Falling Leaves Wall quilt

Last night I finished a Falling Leaves ( also called Autumn Splendor)  wall  quilt.  I made the blocks 4 years ago and they sat in my sewing room since then.  I have always loved this pattern.   Last night the girls and I took it over to give to  Mom.

Butterfly Quilt Finished

With some help from Little M.  The butterfly quilt is finally finished.  Just in time for cooler nights.

The patched butterfly blocks and borders are stitched in glow in the dark thread.

quilt back

More Projects

When one quilt is done, I must start another one or two or....well,  I don't think I can just do one project at a time.

The first one is a table runner.  The second will be a butterfly quilt for Little M.  She loves butterflies and birds.  I bought both a bird and a butterfly stencil.  She said she is going to help with the quilting.

Nancy Drew Quilt

In October little M. and I started her first quilt.  A Nancy Drew quilt.  We both love reading the books together and can't wait to snuggle under our quilt.  We had the top pieced pretty quickly, but then it was put aside.  On New Year's Day we pieced the back and put it in the frame.  I am so excited!  It is fun to have someone quilt alongside me.  Even more special because it is my daughter!  I am surprised at how even her stitches are.  I thought it would take her a while to catch on, but she is doing such a great job.
Here is our progress.

Here is a close up of our design.

Today is a good day to quilt.  Church was cancelled due to freezing rain.  We are huddled inside crafting.

Winter Days

The weather had been so crazy.  We had freezing temps, snow, and then a 60 degree day, followed by rain and cold.  Lots of reading and crafting has been going on in our house.

I have always love the Little House On The Prairie books.  I especially love to read them while curled up next to the fireplace.  I have been reading a biography about Laura Ingalls Wilder.  We have also had some read alouds about Daniel Boone, Paul Revere, and George Washington.  I am "sneaking" in some learning during our Christmas break.

Long evenings are perfect for finishing projects.  I started this cross stitch kit last year.  I am beginning to see the end.  It takes such a long time to cross stitch.

My favorite Christmas decoration.  This was given to me by Super Granny.  When I was little I loved putting it under her Christmas tree every year.

I have so many ideas of things I want to make in the coming new year.
- Finish the bear paw quilt
-Make little M.'s butterfly quilt
-Finish the Nancy Drew quilt
-Finish my rag rug

I guess I need to finish these projects before I start something new.

A Peaceful and Productive Day

Although it is a little sad when it gets dark at 5pm,  I am enjoying snuggling in in the evening and working on crafts.  On Saturday I got up early and Little M.  helped me with the animal chores.  Thankfully there was no frozen waterers.  I love letting our "big girls" out of their coop in the morning. Once the door opens they run as fast as they can out the door.  I should learn to start each day with such gusto.  Then we sprinkled some scratch on the ground for them, fed the "little" girls, and made sure Pepper, our rooster is out of the coop.  Next we gave Petey a strawberry treat (Thank you Mary), and fresh food and water.  Finally it was time for the goats to greet the day.  We have to wait to let them out until everyone else is fed or they will eat their food!  We opened the door and out comes Flip and Lilly. Before greeting us they hurry to the stall next door to see if there is any chicken food lying on the ground.  Then they come back for some love and treats, of course.

Pepper our rooster.

After enjoying the animals,  I came back inside and cross stitched for a while.  I was happy when my two youngest started working on their latch hook kits.  When it warmed up a little Hubby and A. cleaned out the barn and coops.  More fertilizer for the garden!

Little M.  has been interested in sewing.  Two weekends ago we started her Nancy Drew quilt.

We can't wait to read our Nancy Drew books while snuggled under a quilt.  I'm looking forward to the longer evenings to spend time together and create.

Pumpkins

We were blessed with some pumpkins from Auntie Kay and Uncle Bob.  Little M. wasted no time in painting hers sparkly.  She was painting for hours outside on a beautiful fall day.  We were also given a neck pumpkin which I cooked down for puree.

Crafting

I finally did some crafting this weekend.  A quick easy sewing project, I made envelope pillow covers for my old couch cushions.

Momma's Got a Brand New Bag!

Both of my lovely daughter's told me that my purse looks like an "old Granny bag".  I looked in my fabric stash and found some happy, springy colors.  Hopefully this looks like a "middle aged lady bag".
I love this pattern.  It is a free pattern found on www.allpeoplequilt.com

It felt good to use some fabric that I already had.  Now I don't feel quite as guilty about buying some new fabric for a dress.  I also bought a pattern from www.sewserendipity.com.  I really like her patterns.  The one I just bought is called the Naomi dress.

Sewing Along......

I sure am enjoying sewing.  Although when I sewed my first zipper last week, I had to keep reminding myself that I sew for enjoyment.  Anyway, it is good to accomplish some projects that have been stacked in the sewing room.

I need to get back to quilting the never ending Bear Paw Quilt.

Sewing right along.......

I have been sewing up a storm.  Little M.  loves her skirts.  She requested another made from the Emerson skirt pattern, this time with a pleated skirt and cherry dolly dresses fabric.  I love this print.

After I took this picture, I made her a matching sash.

My oldest daughter  is so hard to find modest dresses for.  We did find one she liked at Goodwill, but it was too short.  We went to Joann Fabric and found some matching brown fabric.  We added a 6 inch strip and some ribbon and it is better than new.  The best part is that she loves it!  A great dress for under $7.00

Spring Sewing

I love the patterns from Marie Madeline.  Little M. was requesting a new skirt.  She picked some fabric from my stash and I made her a skirt.  I was pleasantly surprised that it went together quickly.

She didn't want to take it off.  I have one happy little girl.  Oh...the best thing about this skirt is that it is very twirly.

Why Can't I Only Do 1 Project At a Time?

You never can tell when inspiration will strike.  I don't know why I can't finish one project before starting another!  Last night I started a retirement quilt for my Pastor's wife.  The blocks seem to be going together pretty smoothly.  This pattern is called Shooting Star or Clay's Choice.

This morning I was looking at quilt blogs and I stumbled across a new favorite.  Bee in my bonnet blog.  There are many tempting projects, but the one that jumped out at me was an apron for  a water bottle.  I just had to make one for myself.  How cute, the straw goes in the pocket.

I think these would be darling as favors for a ladies luncheon or a bridal shower.

More Scrappy Valentine

I used more Valentine quilt scraps and made a little table mat for my mom.

The reverse side is little patriotic flags.

Pillow case love

I am in love with making pillowcases.  It is quite addicting.  I followed the pattern on Marie-Madeline's blog.  They also have a lot of lovely bright fabrics.

The little ones love picking out fabrics for their cases.

Woolie Craft

On Saturday Marie and I enjoyed a fun morning.  We went to a pottery open house.  So many beautiful pottery pieces, so hard to choose.  I finally settled on a blue pitcher, a soap dish with wonderful apple scented soap, and a small square dish that fits right in on my window sill. 

We met some fellow crafters.  I think I now have a wool addiction.  I really don't need another hobby, but I am drawn to penny mats and braided rugs.  After seeing so many of Tarrah's beautiful pieces,  I am anxious to begin.

I started a small project.  I shrank a wool sweater and made a cute little birdy.  He looks right at home in front of my pitcher.  Thanks for the great pattern Tarrah!