Progress......

Are you anything like me? I have a tub full of quilt tops that just need to be quilted and bound. I love binding quilts, I'll quilt the smaller ones myself and let a long arm quilter do the bigger ones for me. I just want to keep growing in my abilities and confidence.

Meanwhile, I got 3 quilts finished in the Month of October. My goal is to get at least one done a month and to not add to my fabric stash of my own doing. I have a secret pal in my local quilt guild that has been blessing me with some of my favorite designers and I am so excited to sew!

 

I also have just the cast off of my first pair of socks to do and they will be completely done and ready to wear! I am so excited!

I got to see a very dear friend of mine! This is Maryann,from Minnesota. 

She is 82 years old, a quilter and a woman that I admire for all she has endured in this lifetime. She is always a joyful person who let's her light shine. I will hopefully see her again this spring! Hugs to you girlfriend! 

Well, I'm ready for shopping now, wanna join me?

Labors of Love

Here in the states we as laborers are celebrating our Labor Day weekend. I am so ready for this, didn't realize it until I started sewing today. My precious hubs ordered me to take it easy and relax, well I am one who can never nap, so I decided to sew and watch the Sewing with Nancy episodes on public TV and listen to my favorite Saturday morning line up on Wisconsin Public Radio, I sure get some good laughs every Saturday morning listening to "Wait, wait don't tell me". Paula Poundstone, a female comedian, says the darnedest things and I always enjoy it. The entire morning is a joy to do my household chores listening as I so enjoy doing on Saturday mornings. :P

I have had some fun creating these last few months.

I was in the " Mad Hatter Tea Swap" and had to create something with the Alice in Wonderland Theme. My partner absolutely loved the Alice scene where she is trying to play croquet with a flamingo and using hedgehogs as balls with the queen, so I made her a wall hanging of her favorite scene. I also sent a bunch of flamingo items as she adores flamingos. I also sent a mug and some tea. She said she adored this. It was a lot of work and a true joy to make for her.

My partner, Heather, sent me these lovely banquet napkins she embroidered with Alice in Wonderland Characters. I also love these and the beautiful bright colors she selected.  I will be using these when my mom comes to visit, she loves a cuppa, as do I. 

 She also sent me a wonderful antique tea cup, I LOVE it!! Homemade black berry jam, some tea and a cute bottle with an almond cracker recipe. Thanks again Ms. Heather N.

For August in the Stash Bee Hive 5 MJ requested an improv block in these colors ways, like being at the beach with a touch of rust, this is what I cam up with. I loved making it, no patterns or directions to follow, I just put it together as it spoke to me. I got a message from her that she loves it and it actually inspired her to continue to create a full quilt in this design. Thank you MJ. My honor and I love seeing what others make as well. A great joy of quilting is to be inspired and to inspire others. 

We rebuilt our kitchen last late fall and I noticed fine scratches on my new, beautiful counter tops, so I decided to make some place-mats for the guys to use so they wouldn't do any more damage. I love my new linen look counter tops and don't want them needing to be replaced before their time. As you can see, Molly donated her tail for contrast in the picture. Again, Ms. Kitty inspector is at it again. Can't make anything without her 2 paws worth approval. :)

For September, in the Stash Bee Hive 5, Cheryl requested putty blocks in these color ways. I am tickled I had some other kitty fabric, white on white that I could use for the background, so this is a block with kitties all around.

Here is quilt kitty inspectors 1 & 2 trying to nibble on some corn on the cob. Little Debbie is the Calico on the left, Molly the Queen is on the right. 

Happy Sewing! 

Esther turns 1 year old and gets her Birthday Quilt!

Our sweetie Grand baby Esther turned a year old on July 12th! My how a year went by and how she has grown and given us such joy! We had a party here on July 16th and it was a grand time with family and friends! Here are a few of Esther's Birthday Pictures!

Esther with her Smash cake. You know I thought about "Smash Cakes". We never had them for our kids when they were little, Esther did finger poking with her cake and then wanted Meme (me) to lick the frosting off of those fingers.  

For Esther's birthday I made her her own Throw size quilt with woofies and putties on it. I also believe that every girl deserves a pink polka dot binding! I had bought a fat quarter bundle of the center fabrics minus the aqua , but there was a blue chevron fabric I didn't use, it seemed to clash, but I was tickled pink to find someone destashing a week later more fabrics from this Maude Asbury line and and so I was able to make it larger and use the rest on the back. 

The pieced backing of Esther's quilt.  

   
                             Here is a close up of some woofies and the polka dot binding.
     

Well, that's it for now, off to bed I go! 

Swapaholic's Retreat goodies for my Secret Sister

Yay! I can finally reveal the goodies I made for my Secret Sister at the Swapaholic's Retreat!! The retreat was held last weekend the June 2-5th at Farmington, Minnesota at the Mount Olivet Retreat and Conference Center. The center had beautifully wooded grounds, a lake, a snapping turtle laying eggs and other wild life. I have so much to share about this weekend, but will break it up into separate posts.

 I had been secretly sewing for the last few months for my Secret Sister. She ended up being this great lady named Amanda from Southern California. She was a precious, kind and fun lady.

I have a sister that lives in Huntington Beach, California and know plastic bags are shunned upon in there and I actually made my sister this same bag, it's a version of a Market Bag. I made it with Bonnie and Camille fabrics as she had expressed that was a favorite designer for her. I love this bag because it folds and snaps up so you can just stick it under your arm as you go to the store and then it unfolds into this large bag, great for doing your shopping with.  

This is when it is opened up. 

This is folded up and snapped, ready to go. 

           
This wall hanging was actually my reveal gift. She had requested either a mug rug or wall hanging she could use where she works to brighten up her work area. I thought with Spring and Summer around the corner she could use some butterflies to gaze at when she was inside working.

This little basket was made for Jan for the Kitchen basket swap. It had to have a kitchen theme and then you were to place 4 fat quarters kitchen themed. I also added some hand crocheted dish clothes I had made, some bamboo spoons, a rubber spatula and a basting brush that were purple. 

For the 1 inch Hexie swap we had to make 25 hexies, I did fussy cut some of them and then we had a pattern to make a draw string bag to put them in. 

This is a little zippy pouch I made for Michelle. I stuffed it with goodies.  She said Red and Aqua were some of her favorite colors. Who doesn't like polka dots?

She also stated she needed a thread catcher and loves Cinderberries fabrics ( I am crazy about hedgehogs myself), so I made her a thread catcher/pin cushion with walnut shells so she could use it at the retreat. 

S

I also made Michelle a pillow with B & C fabrics, I pulled all the red prominent fabrics from a charm pack and used this broken dishes pattern to make her a 20 inch pillow. A down pillow form was went with it, I just knew she had to fly and didn't need a puffed out pillow to try to travel with. 

 

We also had a hoop swap and I had a lady, Deb, that LOVES peace signs. So I drafted a paper pieced pattern and made her a rainbow Hexie peace sign, I see I didn't take a picture of it hooped and sized up, this is the rough cut. She was very happy with it and said I hit her right on. Glad she liked it. I was most nervous about this project.

Again, there is so much more to share, I had a secret sister that spoiled me too, so I will share that soon!

 Enjoy the heat wave! I'll leave with Little Debbie sleeping on my machine last night. She had never done that before! What a sweetie fur baby!

Secret Sewing, all the hush!

Happy Saturday, wow, this week has been the most beautiful week here in America's Dairyland. The farm bought a brand new Chopper and it is headed on it's maiden voyage today, my precious hubs Mike is the man behind the wheel. We have been John Deere people since this farm has existed and here is our new chopper, a Claus, German made. Everything else here though has a different shade of green! =0) This is the view out my back door, I always know when something is being worked on/repaired.

Last fall I had signed up to go to the Swapaholics Retreat being held from June 1st thru the 4th in Farmington, Minnesota. I have been on other quilt retreats but thought it would be nice to try something with a different twist so I have been diligently sewing away, secretly, for my Secret Swap Sister along with some other swap gifts and boy, I have been a busy little hornet, but I just can't show you yet, but once the retreat is over, I will post my creations with joy! I have had alot of fun and worked with some colorways I have truly enjoyed and probably would eventually get around to, but just hadn't. So that's why so silent related to my creativity.

Had a wonderful evening last night with Celia, Johnathan and sweet Esther baby. We made food on the grill and enjoyed the most wonderful evening sitting outside, no mosquitoes here, enjoying the spring air and the wonderful fragrance of the Lilacs floating towards the patio.

Here is Esther, with Grandpa, aka Pop pop. You can see the Lilacs, she is strangely afraid of flowers at this time, grass too, but she loves being outside. 

Here I am with her, Esther chillin' with Mimi. I so love this little sweetie. Grandchildren give you a whole new perspective on life, very different from when you have your own children. 

Celia and Johnathan, enjoying a Spring evening with Brats on the grill and all kinds of good food and  relaxation after a long week.

                                   And finally , here is our little Cheese Puff Queen!

 We had a hard frost the other night, the apple trees are behind her, not sure if we will get anything now, some of the orchards in our area are saying they lost 90% of their apple crop, I guess we will have to see what happens. Fingers crossed we will be blessed with an abundance to share with all. Enjoy the beautiful Spring and all it brings in greenery, flowers and the joy of outdoor living!

Minion Madness - My Magnum Opus!!

I had so much fun this winter, I joined the Despicable Me Craft Swap 2016!!!! I got to make something Minion themed and I have to say, I really love what I made!! My swap buddy received her goodie from me, so now I can show you what I created! I love it!!

                                   I made a wall hanging for Joy @quilty_joyjoy.

See, my crazy Minion Bob as hiding in the bushes of Central Park!! 

I wanted it to look like the sun was setting in the city. It makes me think of New York City. I had so  much fun planning my city view, the violet of the setting sun and the clouds......

 I then thought it would be fun to make a little mug rug for her to enjoy a good cuppa and a treat also with the Minion theme. 

I really enjoyed quilting this too. I started in the center and kept going in a circular motion. I had fun with it!

I also have a new job now and had to go down to Madison, WI the last week of January for training. It was cold, but I sure was surrounded by some amazing women and really enjoyed the ladies! The Wisconsin State Capitol behind me!!  

My sister blessed us with her presence as well. She brought her son Zechariah whom we hadn't seen in a very long time, more then a year. He got to give Molly cat some loving!! So glad they were able to make it!!

We also said good bye to a very precious furry friend the end of January. Milo, our orange tabby, had been battling diabetes for a few years and also was just about 16 years old went to kitty heaven. He was a very easy going kitty that put up with alot and unconditionally love us all. My kids grew up with Milo and it's like they lost a sibling, not a pet. 

This is when he was first diagnosed with Diabetes. He got so much better looking and looked like the old Milo, 

Happy Valentine's Day!!

A New Year and new Blessings!

Oh, the New Year brings new joys, revelations and hopes. January so far has been a great start!!

Esther, my sweet Grand Baby turned 6 months old now. She can roll any way she wants, I taught her to do raspberries and it's fun to watch her! She is doing so well and my daughter has been such a wonderful mother to her sweetie.

We went shopping beginning of December, I just love this face!!

This was visiting Mimi's house this past week! PS. I'm Mimi! 

Christmas was a wonderful time. All the family was here!

Matthis and Rachel!

My Mikeypoo!!

John and Esther. Esther enjoying the wrapping paper!

Celia with some Christmas goodies!

Esther, taking task to Sophie the Giraffe!

I have snuck in some sewing as well. Trying to get some UFOs done too. Here's what I've been up to!

These two blocks are for Audrey, aka: #hotpinkquilts for the Stash Bee Hive 5 for January It's called the 5 crosses block. 

My Nephew Zechariah is coming from California and I'll get to see him tomorrow!! Him and I share a similar item, we both own Minion Fart Guns!!! I just had to make him a Minion pillowcase to take back to California with him! I can't wait to see him! 

My husband and I were going through a box of quilt tops and I found this heart UFO in there, so being Valentine's Day is coming up what better time to finish it, right? Well, Molly likes it too, when she decides to move, I'll get back at it 

Finally, my last and youngest child had his Wisdom teeth pulled so I'll post a before and while still coming out of anesthesia pics, gotta make memories, right? Hehehe

I am sure you can tell which one is which! I just love this kid!! He did real good and when ever I would try to wake him up, he would roll his head and smile and giggle. It was so funny! He's doing fine tonight. Had some Greek yogurt, pudding and lots of liquids! 

One final Blessing along with a great family, warm house, a great fabric stash...I was offered a new job at the end of the year, so next week I will be going down to Madison, WI for the beginning of a new job and I think it will be wonderful. I am tickled pink I get to work from my home still helping people to be able to remain in their homes as long as possible. One of my best buddies also works for them and just loves it. 

Remember, it's winter, keep your stick on the ice!! (As said by Red Green)