May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Sewing On A Saturday

First let's take a look at the design wall.  I finally had a flash of genius that I could make a sleeve on a piece of batting and put it up instead of a quilt in my sewing area.  Duh!  Took me long enough to think of this.  It's not very big but it least it is a place where I can put things up and in my sight.  The projects here at the moment were worked on a little last week not today.  There is one UFO from a class about 5 years ago called Wonky House. It is at the embellishment and finish me up stage so I'm hoping that putting it in my sight will inspire me.  Then there is a little birdie stitchery that begs to be finished with a border and maybe made into a pillow.  There are two flip-flop blocks that I'll take to the exchange raffle at guild next Saturday. Lastly is a sample block for making a baby quilt for community quilts.
And now the Saturday sewing.  I found this tutorial on-line at Skip To My Lou.  It was so cute and looked so easy to make.  I printed the pattern and picked out some fabric.  Then I went off to fix dinner.  After dinner DH wanted to watch a movie.  Turns out that the NetFlix movie option, Inception, wasn't quite my cup of tea.  So I returned to sewing and in less than an hour I had a cute little Pleated Zippered Pouch.  What I really liked is I learned how to inset a zipper into the lining.  

It measures about 7" by 5".  It was super simple to make with the tutorial.  I can see myself making several more.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

A Little Home Decorating

Nothing like new furniture to brighten up one's outlook on life....not to mention the relief from back pain while watching T.V.  We've been in this home for two years now.  Many conversations have been held on what to do to make the small family room comfy and cozy for T.V. and movie watching.  After finally getting out to actually see sofas and chairs, we pretty much knew what we wanted.  Then we measured and had to re-think a bit.  In the end, we gave away an old loveseat, a rug and a table and moved a chair to a different room.  The replacement sofa became a new reclining leather loveseat, a new rug, a new lift-top coffee table and a new chair.  Thank you to JC Penneys for their fabulous sale and free delivery.  It's all in place now and life is comfortable. 
Now we need a picture for over the sofa

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Two Finishes in July

I'm in to that binding and finishing mood.  This month I finished sewing down the binding on my large Strip Therapy Quilt that I started in January 2010 at Road To California.  I've worked at it off and on over the last year and a half and finally in May I got it to a long-arm quilter.  The pattern and class were from Brenda Hennings. My long-arm quilter is a friend from AVQ guild, Dianne Saugier.  Thanks to a new recliner sofa for our family room, I was more than happy to sit and sew down the binding.  Now it resides at the end of my bed so that it adds a touch of color to the room.......now if I could come up with something to hang over the bed.  Its hard when you have vaulted high ceilings. 
Next up on the finished list is a table topper.  One day last fall, I started playing with some scraps.  The thought was to make this for Thanksgiving.  Time ran out and it never got its binding.  But now it is done and ready for display this fall.  It goes nicely with the new table which goes with the new sofa in the family room. 
"Finished" is such a nice feeling.  I think it is time to pull out a few more UFOs for finishing.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Quilt Ready for Delivery

Aislyn Diane Callaway arrived to greet the world on Monday, July 18th.  Tonight I finished the label on her quilt and wrapped it up for mailing.  Tomorrow it will be on its way to Texas.  I sure do hope that mama and new baby like bright colors. 
Made with love for baby Aislyn

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Just Waiting For Baby To Arrive

A First for me!  I actually finished a baby quilt before the baby is here.  My nephew and his wife are expecting a baby any minute.  In fact if she doesn't arrive soon, the doctor will induce delivery on Monday.  They are pretty excited.  Here's my contribution to the nursery.  Sure hope she likes bright colors. 
Simple In the Ditch to start with
Add a little flower to mimic the pinwheels

Colorful Binding and we are done.
 Now where is that baby?????

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A Little Birdie

I found this pattern on-line.  I think it was from the Little Miss Shabby blog.  She's been putting one out every month but I've only made copies of two so far.  I think it would make a really cute pillow. Egads!  I just realized that I haven't given my little birdie an eye yet.
trying out a border option

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Quilts and Grief

Quilter's Newsletter Magazine has been running a feature called 300 Words About Quilting.  They invite readers to submit short articles on various subjects.  When the topic, Quilts and Grief, came up, I knew I needed to write something.  I was delighted to hear that my submission would be published.....not in the magazine but on their web-site.  It is now there as part of the August/September 2011 issue. 



In memory of Stephen Todd Callaway Sorenson 1976-2009
 

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Take A Little Jar....

Add a little fabric, a little batting, some ribbon, a button.  Heat up the glue gun.  This is what you get.  I think it will be perfect in my sewing area with pins or maybe red candies. 

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Work In Progress

Here is a picture of a hand-project that I have been working on occasionally.  It's English paper piecing. Finished it will be a 28" x 35" wall-hanging.  Right now I am just working on the units.  I finally got enough units done to lay them out and get an idea of what the finished project might look like. I bought the pattern a year ago.  This is as far as I've gotten.
The pattern is Inner City by Paper Pieces

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Give Away From Stray Stitches

Hurry hurry hurry.  Stray Stiches has a give away from Connecting Threads.  But if you want to win, you need to get over there quick and leave a comment.  You'll love her blog full of fun little tidbits and lots of cool projects. 

*Done and over.  Boo Hoo.  It wasn't me who won.  But I'll keep trying.*

Friday, July 1, 2011

Friends in Great Places

One of my favorite places in all the world is coastal Maine.  I am so fortunate to have good friends who summer on an island in Maine every year and they love to welcome guests.  Thanks Bill and LaDonna for a great visit in a beautiful part of God's creation. 
The Ferry to Vinalhaven
Coming into Vinalhaven
The view from the Readmond's new cottage

I love the texture of these rocks
Vinalhaven lighthouse

Bill Readmond beachcombing
Friends forever - LaDonna and Leslie

B&B courtesy of dear friends LaDonna and Bill