Sad, Sad News

Please have a moment of silence for my sad sad news.  My sewing machine is (sniff) broken.  The repairman is an hour away and then it takes 1-2 weeks for it to be repaired.  I don't have a back-up sewing machine like some of you do -- so I am sad, very sad.  Before the final stitch I did complete this new paper pieced church block.  It is not perfect -- but it is closer than I got with my first two tries.

Well when the sewing machine breaks--start hand sewing.  I'm making hand-sewn hexigons --tune in next week for my progress!!  I look forward to hearing from you!!

MINE FOR THE MAKING BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY!!

One of my favorite blogs, MFTM is having a "sweet little birthday" giveaway.  Pop over to help celebrate Kara's birthday.  If you don't win the giveaway -- you still win just by visiting this awesome blog:)

Moms Wear Your Tees -- Kiddorable Giveaway

Moms Wear Your Tees is hosting an fabulous giveaway.  An umbrella of your choice from Kidorable.  Hop over and check out these adorable umbrellas -- bet you can't pick just one.
http://momswearyourtees.blogspot.com/2011/01/kidorable-childrens-raincoat-review-and.html

Giveaway Dates: January 24- February 2, 2011 Midnight CST

Soscrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge

While the rest of you have completed whole quilts, beautiful runners and mug rugs, and multiple gorgeous and intricate blocks --I finished my hotpad.  But isn't it beautiful?????? 

 I also completed a Log Cabin block and I am still working on my runner.  Hand quilting is a slow process -- in all honesty I don't have as much time to work on it.

So there you have it -- make sure to check out my BOM church.  Keeping in mind I am just learning --please comment. 

Thrift Store Finds

On Monday my friend Kathy and I went shopping.  We hit our favorite thrift store and look what I found!!

Fabric -- Fabric-- and...............more fabric!!

I also found this awesome piece of wool which I promptly felted.

One of the pieces of fabric was this beautiful panel.

I believe the designer's name is Robert Kaufman.  Not sure what I'll do with it yet, but I love the animals and the colors.  I'll cut it apart for sure and get coordinating fabrics.  I just love it!!

AND......here is a picture of something I found when I returned home:)  She has nothing to do with thrifting or fabric--but oh she is cute.  She also has big news to tell:   I GOT MY FIRST TOOTH!!  Congratulations Lexi, you make your Mom Mom smile.

My First BOM for Quilting Board

This is my first attempt at paper piecing -- actually it's my first block period. When it was finished I really didn't like my fabric choices and the pattern wasn't right. (One window is bigger.)

This is my second attempt. Pattern tweeked and I sure like these fabric choices better. I did add window sills and a window in the steeple.  I didn't notice the roof doesn't line up right until I posted it.  Maybe  I'll try again.  Cross your fingers.

Our Beautiful and Snowy Back Yard

Keeping Our Ears Warm

The boys got new winter coats and that means they needed new hats .  I usually crochet a cute pattern, but this year I decided to turn to (what else) wool felt.  I found instructions for adorable fleece Lumber Jack at Dealia’s Creates:   http://deliacreates.blogspot.com/2010/10/lumber-jack-hat.html   I made mine from wool and did a bit more top stitching, but aren’t they cute?  They are almost as cute as the models. 

 Drew wasn't very cooperative as you can see!!

George is a big ham!!

Then Little Miss needed a hat. I found a very cute pattern here - http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/SB158-001%20Crochet%20Baby%20Cap.htm As you can see I added two pom-poms on top.  Is she adorable or what? 

Scrappy Saturday-- Well You Can't Say I'm Not Trying!!

This is what I've come up with so far for the Soscrappy Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I made this crazy patch to use  for the top of a hotpad.  I think it is pretty.  It certainly isn't a whole quilt like some people are posting -- but it is something.  I hope to quilt and bind it by next week.

The lower left corner looks a little messed up -- it is just the picture.  Honest it is square.

I also was piecing this table runner.  Someone said if you can sew a straight line you can make this block in a block design.  Ok --maybe I can't sew a straight line then.  I will plod on and practice and hope to make progress.  In the meantime--be kind.  I am going to try to hand quilt this runner.  I want to try a variety of things to see what I enjoy.  I do like sewing by hand.  Binding projects looks scary to me.

COME ON--MAKE MY DAY--LEAVE A COMMENT!!

"Painting" with Fabric

   I'm not a quilter (yet), but I do love fabric.  The closest I really came to quilting in the past are these pictures that I call "painting with fabric."  The first one is my house complete with my three kids in the front yard.  I made it for my husband for Christmas a few years ago and I must admit it is one of my favorite projects ever.

 
The second one I made for my grandson's room --remember the train nursery?  (another post)  I made a tran depot -- just for fun.

I really enjoyed these projects and hope to do more.  I think I might make a tutorial about the process I used.  I am not an expert -- but maybe someone would like to see how I went about making these "works of heart."

Blog/Craft Goals for 2011

1. Learn to Quilt – I just mean the basics. I don’t expect to churn out 25 quilts or even two I would like to complete one quilt from piecing to binding by next January – is that too lofty a goal?

To help meet this goal I joined So Scrappy’s Rainbow Scrap Challenge (See button on side bar.) I plan to post something each Scrappy Saturday – even if it is just to say –not much progress this week.

I also joined the Quilting Board and will participate in the BOM that Sulabug is moderating. The first block is a paper pieced church. Each block is a house of some sort. I’ll post pictures of my blocks monthly and may need suggestions to help with problems.

2. Make something hand-made for everyone on my Christmas list.

3. Submit at least two projects for publication in a magazine –Create and Decorate, perhaps.

4. Write a new post weekly about crafting that week – this may be just the perils of a hopeful quilting newbie or it could be about other creations I’m working on.

5. Also –write once a week on a non-craft related topic. This may include: my yard, projects at my house, thrifting, a new favorite blog –or anything that suits my fancy at the moment

6. Write at least one or two tutorials for my blog – nothing too detailed.  Start small.

7. Leave more comments.  Everyone loves comments!!

That’s it. Wish me luck!

A New Year --A New Beginning

Year 2010 was definately the best of times.................
Two sons marrying the girls of their dreams (and of mine)--


 
Glenn and Malia -- married in October --with our whole family. 
Front Sitting:  Allisa, Monica
Left to Right:  George, Pop Bowen, Nan Bowen, Glenn and Malia, Me, Glenn (my husband), Joshua

And.................... Josh and Monica, Married in September.

Also we had the birth of Alexandra Marie...her brothers just love her. (as do we all)

But it was also the worst of times...............

 

Georgie's Leukemia Diagnosis and.......

so many friends whose life were changed forever because of Cancer --too many good people, some gone, some still fighting.

We all are praying that everyone has a happy, healthy 2011.

"Sew" Now I'm A Quilter??????

     I joined So Scrappy's 2011 Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I didn't know you were a quilter you say.  I'm not -- but I hope to be one by the end of the year:)  I've been wanting to start quilting for some time now.  I do have a stash of fabrics from other sewing projects--so I do have "scraps."  I also have most of the supplies that a beginning quilter needs--I think.  I like to jump in with two feet.  (When I began thread crochet I made my grandson's Christening Gown.)  Joining the challenge will force me to piece/quilt something every month.  I may not do a complete project.  I may not do a great job at what I try to quilt--but I have to start somewhere.  I'm thinking that maybe I'll get terrific advice from the other participants. I'm hoping to post something monthly--maybe just one block.  This month's color is blue -- great choice I have a lot of blue scraps.  Look for my creation by the end of January.