2009 April

Bunny Week Part 2

April 8, 2009 By Anne 11 Comments

So what’s in a name? You’d think when you call a company named Bunny Hill it must have SOMETHING to do with bunnies, right? Some man called this week and wanted to know if we had LIVE bunnies for sale. Poor guy. He was a bit confused when I explained what we did. No live bunnies for sale. Why, not even decorative bunnies for sale.

When I hung up the phone, it was obvious I had been talking about bunnies and my hubby says to me “We need to have the kids over on Sunday for a brunch and egg hunt. I’ll do the cooking”. And I say something like, “I can’t! I need every day left to get ready for market!” And then it hit me! Did you hear what I just said?

There comes a time when no matter how busy you are, you have to take time for those you love.

I’m taking a day on Sunday to celebrate bunnies, family and the art of egg hunts. By Monday I’ll be back to the rush, but Sunday I can hide eggs while my own little “bunnies”, fill their baskets. It’s the little things in life that count.

I sure hope that man finds the bunny he’s looking for. No doubt it was for a special child.

Hugs,

Anne

Filed Under: Holiday Decorating

If you love bunnies

April 6, 2009 By Anne 17 Comments

It’s bunny week at Bunny Hill!

If you love bunnies this week is for you! You’ll find a bunny or two in each of my posts. It’s spring and bunnies are everywhere so I can’t help myself! They fill the catalogs and the stores. What’s a bunny lover to do?

Saturday a little package arrived that completely overwhelmed me with the thoughtfulness of the gift. DJ LeVan sent me a little Steiff bunny! Just look at her! Isn’t she the sweetest thing ever? And if you don’t know DJ LeVan, well I don’t either, but she’s a kindred spirit for sure! I “met” her when she placed and order with Bunny Hill and I helped her with her order. I’ve collected bunnies for years and this is my first Steiff bunny! Thank you DJ!

Want to make something with bunnies?

If you like the brown Chelsea Manor fabric you’ll love making this little bunny picture. It’s so easy! It has the Chelsea Sutton seal of approval. She’s partial to the brown fabric so she’s very excited.

I found this little frame at Home Goods. They have so many to choose from, but I had something in mind when I choose the pink one! It has a 3” x 3” opening that’s perfect for a the Chelsea Manor bunny!

Here’s how I made it:

From the Chelsea Manor large bunny print, fussy cut the bunny fabric 2” larger than your frame opening. For the 3” x 3” frame, I cut my fabric 5” x 5”. Center the bunny before you cut, and draw the cutting lines onto the fabric with a pencil. (Tip: Use the glass from the frame to preview how your picture will look.)
Cut a piece of flannel or batting the same size as the fabric.
Lay the fabric, right side up, on top of the flannel/batting. Center both on top of the frame back, and bring to back as shown in picture below. Pin to hold in place.
Double thread a needle, and stitch from side to side until fabric is secure; stitch from one side to the other, tie off and bring the next two sides to top. Stitch from side to side again, trimming fabric under corners to reduce thickness.
Insert into frame and enjoy!

You’ll want to make one of these bunny pictures to go with the new pattern coming soon from Bunny Hill! It’s called “Uptown Baby” and it’s the simplest baby quilt ever! I’ve added a pink flange and a soft pink border to frame the brown bunnies from Chelsea Manor. You can make this is a weekend! Picture + quilt = perfect gift! In pink and brown what uptown baby wouldn’t love this? Have a little boy? Make it in brown and blue!

More to come soon. We’re busy, busy getting ready for market!

Hugs,

Anne

Filed Under: Collections, Holiday Decorating

It’s Basket Day!

April 5, 2009 By Anne 38 Comments

It’s April 5th and that means basket day at Bunny Hill! Block number 4 of “A Tisket, A Tasket is ready and you can find the free pattern here. I’ve filled the basket with a chocolate bunny and added a little wool chick!

The bunny fabric is the brown check from “Sultry” by Moda Fabrics, # 30167-15. I used the wrong side of the fabric for the arm and the back ear.

Here’s a sneak peek at the sashing I’m using to finish the quilt. It’s from the Howard Marcus line “Legacy” by Moda fabrics # 46033-12. I fell in love with this fabric and there’s not a block in the quilt that doesn’t go perfectly with it. Very vintage and very pretty!

I’ll be giving you the outer border soon so you can be sure and get fabric if you want it.

Here’s the yardage requirements if you need them:

Sashing: 1/2 yd
Sashing posts: 1/4 yd or 1 fat quarter
Inner border: 1/4 yd
Outer border: 3/4 yd
Binding: 3/8 yd, or 3/4 yd bias

If you’re working on the redwork version we’re sewing ours together now. It’s just so cute!

The sashing and posts are from my very own Chelsea Manor fabric line! The sashing is # 1938, Color 8. The posts are # 1945 Color 88. I’ll be choosing the rest of the fabrics for the redwork quilt very soon in case you want to purchase fabric while it’s still available.

And no, I didn’t forget about the woolies out there! If you want to see the wool version go to Cottons ‘N Wool! Anne’s in charge of the “woolies” and I know she has a version you will love.

Have a fun Sunday everyone! Happy quilting & stitching!

Hugs,

Anne

Filed Under: Applique

American Patchwork & Quilting, June 2009!

April 1, 2009 By Anne 74 Comments

Have you seen the June issue? The June issue of American Patchwork and Quilting? If you subscribe to this magazine it should be arriving in your mail box any day. If you don’t subscribe (and you should), you can find it in the stores April 6th. I’m excited to announce that I’m the featured designer in this issue! Yep, me! Moi! Mich! わたしを! Me, Me, Me in French, German and Japanese!

If you asked what magazine I would most want to be featured in, I would say without hesitation, American Patchwork and Quilting. It’s a professional, wonderful, quilting magazine and it’s such an honor to be included in this issue!

It was last August when American Patchwork came to my home and studio. Can you imagine how you’d feel if you knew they were coming? I started cleaning in July! They spent a little over a day, shooting more than 200 photos, with cats and dogs watching, to bring you this article.

It’s amazing to watch them work. They have but one goal; to bring you, their readers, things you will enjoy reading. The staff of this magazine is simply the best!

Jennifer, thank you for asking me, and Elizabeth, Nancy and Michael, thank you for coming and making it so much fun. I had the best time ever!