Redwork Snowman

Well, here he is.... the redwork snowman that I made in my class a few weeks ago.

 And  yes, I boogered him up... look at those squares in the corners.  WRONG!  I don't have enough fabric to fix it, so it will be my little booger and I'm going to hang him proudly at Christmas time.  :o)  (that's what I get for trying to figure it out in my head!!!  if someone doesn't give me the exact measurements, I am clueless.... )

**However, I think he is cute and I used  cotton fabric from an old skirt to make the borders.  How clever am I?  **

A finish!

Believe it or not....

I finished my daughter's lap quilt this week!  

This is the back side... her favorite side.  LOL

And a closeup to show my first attempt at 'free motion quilting' on my old Singer.  Not beautiful, but can't wait to try it on my new Brother!  :o)

I love quilt binding!

I never dreamed that one of my favorite things about quilt making would be making the binding. (the outer edge piece that 'seals' up the whole quilt) I learned to make binding from Debbie J. at Homemaking Dreams. Click on the link for her excellent tutorial!

The few quilts I have made in the past, I just brought over the backing to the front, to make a fake binding. Through the years, I have found out that this type of binding does not hold up very well!  (maybe if I had made it differently with a double fold... mine was only a single fold over the edge) My son's sailboat quilt, that I made when he was a little boy, is proof that my single fold fake binding doesn't hold up very well. The quilt, itself, is still in good condition, but the edges are really frayed. It's in my stack of 'things to do'... to bring it back to life with some real quilt binding!
I've been making binding this morning to finish my daughter's lap sized quilt that I started for her as a birthday gift. Well, her birthday was in March.... I will have it completed by tonight. (?) Maybe!

Debbie J. has another blog that is dedicated to her quilting: Angel Scraps Quilting. Check her out and tell her I sent you!
Tomorrow I will receive my first partner for the new swapping group I recently joined. I am very excited to start participating in this swap. You can find the details and the blog here:  Swap Block Adventure.  It's a fun place to see all the blocks.
 
*Debbie: thanks for the blog tutorial; I didn't have to use it quite as much this time, which means I'm starting to remember how to make binding without the tutorial.  However, do not EVER remove this post.  Also, photo credit:  this is Debbie's picture used above... remember I am camera-less this week*

A week off and caffeine withdrawal!

I'm spending my week off from work with hubby in Eastern NC.  As usual, I forgot to bring my camera, but I think this picture pretty much sums it up for you:

Can you spell HEADACHE??  Over ten years ago, after having a stress test for heart palpitations, my doctor had me remove caffeine from my life.  I didn't stop completely, but cut it WAY BACK , and was able to get my symptoms under control.

I did well for several years, but have recently allowed too much caffeine to creep back into my life.  Not good.  For the past week or so, I've been experiencing heart palpitations again, which just about drive me insane.  The constant fluttering in my chest, nervousness and anxiety... what a combination! 

Soooo, this is the week.... I'm not going "cold turkey", but it's pretty close to cold turkey.  Hence, the headache.... sluggishness.... nausea.... irritability....and did I mention headache???? 

However, my heart palpitations are decreasing already.... I only felt just a few yesterday... compared to NONSTOP for a few days earlier!  So.... I'll get there.... again.... and hope that I will have learned my lesson this time.  

** On a happy note, I finished the binding on the little pink baby quilt yesterday.  However, while spending hours on the couch, looking through quilting books, I've decided to add a few appliqued flowers to the six large squares, just to give it a little more "cute".  I can't start on those until I get back home to my extra fabric.  So, onto something else today **

More Vintage Swap Blocks

A few more blocks from swaps listed in Quilt magazine, years ago!!  The swap information would be near the back of the magazine... the first place I would go each time I got a new magazine in the mail.

 If you click to enlarge the pictures, I think you can read the signatures.  It was so much fun receiving blocks from around the country.  That was a BIG DEAL.... before we had internet access.

 Who I am kidding?  It's still a big deal!  I love to receive snail mail.  I don't get much fun mail anymore, but it is always a treat to find something fun... like a new quilt catalog, my monthly devotional, an occasional card in the mailbox.  I will start participating in a  swap group next month.  We will be making one block a month ... 12 inch blocks like these pictured above.   I can hardly wait to start my first block.

The heart block above is one of my all time favorite blocks.  The person who made this one really doesn't live that far from me.  When I received these blocks, I never went anywhere... probably driving  30 miles was a long trip for me.  So Lumberton, NC seemed like a long long ways away.  Now our family spends so much time on the road, a trip to Lumberton would be nothing.  :o)

I hope you are enjoying seeing my 'treasures' with me.  These finds are on my list of 'things to do'.... maybe, just maybe, one day I'll get them put into a pretty quilt top.

Out of my 'comfort' zone

I finally did it.  I took a class at a local quilt shop; something I had been wanting to do for a long time.  Everyone was so welcoming, kind, and generous... I can't believe I waited so long to get started.

This is the quilt that hangs in the window of the shop.  The 'chicken wire' look is actually the quilting for the hanging.  You can check out the shop here.   The Quilting Coop

Today's class was a redwork embroidery project.  Even though I have done lots of embroidery on my own, I found out there is a much simpler way to stitch, and with prettier results than I have had before.  The ladies were fun and I hope to attend another class soon.  :o)

Treasures

I may have shown you this in the past, but this is a 50 cents TREASURE that I bought at a yard sale given by a nursing home in eastern NC over 15 years ago.  I was so surprised when the lady said 50 cents... I quickly bought it and rushed the children back to the car, as I was afraid the lady would change her mind.  :o)                                                                                                                                                                    

Here is a peek inside the treasure basket.  If you click on the picture to enlarge, you will see an old A&P needle card; (needles, threader, etc. still intact), a tatting shuttle with a row of lace attached, some old wooden spools, some embroidery work, etc.  I have added my grandmother's old patterns into the treasure box.  I love this box!!!

This is one of my all time favorites!  I hand pieced this miniature bow tie quilt back when I was a lot younger and much more ambitious than I am now.   Each block measures approximately 3 inches square.  I hope you are enjoying my treasures as much as I am... I am slowly getting my quilting  motivation back!! 

**ps** I am having a horrible time posting on blogger now.  I switched to an updated blogging option and I am totally lost.  Hopefully, soon, my daughter will retrain me on how to blog.  :(

Busy Day

I didn't find this little treasure up in the attic, but he is probably the best treasure, EVER!  He spent the afternoon with me yesterday.  I am amazed at how smart this boy is.... he is talking up a storm.  And making a LOT of sense when he talks!  He likes to play in the floor with Grandma (whom he calls Ma-Ma at this time).  His mommy is "mommy" and I am "ma-ma".  I think I like that!

Today is a busy day; need to run some errands and then SEW on the little baby quilt.  I hope to finish it today!  Happy  Friday!

Swap Blocks and Birds

I have a LOT of blocks that I swapped back in the 80's and 90's through a quilting magazine.  I found some of them while up in the attic this week.  If you click on the picture to enlarge, you can see the signatures and where they came from.  I'm curious to know if these quilters are still around and maybe online, too.   I need to get

 back into the attic, as there are quite a few more blocks up there 'somewhere'.  I've always loved the maple leaf block... one of my favorites.  ** I clicked on the pic's and I couldn't read the signatures.  They are: Margaret Cook, Grimsby, Ontario...Suzi Barnett, Alabama...Lois Gardner, Wilmington, Mass.**

Vintage iron on transfers!  My mom told me about an aunt that used to stitch on these birds while waiting at the tobacco market with her husband.  (I think that story is correct.... ??mom??)  Years ago, I knew I wanted to make one, too.  See how ambitious I was back then?  I located the pattern and here it sits.... uncut... folded nicely in its original package.  OK mom, I'll make a deal with you... there are 50 of them.  I will do 25 if you will do the other 25.  Deal???  (and you can have the quilt!)

More Treasures

Years ago when my children were small, and before we even owned a computer, I subscribed to a quilting magazine that hosted block swaps.  I always looked forward to getting my new magazine so I could swap blocks with others through mail.  This was my only connection to the  'outside' world of quilting.  :o)  We've come a  long way, haven't we?  I found a box of swap blocks in the attic yesterday.  Believe it or not, Penny never did anything with hers... okay, yes,  you can believe it!   I will be showing off my 1980's blocks over the next few days.  Most of them are signed, so let me know if you happen to know any of these quilters from all over the country.                                                                                                                  

 Next, I found approx. 30 flowers that I hand pieced many years ago.  Boy, I was ambitious, wasn't I?  Isn't it funny that I got a lot more done when my kids were little, than I do now.... now with no young kids at home, working two days a week, and very few distractions!!???  With all this time, I accomplish very little... :o(

Needless to say, I can never imagine myself completing a Grandmother's flower garden quilt,

 BUT, I may be able to sew them onto a smaller background  and make baby quilts like this one:

This is an oldie that I bought for $5 (I think) at a 'junk' store in eastern NC.  It's been one of my favorites through the years.  (and yes mom, Sweet Pea loves this blanket! It's her favorite!) 
** More treasures tomorrow**

Attic Treasures

 I climbed into my HOT attic today and didn't spend a whole lot of time up there.  But, I did find a few treasures I need to share.  I plan to share these with you over the next few days. 

 First, is this completed quilt top that I pieced together years ago... probably 20 years ago. (?) I remember machine appliquing these little hearts that I cut out from the scrap bag of my grandmother, who had recently passed away.  The pink gingham fabric was from her stash, too... but I'm not sure about the pink borders.  I'm not sure why I never finished it, but wouldn't it be sweet to finish for my first granddaughter?  It would be from her great great grandmother's fabric stash.  ** PS... this was made before I even knew what a rotary cutter was; each square cut by hand. **

And  I know that everyone doesn't love dogs like we do, but I couldn't resist showing you how much the doggy babies love the quilt top.  :o)  I know mom.... you are shaking your head right now. 

Stay tuned... as I have a LOT to show you!

My new Brother

I have been hinting to hubby that I "need" a new sewing machine.  I keep my heavy vintage machine at his home away from home... I guess it's OUR home away from home.  I really wanted to have one at both homes. I also wanted a lightweight machine to be able to carry with me to a local quilt shop for classes.                                                                                           

  Well, while I was at work Friday night, hubby went shopping.  When I got home from work, there was my new machine sitting on the kitchen bar!  I am so excited.  I haven't even opened the box yet, as I am waiting until Monday, when the house is empty and I can sit down and study every little detail.  I am so happy... I promised him ten new quilts by the end of the week. LOL 

Testing

*testing one, two, three*  I am trying to see if my blog shows up in your blog lists.  My last post did not,  until I reposted it.  :o(

Vintage Diaper Shirts

Do you remember these sweet little diaper shirts? I found these two while thrifting this week and had to have them. I don't know why I buy some of this stuff, but I sure do love it! These little shirts are so lightweight and must have been so comfy for the baby in warm weather... just this and a diaper. How precious. Is it just me? or do you think young mothers now days are trying to dress their babies like miniature adults? Especially little girls! Now don't get me wrong.... they are adorable in their miniature grown up clothes, but I sure do miss the sweet innocence of dainty baby clothing. I guess I'm getting old, huh? My mother in law hand stitched a few of these little shirts for my babies before they were born. I have them packed away somewhere. When I was a little girl, playing with my baby dolls (I loved baby dolls), my mama would let me buy a new diaper shirt or a pacifier or a baby bottle, or something "real" for my babies when we would go out shopping. I loved shopping for my baby things! :o) I don't remember the cost of them, but I would like to think they were less than $1. Mom, you might remember.... or you may have no recollection of this at all.... but it was a special memory for me. :o) :o)

Vintage Child's Sewing Machine

Okay, first question: Mom, didn't I have one of these when I was growing up? If not, it may have been Gayle, because I distinctly remember using this machine. And the noise it makes... haha... unforgettable. Each stitch.... clank, clank, clank. I found this for $5 yesterday at Goodwill while waiting to pick up my daughter's car for her. (they didn't have it ready when promised.... imagine that! so I went to Goodwill to kill time)

I could NOT... it just wasn't in my heart... leave it sitting at the Goodwill. I decided that even if it didn't work, it would be fun to look at in my sewing room. But guess what? It works! beautifully! All pieces are there... the owner's manual, the bobbins, the needle threader, the electrical adaptor... I was so excited!!

Just LOOK at this cute little baby.... $5 dollars! I also found a book on organization by Donna Otto; I have almost finished reading it. I put together a binder last night as my organizer and I am now setting off to organize my world! I have a LOT of work to do, but it's worth a try. Already this morning, I can see a difference....I got my prayer time and my Bible study in first thing! (a big change)

I also *finally* visited a local quilt shop that I had never visited. I cannot BELIEVE it took me so long to get in there. The owners are so sweet and the fabric prices were not nearly as pricey as most quilt shops! I am signing up for some of their classes... my first being a redwork embroidery class. Yes, I know how to do that already, but for $10, I might learn something new and meet some new friends! Yay! Yesterday was a good day! :o)

Hot Flashes and Cold Cream

I love to read, but unfortunately, I don't recognize and remember authors' names. So I usually don't really have an answer when people ask me "who do you read?" :o) I guess I judge books by their covers, because I picked this one up as a "fun read" while I was at the beach. (thrift store, of course!) I had no idea that Diann Hunt was a Christian author and was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this hilarious fiction by her. When she mentioned church and the Lord, I remember yelling out to my husband, "hey this is a christian book"... LOL. If you are "my age" and going through "midlife issues"... this is a MUST READ! I laughed my way through it, yet, it made me realize that a lot of my crazy thoughts are entirely "normal" for my age. hee hee

*Mom, I'll bring this one to you soon! :o)

Happy Birthday to ME!

I usually receive a little money for my birthday and it's always fun to shop for myself with my birthday money. Since we were at the beach this year, I had decided to spend my money in a local quilt shop. Imagine my disappointment when I visited the shop and found NOTHING I wanted there. The shop didn't seem as "up to date" as it had in the past and I didn't spend a lot of time in there. However, there was an adorable little consignment shop just a couple doors down (The Seahorse) and I found this precious vintage pillowcase there! (and I had birthday money left over!!) I love, love, love this pillow case and can't stop looking at the beautiful embroidery and crochet that was put into it many years ago. Don't you wish that women had never felt the need to enter the work force and that we still had time to make these beautiful creations?? so that our kids can put them in consignment stores when we are gone?

**And thank you to TRISH for the beautiful birthday card that you sent to me. I know you made it and I love the colors (matches my pillowcase, huh?)! I hope you are feeling well and enjoying that beautiful new granddaughter of yours! **