Mini Quilts

I have seen walls with miniature quilt collections on them and always wanted to do one some day. Well today was the day. I dug out all the miniature quilts I had made and arranged them on my sewing room wall...around a wallhanging that was already there. And I am happy with it.

It makes me want to start a new one. I love miniature quilts. You can test different patterns with less fabric and less time (sometimes). They can be a little tedious, like the black, red and white Monkey Wrench quilt. I unpicked that sooooo many times because I had things backwards, upside down or whatever. But it was worth it because I now enjoy it. It is 15" x 18" and the smallest quit, the pink, yellow and green Hole in the Barn Door is 8" x 9".

Tiny Basket

All over quilting blogland I've been seeing these darling little baskets by Pink Penguin. I made one too and was surprised at how tiny and cute they are....and how easy they are to make. And this is one of those projects where you can't stop at just one. I will be making more. I changed my design just a little, instead of piecing blocks, mine is a solid panel. But it's still Pink Penguin's pattern. This one sits on my desk and has been very useful already. Thank you Pink Penguin.

Back in therapy

Yeah! I have a new iron. I followed the suggestions of Mary Kay, Carrie and Jackie and bought a Rowenta. Its not a cheap iron. Hopefully it will last and last for a long while. It's a nice iron but it always takes time to get used to something new. But now I'm back in therapy.....er....business.

This is what I was working on when the iron died. I've had this printed panel in my UFO drawer for too long. So nice to have it finally finished and it was a very fun project. A little like putting a puzzle together in some places. I had to sit up and think while I worked. I am going to hang it by my sewing machine in my sewing room.

Crisis!

Yesterday my iron died right in the middle of a project. Argh! I can't live without my iron! I can't sew without my iron! This is a serious situation!! It's enough to make this sewer frantic. So today I have to go shopping for an iron. My DH researched them on-line last night. Seems irons today have a 2 year expected life span. This iron has been my helpmate for about 7+ years of daily use. It replaced one I had for 15+ years.

Building Houses

I have been stitching the cute little cottage blocks designed by Nanette for the Christmas Cottage Exchange. I have to make 12 but I honestly don't know if I will be able to stop there. They are just too fun.

First try at Dresden Blocks

I didn't need a new project. I did need a cover for a small table. It was either paint the table or cover it and I decided this was more fun. I also need to clean out my overflowing scrap bins. This project helped a lot with that. I used 330 different fabrics in this little quilt top. It all started out as just an idea one evening. Then I started fussing with my scraps to see if it would work and by the next evening it was all pieced together. Pretty quick.

My new book tote

This little bag designed by Natalie at Cinderberry Stitches is just the ideal size for toting along a paperback to read. I am a reader so this will get a lot of use. I loved the pattern and it will be a keeper for my favorite pattern file. Thanks so much for sharing it Natalie.

Who could ask for more?

I have to be the luckiest mom ever. Two wonderful daughters to make me feel special on my birthday.

It started off with the doorbell ringing yesterday morning and finding no one there but a pretty package on the doorstep. Inside the package I found sweet treats and some fabric. Half an hour later the doorbell rang again and there was another package, again filled with treats and fabric and even music. This went on most of the day until I had gathered eleven packages from my doorstep. Never did catch the delivery person (who had to be a mighty fast runner because I hurried to the door). I finally figured out that the gifts were from my youngest daughter, Kari. I posted pictures of the packages and fabrics (41 different fabrics in all - a stitcher's dream gift).

Then this morning I checked in on my oldest daughter, Sara's, blog ,which is always so fun to read, and was surprised to discover that she had wished me a happy birthday there. She let me and all the world know that she loves me. Wow! I was very very touched. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful good daughters. This is truly a special birthday for me and it's just the beginning of a good day. Thank you girls so very much! I love you too.

Super Sized Pincushion

Today another one of my Stitcher's Angel projects is completed. This pincushion was designed by Karen of Cotton Spice. Thanks Karen for the pattern. Its such a fun size (LARGE) and will hold tons of pins and needles. It is already at work by the side of my sewing machine.

It has been fun seeing everyone's finished projects. So many great ideas and lots of inspiration.

Thanks so much Lynette

Putting together Lynette Anderson's scissor holder made for a nice evening at my sewing table. She designed this as the Stitcher's Angel project for this week Those of us working on Lynette's Noah's Ark stitcheries know all about Hugo's new little friend, Felix. Now whenever I reach for my scissors and see this little kitten, I will wonder how Felix is getting along.

Over half way and still stitching.

I won’t have this quilt finished before my birthday, which was my original challenge to myself, but that’s okay. If I had, the fun would be over too soon anyway, I figure. This way I still get to keep on sewing. I have enjoyed every stitch I’ve put into this quilt and am over half way done. So I am moving along. Life’s adventures and some other tempting projects slowed me down some but I will have it finished soon…at least by Thanksgiving…do you think I can reach this new challenge?

Block number five completed this afternoon. Four more to go.

A big "thank you" to May Britt.

This is my first day home from our wonderful weeklong vacation in the mountains. Now I am all relaxed and ready to get back into life's daily routines. Right away, I just had to start working on May Britt's bag that she designed for the Stitcher's Angel project. The pattern was perfect and easy to follow. I enjoyed every minute I spent on it. She designed an adorable stitchery for the front. My favorite part of that is the little angel's hairdo. It made me smile while I stitched it.