A Happy Birthday to You...

 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....

Turning 50...

I have the priviledge of working with a wonderful friend that I grew up with. My friend turned 50 yesterday. We had a great time. This is my gag gift for those turning 50...the voodoo doll laden with symptoms of old age on the front and back.

This idea was not mine, I revised it. My mom was given one of these years ago and I adapted it and have made them and while making them, giggled the whole way through the construction process. Should you want to make one for that someone special turning "50", cut out the doll shape, then stabilizedthe muslin by ironing it to freezer paper, then write the wording on it with a permanent fine tip marker and then sew, stuff and adorn. Don't forget to applique the heart on and fill it with pins. Lots of fun--and stick it with a pin when you experience one of those ailments.