I got the cutest little email from my friend Mary over at Mary's Cottage Quilts. It’s just too cute not to share. I adore Mary. She is SOOOOO funny!
“I know you don’t clean your screen very often and it is hard to do the inside, so click here for a new screen cleaner!”
This is Mary’s fault. She got me in a silly mood today! Sure hope I’m not the only one who thinks this is funny!
Have a great day! I’ll be more serious tomorrow. I promise.
Anne
It’s giveaway day here at Bunny Hill. Chelsea was jumping up and down when she saw how many of you left comments. She spent the weekend reading each and every one. It’s pretty bad when you can’t get a Chihuahua away from the computer. So here we go, are you ready?
Chelsea did random number drawings. She picked three numbers and I counted up the comments. Here are the winners!
1. Sewprimitive Karen from Thursday, March 26th.
2. Nancy in Norway, Thursday, March 26th.
3. Rhondi from Rose Colored Glasses, Saturday, March 28th.
So Karen, Nancy and Rhondi, email me your address and I’ll send a bundle of Chelsea Manor your way! No you can’t have Chelsea. She has to stay here. She has a lot of fabric to cut!
And speaking of fabric, I sent this little stack of my fabrics to Emily Moss, in Norway last week. We’re doing an exchange with each other. My fabric for two of the cutest little matryoshka dolls!
See the little doll? Emily is sending me two of these! She made them out of my fabric! One I’ll keep and one I’ll give away as soon as they arrive ! You can see more of these dolls on Emily’s blog Ravenhill. She has an Etsy shop that is filled with adorable things she makes! Thanks Emily! I can’t wait for the dolls to arrive! It will be fun to do a giveaway from Norway!
Hugs everyone!
Anne
Chelsea is so excited! Look at what arrived in the big brown truck yesterday! It’s her fabric line! 
How often does a pudgy little Chihuahua get a fabric line delivered? Not often according to UPS. Why not even the star of the Chihuahua movie got this!
My bunny helpers Robin & Nancy carried in bundles of fabric and now Chelsea won’t stop talking about fabric. Chelsea wants 3 lucky winners to have a bundle and she wants to choose the winners. Ok Chelsea, down girl. Sit and stay. You can pick the winners!
Let’s make this little dog happy. Leave a comment on this post and she’ll pick 3 winners on Monday, March 30th.
Three of you will be sewing away with this fabric next week! In case you can’t wait it’s also on our web site now.
Hugs from,
Anne & Chelsea
I keep forgetting to tell you that I found the greatest thing for spray starch appliqué lovers. Best Press! I don’t think I’ll be appliquéing without it. Why? Because I hardly EVER have to clean my iron! I can prep an entire quilt and only clean my iron once.
In the life of a spray “starcher” this is a huge thing! No more scorching, starch build-up, flakes, well you get the picture. I’d carry it on my web site, but the shipping would cost as much as the bottle. So go to your local quilt shop and tell them you want to try it!
Go ahead, call me lazy. Call me willing to pay more so I don’t have to clean. I’ll admit my pet peeve about starch appliqué is cleaning the craft iron.
I’m not the only one at Bunny Hill who is a bit lazy. I had to clean around our Mooch cat she was so INTO her nap. Pleassseeee can someone make this cat a sleeping mask?
Photo frame courtesy of a Jessica Sprague class!
Oh and one more thing before I forget. I’m tracking the UPS truck. It left Jacksonville, Florida on the 18th carrying several cartons of Chelsea Manor fabric. It should arrive here on Wednesday. That means a give away is coming very soon!
Have a great day!
Anne
Brigette is my secret inspiration at Bunny Hill. She’s my trunk show president, and so much more. She’s a continuous source of happiness and fun, and yesterday she was also the terrarium goddess. Really. She knows her terrariums. We spent half a day planting this beautiful miniature garden for my living room.
Here’s a close-up of the tiny little plants; miniature violets, begonias, a beautiful button fern, just to name a few. Can you see Peter Rabbit? It’s so much fun to look at this little garden!
This beautiful terrarium came from Smith & Hawkin should you want one for yourself. And this weekend you can get 30% off one item! The miniature violets and begonias came from The Violet Barn.
When we were done, hands cleaned and nails scrubbed it was up to the studio for more inspiration. This wonderful basket of fabric arrived here on Thursday. It’s Stone Cottage from Renee Nanneman. I love this fabric and it’s just what I needed for the quilt I’m working on right now!
Brigette and I brain-stormed together and she was more help than she’ll ever know! She always is!
Here’s another little secret. Brigette, also known as “I’ll never get my name on a pattern” Brigette, will soon be listed on the back of a Bunny Hill pattern…you’ll have to look for it! Inspired by Brigette Mason, is at the quilter’s right now and coming soon!
Hugs,
Anne
Oh those bunnies, those redwork bunnies. How on earth do you quilt a redwork quilt? Would have been so much easier to have a little framed picture or a pillow, but an actual quilt? Takes a brave soul, and calls for a bit of daring. After all didn’t we just spend hours doing that embroidery? Oh my!
The answer for me was cross hatching. I love the simplicity of cross hatching and while researching what had been done before, I realized I had a vintage redwork quilt right here at Bunny Hill! Sure enough, it was cross-hatched (by hand) right through the embroidery.
The Japanese cross-hatch many of their embroidered quilts. Just look at the one in the photo below! Isn’t it beautiful?
So, I decided to have the bunnies cross hatched. The perfect solution would be to hand quilt, but of course time doesn’t allow that. So I had Kristine quilt right through the bunnies. Most of the stitches disappear into the embroidery.
It’s a personal choice this thing we call quilting. If it’s not for a judged show then don’t worry, and quilt as you like. Remember, if you decide to quilt around the little embroideries and not inside, they will poof up.
Do some research yourself. You may find some quilting you just love! These bunnies were made for love. They’ll be happy with whatever you decide!
Hugs,
Anne
Green, today is a green day! What can I put on my blog that is green? Everything around here is pink. Then Chelsea had an idea for me. She said “why not use that picture you took of me with the green polka dot Chihuahua?” She really likes the way she looks in that photo. I guess 3 lbs overweight doesn’t bother her at all. “What a great idea!” I said, you get a treat!
So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Bunny Hill!
Bisty wanted to make an appearance today too. She’s a toy fox terrier, and I couldn’t find any green polka dot terriers so it’s just her saying “Hi”. She’s pretty sure she’s part Irish. She likes Corned Beef so that makes her Irish right?
See those wonderful ears? Well, we just discovered she has become almost totally deaf. I have to speak very, very loud for her to hear. I sound a bit crazy working away in my studio and talking really loud to Bitsy. I guess at the age of 13 it can’t be helped. At least she doesn’t need glasses.
Hope your St. Patty’s Day is great! Make sure to eat some cabbage for good luck!
If you’ve been following me on Twitter you’d know the answer to that question! What’s Twitter? It’s like a short little blog, with just a few sentences. I’m blaming Kimberly at The Fat Quarter Shop for getting us into this! It took me almost a day to figure it all out. But, if Kimberly says Twitter we should Twitter! LOL!
If you’d been following me on Twitter you’d know I was working on this table runner yesterday. I’m using the Howard Marcus line called Legacy from Moda Fabrics and I’m in love! This fabric is beyond pretty! Now all I need is some border fabric to finish this off. I’ll be emailing Moda Lissa soon!
If you’d been following me on Twitter you’d know that I was going to do this post today! Amazing thing that Twitter, but I promise you I will not get a Twitter brain. Don’t worry I don’t have Twitteritis my little twittersweets! Hope this isn’t catching!
Here’s a little tip for the Tisket A Tasket block of the month…
My finished layout uses Moda fabric. If you want to use what I’ve selected I’ll give you the sku’s and amounts as they become available in the shops so you don’t miss out. I’ll have some of the fabric, but not all. It’s limited in supply so be sure and get it now.
Here’s the yardage amounts you’ll need:
Sashing: 1/2 yard
Sashing posts: 1/4 yd or 1 fat quarter
Inner Border: 1/4 yd
Outer Border: 3/4 yd
Binding: 3/4 yd bias, or 1/2 yd non bias
Here’s what’s in the stores right now:
Sashing Posts
Sku# 2631-13
Inner Border & Bias Binding
I used the same fabric for both = 1 yard
Beach House Faded Blooms Old Feather Pillow Ticking
SKU # 2636 – 12
Disclaimer: I’m waiting on the final yardage to come from Moda. I don’t have enough yardage to put the entire quilt together. I’m only looking at a few rows, so just in case I put it together and go “what was I thinking?” and all of you bought yardage you can’t hold me responsible. OK?
Thank you all for the wonderful, sweet comments you left in my last post! I am just so lucky to have you as readers!
Hugs,
Anne
P.S. If you were following me on Twitter you’d know what I was doing for the rest of the day my little twitter birds!
I had a phone call today from the nicest customer who said she reads my blog all the time. Hi Margo Odgen from Bakersfield! I loved talking to you today. You got me thinking about my business. Really thinking!
The past week has been really stressful. I deleted 1/2 the patterns on my web site. Hopefully you didn’t even notice, but it took hours to fix. Now that things are back in order, I just found out that my shopping cart isn’t working. Seems it doesn’t want anyone to buy anything! It’s just one of those weeks. All of this has taken time away from what I should be doing…working on patterns for a quilt market that’s coming up so fast I can hardly believe it! AUGGHHHHH!!!
NO SHOPPING ALLOWED…oh no! 
And then Margo called and I started thinking about why I do what I do. Aside from the obvious fun of quilting, I do this because of customers like her! She made me feel good at the end of a rough week. She likes my patterns! Wow! Sometimes I step back and I can hardly believe it.
Margo said “I hope you’re working on a Christmas quilt for market”. Well, guess what? I am! And there might be a few sneak peaks before too long.
Thanks Margo for your kind words! And thank you to every single one of you reading this, even if your name isn’t Margo. It’s because of you I have so much fun creating!
Hugs,
Anne
Coming your way in time for Easter. If you love Punch Needle you can make this little bunny in just one evening. She’s the bunny from block number three of A Tisket, A Tasket and she’s so easy to make!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Picture frame with 4” x 6” opening
8” x 10” Weaver’s cloth or fabric like Moda Bella cotton.
8” x 10” thin batting or flannel
Punch needle (I use the Cameo Ultra Punch)
Embroidery hoop and stand (I use the Clover stand and hoop)
Pearl cotton size 8, or 3 strand floss such as Weeks Dye Works: pink, cream & brown.
Let’s start!
Center the design and trace onto wrong side of background fabric.
Following the directions that come with your punch needle, stitch the bunny’s eye with brown, body with pink and tail with white floss.
Remove from frame, press background (don’t press the bunny).
Add two little flowers to embroider under bunny. You can easily draw these yourself. Just make sure you are inside the 4” x 6” dimensions. Draw a straight line for the stem, a “v” for the leaves, and five little dots to indicate where to make your lazy daisy stitches. You’re set to go!
Using 2 strands of green floss, embroider stem with stem stitch. Embroider leaves with a lazy daisy stitch.
Using 2 strands of pink floss, embroider flowers with a lazy daisy stitch.
Place finished bunny on top of batting or flannel. This gives the finished picture a slightly padded look. Center on cardboard that came with frame. Check to make sure it looks good in the frame. Then remove from frame and go onto the next step.
Fold extra fabric to back of cardboard. Double thread a needle and stitch as shown to hold fabric in place.
(Trim a bit of fabric under each corner on the back of the frame to help it lay flat .) First stitch from side to side in one direction, then the opposite direction. You may have to re-thread your needle 3 or 4 times.
Insert finished bunny and back of frame. Hang with a ribbon or place on a table and enjoy!
Need another quick gift idea? Needle punch a bunny (yes, I know I forgot her tail poor baby). Place wrong side of bunny on top of a scrap of wool or felt. Machine stitch around bunny, right next to loops using a tiny stitch. Trim backing fabric next to stitching. Using pinking shears trim wool. Add a pin clasp to back of bunny and pin to tote or jacket.
Happy daylight savings everyone!
Hugs,
Anne
It’s true, I’m a bit of a basket case today! A March basket case! It’s the 5th of the month and I’m ready with the next block of the month. You’ll find it here!
Did you ever think you would see a bunny jumping over shamrocks? You should have known there would be something a little different in the March basket! At Bunny Hill we have to have whimsy!
Last month we had a little traffic jam on my web site, so this month I’ve called in the blog valets. That’s right, you can valet park over at crafts4me and download the pattern from there too. So if you can’t get on Bunny Hill, try here! And while you’re there you can pre-order the embellishment kit for A Tisket, A Tasket. It will be shipping in about 3 weeks. No, you can’t see what’s in it…it’s a mystery remember? If you buy the kit you have to promise NOT to peek tee hee!
Anne over at Cottons 'n Wool is working away on a wool version of A Tisket, A Tasket. You’ll love what she does with wool. And guess what? It’s really hard for her to cut into that scrumptious wool so give her a round of applause!
Have a great day everyone and remember to valet park! I’ll be back tomorrow with an extra little project you can make using the bunny in this block. Here’s a hint…anyone into a quick punch needle project?
Hugs,
It's 7AM here in California and look at what I just got in my email. The first block three to arrive is from Trelly in Spain! Look at how cute her block is!
If you haven’t used one of these little tools for making bias strips you are in for a treat! You can have perfect bias in no time at all! Think of all the little basket handles you can make! It’s so easy! Follow me…
Start with a square of fabric. Fold diagonally, wrong sides together.
Press the fold…
Now let’s go over to the cutting mat…
Line up ruler on the pressed fold line and cut diagonally across the square.
Bias makers come in assorted sizes. The general rule is to cut the fabric strip double the width of the bias maker. For example: Cut 1/2” strip for a 1/4” bias maker…
Measure your fabric…
and cut the strip…
…and back to the ironing board we go!
To protect your ironing board from spray starch, cover it with a scrap of muslin or plain fabric. Lay the fabric strip right side down on top of the scrap and spray the cut strip with starch.
Insert the end of the strip into the wide end of the bias maker as shown in the photo below.
Now, flip the bias maker over (see below) and insert a straight pin into the hole on the back of the bias maker. Use the pin to push the fabric through the maker and out the other (narrow) end.
See? Look at the photo below! There’s a little folded strip coming out!
Now, turn it back over, and place the edge of your iron next to end of bias maker. Pull the bias maker down the strip of fabric, and move the iron along with it. Keep the iron right next to the edge of the bias maker.
Pick up the iron after about an inch, and check to see that your strip is folding correctly. If not, just push the bias maker back up the strip and start again.
Look at this finished basket handle! All you need to do is take it to your background fabric and appliqué in place!
See? Told you that was easy! If you’re using a larger square of fabric for a LONG piece of bias, spray the strip with starch as you go along. You’ll have a mess if you spray the whole strip at once.
So you’re ready to make the bias strip handle on the basket you’ll see on Thursday! See you then!
Hugs,
Did you know that Rabbits LOVE embroidery! Here at Bunny Hill we know it’s true. We have lots of little bunny blocks to prove it!
Rabbits Prefer Embroidery will begin shipping this week! You can start embroidering your own bunnies before the fabric, Chelsea Manor, arrives in a few weeks.
We’ve got lots of new things coming for Chelsea Manor that I think you will love! Here’s a sneak peek of one…
So much is going on at the Bunny Hill studio I can hardly keep up! This is going to be a busy week!
I’ll show you how we quilted our newest quilt this week and give you a close-up of the quilting.
Block 3 of A Tisket, A Tasket is ready to go and coming your way on Thursday! I’ve put a little surprise in the basket that I hope you’ll like!
I’ll show you how to do the basket handle using a 1/4” bias maker. It’s so easy and you’ll get a perfect handle EVERY time.
Have a great week everyone and save some time for embroidery and appliqué!
Hugs,
