Hand Work

2012-02-19T12:24:00.000-08:00

TEACHING

2012-02-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

I find myself teaching these days. Yesterday it was Paper Piecing. To get myself back in the mode I made a quick birthday cake block. I love it and hope to turn it into a birthday card or something else in the future.

These are the two beginner projects I chose for my 5 class members. They all did well !

Crossed Canoes

Square in a Square

RECIPE EXCITEMENT !!!

2012-02-12T09:11:00.000-08:00

These days I am searching the web for recipes that are healthy. This is one I found this morning and hope to try soon. So different from my usual. It gets me way excited. WAY excited.... Check out the name of this recipe...WOW....

Lightened Up Protein Power Goddess Bowl

Riley turns 5 !

2012-02-05T20:42:00.000-08:00

We went to Pocatello for Riley's party. I want to show you his cake. Ben and Michele can make any sort of cake. I am not kidding. I remember when they made an Orange Crush can cake for Jane's birthday.

Treasure Chest Cake

This amazing Quilt Cake appeared for my birthday last year! Not sure I wanted to see my age done up in fondant, but there it is.

They still have a supply of firework candles from their days at the Fire Ten Grill. They are spectacular !

Riley is Five !

I made pillowcases for Riley and his brothers...

Son Ben and Grandson Riley

Green Monster Smoothie

2012-02-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

I decided to revamp my diet. In a nutshell I am rejecting the unhealthy foods I have been consuming for my entire life because you can "never have enough of something you don't need". Healthy foods are good and enjoyable but they don't compel me to eat more than I need. I have cut out sugar, diet soda, and processed foods. AMAZING. While searching for healthy recipes I found out about Green Smoothies. Here's the link. I got this blender/food processor at Costo. It's a Ninja and I LOVE IT! I throw in spinach, fruits, and almond milk.

NINJA

I will keep you posted on my progress !

Hen Pincushion

2012-02-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

We had a pin cushion swap in 2011 in our Guild. To my delight I received this chicken from Heather. I grab it by its "comb" and carry it from place to place. It's just plain cute.

my sewing room buddy

my other sewing room buddy making himself comfortable

REMODELING BEGINS !

2012-02-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

Super husband and I made a few remodeling plans for our home. Barry began by demolishing the room next to our bedroom which used to be a family room which before that was a patio. This meant loud crashing down of bricks that were hiding behind wall to wall bookcases and a wall.

future master bedroom addition...

project overload !

2012-02-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden I find myself with a few assorted projects for customers of the Quilt Barn. First I wanted to finish Andrea's curtain panels and pillow shams. I especially love the scalloped polka-dot finish on the shams. I didn't photograph the two 109" reversible curtain panels but I can say they were from the Secret Garden collection of fabrics and should look great on her windows.

Store Window Display

Andrea's friend Danniel will be having a baby boy soon and wanted me to make her a diaper bag. She chose Nappy Bag pattern by Amy Butler. It went together easily. The pocket for the cell phone was long and skinny with room for an antennae to stick out ! Old pattern? I should have noticed this oddity before I sewed it. It makes a cute but unuseable detail.

Danniel chose Grand Bazzar fabric by Patti Young

I have an unusual request to make a twin sized quilt for a busy mother of 6 who was recently called to be the Young Woman's President in her ward. She just wants me to do $100 worth and then she'll finish it.
I am in process of cutting it out...

100 Dollar Quilt

A customer named John Edwards wanted some fabric quilted for his car....not sure how he's going to use it but I used quilt basting spray (love that stuff!) and my walking foot to quilt a diamond pattern. I get bored doing things like this. Usually music gets me through it.

car quilt

Hoops, Needles and Floss !

2012-01-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

Tyler

Zoe

Me and Reese

I wasn't sure grandchildren ages 4-6 could do embroidery. But I gave them some fabric in a hoop and had them write their name and draw a picture on it with a frixion pen (because if you mess up the ink disappears like magic if you shoot it with a hair dryer or an iron). Tyler, Reese and Zoe were amazing. Reese loved it the most and its her picture that heads my blog. I taught them a simple outline stitch and helped them with the floss separating and the knot tying. A holiday highlight for sure !

September Table Runner

2012-01-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

I am lucky enough to work at a quilt shop. An amazing thing really....I am thankful everyday ! The shop is called
The Quilt Barn and its located in Kimberly Idaho. I have been with them since their beginning three years ago and have made many shop samples. This table runner is one I finished last week. I chose non-traditional colors. The pattern is called Calendar Table Runners and includes a pattern for each month of the year.

Left Right Center

2012-01-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

A favorite dice game. We used one dollar bills. So fun and easy !

Hide the Grinch

2012-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

My friend Tara made an advent calendar from our Grinch fabric . Look at her tiny stuffed Grinch . I made a little stuffed Grinch and the grandkids had the best time playing Hide the Grinch in my sewing room. Some of the simplest activities are the best ones !

The Peanut Butter Sandwich Game

2012-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I have the cutest 11 grandchildren...it goes without saying ! One of the fun things we did together was the peanut butter sandwich game. They loved it ! I made felt sandwich components according to this tutorial.

Singing in the Sewing Room

2012-01-14T17:45:00.000-08:00

We enjoyed getting to know Josh Robinson better. Here is Josh and Jane enjoying our Sing-a-long:

JANE AND JOSH !

This year I even made songbooks.....cuz we all like to sing so much....

Christmas hats for the grandkids made on my Featherweight ! Here are five of the kids sitting on my cutting table shaking their jingle bells....

christmas 2011

2012-01-14T17:30:00.000-08:00

Everyone was home for Christmas this year except for Russell's family. They were busy with a hair-raising and very hectic move from Ironwood Mi. to Hermiston Or.! They made it safely and they love it there. Ben, Michele and kids were living with us and Jane's fiance Josh joined us for the holiday. We made some great memories...

Pop Beads!

Sewing Projects for Andrea

2012-01-14T16:33:00.000-08:00

Andrea was here for Christmas. She came to the Quilt Barn where I work and chose some very cute fabrics and projects for me to make for her. While she was here I made her a kitchen curtain. So here is my first finish of the year !

...already hanging in Andrea's kitchen in Bakersfield Ca. I will also be making pillow cases and shams for Zoe and Reese's bedroom. And lastly....full length, reversible curtain panels for their living room windows. Stay tuned for finishes and photos!

The Humble Pillowcase