Wildwood Tree

Picked up a fabric panel at quilt shop in Victoria BC last spring. Shop showed it stretched over canvas frame. While it was a nice look I knew it could be better. I found a cool curtain rod with leaf finials ... I think it complimented the panel.

Our new wall hanging is centered above east window in living room ... I love it!

Scotch Blocks Quilt

My next project "Scotch Blocks" is a quilt for grandson Noah. Last spring I collected over 50 fat quarters to use in his quilt. I'm really good at procrastinating, dragging my feet, putting things off ... whatever or however you want to describe it. I could use the excuse that all of the fabric needed to complete it was not yet purchased, which is partially true. I found sashing fabric in Rapid City in August, the backing in North Platte in September and the corner stone fabric in my stash last week! Now I had no excuse to get started. Everyone who quilts knows that cutting the fabric is the most tedious/arduous part ... standing for hours is really a back breaker ... not to mention avoiding cutting your fingers with the rotary cutter or mis-cutting! So far, so good.


I liked this pattern as it used several different fabrics to complete one 12 inch block. Of course I opted for fabric combination in the background as I didn't think pink was Noah's color!


Every pattern designer has their own technique for fabric layout and cutting instructions. This particular pattern had few written instructions only black and white pictures for sewing ~ which were not helpful. So, I got out my graph paper and worked out my own fabric layout and wrote down cutting instructions.


Thirty fat quarters, pressed and ready for cutting ...


One fat quarter down ~ 29 more to go! If I've laid everything out correctly (knock on wood) then each 12" block will be unique ... no two should be the same ... and there will be 30 blocks to complete this twin sized quilt.


I have successfully completed five blocks. I am so happy to have a quilt wall to lay them out on .. so far I'm pleased with my progress ... I have all ten fingers and didn't lose any fabric due to inaccurate cuts.

Now back to my sewing ~~~

Grandma "Care" ~

Had the opportunity to stay with grandson Cooper for a day. What does one do with a one year old for nine hours? Well ... you babble and drool alot (him, not me, yet!), wipe a drippy nose (his not mine), bang on some pots 'n pans (makes a really cool noise), read books (over and over and over), and you take two naps (Coop, not grandma!). He walks now and while very mobil I can still outrun him. He's still short enough that his little noggin' will still clear tables and counters. He likes to open the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors and drawers, and understands no and will gently close avoiding pinching his little fingers. I think we had a great day together and while I love spending one-on-one time with him the thought of getting to do it 24/7 is a very tiring thought ...

Breakfast of a Banana, Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs -- Yummy!!!

For whatever reason I am fascinated with my Belly Button!!!

I love my little Coopie ... breakfast, lunch, naps, snacks, diapers ... he is a really cool little dude and always so happy you just love hanging with him --- even when lunch prep is taking a little to long ---

Waste Not ~~

I was fortunate enough to have parents that used their resources wisely. I remember nothing going to waste, especially the "hash" dish mother would prepare made up of all the week's leftovers ~~ not our favorite dish, but it was nutritious!

As I was cutting fabrics for the "Snapshots" quilt there were some usable strips remaining. I knew I could do something with them ... but what? I loved the look of the finished quilt, the bold colors and fabric textures. Ah-ha!


So, the "throw" pillow was born! A place to rest your head, prop up a good book, or to use for a good pillow-fight ... whatever, your call.

Journal-Star Printing Co. ~ circa early 1950's

There are very few people today who will remember this piece. It was a recruiting tool for paper carriers. I recall seeing it several times over the years as a one page ad. I love that spell check was not available ... just a Webster's ... note lower right hand picture tag line!


I love my chubby little fingers and look at that head of hair ...

~ Oh Danny Boy ~

Mad Hatter

Move over Johnny Depp ...