Sunday, November 30, 2014

Thankful

 
 
 
"Advice is like snow,
the softer it falls,
the longer it dwells upon,
 and the deeper it sinks into the mud."
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
 
Has it snowed in your corner of the world yet? 
 
 
What an awesome sight for a quilter...the last corner of binding being stitched.  I know there are tutorials out there for machine stitching the back on, but for me, there is something so satisfying and soothing about hand stitching it on.
 
 
Clover Wonder Clips are amazing at helping make this process so much easier!
 
 
Joann's had a faded, denim gray polka dot that was spotted when fabrics were being picked out for Ben's Churn Dash Quilt.  I love the "faded-much used-boy" look and polka dots are great for binding!
 
forty-two, 12" sq. blocks
 
Ben spent a week in Tennessee with a friend and his family.  I took the opportunity to clean his room...lol...and snap some shops of the finished quilt.  Here it is all washed, dried and smelling "oh, so good!".  The quilt was finished and ready for him when he got home from his adventure.
 
This was a quick and fun quilt to make!  There are so many variations on this block!  It's hard to remember there are a lot of WIP's in the pile that need worked on before I start something new.  But these lovelies are tempting!
 
 
 
 
 
 
To thank the mom of the family Ben vacationed with, I'm making a little basket to stuff with goodies.
 
 
Ayumi's tutorial has served me well through the years.  It's very easy to follow, quick to make and an awesome gift for someone special. 
 
the pattern is easy to adapt and create different looks
 
 
Thankful...for three boys who have allowed me to be their Mommy and share their lives with them!
 
 Hope your Thanksgiving was spent with family and friends.  There is so much to be thankful for.  Each moment takes on a holy breath when you think about how fast a life can change from one moment to the next. 
 
Linking up this week to spend time with a big cuppa hot chocolate, a soft chair and plenty of time:
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Monday, November 17, 2014

Wow!

Progress on Ben's Churn Dash!
 
 
Decided on straight-line quilting along the inner seams vertically and horizontally.  This is a bulky quilt to work with on my Janome.  But once this part of the process was finished...
 
 
I started marking out lines for some large stitching by hand.  I take a ruler and mark 1/4" lines in the white and then hand quilt with floss in the same color as the block's fabric.
 
 
A couple of weeks ago, I pulled these fabrics for a very special birthday gift for our niece.
I used this tutorial for the Messenger Bag.  Easy to follow and I modified it to put a parachute buckle on it.  When you're ten, it helps!
 
 
 
Here are all the components ready for assembly. 

 
The finished bag!  She loved it!  It goes together quickly and I'm not a pattern person...really appreciate the ease following her tutorial.
 
 
Over the last several weeks, Ben has joined the Civil Air Patrol.  If you have never heard of it...Google it and see if you have one in your area.  This is an amazing program with so many opportunities and ways to give back to your community.  He will be learning all about and taking part in Emergency Services such as Search and Rescue, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Services, Air Force Support, Counterdrug, Aerospace Education, Leadership Training, Physical Fitness, and Moral Leadership Training.
 
 
This weekend, he and fellow cadets were able to spend a lot of time in the air flying.
 
 
He actually got to fly at the controls for about fifty minutes!  It is a huge thing to let your child climb into a four-seater plane and take off...knowing they will be in control and so high above you.
We are very proud of him and excited for what lies ahead!
 
 
Linking up with
i have to say
and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Kitty Kitty

 
Thank you Leslie for helping me with the fabric!


Wendy Slotboom's "Feathered Friends". 

Found these shots I took before joining all the rows together.  Proof positive of the quilt-cat magnet effect.

 
Stalk.
 
 
Stretch.
 
 
Slink.
 
 
Sayonara.
 
 
On the wall...a table runner for Jon and Rebecca in their kitchen colors.
 
 
Fabric pull for a cute messenger bag for a very special birthday girl.
 
Need a break from election coverage?  Cold, November mornings?  Raking leaves?  Kids?  Husband?  Work?
Or just need a good quiltey fix?
 
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