Happy Birthday to my mama!

My mom celebrates a special birthday tomorrow.  Every birthday is a big deal, but  considering she was diagnosed with breast cancer over 20 years ago, this is a really big deal! God is good and   I love you, Mama!!

This is her 'happy birthday' quilt that I made for her.  In January, a dear friend  of mine started swapping nine patch blocks with me each month.  We were not very far into the swap before I realized that I wanted to use my blocks to make something for mama's birthday. 

I put this quilt together and quilted it in sections, then put the whole thing together.  There was a LOT that I like about this method, but a few things that were difficult for me.   I'm not sure if I will try it again or not.

This was the first time I had stitched the entire binding by machine.... loved that!!  I will definitely do that again. 

Now, back to the Underground Railroad quilt....

Happy Friday!

My week:

 

 

I only added two more blocks this week to the Underground Railroad quilt, but I have two more cut out and ready to sew.  Slowly, but surely!

 

 

Hubby cut down my beloved crabapple tree.  It is the prettiest blooming tree we had, but we had been discussing removing it for a couple years now.  It is a messy tree, very close to the house, and the dogs are forever bringing us crabapples and sticks inside the house.  So, my beautiful tree is gone, but we may plant another further out in the yard somewhere. (and I love all the new sunlight coming into my livingroom window since we removed it)

 

 

I've been looking for a drop leaf farm table for a little while now.  My tiny dining space doesn't allow much room for a big table and our family is growing and growing.  Last year for Thanksgiving, we improvised by putting a large sheet of plywood over my tiny table to make room for everyone.  (it actually looked pretty with the tablecloth on it).  Yesterday I found this oak table at the little store in our town that I speak of from time to time:  The Painted Picket.  Hubby has promised to paint my chairs black and I hope to find two more similar chairs to go with the set.  (I haven't even cleaned the table up yet, so if you enlarge the pic, you will see dust on it, for sure)  And guess what my old table will be used for???? a cutting table in my sewing room.... yay!!

 

 

I fell in love with this little table while I was shopping, and asked the lady if she could 'cut me a deal' if I bought both tables.  She did and I did.... yay.... this is going to be used as a night stand in the guest bedroom.  *happy*

 

 

 

Last night while watching X factor, (filmed in Greensboro, NC) I started cutting paper hexies.  I've seen so many one flower Wednesday posts and love, love, love the little hexie flowers I've been seeing.  So, what's another project, right?  I've never done paper piecing before, so I'm excited to try this new project. (plus, it's an easy 'carry with you ' thing)

 

And... I've been listening to Francie Taylor CD's while playing in my sewing room.  She explained how the book of Proverbs is a manual for living and challenges us to read whatever chapter corresponds with today's date, as there are 31 chapters in the book.  If we do this every month, and take to heart the wisdom of Solomon, our lives will be so much better.  She calls the book of Proverbs the 'recipe for life'.... so I have taken the challenge.  It's easy for me because I've always loved the book of Proverbs. :)

 

It's back to work for me today and through the weekend, so my play time will be limited.  I'll be loving on little old people this weekend.  Hope you all have a great fall weekend! 

Don't throw away your faded pumpkins!

We all have them....pale, faded pumpkins that we have used year after year to decorate with.  Well, this little set 'almost' went to the thrift store this year. 

But I decided to try to give it a little life.  I bought orange acrylic paint and gold shimmery glaze paint.  In a matter of 15 minutes, tops, it looked like this:

So, it was allowed to dress up my porch for fall again this year. (notice I did paint the stem in next pic)

Thanks to Mrs. Goodneedle and this post, I am trying to clean up my act.  I have made a huge dent in my closet this week and left most of my fall decor in their boxes this year.  I would love to be a 'minamalist' intead of a pack rat!!

And I leave you with this picture...just because it's cute.  Our Avery is growing up so fast!  He really keeps us entertained these days.  His little  brother is growing like a weed, too.  Full of smiles and such a sweet boy.

I love sewing room days!

I vacuumed and mopped floors this morning so I wouldn't feel guilty about spending the day in my sewing room.  While I had sheets drying on the clothes line, I went into my play room.

I made a new bathroom valance.  The color is not very true in the picture, but it is black and cream with a small green stripe. 

 

We took our glass shower door down a few weeks ago....one of the smartest things we ever did!  It has helped a lot with the mold buildup in the shower!  I made this shower curtain to match the valance.

Once we finish everything in the bath, I'll post better pic's of the whole room.  (we plan to paint the vanity and change out fixtures)

This is the coordinating fabric that I plan to staple onto a large canvas to hang over the bathtub.  My daughter has several of these 'instant art' pieces in her apartment and I love them.  We plan to paint the vanity the same color green that is in the fabric. 

You might remember these from a January post....I was supposed to complete a block a month this year on my Underground Railroad quilt.  As you can see, that didn't happen.  But I did start again last night and completed the wagon wheel block that you see on top. 

And I have the next block cut out and ready to sew.  I hope to do that later tonight when I get back into the sewing room.  I've been watching Bonnie Hunter live from Quiltville on Ustream and it seems to be just the motivation I've needed to get busy!  Has anyone else been watching her?

Burlap Roses

Thanks to Pinterest....

 

 

I, too, jumped on the burlap flower bandwagon.  These things are so much fun to make... and so easy!



Is anyone else addicted to Pinterest these days?