Sewing Gifts

Yes I have been sewing gifts. Lots of birthdays this month and some belated ones from last month!
 First wanted to share this 2.5 yard piece of Windham fabric picked up at local thrift for $2.99!
Has the look of a coverlet. Do not recall this Buffalo Bill line. Anyway score!!!


 Our son is one of the belated February birthdays we are celebrating this Sunday! He loves to fish and cook out. So his gift is an apron, custom made for his tallness, out of this fish fabric!

 It really can be reversed as well. Has a pocket for the cook'n rag , as DH calls them!

 This pic looks a bit werid but anyway here it is hanging. Did ties for the neck .

 To match he has potholders. These are my own design I came up with way back.
I did do a simple TUT for them here.  They seem to be a popular Pintrest pin.

They are heavy duty and work well. I used to not quilt them as much but found with the quilting they wash up well. 

Tried to get a pic of the true colors but this is as good as it gets! There is a added surprise in the pocket.

Little extra is this coffee cup cozy! Used a Starbucks paper one as pattern.
SEW he is all set to use his new smoker grill!

We have pretty sunshine today!
Still cold but no horrid north wind like yesterday.
I need to go outside to spray baste a quilt.

Sadly the maid fairy has yet to show up so I must try to clean some as well.
Darn that sure can break up my sewing stride!!!

March already!!!

 Goodness! We are almost into Spring with Easter soon to follow! Well I hope so anyway!!!

 This is part of what we have had last several days! Was Ice, Snow and more Ice!! Caused so many traffic headaches and accidents around here. Bridges closed, which is not a good thing in the land of rivers, bays and ocean! Today all the snow is about gone and we are looking forward to warmer temps but also rain. Oh well at least it will not freeze to roads!!!

Thanks so much for all the get well wishes and prayers on my behalf! I am feeling lots better. Just seemed to take a goodly bit to get my strength back up!

I did manage to get my Red-work Snowbound to this stage! All quilted. Ready for binding then I will add the buttons and embellishments. Love it!

Just did simple straight outline quilting. It is not a quilt to be used but a wall hanging. I am at the point in my sewing life I want things done! So will not stress over such things. Do my best and let it go. So far my family and friends have loved and used all the ones they have been given! So that is all that matters to me!

Glad to have this one off my list! Have one more that has been ready to quilt for a while so it is up next!!!
I tend to get energized when I finish one project and want to finish yet another!!!
As you know I do not just make quilt items I enjoy sewing all kinds of things!

My sis-in-law had her 70th birthday, leap year baby, so we celebrated on March1. She adores the beach so I made her a beach bag.

I have had these fun gal panels a couple years. Used one for another gal's (cousin) birthday gift a few years ago. Used them as pockets on this bag. I went simple this time just fun fabric that I quilted, no piecing.

We all gathered at nephew's home to celebrate her birthday with a delish supper. SIL seemed to like it. She has booked a cottage for 2 weeks in the OBX this summer so it should get a work out!
I am behind on several birthdays from Feb because of illness so must catch up as March and April are full of them too!!!!
A Wife's, Mom's, Auntie's and Grandmama's birthday work is never done!
Now if some magic fairies would come and catch up the house on cleaning and straightening up I would be all set!!!!

Been in Hospital

I begin to feel bad last Wed, Feb 5th and thought was the terrible flu.
I became so ill by Friday DH took me to Urgent Care. Was not flu.
Was rushed into hospital with Severe Sepsis and dehydration.
Have had a lot of  medical stuff going on which  contributed to the spread of the illness as well.
Tire easily so resting and continuing to take meds
At any rate has been rough and I am so very glad to be home!

Snow Be Gone

 Yes indeedy ...the white stuff has left the landscape!! We have had warmer temps and rain.
More rain today but at least it does not stick to the roads!
DH is back to work, hopefully on a full week schedule! Was sort of startling to hear the school buses run early this AM. Had to stop and go... hum snow plow?? hahaha!
May as well settle in as Old Groundhog did see his shadow so 6 more weeks of Winter!

Sew here I have a new week to get busy! Did some sewing of wee small 4 patch blocks over weekend.  Have more to do today or that is my plan. Using a Glace by 3 Sisters honey bun that has been here a while.

This is how I plan to use them. I was just doing a try out when I took this pic. There are some browns yet to come in the mix.

These are my red work Snowbound blocks. Yes those from a while back! Will use all the 4 patches for sash and borders  and call the top done! Next will have to decide on how to quilt then binding. I am happy to have it this far!
Sew reckon it is still 'snowing' in sewing room!!;-)

Here are the tops I have been able to complete thus far...1 wall hanging and 2 mats or pillas, yet to decide those. The 2 candle runners and 1wall hanging still have to add the wool on them but they are ready!
Busy time but fun deciding on how to rethink projects to get them finished. I am happy with how I have decided to proceed with them!

Seems Feb just rushes at me all at once! Filled with birthdays along with Valentine's Day.
Have some Valentine's I hope to get done. Will take every chance I have to sew sew sew!

Did not do super bowl. I sewed and then watched Downton Abby and Sherlock on PBS. Happy to have a choice rather then old reruns most channels put up against the 'big' football game.

Well if I am going to be done with those patches best get back to it!!
 Happy Monday!!!

Hey Hey Snowflake!

Snow flake my pretty little snowflake
Ooh, ooh, the change in the weather
Has made it better for me.
Hey-ey-ey snowflake, my pretty little snowflake
You've got me warm as a fire
With the burning desire for you.

The ice was breaking and
Love was waking in a winter wonderland.
When I felt you slip your fingers in my hand.
Now snow is gleaming and
I'm not dreaming I know this is for real.
The love I have is too much to conceal.

Hey-ey-ey snowflake
My pretty little snowflake
Ooh, ooh, the change in the weather
has made it better for me.

Mama used to sing that song when it snowed!;-) 

 We have 6 to 8 inches depends on area you are in . Wind also created some deeper drifts here and there.

 I cleared  all this off with a broom! Yes it is the dry powder kind of snow.

The was 4inches piles on bushed . Reminded me of pie meringue! Knocked off bushes. We are to be even colder tonight. Crazy weather for us here. Last major dumping of this mess here was 2010.

 My 'hog lot' boots from Tractor Supply worked great.

 Our back yard! So pretty field is pretty covered. Beautiful!

 Snow in the tree line. Look at the pretty sky! Sun is up so even with cold temps it will melt some of this away. Course will freeze tonight with single digits.

DH made me come in! Red cheeks! Okay sorry but no makeup along with crazy hair after cap come off could be scarey!
I enjoy the snow as long as I do not have to be driving out in it or we lose power! Yes I can drive in it.
Dad used to say to us ...have enough sense to know when to stay off the roads. Ice is the great equalizer. Grew up in lands of Winter. Lived in many lands of Winter. Here in this part of the south not the norm.
Saw only 2 vehicles on road. No way will we be high on the list for plowing or such!


Later snow cream and may try to play out some more!!!!;-)
Well I did sew more snowfolk!

Cute stitchery swap block. Used some scraps leftover from a Fall project.
Works for me. Now to quilt it !!

 DH happy in kitchen baking and such! So more sewing for me today!

more snow.....

 ..well the fabric kind. Yes another snowman project! On the design wall.

 These squares are now a top! Have had them a goodly bit! (hang'n head in shame)Where from a block swap in a long ago group on yahoo.When I decided to re-think the bigger quilt idea I came up with smaller more doable projects! We can change our minds ya know. ;-)

 Used a mini charm pack of prim gatherings snow men.

 Came out 16X27..I know strange but it works. Will use the snow/cream fabric as binding.
Thinking will do the big stitch quilting on this one too. Starting to like it and my hands do not hurt as much !;-)

This is the block pattern, Snow Heart. It is an old one from Meme's Quilts. I have a lot of her patterns and still love them!

Okay have a couple more snowman projects I plan to get further along if not finished this Winter!
So much I want to do as soon as I can! May have some down time soon. So want to have plenty  of hand work ready to go.  That will be some stitcheries and a lot of wool projects or I am hoping!!

We are in a heat wave! 40's today though still a bit cloudy . Most of the ice and snow has melted away. Just a few bitty spots here n there. Mama used to say "wait'n 'round for more"...hope not.  TV talking weather heads are calling for chance again middle week! NO!!!!
Hope not as Alice and I have planned a make up sew day! Last week snow/ice came and canceled that one!

Best get a wiggle on and do some chores so I can get busy without feeling guilty!

Mr. Winter

So here  is Mr. Winter all quilted and set to go. Really like how he turned out.
Used the DMC and quilted around the nose, eyes and smile. They are all wool.
Outlined the head and the star border sky. Did the patch work in X's.
His wool hat needs lint rolled!;-)

 Did cut out a wool snowflake with the GO! and added to the top.
I am pleased with the project. Now to get one more done!

 I did the triangle in corner bit to use a dowel for hanger. Need to cut to fit. I also have a label to add.
Do hope the birthday gal will love him as much as I do!

We got a taste of the Winter whites here. We have had such terribly low temps.
Yes that is still a Christmas flag up! Got to put up regular one!

It may look like snow but it  became 2inches or so of ice.

Here is my Mister breaking the ice and clearing walkways.
On top of this we also were with out power for few hours during night with temps down to 5F.
Were so worried over pump and pipes. We had gas logs on so we stayed in living room.
We have been dripping and set heat up for a goodly bit now. We still have Feb to get through before we can stop worrying over Winter's chill and bite!

Today very cold and windy but sun and VDOT workers have cleared most roads I need to use today.
So back to big city I go!

Tops done..

 ..on these two cotton and wool projects. They are about 12" X 24". So cute!

Need to decide on how I will quilt and finish. May do the big stitch quilting with DMC.
Have yet to choose backing fabric. Would like one to be done by Saturday!
So will see how it goes!

Off today for another med/dr appt. This is one I always dread. So would appreciate all the good thoughts and prayers you could send up/out for me!

Wool & Cotton

 Any guesses as to what I am working on? Let me see black and dark orange wool...

Now what is this quilt block called..... hummm.

A ghost....no ...maybe a SNOW FELLA!

Yes I am still in snow mode even though we did not get any of the cold white stuff here, thankfully. The freezing cold came alone, which was enough! Now our TV weather folks are calling for some snow flakes to maybe fall early tomorrow. We shall see. I have an early appt in big city across the wide river so I am hoping they are wrong!
Today was very foggy and got worse as the morning went along. We have had so much rain here our yard and fields are like walking on a ozzy sponge! Just hope all the water hangs around for when we will need it come warm weather and planting time!

We took the Christmas all down which was not that much this year. I keep my snow folks out for a bit as we enjoy them so much. Now I am moving stuff around. I like to do that after the holidays. Give the old place a newish feel. Still have a bit to go till I will call it done.

Still looking for just the right place to put my wool. May not fit in sewing room. Shall see may have to redo some storage drawers or such. Still have not sorted all the patterns. Some will list to sell others give away or donate. If I get those drawers done may just have enough room for some of my smaller bits of wool. Reckon that can be a goal for Jan and Feb 2014!

Better stop now before I end up with GOAL over load!!

New Year and so very cold!

Goodness!
We have sunshine but temp is 9F and wind chill -2! So very cold! High will only be 19F or 20F.
Tonight will be another cold one as well. So heat is cranking and water is dripping!
Schools were set back 2 hours. Buses just now running.

We seem to be on a weather roller coaster. We had temps in 60's then singles now they are saying we will be  close to 70F this weekend!! What in the world! We are in Winter after all so 30's and 40's are our norm not these extremes!
We can call ourselves blessed I reckon as we did not have to deal with ice and snow along with this arctic blast! Now if only our power stays on!!!

So have we all settled into the New Year?? 2014! Man still has that futuristic sound to it to me!

We kept up our Christmas decor past Old Christmas Day now I will start putting away. Did not have a lot so should not be to big of a job.
Did not go to any sales an buy more. I feel we finally have enough! Haha!
DH never thought I would come to that conclusion!
Well take that back, was in Joann's and they had the outside bows on sale for 83 cents, reg 3.99! When DH put up the window wreaths he did say our very old ones were not going to hold up much longer.

Working on a couple projects (gifts) I did not get done in Dec.
As I said before, mailing out things a bit later than usual!
The sewing room needs a straighten up too. I seem to start off good putting things away then get lazy and the piles take over!!  So New Year begins with cleaning up old years mess!!

Will be going to big city for appts one day a week in January!
Was why stopped into Joann's yesterday. Next week will do a Hancock stop...;-)
Coupons in hand of course. Though must say I have been in there couple times last few months and came out with nothing. Normally I will buy thread, needles or a pack trim if nothing else with my coupons but even did not do that last time. I am sick!!!

Best get up and moving or nothing will be accomplished today !!
Do hope everyone reading my blog is safe and warm or for my pals down under safe and cool!!