An Inspirational Quilter

WHAT AN INSPIRATION!

Cherries In Winter

What was up with Blogger?

Glad they were finally able to fix the problem.
Got me to thinking.......
what would we do without blogs???
Panic!

There is sew much inspiration out there!
Have you seen the "Apron in A Jar"
Jodi from Pleasant Home posted today?

And Karen from Sew Many Ways idea for a fabric swap?
And while your there check out her sewing room.
To. Die. For.

This is what I have been working on.
I started 2 table toppers last year, luckily it was all cut out.

Candy Kisses
by Sandy Gervais.

The book on my night stand was recommended by
Lori at Bee In My Bonnet earlier this month.
Check out her review.
Recipes with a story.
Loved it.

She talks about this in the book.
Oven Therapy.

I made the phrase into a 5 x 7 for my kitchen.
Just click on image to enlarge and save.
Then print.

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Check out the comment left by the author, Suzan Colon!

Tea Towel Edges

I sat and stitched edging on dish towels this weekend
while visiting with Mike's brother & sister in law.
They drove up from St Louis on Friday.
And left this morning with snow falling.

Remember the crocheted pillow case edging

I did last year?
Used the same technique.

The cherry & bee embroidery is from Bird Brain Designs.
The letters I marked with a blue disappearing ink pen.

Here is the blanket stitch foundation which I
stitched only on the back.
It made those cute little cream stitches on the front.
I'm kinda liken it, don't you?

Of course, I had to make a fabulous
chocolate dessert for company!
Brownies with coconut.
Moist & deee-lious.

Quick & Easy to put together!
Click on the recipe to enlarge.

We went to see "The King's Speech".
An EXCELLENT movie.
Colin Firth & Geoffry Rush both gave award winning performances.
I love movies based on history.
Don't you?

Lots of appointments this week.
I hate to drive in snow!
Scares the dickens out of me.
"Grandma sitting" on Thursday and Friday.

Hope this finds you healthy & happy.
Keep on stitching!

Life Got in the Way

I didn't get any sewing or quilting done this week.
Life just got in the way.
I wish I could say I finished up a few projects.....

Sew I wanted to show you a few of my favorite vintage quilts.
And my latest x-ray.
What a combo, huh?

This utility quilt top was found at an estate sale years ago.
The piecer used a large variety of scraps and plain muslin.
Just a simple 9 patch.
I quilted it using muslin for the backing and
it washed up beautifully.
It's on my guest bed and everyone comments
on how soft & cuddly it is.
Simple is good.

This beauty is from Bloomfield IA, hand stitched in the 1930's.
Soooo many 1" squares.

And look at the cheddar gold/orange and green.

This Trip Around the World is quilted
in my favorite overall pattern.
The Baptist fans.
Wonder why they're Baptist and not Methodist?

And I want to show you my latest x-ray.
I've been going to rehab now for 2 1/2 months and
I'm still not able to lift my arm very high.
It hurts like heck!

So back to the Orthopedic Dr I went.
And after one look it was obvious.
The metal plate is hitting my shoulder bone
when I raise my arm.
Poop.
Looks like I'm going to have the plate & screws removed.
I swore that the next time I was "put under" it was going to
include a face lift or tummy tuck! LOL

We are expecting 4-6 inches of snow tonight.
Looks like I will be stitching by the fire to stay warm.

Hope all is well in your world.
Stay safe.
And warm.

January Funk

This is exactly how I feel today
after the holidays.
Exhausted.

My 2 year old granddaughter just couldn't
stay awake another minute!

Do you get the "January Funk"?
How do you manage?

February isn't much better.
My birthday month.....

Here is one of the highlights of my week.
My 10 year old granddaughter
learning new embroidery stitches.

Gosh, I hope she catches the"bug"!


Off to take down the Christmas decorations.
Geezz, it's so much more fun putting them UP!

Stay warm.

The True Feeling of Christmas

"There, but for the grace of God, go I".
I thought this was a proverb from the Bible.
My mistake.
It is a quote by John Bradford,
made in the mid-sixteenth-century.
It kept ringing in my ears on Christmas Day.

Mike and I volunteered to help serve meals
to needy families in our community.
The atmosphere was festive,
live Christmas music, Santa, and lots of delicious hot food.
There were 800 meals served.
That number included meals delivered to shut-ins.

I can't begin to tell you how much joy was in the room!
The children were excited to get a gift from Santa.
Maybe the only one they received this year.
People lingered over coffee, talking and singing.
Having an extra serving of pie.

I know it sounds corny, like in the movies, but
it warms your soul.
Making your blessings even more appreciated!
After 60 odd years,
I found the true feeling of Christmas!

Ohhhhh....I hope you had warm and wonderful weekend.
And that Santa was extra good to you.

I did get a little sewing done.
And lots of ripping!
I'm making the chain blocks for the Snow Bound quilt.
Scrappy red and white.
I'm tempted to stitch another set of blocks in blue.
It was so much fun!

I'm heading out tomorrow to pick up a couple grand kids.
Bring them back to "Grandmaville"
Plan to see the Yogi Bear movie for the 7 year old
and go bowling.
Bake cookies with my 10 year old grand daughter and
hope we get a little stitching time together.

Didn't I tell you we are blessed!

See you next year!

We Have A Winner Here!

Did you think I forgot about you?
I drew the winners Sunday morning
and had good intentions of posting.
BUT........
life got in the way!

On Saturday we went to see my granddaughter play
in her first-ever basketball tournament.
She was so nervous!
But after "settling down" the team did GREAT!
No girls sports back in the
covered wagon days when I went to school.
I'm so proud of her!

And now what you really stopped in to see.

The winner is number 2...
Kris from Simplify!

And number 13!
John'aLee from The Scrappy Appleyard.
Ladies, send me an email with your address
and I'll get your pin cushion in the mail.

We had a huge snowfall overnight.

It sure looks like Christmas!
Ready or not here it comes!

Pin Cushion Madness

I wanted to make my QUILTY friends a
"little something" for Christmas.

Decided a quilter can never have enough
Pin Cushions.

I searched the web for a free pattern
and couldn't believe all the possibilities.

Here are the 2 sites that I used for inspiration.
Both have excellent tutorials
with lots of photos.
Of course, I made a few minor changes.

Creative Kismet

Craftapalooza

I made 2 sizes.

Instead of cutting 8 separate wedges I pieced a 4 patch.
4-4" squares for small 6" circle.
4-5" squares for large 8" circle.

Then,using my circle template, cut out my circles.
A few of the pin cushions have a solid piece for the back.
Others the 4 patch.

What is this?
My filler.
Ground English Walnut Shells.
I read about it on several sites.
And
Alex Anderson uses this in her pin cushions.
Makes them "weighty" and helps keep needles sharp.
I found this large bag for $9.99 at my local pet store.
Enough to fill more pin cushions than I can make!

I also used this long needle.
Left over from the 80's (used for doll sculpture).
Don't even ask.

I used 7/8"covered buttons for the top.
And a regular button for the bottom.
Chained stitched around the seam
with 6 strands of matching floss.
A little extra detail.

This one is made from an old linen dish towel
that was stained beyond use.
And wool.
I used iron on interfacing for backing the wool & linen
to keep the filling from seeping out.
And found the perfect button in my button jar.
I knew I saved all those strays for a reason!

In this season of "giving"
I'd like to send one of my dear blog readers
a few "seasoned" cookbooks and a pin cushion.
Just leave a comment.
I'll draw a name on Saturday.
Or two.
I have enough crushed walnut filling
that's for sure!

Warm holiday wishes.

Christmas without cookies?
I think not!

Check out the Cookie Exchange
Jodi from Pleasant Home is hosting.
Click on the photo and turn on the oven!

Here is one of our family favorites.
I posted it last year so it's a repeat.
But soooo worth it.

My oldest son Jeff doesn't call Christmas

"officially" here until he eats a dozen! Click on the recipe to enlarge.

Remember the free printable post?
Well, I changed my mind.
I should say frames.
I put the metallic ribbon matte into a white frame.
Doesn't it look so elegant?

I then used grosgrain ribbon to make a second one.
Polka Dots....of course.
It fits the red frame so much better.
Don't ya think?

Oh happy day......
A sign I believe!


Wouldn't this look so cute on a cookie exchange table?
Or above the cookie jar?

Just click on the image to enlarge.
Save image to your computer.
And print.
It fits a 5 x 7 frame.


And last but not least.
A BIG*BIG*BIG
THANK YOU
to Anne from Bunny Hill Designs
for the free BOM pattern she made
available this year (and last).

I can't wait to see the finished quilts!

I'm heading to the big city tomorrow morning
to help out for a few days with the youngest grand babies.
Oh how I miss those hugs & kisses.

In case you need a little holiday pick me up.

How can you not smile after watching this????

Stay safe & warm.
And may the holiday spirit follow you
wherever you go!