From Her Hands

Last week when I was on my mini vacation, I had the opportunity to duck into an antique store.  I was able to browse pretty quickly because most things were just ridiculously priced.  I often wonder if dealers really want to sell their items.  I rounded a corner and saw a shoe box with some quilting fabric in it.  On further inspection I realized I had quite a treasure in my hands.  I knew instantly that this box would be coming home with me and that I would be completing this hand pieced quilt top. Each octagon is about 4 inches wide.  The little kite shaped pieces are tiny with hundreds of them already cut.  As you can see from the photo, many of the pieces have been made into star blocks already. The fabric is amazing, feedsacks to muslin to calicos.  I have about 1/2 yard of the white fabric. The box housed three templates made from cardstock, probably made from a box of some sort and a thimble and chalk.  While watching the olympics, I sewed a few more stars to the quilt top and had the deep satisfaction of continuing the work of a kindred soul. 


Joyfully,

Sunday Scripture

Source: joyshope.com via Diann on Pinterest

With joy,

Pretty Meets Functional

I have a very bad habit of throwing thread on the floor.  I little clip here and a little snip there and I think I can just sweep it up later.  Well, picture me with sharp objects trying to unclog my vacuum cleaner the other day.  Not a pretty sight and what a waste of precious sewing time!  I remember that I had purchased a pattern for a thread catcher/pin cushion years ago.  Yes, you read that right, years. 

I chose some of my favorite Japanese prints as well as other pretties from my stash.  The pattern came with the tubing that feeds through a casing which holds the little bucket open. Now I have no excuses for my laziness and can keep the sharp objects away from electrical appliances!


Hugs,

Great Granny Quilt

I feel like I've been gone for weeks but it's only been a few short days.  I took a mini vacation away from home and got to play in the sand and refresh myself in the waves.  There is nothing like summer on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Of course there's nothing like winter here too, but I'm not thinking of that right now.

I completed my Great Granny quilt top.  I'm so pleased with the way it came out.  The cherry fabric I used for the sashing and borders is one of my favorite go-to prints and I always have it in my stash.  It is from JoAnn fabrics and is really a good quality quilting cotton.  It pairs so well with the "Sew Cherry" fabric by Lori Holt and compliments the aqua around the blocks so nicely.  The quilt measures at a 50" square.  I can hardly wait to get it into the hands of my quilter/friend Mary. I have some fun things planned for the back to use up the leftover 2 1/2" squares.  I'm trying to decide if I should bind it in red with white polka dots or use the same cherry fabric.  What do you think?  When I look at this quilt I think of summertime and picnics, cherry picking and all the cherry orchards I pass when I travel home to see my family here in Michigan.


Have a blessed day today!

Sunday Scripture

Source: familybees.blogspot.com via Gretchen on Pinterest

With Joy,

Making Progress

I made a bit of progress this morning.  Here are blocks five and six for my Great Granny Square quilt. Be sure to stop by Flickr to see all the beautiful blocks submitted in the Great Granny Along.  Have a wonderful day doing something you love with someone you love!


Smiles, 

The Great Granny Along ~ Block Four

This is block number four for the Great Granny Along by Bee In My Bonnet.  I've been having fun with it but haven't been able to make as many as I would like this week due to custom orders and appointments.  I do have all the pieces cut for the blocks so I can lay one out and work on them as I get a chance.

Here is all four blocks together.  I really like how it is coming along.  I am aiming for nine blocks total so that I can finish it according to Lori's instructions.  Hope you are having a good day friends, it is dark and rainy today ~ perfect for sewing!

Hugs,

For Wednesday

I had my recheck with the surgeon today and received a clean bill of health!  Yippee!  Other than some tenderness and bruising, I'm good to go.  On the way home from the doctor it started to rain.  I can't tell you what a welcome sight that was.  I stood in my garage and watched it come down, so thankful the plants could get a good drink.  The aprons were made by the extremely talented hands of Renee at My Vintage Mending.  Renee's Etsy shop is now open, be sure to stop by and snatch up some pretties while they are available.

Sweet blessings,

Baby Granny Quilt

I believe that this quilt, as tiny as it is, might be my favorite quilt yet.  I used Trish's tutorial here to make the blocks.  I used some of my most favorite Lecien fabric as well as other prints from my stash. It is hand quilted using hand quilting cotton thread.  All washed and crinkly, it is ready to hold a someday precious grandchild.

Recently I found this vintage crib sheet with matching pillowcase.  Don't they look darling together? Be still my heart…


Smiles,

Sunday Scripture

Source: lovelylovelythings.wordpress.com via Linda on Pinterest

Praising Him,

Giveaway Winner

Thank you for all your prayers this week!

Surgery went well and I am on the mend.

I was able to make one block for the "Great Granny Along"

be sure to check out Lori's blog for the fun details.

The winner of the July giveaway is

Kris Gray

from Farm Girl Transplanted

Congratulations, Kris!

Please send me your mailing info

at sewnwithgrace@yahoo.com

Happy Friday, Friends!

Smiles,

July Giveaway

It's time for the July Giveaway!  This month features a very special bundle of goods.  I am excited to send to one of you the following:

The book, "Sugar Sack Quilts" by Glenna Hailey

The pattern, "Feedsack Patches" by Darlene Zimmerman

and the fabric to make "Feedsack Patches" which includes

48 - 6" squares of assorted original feedsack prints

1 1/4 yards of solid green for sashing, border and binding

as a bonus I will include

a bag of original feedsack scraps

The finished quilt top measures 37 1/2 x 47 1/2

To enter please be a follower of Sewn With Grace. Leave one comment on this post.  Giveaway ends at midnight on Thursday.  I will announce the winner by random number generator on Friday morning, July 13.

Tomorrow is my surgery and I will be taking a blogging break until I announce the winner on Friday. Have a good week, friends!

Hugs,

Sunday Scripture

Source: scrapbookgraphics.com via Raspberry on Pinterest

With joy,

Garden Gate Cafe Window

It's pretty pinks and fabric kites for the cafe window this month.  I spent the morning trying to get everything arranged just so.

The vintage cooler and thermos belong to the cafe owner, Nancy. The garland says "in the good old summertime".  The drinking glasses are from my collection as well as the crinoline dishes.  The cupcakes were knit by me.

I was able to use the bear I made a couple of years ago, bits and pieces of Tanya Whelan fabric. Maddie's pinwheels turned out so cute and my son, Taylor, came to help string the kites from the ceiling.  I put wire in the tails so that I could bend them to look like they are blowing in the wind.

To make the kites, I bought very inexpensive dime store kites.  I used the plastic kite as a pattern to cut out the fabric and then used the sticks and assembled as you would any other kite.  Seven kites in all.  It's so much fun doing the window.  I have no idea what I will be making until about a week before hand.  Stay out of the heat today.  My car read 108 degrees this morning!


With joy,

Pretty Pinwheels

I hope you had a fun fourth.  It was so hot here that my husband and I went to the movies and then came back to our air conditioning.  We are so exciting over here.  I kept waiting for the sound of sirens as the grass is so dry that any touch of flame would surely burn the town down.  I haven't checked the news this morning, I'm not sure I want to.  Today I'm finishing up the items for the window display at the cafe.  This month's theme is vintage picnic.  Maddie made the pinwheels for me as I plugged away on fabric kites.  I can hardly wait to show you!  It will go up tomorrow.  The hardest part about decorating the window at the cafe is knowing when to stop!


Smiles,

Happy 4th of July!

Source: hmhdesigns.wordpress.com via Renee on Pinterest

Wishing you a blessed and safe fourth of July!


Smiles,

Peace Like A River

My daughter came home from school a couple of months ago and handed my husband this book.  Our friend, who teaches English at the high school, told her to give this to her Dad.   I've been feeling a bit out of sorts for the past week or so, trying to knock out quilt orders while dealing with annoying household repairs.  Trying not to fret about my upcoming surgery while still picking shards of glass up in the kitchen from a stack of bowls I dropped the other day.  Trying to shake the overall disjointedness (is that a word?) I feel.  Anyway, I kept walking by this book sitting on the side table.  I picked it up on Saturday thinking to myself that I could use some peace like a river.  Oh my goodness. My last two days have been eat, sleep, read, repeat.  If I had just read the description on the back I probably would never have read it.  I was hooked during the first fifteen pages.  If you need a good summer read, this is it.  You will not be disappointed.


Hugs,

Sunday Scripture

Source: thebluepeonyblog.blogspot.com via Renee on Pinterest

Blessings,