2 back from the quilter

I started this quilt some time ago (I just noticed it was in 2010…oh my!) as part of Erin’s Florabunda quilt-along.  I got 7 of the 12 blocks done before setting them aside for a break.  Last summer I decided I probably wouldn’t finish the rest, so instead, made plans to use these 7 in a quilt all by themselves.

And I’m really happy with it. 

Thank you Erin for the pretty applique designs.

I admire my quilter, JoLynn.  She always does very nice work.

She quilted this one too.

I love the sweet little extras she added…children and letters all around the border.

Makes it really special…

And I was excited when I found this fabric for the back… perfect!

 

I’ll be spending the next few evenings binding them…

Then back to work on Christmas stuff!

Such a fun time of year!

My ABC’s

                      

A through Z…

makes for a fun quilt top.

 

I can’t tell you how many times the alphabet song went running through my head while working on this!

I should have those abc’s down pat after this.  So, after its quilted, I will give it to a child who wants to learn them too.

Look what I found

 

These little alphabet stitcheries were tucked away in a drawer in my sewing room.

Now they are out of the drawer and up on my design wall and I have been playing with fabric and ideas on how to set them.

 

Then I got on my computer program and came up with this.

I started stitching these years ago…way before I even had a blog. The cute stitcheries are from Lynda Howell at The Stitch Connection and are supposed to be in redwork and make a beautiful quilt… but I wanted colorful and a little bit different.

I had just 7 letters to go when, for some reason, I set them aside.  This time around I ought to be able to buckle down and finish them.

Look what I found!

I climbed into our little attic room to get out the Christmas decorations and came across a forgotten box filled with these felt ornaments.  I had to bring them down and have been playing with them.  So many good memories!  I stitched these up 31 years ago for our tree.  It was our second Christmas together.   

They came from a book by Sandra Lounsbury Foose.  I loved her designs back then and over the years have collected five of her books.  They are all out of print now so I feel lucky to have them.

I’ve also finished two more blocks for my little applique quilt.  Each one will finish at 5 inches square.

No peeking…well…maybe a little one

There are so many things I’ve been working on but most of them I can’t share just yet.  This is the time of year for secrets you know. 

But I can give you a peek at this miniature house block that’s a part of a bigger project.

The little window is only 1/4” square. 

I used part of a Carol Doak pattern for the house and added one of my favorite little quotes.  It’s all going together nicely, I think.

And these pretty pieces are part of a stack of fabric on my cutting table awaiting their turn for the next project.

Button Tree

This little Christmas tree will be staying up all year long.  

I found the pattern by The Drawn Thread in a little stitchery shop while we were in Victoria Canada last year and just got around to making it.   

   

There 23 very tiny little pearl buttons.  All different.

I have a pearl button collection kept in a glass jar in my sewing room.  They are pretty to me and I love looking at them and playing with them. 

And now a few are sweet little ornaments on my tree.

Sisters

Today I finished another Jo’s Little Women Club quilt called “Sisters”. 

 

It’s 12 inches square.  The women in the center were a challenge as each sister is about an inch in size and very detailed.  I just about went blind trying to stitch that tiny!

This quilt has extra special meaning for me because I grew up as one of four sisters. 

This is me (far left) and my younger sisters 35 or so years ago.  I hope my sisters are okay with me posting this.  We don’t get pictures together anymore as we live so far away from each other and especially since my youngest sister has passed away (far right).  So pictures like this with us together mean a lot to me.  But my two sisters and I do keep in close touch with each other through email. 

I love my sisters!

Sew in love

We had a great weekend getting together with family.  Busy days and good days.  Monday was going to be slower paced so I took the opportunity to start a new stitchery that I had my eye on.  Once I started, I couldn’t stop.  Much of the day was spent working on this cute design by Mac A Doodles.  I made a few changes so it would fit the little hanger I already had and it was finished just in time for bed last night. 

Mr. Sunshine means the world to me and it was nice to think about our years together (32) while stitching away. 

Two Happy Travelers

Last night, my husband and I arrived home from an awesome week's cruise along the west coast from Los Angeles to Vancouver. It was a great adventure full of all sorts of fun and very tired feet from running all over the cities. We visited Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver.

I took along my hexagon flowers to work on, of course, but other than at the airport, I'm afraid I didn't get much sewing done. But now it is good to be home and back to the old needle and thread.

Speaking of which... I came across the lovely Button and Needlework Boutique in Victoria, Canada and couldn't resist a new project using these 23 sweet little Mother of Pearl buttons. I'll have to show it to you when it's finished.

Meet a Good Guy

No, you have not reached the National Geographic Blog. This is still Sunshine Yellow. I just wanted you to meet my very good (and handsome) friend, T-rex.

I have so enjoyed getting to meet all your dear little friends; the fun duo Hugo and Felix, adorable and cuddly Fancy and then there is the computer literate Binnie. I've also noticed a few beautiful birds out there. Now I figured it was time to share my sweet pet with you.

We have had T-rex for 2 years now. He moved in here as a tiny babe about 4 spunky inches long. Now he is a grown easy-going man of 18 inches and has been the perfect pet. He doesn’t bark, or need to be taken outside for walks. He doesn’t shed around the house, doesn’t chew up shoes or scratch furniture. Or cost a lot in maintenance. When you want a friend, he is there. When you are tired of him, he is happy to sit quietly in his glass cage without complaints.

And he makes me laugh.

T-rex loves embroidery and is a stitcher watcher. He will sit with me for hours and keep an eye on that fascinating needle going in and out and in and out. Instead of a backdrop for his cage he has it decorated with his very own bug quilt.

Most people think lizards are unemotional. But to one who has gotten to know and understand this one, I realize that even though he may be incapable of loving me, he does like me very much. I notice him perk up when he sees me coming down the hall each morning. And if he wanders off a ways, he always comes back after a while to just sit by me. I can read that as friendship.

I can’t wait to read your comments, but please, no EWWWW’s! T-rex does have one flaw….tender feelings. :-)

Rest and Relaxation

Last night I finished February’s Christmas stitchery that was beautifully designed by Gail of Gail Pan Designs.

And I have January’s stitchery for Cheryl’s "Veranda View" completed. I'm pretty sure I will have this months’s stitchery with the cute little blue bird all done tonight.

They've been a relaxing way to spend some my evenings.

Amost finished

It is a good thing and a bad thing. I'm almost finished with Lynette's Noah's Ark quilt. I'm excited to be getting the last block any day now. But that also means it is soon going to be over and it has been such a fun project. I have looked forward to stitching these cute little guys every month this past year.

More Christmas Sharing

I stitched up some of these little mini quilts (6” x 7”) to give away. One of my favorite Christmas thoughts is:

“The best gift of all, is love”

Forever Friends

I watched my daughters grow up together, not only as sisters but also as friends. They are adults now and still good friends. I’m always so grateful they have each other to turn to and rely on. I saw this pattern designed by Amanda Brook and immediately fell in love with it because it reminded me of my girls:

Amanda had a giveaway on her blog and this pattern was a part of it. To my surprise... I won a copy of this adorable pattern!! Happy, happy me!! It just arrived in the mail and I am excited to start working on it. As I stitch, I will cherish good memories of my little girls and their friendship.