Bandbox

I have had the fun chance to pattern test Bandbox for Emily of Aunt Em's Quilts and am quite pleased with the way it turned out.  I have been wanting to use some of the reproduction feedsack fabrics and decided this was the perfect pattern for them.

The quilt is crib size - 42x54 inches.

  I used a white flannel on the back which will make the quilt very soft and comforting.

While we were away on vacation several delightful packages arrived in my mailbox.  It's always fun to come home to such fun surprises.

First off was a box filled with goodies from Ida at My Sis Made Me Do It.  There were wonderful fall kitchen towels, an adorable hankie doll card and amazing pincushions that she made.  I fell in love with her cactus pincushion when she had her Pincushion Parade and she mailed it to me.  Thank you so much, Ida.

Then there was a book from Linds at Rocking Chair Reflections.  Her review of it sounded wonderful so I am looking forward to digging into this one.  Thanks, Linds.

I received three patterns from a giveaway that Carol of Just Let Me Quilt had.  I think I need to make the hanging bat one for my next Halloween project.  That is so cute and the grandchildren would love it.  Thanks, Carol.

Lastly, I received a box with a fat quarter bundle of Frosty Forest from My Fabric Relish.  I was the winner from Lisa's Christmas in July Hop.  I posted about the patterns that I also received from Cherry here.  I think the tree skirt is in my future!

I'm looking forward to getting back to the sewing machine on a more regular basis once I finish emptying boxes and cleaning up from the remodel.  I was spoiled when I had an excuse for not cleaning house!!!

Merry Christmas

I have been so negligent of this blog lately, but I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas.  We will have family arriving tomorrow and my computer will be quiet for awhile as we celebrate with our family and friends.

In an effort to catch up a wee bit, I have had some exciting mail arriving in my mailbox.  First off was this delightful postcard from Linda.  We participated in the postcard swap that Sheila sponsored.  Her quilting on it is just wonderful and my little ones here love it.



I also had a couple of really nice wins lately.  The first was from Carol of Just Let Me Quilt.  Look at these beautiful fabrics, folded in a Christmas star pattern – so clever.  Included in the package was a fabulous antique spool.  These have always fascinated me and I have a very small collection of them.  Needless to say, I was thrilled.



Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe has had a daily giveaway for Christmas and I was lucky enough to be selected as one of the winners.  She has such gorgeous hand dyed fabrics, floss and supplies for stitching.  Look at these stunning colors of floss. 



Last weekend DH and I took off to the beach for a couple of days before the busy week.  We enjoyed sitting on the beach watching the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets as we admired God’s color palette.  It was such a nice break from all of the busyness to relax and contemplate the real meaning of the season.







In closing, I wish everyone a safe and blessed Christmas.  It will be 2015 before we know it.

T-Shirt Quilts

It was a little over a year ago that our next door neighbor died tragically, leaving a wife and three children.  I knew that I wanted to make memory quilts for the children and their mom gave me a couple of bags of t-shirts, shorts, pajamas, badges, etc.  After contemplating the idea for months I finally decided on my design.

Their dad was a Fire Captain so the sashing fabric I selected was firemen themed and picked up all of the colors in the T-shirts.  Other than that, I worked at arranging my squares at 6, 12, 18 or 24” measurements.  It was my first attempt at such a project, but I think they turned out well.  One is finished and the last two just need the binding applied.   Parts of the quilts were done on their grandmother's Singer 301a that their dad had given me last year.  You can read about that post here.







This week I also finished my little cross stitch project that I started while we were in Atlanta.



Look at these cute little buttons.  Aren’t they sweet?  I used some Weeks hand dyed floss for the project and I love the color variations in the stitching that the hand dyed floss gives. 



I’ve had a couple of really nice wins lately too.  The first was from Soma at Whims and Fancies.  I actually got these back in August and have been negligent in posting this nice win.  I like to have the little 2” squares already precut for a project.  Thanks, Soma.



I also won some great patriotic fabric from Debby at Debby Kratovil Quilts.  These are really nice fabrics and will be fun to use.  Thanks, Debby.



Jodi at Pleasant Home chose me as her winner of the Olfa giveaway celebrating their anniversary.  I was really pleased to have this 28mm cutter as I love using a small cutter for cutting out patterns when I am sewing clothing.  I have so much more control over the rotary cutter when it is small.  Look at the cute little Olfa pin too.



The mail has been so exciting…….much better than the junk mail that normally fills the mailbox.

A Bit of Stitching Week

I finally managed to get to the long lost sewing machine yesterday.  It was one of those days that I had to stay home and wait for a delivery.  While waiting, I did a bit of sewing. 

First off was the Cherry Spools and Lady Fingers row of the Row by Row Along that Moda Bake Shop is holding.  It is a fast one and I doubt that I will be able to keep up, but will eventually finish it.  My color inspiration comes from the x&+ blocks that Teresa is working on right now.  I love the bright and happy looks of her blocks.




Then I did my yellow Soul Searching block for the RSC14 this month.



It plays nicely with the other five blocks.



I need to share what was in the mail for me when we returned from vacation.  It’s always nice to have surprises waiting for when you return.

First off is a win from a giveaway that Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy had.  Look at all of these yummy colored threads and fabrics.  I’m so excited.



For my fun little mini spools quilt I won all of these amazing patterns from Another Year of Schnibbles.  I was thrilled to win these – especially the Firecracker pattern.  It is one that I have been tempted to make for awhile now.  Thank you Sinta, Sheri and Thimble Blossoms!



It was a party weekend around here.  Sunday’s party was to celebrate the christening of the newest grandbaby – always a reason to celebrate.  (The Godmother is in labor today.)