A Rough February

But life is looking up.

(From Pinterest)

Let me show you what I've been up to.

So far I have 15 blocks (375 yo-yos) completed.

My goal: 1225 or 70" x 70"

I may be adjusting the size....LOL.

***

I've tried a few new recipes.

OOOO talk about delicious.

LOOK at these......

 you've gotta be hungry!

Click on the photo for the recipe.

From "The Pioneer Woman".

and

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Both are quick and easy to make.

Hubby gave them two thumbs up.

***

I'm sure you've read about the

Homemade Laundry Detergent craze.

Let me tell you first hand.

It works!

Better than "works".

It's Amazing!
My laundry smells so fresh and sweet.

And cheap inexpensive to make.

Can't beat that.

Today is Super Tuesday and all I can say is:

Lots of Hugs and I'll have quilts to show you soon.

  

Sister Quilt Tops

 I found rescued a few years back from the flea market.

Both in excellent condition.

No holes, fading or worn spots.

Needed a little batting, backing and binding.

  TLC. 

Just look at these fabrics......

 I love hand stitching the binding to the back.

Then it's machine washed & dried.

Giving it that wrinkled vintage look.

And 100% cotton everything

makes it soooo soft.  

 The quilt measures 72" x 86".

That's 1,548 - 2 inch squares

handpieced.

The quilting adds so much texture.

"Lil Sis" is completely finished.

"Big Sis" measures 81" x  89"

That's 440 - 4 inch squares

handpieced. 

Both tops have exactly the same fabrics.

My guess is she made the 4" square top first

and then cut the scraps into 2" squares using all her leftover fabric.

No waste.

What do you think?

Look at these prints!

The same yellow reproduction print backing fabric

and blue binding on both.

A few more nights in front of the TV and she'll be ready for the wash.

Can you imagine how happy the piecer would be
to see her quilts finished?

Have Grandma will travel.

We spent a long weekend in Tomah

 cheering for our favorite team.

Son #1 coaches the 6th grade girls team.

My granddaughter can't believe girls didn't/couldn't

play sports in the "olden days".

I've been to MLK several times the last couple weeks and

heading out again on Sunday.

Grandma duty calls.

Hubby had 2 Dr appointments at the VA in Madison.

Going to have a hip replacement this Spring.

Here he is sporting his new hat.

While in Tomah we went "junkin"

and this was his score.

Now he really looks like a Grandpa!

I found a cast iron round (14") pan 

perfectly seasoned for $10.00.

A steal! 

Not much else going on.

Winter has finally come to stay.

Remember my love of "rescuing" old quilt tops?

Well, this scrappy yellow stars top was a YARD SALE find.

Picture it stuffed in a bag a top a table.

Wasn't very big (30 x 45) but all hand pieced

 and scrappy-scrappy-scrappy. 

I added the homespun plaid border, navy flannel backing

and yellow binding.

Isn't it darling??

To think someone thought it was garbage....

Found this free pattern on Pinterest

I haven't crocheted in years.

Except towel edgings of course.

This scarf was so fun, easy and

quick (2 hours, once I got the hang of it).

I made 3 4 5 ok 6!

I used a size "P" hook instead of the H because I

tend to crochet tight.

Here are my little gals modeling for me.

Unfortunately, Mom didn't make it in the pictures.

Speaking of towel edges.

I stitched Sun Bonnet Sue up over the holidays for a quick gift.
Green on a striped linen towel.

Here she is in redwork.

Sooo cute with the black puppy.
Days of the week towel patterns purchased here.

Gosh.....so many projects so little time.

OOOOO, wait til you hear....

THERE'S NO SNOW IN WISCONSIN!

Yep, you read that right.

January.

No show.

In fact, seasonably warm.

Can you hear me singing the

"Hallelujah Chorus"?

I've been busy packing up my Christmas decorations,

seasonal clothes, odds and ends.

Trying to

(found on Pinterest)

Here's a project that I finished up last year but never shared.

  

Remember the jelly roll races?

Well....I had a stack of red and blue fat quarter flannels

screaming to be made into a quilt.

So, I cut each FQ into strips 3" by 22".

Stitched the strips together, using the same technique.

Quick and Easy.

The top finished longer than I wanted

so I used the excess to made a flannel throw pillow.

Bordered and backed with navy flannel.

Bound in red plaid, cut on the bias. 

Manly, yes?

I was a good girl this year (fooled Santa)

and found a Thrive tablet under the tree.

I'm crazy about it!

I can sit in my easy chair at night and check blog friends

and that bad-bad-bad

PINTEREST.

I only say that because it is so addicting.

Really.

See for yourself.

I've found a million photos and ideas prompting me to

re-organize my fabric stash.

Check out the fabulous studio ideas.....

Who needs television?

Health and happiness to you!

An Early Celebration

We celebrated Christmas last weekend with the grandkids.

What a blessing to have a houseful of laughter!

(Even if the Packers lost)

When I look at my grown sons and their beautiful families

 I realize how fast the years go by.  

 

My granddaughter LOVED her quilt and flannel pillow cases.
Now if she would just catch the "quilt bug".....

I know what your thinking.....
NOT ANOTHER CHEX MIX
Oh yeah, one like no other......

Bet you can't eat just one handful!

Found this recipe from a "linky party" over at A Blessed Life.
It's going to be a new holiday staple!

Have a safe and loving Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

It's beginning to look and smell like Christmas around our house......

Twinkle lights, carols, and baking my family favorites.

(click on the recipes to print)

AND

Cranberry-White Chocolate Chip Cookies

And  .....

On top of all that decorating and baking I managed to get
 a little sewing time in.

My first attempt at a 2 fabric/color binding.

On the printed side of my flannel I attached a solid pink

and on the solid pink side it is printed.

Did that make sense?

I used these instructions but cut my binding strips 1/4" larger

to allow for the bulky flannel. 

It definitely takes a bit longer to prepare the binding

 but I love the effect on the quilt.

This is actually two pieces of flannel quilted and bound for a

Christmas present.

I can't wait to use this technique again.....

give it a try.

Here's a wool and cotton customer quilt I finished this week.

BEAUTIFUL!

The pattern is "Merry Christmas"

by Kathy Campbell of

Heart 2 Heart

Look at all the details!

WOW!

APPLE BUTTER HOUSE "Country Christmas"
was fabulous this year.
Caroline has such creative ideas.
It was magical.
Check it out....

"Apple Butter House 2011 Christmas"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Hope this finds you healthy and happy.

And not toooo stressed this holiday season.