52 Week Challenge - Week 13

The 5th, and final finished project for the month of March.

I had fun making this reversible handbag in batik fabrics.  Very simple, functional, and easy.  Figuring out what kind of closure to use took longer than making the rest of the bag I think.  I may make some minor changes next time, a longer handle perhaps, modifications to the button/ribbon closure, that type of thing.  All in all though, I am satisfied with how it turned out.

If you are new to the 52 week challenge, feel free to jump right in.  We would love to have you.  Just add a link to your blog post, Flickr, or photo on your computer to a project you've finished this week.

So, what have you all been up to this week?  I can hardly wait to see.

Let's Get Busy,

My Other Shoes are a Pair of Roller Skates

For my birthday this year, I asked for a pair of roller skates.

I wanted denim blue skates, but had to settle for purple wheels.

Recently, I've been taking my granddaughter and her friends to the local rink.  Rather than just sit on the bench, I started skating too.  I used to love roller skating.  Although I never got very good at it, I can manage to keep my balance, and enjoy gliding around the rink dodging all the kamikaze six year old boys who are  inevitably going the wrong way.

I've never had my own skates. (except for the ones that attached to your shoes, and  sized with a key.  I remember the vibration of those early skates on the pavement.  You had to watch out for the cracks in the sidewalk or you would end up on the concrete.) Being a bit older now, I became uncomfortably aware  of how many other sweaty feet have occupied the rental skates before mine, and decided it was time for a pair of my own.

Sunday after church, I asked my husband if he would accompany me to the rink so that I could try out my new skates.  He tried roller skating a few years back, and didn't like it.  But he agreed to come and watch, and even gallantly tied my skates for me (so sweet).

I'm the one in the purple sweater

The rink gave us free tickets to come back next Sunday.  I plan to treat a couple of my granddaughters to a few hours of skating, and then (who knows) maybe some ice cream after.

Happy Skating,

Kudos to My Husband

Thanks to him, I have a beautiful new kitchen floor.

He got the laminated flooring down in one day over New Year's weekend.

Here he is ripping up the old flooring.

 The thresholds proved more of a dilemma.  It took him awhile to figure out how to make them because the kitchen floor was now a different level than the floor it was joining up to.  He decided to make them from  oak he had on hand, cut and sanded, and then put on 3 coats of polyurethane.

They are a little higher than the average threshold, but I'm okay with that.  They look great, and so does my kitchen. 

Thanks honey!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend,

I've Been Treasured

These are all clickable links, so shop away!

Happy Shopping ♥

52 Week Challenge - Week 12

I have been on a headband making kick this week.  I've made them for my daughter, all five of my granddaughters, and some for my shop.

A Mother/Daughter Set

They got better as I practiced the process.  Don't you love it when you've made something over and over, and suddenly get insight on how to make it better and more efficiently too.

(I also got my annual sales tax done this week, but that wasn't nearly as much fun.)

What have you finished this week?  I can't wait to see!

Let's Get Busy,

P.S. - If you would like to join us, jump in any time. We would love to have you.

The Family that Knits Together....

My daughter-in-law made this beautiful sweater for her niece (my granddaughter), and gave it  to her this past weekend, just in time for the start of Spring.

I am in awe of her talent.  She took a basic pattern and added her own flair, with cuffed sleeves, ruffled edging, cable stitching, and the Pièce de résistance - froggy buttons.

Would you believe that her knitting skills have rubbed off on my son as well?  He too has taken up knitting.  He claims that long ago, knitting was a male-dominated trade. Sailors were known to knit their own windproof sweaters for long voyages.

The warm and wonderful mohawk hat pictured below is an example of his work.

They have been teaching their two young daughters to knit also.  I have seen all four lined up on the couch with their needles clicking.  It's like a knitting factory! 

You've heard the saying about the family that knits together, right?

Project Quilting - Last Challenge of the Season

You can join in the last project of the season for Project Quilting, have lots of fun, have your finished project seen by many, and maybe win some fabulous fabric prizes (like a $15 gift certificate to my shop). 

I'll give you a clue, you must use a large scale print and a stripe or plaid for this project.

Check out the details on Kim's Crafty Apple Blog, but don't delay, you only have one week to finish your entry. 

Happy Sewing ♥

It's My Birthday and I'm Having a Sale!

Happy First Day of Spring, and Happy Birthday to Me!  To celebrate, I am giving 20% off all the newest fabrics in my Fabric Shop, and everything in my Quilt Shop.

Happy Sewing ♥

One Quilt Finished

Some may remember my mentioning a couple of quilts my daughter and I have been working to finish up for her twin teens.  Well my daughter has finished the one she was working on, and here it is.

Two of my grands sleeping under the new quilt

The design and fabric were picked out by the teen.  My daughter said not to look too closely at the binding (one of her first attempts), but I think it turned out very well.

I guess I had better stop slacking, and finish the other one.

Happy Sewing ♥

St. Patrick's Day Sale!

Yes, there is a little Irish in me, so I am having a One Day Sale!

Include something green in your order, and get 10% off your entire purchase.  Just use coupon code GREEN when you check out.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

52 Week Challenge - Week 11

This has been a productive week.  Early on in the week, I finished a set of  quilted place mats similar to the set last week, but in a red colorway .

 I simplified the quilting to a large random stipple, so they finished up in a jiffy.

I also finished the place mats below for a customer order.  They will be going to Germany as a gift for a bride and groom.

It was nice to see some new artisans participating in the challenge last week, as well as having Playing with Fiber back.

And congrats are in order for a new trio of baby Nigerian dwarf goats at Jan's place.  You can see them in all their adorableness here.

Can't wait to see what you have been up to this week.

Let's get busy,

Time to Vote

Time to vote for your favorite Flying Geese project on  Project Quilting.

Here are just two of the many creative efforts this challenge:

Dancing Geese by ForQuiltsSake

Geese at Sunset by Sarah B

I am proud to sponsor this wonderful quilting contest where both the participants and the fans come away winners.  Be sure to see all the entries, and cast your vote on Kim'sCraftyApple blog.

Happy Sewing ♥

Treasury Time

Some Lovely Treasuries my shops have been included in recently:











These are all clickable links, so shop away!

They're Here!

Bali Pops are back in gorgeous new colors like Pink Lemonade, Blue Hawaiian, Mango Margarita, and more.

You can use them for any pattern that calls for 2 1/2" strips like this beauty offered by Hoffman.

Happy Sewing ♥

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52 Week Challenge - Week 10

My daughter and I spent the weekend working on some UFO quilts for her teen twin stepdaughters.  The girls designed these quilts a couple of years ago, and even helped in the initial cutting and sewing of the blocks.  But it has been one of those projects that seemed to drag on and on.  I still don't have the finished quilts to show, but we are making progress.

I did finish these place mats early this week, and have them listed in my quilt shop.

Set of four - fabric from the Camelot Collection by Jason Yenter

Quilting them was especially fun.  I started out with a design by Leah Day, which I used on two of the mats.  Then I altered the design to match the floral pattern in the fabric, and completed the other two mats.

The mat in the lower right and upper left are Leah's design.  The leaf stems in the other two are altered slightly.

I can't wait to see what you have been working on this week.

Let's get busy,

Ice Land and a New Fabric Favorite

We awoke to icy rain beating against our windows last night, which turned to snow this morning.  I think they call this a wintry mix.

Despite the inconvenience of frozen cars, downed trees, and power outages, I have to admire the beauty.  The ice on the trees took my breath away.

 
I have a new favorite fabric available in my shop just in from Hoffman - it is shrimpalicious!

 Happy Sewing ♥

March Weekend

My husband and I spent separate but equally enjoyable weekends.

He went to a men's advance with our church. I spent the weekend at my daughter's home.

He listened to teachings, fellowshipped with the other men, and enjoyed the outdoors.

It was a beautiful setting

I quilted, painted with my granddaughter, and went to a St. Patrick's day parade.

My granddaughter likes to paint on horseback

We heard bagpipers, got a bagful of candy, and saw lots and lots of green.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend too.

Happy Sewing ♥