterans and the United States of America

"I sing because I am happy,

I sing because I am FREE,

for his eye is on the sparrow,

and I know He watches me."

Civil War Nine Patch

Civil War Nine Patch

Had a full day of sewing today, and got a lot of little things done from my "To Do" pile. I did finish the binding on this piece that I did recently. It is a throw about 55"x 65," and also a table runner. So many times customers tell me that they would like to find patterns that would go well with a lot of the natural colors in their decorating. I think these pieces would work great. The runner is about 16" x 38." I researched about 1200 Nine Patch Blocks and could not find this one anywhere, so I don't know if I have actually come up with a new one or not. It really doesn't matter, I like the way it turned out anyway.

I have quite a collection of civil war fabrics, and I am eager to start a couple of new pieces. So we will see what tomorrow brings. My little Honey (that's my puppy) is patiently waiting for me to go to bed. She comes and sits behind me when she thinks it is time for me to quit working on the computer. I love that little squirt! That's what my husband calls her, Squirt!

Good Night and

Happy Stitching! Carol

Civil War Fabrics

I don't know what it is about the Civil War fabrics that make me like them so well, I certainly can't remember that era, but they stir something inside of me that makes me want to work with them. Althought this picture isn't the best, I took a couple of pieces that I really liked and I made this ministure 9 patch variation quilt. Two color quilts were popular during that era., and I wanted to do something that would go with a lot of todays decorating ideas. Lots of people decorate their homes with a lot of natural colors. This arrangement would be a great piece to add some nostalgia to a little corner. I also made a runner and a throw also using this color combination.

The history that goes along with the Civil War prints is very interesting to me now, however, I certainly didn't care about it when I was in school; I really didn't care about any history, come to think of it. Ha! I didn't even care about the History teacher. He made fun of me all the time in kind of a joking way; I think he knew deep down that I didn't really care that much about his dumb old history, and he was right. Oh well, it is intersting today, and I certainly will be making a lot more quilts using the Civil War prints. My favorite fabric designer is Judy Rothermill of Marcus Fabrics; I don't think she has designed anything that I didn't like. Windham also has some nice Civil War prints. Well, I better get going a new quilt!!

Happy Stitching! Carol

New Quilt Pattern

Flying Goose Corner

It has been a while since I have turned out a quilt pattern, but here is a new one using the Holly Taylor Botanical line. I think it works well as either a Christmas wall hanging or a table canter.It measures slightly over 36 inches square and goes together real easy.
This past week we have been very busy getting things ready for the Houston Market. While we will not be attending, we will have several new items there that some of or distributors and quilt shops are taking.The last of everything went out today, so we are all kind of resting tonight.
However, just as I finish one project I have about 5 others going in my brain, so as soon as I can see my way clear of the clutter from our busy week, I will be ready to go on to the next thing. You will have to keep watching as around the first of the year we will be ready with a whole new line of Vintage ornaments.
Thanks to all of you who have been such good customers this past year, drop us a line and tell us what you are up to; we love to hear from our customers! I really enjoy visiting with shop owners when they call in orders.
Well, keep those needles oiled up for some fun stitching coming your way real soon.
Happy Stitching! Carol