We got Rain!!!

Finally we had a good soaking of rain. Everything was looking so stressed outside. Watering from the hose is nothing like a little rain.

I was having some fun today in the quilt room and decided to make a little mini-quilt from the book “Bits and Pieces” by Karen Costello Soltys. I have done a couple little quilts for gifts out of the book before. It is the best book, well worth buying.

Here is my “Vintage Bow Ties”Now, my plan is to put a really tiny embroidery in the blue blocks, have not decided what it will be. The blocks are only 3”x3”, the entire quilt is only 15 1/2”x 18 1/2”. I am also going to hand quilt this one. I miss hand quilting.

I also worked on my Americana disappearing 9-patch. Did a couple of the embroidery blocks, I love how it is turning out.

The strawberries and the crock block I drew myself and the Angel and the Eagle I found in the mountain of embroidery patterns in my quilt room. Unfortunately, a lot of my embroideries are not labeled where I got them so I will have to find the designers of them and get back to you. I will try to post them when I finish the other blocks.

I almost forgot to mention – I also finished up another block in the “A Gardener’s Journal” quilt:

Nothing else exciting going on here. We had a nice low key day, enjoyed not going anywhere and listening to the thunder and rain. Hope you were able to sneak a little sewing, quilting, or stitching done today!

Jennifer

Back from the Beach!

The kids made it back. I missed them so much. It was so quiet and lonely here, who am I kidding, I will admit it – it was great being in the house by myself for a bit, if only I hadn’t been sick. But I did miss them very much and I am glad they made it back safe, unfortunately sunburned but otherwise safe.

I love this picture, Alice knows how to relax!

Gordon pre-burn!!

Ah yes – my mini-me!!

And my pretty Natalie: If only they took naps like this at home – 3 hours they slept, makes me want to live at the beach!

The kids always have a great time with their cousins – look all those red faces:

A trip is not complete without a visit to the local post office – they went to the Kitty Hawk Museum – as you can see from their faces they had a blast :)

I like the tube chain – really cute!

This is my favorite – poor Gordon has skin like his Daddy – they can think about sun and burn!

They had a lot of fun, maybe next year I can take the trip with them, although we said that last year also, too many animals to tend to here.

Have a great day!

Jennifer

Finally pictures!!!

So I finished up a quilt top (did not quilt it yet) that was in the Sping 2010 issue of BHG’s  Quilts and More:

It is called “Sunny All Around”, it is from designers Chloe Anderson and Colleen Reale of www.Toadusew.com. I decided to use up some old fabrics I have owned since I started quilting. They are mostly 1930s reproduction fabrics. I am happy with how it turned out everything seemed to meet right. Only thing is it doesn’t go with my house so I am not sure what I am going to do with it.  The colors are not showing true on the picture – I will take another after I quilt it.

Here is a picture of my wool block background:I also finished up 3 blocks, I know only three blocks of the Moda/Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery Block of the Month from 2008.

Block Six - “Sunrise Star” designed by Margot Languedic of www.thepatternbasket.com.Block Seven - “Sawtooth Patchwork Block” designed by Debbie Beaves of www.violetpatch.com.   Block Eight - “Star Party” designed by Bonnie Olaveson of www.cottonway.com.And my favorite finish isYes I finally pieced together my redwork quilt. I am more than happy with it. I love it. It looks better than I had hoped. Now I need to decide how I will quilt it. I think I may be leaning towards hand quilting it but we will see.

As you can see I am having some remodeling woes with the layout of my blog. I am trying to decide how I want it to look and trying to learn all these gadgets and what not. So, I apologize if it is driving you crazy – because it is driving me crazy!

The kids have made it back from the beach and boy have I missed them. I will miss the quiet house but that is okay, would rather have them around than a quiet house, well most days anyway!!!

Jennifer

A Little Porch Time!!

Have you heard about this?It is the new book from Lynda Hall of Primitive Pieces of Lynda. It doesn’t come out until July 15th and I cannot wait to get a copy. I have many patterns of hers, you might remember this one: She has a bunch of new patterns. Check out her website at http://www.primitivepiecesbylynda.com/. Here is a picture of her booth at Spring Quilt Market (no – I did not go!):

That house quilt is great – it is called Block Party:

And this one – three patterns in one!

Way to much good stuff going on there. I have to go calm myself, and change my drool rag!!

Hope you are having a great weekend!!

Jennifer

Some relief!!

Have I been busy? – not as busy as I wanted to be. I wanted to clean the house from top to bottom and sew up a bunch of dolls and quilts and embroider until my fingers hurt, but that didn’t happen. I did get some things done. Of course, I cannot show you what I have done because my camera is dead. Hopefully this weekend I can get them on, I am so excited to show you.

I splurged today and bought some of this: Yeah baby – that is making me feel real good. Worth every penny. I am so happy right now. Still not completely better, I have a feeling  my ears will never be better but I can live with it. I wish I would have bought this three days ago.

I think I am going to try my hand at starting yet another quilt that is in my UFO pile, so I must go. This is my last night of quiet so I must go quilt until I pass out!!! Man, is this a change from how I use to spend my Friday nights – and I love it!  Have a great night!!

Jennifer

Another New Project???

You heard it right I have started a new project, I could not resist. I have several friends who are doing this Wool Crazy quilt by JoAnn Mullaly.  My friend Janet came by yesterday and we made our base for one block of the quilt.  I have so much wool that I figured I need to use it up somehow, so as a spur of the moment idea we decided to take the plunge. We were both able to get our blocks laid out and basted. They look fabulous. I stayed up real late and tacked stitched all of my wool down on my block. Unfortunately I do not have a camera to snap a photo. The family is at the beach this week and took the camera with them. But I have included a couple scans of it:

 

I was going to get moving on mine but I have a lot of embroidery that I want to finish up first. So I will wait for Janet to come over again and then we can work on them together.  I went through my books and found a couple that we will be using for looking up stitches as we complete the blocks.

I also will be doing mine a little different than the primitive look of the original. I do love how the original looks but I wanted to try something different. So I am also using a lot of designs out of these two books:

I cannot wait to get started on it, but for now I will have to be patient.

I also out together a small disappearing 9-Patch wall hanging quilt. My friend Sharon is going to be teaching a class on a wall hanging similar.  I used an older charm square pack from Judie Rothermel call America the Beautiful and then I added a Moda Solid for the embroidery blocks. I also scanned a little section of it for you to see:

I went to bed about 4am this morning and woke up two hours later sick as can be. I believe it is my allergies,  I can barely talk and my throat is hurting pretty bad, so I have been nursing myself and being lazy all day watching television, which is odd for me – I am not a big television fan. I had to cancel my massage Janet got me for my birthday, this morning – I was very sad about that but I figured it wouldn’t be as nice since I was sick. I was supposed to be cleaning house while the family was away but that did not happen and at this point probably wont.

I am thinking of doing a rain dance. We have gone many weeks with rain all around us but not raining at our house.  I believe last year I was complaining about the same thing around the end of summer and we ended up having the rain from Hurricane Bill dump way too much rain on us. I tell you I am tired of the dry weather but  I don’t want a 3 day downpour.

My friend Janet just called to check on me and we got a good giggle out of my voice. I sound pretty funny.  Well off to rest some more!! Have a great day!

Jennifer

I got a package!!!

Bonnie, our sweet mail lady, brought me a package from my Snickerdoodle Dreams Doll Swap partner this morning. My partner, Sharon, sent me the cutest Apple Annie. Alice is in love with her also and chose her resting place, right front and center on our fire place hearth! She looks great sitting there doesn’t she?

I have been stitching a lot. Not much I can show for my work though, since it is not mine, but I have been working.

I also have a project I am doing for my husband as a surprise. Well, he knows about it, but the end product will be a surprise, since I don’t even know for sure what I am doing. A friend of mine is helping me out with the art work. I cannot draw very well, so I am feeding ideas and we are going to see how it turns out. I will show you a sampling of the work.

Can you guess what it is??? My husband is a Postmaster for the Postal Service and the end product is going to be for his office.

Well, lots to do today – later!

 

Jennifer

Sweet Meadows Farm hits 100!!!

Maureen of Sweet Meadows Farm is having a giveaway for one of her Kitchen Helper dolls – she has reached pattern #100 – which I am buying tonight!!! I love this pattern.  Hop over to her blog and enter the giveaway – her dolls are amazing. Go here NOW!

Jennifer

 

Lovely Little Handmades: A Yummy GIVAWAY!!

Okay everyone you have to go over to Lovely Little Handmades - the blog from Kerri of Sew Deerly Loved . She is having a give away for her new Spoonflower fabric. It is the most adorable fabric!! There are 2 designs, one of the deer and hedgies in a row, and another with the sweet deer and hedgies with red and aqua polka dots!! Gorgeous!! I love it!!!

 

So go over for a visit – she has a fantastic blog -  Lovely Little Handmades!!!

Have a great day - Jennifer