Pine Needles...A Favorite Quilt Shop Featured in the "Quilt Sampler", and a Surprise!

I received a marvelous treat in the mail the other day! A magazine I had been waiting for from a quilt shop that I adore, along with a few fat quarters of festive Halloween fabric for my latest project (news about that to come later!).


First, the magazine is the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of the Quilt Sampler, which, a couple of times a year, features 10 fabulous quilt shops around the country (this issue actually has 11). And, the fun news is that one of my designs and patterns happened to show up in a photo inside the magazine! What a great surprise!

(I'm a lucky gal, as this is the second time a design of mine has appeared in this magazine. The other was a few years ago when the magazine featured The Gathering Place, a shop in Idaho that has carried several of my patterns as well. The design shown was "Spring Flowers" as you can see in the photo below.)


So the issue of the magazine this month features one of my favorite quilt shops of all time: Pine Needles in Historic Gardner Village, near Salt Lake City, Utah. As a quilt shop, it is enchanting to visit...the displays are ever-changing with new designs, fabrics, and patterns gracing the walls and peeking from the nooks and crannies. I am inspired every time I visit! There is a plethora of amazing designs and patterns for quilts, table runners, pin cushions, pillows, aprons, and more, that feature hand-embroidery, cross-stitch, quilting, or punch-needle.



The design, "My Dad" from Needle in a Haystack (me!) is shown in one of the photos that were taken inside the shop and printed in the magazine. I was giddy when I heard the news! You can see it in section 3 below.

But the real reason that Pine Needles will forever hold a special spot in my heart, is because it is the place where Needle in a Haystack got its start. About 8 years ago, I was fiddling with my own embroidery designs, wanting to do more with them, but not sure how or where to break into the market. I happened to have one of my stitched designs with me on an outing to Pine Needles and was looking for some coordinating fabric, when one of the store's managers, Holly, spotted the design in my hand. She asked where I got that pattern, and when she found out I had designed it myself, she encouraged me to write up the directions, offer a sample for the store to display, and bring her the patterns to sell. I was thrilled, and so grateful that someone believed in my designs and was willing to take a chance on them.

Some time down the road from that day, my little company, Needle in a Haystack was born. From that time, Pine Needles has been my best customer for in-store patterns, and one of my biggest cheerleaders. The ladies there are fabulous, and Holly, especially, has become a sweet and supportive friend over the years. Follow this link to learn more about their store and blog, and click here to see Needle in a Haystack patterns that are available through Pine Needles.

So, yes, what a great day to see that Pine Needles was featured in the Quilt Sampler---their cozy, friendly, and trendy store truly deserves it! And what a great day for my little business to be associated with them.

The Happiest Place on Earth! 10 Suggestions for a Magical Experience at Disneyland

Summer has been jam-packed at my house, as you can see from the sparse amount of posts I have written. With school back in session, however, I'll be posting more regularly again...I'm so excited to show you what's coming up in the stitching world! Lots to look forward to!



But for now, I wanted to share some of our summer fun with you. We returned earlier this year from a fantastic few days at the Happiest Place On Earth! We had such a marvelous time that none of us wanted to leave.



The park is clean, classy, and of course, magical in every way. I am, in no way an expert in all of the ins and outs of Disneyland. However, I am a bit of a guide book junkie whenever we are planning a vacation. My favorite guide book that offered us the most help was The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland, but I also got some good info from Fodor's Disneyland and Southern California with Kids.I have gleaned several things that were beneficial in the planning of our vacation, and I've developed my own opinions about some things we discovered ourselves.

In case you are planning a trip in the near future, and wondering about some Disneyland-ish possibilities in addition to the main attractions, here are 10 of my favorite suggestions for a truly magical experience at Disneyland:

1. Purchase a Unique and One-of-a-Kind Souvenir.

So this is my favorite find at Disneyland this trip! I had read about this little Silhouette Shop on Main Street, and was instantly intrigued with the concept of this personalized souvenir.

The shop itself teeny-tiny with only enough room for a few people at once. The artist has worked for Disney for 30 years; 3 years as a watercolor artist, and 27 as a silhouette artist. I was blown away when I saw her work! She is amazingly talented.

She simply has you sit so she can see your profile, and in a matter of about 30 seconds (I'm not kidding!) she snips, snips, snips your silhouette from 2 sheets of paper while she chats away with you. No drawing or anything. It was the coolest thing to watch! She can do individual silhouettes or layer several profiles if desired like we did. The cost is under $10 per person, and you get not one, but two sets of silhouettes to frame.

I love this little memoir to remind me of how my kiddos looked when we went to Disneyland! If we ever get a chance to go back, I'll be stopping in again for an updated souvenir.

2. Tickle your Tastebuds.


If you have visited Disneyland without stopping at the Dole counter just outside the Tiki Room, you have missed out! They have the most delicious and refreshing pineapple whips, and they are by far the best bargain in the park (well, food-wise, at least).


We returned again on another day for a second helping and enjoyed them just as much! Definitely worth the stop. (And if you see a line forming outside, just go through the gate toward the Tiki Room, and get in line over on that side...we hardly saw anyone over there, and got our treats much faster that way.)

3. Face your Fears.



So three years earlier, my hubby had taken the boys on the Tower of Terror, and swore he was never setting foot on that ride again! For him, it was the worst ever. I was designated as the adult to accompany the kids, and of course was a little hesitant after hearing him describe his *traumatic* experience. However, my boys thought the ride pretty much rocked, so they convinced my Blondie to join us as well, much to her disdain.


My greatest regret of the whole trip was not purchasing this photo. We snapped it on the way out however, and you can see my boys and I actually having a great time on this ride, and poor Blondie not sure what to think! I laugh every time I look at it.

When it was all said and done, and she realized that she had survived this ordeal, she said she was glad that she went, and wanted to do it again, which we did! Despite my hubby's grim description of this ride, the rest of us found it to be one of our favorites...even Blondie. She was glad she had faced that fear. (Me too!)

4. Take a Photo with a Character.



The characters were not our main draw in Disneyland, but by the second day, the girls couldn't help but wait for a few minutes to meet some of the characters and to get their autographs. (We purchased an inexpensive autograph book at a kiosk and a large pen to make it easier for the characters to sign with.) It became a fun game for us to see who we could spot, and to see how short of a time we could wait in line.


Cinderella was the first character we had the chance of meeting over in Disney's California Adventure. Can you see the sheer glee on my little one's face?

5. Torture your Teen.


How often do we have an opportunity to do this? A Small World is the perfect place for some parental revenge. Savor the moment!



6. Channel your Inner Hillbilly.



One of our favorite stops for lunch is the Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. The food is not unique, but there is plenty of it (we shared meals), and you get to eat while watching a great performance by the very talented Billy Hill and the Hillbillies inside an air-conditioned building.


They are a group of musical performers that are comical and completely entertaining, and keep us laughing through our lunch.

7. Expand your Cultural Horizons.



I had heard about the Aladdin production over in the Hyperion Theater at California Adventures, but had never taken the time before to watch it. I had determined that this was one thing I wanted to experience, and told everyone early on to prepare themselves mentally for this event!



As you can see, my children were thrilled at first to be there, to say the least. However....as with most affairs and kids, they found themselves laughing throughout the play, and in the end, sheepishly admitted that they had enjoyed it. Even my littlest one had a great time.



The show was fantastic--great scenery, great acting, great music, and the Genie was hilarious. He was, of course, my kids' favorite part of the show.



The play is a speedy version of the cartoon story line that we are all familiar with, and really only lasted about 45 minutes. Totally worth it!

8. Visit the Princesses at the Fantasy Faire.



(Well--only if anyone in your family cares about princesses!) However, I wouldn't spend more than 45 minutes in line. We arrived early in the day and were told the line was a 1 1/2 to 2 hour wait. We bailed at that point! Later on (around lunch time) we returned to learn the wait was only 45 minutes (and completely accurate). The girls were desirous to wait that long, so we passed the time eating snacks and chatting with others who were waiting as well. It proved to be one of the girls' very favorite activities of the trip!


The 3 different princesses we met were personable, kind, and darling, to say the least. My girls couldn't stop talking about how much they looked and sounded like the characters in the movies, and how special the princesses made them feel. They totally felt like the 45 minute wait was worth it.

9. Stop at City Hall.

Just inside the main gates and to your left is City Hall. I didn't really know what was there, but when you visit, you can get the kiddos (or yourself) some badges to wear as free souvenirs.


They have some that say, "Happy Birthday", or "1st Visit", or "Honorary Citizen of Disneyland"...and I'm certain they come out with new ones regularly.

10. Give the Monorail a chance.



I had never ridden it before, assuming it to be a waste of my precious time in the park, but the kids expressed interest, so we gave it a try. It proved to be a relaxing and enjoyable break from the hustle and bustle of the park, and gave us a bird's eye view of many of the attractions.



I also stumbled up this fascinating article about what goes on at Disneyland after all the guests leave. Yes, some of the rumors you may have heard are true: feral cats, 300 gardeners, touch ups with gallons of new paint, and the scraping of gum---all things that occur throughout the night inside the gates of Disneyland. And my boys noticed in Disneyland California Adventures that a crew member emptied a trash can near a ride they were waiting in line for, but the bag wasn't even full yet. This article explains Walt Disney's reasoning behind things like this that occur in Disneyland before it even seems necessary. It certainly made me appreciate all that goes into creating the cleanliness and magic that Disneyland is so famous for .
What more can I say? I am in love with Disneyland and everything magical that happens there. And yep....I wanna go back!

Scrumptious Snickers Salad

On a recent Sunday afternoon when we were all home, I decided to try a new recipe I spotted on a local talk show. It is a crazy combination, which is what intrigued me and motivated me to try it in the first place. But guess what? It is deelish! Almost more of a dessert than a salad--and perfect for entertaining or for a unique potluck item for those summer parties. Ready for the ingredients?

*Cool Whip
*Cream cheese
*Powdered sugar
*Apples
*Frozen Raspberries
*Chopped Snickers Candy Bars (yup! )


Go to this link for the recipe details. The mixture of the crunchy apples and chewy, chocolatey Snicker Bars with the creamy Cool Whip and cream cheese, accented with the raspberries is all to die for! If you try it, let me know what you think. I think you just might dream of this salad.

T-Shirt Give Away Results

The summer has been crammed full, and I hope to get back to blogging on a more regular basis! For the entire month of July, at least one person in the home was gone during each week ...We started the month with a family vacation, followed by my oldest son on "Trek" (I'll explain in a later post--believe me, it has nothing to do with "Star Trek"), another gone to scout camp the next week, followed by my oldest son again leaving for a scout pack trip, and myself at Girls' Camp for the Young Women in our area. It has been great fun and oh, so busy, and I am grateful to have it behind me!

So now that I can breathe again, I'm excited to share some of my t-shirts with my readers! Let's get right to it. Random.org chose the following two numbers:















Congratulations to comments 8 and 13 which belong to Lori C. and Cami K.! I will get in touch with you both for your t-shirt sizes and preferences. Thanks to all for joining in with my summer fun!

Love to all,

Brian Regan--Live! Enter for a Chance to Win a T-Shirt!

You know how we sometimes idolize famous people, and have this image--good or bad-- of what they must be like in person? If you've ever met someone famous, that image may be enhanced, or it may be cracked a bit, depending on your experience with them. Well, I'm here to tell you that my family was full of Brian Regan fans before, and our experience of meeting him bumped him even higher on our list of people we admire. He is one of the nicest, friendliest guys out there. We had a fantastic experience watching his performance and meeting him backstage!

For those of you who may be new to my blog, you can go here to learn about my story, and the amazing people out there who were kind enough to vote for a t-shirt design I submitted (thanks again! You're the best!), and why we had the chance to meet him.

My hubby and I are from a little town in Idaho. Oddly enough, Brian Regan had a performance scheduled there. By the time we found out my t-shirt design had won, all of the shows near us had already passed, so we decided it would be fun to return to our old stomping grounds to see him perform.

We were lucky enough to get tickets for the third row, right in front. Here we are waiting for the performance to begin: My Blondie, me, my sister Pam, and my two goofy sons. My hubby is behind the camera.


He had some great warm up acts: his brother Dennis Regan, as well as up and coming comedian, Ryan Hamilton who is also from a tiny town in Idaho. Ryan was recently named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 'Five Comics to Watch'. He made his national TV debut when he appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham followed by NBC's Last Comic Standing as a semi-finalist . Very funny guys.

Here is a photo of Ryan and Brian in the green room at the Idaho performance we attended.


So, Brian's performance was awesome. As I've said before, his humor and expressions are just hilarious to me, and I LOVE that his act is clean---a rarity in the comedy world, I think. What also strikes me funny, is that for his encore, he will come back out and take requests for favorite jokes. He admits that it is a struggle to jump into a joke without a proper segue, and he jokes that comedy is supposed to have an element of surprise to it...something that is awkward when the audience already knows exactly how each joke ends. But he makes it work, and the audience eats it up.


My biggest regret of the whole event? We rushed to arrive there on time with cameras in hand...and I failed to bring extra batteries. From my first photo of the evening, my camera was blinking that I needed to change batteries. Aarrgh!!! How did I overlook such a thing? So I was very frugal with taking photos, knowing I wanted to take one with him when we got to meet him after the show. We also have a Flip video that my boys were using, and after a few minutes, the same thing....no more battery power. I was so annoyed with myself that I had failed to bring extras!

But anyway, meeting Brian Regan was truly a treat. He is one of the nicest, friendliest guys around. He gave me a big hug, and he congratulated me on the win. We chatted briefly about the details of the contest and about visiting Disneyland. He took time to greet each of my kids and my hubby, and to chat with each one individually for a brief moment while he signed autographs and t-shirts. It was such fun! We were able to get a photo taken with him, but sadly, it's a bit of a blur...Ah, well...we have great memories!


As a bonus, I don't know if anyone out there is interested in a t-shirt or not, but I happen to have a few extras, and would love to share them with my fantastic readers! Each shirt is valued at $20, and those that I have are Women's L and Men's M, L, or XL. You can see them HERE:


Two of you great people will each win a t-shirt in a drawing on Tuesday, August 3, so you have two weeks to enter! Please make sure you leave me an email address or a way of contacting you if you do not have a blog. Upon winning, I'll contact you to find out which size and color you'd most like (I can't promise an exact preference, but I'll do my best!)

To enter, you know the drill....

*Leave me a comment

*In an additional comment, let me know if you are already a follower, or if you have become a new follower

*Grab my new button and place it on your side bar, and let me know in another comment where I can find it

*Blog about this give-away and let me know in another comment with a link

Thanks, friends!!! You are truly the best!

Want to Combat Stress or Lose a Few Pounds? Give Hand-Embroidery a Try....

I was sitting in my dentist's waiting room when I came across a fascinating article entitled, "The Benefits of Slowing Down," from the June 2010 issue of Ladie's Home Journal. The article was all about slowing our speed in this crazy, fast-paced world that we live in, and the benefits of doing so. One section in particular captured my attention, entitled, "Slow Hobbies." Here is what it said:

"No one can knit a scarf or sweater overnight. It takes thousands of stitches, thousands of moments when the only sound is the clicking of needles. Trying to hurry the process just means making mistakes. That's not the frustration of knitting, it's the point. Slow hobbies--knitting, quilting, embroidery, woodwork--require patience and deliberation. In return they calm you, putting you in a contemplative zone that's its own kind of therapy. "The rhythmic, repetitive movements of a hobby like knitting are soothing and distracting," says Katherine Applegate, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist for the Duke University health system. "They seem to lull people."

She advises patients struggling to lose weight to take up sewing and other hands-on crafts to combat stress, which can lead to overeating. Some teachers report that knitting during class calms and focuses kids with ADHD. Even doing a jigsaw puzzle can help. The slow work of a hands-on hobby creates a pace that can soothe the soul." You can read the article in its entirety HERE.

So there you have it...a healthy reason to allow yourself to sit on the couch and spend some time stitching or quilting an item for yourself or a friend. Remember, you can download my free set of embroidery instructions and stitches by clicking HERE, and you can purchase embroidery e-patterns HERE.

Enjoy the summer---get some sun, relax, work on a project, and reduce your stress and your waistline at the same time!

I'm Back!

I'm finally back in the blogosphere! My computer took a hard hit from a nasty virus (still don't know how it got in), and I have been without my computer for much too long. I am happy to be back and have lots to share with you! Stay tuned!