Quilted Doings

Well the quilting bug has certainly bitten here in my little corner of the world. Mom & I can hardly get enough of all the lovely quilting video tutorials we've found online. It's so nice that even though we're miles apart, we can both watch at the same time and just ooh and aah over all the lovely things we're learning! Some of our favorites are those from Connecting Threads and Missouri Star Quilt Company. I can hardly believe the amazing techniques that have been developed to create beautiful quilts so easily.

Sadly, I want to do all these new projects at once. I just can't seem to help myself. To justify that approach, I've decided that it is perfectly alright to have a project for every mood going at one time.

So I have my Chubby Chicks project when I'm in the mood for applique. After several practice chicks, I have these six chicks completed. I misjudged my fabric needs and I'm waiting for more "beak" fabric to arrive in the mail before I can continue. Mrs. JP is using this pattern to make spring table runners. I can only imagine how cute those will be.



And when I'm in a stitching mood, I can work on this little redwork Sunbonnet Sue. I've finished 8 of the blocks and have 4 more to go. I believe I'm just going to tie this one.



Finally, I couldn't resist this darling little Bunny Hill pattern. It is made primarily from one charm pack, and I thought it would be the perfect small project to practice my hand quilting.



I'm using this fresh and pretty Basket of Flowers charm pack from Mary Engelbreit's collection.



And if that wasn't enough, Mom & I decided to work on a project together. She is really enjoying hand stitching right now so we chose Bunny Hill's free BOM Snowbound. Each month features a different snowman that can be stitched or appliqued. We're doing the stitching and will be creating them in bluework. As well, Bunny Hill still has their free A Tisket, A Tasket pattern available for a couple more weeks. I printed it out just in case ...



Are you dizzy yet? I am. And though I only have little snatches of time here and there to enjoy the art, I am lovin' every little minute of it!

Blessings,
Lea

The Great Rooster Chase Is Over

Can you believe this little bird dominated our entire day! LOL The boys still hadn't caught him so I threw on my rubber boots and joined in the chase. And even though I didn't actually catch him myself (Jase did), I did remind the boys that it took a woman's motivating presence to get him caught!





Blessings,
Lea

Little Aprons & Vintage Dolls

Hurray ~ another UFO completed! Some time ago, I agreed to help a friend restore a rag doll that her mother made for her as a child. Originally handmade in the 1950's, this little doll came to me in a small envelope with no stuffing, no hair and missing her apron. And today I finally got her completed.



I was so pleased with my first attempt at a miniature apron. It's only about six inches long. New fabric just wouldn't do for such an old dolly. I was fortunate to have just the right vintage linen in my stash and was able to craft an apron that I felt she would be comfortable in. I think it suits her well, don't you?



She looks so pleased with her new yarn hair and fresh old apron. I sure hope she resembles the doll that my friend remembers as a child. Tomorrow she will be ever so carefully packaged and sent on her way to Mississippi. I wish I could be there when the packaged is opened!

I still have a few more unfinished projects to complete before I let myself begin a new one, but I can't help thinking how pretty a little kitchen Christmas tree would look covered in miniature aprons??? I hope I can make myself wait to begin.

Stay cozy & warm,
Lea

Raggedy Projects & Garden Dreams

These freezing temperatures are keeping me indoors and near the woodstove, so I'm finally catching up on all those unfinished projects that I'd love to work on but can never seem to get to. Am I the only one who does that? I did recently finish this little set of Raggedy Triplets for some dear friends. Now I'm completing my (blush) 12 year old quilt ... the last block in hand. (Will Mom ever be happy that I finally finished it!)



But though I love getting all caught up, my heart has already turned toward the garden with all the hopes of new things I want to accomplish this year. My mind is swimming with herbs & butterfly gardens, stone paths & scarecrow friends ... Sometimes I think God chose to place winter right before spring just for me. If He had not, I don't think I'd ever take time to catch up on other things or even to plan my garden well.

I'm off to stitch and dream some more. Stay warm!

Many blessings,
Lea