Block one of the Tisket a Tasket Block of the Month is now complete (except for the buttons on the vine which I'll add after quilting)! And I must say block one was as fun to make as block two! Also, Anne is offering some embroidery tips starting with this post!About a week ago I was getting ready
Rainy Days and Mondays are Perfect for Sewing!
Finally...I went to work on my "A Tisket a Tasket" block of the month quilt! When I saw February's pattern I had to make it first...I just love the little birds! I decided to use "Sweet" and "Swell" for my quilt after seeing this block. I had soo much fun putting this little block
Half-Square Triangles and other Things
All of my Noah's Ark stitchery blocks are now complete...they just need to be put together; each month I had a new favorite as the new design seemed to be cuter than the previous one...I love them all! Thanks Lynette, for the free patterns! And, I'm starting a new stitchery project by Lynette
Another Whirlygiggle?
This is "State Fair"...a 32" square quilt from the Schnibbles pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. I love Schnibbles patterns...they are quick, fun, and always go together perfectly! In addition, there are always tips for precise piecing! I used charms from 3 different charm packs--Recess, Look
Busy
It has been a busy week...I've had to use small periods of time to get some sewing done. These are blocks from a project I hope to have finished this week. They're not whirlygiggles...I can't wait to show you this little quilt! On Saturday I was up at 5:00 a.m. to get younger son on a bus for a
Thank You!
Yesterday I got home to find an unexpected package at the post office. When I opened it up I found the cutest little house ornament from Stephanie...thank you Stephanie! The colors and the fabrics are delightful...I just love it! It will hang year round in my sewing room! A little bit later in the
Time for Tea
Yesterday I decided to play with a couple of teapot patterns. First I made the great new pattern from Ayumi at the Pink Penguin blog. I decided to do as Nanette did and use a button for the handle on the lid (I haven't found the perfect button yet). I love this little teapot. I enlarged the
More Blog Inspiration
I recently won a great give-away from Terri over at Purple and Paisley. For her birthday give-away she had many give-aways...and the prizes came from the Etsy shops of fellow bloggers! I was able to win the greatest little "Quilting Queen" sign which now officially gives me the title I've always
Creativity
This is a quilt I've been working on since 2004 or 2005. I love this quilt designed by Peggy Waltman titled "Hopeful Sampler;" it contains pieced and applique'd blocks along with embroidered quotations relating to "hope." This quilt contains much of my journey as a quilter. It was while making this
Finished!
My first finish for 2009...my Amy Butler Daisy Chain quilt is complete...binding and all! I have named this quilt "Sea Glass" since it reminds me of everything "ocean!" I also got my first "whirlygiggle" quilt top finished (sorry about this photo). The pattern was a lot of fun...I'll definitely be
Variety
Sometimes I devote a sewing day to working on one project...and other times I work on a little of this and a little of that. Yesterday was one of those days where I didn't have the attention span to work on just one project. I worked on my Daisy Chain quilt...which I'm quite sure will be my first
Hearts all Around
I remember thinking (and blogging) that I didn't have any Valentine's quilts...but while rearranging some of my quilts the other day I discovered that I do actually have a few "heart" quilts that can definitely count as Valentine's quilts. This is an early quilt of mine...probably mid-1990's (why
Houses, Fabric, and Whirlygiggles!
Today I went to the post office and there was a package from Nanette! Inside was one of her darling house ornaments and the cutest potholder I've ever seen! This potholder will never touch a casserole dish or a cookie sheet...it's a work of art and is going on the wall! Nanette also sent a kit I
Another Basket…of Course!
Of course I HAD to make a Pink Penguin basket in Valentine's fabrics...Moda's "Love is in the Air" is perfect for this project! I've never purchased Valentine's fabrics before, so it has been fun playing with them! I made a few more zipper bags...they are just so fun to make!And I have to share my
Distractions
A few distractions kept me from making much progress on my "Merry-Go-Round" quilt this weekend. Friday night I was checking some blogs when Nanette's tutorial posted. I literally ran for my sewing room and made two blocks. Nanette's "Doll House" potholders are amazing...you'll have to go look at
Projects
I've been making a few more bags...a girl can never have too many bags, right?! They were great around the holidays for gifts, so I thought I should build up a little supply so that I always have a "thank you" on hand. I love the top one...I used some older Amy Butler fabrics for it. The bottom one
Merry-Go-Round Progress
I untied the ribbon and started to cut the strips for "Merry-Go-Round." The pattern is actually designed for two jelly rolls...but I had done a little math and knew I could make it with my fat quarter bundle...I just needed to cut twice as many strips as were called for. I cut lots and lots of
New Neighbor!
Another cottage has joined my neighborhood. This one is from Mel. Isn't it lovely! It is perfect...it really brings my neighborhood together! Not only did Mel send a cottage...but she sent a beautifully wrapped package with lots of goodies inside! The little bird ornament is just precious...he is
Fabulous Fabric
Here it is...my first Moda fat-quarter bundle! I've seen them at shops and on blogs, and Friday I bought my very first one with my Christmas money (thanks, Mom)! It's so gorgeous I just want to look at it...but I want to start my Merry-Go-Round quilt--so I'm going to have to untie the ribbon soon!
A New Year–More Quilts Ahead!
I've been thinking about projects and goals for the new year, and "Merry Go Round" is at the top of my list! The pattern is by Sandy Klop of American Jane and is found in the October 2008 issue of McCall's Quilting. Actually, I have a few hexagon projects for 2009, and I thought this would be a
“A Ribbon at a time”
My post title today comes from Emily Dickinson (No. 318)--it's a line describing the sun rising; however, I've had the line going through my mind as I've been organizing for the new year. I started to feel overwhelmed just by the amount of projects on my lists, so I have to keep reminding myself to
Christmas Presents
We had an enjoyable Christmas at home with our children--it was great to be able to spend time together and just enjoy the season. We enjoyed the family and friends we were able to visit with and missed those loved ones who we weren't able to see this year. Here is a beautiful framed piece I
And Visions of Quilts Danced through Her Head
Things in the "gift shop" are winding down--once two more bindings are stitched down I'll be done with what I have to finish...although there are a couple of small things I might also do! Here are some things I got done last week...I'm pretty sure all of the recipients are non-blog readers...except
Snow Day!
Things have been crazy a little hectic around here. Yesterday my daughter and I decided to make sugar cookies; we make them every year, but we decided this year we should make a double batch. I have no idea what made us think we needed to make 12 dozen sugar cookies (but if I keep eating them the
This Weekend
This weekend I got to go on a little get-away with my husband. He had a meeting early Saturday morning in St. George, so we drove up Friday night and had a nice dinner with Cold Stone after! Saturday morning we had a little Christmas shopping to do... and of course I had to look for fabric on
A Perfect Zipper
First, this is my little drummer boy; I painted him about six years ago. I think he is one of my favorite little Christmas decorations because when I was young "The Little Drummer Boy" was my favorite Christmas song. Some years ago I did some tole painting and made quite a few holiday decorations.
It Was a Wonderful Mail Day!
It's always fun when there is a package slip in my mailbox...yesterday there were three! Of course, I couldn't even wait to get home to open them...had to open them right there in the car! The first one I opened was from Stephanie. Stephanie and I did a cottage exchange...and oh how I oohed and
Christmas Cheer
Some of the decorating is done...I've been doing just a little bit each day. This is one of our Nativity scenes. I love this one and have actually thought about leaving it out year-round! And...our stockings have been hung on the bookshelves with care! Yes, it's true that we don't have a
Merry Christmas from my Christmas Cottage!
It's beginning to look like Christmas here...the decorating is going well...I'll be sharing some pictures this week! Have you navigated through Moda's website lately? It's a great place to go! I love looking at the upcoming fabrics ready for release as well as browsing the free patterns section!
I Collect Fabric!
I must send a special thanks to Nanette who yesterday gave the inspiration for this post title. I have always collected books, spoons, china, family heirlooms, and even inspirational quotes. But not until yesterday did I realize that I collect fabric! Thanks, Nanette...it was just liberating!
“Just Because”
Do you ever buy fabric "just because?" I used to do that a lot, then I went through a stage where I didn't buy anything unless it was for a certain project. Now, I've reverted to the "just because" stage. I picked up these lovely Michael Miller fabrics over the weekend. I didn't have anything in
Thanksgiving Weekend
All of our children were home for Thanksgiving for the first time since 2003--the six of us had a wonderful day with my in-laws, a sister-in-law, and two nieces also in attendance! After the dishes were done and put away I decided to start on some Christmas gifts for my older daughter's roommates.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you all have a wonderful day! We will have eleven for our Thanksgiving dinner! Along with cooking and eating and cleaning, I'm going to try to find a few minutes to read some of my favorite quotes from William Bradford. I read a lot of his writings in college before I knew he was my direct
One Button
Yesterday I made my first fabric-covered button. I tried to show several members of the family; they were mildly impressed. I, on the other hand, was thrilled--I immediately wanted to keep covering more buttons with fun fabrics! Such a simple little process...but what great results! I'm definitely
Little Bits of Time
First things first...the giveaway results! For my last giveaway I had my daughter choose a random number; this time I decided to use the "random number generator!" So....congratulations to....Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio! Jacquie, please e-mail me your snail-mail address, and I'll send the
A Little Bit of This and That
First, I have to say "Thank You!" I have absolutely loved reading every comment and all of the lovely ideas you have shared with me for preserving my little vintage finds! I also need to send a giant "Thank You" along to Jodi at Simply This That and the Other for featuring me on her blog yesterday.
A Little Vintage
Yesterday Stephanie posted about some wonderful wooden spools she was able to buy from an antique mall. I went looking for wooden spools of my own since I have some of my great-grandmother's sewing things and also my husband's grandmother's sewing box. In my husband's grandmother's sewing box
Pomegranates!
Yesterday I had to interrupt my "regularly scheduled quilting"--but for a VERY good reason! A dear friend dropped by with nearly a gallon of pomegranate juice...just for me! Growing up in southern Nevada, I was no stranger to pomegranates (pomegranates, as defined by Websters, are "a thick-skinned
“My Heart Leaps Up”
One of my favorite poets is William Wordsworth. The first phrase in his poem "The Rainbow" describes my feeling each day as I enter my little sewing room--"my heart leaps up!" It is the perfect description of how I feel when I'm able to sew, even for a little bit. This weekend was busy, so I only
More Cabins and More Christmas
I had a lot of fun working on the log cabin quilt I shared in my last post; while making that quilt, I discovered that the log cabin really is one of my favorite blocks. Of course I love the intricate designs of some of the more difficult quilt blocks, but I find that I really do have a fondness for