Alice's Shopping Bag

 Alice came to visit last week for her birthday! I made her a Quilt Show Shop'n Bag!
It will hold a lot! Has comfy shoulder straps too.

I came across these purple blocks in the thrift store, in a bag. I grabbed up saying then, something for Alice!

Made up the outer bag then quilted it. Decided to add some wool. I did applique with the sewing machine. Went fast and love the look to. So will do more this way instead of all by hand! Yes those are beads as flower centers. Gotta have some bling!

I bought this fabric for lining. Pink with some purple. Other fabric was pink with dots.
The first way I sewed up I took out. It would have made the bag bigger than Alice! She is a cute bitty gal. Makes me feel super tall and I am barely 5'3"!

Here Alice is with her goody bag! Does seem to like it! That is G-man looking at some TV!

You can read more about what was inside the bag at Alice blog!
We do have fun together!
Had a day out this past Saturday.
Did some fabric shopping!
We all need that from time to time and it had been a while for me!
Off to AC Moore we went where I had found some wonderful fabrics for 6.99 a yard!
I will just say I am on Jo Morton overload! Yeah babeee!
DH loves them so I am back to buy a bit more to do a full size quilt for the master's bed!;-)

We came back by LQS to order a straight stitch plate for my Bernina and pick up some more bobbins.
Alice found the sale rack of fabric and got her some more yum yums!

Rain decided to pour on us then all the way home.
Horrid drive across river then out to my home in the country!
My sweet DH did come escort me inside with the umbrella!
He is my knight with a big golf umbrella!

Still tweaking my fabric storage situation.
Hope to soon pull out yet another WIP (work in progress) to finish or get to next level!
Course this is after chores, washing, cleaning and all the other stuff we have to do in a day or weeks time!!

Adorable Cutie!

 Yes I think this sweet antique sewing table is adorable!
DH and I went out last Saturday driving up the back roads to a small town.
We went for a box sale at a shop.
DH did find his box of cook books and I found this cutie!!

She folds up so easy too. I had to set her up in my little room though. Just for a while!
Yes I got to rearrange some things so she can stay up!

This is the underside. Stenciled No . This is the locking mechanism. Reminds me of my old wooden boards. Now I need a small Singer featherweight to use on her! I lost a bid on one by 2 bucks! UGH!

On the top a yard measurement is stenciled on. Still in very good reading shape. I am not sure if we will do any 'refinishing' or leave as is. I do love her as is! Well used and loved by someone and now by me!!!


Now back to more of this:

Folding and sorting fabric!!! Yes there is more will share later!

More watermelon????

Yes please! ;-)

 This is how I finished up the UFO watermelon slices! Into a runner with some patchwork squares. Did some in the ditch quilting only. Yes I need more practice with that too! Special foot for that was not a lot of help at all.

 With this backing could make it do double duty with Christmas too!

It is sitting on the hearth for now. I am pleased with my finish.

This is how the coasters will look. Next on list to finish.

This is how you get the slices.
Sew circles onto your background fabric. Next slice up that round melon into 4 yummy slices!
Make the background square a tad bigger than I did...yes lesson learned!!!
This technique was shared with me by a gal pal a few years back.
Not sure where it is from originally.
If I knew would post it here.

So Proud

We are very proud of our grandson Brian. He is a an honor graduate from high school! He was also an outstanding quarterback on the football team! He will be attending Wake Forrest University. He wants to be a physical therapist.

This past week our great niece Hollyanne graduated also!
She too is an honor graduate and was captain of the cheering squad.
Hollyanne will be attending Christopher Newport University and trying out for the cheering squad there this Thursday.
She plans to be a doctor, possibly cardiologist.

Love them both so much and wishing them all the best in the future!!
Time is marching on! They should still be adorable tots!

Best thing I can say......

 ....about this quilt is it is done! Well those crows on watermelon slices do make me smile!
These blocks were from a long time ago block swap. I do mean long ago as in years and years! Was a sewing group with some sweet gals I belonged too. Beginner to long time stitchers. We just had fun!
I have sewn up the top two times! Each time just laying aside then taking apart! Last time which was go number three is what you see!!

Not all the fabrics used were cotton, some poly blends! Maybe if I was a pro quilter could have made it behave better and end product look better. It is not ugly and still cute. Was thinking will be our picnic quilt. I just pinned it to the vintage quilt for a pic. DH likes it hung up.. go figure, sweet man thinks all my projects are wall worthy!;-)

Two things I did different from my normal way of doing this stuff...not that what I do is the RIGHT WAY just my way!
1.quilted and washed  before binding. No more!
2. my binding was cut WOF not with grain of fabric as I have always done!
So yes there is a couple 'flappy' looking sides there!
Just saying  did not work well for me. If works for you great!
I am not going to stress over this kinda stuff anymore. It what it is and still can enjoy it!

So on to next UFO project....more watermelon slices!!!

Lord the number of UFOs hiding in here is amazing!!!!

Little Quilted Bunting

 This is my quilted version of Sew Sweet Cottage sweet simple bunting!

 Only made one. I did it in a couple hours!
 Here is my free wheeling TUT!
 I freehand made up my slices...like watermelons!

 The red is the base so layered in batting and used simple muslin for backing.
If you prefer no quilting you can just leave out the batting .                                                                      

Scraps worked really well for batting and muslin.               

 No batting for these just muslin. You could use thin interfacing or do the Heat n Bond button hole applique.

 Back during my craft show doll making years I found using 'pinkers' close to seam worked as well as snipping to turn! Faster too!

 Press to make nice and flat.

I laid them on as I wanted. I sewed around edges first. Then went back and quilted. No not perfect but I love it!

As seen on back.
                                                                                         

Decided wanted a pocket or flap to use for either hanging or tacked up. So trimmed the top and added the simple pocket.

I decided to add the rusty star garland later.
Like it a lot!
Wool may be what I use for next ones!


Oh yes my newest camera died so back to very old one! Please excuse the pics quality!

Memorial Day...be thankful and remember...

Hanging with the stars...

 Fabric stars that is!!!
 Calling this a Star Hanger because I added stars! hahaha!
Sure not very original but works for me.
I had made the small flag quilt a few years ago.
When I pulled it out this time decided I could add some stars!

The idea did not come to me outta the blue either I must confess.
I had been doing a straighten up in sewing room and came across these stars!
They were some leftovers of a Fall project.
So I am looking about to see where I can stash them and this hanger was on the ironing board!
DING! DING! Yes this is how some of my projects come about!
Still like the star fabric I used but these new stars added just make it pop to me!

Oh Dear now to find the rest of the red, white and blue summer decor items!
Okay stand back..I am going into the hall closet!!!
Look Out Below!!

Oklahoma

My heart goes out to all of the folks in Oklahoma today.

Putting it out there.

Patiently Waiting For Our Slice blog  is my son's and his sweet wife's story of wanting to be parents.

Something that so many take for granted.

It has been a struggle , both physically and emotionally for these two sweet people!

We have loved and supported them as best we can through many a heartbreak.

The choice they are making now is for adoption.

Once again we are going to love and support them through this new journey!

Doing whatever we can to help.

Letting the world in on your struggles is highly recommended by the adoption consultants.

Seems this is  how a great many sweeties find loving adoptive parents.

 I can assure you that no baby would be loved and treasured more than by these two wonderful people!

Not only a loving home with adoring parents but an extended family just waiting to embrace him or her with lots of love as well!

Please go read their story and if you wish to share in other social media that is okay too.

Thanks so much from the bottom of this Mama's heart!