"And I Made My First Block on the Sewing Machine!"

My little Sweet Pea was here for the past month, and what a fun time we had! She got to use my sewing machine for the first time...and at age 4, that's a pretty big deal! My little travel machine, a Janome Jem 760, is just perfect for her...especially since I can slow the speed way down for her to learn to sew. Her first block was a simple strippy block, and she LOVED the process of picking her strips and sewing them on. The blocks are 12-1/2" and she was able to make 2 that day (we were at a Project Linus sewing day, so her blocks will be made into a quilt for another child who needs a blanket). Her enthusiasm spilled over into the following days and weeks, where she daily asked to sew! She also enjoyed her first Shop Hop, where she eagerly collected new fabrics for future projects. I am so excited to have another quilter in the family! She also made her Mom and her soon-to-be Auntie Rachel custom potholders! She drew her art work on squares of muslin, and then was able to sew simple borders on the squares. They are so cute, don't you think!

Oh...and while my little Sweet Pea was here, she learned to use her scissors...to cut her own hair!! Not suppose to happen at Grandma's!! Her Mom will be taking her to the hairdressers for her first haircut.

I'm My Beloved's and He Is Mine

Happy Anniversary to my sweet hubby, Paul!

I know this sounds cliche-ish but, it's hard to believe it's been 29 years already. 1981 was a very good year!!

String Beans

OK...so these don't exactly look like your favorite garden veggie variety, but a few weeks ago, when I was itching to sew something...anything...I sat down and made 83 of these green string blocks!! They measure 6.5" square, and I just randomly pulled from my green scrap drawer. Now, after 83 blocks you would think the scrap drawer would be noticeably less full. But, alas, NO!!!! I still had to hold the contents of the drawer down as I slid the drawer in!!! What is up with these scraps??? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE scraps! Love scrap quilts! But, I have been trying, and trying, and trying to use them up to no avail! I think it is hopeless, or at the very least, a conspiracy!!

So, what are your scrap busting ideas???

Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday,

Jesus!

Tu-tu Cute

What do you do when it is a very cold, snowy day and you have 6 yards of tulle??? Why, make a beautiful princess tu-tu, of course!!

My little Sweet Pea helped with this no-sew project, selecting all the colors of tulle, and then, their position on the elastic waistband. She embellished her tu-tu with ribbons and ribbon rosettes. I believe I hear the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies waltzing in my living room!

Tu-tu cute!

Christmas Lovin'

For a number of years, I have participated in a retreat with women that I met through an online quilting e-Group. The retreats are wonderful, and I have met many great ladies that I now call my friends! This year, it was decided that the retreat group would do a little bit of Christmas Swapping amongst ourselves, drawing names and being matched up with those that wanted to "play". I had 2 names...which meant 2 boxes of goodies arriving at my house! The goodies on the left (snowman, lavender sachet, pink zipper bag, and faith sign) are from our retreat hostess, Angela. She is such a talented artist on so many fronts, and sells her original designs and patterns on Etsy and through her web store at www.thecountrycellar.com. Check her out...and maybe order a hand-did item or two!!!

The items on the right (hand dyed yarns, handmade soap, knitting needles, and dish cloth) are from Penny. Penny is one of Angela's sisters, and is quite talented in her own right. I'm excited to start a new project with the yarns Penny sent.

Thank you, both, for sending the lovin'! Looking forward to our retreat time in May!!

Where Does The Time Go?

November was such I busy month! I celebrated another year, and my son announced his engagement to his beloved Rachel. She is so sweet, and a real blessing to our family. The above photo of my Mom, Rachel, and my son Jacob, was taken at my birthday luncheon at Honey Creek Resort on Lake Rathbun in Iowa. Oh, and guess who else joined us for the festivities...

...yep...my sweet little bundle of joy!! Do you know how hard it is to get a 4 year old to smile for the camera!! For some reason, she just wants to give a "posed" smile. Oh well!