Heart and Home....

What did I do with the Quilt?

  It's hung in my breakfast room  on the quilt shelf Don built and quilters along with my kids have filled  it with memories.  Sand from Lake Michigan from my daughter, A starfish from my son's trip to the Gulf and Lake Superior stones Don and I picked together.  There are Gingham forks from  my Mom and a Quilter's Angel holding a thimble made by a friend and fellow quilter.  I love Ransom being on the quilt instead of the cat the pattern called for. It makes for good memories of a pet. I even love my wonky feathers. 

 I'm chasing Winter out of my house.....

Spa Day---

The conversation went something like this:

" I don't want him shaved -- I just want ...him..polished...a little.."

"Do you want him to look like a lab?"

"No, I want him to look like Ripley,,,just a little enhanced..."

" Oh, OK, We'll  give him the 'Spa Treatment...'"

So Here's before:

And Here's after:

Ripley --  8.5 months....

Valentine's Day-- Gifts from Traverse City

We Went to Traverse City a week ago to visit Eric.  Don and Eric took me to the Quilt-n-Bee Quilt Shop.  I gave them the complete quilt shop tour and they were patient and now could probably give tours as well.

I had coupons for free fat quarters.  I show the guys Field Notes, the newest line from Blackbird designs.  They learned about the luxury of having a fat quarter from an entire line of fabric and how fabrics have designers.  They learned about different sewing machines and threads and stay completely focused the entire time.  They insisted once that I get the Field Notes and I wasn't about to talk them out of it....

I got my Mom and I matching spatulas-- just because.....They were cute, no more no less. We marveled at the Meijer store this came from. Eric didn't get it,Even worried a little,  but it was different that stores at home...

We had so much fun there I continue to say that's where I want to retire one day.  But Don reminds me it's because we vacation there.  If you lived there every day-- it would be different.  It is an expensive place to live.

Every day should be a vacation day, right?!?!? Oh well, Off to work-- Happy Monday.

My First Feathers......

While they aren't perfect... they aren't too shabby either.... And I know with practice they will get better.  And they're mine.... I created them myself.  It took about two years of doodling on paper, but I finally committed.  I figure one day I may look back and think how pitiful they are...But right now I'm real proud.  

It's four below zero--- I want an outdoor photo of the finished quilt.... It's got to warm up first.

February...

Life is about living--- and it's busy.  Never quilting as much as I want, never completing that 'to do' list but I write lists of projects down, I read about them, a doodle in the margins during meetings of each block.
There was a time when I grew discouraged, but I realize now there is a time and a place for quilting...even if it is just in the margins loose leaf paper....

February - The Christmas decorations are gone and Hearts are sprinkled around the house...

Last weekend we ventured to Traverse City Michigan to spend the weekend with Eric.  My birthday is about four weeks away - so I receive an early present.  We walked in with a card and picture frame.  The card stated " that even if we were together to look at this print-- it's my present that was too big to mail and know that on the wall in his home he has the same one....''

Here is my framed print---

It's all the quilts I have made him...
Then he open the door and pulled out my painted sign for my sewing room---

Covered Porch Quilts....


Yeah -- He's a keeper....

Sunday Evening...

Twenty four degrees feels incredibly warm after last week with sub-zero weather.  Here are some snapshots taken as I ran the pups in the woods this afternoon.

Here is a  table piece I finished up for the Woodcarver that made the quilter's angel for me this Christmas.  The four center blocks were from a row of the month piece that I knew just wasn't 'meant to be'.   I found coordinating fabrics and added a border or two.  It's quilted  and off to it's new home.

There is beauty everywhere - even in the dead of winter... all you have to do is find it...

Have a good week.

A Gift....

Sometimes even staged photography can't help... well it helps a little....

I had studied the Pinterest photo for days.  It was the small piece I wanted to make for a friend who had lost her Mother-in-law recently.  I picked out fabrics I loved -- that favored her home.  I started working on it evenings after work a week ago-- coming down with that cold. Big Mistake, but I really had planned well, 

When it came time to connect the blocks I couldn't assemble them.  Things just didn't fit. I had no more fabric like this.

 I even brought Don in on it.  Finally we compromised and this is what we came up with:

" Mel, she can put a basket or a bowl of something in the middle.  It'll be fine..."  

I was disappointed    It wasn't very pretty, but I wanted her to know how I hurt for her loss and so I plugged away. Maybe the piece will look better quilted.  It wasn't until I was half way through quilting it that I looked under my sewing machine and found six missing blocks. Great.

It may not be the 'Blue Ribbon' piece I had hoped for, but I still want her to know how I feel.  Her Mother-in-law passed away right after Christmas--Everyone's lives have gone back to  normal...except theirs.  Her family lost someone they really loved.  I'm tying it up---With my own Blue Ribbon and giving it to her tomorrow....

January Word Play

It's not just a Photo...It really is winter.. It's six degrees out side and I'm stuck with--- you guessed it, a horrible cold. I did get out last evening and fill my car up before the temperatures dropped.  The high temperature this week is about 17 degrees. I walked into church long enough to drop of my Sunday school class material and let someone know they needed to get someone to teach. I had such high hopes for the weekend with quilting plans, but in the end I need to be grateful I had the time home to recuperate. 

  The photo is my current hand project.  It's Word Play by Brenda Gervais.  This is my first attempt at working with linen. I'm still really slow, but I think it's something that gets better with practice (and not having your nose in Kleenex constantly.)

Here's my mantle for January and February.  The grapevines are from my new secret source I harvested this fall.  

I did have a small scare Friday night.  A Propane leak where the propane enters the house lines.  I called my propane guy-- Friday after 5 pm... he came out and repaired it.  Be aware of your surroundings-- any changes to smells or the way things look. I dodged a lot of problems.

Sunday Agenda...

Church, Vege Pizza and Salad... Quilt all afternoon.....

Weekend Sewing

When I left the office on Friday--- all I kept thinking about was I had to knock out the weekend chores (housecleaning,grocery shopping) where I could do the fun stuff.  I got the borders sewn on two quilts.  Above I am working on the wool corner blocks.   The quilt called for a vine running through the borders but I love the prints so I am calling it "pieced' once I get the cornerstones complete. 

We have about four dog beds in our house (not  no mention mine!!!) but for some reason they always wind up together.  Ripley  7 1/2 months &  Bruno 3 years old.

Gratitudes:

Being able read-- what a gift

Clear roads on a cold day

A Warm Bed --- for me and my pups

First Completion 2013

My first completion 2013 - Hop to it Garden Quilt.  If you ever get the opportunity to make a quilt with a couple of friends --- do it.  Every time I look at this project I think about how much fun we had comparing  blocks and how we envisioned the quilt.

Pottery Barn-- Sort of....

Here's the Pottery Barn Photo.... It's called a Silverware Stocking.  I don't know if it was the holder or the plaid plate under it but I was completely charmed.  They were $29.00 for 4.  In the shape of a sweater stocking,  I rarely having just four at a 'deck-out' meal.  I refused to let go of the money.

Off I went to Goodwill.  For ninety-nine cents I brought home this and went to work.

The sweater was turned into 13 sweater pouches.  Squared off.  They aren't stocking shape where I could even use them for Valentine's Day or in the Fall with leaves tucked in.

I love the idea of making something for almost nothing.  I cut the sweater pieces 7.5 by 6.5 and stitched into a pocket shape.

Welcome 2013

Happy New Year....filled with all the hope and positive feelings one can possibly hold.  The year 2012 was not a bad one, but I have high hopes for this New Year.

I have decided to focus on the UFOs this year. Joining with Carrie, I have three projects targeted for January---pretty confident I can complete two of them.  I will start new ventures, but I am hoping  that I will lessen the UFOs.  My list is not that great.  I don't have the finances to hold onto too many things. 

The list will start  with the binding for my Hop To It Quilt.  I just have the handwork of turning the binding down...why haven't I already completed it????

Next is my Heart and Home Project.  I have borders, wool applique, quilting and a binding.  It's a big project but  hubby has some long hours predicted in January so if I can get the machine part done I absolutely love the wool handwork in the evenings.

My third is a nine patch project. It got placed on the 'back burner' because I didn't have border fabric.  I have the fabric now---and a backing.  Excuses are running out ....it's on January's list.

Last week I lost three elderly friends. I have hopes to make up a runner for each family--to take after life goes back to normal for everyone...everyone but the loved ones they were closest to.

One of the friends had not been ill.  I saw him at church and 3 days later he was gone.  There's a huge lesson here--One I want to focus on in the coming year.... Some things matter and some things just don't.  Focus on those things that really matter ...toss away the things that don't. Tell those that you love just that...that you love them.

Again ---Happy New Year.

 Welcome the new year 2013 with all it's possibilities.

Lora's Quilt

Hand-stitching while watching Christmas movies over the holidays I got Lora's quilt finished.  I'll UPS it out tomorrow.

Her yellow walls and white cabinets will be the setting for this quilt.  Her farmhouse kitchen -- complete with fire place will make the perfect home for this piece.

 It may be late, But I did a much better job not being rushed by a date on the calendar.  I'll get another shot at it next year.

We showshoe'd twice a day for the last 4 days.  The trail is packed enough now to go without snow shoes.  Bruno has had a little trouble managing the deep snow with Ripley being a puppy and rough-housing him.  I got a puppy backpack for Christmas so Bruno rides until Ripley settles down a little bit. Plus I get an extra work out lugging an extra ten pounds.  Pictures to come soon.  

Tomorrow we have family coming from Florida -- but tomorrow I also turn back into a pumpkin and return to the office.  But that's life.  I'm grateful for the time off and grateful for the job at the same time....

Merry Christmas....

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

 for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

 like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

 the good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Norman Wesley Brooks

From my Covered Porch, I wish you not just presents under the tree, but presents in your heart.... And remember sometimes presents come in unlikely places and events....Kind of like thinking you are getting a labrador and ending up with something really special, like Ripley..

My Mom's Gift...

Remember these blocks?  Every Christmas I make something for my Mother. I should have done the Christmas gift throughout the year--- I didn't. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda....Next year.  I remembered I had these blocks and coupled with this fabric it will look nice on my Mom's Louisiana table.  I mailed their Christmas packages on Monday--- this got mailed a day later... But at 80+ years old I wasn't going to save it until next Christmas.  Some things just won't wait.

It's December now--- see the snow covered steps.

A Gift Almost.....

Stacks of Blocks have been sewn into place to become this....

Tonight I sewed on a 6 inch border and made the bias binding.  I am holding onto the fact that my sister in law does not read about the daily quilting here, so I'm showing  pictures.  She's is arriving at my house on Wednesday--- 48 hours from now.   Logic tells me that time is running out.  I made an adult decision.  Last minute picking up, groceries need to be bought, a dessert or two needs to be made.  Oh yeah -- I have a full time job to go to every day.  The backing, quilt top and binding were gently placed in a box. They were wrapped with care and they are going to my sister in law to be unwrapped with the family this weekend.

 I'm pretty confident she'll give it back to me to complete for her... I wanted to do a good job - and I wanted to enjoy the quilting.  I know she'll understand.  I'm a lot harder on myself than she will be. Sometimes priorities  have to be realized and torturing my husband for the next 48 hours was not an option.

Family is coming-- not strangers that do not understand. Christmas is just around the corner...

Winter Tabletop...

I saw pictures of this piece before I even had the magazine. I knew I was going to make it the minute I pulled the Winter 2012 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects out of the mailbox..  When it came, I was immediately pulling fabrics from my fabric cabinet to put the quilt together.  Yes, I could have waited until I went to the Quilt shop and purchased similar fabrics from the magazine pictures, but no--- I was completely too impatient for that. I pulled and started cutting.

As usual, --life-- got in the way. Work, laundry, vacuuming--- all those things we'd like to pretend that don't have to be done.

In the mean time, Quilters started posting their finished projects--- the one.... that had gotten on the back burner due to 'life'.  Wow--- my fabrics were way off  from the Magazine photos, and just as far from  the internet quilters as well.  I started second guessing my choices.

They were cut out and wasted.  In my head, I thought it would all come together, but now I was having my doubts.

I decided to put it together anyway.  The more I sewed, the more stressed I got.  My quilting time is sacred and to be working on "a dud" was not O.K.

Then there was a turning point.  I took some snapshots and things didn't seem so bad.

Last night, I finished the project and I love it.  It doesn't look like everyone else's pieces and I'm kind of O.K. with that. Not everyone has a house in the Northwoods of Michigan.

I left off the moon and stars.  I didn't want to introduce another color into the piece. My appliques are wool scraps that I'm always talking about saving....and the binding is cut on the bias.

It looks like Winter without screaming, "Christmas", so I can used it a lot longer that 4 weeks a year.

Twelve Blocks-- Heart & Home

My BOM quilt has all twelve blocks completed.  I've got the winter ahead to put the border on and applique the vines. I love the Pup-- It was Ransom-- with his white paw. I should has purchased backing for it.  Next trip to Green Bay, right?

It's a wool applique piece from the Country Loft. It you have ever consider wool Applique-- try it... you'll love it.

Quilters' Angel....

I don't wear it every week, but most weeks you'll find it pinned on the left side of my sweater or jacket, close to my heart.... It's a pin, a Quilters' Angel pewter pin.  A 90-year old friend admired the pin and wanted to know about it.  It lead to a dear friendship.  Marion was a wood carver--- making pieces out of scraps of wood, just like I used scraps of fabric.

 She asked to borrow the pin as an example to carve for me.  Weeks went by.  I wasn't worried. I knew she was in good hands.  Marion told me a few weeks ago--she had failed, she didn't like how it turned out.  I told her I didn't care, I'd love to see it. So she gave her to me  last week.  So the piece will hang from my Christmas tree, complete with her thimble in her hand.   

My Quilters' Angel....

Chain Piecing

Quilt blocks are growing, and there's 2 inches of snow on the ground.  I've been pressing the seams open as it makes machine quilting easier for me. Definitely a patchwork piece, I'm pleased with how it is coming along.

A Couple of quilt shops were closed on Friday when I went to Green Bay. Quilters' Connection was open with 20% off storewide and 5.00 a yard Kansas Trouble and Thimbleberries fabric. I got black perle cotton thread, a backing  for two pieces.  The red and navy piece just spoke to me.  If you are a quilter you know exactly what I'm talking about....

Back to work tomorrow. I loved the four day weekend. 

Seeds---

I spent the day throwing out the gourds and pumpkins.  The fall leaves were returned to the woods from which I borrowed them from.

I did take my favorite gourds and pulled out the seeds and dried them for next spring. Don's response, " Will it work?" 

Well, I've see my Grandfather dry tomato seeds and my Mom did the same with flower seeds, so I have four different envelopes fill with different kinds of gourd seeds. Every time I shake them I think--- ' I have something to look forward to...'

Tomorrow I get to play in my sewing room....

Leftovers.....

Not the food kind..... but the pieces clipped from working on this project from the latest issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects....

Christmas Carols, Christmas Shopping, Christmas decorating.... It's that time of the year....

We had a dusting of snow  last night....just enough to give you that Christmas feeling.... 

Enjoy your day....

Thanksgiving Day 2012

"Give Thanks no matter what..."(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Dried milkweed from my garden--- long passed the days of green leaves, pink flowers, caterpillars and monarch butterflies.  Just goes to show there's beauty in everything if you look for it.

I will get better in posting updates.  I have been quilting.  I've worked on some Christmas decorations and Christmas gifts.  I always want to post photos. But I leave for work in the dark--- and come home in the evening to the same thing.  So that leaves lunchtime forfeiting food and heading to the woods with the camera. I had one day when not one but BOTH camera batteries were dead.. but if I have to correct my own mistakes, I don't makes them a second time.

So in the interest keeping secrets---

These babies will be half square triangles I made using a new triangle method.

I plan on enjoying family, friends, and food today. I'm hoping to put a needle and thread in my hands some time. The one thing I will count on is appreciating my blessings-- my family, my home, my pups, my job, and my faith.......

Happy Thanksgiving......

November.....

"Mom, you think you are overdosing in pumpkins?????".  That was Chelsey's comment last time she came home... Probably so, but I do love this time of year.  Once November hit the doorstep, I realized there may have been some truth to her statement.  So I have been rearranging dishes and quilts.

Two weeks ago, I was picking up the sewing room and looking at left over Hop to It border blocks.  They were 3 1/2" hourglass blocks.  I pulled out left over fabric and 2 fat quarters and made a Tabletop piece-- no pumpkins included.

The weather has been rainy and gloomy.... much too warm for this time of the year. I would much rather have the snow than the gloom.

Here is last month's Heart and Home Block.

The tabletop piece proved to me that I can still make Christmas gifts --- in time for Christmas.  I went to Marquette yesterday with Chelsey and picked up a couple of pieces that I need to get to cutting out.  I plan on throwing stash pieces with them.

I've got to buy my Turkey this week.  Look's like it's just going to be Don and I for Thanksgiving. Don said he didn't care-- We were still have turkey and dressing. *S*.... Two Points for Don....