April 2019

Annabelle received her birthday quilt from Grandma last month.

This was a quick little quilt to throw together for her big girl bed.  Click to enlarge photo.

The backing was made from a pretty sheet found at a local thrift store for $1.

Annabelle's favorite part was the label with the cupcake on it.

It's hard to believe that this birthday girl is now 4 years old.  She is such a delight and definitely has her Mama's sense of humor.  She loves to make people laugh.

Another local thrift store has been selling books for .10 cents for the past few weeks.  I am a sucker for a cookbook, and am happy that I bought this one.  It is full of good sounding recipes that are easy to make.... no fancy ingredients required.

I made these muffins today and added the notes after I made them.  They were very easy, not too sweet, and I like that it made a smaller batch than some recipes.  This recipe will be a keeper.  Stayed tuned... I may make  something different soon.

**I'm busy working on the quilt for the next birthday girl for next month!!**

Ta Daaa !

Ta daaa!  I say that phrase sort of  with 'tongue in cheek', but I am pretty proud that I finished this quilt that I started at least 25 years ago!

Back before I  owned internet and back when I was learning to sew, I started this little 'school' quilt for my sweet little girl, who is now 30 years old.  I dreamed that she would become a school teacher one day, because that was what I wanted to be as an adult.

Funny thing is: my little girl grew up to be a hair dresser.  My son is the teacher.  Did I tell you he was voted Teacher of the Year at his school in High Point last school year?  (side thought:  little daughter had a jumper dress made out of the chalkboard fabric too! )

This is the quilt I decided to finish without spending much time on.  Not to mention being very very frugal about it.  I picked up this lightweight quilted bedspread at Goodwill and it has fabric on both sides.  After a good wash in the washer,  I cut it down to use as backing and batting. ($4)

Here it is all pinned together and ready for the sewing machine.  This quilt is not very large and I was amazed at how easily it quilted with my walking foot!  No stress whatsoever!

The binding was made from a piece of gingham fabric I found in the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby.   By the way, does gingham have a right side and wrong side?  Anyone know??  I machine stitched front and back sides of binding.... not very pretty, but like I said, I didn't want to spend a lot of time on this quilt. No hand sewing!

So that's the story of the frugal, non stressed quilt.  The whole time I was haphazardly sewing it together, I kept thinking of the ladies who made quilts that were strictly utilitarian, telling myself it didn't really matter what it looked like.  I haven't put it through the washer yet, so whether my 1990's sewing will hold up to washing and drying yet, I just don't know.   I did machine stitch around my appliqued apples, because I didn't trust my hand applique to hold up.

One more thing... guess who got a little Vit D today?  Can you see the rain coming across the ocean?  We were able to sit out for about an hour before the rain arrived, which was plenty for me.  It was a good day!