Material Mary

Pine Needles...

2012-02-14T13:36:00.000-08:00

On our last trip into the Salt Lake City area, my husband graciously stopped at Pine Needles for me...Always and forever a treat!! I love this cute design for Sandy Klop's lastest fabric collection...

I couldn't resist buying this panel for an I Spy quilt. All I have to do is add borders and quilt...A great quilt for nap time for the grandbaby...

Sandy Workman's pattern--isn't it precious???

I love this rosebud quilt--so refreshing and springy...

Love this design and love the grey lines throughout...

I am currently working on embroidering this little quilt, Little Things by Sandy Workman--I love little embroideries and this quilt is precious for a baby...

An adorable applique quilt, again by Sandy Workman...isn't she fabulous with her designs???

A fun display of quilted Valentines...By the way, Happy Valentines Day!!! I made up a couple of these sweet valentines and tied chocolate to them for the family...(fun project)

This little guy makes me giggle and anxious for spring....

Finishes...

2012-02-12T15:42:00.000-08:00

There is nothing quite like a finish....My daughter and I picked out these fabrics at least 3-4 years ago...

The fabrics sat in a box for a couple of years and then finally I sewed them into this quilt last summer...

Got it quilted and then bound...ta-da!!!

This little banner was the final week of the mystery quilt...

Holly quilted it for me and this weekend, I bound the quilt

and attached the banner....I'm working on some more UFO's. Let this year be the year of the finish!!!

Patchwork Friends Quilt Guild...

2012-02-09T06:58:00.000-08:00

The following are a few of the photos that I took at quilt guild...the lighting is not the best for picture taking and my camera has a really slow shutter, so most of the pictures I took are blurry and I could not post...but enjoy...This quilt was a panel by Thimbleberries...

Christmas table runner...

Fun pieced heart quilt...

It's hard to see a close up of these little girls, but this is a baby girl quilt...

Love this LOVE quilt. Must have one someday...

This quilt is the scrap quilt that we were taught that night. It is called the bucket quilt. It is made courthouse step style with scraps and you have a rectangle center. You square them up wonky and it makes this darling quilt. There are a few more steps involved, but it is a great scrap buster...

I'm totally Swooning...

2012-02-06T13:03:00.000-08:00

I'm totally SWOONING...I got to sew this quilt for one of our local quilt stores...I did a trial block, which turned into a baby quilt and is presently at the quilter...I will post pictures when I get it back. When I was asked to sew this for the store, I was so excited I couldn't stand it!!! The blocks are a whopping 24" finished and the Ruby fabric...well a quilt made in heaven..or at least I thought I was in heaven!!

I had a blustering winter wind this morning for photos, but you get the idea...

A close up of one of the blocks...my quilter, Holly, did a superb job at quilting...I don't know if I can part with this quilt long enough for it to be at the fabric store...I have this total crush on it...By the way, there is a Swoon-a-long going on over here...

And to let the cat out of the bag for my family members who come to the annual Barrett retreat, we will be making Swoon...Above are the fabric choices for the blocks (we are doing a 30's theme for the retreat). We will sew the 9 blocks at the retreat, and a drawing will be held for the completed blocks for all those who participated in building them....Hope you are as excited as I am for this...so look forward to June!!

Antiquing...

2012-02-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

It's no secret I am a junkie for nostalgia and antiques...My sweet husband took me to the antique store yesterday on my lunch break!!! Love this iron board and old iron...

This lovely cross stitched quilt all hand quilted...

This fun quilt with the Baptist Fan quilting and scrappy stars...

How about this great antique wardrobe--Would love to put my clothes in it...

but, I really fall hard for embroidered pillowcases and such...This pillow case is an orphan and came without a crocheted edge...Last night I went home and added an edge...All these beautiful pillowcases end up in antique stores because their makers were waiting for that special day or someone to use them for and that day or someone never happened...I've decided to rescue my favorites and use them and love them!!!

I have taken some close ups of the embroidery on this one...the areas were all filled in with french knots...this certainly is not for the faint of heart...

Check out the lilly pad--must have taken a long time to fill in that space--no wonder they ran out of steam when it came to the edge...

A close up of the edging...I used a 10 bedspread weight and a size 3 hook and did a single crochet foundation row and then the edging row...I think I really enjoy rescuing these beautiful linens...

Valentine mystery update...

2012-01-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

Week 3 of the Valentine mystery...This has really been a fun little quilt to work on. I went in on Friday and picked up the last kit. The top is ready for quilting and week 4 is an embellishment after it is quilted...Stay tuned....

Progress on the mystery quilt...

2012-01-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

This is week 2 of the Valentine mystery quilt. This was really fun to work on. There is machine applique, you choose your favorite method, dresden plates and embellishments (yo-yo's). I am currently working on week 3 and will share that really soon. This quilt is absolutely darling and has been really fun to do.

Mystery Valentine...

2012-01-13T13:15:00.000-08:00

I have never participated in a mystery quilt before, but as I have watched My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe put on these mystery quilts and I see how cute they turn out, I had to do the Valentine one. I don't have a lot of Valentine decorations as compared to Halloween and Christmas so I am excited to participate in this mystery.

The mystery started last Friday and we were given 49 squares of background fabric to sew together and embroider on the background. If you present the previous week's kit completed the following week, you get that kit for free. So here is my completed kit for last week. I will put together this week's kit and then update you all with this darling mystery...

New baby on the way...

2012-01-10T12:36:00.000-08:00

My niece, Amy, is having a little boy in the very near future. This is her firstborn. We have recently started "The Auntie Basket" in our family. There are 5 girls in my family and we are the Aunties....For this basket for Amy, I made a diapee wipee holder. These are fabulous little things to have. Diapers, wipes, cream or lotion can fit inside to take for the change...You can find a tutorial here...

My favorite baby necessity are onesies...To whoever came up with this idea--bless you. My second favorite baby necessity--the burpees. I like to use the prefold diapers. I prewash them because they shrink...then I add a binding to the serged edgings to give a more finished look. Last but not least, the peepee teepees...I used leftover fabric from the 2 fat quarters that sewed the diapee wipee and bound the edges of the burpees and added some soft terry fabric for the inside for a matching set...Welcome Little One...

Quilt Guild and Scrappy Quilts...

2012-01-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

This is a quilt of valor that guild members have donated blocks to. It will be quilted and handed in...

This sweet little baby quilt is a pattern by YoYo Mama and called Vintage Baby Quilt. Holly explained to us how it is constructed. It is a quilt as you go quilt so it just needs squared up and bound when you are done!!! For January and February, we are focusing on making quilts from our stash...use it up and so the yoyo quilt was made from left over jelly roll strips. Can't wait to give this a try!!!

Stacie made the next 2 quilts for Christmas time...

This quilt was made by a first time quilter...

Kyle made a purse and showed her darling scarf...notice the close up picture. It was made out of wool felt...

Carrie did the mystery Christmas quilt at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe...and several other quilts...she is one busy girl!!!

Lisa and her darling tree skirt...

Debbie made these holsters out of oilcloth for her daughter, who is a massage therapist....

Alissa made this quilt entirely out of stash...Really fun!!!

A little antique shopping...

2012-01-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Always love me a touch of embroidery...Love looking at the pillowcases...

A darling baby boy bib all stitched...It was so sweet...

Doll sized Hummel, they still have a charm that I love...there was so much more from this shopping trip I wanted to share, but the camera had other ideas. The battery went dead this far into the shopping...maybe next time. Happy New Year and may you enjoy the nostalgia of yesteryear while making new memories today!!

Friends...

2011-12-22T04:37:00.000-08:00

My fabulous friend Gail came into work yesterday to show me the quilt she made for her adorable grandson. I gave her a panel of the crybabies on the border and she has made a few projects with them. On this quilt, the center fabric was given to her by friends who are from China. The border fabric she got at one of our mutual favorite quilt shops and the cornerstones are the crybaby fabric. She backed this quilt in a blue minky...If I were a baby, I would want this quilt to never leave my side!!! This little guy is going to have a new love in life...

I was showing Gail the baby quilt that is made of pirate fabric and she took a picture of my husband and I. Friends are the best...I just love them!!

and finally...December's Birdie Stitches block!!!

2011-12-15T18:59:00.000-08:00

I am just thrilled to finish up block 12 of this BOM, Birdie Stitches from the blog www.littlemissshabby.com. I had so much fun with this project...I cut up my scraps and sewed them up and now I am working on constructing the quilt. It will be a queen 84"x84". Hopefully I can find another fun BOM to do this coming year that has been as fun as this one!! Stay tuned to see how this quilt turns out!!

Patchwork Friends Christmas Social

2011-12-05T06:48:00.000-08:00

Prior to going to our quilt guild Christmas social, we made a stop at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe. They had the unveiling for their mystery quilt. I have to tell you that these girls have it going on. They know how to make absolutely darling patterns and have fun for all the quilters coming in their store. By the way, for those of you who didn't know this, they do the DIY Dish, an online resource for fun projects. Check it out sometime.

Dianna's beautiful christening dress she made...

Some fun scarfs by Lisa...

Fun diamond setting on this quilt...

The photograph is blurry, but the quilt was adorable...

Kari's cute wall hanging...

Lucy's great star quilt...

the quilts in the next picture were a two-fer. Both quilts from one layer cake with background and borders added...

Holly did a great rendition of the Grinch...

A sweet quilt made out of Strawberry Fields fabric....lovely trunk show...I missed getting a picture of Lisa's fabulous Wild Bill quilt which was a king sized quilt, but trust me it was fabulous...

Firecracker...

2011-11-29T06:42:00.000-08:00

I just finished sewing this "Firecracker" quilt for a local quilt store. The pattern is by Jaybird Quilts. It is well written and a really fun sew. It uses a specialty ruler to get the angle cuts just right.

This sweet little quilt was sewn with fabrics from "Children at Play" by SarahJane Studios/Moda. I have loved this line of fabric since it came out and was really excited to make this quilt up in these fabrics!!

A close up of the quilt...what have you been working on?

Happy Thanksgiving...

2011-11-23T05:51:00.000-08:00

May you all enjoy your turkey as you count your many blessings...

Christmas Hotpads and Little Birdie Stitches

2011-11-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

These are the Christmas hotpads for 2012. Since Christmas is all about gifts, I thought these would be really fun for the festive season...

November Birdie Stitches block. Only one more month and I will be sewing my quilt together. All the other blocks are assembled to make a queen size scrappy quilt...

My little elf...

2011-11-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

My little grandbaby, Cooper. I just knitted up this little elf hat for him. I made this same hat for all my children 20+ years ago and it is still a favorite. Where we live in Northern Utah, it gets pretty cold and I'm a believer in keeping babies ears covered!! We took this picture when Cooper came to visit Grammie at work.

Fairy Tale Friends

2011-11-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

I just finished sewing this cute little quilt for a local quilt store...I learned how to do the mitered borders on this. I have only done them once before and they did not turn out as nice...

This fabric line is by Sandy Klop, American Jane for Moda Fabrics. Notice the darling illustrations on the panel blocks...

I have always loved the story of Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf...

The Three Little Kittens who lost their mittens--another childhood favorite...

Goldilocks and the Three Bears...

And, The Little Gingerbread Boy...This quilt was designed with the intent of telling these classic fairy tales and go from block to block and tell the stories...this would make a fabulous gift for Christmas or birthday for little ones...I found the quilt a delight to make, even though the borders challenged me...

The pattern for this darling quilt! Another great collection by Sandy Klop. I just love her work and her creativity.

Patchwork Friends Quilt Guild...

2011-11-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

I'm back...here are some photos from quilt guild last Wednesday night...enjoy the show and share!!!

This little quilt appears to be a panel that has a repeat, quilted and then prarie points added. Darling!!

Enjoy!!!

One more thing off the bucket list...

2011-10-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that I am a total fan of Nancy Halverson...love her designs and fabric!!! My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe was able to get her to come to Logan and she talked to us about how she got started in the industry and how she came to design fabric...

this amazingly talented lady is crazy busy with her business and family...I have wanted to meet her forever...I even got to ask some questions during a question/answer time...Afterwards, I got to go meet her and have her autograph one of my books (I have a stack) that she has published!!!

If you are not familiar with Nancy Halverson's work, here are some pictures of some of her designs...

One day, I am going to make this acorn quilt for fall...I just love it and always have...It was a most enjoyable 1 1/2 hour of my time and I will forever treasure the fact that I got to meet her...I'm star struck!!!

Ghoulfriend's Night Out at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe...oh and Halloween Hotpads

2011-10-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Last night, our local quilt shop, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe, hosted a Ghoulfriend's Night Out. These girls really know how to throw a party..from treats to make it and take its to spooky specials throughout the store.

The store was all decked out and then additional spaces in the building were turned into a most spooky atmosphere...These are food ideas for Halloween...

It was so much fun to see all the decorations and the creative ways things were set up...

Love this pumpkin with the google eyes..such a simple thing but oh so clever...

Great use of a candleabra

Fun Halloween quilt...it kinda gets one in the mood don't you think??

In this space we were making stuffed pumpkins...

This year's Halloween hotpads...Does it make you miss your mummy???

Happy Birthday to you...

2011-10-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday dear Marciea, Happy Birthday to you!!!

For your birthday, I made you a pin cushion. You will get it Saturday at the party....Hope you like it!!! For those of you who would like to make your own, here's a link...http://www.thediydish.com/2011/10/season-4-how-to-make-a-dress-form-mannequin-pin-cushion/

Sew Day

2011-10-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

My sister, Rose, made these darling dumpling bags. You can find the free tutorial here.

This is the inside of the top dumpling bag...

All the dumpling bags--I think this would make the cutest little gift...

My sister, Carolyn, made this darling Lilly Apron!! I had my daughter, Leah model it so you could see it

Love the Kaffe fabric that it was made in...

The back view of the apron...adorable. It was a productive day indeed!!

Scrappily Happily Sewing...

2011-10-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

In this issue of Better Homes and Garden American Patchwork and Quilting, *by the way, must make up the cover quilt*

is this quilt...a 25 patch coupled with a 9 patch and sashing...it calls for 2 1/4" squares--I had a bin full of

2 1/2" squares that need sewing...so for the last couple of weeks in between everything else, I have been making 25 patch blocks and 9 patch blocks...

I'm now in the process of sewing them into rows and putting together this quilt...I thought it was a fun pattern to use up all those little squares all 1100+ that it called for. Because the squares are bigger, I was able to cut out a couple of rows and it will be 90 inches square without the last small border. If you have tons of scraps like I do that need to be worked into something, give this a try. It has really old scraps and really new scraps-just a combination of a decade of quilting...my goal is to corral all my scraps and use them up into scrap quilts, so I am constantly on the lookout for new ways to use them up and make quilts. I seldom buy yardage anymore, just fat quarters and remnants to add a little punch to the already existing scraps. I do buy yardage for backgrounds to set all the blocks and this year, I am liking solids because they tie in so lovely!

I took these photos yesterday morning on a blustery fall morning...

As you can see, I did not get much cooperation! How are you using up your scraps??? Ideas are welcome. I have about 25 boxes waiting to be sewn up...

Antique store shopping...

2011-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we went antique store shopping...I found this beautiful cradle that had some carving on it...Lovely....

Then, we found this pioneer cradle...I fell in love...I have a love for things of yesteryear...It makes my heart skip a beat or so!!!

I also found this feedsack Dresden Plate quilt!!! What do you like at antique stores??? Man, if my budget was accommodating yesterday, I would have come home with many things, but alas, I ended up with a pair of silver and brass candlesticks that were $3.00. Deal of the day!!!

Birdie Stitches

2011-10-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

October Birdie Stitches. Only 2 more months to go and I can assemble my quilt!!!

Tradition and Inspiration...

2011-09-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

Every year, my mom and four sisters and daughters, daughters-in-law and cousins get together this time of year and go to Historic Gardner Village and Womens Conference...

Gardner Village is always decked out with witches and Halloween this time of year...I love seeing how they accessorize the outside and gets you really in the spirit of fall and Halloween...

Part of my family, extended and wonderful...

Halloween decor...

Some more witches...

I have noticed tutorials on pillows like these all over the internet in the past few months...

This year, particularly, there was so much texture...

these floral felt pillows were everywhere...

I loved this quilt for a little girl's bed...it combined so many fabric choices and the flowers added a touch of feminine...

Being of British heritage...I fell in love with the crowns...

This lovely flocked chair would look great with my red couches...

Loved the tailored look of this pillow with the simple pleating...

you could always have a toad nearby...

I loved this simple argyle pattern...wouldn't this be great in a little boy's room. It has clean lines and would be so fun to decorate around...

Pine Needles--one of my most favorite quilt haunts...did not disappoint this visit...

I used part of this fabric line to make my pirate quilt, but I thought this was a fun quilt for the fabric...

Great pillowcase idea to memorialize missions, traveling or anything significant in your life...

Last time I was in the store, I bought this snails trail pattern...gotta get it done...

Halloween quilts and projects at every turn...

My mom getting acquainted with one of the witches hanging out...

Found this little picture in an antique store at Gardner Village...reminds me of a quote from The Help, where Skeeter's mother tells her, "sometimes courage skips a generation..." I think you have to have great courage in today's world...Hope you enjoyed how we spent our Saturday on my birthday...I sure did!!!

I'm a winner...

2011-09-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

This fat quarter collection is called "Whimsy" designed by Heather Mulder Peterson of Anka's Treasures. Henry Glass is the maker of the fabric...I left a comment on Heather's blog and she picked me...I'm so excited. I got it in the mail on Friday morning, just in time for my birthday...

This is the first time I have seen this collection in person as none of our local quilt stores carry this line...I love it. Each and every piece!!! I am thinking about what I might make and it is just exciting to figure this out...

I took some close ups so you could see the designs...The colors in the photos are not really true...it is much brighter and so happy...I did take the photo in full sun, so that may have some bearing on it...

Each colorway has a fun design from polka dots to geometrical to floral--just a touch of whimsy...

So Heather, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful gift and for having such a great talent for design...I love it and it was a wonderful birthday present!!!

Melrose...

2011-09-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished piecing Melrose...off to the quilter and then to the store!!!

The Loaded Weapon...and Suppose...

2011-09-18T00:56:00.000-07:00

It all started when I was going to meet my little sister, Rosie at the Suppose quilt store in Preston, ID...While waiting, I thought I would check out their solid collection for this quilt I want to make in the near future...The Mona Lisa...wouldn't it be fun to have some fine art and enjoy making it in the process???

The store had the following solids for my quilt, but I need to get about 10 more colors...After I completed the fabric hunt for solids, my sister, Rosie, arrived and we went to go on a search and destroy mission for their scraps by the pound..(we needed some fresh scraps for our scrap quilts). My daughter, Leah came up to me and said, Mom, I need help. Cooper (grandbaby) has had a blowout. Luckily we were prepared and went to the restroom to remedy the situation. He was covered in poop all over his onesies and his outfit...and I proceeded to clean him up. I just got the new diaper under him when he lifted his little legs and fired like a missile and it shot all over me hitting me all over the front of my shirt and down my pants and on my shoes...we were just getting him cleaned up again and a new diaper inserted when the missile went off again. By this time, Rosie came to assist as we were laughing hysterically. 4 or 5 diapers later, wiped out of baby wipes, a change from skin out on the baby, cleaning up the bathroom, running my shirt under water to remove the carnage and trying to wipe the destruction from my pants and shoes, we purchased our bag of scraps and fabric and left for our 1/2 hour drive home...Our biggest regret is that we didn't have the camera handy in the bathroom---but trust me, a memory that will not be soon forgotten...I had 4 children with their occasional bathroom stories, but nothing like this little one...he takes the cake. He is the loaded weapon...I will have to be more prepared next time we take an outing with him...

This is the precious culprit last Sunday in his church clothes--could he look more innocent???

A shot of some of the carnage on my pants taken in the car on the ride home...my shirt was soaking wet...A very handy tip for anyone in similar situations...Hydrogen Peroxide works wonders on protein stains such as blood and especially poop. I have a bottle at home that I have a spray nozzle attached to. I gave everything a really good soaking, let sit a minute and then used liquid hand soap to rub out all the stains...It all came out lovely...Such a nice ending to the disaster at hand!!! Moral of the story--be like a Boy Scout and always be prepared!!!

Camping and a New Store Quilt...

2011-09-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

On our way home from camping, we passed this billy goat. There were two wandering in the mountains...

There were two small salmon in this creek..next week will be the big salmon spawning so we missed it, :(...

The following are some shots of Porcupine Dam...the water levels are much higher this year than last...

Porcupine Dam...

more dam pictures...

yet another dam picture...

We got home from camping and I cut out this quilt I am sewing for Bernina's...

The quilt is called Melrose and the fabrics are by Red Rooster...

A little bit batty...

2011-09-06T06:41:00.000-07:00

I found the inspiration for this pillow on Pinterest...I went to JoAnns over the weekend and bought some wool felt to make this pillow (it was 40% off!!!) You can find the tutorial here...

I arranged my bats in a different order because I cut them larger than shown on the tutorial...

Found this spooky Halloween dot at Bernina's on Saturday for the back...Try this out. It was a lot of fun to make and not too time consuming...

Finished Little Birdie Stitches block for September...

A bit of embroidery...

2011-09-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

No completed projects yet, but September Birdie Stitches is in the works....

Baby Cooper in his blessing finery...He is 6 weeks old today and so very precious...and have a wonderful Labor Day Holiday tomorrow!!! We are going to chill at our house!!!

More blocks...

2011-08-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

My sister and I are making a "kitchen sink" quilt, inspired by Victoria's quilt she made here is a link to see Victoria's quilt... The above blocks are made from 1 1/2" squares. Normally most people throw away fabric that small, but I really like how they shine like jewels... Each month, my sister and I exchange two blocks each and keep two of the same blocks, so we have a total of 4 blocks per month. We also include any orphan blocks we come across. We have been doing this for a few months so far and hopefully we will be able to get it finished sometime in 2012. Has anyone inspired you to make a particular quilt? We have had a lot of fun researching and making our different blocks each month!!!

Change in plans...

2011-08-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

I had every intention on sashing my scrappy stars with this red violet...until I found an old book by Possibilities that showed this scrappy star version. I decided to use the red violet for all the larger star points...these blocks are big puppies--16"

Because of the way you sew the larger star, it is forming a secondary scrappy star...I'm getting really excited. Just need 25 blocks--23 more to go...

I just love the way all the fabric plays together for this little beauty...aren't scap quilts the best???

Hotpads and Cooper...

2011-08-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ruffled Hotpads...pattern by Sweetwater, you can find the pattern here

This sweet bundle of joy, Baby Cooper has been filling some of my time--priceless!!!

Cooper's Quilt...

2011-08-13T19:53:00.000-07:00

I am reposting this post as the pictures for some reason did not come through...this pattern, Kaleidoscope, is really fun to sew and you can find the pattern here!!

On the back of the quilt, I used the scraps and put Cooper's name on it...

Close up of the letters...Have you ever put a name on a quilt???

No Tricks...Only Treats...

2011-08-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

Just finished up this Halloween goodie tonight for my sweet little friend Kandace...(yours is coming up Shari...)

Close up detail shots...

another detail shot....

yet another detail shot...

Hope you enjoyed this little spooky...

Blessing Shawl...

2011-08-08T05:26:00.000-07:00

My mother, Cooper's great grandmother knit this beautiful shawl for Cooper's blessing which is upcoming in September. It is beautiful, soft and yummy...

Detailed photo of the pattern...

Detail of the border...Cooper is going to be one warm, cuddly, spoiled baby....and look dashing in his blessing attire....

Scrappy Stars...

2011-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have been busy cutting up my scrap fabric into 2 1/2" squares...

Making these fun little scrappy stars...

Thinking about sashing them with the red violet....yummy...

Got my inspiration from the latest issue of American Patchwork by Better Homes and Garden (front cover)...using up my stash and having fun with the creative process!!!

Little Birdie Stitches--August

2011-08-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

Finished up August Birdie Stitches. Love the sunflower...So summery!!!

Pioneer Day Celebration Part 3...

2011-08-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

This quilt won Best of Show!!! It is a pieced Trip Around the World and hand quilted...

This is the last of the quilts...We have a lot of talent in our guild and community!!! Hope you enjoyed the show...

Winter Wonderland...A Near Finish...

2011-07-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

Quilt top is all pieced and awaiting quilting...finally. I had set several goals to have this quilt done earlier in the year, but just got busy with various other projects...Finally made myself sit down and get it done...

I had lots of reds and whites left over from this quilt. I decided to try and use up most of the fabric and move on to the next project...I cut the fabric in 10 1/2" squares and put borders on extra blocks and put this quilt back together. Even had a piece big enough for binding...yahoo!! I'm going to applique 2011 on one of the red blocks. I just need to get that done and then call the quilter....

Pioneer Day Celebration Quilt Show Part 2

2011-07-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

These are some of the quilts from our annual quilt show sponsored by our quilt guilds...More to come...

Pioneer Day Celebration/Journey of a Woman's Life Quilt

2011-07-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is the quilt our guild put together symbolizing the journey of a woman's life...The blocks are supposed to represent the different stages we pass through. My friend and I had the block, "The Working Woman". I found a paper pieced pattern in the latest 100 block edition of Quiltmaker to assist me in this block... This quilt was raffled off and the funds go to our guild for next year. Every other year, our guild has the raffle quilt...Stay tuned for pictures of the quilt show...

A Day of Rest...Really???

2011-07-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is what happened on our day of rest...Baby Cooper made his debut. Mom and baby are doing fabulous. 8 lbs 2 oz, 20 inches long, arriving at 1:57 pm...Priceless!!! Grandma Mary is happily holding new baby whilest typing one handed...

Ahoy thar Matey...

2011-07-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Riley Blake came out with this darling pirate line...

I teamed the pirate fat quarters up with a blue dot and made blocks to surround the treasure map...

Just need to get it quilted. It was a blast making up this quilt...

A close up of the treasure map... So, what do you think? If you were a baby boy, would you like this???

Weekend Sewing...

2011-07-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

This first quilt I am sewing for the LQS and is called Pop Art by Artichoke Designs. The fabric line is Lola by Riley Blake.

This second little number used the pattern Coming Soon by Thimbleblossoms. Both were fun to make and they are both ready to get quilted...Now to get the backs ready and call the quilter...

Baby Hooded Towels...

2011-07-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

With a new grandbaby ready to make his appearance any time now, I am trying to kick it in gear and finish a few things...I bought these fun polka dot towels from Wal-mart a few months ago. With a package of extra wide double fold bias tape per towel, I sliced here and sewed there and made these fun baby towels with a hood. Love the polka dots...another project down....

Antique goodness...

2011-07-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

I fell in love with this antique baby quilt at the antique store today...The simplicity of the pattern and using a variety of fabric. It was such a sweet little quilt that had been loved literally to pieces...

A closer shot of the block...thought I might duplicate this sweet little pattern...true love....

Little Birdie Stitches for July...

2011-07-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

May your 4th of July be safe and full of wonderful memories....This is block 7 with the Birdie Stitches BOM. You can download her patterns here.

Finally another post and a finish!!

2011-07-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

My cute co-worker got married in March...I asked her what she would like me to get her...She wanted me to sew something, so 3 1/2 months later, I found time and cute fabric to make her an apron and hotpads that she wanted me to make. I used the Flouncy Little Apron pattern by Barbara Brandeburg. Fun pattern, but it only allows 1/4" seams and on the pocket it only allowed 1/4" turn under. When sewing apparel, I really prefer a larger seam allowance--after all, it is not a quilt.

Close up shot of the little flouncy ruffle. I used Sew Cherry which I LOVE AND ADORE...

For the hotpads, I sewed 1 1/2" strips into a checkerboard and then quilted and bound them. WHEW...so glad to have another project finished up!!

Winter Wonderland....

2011-06-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

All my block sets are completed for Winter Wonderland...I had the fabric and pattern kicking around for too long and decided that I needed to get this one done...

Trying to decide on the next embroidery project...

The Farmer's Wife is taking the blog world by storm...I didn't want to miss out, so I have my own copy. I now need to figure out what style of fabrics I want to do this in...decisions--decisions...111 6 " blocks inspired by 1922 Farmer's Wives....

Fabulous Weekend...

2011-06-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Normally, I don't kiss and tell, but we had a wedding...Our eldest son got married today. It was the most beautiful day and I gained a new daughter...

The bride and groom...

Dashing couple...

Friday, I hosted our 8th annual quilt retreat again...This is a family affair and we had family come in from Washington and California and all over Utah...

This year, we all had to sew 4 blocks of the pattern Mumbo Jumbo by Pie in the Sky. I first saw the pattern on Nedra's blog from Cactus Needle and have loved it ever since...

I prepared all the half square triangle centers and everyone brought a bunch of precut strips to sew these blocks...

After the blocks were all sewn,

Marciea, my sister above won all the blocks so she will have a twin size quilt when she sets the blocks...

Each block represented the fabric choices of the person who made it and it was fun to see how they all came together...

Even my mom was building blocks...

Great time was had by all and we established memories once again...

So, if you want to establish a fun tradition, think of hosting a quilt retreat...it has been a great big fun party each and every year!!!!

More Baby Footwear...

2011-06-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

A smorgesboard of baby footwear....Lots of practice with free motion quilting. A few tips I have learned this past week---I no longer drop my feed dogs and I slow down and now I feel like I'm in control with this free motion stuff. For you scrapbookers out there, the Crocodile tool set the eyelets in the little oxfords beautifully. Great tool. I have looked high and low locally for 14" shoe laces for the oxfords. No shoe store carries them. You can order them online, but total cost with shipping for 2 pair is $10.00. I got out the embroidery floss and made a twisted cord...under 50 cents!!! You can find the patterns for these fun little quilted shoes here.

June block...Little Birdie Stitches

2011-06-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

This is the block for June, Little Birdie Stitches. Boy was it fun to make and I really enoyed the design on this one...If you want to follow along and make these cute little blocks, go to the button on my sidebar, Birdie Stitches.

Sunday Best is all Finished!!!

2011-06-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love a finished project? I know I always have mixed emotions...On one hand--whew and then on the other hand...now what do I work on...however, I have many irons in the fire right now and there is no shortage of projects!!!

Close up of the quilting...

I finished up the store sample of Sunday Best. Fun quilt to sew. The pattern sews together like a Buggy Barn pattern. To cut out, it had templates, so I laid out and stacked 4 fat quarters at a time and used the rotary cutter to cut the quilt out. Not my choice of fabrics, but I thought it turned out nice. My son wants it, so that is all that counts!!

Diaper clutch...

2011-06-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

A real fun and easy baby gift is this diaper clutch...just uses part of two fat quarters...you can find the pattern as a PDF download free at A Lemon Squeezy Home. I added the flower embellishment just for fun!!

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T06:06:00.000-07:00

On this Memorial Day, enjoy this full version of Taps. Thank a soldier and remember loved ones...http://www.flixxy.com/trumpet-solo-melissa-venema.htm

Baby Footwear...

2011-05-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

One of my daughter's Young Women leaders is having a baby shower today....she is having her first baby girl. Said daughter informed me that we needed to get a gift. I have had these little baby footwear patterns for a year now, but to CHICKEN to make them...imagine that.

They are a bit fiddly to make, but I really enjoyed it!! You first quilt the fabric, then cut them out and sew. Free motion quilting is not my forte--but hey, I let loose last night on the feed dogs and went to town. The quilting leaves much to be desired, but they are so small it doesn't matter.

The pattern shows a proper bow where I put the rosebuds. I wanted rosebuds so I went Vanessa Christenson's blog to her ring tutorial and it was perfect for these little shoes. If you need a baby gift or have adorable grandbabies, you can find the pattern here. I was gigling quite a bit making these. They are so adorable!! There are also boy footwear patterns available on her website that are adorable as well!!

Kaleidoscope...

2011-05-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

I first saw this pattern over on the blog Cluck Cluck Sew. I just fell in love with it. I needed to make a baby boy quilt and the colors are great for a boy!!

I really had fun putting this together and kind of sad I will parting with it soon...

I will be making another one of these for an upcoming grandbaby....

Make Life, an older collection by Sweetwater is one of my favorites...I had a few fat quarters in my stash so I added some additional fat quarters to have enough fabric to make this...Love how it turned out...

Found this fantastic brown gingham to back it with--love it...What do you think???

Wedding quilt...

2011-05-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

My angel of a niece is getting married on Saturday. My mother has been slaving away, making this wonderful dresden quilt for her wedding. This was quite an undertaking for my mother and she has done a wonderful job...

This is a shot of the bordered edge...Love the all over quilting design...The binding is done in the same green as the narrow border...

I helped my mom piece the back and I bound the quilt after it was quilted to help my mom. It was necessary to add some width to the back so I pieced this strip into the back with a couple of partial dresdens...A label was also added to memorialize this special day coming up on Saturday...

A close up of the dresden...My mom used fabrics mostly from "The Caroler" a Mary Englebreit fabric...Hooray, it is finished. Off to St. George for the wedding on Saturday. We will leave at the crack of dawn on Saturday to get there...Think of me as I am making this drive....Hope I stay awake!!

Sunday Best...

2011-05-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

I just love this little tie pattern. My LQS asked me to make this up and I was getting really excited to do something fun and funky with the ties for a little boy quilt....this is what they made the kits up with...

Civil War fabrics--not crazy about this kit for this cute quilt, however, we'll see how it makes up. I love Civil War fabrics and the quilts they make are so beautiful and traditional, I just wanted to make this up in something else...I'll post a pic of the finished project!!

May Little Birdie Stitches...

2011-05-08T10:20:00.000-07:00

This is the May block for Birdie Stitches. This BOM has been really a delightful project. Can't wait for June...

Scrappy Finishes

2011-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

This quilt was really fun to sew. The pattern was from a free quilting class at the Red Rooster before they went out of business. We exchanged 6" squares and this quilt was born. Great way to do some stash busting...

This quilt pattern was by Bonnie Hunter from her Leaders and Enders book, "Happily Scrappily Irish." I enjoyed making this quilt so much. It was made entirely from stash. I would like to make another one and use up more of my scraps. I tossed everything in this quilt and it was fun to see it come together.

A close up of the quilting. I loved how it adds dimension to this quilt.

Once loved quilts...

2011-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder when you see old quilts, why did the maker choose certain colors or patterns? Was this quilt specifically for an upcoming wedding or was it for decor? Was it made for someone by a hired seamstress or by the mother or grandmother? Was the maker skilled, or was this a first time quilt? I often have many questions when I see old quilts. This selection was from a recent trip to an antique store on Saturday. My husband and I just had to take that trip down memory lane...

I always ask myself a lot of questions when I see these old quilts...maybe it is because I just want to know their story...how they came about...who loved using them...how did they end up without an owner in an antique store after so much love....

75th Birthday Party...

2011-04-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

My mother was born in England and came stateside when she was 12. For her 75th Birthday, I made her this Union Jack pillow. I've been seeing blocks all over the blogs and have wanted to do one ever since,

This is the pattern that I used to make a 20" pillow. I paper pieced the 4 quadrants on this pattern and it saved a lot of fabric. You can find the pattern here. I made the pillow entirely from stash fabric--yahoo!!! Can't wait to make a few more pillows and possibly a quilt....

Carrots and Strings...

2011-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the bunny--want to make some last minute fabric carrots for your holiday? Go to http://gratzindustries.blogspot.com/2010/03/tutorial-make-carrot-full-o-candy-for.html. I made a bunch for the tables for the upcoming 75th birthday party tomorrow...

I have always wanted to do a fun string quilt. Go to http://alittlebitbiased.blogspot.com/2011/03/im-kind-of-loner.html and see the fun quilt that was made. She also gives a link for the tutorial. Last night, I taught a quilt class at my church and taught this technique. Easy peasy and fun to do. We had a great time...

Some DS sweetness...

2011-04-16T14:36:00.000-07:00

A little Denyse Schmidt sweetness. A lot of the blogs have been tempting and teasing me with her new fabric line, which is carried by JoAnn's. It is going quickly and it is such sweet vintage wonderful....Go grab you a little sweetness too!!

A Happy Birthday to You...

2011-04-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of my mother when she turned 18--it is also a picture of her wedding day. Recently, my mom celebrated her 75th birthday and many many years of marriage to my father...This year, we are throwing a birthday bash for my mother next weekend...which necessitated this next picture...

I started this banner last year and had lofty goals of hand quilting it. I got about 1/2 way through--which I might add took many painful hours because, although it is embarrassing, I don't know how to hand quilt. Because the special party is coming up, I machine quilted over the hand quilting and threw on the binding and presto--the banner is complete and ready to go for the birthday bash....May it see many a birthday and bring a smile to many a face in the coming years....

Sew day with Rosie...

2011-04-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my niece modeling the shrug her mom, Rose, knit. Rose did a fantastic job and the yarn is so wonderful and soft...This will be incorporated into her her spring/Easter outfit this year...Doesn't it make you want to be little again?

Front version of shrug--wonderful...

Back view of sweater/shrug...magnificent...

A few posts back, I was making the pink puppy out of 2 1/2" squares. Saturday, I cut out and sewed the red/yellow/black puppy for darling nephew. Here are the kids posing with their puppies--the pink one was named Rapunzel--any surprise and the boy version was named Cody...I think it is love...

Liberated Patches of Sunshine...

2011-04-06T07:17:00.000-07:00

Ever since I saw the Sunny Day quilts in the making on various blogs, I knew I wanted to make one as well. I also tried my hand at sewing some liberated blocks several months ago. I really need to practice the technique more so I can get some good looking blocks, but in the meantime, I am sewing them for the center in my blocks...I should get the rythym of things by the time I hit 30 blocks...

I got some wonderful bright solid fat quarters from Connecting Threads for a song on one of their sales...thought I would give them a try...the fat quarters have a real silk like feel to them and I think it will be really fun to utilize all the colors--there are 24 of them...

For six of the 30 blocks, I am embroidering little bluebirds and then will build the block around them for a touch of whimsy....I have the picture in my mind--let's see how it translates to the overall quilt...I'm thinking of calling the quilt patchy sunshine...you can find the pattern here.

Swim bag...

2011-04-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is my old swim bag--a great recycle project that has served me well, however, I wanted a much deeper bag with a deeper pocket to hold items and actually keep them dry...Tonight, I set about to make a new bag...Lucy really wanted her picture taken tonight. She kept posing and posing...

The new and improved bag...3 rows deep instead of 2 and webbing handles instead of capri sun pouch handles...It will go for its' maiden voyage tomorrow when I join my friends at water aerobics at 5:00 am...

New and improved deep pocket...I think that I'm gonna like my new bag...and it was free and the bag is water proof...bonus!!

The working woman...

2011-04-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

Our quilt guild is making a Journey of a Woman's Life quilt. This is our block that we will present this month...the working woman. Can I just tell you that it was really hard to come up with something that would represent all women regardless of whether they worked in or outside of the home. Here goes...Hope they like it!!

Little Birdie Stitches...

2011-04-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

This is the April block...I tell you, I get so excited for the next installment, I can't stand it...Wish it was May 1st now...To download your patterns for Jan-April, go to the button on my left side bar, Birdie Stitches..

The Shirt...

2011-03-31T18:33:00.000-07:00

So, this week our car has been in the shop with an electrical issue. I was riding the bus this morning to work with this shirt on my lap. I had to pretend that everything was normal and that I always take ugly shirts with me to work. (The client is going to pick it up from me at work) This young mother with a baby in her lap could not take her eyes off this creation for 5 minutes. I was busting up inside. Little did she know that a famous rodeo clown wears this shirt and it fits his occupation....priceless....

Each year, I get to sew one of these..... Usually, the fabric is western themed, but this year, oh, this year, I got to sew with this the jungle print and the stripe. The client buys the fabric and brings it to me to sew. This year, he didn't get enough jungle print for the sleeves. I went to JoAnns where they purchased the fabric and no jungle print. I googled online the selvage information--no fabric available. I picked the least offensive substitute, this black dotted fabric...

The client likes his shirts custom...He likes the western yokes with decorative fringe...

He likes a rib knit cuff, so he can rip the shirt off in a hurry if he gets caught on something...

He also likes gripper snaps instead of buttons, to be able to rip the shirt off in a hurry...

This rhinestone cowboy is my co-worker, Kaleb. I didn't even ask him to model, coersing was not needed... he just put it on and started posing and I grabbed my camera. Too funny.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles...

2011-03-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had a wonderful friend who had a little boy. I have had this quilt put together for awhile, just waiting for a special little boy to receive it.

This is the back. I just love the quilting. There are little stars among the curly q's. I think I like making baby quilts the very best...

Texas Braid...

2011-03-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Back in January, I taught a class in our quilt guild how to do the French Braid quilts. I found this really fun

scrap quilt in Bonnie Hunter's Leaders and Enders book. You can find it here. It is made up of 2" x 5" pieces of fabric and 2" pieces of fabric. You use light and dark fabrics for the contrast. A very fun technique and this quilt is entirely made from stash (most of it small pieces).

A close up of the quilting. I had it quilted in feathers.

Dandelions...

2011-03-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

A couple years ago I bought this fun pattern, Dandelions. I've been looking forward to making this for quite some time now. I just love the pillows and the houndstooth quilt. I've had the fabric for a spell as well. When it became a necessity this year to replace our couch and loveseat due to wear and tear from teenagers and a dog, I became interested again in making this pattern up.

So here is a picture of our loveseat (don't you love the red?) and the pillows. I used that handy tip I learned a month or so ago where you hide the zipper under a flap on the back. I used a contrast fabric for the flap. The pattern has all 16" pillows, but I switched it up and made 2 pillows 18 inches and 2 pillows 16". The vote in the family was the bird pillow--which is your favorite? Next comes the houndstooth quilt in navy and cream....

Patriotic...

2011-03-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

My sister, Rose, started this little wall hanging a year or so ago. She found the patterns in an older Better Homes and Garden book and they left no directions on how to piece them. She paper pieced the eagle and I think she paper pieced the memorial block in the lower right hand corner. It was hard for her to modify the patterns, but she did a great job and then hand quilted the wreaths. The vibrant colors don't really come through in this photo, but the wall hanging is beautiful. Great job Rose!!

Finishes...

2011-03-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

I showed this little quilt a few posts back, but now it is quilted and bound. Seriously a fun quilt to sew. It is called Pint Size by Thimbleblossoms. Finishes are so nice...love them....

This is the second time making this quilt. This time I used the line Sunkissed by Sweetwater. What a fun collection to sew with...you can find the pattern here

Use it up...

2011-03-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

This past week, I have been working on sewing 2" squares together. I've been on Operation Use it Up--trying to use up all my scraps. I will probably keep sewing scrap quilts together until this happens. This pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's Leaders and Enders book, called Happily Scrappily Irish. I've decided that it is too long and I will shorten it a couple of rows. Then I would like to do a pieced border to use up more fabric. I'm thinking about just doing 4 patches around. That would bump up the size to a queen. If you have a better idea, please comment....

Dresden Heaven...

2011-03-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Today, my sister and her two children and I drove down to help my mother with a quilt she is doing for an upcoming wedding of my niece. My mother had prepped all the blades, but we sewed them into these adorable rings...The fabric is so happy and cheerful and we had the time of our lives...good food, a trip to Ben Franklins (which by the way was awesome, armed with our 40% off coupon)...My mother purchased a yellow polka dot for the center of the Dresden Plates...too yummy!!

This is my niece modeling a green wig which my sister is going to use for her story time presentation on St. Patricks Day. Too funny!!

I won!!

2011-03-09T20:54:00.000-08:00

I went to the Red Brolly blog, an Australian blog that I love to go to. There was a contest to name one of the Lip Gloss Girls... Bronwyn Hayes is the artist and I love her work, especially the Gingham Girls and the Lip Gloss Girls. I submitted the name Pucker Up Patty and won my choice of pattern...

I chose the Love to Sew bag...and I also won the purse handles...

Aren't these about the cutest handles ever...

It all came wrapped up in this darling paper with the bow and card all the way from Australia. Can't wait to have some spare time to sit down and construct this sweet little purse. Thank you Bronwyn. I love your designs and I love love love my pattern and purse handles!!!

Cloak and Dagger...

2011-03-06T20:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we went to Beadles again to construct the Cloak and Dagger bracelet. This was by far the easiest of the bracelets to make.

It is so fun to see what everyone else makes...

This one is mine. Just love it. It has the colors in it that I always wear...

Another bracelet being made...

Alissa's bracelet...just yummy!!

Patchwork Friends Quilt Guild

2011-03-04T06:27:00.000-08:00

Blocks for Journey of a Woman's Life--Here comes the Bride

Woman of Faith block

Kari's alphabet quilt....adorable...

Dianna modeling some garments she constructed for her sister...

This little pincushion was made out of our stamping project last month...

One of several blocks shown for a charity quilt...

Kathleen's batik quilt--love this pattern--it looks like one of Natalia's patterns from Piece and Quilt...

Claudia with a fun table topper...

Alissa with the Economy quilt--we both took this free class at Red Rooster before they closed their doors...

Jean's quilt with the block exchange from last year...she used the Burgoyne Surrounded block and did big scallops on the edge. The quilting in the large fields are ABC's...darling and very creative...

Jeans applique quilt...you cannot see the bottom row as it is underneath the table, but this is a stunner...

Holly taught the class about going green....these are bracelets from twill tape and measuring tapes that have had findings and charms added...I won one of these--excitement!

A recycled bag with Beatles memorabilia....cute little bag...

This trim was made out of the kraft lunch sacks, folded and stitched with added trim...

A bag made out of Holly's grandmother's old tablecloth with bling and handles added--all recycled and with memories to boot...

Pillow made from a favorite sweatshirt jacket...too cute!!

A sweatshirt with an applique added from a technique learned from last month's guild...Till next month...

March Little Birdie...

2011-03-02T06:33:00.000-08:00

Here is the March block--I think the birdie is waiting for that pot of gold...

Patchwork Pup

2011-03-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

This magazine came out approximately spring/summer 2008

I have wanted to make this puppy pillow for my niece and nephew ever since I saw it in this magazine.

This is the girl version so far...It will go with her big girl quilt...stay tuned.

Inspiration

2011-02-24T06:39:00.001-08:00

I'm in love with this store--Pine Needles...

--a true blue favorite. Wonderful fabric, great quilts and the nicest help...go there soon....

Block 2 Little Birdie Stitches

2011-02-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

I have been piecing 12 1/2" blocks of 2 1/2" squares to sew with the Little Birdie Stitches. This is a great project to make a fun quilt and use up all those scraps that I have boxes and boxes of. I have been really enjoying this in between other projects. I'm trying to incorporate Bonnie Hunter's leaders and enders. It saves on thread and it is amazing how quickly they sew up.

The February block for Little Birdie Stitches. If you haven't been stitching these and would like to, it stiches up really fast and it is a fun take along project. The finished block is 12 1/2" and the demo is done with Sunkissed, which is beautiful. The button for this project is on my sidebar.

Hugs and Kisses

2011-02-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Alissa and I went back to Beadles for their class on Hugs and Kisses bracelets. All the bracelets turned out so pretty. Where I'm new to beading, it's hard to second guess how your bracelet will turn out until you're pretty much finished. I did mine in red and white beads--I'm not sure how much I like the white effect....

my bracelet

backside of my bracelet

Alissa's bracelet

store samples

Pint size baby quilt...

2011-02-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

pint size by Thimbleblossoms

I am getting this little baby quilt ready for the quilter. The quilt was made from a charm pack with some yardage. The blocks finish about 3" and is the miniature pattern of her "Wild Thing" pattern. I used the charm pack "Hoopla" by Moda. It is bright and cheery with pinks, greens, yellows, reds, blues and purples. It seriously is a happy little quilt. Fun sew. A little time consuming with 80 3" blocks, but I think it is worth it!!

Little Birdie Stitches

2011-02-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

Little Birdie Stitches is a BOM embroidery project that is absolutely adorable. I have a button on my sidebar if you wish to check it out. The featured project is done out of the springy fabric line "Sunkissed" by Sweetwater. However, I need to use up my mounds of scraps and what better way to have them shine than to include some fun embroidery with them...So, here's my first block...

Happy St. Valentine's Day...

2011-02-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

It's a finish. Used up scraps from a previous year's Valentine fabric....

Applied the hidden zipper under the flap technique--easy and sneezy...took less than 5 minutes...

Had sew day on Saturday and my sister, Carolyn made up this runner by Bunny Hill--lovely...May Cupid hit you with his arrow today!!!

Quilting at the Lakehouse...

2011-02-13T11:32:00.000-08:00

I would like to introduce you to Shanna, from Quilting at the Lakehouse. Shanna puts on the most wonderful retreat. Her cabin in the beautiful Bear Lake setting is more like a 5 star hotel than a cabin. Her retreat is an all inclusive retreat with delicious healthy meals and snacks. The accommodations are wonderful, the scenery divine and the experience is truly one of a rejuvenating get away. Get some friends together and book a retreat today!!!

This picture was taken in March of 2010 and her porch overlooks the Great Bear Lake and the picture below is of one of the meals we ate. So D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!

For booking info, email Shanna at quiltingatthelakehouse@gmail.com.

Vintage Valentine...

2011-02-11T06:14:00.000-08:00

The other day, I went to the fabulous blog, .Bee in my Bonnet by Lori Holt . She has a great tutorial on making these sweet vintage valentines...go check it out. This is my progress so far and I have enjoyed every minute of this project. Every year we have a valentine contest in the family--this will be this years valentine. Thanks Lori for posting this tutorial!! Won't you be mine?

Zippered pillow back...

2011-02-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

With February being the month of pillows, I am going to sew up a few!! Over at sewmamasew.com/blog2/?cat=19 is a great tutorial on how to sew in a hidden zipper on the pillow back. Creative Little Daisy did the tutorial. Sew your zipper low, high or in the middle of the back, whatever suits your fancy. Her tip is that you use fusible tape to hold the zipper in place--I'm a true believer henceforth and forever...

The front of the pillow--left over triangle squares from the "Come Fly With Me" quilt. Fun project to work on since I'm really not a football fan and the Super Bowl was booming all through the house. Hey, I'm a quilting fan and I was perfectly content to finish up another project!!

Lucy...

2011-02-06T11:20:00.000-08:00

Lucy's latest portrait, taken by me. What a silly dog she is. I have been messing with my blog and experimenting and lost my background and title. Oh well, I guess it is time for a change....

Aqua...

2011-02-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

Curtis wanted to go into town today...He consented to take me to the antique store. I found a few wonderful vintage aqua pieces...this little number was sat on a stand of some sort with a burner. It probably was a fondue dish in it's former life....
I was absolutely drooling over this piece. It was just elegant. Curtis of course thought it was stupid, so we'll see if I get it or not...
Fell in love with this little saucepan. How happy and bright, so totally 1950's...Have you found anything aqua lately that you love????