Time is Flying

Wow...where did the last week and a half go?  Life has been a bit busy here as I try to slip in a few bits of fun sewing in the quieter times.

We had three little ones for part of the week while Daddy and Mommy went to Northern CA for Daddy's big Sommalier test.  He passed...yeah.

So Grandma and Grandpa took three little ones to the L.A. Zoo.  What a fun day!  They had the sweet little chimp.  She had a little pink "Blankie" that she would wrap around herself and suck her thumb...soooo cute.

I love how the displays are low for the little ones to enjoy.

This little one did not think the linens belonged IN the drawers.  I guess they look better on the floor.

There was one day to clean and do laundry before our #4 son and his family arrive for the weekend.  Then next Monday and Tuesday we have #2 son's children while Mommy is in her nursing classes and Daddy is off to Washington DC and New York as a chaperon for the 8th grade class.  Unfortunately, the White House is closed as well as the Statue of Liberty.  Guess it's the wrong year for THAT trip.

I did manage to get two more Easter outfits made for the girls.

Two of our sons opened their newest restaurant this week so we had the opportunity to attend the VIP opening.  I love the decor and colors.  These pictures were taken as they were doing the final paint touch ups.

My mug rug arrived from Sunny this week as well.  I love the springtime look to it.  Nothing says spring like bright and cheery blossoms.  It has been such a fun swap with great swap partners.  I really hate to see the year come to an end.

My other big adventure was my first visit to Ikea.  OMGoodness......what a fun shopping adventure.  All I came out with was a small pillow, but I can't wait to go back.

Thanks for all of your votes on the Easter table runner.  I ended up donating the floral one and it sold in the silent auction for $245.  I was happy to see that.

I wish all of you who celebrate Easter a very blessed day.

Weekend Sewing

It appears that everyone was busy enjoying the International Sewing Day.  There was so much going on in blogland, but I found myself enjoying the day with a bit of sewing.

Our daughter and DIL's are in charge of a dinner and auction next weekend and asked if I could make a little something for an auction item.  I searched my stash and came up with an idea of an Easter table runner.  The blocks are scrolled machine embroidery eggs and it includes some of my hand dyed fabric from a class I took several years ago. 



It looked so nice on my dining room table that I decided a second one was needed for my table.  I thought it might be a little tacky to bid on my own donation!!!  Sooo...table runner #2 was created.

So....question is...which is your favorite? 

In my ongoing pursuit to keep my sewing space a bit neater I made an addition to my sewing table.  After last weeks sewing, my floor was a disaster with all of the thread and fabric bits.  From the floor they get wrapped up in the wheels of my chair and it is a crazy mess.  I think this will help.

Since I am meeting a friend from high school for lunch next week, I made a second one of the Abbey Bag to give to her.

Today I am being featured on Cindy's blog, Live a Colorful Life.  I have followed Cindy for some time and love her work.  She just competed the most amazing quilt that you can see HERE.  She has also done the Farmer's Wife blocks which is a project on my Someday List.

The winner of my Blog Hop giveaway was Tammy (#313).  Congratulations to her.  She has already gotten back to me and I will get her package in the mail this week.

I have to share this cute little mug rug that I received from Rhonda.  This chick has sass to her.  I love the glasses - much like my own!!!  Rhonda does some amazing work and has some wonderful embroidery designs that she shares with her readers.  Thanks, Rhonda.

This week we enjoyed some of the little ones.  The weather was warm and the Slip and Slide was a huge hit.

Did everyone enjoy St. Patrick's Day?  If you didn't get enough corned beef brisket you need not worry.  I ate enough for all of you!!!

Easter Sewing

The last few days I have been managing to sneak away into my creating space and work on some Easter outfits for the grandchildren.  I love making clothing for wee ones.  It's hard to imagine that Easter will be here in a few short weeks.  I tried to get some outdoor pictures, but the winds would not allow for it.  Mind you....the winds are warm winds this week with our crazy temperatures back into the 80s.  (Love it too.)  These are my creations.

I won't show a picture of my sewing area after these projects because it would terrify all of you.  Are you the type who keeps it all neat and tidy or do you make a disaster and THEN clean it to begin the next project? 

I can also show you a picture of the Easter Mug Rug since my swap partner has already received it.  This has been such a great group of talented quilters to swap amongst.  I do hope that we can continue with another project when the year is finished.

Okay....off to clean the disaster and frost a birthday cake as we have a grandson turning nine today.

Enjoy the daylight savings time (if you are lucky enough) with the longer evenings.  I love them myself.

Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop Party

It's that time of the year again for the Blog Hop Party at Quilting Gallery.  Since the theme is Beat the Winter Blues, I am offering some of the wonderful Happy Town Fabric designed by Jacquelynne Steves.  How could this bright and cheery fabric not melt the winter blues away?  It includes the large panel and eight different prints.

I will give you three chances to win. 

#1  Leave a comment

#2  Follow Jacquelynne on Facebook and come back and let me know that you did.

#3  My followers also get an extra chance.

This giveaway is open worldwide and will end on March 14th.  Good luck.

Happy Town and 301

If you recall, several weeks ago I was sent some fabric called Happy Town  designed by Jacquelynne Steves.  It was so much fun to play around with it.  The prints are just "happy" and cute.  This is one of the things that I have made with them.

I loved the larger prints of the vehicles and decided that they needed to be displayed in a larger block of fabric.  I have one other item that I am working on and then I will have a giveaway for some of the fabrics so be sure to stay tuned for that.

Meanwhile, Jacquelynne is having a giveaway at her site until Friday.  You can check it out HERE.

Speaking of giveaways, random number generator gave me Fiesta as my winner of the flour sack dishtowels.  Please send me you snail mail and I will get those out to you right away.

Several months ago my neighbor had mentioned that he had an "old" sewing machine of his mothers in his garage and asked if I would like it.  Yesterday he arrived at my door with it in hand.  After he left, I opened it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it contained the "big sister" of the Featherweight - a Singer 301a.  I am dating it at between 1951-1953.  After cleaning it up a bit, oiling and lubricating it, it works beautifully.  I can see that it is a real workhorse and will be a pleasure to have in my sewing room.  It is considered a portable machine at 16 pounds and a carrying handle.  It also has a flip up short bed.   

My very favorite feature is the drop down knee pedal for making the machine run (optional).  I learned with one of those.  I have tried repeatedly to use my knee pressure foot lifter, but I can't re-train the old brain that it is not a lever to make the machine run.  SIGH!

The parts are all there including numerous feet and the zig zag attachment which also works as a  walking foot.  All of these handily fit into the seat of the sewing cabinet. 

I have ordered new cords as you can see they are badly needed. 

I had to chuckle at the bobbins.  I remember first learning to sew and we would wind thread over thread already on the bobbin.  Why????  I have no idea because there was no way you were ever going to use the threads under them.  Anyway....this was one bobbin that I unwound....7 colors!!

I was one of the grand prize winners in the Starburst Quiltalong at Happy Quilting.  That means I get to have a fun shopping spree at Intrepid Thread.  I can't wait as I have always loved Julie's shop and service.


In spite of all the snow around the country, I must say that spring is definitely coming.  Our male oriole returned on Monday.  Of course with a winter storm set to hit tomorrow, he may be sorry he came back so soon.  This is the earliest return date for our orioles since we started keeping record of them years ago. 

 In closing, I have to show you my very serious guest who has kept me company all day.  I really had to work for smiles ;-) 

Why is Blogger telling me that I am not following anybody today???  Grrr.

Starburst Top and To-Do List

Can you believe it is March 3rd already?  We will be bringing out the Christmas decorations again before long.   Anyhow.....tomorrow is the parade of Starbust Quilts.  I really wanted to finish mine up, but I just could not get the quilting done on it.  I'd rather wait and do it right than to just rush through it to call it finished.  The top is, however, finished.

Now for my lofty goals for March.  There is a wonderful To-Do List linky party at Pigtales and Quilts as well as at A Lovely Year of Finishes.  Although I have many projects that I would love to finish this month, my main goals are to play with this fabric.....

.....and to do some Easter sewing with these fabrics. 

Be sure to check out both links and sign up to join in the fun.

Baseball season has started with opening day yesterday.  The day was perfect to spend at the different ball parks.  We went from beginning stages of the sport all the way up and ending with a good high school game.

 

Our spectator chairs will remain in our car now until the season is over.  I love this time of the year - especially with Daylight Savings Time stating next week.