Bits

Not tons going on around here, but seems like I've got my fingers in this and that!

I'm doing this little quilt (for my dining room table) and have been working on getting it ready to be a hand sewing project.  This is the layout (although this photo isn't the complete layout, there is another round of white and then of red).  I was in a red/white charm swap many years ago.  I put the charms away and didn't know what to do with them.  I've been wondering about not making many quilts anymore...seems like everyone in my family has at least 2 quilts from me, and just how many do our family members need?!  I've made many quilts over the years and have given them to friends, loved ones, babies and some on commission, too.

Rick and I are going to go on a road trip before too long and our driving styles are vastly different.  In order to keep from gasping, sighing, clearing my throat and other annoying things when he's not driving like I think he should, if I have something to occupy my mind (like a hand-sewing project) we both have a better time!

On Sunday night, we were on our way to dinner and the sunset was beautiful.  I snapped this photo as Rick was driving.







Yesterday, I did FaceTime with Jennifer and the kids.  We had a silly time.  I miss them terribly (Todd, too).  I get mixed feelings...I am so happy to be able to chat, see and have fun with them via the computer, yet I get so sad that we are so far apart.  I have to hang up quickly to keep from showing my tears.  Bittersweet moments of life.

I just got off the phone with Kelly.  She's so busy!  It's wonderful to have time to talk to her, but would be even better if I could pop in on her now and again and help her with things.  I'm so fortunate to have wonderful family.                                                                                                Today I am running some errands.  I have been struggling with leg cramps every night and got up early this morning because I was tired of getting up, walking around and trying to get back to sleep several times through the night.  So far I've made 35 stuffed bones for Sophie and am ready to head out to pick up some things from several stores that we (I) need.  My list is ready, I'm dressed (even with shoes) and once I get my hair fixed and some lipstick on, I'm out the door.

Quilts in Review for 2017

It's been a while since I've entered anything and a lot seems to be happening.  This year was the "Year of the Quilt" and I made, completed and gifted 6 quilts...one for each of the grandchildren.

 The above left quilt was gifted to Hadley who had the first birthday of this year.  The above right was gifted to Treva with an April birthday.

The quilt below on the left was for Evelyn with a June birthday.  The right photo is of Anna's quilt with an August birthday that she shares with her twin brother.

 The quilt to the left is Nathan's and his birthday is shared with Anna.

To the right is Vivian's quilt and her birthday was in October.












It was a year of deadlines, that's for sure.  I don't enjoy giving myself deadlines, but that's just exactly what I did this year.  I had to put the pedal to the metal for a couple of these, but seeing the faces of my dear grand children was worth every stitch!!

A finish

I have a finish!  This is a wall hanging that's a gift for a special woman.  It is titled "Dance Like Nobody's Watching".

Monkey, Elephant, Gray and ORANGE??!!

  I was asked to make 2 of my "Drag-a-long" blankets for a friend of my daughter.  She wanted the blankets to be gray with orange.

My mind was screaming,
"ORANGE and gray?", but as we all know, the customer is always right!  I called my customer and made sure that what she told me was in fact what she wanted.  Yes was her answer.  She wants these for friends who both have gray car seats and one has orange trim. "OK" I said and did a little Googling and did see that car seat.  It wasn't my style, but then, it doesn't have to be.

.

She wanted one with an

elephant and one with a monkey.

 

It's raining outside, so these pictures vary due to the lighting in my home.  Maybe later I can get a picture outdoors, but they are being delivered tomorrow

Vivian...4 now

Vivian is now 4.  In this picture she is only 3.  

You can see how she has matured by looking at the next two pictures!!

Seriously, she's a beautiful child, a deeply passionate and very determined.  She has an impish spirit upon occasion and she makes us laugh!  In the following pictures, her family has deemed her nickname, "Crazytrain"!

She is holding her banner for her bedroom door that Mimi (me) made for her for her birthday.  This year each of the grandchildren got one of these for their birthday in the colors I chose for them.  I hope they treasure them as they grow older and remember that their Mimi (and Papa) love them so very much.  Happy, happy birthday Vivian!  May your year be filled with wonder and love.  

This is the final grandchild birthday for the year, so now I need to come up with another project for next year's birthdays.

Keepsake quilt for a friend...

This is my newest finish -- this quilt was made for a woman that I used to work with, to honor her mother and her grandmother.   The quilt is made from curtains that hung in her mother's kitchen.  I deconstructed the curtains, used part of the fabric and a lot of the lace.  The dresser scarves were hand embroidered by her mother.

The sun was so bright when this photo was taken that the green from the dresser scarves is kind of washed out.  They are a very pretty light apple green.

She was so very touched and shed tears when she opened it.  I feel so blessed that I have a talent that can bring joy to others, as well as myself.

Now, on to other projects in the works, and in the planning stage.  The holidays are soon approaching and I have so much I want to do.

Coffee...a yummy necessity

  

This morning Rick has gone golfing and I am puttering about the house, just planning what I want and what I need to do today. After checking on the peaches I bought yesterday, not quite ready for eating yet, I spied my espresso maker and decided I'd like to have a tall frozen mocha cappuccino!



The idea reminded me that I hadn't posted any pictures of my "mug rugs" that I have recently made. I joined a mug rug swap over on Flickr and my partner is getting two of these, but this first one is going to be mine. A couple of reasons why I'm keeping this one...first of all, I love it! Secondly, it's a tad larger than the maximum 8 x 10 inches that is stipulated in the rules of the swap. So..."Give me a coffee and no one gets hurt" will stay here with me!


This ultra-bright mug rug will be going to my partner.  She wrote that she liked orange, lime green and tan, so I came up with this.  The flowers have some 'raw edge applique', that is what makes them look all fuzzy and ruffly.  It's awfully bright, but I hope she likes it.








This last one is also going to my partner.  I bought a half-hexagon template and this is an idea I have for a quilt I plan to make in the not-too-distant future.  It's peach and turquoise and white-on-white fabrics.  I think she will like this one, even if it's not too "exciting

Now, I think I'm off to get "dolled up" for my day!

Starring Treva

See this cutie to the left?
It's Treva!  A pint-sized tornado!

This is a granny-square quilt I made for Treva.  She's the youngest of 6 grandchildren and somehow I got waaay behind in making quilts for the two youngest!  However, I got this done and given to my cutie.  I think the old adage is true...better late than never!







The backing is minkie...I love it for baby quilts as it gives such a cozy and silky cuddle.

A little close up photo of the label.





I sure hope this quilt reminds Treva how much Mimi loves her long after Mimi is gone.

Starring Vivian

This little girl?  Her name is Vivian, but her mom and

siblings (for some reason...) call her "Bad to the Bone"!!

She's one energetic 2 year old and she sure gives all

a run for our money!

I'm very late in making Vivian's quilt, but I

finally completed it and gave it to her yesterday.

She surprised me with her enthusiasm for it and

that made me feel just wonderful!

 This picture is a close up of the label.  It should be turned to the left...sorry, but I can't figure out how to do that right now.

I sure hope this quilt reminds Vivian how much Mimi loves her long after Mimi is gone.

Look what came in the mail for me today!

I took part in a "July 4th Mug Rug Swap" on Flickr. My swap partner was Lisa, from Alabama and she does some pretty fantastic work. She tells me she's new at this, that this was her first applique and that she has never done free motion quilting before! Well, she surely has some talent, that's for sure.  Thanks SO much, Lisa!

To the left and to the right are the mug rugs that Lisa received from me.  They look a little "wonky" in the photos, but they aren't.  the one on the left was just an exercise in creativity.  The one on the right is made with the "convergence" design by Ricky Tims.  I made another quilt a while back with his guidance and I do love the way things turn out.  A lot depends on fabric choices, that's for sure.  I do hope Lisa likes what she received from me, too.  (She DID write to me and express her appreciation.)

"Sea Mist"

It's done!  She's been washed, dried and held up for the camera.  She's earmarked for someone special.  I'm off to purchase either a gift bag or box for wrapping!