Thinking outside the box!
Seems like the year is flying away and it is hotter than the equator for sure. 
Rather ironic, as last year, I couldn’t find the sun here in Maryland, and this year, I’m aching to see the clouds. Oh well, soon as I post this, I’m sure clouds will come about and give relief, or maybe I need to go wash the car!
I want to dedicate this post to the members of the Heirloom Yahoo 
group. Members have created such lovely items that I want to share them here with everyone. These images belong to friends at the Heirloom group and by posting them here, I want to acknowledge their step into a completely different level of machine embroidery. This is most definitely an advanced level and I am extremely pleased to have inspired others to think outside the box.
First quarter of the Heirlooms group had some of the most beautiful and ingenious enteries. It was quite difficult to choose and as it was, the competition was neck to neck. 
My biggest joy and delight is to see friends venture forth trying new techniques, as well as inspiring others. The two pillowcases shown above are absolutely stunning, don’t you think. Our friend, and she is definitely one of our stars, embellished the pillow case edges using several free samples from my website and the cutwork edges from Vintage Borders I collection. The method in how she combined the designs is superb!
Another breath-taking entry were two scarves with designs from 
Vintage Linen II cutwork edge collection. Both the scarves were identical, which is quite a feat in itself. I love the idea and may have to steal it to make scarves for friends…hmmm….holidays will be upon us soon enough!
A new comer to the Heirloom group, but certainly not a newbie to the embroidery world, as is apparent from the next enteries, created a bell pull
and a holiday table setting! Both the entries are unique and I specially love the bell pull made using the Kashmir designs. Definitely an innovative way to use the designs. Kanta Lace 8 and the Grace 2 heart design were used to create a table setting for the holidays! I love the candle and think that is such a lovely idea! Great for gifts and also for decorating around the house. The napkin ring is a free sample from the Kanta Lace I collection. If you don’t belong to the Heirloom group, do join us as there is so much inspiration. The Heirloom group is at Yahoo and anyone can join.
Two inspiring photographs that I want to share, will definitely give 
everyone a look at the ingenious twist used to create quilts. This is definitely thinking way outside the box. The quilt on the right is made with designs from Kashmir, absolutely stunning, don’t you think? I wish I had the time to create more, but, as I don’t have that luxury, I will live by the creativities of friends. This is a full size quilt and as I was 
told, not completely finished at the time. The amount of time that went into making it is not known to me, but I can vouch that it had to be within a couple of week after purchasing the designs. Kudos to our new member at the Heirloom group for such a lovely project. The second quilt is a splash of color and reminds me so much of the Amish quilts, but with a twist. Believe it or not, those are Farsi I applique designs used in between the bargella style blocks. Now this is something 
I would love to have, and it is on my wish list to create!
Jeannie Miller is an extremely talented person and the latest pictures that she sent me of her award winning quilt, which by the way, she is teaching now, along with several other wonderful classes. Do check out her website, lots of interesting classes. The quilt has a mixture of designs from the Exotic Butterflies and Jacobean Symphony. A stunning work of art!
Okay, I know what you all are thinking! What have I been doing. Really and truthfully, not a lot. I do have several collections that I’m working on, but don’t have a release date set in my mind yet. However, here is something I will share. Carolyn gave me an interesting idea when I was at her home. I bet you will flip as much as I flipped when I saw it. The lingerie on the left is actually the most easiest lingerie that I ever made for myself. The cups are made from, believe it or not, Grace I Bonnet panels! Each of the cups was made using two of the bonnet panels. I had wanted it to be very simple but somehow, more of the laces from the Grace collections got into it. The straps are made with the Grace I booties connector panel, with ribbon woven through it. Its a great gift idea for a bride to be or for your own self!
I want to thank everyone who sent me lovely emails and posts about John. He is doing well and trying to learn a complete different lifestyle, which is not the easiest thing in the world to do when you have been an active person all your life. I appreciate everyone’s comment and shared them with John, who says thanks. We both take off for Missouri soon and I’m looking forward to a few days of the country lifestyle.
I’ll end this post with the encouragement to think outside the box and try something out this year that you have never done before. My friends’ creativities above are amazing and I hope they have inspired you. Hugs.
P.S. Mid-Year sale starts tomorrow!
