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Archives
If you missed something we had out there before, we've archived some of it here so you can still get to it.
News & Notes Archive
February 19, 2010
I know I say this a lot, but time is just flying by -- it's already past the middle of February! The best thing about that is that it means winter will soon be over. Unfortunately, according to the weatherman, it won't be before we get some more snow.
I added a new novel to the Books For Readin' category. Anita L. Allee's newest book is out. "God's Messenger" is her second contemporary novel, set in Colorado. You'll want to get your copy.
I'm slowly making some long overdue changes to the entire website. One of those is to hopefully get the new Gallery set up and going. I've been procrastinating on that one!
The new pattern is just about ready, really it is! It always takes me longer to do something than I imagine it will -- but you never have that problem, do you?
February 12, 2010
It's getting close to Valentine's Day. Have you gotten a gift for your sweetie yet? I made some cookies for mine . . . the recipe is on the blog here: Valentine Cookies.
There will be a new free pattern on the Hazel Ilene blog tomorrow, so check here to read about it and get the free pattern for yourself.
January 29, 2010
We've received some great donations and made some great progress on the Necktie Social project just this month, so hop over and check it out.
I've been keeping plenty busy . . .
The Hazel's Diary Quilt-Along is going great, and all the Cowgirls should have their packets in hand.
There's lots going on on the blog, and I hope to have a new pattern out in just a few days, so stay tuned.
January 5, 2010
Well, here we are, full into 2010. Hard to believe -- time is just whizzing by! The good thing about that right now, though, is that it means winter will be over with! We're in the grip of some bitter cold right now, and I don't like it one bit.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and have gotten the New Year off to a great start so far.
There's a new recipe in The Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook you'll want to try out.
Cowgirl Club First Quarter packets for 2010 are scheduled to ship January 11. If you're already a Quilting Cowgirl, keep your eyes on the mail, and if you're not, why not? You're so missing out -- what are you waiting for?
December 16, 2009
You need to get joined up for the Hazel's Diary Quilt-Along. It's free and never too late to join in.
It's also time to get signed up for Cowgirl Club 2010. You do not want to miss this year's Cowgirl Series Quilt, plus all the other goodies that come along with your membership.
And . . . I've added a Stripper's Delight II pattern to the Free Patterns page. Go download it now and get busy using up those scrap 1 1/2" strips.
December 14, 2009
Christmas is almost here, and I don't have near all my shopping done yet. I can never make up my mind what to buy for certain people . . . so I wait . . . thinking that if I buy something, then the perfect thing might come along afterwards. Is that dumb thinking or what?
December 1, 2009
Whew! We're on the countdown toward the end of the year! Where has it gone? I didn't get near enough done . . . I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and are headed toward an equally wonderful Christmas season.
Yesterday I posted news on the blog about a great upcoming project beginning January 1, 2010. It's called The Life of Hazel Ilene, and it's a Quilt-Along -- you really should join in and participate. It's free to join, it'll be a blast, and it's a really easy painless way to make a quilt top. Click here to see what it's all about: Hazel's Diary Quilt-Along.
It's also time for all you farm girls to Cowgirl Up and join the Cowgirl Club for 2010. We've got a really exciting project for the Club this year, and as always, plenty of fun and goodies each quarter.
December's recipe is in the Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook . . . one of my favorite treats of all time, and I don't even have to make them for myself!
And keep your eye on my Etsy Shop . . . I'll be continually adding things there. I plan to have a line of all kinds of handmade cowboy/cowgirl-related items and I'm also selling some shop samples I no longer need. Right now, you could pick up some great Christmas gifts! And remember, I do custom orders, too, so if you need the perfect gift for a hunter or horse lover you know, give me a holler . . .
November 11, 2009
The big news this week is that I finally got some items listed in my Etsy Shop. I'm selling some of my shop samples I no longer have space for, plus I've moved all my custom quilt information to the Alchemy section of my Etsy Shop, since it's easier to handle from there. I'm also listing some other handmade items that I just like working on in my "spare time". So if you're looking for a handmade gift in time for Christmas, hop on over there and save yourself the trouble of making something!
I've posted an update on the Necktie Social project. It's really amping up, and I'm excited!
November 5, 2009
I simply cannot believe that it's November already. The end of the year is approaching way too quickly to suit me!
There's a new recipe in The Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook, so hop on over there and get it.
The "Rhinestone Cowgirl" stocking kits are already sold out! I always make just a limited number, but this year they went fast! Guess I'll have to make a bigger number next year. Anyway, the pattern is still available -- it'll never be too late to pick that up.
I'm taking a bit of a designing hiatus from now till the end of the year. I have lots of new stuff in the works, and hope to start off the New Year with some really great things, so I'm taking the holiday season to catch my breath, and spend time with my family. Meanwhile, you can keep up with us on the blog, and there will be several really neat things announced there between now and the end of the year, so check in often.
October 7, 2009
I'm taking a bit of a designing hiatus from now till the end of the year. I have lots of new stuff in the works, and hope to start off the New Year with some really great things, so I'm taking the holiday season to catch my breath, and spend time with my family. Meanwhile, you can keep up with us on the blog, and there will be several really neat things announced there between now and the end of the year, so check in often.
October 7, 2009
It's our one-year anniversary! One year ago today the web site and online store were launched -- what a blast we've been having! To celebrate, we're having a little giveaway over on the blog. Hurry -- it ends tomorrow at noon. Plus, we're still offering FREE shipping all month in celebration of this event!
The fourth quarter Cowgirl Club packets are in the mail! All you Cowgirls be on the lookout! If you aren't signed up to be a Quilting Cowgirl, it's never too late to get in on the fun . . .
October 1, 2009
I can't believe September is already over! Makes me kind of sad . . .
Around here, we're full into fall, and we're trying to batten down the hatches at the farm and get everything ready for winter.
This month marks our first anniversary for the web site and online store, so in celebration of that, we're offering FREE First-Class shipping on any order placed during the month of October. October's featured product is the new 2009 Prairie Moon Ranch Cowboy Christmas Stocking, pictured at right.
October is National Dessert Month, so there's a new recipe in the Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook, and we'll be featuring some extras on our blog throughout the month as well.
We have a big month ahead of us, with plans to attend International Quilt Festival in Houston, and the AQS Show in Des Moines. I love road trips! More on those later.
September 30, 2009
If you're not reading the blog, you are missing out on so much other stuff . . . giveaways, announcements, and general ramblings from yours truly. Lots of pictures, too.
The Cowgirl Club 4th Quarter Roundup packets are just about ready. If you're not yet a Quilting Cowgirl, you'd better get signed up. Another fun thing you're missing out on! It's never too late to join.
September 23, 2009
It's here -- finally! The 2009 Prairie Moon Ranch Cowboy Christmas Stocking. She's called "Rhinestone Cowgirl", and she is cute! Check her out, and be sure to collect all the stocking patterns.
September 16, 2009
I recently did a trunk show for the Macon Piecemakers quilt group. I showed about 30 quilts from my collection, and had an absolute blast. What a fun group of ladies!
The results are up for the Wild West Scavenger Hunt. Click here for the final scoop. The charity quilts have found their new home, and the chance for prizes is over until next time.
September 1, 2009
The Wild West Scavenger Hunt has ended. I hope you were able to get in on the game. If not, the pattern is still up on our Free Patterns page; it's just not part of the game anymore.
There's a new recipe for September up in thePrairie Moon Ranch Cookbook. It's a great back-to-school breakfast recipe -- go check it out.
August 22, 2009
We got a package containing blocks for theNecktie Social Project. I hope to soon have pictures of some bigger progress on those quilts. We really appreciate all the donations we've received to date, and more help is always welcome.
I'm working on the 2009 Prairie Moon Ranch Cowboy Christmas Stocking. I hope to have it out pretty quickly. I think you're gonna like it!
August 13, 2009
I'm very excited to report that we received just yesterday another large shipment of ties for the Necktie Social project. I'm happy to report that the project is going well, and we still welcome any help we can get.
August 5, 2009
I posted the free pattern I said I would yesterday. I also posted another one. So there's TWO new free patterns on the Free Patterns page. Go get 'em!
August 4, 2009
I've got the August recipe posted. If you didn't notice before, I've re-done the recipes all onto one page in The Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook, so they're all easier to get to and look at.
July 29, 2009
I've been doing some cleaning up and rearranging on the web site. If you find any broken links, please email me and let me know. When you've been looking at it till you're cross-eyed, it's hard to catch everything!
I've moved all the recipes to one page. The collection was growing, so I've started The Prairie Moon Ranch Cookbook. We'll still have a monthly recipe, so the page will continue to grow, which is why it needed its own space.
I've reworked the Other Stuff page. It was getting too crowded, so now all the Other Stuff is there by itself, and the links take you to the places you might want to visit from there.
I have lots more changes I want to make, but right now, I need to get back to quilting! Now, if only I could get my house cleaned!
July 28, 2009
I've created a separate page for the Prairie Moon Ranch BOM to give you a better idea of some of the projects you get when you sign up. Click here to get more information about the program. Remember, you don't have to buy all the installments. If you see one particular bonus project you really like, you can purchase just that one. But don't forget -- there are lots of surprises and fun things in every installment.
I've added my newest pattern to the store, Pomegranates & Pineapples. Read about it at right.
July 22, 2009
Finally! The final installment (Part 6) of thePrairie Moon Ranch BOM is in the online store. Thanks to all of you who made suggestions and requests for artwork -- I hope the delay to add those in was worth the wait. Pre-orders will start shipping tomorrow.
Now that it's all out and complete, I'll be putting up a page very soon with more information about the BOM. You can get more information about some of the bonus projects, but I'm still not spilling all the surprises.
SewCalGal (www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com) wrote a very nice article about our Necktie Social project on her blog. You can read all about it by clicking her link above. She is also sending some ties for the project -- I can hardly wait! Please consider helping us out -- we make it easy and painless, and you'll be helping out a good cause.
I've also added a couple new notions to the online store. I'm only selling notions that I use and love myself, as I can give those products the best recommendations. I'll be adding more as I get time.
July 10, 2009
As usual, the month is getting away from me. But there's been a lot going on.
If you're a Quilting Cowgirl, then you should have received your Cowgirl Club packets by now. If you're not, get signed up and get in on the fun! It's never too late.
Our Quarter Two charitable donation was made to ReliefShare, an organization based in Houston, MO, that sponsors many projects to help the less fortunate. Their motto is: "loving thy neighbor as thyself". One of their current major projects is providing quilts to the Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis. Their goal is to provide at least 240 twin-sized quilts. Instead of sending them a check for our donation, we spent the money for them to purchase batting and backing, and offered our machine quilting service for free to help them finish some of the quilts they'll be donating. If you'd like to help them with this project, too, click here to read more about it.
Oh, and I finally got a new recipe posted. It's a great summer salad -- no cooking required!
July 1, 2009
The 3rd quarter Cowgirl Club packages come out next Monday, so if you're a Cowgirl, keep an eye on your mailbox . . . and if you're not a Cowgirl yet, you'd better get signed up so you don't miss out!
Part Five of the Prairie Moon Ranch BOM is finally in the online store, and Part Six will follow in just a couple more weeks.
Don't forget -- send us your best quilting tips, so I can finish up the tips page and get it posted for everyone to look at. You can get a free gift for submitting your tip!
June 22, 2009
I've finally started a blog! I've been wanting to for a long time, but I do have the gene for procrastination, so I spent a lot of time on that, and also spent a long time deciding exactly which blog, and how, etc. etc. etc. But it's finally started, so now you can follow the daily drivel by clicking here.
This is going to be a busy week. I'm putting the finishing touches on the 3rd quarter Cowgirl Club packages, so if you're a Cowgirl, be patient -- just a few more days . . . and if you're not a Cowgirl yet, you'd better get signed up so you don't miss out!
Part Five of the Prairie Moon Ranch BOM is coming out this week, too.
Keep an eye on the blog for more up-to-date news, and keep checking back in with us often!
June 12, 2009
Don't be shy about sending us your quilting tips -- read about how to submit yours, and get a free gift just for sharing.
I've got the new recipe up, altho I was tempted to leave last month's up for an extra month, it was such a hit. You can still get last month's recipe by visiting the Archives, and yet enjoy the new recipe for this month as well.
Our quilt show last weekend was a hit. I had such a good time. My Crazy Chicken wallhanging got a second place Viewer's Choice ribbon! Our new location was great. It rained Saturday morning and was cool, but it didn't hurt anything. You can't stop a dedicated quilter! The show chair, Peggy, commented on the fact that during our very first show in a location where we actually had air conditioning, we had to run the heat during the morning -- go figure!
Although I need to do more, I have added an update to the Life at the Ranch page, with a picture of our newest addition. Go check out Sweet Pea -- you'll fall in love . . .
We have a lot of stuff coming up. Cowgirl Club Quarter 3 is almost upon us -- it's never too late to join. The Prairie Moon Ranch BOMstill has 2 installments left. I've got a few new things to add to the online store, and I'm always working on something or other, so don't forget to keep checking back.
June 5, 2009
Quilt Show starts today! Stop by and see us if you can. I'm passing out freebies, so you don't want to miss out.
Our interactive internet game begins June 15. I hope the suspense doesn't kill you before then -- you're gonna wanna be in on this!
June 4, 2009
I'm very excited, because our guild's annual quilt show starts tomorrow! If you happen to be in the Kirksville, MO, area, be sure and stop by the Rehoboth Baptist Church on Pfeiffer Street and check it out. We'll have over 150 quilts on display, 7 vendors, a silent auction, demos, door prizes, other quilt displays, and a lot of fun!
I've been so busy getting ready for the show (I'll be one of the vendors) that I haven't had the time to do as much with the web site as I'd like, so I'll be posting the recipe next week.
In the meantime, I did manage to get a new featured product added to the store. We have a new table runner that you're gonna love, called Easy Strips and Stars.
Also, be sure to read about our new Tips & Techniques page that will be coming soon, and how you can contribute and possibly win something.
May 28, 2009
Another month almost gone. Where is this year going to? It's almost half over already! I'll never have all the time I need to make all the quilts I want to make.
I've got some new stuff to add next week, because it'll be a new month. For now, I've added some new purses to the online store. You can read about them at right, or clickhere to check them out right away.
Read about our new Tips & Techniques page that will be coming soon, and how you can contribute and possibly win something.
The Hands of Friendship Quilt Guild is having their annual show on Friday evening and Saturday, June 5 & 6, at the Rehoboth Baptist Church (100 Pfeiffer Avenue) in Kirksville, MO. If you're going to be in that area, it promises to be a good show, with more than 150 quilts on display. There will be 7 vendors this year, so lots of shopping opportunities as well. I'll be there vending, and I have a couple quilts in the show. I'm planning on having a great time.
May 18, 2009
We're back from Market, and my most exciting news is that I got to meet a quilting idol of mine -- Mark Lipinski. He's the editor of Quilter's Home magazine, the one quilting magazine I subscribe to of which I read every single word every time -- no skimming this one -- and I laugh with every page. It's a great magazine. You gotta try it at least once.
He was just as wonderful and funny in "real life" as I knew he would be. He always jokes about "getting PhotoShopped" for his pictures in the magazine, so when he offered to get his photo taken with me, he also said he was going to hide behind me to protect his rep! Here we are, completely UN-PhotoShopped -- I told him I don't care how much they PhotoShop him, I'd recognize him anywhere!
May 13, 2009
To Market, to Market, to buy ... well, we're going to see what they've got! We leave tomorrow, and I'm really excited. I was sort of torn about where to go. The Machine Quilters Showcase is this weekend in Kansas City, too. I had a hard time deciding between the two, but since I've never gotten to go to Pittsburgh, and have the chance to see it, I decided Market wins this year. If you're going to be in the Kansas City area this weekend, you should drop in at the Machine Quilters Showcase and see what they've got. I know there will be many beautiful quilts on display. Click here to find out more.
Because we will be gone to Market for the next few days, please note that any orders placed from 3:00 pm today (Wednesday) through Sunday (5/17) will not get shipped until Monday morning (5/18). We hope this doesn't cause anyone an inconvenience.
I've added some more "Books for Readin'" to the online store -- a few more novels by Anita L. Allee. And when I get back, I have a lot more stuff to add as I get time, so keep checking in with us.
