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 It was originally made for screws and such.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?

Just a Quick Post

I just realized that it is the last day of the month and I haven't posted my One Project A Month finish. Luckily I spent some time crocheting over the weekend while visiting with family and was able to finish four dishcloths for our Thursday Stitching / Service group. I was looking for a pattern that I've used before and really liked but couldn't find it so I came up with a simple granny square. I like it....fun, easy and quick to do. And hopefully they will be useful for whoever recieves them.

Dresden Decisions

I finshed my dresdens blades...12 in all. Now comes decision making time. What to do for the background and centers ...any suggestions? I would appreciate them.

I thought of maybe a soft light brown background but then I change my mind. I think the centers should be darker and maybe even different colors for each one: dark brown, red, green, etc.

Maybe I need to take them for a walk through the fabric shop in search of something that clicks. Actually, that sounds like my best idea all day.

Sending Flowers

Lettie over at Polka Dot Pineapple, who always has such awesome projects, has come up with yet another one. She has a tutorial for making darling bookmarks and then she adds the idea to go hide them in books at the library with a little note to randomly cheer some reader’s day.

I love that! I made a few this morning and now I’m on my way to the library to return a book and have some fun while I’m there! I think a couple of these look like they belong in the Young Adult books for girls section, don't you?

On another note: My husband brought home a new camera the other day, since ours was slowly dying. I’m learning to use it and my sweet little T-Rex has been graciously posing for me as a model so I can practice. Isn’t he beautiful?

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.

Multi-tasking or ADD?

I have finished four more hexagon flowers so now I have 13 done and am still stitching on them every evening. I am having fun working on three terrific BOM projects (Verandah Views, 12 Months of Baskets, and Gail’s A Christmas Wish). Two miniature quilts are in progress (a bow tie and a Baltimore Album). I have siggy blocks going and participating in a quilt along and desperately want to join another one. My Butterfly Garden that I started 9 months ago needs just three more little blocks to embroider. And there is a quilt for my bedroom wall that needs quilted along with a table runner.

Sigh....So much going on but here I go again…

I have been so inspired by Sherri and Vanessa and Kaaren’s Dresden quilt blocks that I couldn’t help myself, I am starting another project. I bought a Moda scrap bag a while ago and it seemed perfect for this. I got 240 blades out of it and have a bit of fabric left. I will need more for the centers, background and such.

But I love the fabrics and I think it will be pretty. And it has just been so enjoyable to work on.

Relaxation Technique

Over the weekend I attended some mini classes, one of which was on reducing stress. We were all given a questionaire to fill out to determine our stress levels. One on the list was, "Add 20 points if you practice some form of relaxation technique each day." I told my friend next to me that I couldn't think of anything and she was surprised that I didn't do deep breathing or yoga or something like that. Then I thought about stitching my hexagons. I have found them so relaxing to work on, especially while listening to something (TV, music... DH). So I gave myself the 20 points.