Snow & Quilting** the perfect combo

I’ve been busy quilting up a “snow storm”. Lord knows I can’t go outside in this weather. Did you  see the Packer game yesterday? Silly-silly boys. Not knowing when to come in out of the cold!!

Here is a little pillow I stitched to go with the Dick & Jane quilt. I saw the saying in a shop a long time ago. I’ve made a few for gifts over the years. And look, the perfect red heart buttons.

Isn’t that just the cutest saying?

Here are a few customer quilts. Love the Mardi Gras theme. It was so fun to quilt. Can you see the masks with feathers? I use a varigated thread. Ribbons, swirls in the body.  

BEAUTIFUL line of fabrics by Benartex “Marleigh”

Blue & White a classic!

Feathers add wonderful texture to a quilt!

Stay warm………

Fun with Dick and Jane

 

I just finished this “Fun with Dick and Jane” quilt for our new grandson,Landen, arriving in February. His Mom is a first grade teacher so I thought it was fitting. Not, of course, that she will remember the Dick and Jane readers. So I bought six books to get her started. And the matching tote! It is so cute it will be hard to give up!

Did you grow up with Dick & Jane? I did.

I put yellow rick rack in the binding….so 1950’s don’t ya think? 

Quilted the ABS’s on 3 sides and 1-9 on the bottom. 

More quilts soon. I promise. 

“Cheers to a new year…….

 

 And another chance for us to get it right”.  Oprah.

 

This past Christmas felt strange. I was really in the Christmas spirit and could hardly wait to decorate and start my holiday baking. Then as the weeks went by, I was ready for it to be over. It seemed to drag on and on. I think, and  many of you will agree, Christmas has become so commercialized. It seemed advertisers began Christmas commericals right after Halloween. We seem to have  lost what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. I fear it will be even worse next year. I long for a truly “old fashion” Christmas.

So now it’s time to clean and organize for the new year. I find I want to simplify and get rid of things. I’m a real pack rat at heart. I need to refeather (is that a word?) my nest. I think I will put my “Simplify” sign on my bathroom mirror to remind me each morning. I bought 3 new plastic bins to help start the process. But the question is WHERE do I start? It seems to overwhelming.

I plan to either finish up my UFO’s this year or give them away. I have lost interest in a few.  At the start of next year I will be UFO free. That’s my goal. Now, if I could just quilt some of MY tops……….that’s a dream!

Off to start organizing. Cheers!

Oh Where, Oh Where, Have I Been……

Sewing! Sewing! Sewing!

Isn’t this just the cutest fabric???? Very Retro with the red polka dots!

The pattern is called “Four Corners Apron” by Vanilla House

Very quick & easy.

Pasta… Pasta… Perfect with the “wine “theme kitchen. 

I’ve pieced 4 aprons, 6 pillow cases and put binding on two quilts. Now just to get the hand stitching finished.  I love sitting in front of the television and doing hand work. Especially watching all those corny Christmas movies on Lifetime & Hallmark. We are celebrating our Christmas this weekend. It is so fun with the house full of kids of all ages. It seems that my two grown sons never fail to turn into 12 year olds again. They have such fun “ribbing” each other about everything!  It’s great being the Mom!!

Tonight is our guild Christmas party. I’m the guild “party planner” so this is my big night. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I’ve made lots of needed changes. Will give you details tomorrow.

This is a “very special gift” from my son 25 years ago.

Aren’t the gifts made from a child’s hand the most precious?

 

It Looks Like Christmas………

Our Thanksgiving Day was quiet. I put the turkey in the oven early, Mike helped with the stuffing and potatoes. The rolls were rising. We were drinking coffee and leisurely going thru the “Black Friday” ads in the newspaper. I had Christmas carols playing. There was snow.

 

 I get a bright idea…… Let’s decorate! 

I have a million Christmas boxes. I pull some things out of this box and then that one. What a mess I made in the basement. I can’t put EVERYTHING up. Lord knows I’ve tried some years! I really must give some of this to charity. But each piece feels like a  treasure. I have a large  huge Santa collection. 

The top of my Entertainment Center.

 

Front and center on the fireplace…….Jim Shore Santa & Reindeers.

My most unusual Santa for sure. Made from a gun shell casing, found at a craft sale years  ago.  

Ho-Ho-Ho!

Thanksgiving…..with plenty to be thankful for

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 weeks since I last posted. Time sure is flying by this season. But doesn’t it every year? The older I get the faster it zooms.

I still have a few cutsomer quilts to finish up before I can get my grandson’s on the machine. Was hoping to be finished up by the first of December but we’ll seee……..

It’s going to be a quiet Thanksgiving. My sons and family stay close to home. They’re both mighty hunters. Mike is planning to shop Friday morning (like 4 a.m. early). Not me. He’s hoping Best Buy has the TV he’s been lusting for on sale. A boy and his toys.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Stay safe.

Hmmm***smell the pumpkin bread

My Favorite Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Makes 3 Loaves

I ask you, how do you keep the edges from browning while getting the middle baked?   

 Stir together:

3 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

Mix together:

3 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1 15 oz can pumpkin

2/3 cup water

Stir dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture just until blended.

Fold in 1 cup nuts and 1 cup raisins.

Bake 350 for 55-60 minutes 

Fall Colors

Mike took these pictures of the countryside on his way home from work on Friday.  

My favorite time of the year! Now, if old man winter would just stay away.

 

 

 

Trick or Treat…smell my feet…..

I remember when my boys thought ”trick or treat…….. smell my feet” was the most hilarious thing they had ever heard! I miss those days of sewing clown costumes and painting faces. My, how fast they grow up.

Hope your day is full of treats! Mmmmmm……..Chocolate on sale tomorrow!