Lots of Photos...

It is such a pleasure to have me Mum and sister Julie here. Wednesdays are my day to have Mum here at my place.  I rather enjoy those days...just being with me Mum.  Usually sitting and chatting...though she has been helping me out by sorting my scraps into similar color groupings.

On Saturdays, we've been getting together to play cards and have lunch...that is, we three sisters with Mum.  And, it's fun to drop in on them now and then...yesterday I dropped in to give them a loaf of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread I had baked (and that I certainly did not need to eat).  

I made a list of small projects that I really need to finish before I begin another large one.  I have a few pillow covers to make, dresses for the "Dressed for Joy" group on Facebook (click here), my niece's t-shirt quilt (only quilting and binding to do for a finish), and stuff like that.  

I have finished a few things since my last post.  In no particular order, here they are.

I made a pillow cover - yes, another one! - and this one matches the yellow and gray HST string quilt that I guess I never blogged about.  Well, here is the flimsy...

And, here is the pillow cover...

More napkins.  These are 13", which I consider luncheon/dessert size...and, yes.  One is smaller.  I either measured or cut incorrectly...but aren't they pretty?

Sister Julie wanted a tote bag for her gym visits...

I put 3 pockets inside for keys, phone and whatever else she wants, plus an elastic loop for her water bottle...

This Simple Zipper Bag was a free pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop and A Quilting Life.  Go here for the video tutorial...

I do not have an apron...can you believe that?  Actually, I made one using a pizza slices fabric, but then I gave it to my niece.  And, I never made another one...until now.  I used some linen I had no special plan for to make myself a bistro apron.  Nothing fancy, just a straight apron with a tie.  This is it, all folded up...

While getting the linen out for the apron, I spied two small pieces that were big enough for napkins.  Making napkins is pretty relaxing for me...and I wanted to try something new.  I used decorative stitches for the hems.  I need to figure out the corners better before I do any that I would give away, but I am happy with these for myself...

  
I have not forgotten about my hexagons.  I have been adding to one and I think I will need to attach it to something...

I made heart blocks using this tutorial to donate to the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild for their Quilts for Pulse Drive...

  

Just for something fun, I made myself a pincushion using the pattern and supplies from the Project Sweetwater Volume II box I received in April.  It was quick and fun and measures about 2x2x3 inches...

And, last but not least, I made a pillow cover for sister Julie.  She did the embroidery work and I added fabric strips to make this 18" pillow cover.  (I have another one to finish that is a mate to this one. Different colors, but same type of needlework.)  

That's what I have been up to...how about you?




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Short Week...Small Finishes...

It's been a short week around here...I feel as if I didn't do too much at all.  

I went through my fabric stash...only filled one small bag with what I didn't want to keep.  I guess that says a lot for the really thorough job I did a year or so ago, hey?  And, not buying (much) fabric unless I need it to finish something off certainly plays a large part in that, too!  I still have more than I need, but it is mostly in collections for specific projects.  

I made a few more kleenex cozies...is there never an end to these?  ~grin~  They are so easy to make that, by now, I could make them in my sleep.  Here's the link to the tutorial in case you'd like to make some.

And, I made 2 linen napkins.  Back in February, I gave Lindy 4 linen napkins and promised her that I would make 2 more (so that there was one for every member of her family)...finally got them done!  

As with the previous 4, these have the more formal finish...1 inch hems with mitered corners (no photo to show these).

And, just for the heck of it, I made this LOVE zipper pouch by Sweetwater.  You may purchase their pattern here.

I love making these...with slight variations, they have a different look.  Here are the others I have made...each one so different than the one before.  See this one, and this one, and this one.  

So, that's what I have accomplished this week.  I need to check my list to see what I'll be working on next week.  In the meantime, it's the weekend, so time for some fun sewing! 



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

What I Made...

In my last post, I wrote that I had made a few things I could not yet show.  Well, those things are arriving at their destinations today, so I am finally able to show you.  Nothing that exciting, mind you...just a few things I made.


First off...linen napkins for Lindy.

Unfortunately, I only had enough of this natural linen to make 4 and she has a family of 6, so when I get more of the natural linen, I will make/send 2 more for her.  I also made her two face cloths...one red and the other green.  Sorry, no photo of them.  

Lindy is my 'almost' birthday twin.  Her birthday is the day before mine (the 15th...and, yes, her gifts were late) and she is a few years younger than I am.  We met on a rug hooking message board several years ago and started exchanging birthday wishes...which eventually turned into gifting one another.  Lindy is the one who gave me the Curio fabric to make this quilt...which, of course, needs to be finished.  This year, she sent a gift card for the Missouri Star Quilt Company!  I had fun spending it.  I bought a layer cake of Denyse Schmidt's Hadley collection, some yardage for binding, needles for Naomi Janome and a package of needles for hand sewing.  Thank you so much, Lindy! 

oh!  I must tell you...dealing with the Missouri Star Quilt Company is a very pleasant experience.  My layer cake was short two 10" squares, so I called them.  Instead of sending two 10" squares, they sent me yardage!  More than 1/2 yard!  Wasn't that nice?  This was not my first shopping experience with them and it definitely will not be my last.  Love to find suppliers that are willing to take that extra step to satisfy a customer!

Next up...more kleenex cozies.  Apparently, there are more people in the state of Maryland who have yet to receive one.  My sister, Joyce, is determined that everyone she meets receive one...so, of course, it is up to me to supply them.  ~grin~

fronts

backs

And, that is all I have done!  Well, I have been planning things, too.  That takes up way more time than it needs to most days.  But, you know, it has been so cold and gray...definitely saps any energy I may have.  Spring is not far off.   

Yes, I had a birthday.  And, the federal government honored my birthday by giving federal employees (at least some of them) the day off.  Nice!  ~grin~

One of the things I bought with birthday money received was...you guessed it...fabric!  I wasn't going to buy any fabric, but then decided that if I was going to, it would be better to spend birthday money than to take money out of my budget.  HA!  So, I ordered a fat quarter bundle of Anna Maria Horner's Folk Song!  It arrived today and I am in love!  Her fabric is so wonderful...the colors and the feel/drape of the fabrics are just something else!  When I made this quilt  back in September...

Pretty Potent by Anna Maria Horner

I fell in deep, deep love.  

So...want to see what I received?  

Folk Song by Anna Maria Horner

Oh. My. Gosh.  I love these colors...they are so vibrant!  There are only 14 fat quarters in this collection, but if I pick up a few of the coordinating solids, I will be able to make a very nice sized quilt!  Not any time soon, though.  It's going into my 'someday I'll make a quilt with this' container.  

Yeah.  So.  My birthday.  In honor of me, I am having a giveaway!  Not today, though.  Check back in a few days.  I need to decide what to give away.

In the meantime, stay warm and safe!  Have a great weekend!




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Christmas Day and Linens...

Have I mentioned that I love linen?  Yes, I believe I have...here and here and here...and a few more places, but I don't want to bore you.  ~grin~ 

I gifted my friend, Kim, with a few linen items.  She's my guinea pig...trying things out for me to see how they work out.  For her, I made a washcloth and hand towel for the bathroom, two bread bags (one for normal bakery bread and the other for longer loaves such as baquettes or french bread) and I decided to give her the chocolate linen napkins I talked about in a previous post.

natural linen bread bag

transparent yellow linen washcloth and hand towel

loop on hand towel for hanging

chocolate linen napkins I decided to give to Kim and not keep for myself

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I had a wonderful Christmas Day with my boys and their families.

Matthew Glenn

Matthew's fiance, Tiffany, and her daughter, Sam

Grandson Conlan

Paul Gary and wife, Rachel

Devin was sick and Kaylynn was unable to be there...otherwise, it was a perfect day.

Tag opens his own gifts, you know.  Here is a small part of his video...

I need to take a few days to clean up my mess and get organized in my sewing area.  Not looking forward to it, but a clean workspace is good.

Have a great weekend!



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Finishing Up...

I am finished with my Christmas and birthday gift sewing...woohoo!!!  I have one more thing to make that will not get done on time to give for Christmas, but what a good feeling to have all the rest of the gifts done.   

There are a few things that I am unable to show because the soon-to-be recipients are on Facebook and read my blog, but here are a few that I am able to show you. 

Love making these...so easy and fun!

A few more cloth napkins.

Chocolate brown linen napkins...I may keep these for myself!

I also made these to put in my Etsy shop...

Soft brown corduroy pants for an 18" Waldorf-inspired doll.

While reading blogs yesterday afternoon, I ran across this tutorial by Kelly of KelbySews...and decided to make a few.  Yeah, just for the heck of it.  

4x4x8 inches

4x3x7 inches

super cute & super easy

see the bright pink zipper & lining?

I think I will quit now.  Because I can.  (But, don't be surprised if I make one more smaller boxy bag today.  ~grin~)

I will be spending Christmas Day with my boys and their families.  I hope that you all have a lovely holiday with those you love.  

Merry Christmas!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Lazy Day???

I am taking a day off.  Well, not really taking a day off.  Not by choice, anyway.  I haven't gotten started on anything.  Yet.  And, it is almost noon!  But, you know, it seems everything that I pick up to work on needs one additional part.  So, you say, drive to Hobby Lobby!  Well, yeah, except that I cannot get into my car.  

ohyeah.  Cuz I wanted another car repair!  My car door will not open - not from the inside, either.  In fact, I was in the car when the door would not open.  Crawling over the center console and getting out the passenger door was not only not pretty, but it definitely was not good for my knees.  Once was enough!  I will not be getting in again unless it's through the door.   

It is not frozen.  I think the latch is stuck.  Not sure when it will get fixed, but it should be within the next few days.  Hopefully, it will be an easy fix.  In the meantime, I am unable to go over to spend time with Curly Sue...and there are no quick trips to Hobby Lobby!  

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I have one thing - and only one - that I am able to show you today.  

Last year I made a gazillion cloth napkins to give as Christmas gifts.  This year, I have already made most of the Christmas gifts.  For the few people left to make for, I want to give linen napkins.  Before ordering the linen, I thought it best to see how I would make the napkins.  You know, to be sure that it would all work out the way I wanted.  I decided that I would like to have wide hems, instead of the small hems I made on the cotton napkins.  Here is the sample one I made... 

It has a 1.5" hem with mitered corners and measures 15.5 inches square.  This sample is a pale yellow. 

I am pleased with it!  It was putzy, but simple.  Putzy because of the measuring and pinning and pressing.  But, like I said, simple to do.  So, it looks like I'll be making a few more of these.

Hopefully, I will soon have some sewing done that I am able to show you.  

Have a great week!





"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

In Honor Of

Today is the day I honor Onie Kelley, my grandmother.  It is the anniversary of her birth, 109 years ago.  Unfortunately, she died in 1985…and I miss her to this day.  Gram Kelley was loved and respected by everyone who knew her.  She was kind and honest and caring and giving.  But, on top of that, she was the best Grandma that anyone could hope to have. 

Living in the apartment upstairs of where we grew up, she was always available to meet our needs.  Whatever we needed, she gave.  Pieces of candy, slices of cheese, strawberry soda in little glass bottles, windmill cookies, but most of all, her time.  She taught us how to crochet.  She played cards with us.  We ironed her handkerchiefs.  We gossiped with her.  She listened to us.  We watered her plants.  We loved her.  She never took lessons, couldn’t read music, but she played the organ.

She gave me something that I cherish more than everything else I have.  A 33x42 inch filet crochet of the Lord’s Prayer.  Gram started it around the year 1950 when she sat at my aunt's bedside (my aunt was bedridden with nephritis).  I'm not sure if it was framed immediately upon completion, but has been as long as I can remember. When I was about 11 years old, I started making comments to Gram about it..."Gram, when you die, may I have that?"  Needless to say, my family was appalled by my behavior.  However, it wasn't long before Gram wrote my name on a piece of paper and taped it to the back of the frame...her way of saying that it WAS to be mine. I found that out when I was about 18 years of age, but I didn't quit pestering her about it. My aunts thought I was a very rude young person...but, HEY!...you see whose wall it's hanging on! I didn't have to wait until Gram died to have this beautiful piece in my home, either. She gave it to me several years before she left us. Thank you, Gram. 

 

Holidays were a huge event at Gram’s house.  She did most of the cooking herself.  The tables were covered with linen tablecloths, and we had matching linen napkins to use.  (I have those linen tablecloths and napkins.)  The tables were set with Gram’s best china and crystal.  The food was delicious and always plentiful.       

She had a huge salt and pepper shaker collection that was contained in a curved glass china cupboard.  She had a chicken collection that took up all of the available space in her kitchen.  Plants thrived under her green thumb.  I especially remember her violets lining the window sills…always beautiful.  

I will never know another woman like her.  She was unique.  She was loved.  She was my Gram.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11