mini quilt and cowboys

Last night I finished a new quilt for my miniature quilt wall. This one is 11 inches by 14 inches and is from a pattern by Lori Smith. I love her designs.

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I used some of the adorable scraps from Jodi’s package and some from my own scrap stash. They all went so well together, I thought.

My favorite fabric in this quilt is these little cowboys that I got quite a while ago from Terri. Aren’t these guys just the sweetest ever! Even my husband noticed this fabric and really liked it…and he’s not usually into fabrics. I’m thinking it might remind him of some PJ’s he had as a little boy.

Thanks Jodi!

Today when I came home and found a box on my step, I was one happy lady. You see, extremely lucky me won Jodi’s giveaway a few days ago and I knew that’s what it was.

My sweet granddaughter was here so we sat down on the floor together and admired and sorted all the pretty fabrics. She loved that there was so much pink…her favorite color. We also chatted about how one day I will teach her how to sew and make quilts and told her how much fun she will have to look forward to. She cooed back and smiled and kicked in her bouncy chair. I think she is a little excited already.

Thanks for the fun Jodi. I can’t wait to put them to use.

Scrappy Sampler

Three years ago after reading Jennifer Chiaverini’s book “The Master Quilter”, I became fascinated with the quilt in the story: Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler. Jennifer generously shared the patterns on-line and I decided to attempt my first sampler quilt. My sister, Tricia, joined me in the fun. She lives miles away so we shared our efforts through email and scanners. I am also part of a group of quilters around the world who are making these blocks together.

I am still working on it. I have finished 76 blocks and I think that is enough for a comfy quilt. It has been a scrappy quilt, using up my fabric leftovers. So I am making the sashings the same way…scrappy. I like how this looks so far.

Hopefully I’ll have a top finished soon. Lets see if I can have it all the way done before another three years goes by.

By the way, Jennifer has many other books published too. Very good reading.

Annette

Time for Myself

Today was great! I had most of it just for myself and I spent it stitching baskets for my A Tisket, A Tasket quilt.

And now I’m all caught up on this project….for awhile :-)

Annette

Christmas in August

Last month was crazy so I missed the fun of “Christmas in July.”  I made up for it this afternoon with a little “Christmas in August.”  Our weather is so hot here we could use a little Christmas thinking to cool things down a bit.

These are for an ornament exchange I’m involved with over at IFQ.  But I’m saving one of them for my tree. Ho Ho Ho

Annette

Dressed in White

My sewing project for this week was a pretty white blessing dress for my granddaughter.  The dress was a pleasure to make and turned out sweet but when it was put on this little girl, it became absolutely adorable!

This has been a beautiful day with our families and good friends all gathered together to support her for her special occasion.

Annette

Just for Fun

Kelli doll and Sasha doll think this teeny tiny little Granny Square afghan is absolutely perfect for them to use. Sorry girls, it is going up on my miniature quilt wall where it will be right at home with my other small creations. But they will have a good view of it since they spend their days sitting atop my button box nearby.

The little afghan measures just 6 inches by 7 1/2 inches. I crocheted it using size 5 perle cotton, something I have never tried before. Really fun! For sure I’m going to try something like this again.

Who’s got the Button?

My sister, Tricia, and I have been trading buttons back and forth through the mail. When I get a package from her and sit to sort through them it reminds me of when I was a kid looking at all the buttons in my mom’s button tin. There is just something fascinating about a button, or especially a whole bunch of buttons. Even at my age.

I keep my buttons in little box of drawers on a shelf in my sewing room. It was originally made for screws and such. I found it in the hardware store. I loved that it was red and not the typical gray that you see in men’s workshops.

I liked it so much that I went back and bought a second one to store my embroidery threads in.

My button box is decorated with a button flower:

If I can remember how I did it, I might make a tutorial for it.

I also have a small quilted wall hanging that I stitch buttons to sometimes just because I think they are fun to look at.. These are interesting but not keepsakes because I’m always taking buttons off to use on projects.

My favorite buttons of all time are Mother of Pearls. I LOVE these buttons. There is just something about them. Even old worn out ones look beautiful to me. I get excited when I find one and I keep them all as treasures. Like a little kid with a rock collection!

A Special Hand-Me-Down

**This precious baby quilt was made by my grandmother for my dad when he was a baby.

**Twenty one years later, when I was born, it became my baby quilt.

**Twenty six years passed by and the quilt was given to me to use for my two daughters. This time, however, instead of daily use, it was reserved just for special snuggle times. It had now gone through three generations of babies and was well worn. I added a few stitches to repair it and gently laundered it. I could see great value in this beautiful quilt. It had became a treasure.

**Twenty five years have slipped by again, and now I am cuddling my new little granddaughter in this same quilt. The quilt that was carefully made by her great-great grandmother. What an awesome thing that is!

Just the other day I was able to get a picture of generation #1 and generation #4 together with the quilt that four generations have now shared.

I hope this quilt continues to be treasured and passed down. Who knows how many generations it will reach.

The Wind in our Willow

Have your ever tried taking a picture of the wind?

That is what it is like to attempt a picture of our new little friend Willow (aka Puppy Willow). She is a very busy little puppy.

Aha! Caught-cha! Isn’t she fun?


My latest project caught me by surprise too. I have been sewing fancy little collars for my kid’s dogs for years. So when this little girl came into our lives, the first thing I did was make her a fun wardrobe of collars.

I don't know if it's those big brown eyes on our model's face, or the collars themselves but people have really noticed them and like them and I have become busy making and selling them. So I've decided to spread my wings and set up an Etsy Shop and see what will happen.

Wish me luck!

Earth to Annette...hello?!

Well, I’m on my way back to earth now. It has been a glorious visit to “heaven.”
Thank you for your sweet comments. You are all the best!!

Even though I’ve been preoccupied I’ve still found time to sew on a new project that I want to share with you very soon. It’s one that I never in a million years guessed that I would be doing but I’m really having fun with it.


Here is a teeny tiny little hint:

I think it is kind of funny actually.

Stay posted.

Spending time with an Angel

Sorry I haven't posted. I've been happily preoccupied with my baby and her new baby. Isn't she beautiful?