How Much Is Enough?

Thank you for your kind words on the t-shirt quilts.  Tricia, from Notes of Sincerity (one of my favorite blogs) asked me what pattern I use and I wanted to share the one above.  I have a couple, including this one, and it's an excellent source for just $10.53 on Amazon.

Today I am asking you, how much is enough?  One of my favorite sources for fabric (besides Shabby Fabrics) is the Fat Quarter Shop.  I couldn't stand it any longer and purchased the bundle above.  It's called "Hankie Club" and yes, the fabric looks like vintage handkerchiefs.   Can you believe it?  I'm hoping you can suggest a pattern for me as I want to showcase the fabric and make it vintagey too.

This one is just about as close to fabric euphoria as it gets for me.  It's not out until June.  I haven't even cut into Flower Sugar I yet.

Verna has been on my wish list for a while now, but I do have to purchase food to feed the family so I'll have to wait.  It's not like I don't have any fabric, honestly.  What happens to us when we see fabric?  It's a feeling, for a crafter, that is unexplainable.

Bird Talk is off limits to me too, but wouldn't it make a great summer quilt?  Stop by the Fat Quarter Shop and check out all the goodies.  Again I ask you, how much is enough?

Be blessed,

Intense Stitching

It's a bit brisk this morning.  I popped outside to see if the lilacs survived the frost - they did!  I can inhale their scent all day long.  I was able to get two t-shirt quilts completed yesterday to make my end of month dead-line for the quilter.  Why do I always wait until the last minute and make myself crazy?

One of the quilts I made was for a girl and I really liked the way it came out.  One thing I like about custom orders is that it allows me to use fabric I might not normally choose for myself.

This quilt used a combination of Charisma and Boutique from Chez Moi.  Very fun, bright, happy colors.

Now I have a little pile of binding awaiting the return of the quilts from my quilter friend, Mary.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I am one of those quilters who likes doing binding.  Nothing like a little hand stitching to calm the nerves and allow contemplation of one's life, not a bad thing at all.

Joyfully,

In the Pink

  Midwest Living Magazine

The other day I was feeling like I needed bright colors to inspire me, but today I feel it's all about pink.  We are in for some cold weather and a couple of days of hard frost.  Pink just seems to take my mind off my lilac bushes and how they will look tomorrow.

Midwest Living Magazine

I just love all the things you can do with pink and really, as this picture shows, it can be the "neutral" backdrop for a very colorful area.

Rachel Ashwell

Silk flowers, lace and tulle really make me want to go out looking for vintage finds today but I'm locking myself in the house and finishing t-shirt quilt orders, at least that's what I'm going to keep telling myself.

Bakerella

Martha Stewart Weddings

Martha Stewart Weddings

(Sigh) Oh, how I love pink!

With joy,

The Purse Reveal

I did it!  I can say that I made the Amy Butler messenger bag and survived.  Here is my daughter modeling her bag, the one that she will use every day for the rest of her life.  She picked the fabric and she loves it.  I'm here to tell you that it was quite the pattern to master.  I use "master" lightly because I do not know if I could make one again.

My tip for this bag is to definitely use the mid-weight decorator fabric.  I used a heavier decorator fabric and that proved quite difficult to stitch through the many layers.  Instead of using interfacing it is lined with canvas between the exterior and interior.  Three zippered pockets, a divided tool pocket and more.  Whew!  I would like to remember how it was made, but I think I've blocked it out.

I'm off to class today to try my hand at a different bag.  I've been up since 6:00 am cutting out pieces (a bit last minute in the homework department).  Can't wait to show you!

Thank you for all your kind words yesterday.  It was very comforting for my daughter and I to read through your encouraging comments.  She is feeling better today and I'm certain will sleep better tonight.  God is good, of this I'm certain.

Joyfully,

A Scarey Moment

Dear Friends,
My daughter and I experienced a frightening moment yesterday and I have been debating whether or not to share it with you.  I decided that I would in the hopes that it might prevent you from experiencing the same thing.  


My husband and I and our two teenage children went out to lunch after church yesterday.  The restaurant is located in one of our local hotels.  As the four of us were leaving the restaurant and entering the lobby of the hotel, a waiter from the restaurant called my name as I had left my credit card on the table.  My daughter stayed back with me while I retrieved it and my son and husband kept walking.  By the time I had gotten my card, they were quite a distance in front of us.


As my daughter and I were walking to the escalator which would take us to the parking ramp, I noticed a man getting on the escalator.  I wondered for a split second why he hung back and didn't just get on.  He then got on, then my daughter and then me.  There were two steps between he and my daughter and I was behind her.  What I didn't know was that another man got on the escalator right behind me.  When we reached the top of the escalator the man in front of us dropped a handful of change and blocked our exit off as he stooped to pick it up.  My daughter and I were trying to figure out how we weren't going to knock him over when I felt someone pushing me from behind.  At that moment my daughter shouted that the man behind me had his hand in my purse.  I snatched my purse away as he denied it while we tripped over the man in front of us.


The rest is a bit of a blur, but I did start shouting for my husband who came back and took off to get help.  I saw the two men talk to each other and then they split up and left.  I do not know if they were caught or not.  I'm not missing anything from my purse.  I have been thanking the Lord all day that we are safe and that we were not hurt.  My daughter has had a difficult day.  I've been a bit numb.  Your mind goes, unfortunately, to what could have happened and I'm choosing to stay focused on the facts.


What I do know is that God gives us intuition in many situations.  We must train ourselves to act on those moments when we know something is not quite right.  I should have acted on the uncomfortable feeling I had before getting on the escalator.  My daughter told me that she saw the second man get on behind me and that she had uncomfortable eye contact with him and wished she would have said something to me.  I don't know why I didn't scream when I felt the man on me but am thinking that perhaps it was best I didn't, for our safety, but only God knows the answer to that.


I pray that you will be aware of your surroundings in a new way and that you will learn something valuable from us.  


Be blessed,
"When I am afraid, I will trust in You." - Psalm 56:3

Sunday Scripture

"As the deer pants for streams of water,

so my soul pants for you, O God."

Psalm 42:1

With joy,

In Search of Color

It is a grey, dreary day in southwest Michigan.  Camera in hand, I'm off to find some color.  Let's start with some fun sock yarn...

super fabulous Japanese fabric and buttons

100+ year old quilt squares

DMC embroidery floss

luscious jelly roll of fabric

swirls of color felted pincushion

yellow rose doily

What are you in search of today?

Hugs,

Stitch Magazine

I was out running errands yesterday and came across this cushion at World Market for just $12.99.  It looks so vintagey to me and thought it would look great on the porch.  I also bought the current issue of "Stitch" magazine.  What a feast for the eyes this issue is and there is some wonderful projects like...

simply gorgeous blouse

y-u-m-m-y pillow!

fantastic clutch (I need a handle!)

oh so fun zippered pouches (cute hedgehog!)

The weekend is almost here.  I'm getting ready for my Bible study group.  What are you up to today?

Joyfully,

The Secret Garden

Today I would like to share another of my favorites movies, "The Secret Garden".  As we are all waiting for our gardens to grow this spring, I encourage you to pop this movie in for inspiration.  There is something about the discovery of a garden and the joy of uncovering flowers and bringing the garden back to life that is so fulfilling.  There is a lot of suspense and drama going on with the characters and you will certainly be entertained as well.

The original book is by author, Frances Hodgson Burnett and the illustrations are by the wonderful Tasha Tudor.  This is a great book to add to your collection.  Take a stroll through the garden with me as I share some of the flowers that I'm waiting to see sprout up this spring...

Lavender

Peonies

Foxglove

Climbing Red Rose

Delphinium

Daisy

Morning Glory

I hope your day is filled with sunshine and flowers,

Remembering My Grandmothers

I want to thank you for praying for me yesterday.  The purse class went much better than I expected.  There is still more work to be done so I will show you the finished bag after the next class.  I won't say I was without error.  I had cut some pieces wrong and had to redo a few things but at least I got two zippers in and hopefully will remember how to put the third one in next week.  If not, I have my buddy, Joyce, to help me and our instructor is wonderful.   While at class I became aware of two Featherweight machines that are available for purchase.  I got a mini education in Featherweights.  They were made between 1930 - 1960.  Singer is still making replacement parts for these machines.  The ladies were talking about how wonderful they are to sew on and how portable they are.  I'm going to sew with one the next time I go in.  Do any of you have one of these machines?  What do you think of it?  It is pulling at my heartstrings and they have lay-away...

I was walking with my daughter after the class and was pondering whether my Grandmothers might have used this machine.  The night was so pretty and though cold (mid 50's) I was enjoying the flowers. We were finding them in the most unusual places along the trail we walk and I was reminded of my Mom and how a few years back she had decided to go in search of her Grandmother's house.  She had a great many memories of spending summers on the farm and hadn't been there in many years.  When she got there, the house had been taken down and nothing remained but the daffodils that used to line the driveway.  There they were, all lined up in the field.  I thought this would make her sad, but she was actually comforted by the memories of those flowers and finding them was like finding a piece of her Grandma.

When we got home I started looking for photos of my great Grandmother, but couldn't locate any.  What I was able to find is this picture of my Grandmother, my Dad's Mom.  She is the little one on the left with the bows in her hair.  It was confirmed again that I should be a farm girl as my family were farmers.  I'm so amused by this picture.  They are covered in mud and barefoot.  Did this rascal of an animal get loose?  I would love to know the story.  I'd also like to know if there is a Featherweight sewing machine behind that door.

Be blessed today,