Strings, Strips And Scraps

My scrap basket has been overflowing for quite some time, so the other day when Miss Two, my 7 year-old granddaughter, was here I put her to work sorting scraps.  (She loves playing with fabric scraps, so it didn't seem like much of a chore to her.)  She made piles of strings (anything under 2 1/2 inches), strips (anything over 2 1/2 inches) and scraps (everything else).  It wasn't long after that job was done that she started laying out strips next to each other and I suggested that we could sew them into a quilt like a Lasagna Quilt or a Jelly Roll 1600 Quilt.  It looks like we have our summer quilt project all planned and ready to sew!

Up, Up And Away!

Faster than a speeding bullet...more powerful than a locomotive...able to leap tall buildings in a single bound...it's a bird...it's a plane..it's the lil' cowboy?  I think we all know there are cowboys who are heroes, but did you know that they can be super heroes?  Of course they can, if their grandmama makes them a super hero cape!

Cooking For Easter

I did a little cooking this Easter, but not in the traditional way!  Instead of cooking in the kitchen I was busy in the sewing room making play food out of felt for my granddaughters' Easter basket.  I started with a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs and then moved on to a bag lunch complete with sandwiches and potato chips.  Of course, I knew that they would want cookies, so I madecookie dough, cookies and pink frosting too.  The girls are really enjoying their new play food and have even made up a grocery list of items for me to stitch up.  Tacos, pizza and s'mores will be added to the pantry soon.  More felt food ideas, patterns and tutorials can found HERE.

Happy Easter!

May your Easter be filled with blessings and maybe a few chocolate bunnies too! Happy Easter!

Much Better!

The dark backing has been replaced with the new lighter backing.  Making the change wasn't nearly as difficult as I had imagined.  Hand quilting rips out much faster than it goes in!  Yes, I lost some time, but I think it will be worth it in the long run!

Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak To Hope

For more information about the "Alzheimer's Illustrated: From Heartbreak To Hope" exhibit please visit www.alzquilts.org.

Call Me Crazy

I haven't been happy with the backing that I chose for my "Dear Jane" quilt ever since I sandwiched the quilt together.  Even though the fabric matches the top perfectly, I think it's just too dark in comparison to the front of the quilt.  I told myself that it really didn't matter what was on the back. After all, it's just the back.  I started hand quilting a few blocks with the thought that the backing fabric would grow on me, but after quilting six blocks the dark fabric was still bothering me.  Yesterday I made the decision to rip out the quilting and replace the dark backing fabric with something that I could truly be happy with.  Yes, it means a little extra work and some lost time, but I know I will be much happier with the quilt after it's all finished...if I ever get it finished!

I Spy!

Someone donated a box of scraps to the MLQG's charity group containing quite a few different cartoon prints...perfect for a Project Linus quilt!  I cut the scraps into 6" squares at our last charity sewing day and then I spent the rainy weekend sewing them together.  This morning I laid the finished top out on the floor, so I could take a quick photo.  What started as a short photo session turned into a half hour long game of I Spy with my two youngest granddaughters!  This quilt definitely gets two thumbs up from Miss Three and Miss Four and even though it is the most basic design, it's very apparent that it is going to make a young child very happy!

Silent Sunday

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful.   ~ E.E. Cummings