Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Gumdrops & Pillow Shams


Heavy into t-shirt quilt orders, I've stopped to collect my sanity and to knock out a couple more projects on my over-due to-do list.  I've been wanting to make this "Gumdrop Pillow" by Amy Butler for quite some time.  It took 13 bags of stuffing, but is finally finished.  My daughter is thrilled to have this in her room.


I completed two more pillow cases.  The red floral print is the flip side of the ivory.  I thought the black crochet really "popped" against the fabric.  I gave these to my dear friend Amy, who I had a wonderful visit with earlier this week.  It's so fun to surprise loved ones with hand-made gifts.  What does this Wednesday have you working on?  I hope it brings you joy!

Feeling thankful,

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Colors of Spring


I love how fashion has taken a turn toward the feminine.  I'm enjoying all of the delicate details that are appearing on clothing this spring.  Over the weekend I decided to try my hand at  embellishing a sweater.  I'm playing around with the arrangement and haven't attached them yet.  I'm trying to decided how to attach as well.  So far I like the arrangement.


My Mother-in-love, Martha gave my daughter this quilt she had made many years ago.  I love the colors and the design.  I have never seen this design before.  Each grape is individually stuffed.  It was quite laborious to make and is not one of her favorites, but quickly became one of mine.  It looks pretty with all the Easter decorations.  A treasure!

Thank you kindly for all your sweet comments yesterday about my porch article.  I enjoyed reading them.  I love the support we share with each other!  You're the best!

Joyfully,

Monday, March 29, 2010

Fun News!




I would like to share with you some exciting news.  Today my little porch has been featured on the website, "Front Porch Ideas and More".  When Dave and Mary contacted me and told me of their plans to add my porch, I was excited that my humble space was to be added with all the beautiful porches they feature.  You can find my story under "Renee's Easy Decorating Ideas for Spring".   I hope that your Monday is filled with sunshine and laughter!

With joy,

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Sunday Scripture


The Triumphal Entry

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her.  Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."  This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:  "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your King comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' " The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.  A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 

Hosanna to the Son of David!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!

Matthew 21:1-9


Joyful, joyful we adore thee,

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Saturday Smiles


It was time to change out my quilt in the kitchen for spring.  I pulled out this one I made a couple of years ago.  It has such bright, cheerful colors.


The pattern for this quilt came from the book, "Quilting in the Country" by Jane Quinn.  I highly recommend this book.  There are a lot of fun projects.


I picked up this book yesterday.  I cannot believe how many cute projects there are in this book.  I love her use of color and the combination of fabrics.


How fun is this vintage carriage with a parcel full of ducks.  I can't decide what a want more, the ducks or the carriage!


This darling elephant is one of many animals found inside.  What a fun use of vintage crochet potholders and trims.  The possibilities are endless.


She offers many simple projects that can be made quickly for either a baby shower, or just for your own child when you can no longer get those pesky stains out of your current bibs.


I think my favorite items are all the different animals, from ducks, to lambs to bunnies and more.  The pictures are dreamy and you'll want a hot cup of tea and a comfy chair to savor this book.

Have a lovely day,

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Little Inspiration

I'm having a hard time getting motivated to sew today.  When I get this way I start looking around my house for inspiration.  Here's what caught my eye today...


A pretty ballerina and wedding topper



Redwork from my Mom



Thread, buttons and trim


My favorite illustrator, Jane Dyer


A favorite plate


Cupcakes, mice, and yo-yo's


Crosstitch from my Mom


Vintage Aprons


My faith in Christ

Off to sew!  Be Blessed!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Crochet-a-long...


Last night I finished my first set of pillowcases in the crochet-a-long being hosted by Cassie at You Go Girl.  These are for my daughter's room.  They were so much fun to make and easier than I thought it would be.


It's a really fun project and you get to mix two different fabrics if you want.  Cassie really takes the time to go step-by-step very throughly.  I encourage you to try it.  I had barely any crochet skills at all when I started them.


I would like to tell you about another site.  Kris from KrisKnits has a fantastic knitting blog.  She has the cutest patterns for wash cloths I have ever seen.  She hosts a mystery cloth of the month where she gives you just a tiny bit of the pattern every couple of weeks.  I'm really enjoying it because it's a small project and there is a great sense of completion in a small amount of time.  When I learned to knit years ago, it was through knitting wash cloths.  I think you might enjoy both these sites.  I hope you are having a good week.   Be blessed!

With joy,

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Stay Awhile


I wish you were here and we could share some coffee or tea and eat something yummy and just chat about random things like friends do when they're together.  I'm going to picture that as I write to you today.  This weekend I was cleaning out a closet and discovered the vintage dress I had purchased for my daughter awhile back.  It's the perfect Easter dress for my mannequin.  Now all she needs is a hat!


I picked up some adorable baby chicks at JoAnn's Fabrics the other day.  The perfect companions for my swan.  I decorate this vintage mirror with the swan for the seasons.  What you can't see from the picture is that the swan is covered in glitter, oh so pretty.


Over the weekend I put the binding on this quilt that I made for my dining room table this past  Christmas.  My table is 96 inches long and I started smiling thinking about the person that will find this in a flea market someday and think how oddly the bed must have been shaped.  I have been quilting for many years but continually amaze myself at how I don't remember important quilting facts.  I don't prewash my fabrics.  I like the sizing in the material.  I can't stand washing, drying, and ironing the dickens out of fabric to get it like new again.  But, in this case, when you are making a table quilt to the exact specifications of the table, it's important.  Obviously cotton fabric shrinks and thus the quilt is smaller than I would have liked but in the end, no one will notice but me (and you when you come to visit...)


The Amish put mistakes in their quilts on purpose.  They do this because only God is perfect.  Of course I agree with the reasoning but I never have to purposely put a mistake in my quilts, they get there on their own.  I used up a lot of material in my stash and was tickled to tears about it.  I will put it away for next Christmas and look forward to the joy it will bring me when I pull it out again.


Before you go today, come take a walk with me to the garden.  Look what I found!  A crocus survived the snow on Saturday.  Hope does spring eternal!

Be blessed,

Monday, March 22, 2010

Learning Something New


I want to share with you something new I tried this weekend.  I have always loved these engraved spoons.  Normally they are made into markers for herbs, but I thought it would be fun to do phrases.  So when I was visiting Anne Sutton (of Bunny Hill Designs) blog, Bunny Tales, she had the directions on how to make these and I dove right in.


I have got a long way to go to perfect this skill.  Swinging a sledge hammer isn't as easy as it appears, and obviously that causes the letters not to be straight on these first few tries.  I love the simple, rustic look about them, though.


My mind is running with ideas, but I need to practice a bit more.  I hope that you had a wonderful weekend and that Monday proves delightful.

Joyfully,

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday Scripture



"I pray that out of His glorious riches
He may strengthen you with power
through His Spirit in your inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have
power, together with all the saints, to 
grasp how wide and long and high and
deep is the love of Christ, and to know this
love that surpasses knowledge
that you may be filled to the measure of 
all the fullness of God."

Ephesians 3:16-19


To God be the glory!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

La, La, La, La, La!


The t.v., the radio, the people at the grocery store, everyone keeps saying that it's going to snow today.  I put my fingers in my ears and say "la, la, la, la, la!" every time someone starts.  I will sit on my porch in defiance (in a parka, boots and hat, no doubt) until it passes.  Michigan weather, UGH!  I thought you might like an update on Mr. Max (Maximus Prime, as my son and his friends call him).  He goes in Monday for his big weigh-in and yes, the vet thinks he just might be the winner of their biggest loser program!  I think he looks thinner.  He tries to climb on the counters and get extra food so the diet food is doing something although we have to remember to not walk away with any food in our hands...ouch.


Max just turned nine this past week.  He went to the groomer and got this rather dapper bandana for St. Patrick's Day.  I'm standing on the porch taking these pictures while he watches all the joggers, dog walkers and Mom's with strollers go through the neighborhood dozens of times before the snow rain sets in.  Besides the Max update, I wanted to share another quilt with you. I had a wonderful visit with my dear Mother-in-love, Martha and her friend, Martha this week.  I was able to give her the t-shirt quilt I made for her.


She has backpacked and camped in so many places in the past few years and she thought her t-shirts would make a wonderful keepsake and record of the trips she has taken.  She plans on hanging it on the wall in her bedroom.  I am thrilled that she liked it so much.  It is one of the most meaningful quilts I have ever made and it made me happy to see the joy on her face.


I have just taken orders for three more t-shirt quilts and I have got to get myself organized and producing.  It certainly is hard when there is so much I want to sew for myself.   I hope you all have a blessed Saturday. Take time to go outside and enjoy your sunshine for me!


Smiles,