SSCS Opened-Thank You Laila

SSCS Opened-Thank You Laila

My SSCS gift could finally get opened and I let the grand babies open it on Christmas eve when we exchange our gifts. They were so excited and I tried to explain it was all the way from Norway, but I don't think they understood.

This is the first picture, little sister is saying, this one is empty, big sister has already taken the package out.

Uh oh, might be a little bit of trouble.

Little sis took off and big sis finishes it up. Look at those eyes she just got through telling little sis to come on we can both open it.

Thank you again Laila (http://jacobs-quilt.blogspot.com/). She made the bag that May Britt designed and it is so cute. This is so special knowing that Laila made this and I already know the project that it will hold. Fabric, thimble and a charm were also included. The thimble will have a special place on a shelf. Mom collected thimbles and I have it on my wall.

I loved doing this swap and I want to thank Donna again for hosting it. I know Maree (http://www.mareew.blogspot.com/) received hers and this is what I sent across the big ocean. It really gives us an opportunity to meet people from all Countries.

Don't forget to sign up for the magazines giveaway below. I'll be drawing soon...

Christmas Spirit Giveaway - Please read post

Christmas Spirit Giveaway

Please read post

OK girls and guys, you have to read this whole post to be able to understand what I’m trying to do. “Promise” I want to spread the true meaning of Christmas, celebrating Jesus Birthday, after all “Jesus is the reason for the Season” I am having a giveaway with what I feel is the talent that God has given me. We all have talent that He has given us. Since I have been on Blogland, I have met so many creative people. It may be sewing, photography, writing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, mosaic, painting, mixed media artist, cooking or taking something from old and giving it new life. I know there are many more, but you get the picture. I am posting a little girls dress I made and you can leave me a post to get your name in, but here is the TWIST. The dress is for the winner and then he or she will turn and give it to a little one that may not have a new dress for the Christmas Holiday's. A family that might have lost their income or is in crises with the economy the way it is at this time. Maybe a family that has lost their house from the fires in California or the storms down South.

My daughter said ‘Mom, why don’t you just give it to a little girl”. This is my thought; maybe this can be spread through Blogland. Now I know that it is the busiest time of the year and believe you me, I had to hustle when I thought about this. If you are having a hard time and enter then this is for you. I would love to see you keep it or even a family member that you would love to give something to and you don't have the funds.

Now you don't have to do this, but my wish is for you to take just a little bit of time and have a giveaway but have it where someone who really needs it can win it. I will be glad to tell people about your giveaway. I am sorry that we only have time to do it in the States, so I can ship it to the winner in time for Christmas. Girls, you that are across our big Oceans, up North and South, can do this in your Country. Let’s get started and spread the Christmas Spirit. If you want to use the card for a logo, just click on it and save.

The reason for a little girls outfit. We just found out our 3rd grandbaby is a girl. That will be our 3rd girl. We couldn't be happier.

I hope I have made since. Drawing will be on December 10th. I think that will give it enough time to arrive.

Merry Christmas,

Baby Burp Cloths Tutorial

Baby Burp Cloths

Cutting Fabric-Will make 2 Burp Cloths

Main Fabric-18" x WOF-You will then cut this fabric at the fold. You will then have two pieces that measure 18" x 22" if your fabric is 44" wide.

Border Fabric-10" x WOF-Cut 2 from this fabric to measure 10" x 18"

To place embroidery, I fold the main fabric in half. Selvage on one end and fold where it would measure 9" x 22" and crease down the middle. Embroidery-I line up the fold in the embroidery hoop positioning it so the design will be at the end without the selvage. The reason for this is on some fabrics, as the one I'm using, I do not finish the selvage end. Some fabrics you have to finish both ends.

Embroidery design by machine or hand. Now fold border piece to measure 5" x 18" and pin to the end of main piece and sew.

At this point I finish all edges.

Top stitch seam toward main fabric.

Fold in half with RST-the burp cloth will now measure 9" x 26" and sew 1/2" center seam.

Press seam open and turn. You will have a long tube. Opened on both ends.

I found this to be long enough to go over shoulder and fit comfortable.

Finish off with an ornament that you can sign and write the date on the back. Embroidery the name on the burp cloth and it makes a very special gift for the little one.

WOF-Width Of Fabric

RST-Right Sides Together

I'm so far behind!!! Ideas for gifts and Angel Swap

I'm so far BEHIND!!!

Ideas for Gifts and Angel Swap

I am really behind in all of my blogging and visiting, but I will come see you all soon. I have a show December 6Th and with all the sewing that needs to be done, I'm panicking now. November brings 3 birthdays and a visit out to West Texas, so I have to get in high gear.

First I want to show you a picture of my Angel Swap gifts from Pina Refat . Thank you so much and they are so special coming from you, all the way from Australia. This was a great swap since we all like to sew and that is what the swap was about. I received a pincushion, a needle holder (with beautiful stitchery on it) and a pretty bag. You know how us ladies like our bags. Thank you again Pina.

Now I want to show you one of the items I've been working on for the show. They are sew easy!!! Maybe it will give you some ideas for Christmas gifts. These are baby burp cloths. I will be posting a tutorial on this tomorrow, the pictures are taken so maybe tonight. I love making these and try to make them special since the "First Christmas" is so much fun with little ones. A little ornament tied on that you can date. (They will also be listed in the shop) Hope to post gift ideas now until Christmas.

We had a few Christmas's when we didn't have small children at the celebrations. It is so much fun to see Christmas through children's eyes. My Mom and Dad would have their great gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas with all the Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and yes even strangers sometimes. (That's a whole other story). At Christmas we would always have a cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. The children would be so excited to blow out the candles and sing.

These fast little gifts are some of the things that I've worked on for the show, but I can't wait to sew some quilts or clothes. So stay tuned for some variety. I'll show the pillow cases next.

Here are some pictures from West Texas, it is so beautiful out west. I went into a great quilt shop and brought the camera, but I got the hint that they really didn't want any pictures taken. If you are ever in Kerrville I would say you need to stop by.

Vacation, Economy, Quilt, Fabric Sale, Giveaway, SSCS, Angel Swap and Rambling

Vacation, Economy, Quilt, Fabric Sale, Giveaway, SSCS, Angel Swap and Rambling

Boy, I have a lot to talk about. First I'll talk about the good things, we are going on a little vacation, not very far. With gas prices, just far enough away to relax and get some family time and stitchen' in. We leave Friday and I'm trying to cook some things and freeze before we leave. I hope to post tomorrow a Mexican Casserole dish I make. It is so good and you can freeze it for a later date.

Another happy thought I wanted to post a picture of a quilt I had done and it hung in the shop for decorations at Christmas time. I am now cutting out another one to make for myself, due to a lady begging me to sale her that one. (could kick myself for doing it) It is one of the first patterns I had made. Now I'm working on some other patterns and hope to have them posted soon. So below is Mr. Santa.

Now if he doesn't get you in the Christmas mode, (not to decorate) but to start and finish some gifts, I don't know what will. He's looking at you and checking his list.

OK, here is a bad thought, good thought. ECONOMY!!! I don't like listening to the news anymore. I know it's not right of me to want to bury my head and have you wake me up when it's over, but that is the way I feel. After having a shop and struggling to keep it open, I moved on to better ways and one is online. So here comes the good news. I know as a quilter/seamstress I want fabric, patterns or you know the fix we have to have. I'm lowering (is that a word) the prices on my fabric and patterns. I hope to have all the fabric at $6.50 a yard, I mainly carry Moda and Alexander Henry at this time. I'm setting up shop as we speak and after the vacation will be taking pictures and putting all of it online (which should have taken place already) So look for all this to take place in about a week.

Another happy thought is having things cut out and ready to sew for my Angel Swap partner and my SSCS to take with me on our trip.

Now that I have rambled on and on I still want to remind everyone to sign up for the giveaway. If you don't wear aprons, maybe it could be a gift for you to give to the hostess. See post on September 26th for APRON GIVEAWAY!!!

Come on back for the recipe tomorrow.

Big Red is coming along! I have to get thinking about the Holiday's...

"Big Red" is coming along!

I am so excited about our building. My house is running over with fabric, antiques and items from the store closing. I feel like our lives might get a little bit organzied. I really hope I can get some quilters together and have a party barn. It's so hot here, we could only do it in the fall, winter and spring. Oh, I have big plans...

Now my DH probably has other plans, party barn with neon signs, TV, wood working (which is fine). He's a hunter, fisherman, and golfer, so no telling. I think we can both work with it.

Our Minds better get to thinking about the Holiday...

I know, it's scary, to think it's so close...Chloe thinks so!

I have got a lot of projects and hope to be posting pictures soon, "how to make items and decorating ideas."

Projects-not completed!!!!

I came across some projects that I have all good intentions on finishing. Well....what is my problem. One thing, I did just find them and here Peg's challenge is almost over. Some I had from teaching quilt classes at the shop.

But I ask the question. Is anyone else like me. Do you start so many and put them aside? Am I the only one? There are a lot of us that joined the challenge. Maybe that's the answer to my question.

I am determined to finish things I've started. I've been doing some reading to help me with this, if I just finish the book.

Here are just some of them....

This is a 4th of July project and a picture frame with an old quilt in it that I'm doing handwork on.This is a purse in the works.... Cute Cowboys...



Christmas runner, "Jesus Is The Reason For The Season" only needs the handwork on the binding.... I guess I kinda had doubts on this one, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus being snowmen.

And last a baby quilt, needs quilting. I have to stop looking for stuff.

So cute it has the prayer embroidered with Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Mind Wide Open Contest

Apron for Mind Wide Open

If you are creative and would like to get your mind really working you need to go to this site www.mind-wideopen.blogspot.com/ and see what it's all about. I'm posting an apron I made, to enter the contest. Gail posted a picture and a word (remembrance) to get things started. She will post names and pictures tomorrow so everyone can vote for the one they like. If you didn't participate this month, there will be a whole new adventure for next month.

Below are some pictures of the apron I designed and why I named it "Remembrance of Things Past."

When I was very young, it was so special at Christmas time, all the family together and cooking. I remember my Mom and Grandma in the kitchen with their aprons on. Mom's favorite color was pink and Grandma she loved to sew, but she never had a lot of fabric, so she would even cut up clothes for her quilts. I can just see them in the kitchen with their aprons on. I tea dyed my fabric for the age look and pieced together the apron, for my Grandma's quilting. The product used to copy the photo is Click-n-Craft, for use with any inkjet printer. Just email me if you have any questions. The raveled edges just gave it the little bit of age, for the remembrance to come back.

Remembrance of Things Past

Have to have a little loop for your towel.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway below!!!!!

Two Giveaways- You Pick

Romantic Homes Ad

Two Gifts To Choose From

The ad is out and I'm ready for the giveaway. Since I have two grandbabies to draw names, I have to have two gifts. Just leave me a post on which one you would like. I will divide them up into two different drawings.

#1

One of the giveaway is a little bit of everything. From going green with a bag I designed that will help you do away with the plastic bags, a Willow Tree-Mother and Son, a garden journal, Christmas CD to get us in the mood and thinking, and a scoop, just because.

#2

The other giveaway is for the creator. A santa panel again to get us thinking, six fat quarters from Moda, a pattern-Jelly Bellies that is great for fat quarters and also the Christmas CD.

Just be sure and tell me which one you would like your name to be put in.

You do not have to have a blog to enter, just drop me an email and I will post your comment for you.

Deadline for drawing will be on July 15th! The magazine will be on newstands by then.

Thank you for stopping by,