Bunnies & Teacups

I came across the cutest blog today.  It is called "Bumpkin".  The very talented artisit and designer is Catherine Young.  She has an Etsy store which sells these adorable embroidery patterns.

Catherine also sells prints of the same design.  Check out her blog for absolute sweetness.  It's a reminder to me today that spring and Easter are coming.  We can't have winter forever, can we?


With joy,

Sunday Scripture

photo found here

"Your statutes are wonderful;

therefore I obey them.

The unfolding of your words gives light;

it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant,

longing for your commands.

Turn to me and have mercy on me,

as you always do to those who love your name.

Direct my footsteps according to your word;

let no sin rule over me.

Redeem me from the oppression of men,

that I may obey your precepts.

Make your face shine upon your servant

and teach me your decrees."

Psalm 119:129-135

Blessings to you,

Vintage Baby

I've been working on baby shower invitations for a friend.  It's been fun helping her plan a luncheon for a new Grandbaby.

I'm sharing the image I used with you incase you need a vintage baby image for a project.  If you end up using it, let me know.  I would love to see your creations!

With joy,

Friday Pretties

a few favorites from my bedroom...

For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at

I Love Pretty Little Things

Joyfully,

Progress

In all my years of quilting, I have never made a log cabin quilt.  I don't know what the hesitation was but I'm so glad I finally decided to try it.  I am finished with the 50 blocks and now have to work on setting triangles, corner triangles and borders.  I'm loving the way it is all coming together.  I can see more log cabin quilts in the future.  It is such a great way to use up scraps.  What are you working on today?

Hugs,

A Time for Fun

My daughter went to the Shanghai Circus with her boyfriend on Saturday for his homecoming.  She wore her retro dress with the fun pink crinoline.  We decided against the "fascinator" (hair piece with netting).  I made it alittle too big.  Our favorite hairdresser did some wonderful retro-inspired pin curls.

They always have such a fun time together.  Saturday was in the 40's.  All the snow was pretty much melted.  Now we are back in the 20's with one of the worst snow and ice storms ever.  Trees down everywhere.  Many, many people without power.  Roads too treacherous to drive.  No school yesterday or today because the school doesn't have any power.  Oh, how I long for spring!

Blessings,

Sewing Christmas

Welcome to our second month of "Sewing Christmas".  This month finds me thinking of spring which was my inspiration for the pillow cover.  Not all of our Christmas gifts have to be Christmas themed.  I think not making a Christmas-themed gift each month will help us to stay on task by keeping it interesting, don't you?

Recently I was in T.J. Maxx and I found this white quilted pillow sham on sale for $5.99.  Perfect for an applique project.  I began searching through my many books and patterns.  The possibilities were endless, really.  I thought of hearts in different fabrics, the word "Joy" with vines and yo-yo's, various quilt blocks I've made and not used.

Then I found this pattern.  Not having to make the pillow saved  time.  I changed the direction of the pattern only because I was too lazy didn't want to take the time to copy the pattern, I just traced it on to fusible web as printed.

For those of you who missed last month's "Sewing Christmas", it can be viewed here.  Now it's your turn, share your "Sewing Christmas" idea using the link below.  Remember, it doesn't have to be a sewn item.  Enjoy!

Hugs,

Sunday Scripture

photo found here

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;

apply your heart to what I teach,

for it is pleasing when you keep them in 

your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

So that your trust may be in the Lord,

I teach you today, even you."

Proverbs 22:17-19

Blessings,

Friday Pretties

Snow melting.  Sunshine.  A hint of Spring in the damp cold.  This is my Friday Pretty.  Slender green shoots straining out of the earth through the dead leaves of last fall.  A message from God today that there is always something going on even when we can't see it.  After a long winter, after a long season, He is still at work growing something good outdoors, as well as, inside us.  I was reminded of this verse:

"As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease."

Genesis 8:22

The forecast predicts more snow, but I will hold on to what is coming and marvel at what is going on under it all.  Blessings!

For more Friday Pretties

visit Joyce at

I Love Pretty Little Things

With joy,

Thursday Thoughts

I have been reading an incredible book by Ann Voskamp, "One Thousand Gifts".  I must tell you, I think it's about to change my life.  Does that sound dramatic?  Yes, but true.  I know as soon as I finish it, I will start it over again.  It is not an easy read, at all, but worth it.  It requires full attendance of your mind to absorb the truths written.

Since I have been ill for the past two weeks, not much has gotten done at my house, ok, nothing really.  I have custom quilt orders to fulfill, a house to clean, groceries to buy.  One sentence from the book keeps interrupting my thoughts today, "Life is not an emergency".

a sneek peek of Monday's Sewing Christmas

So, read the Word, make some coffee, grab a pen, make the list.  What needs to be done today, what needs to be done in the next few days.  Eliminate the wants for now, focus on the needs.  Life is not an emergency, much can wait.  Don't forget to notice that the snow is melting and I can see green grass for the first time in months.

Plan a good meal,  I haven't hardly cooked in two weeks and the family might like a little love from the kitchen.  Above all, be thankful.  Give thanks for feeling better, for choices, for fabric and patterns and fun and a good God that loves us and showers us with good gifts, daily.

Hugs,

Vintage Frills

My daughter has taken a liking to vintage clothing.  She spends time searching the internet for lovely pieces to add to her wardrobe.  Recently she decided that she wanted to wear a vintage dress to prom this year and began her search.  This plum beauty showed up at our house last week.

She calls it her "Great Gatsby" dress.  It has the prettiest drape of ruffles down the front.  She found it on Etsy, a wonderful source for vintage clothing.  It is in excellent condition and was significantly less the cost of a brand new prom dress.  She wants me to leave it on the mannequin so that she can see it daily.

She has an important event this Saturday and is wearing this lovely crinoline under a black dress.  The black dress is new but retro styled.  I will show you pictures as soon as I have them.  I'm working on a "Fascinator" for her hair.  Do you know what that is?

One of the blogs my daughter and I enjoy together is "Vixen Vintage".  Solanah dresses daily in vintage clothes.  She may wear new shoes or have new purses, but they look like something you'd find in another time and place.  Her blog is really fun so take a look when you get a chance.  Blessings!

With joy,

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine found here

Valentine treasures are people who

have often crossed your mind,

family, friends and others, too,

who in your life have shined

the warmth of love or a spark of light

that makes you remember them;

no matter how long since you've actually met,

each one is a luminous gem,

who gleams and glows in your memory,

bringing special pleasures,

and that's why this Valentine comes to you:

You're one of those sparkling treasures!

by Joanna Fuchs

Blessings!

Sunday Scripture

Photo by the talented Teresa of Meadowbrook Farm

Used with permission

"No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those

who love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

With joy,

Valentine Lollipops

I found this wonderful project for felt lollipops on the Create and Decorate blog.  Click on the link for the pattern.  Aren't they just adorable?  The embellishment possibilities are endless.  Have a wonderful Saturday doing something you love!

Smiles,

Friday Pretties

I participated in a valentine apron swap that Sue from Country Pleasures organized.  I was paired with Gloria and want to share with you her very generous gifts that arrived this week.  Gloria sent the most beautiful red gingham apron that her Mother made many years ago.  It is stunning and the workmanship is outstanding.  What a treasure!

Gloria made me the most darling sewing pocket.  The colors match my sewing room perfectly.  It is so fun to see all the little treasures tucked inside.

I also found the cutest valentine of a little girl who peeks out from behind the chair when you move her as well as this darling notepad set.

As if all that wasn't enough, she included the most beautiful handmade rose soap that a friend of hers made.  Do you see the real rose buds in the soap?  It smells heavenly.  Thank you so much, Gloria, for such a heart-felt valentines gift.  I'm sending out yours today, so sorry for not having it to you sooner with being ill the past few days.  What a blessing your gift was to me!

For more Friday Pretties

visit Joyce at

I Love Pretty Little Things

Hugs,