My Red Rose Farm Quilt

I want to take a break in my Christmas tour to show you my quilt I just got back from the quilter and quickly bound.  Most of you know of my love affair with the Red Rose Farm fabric by Elizabeth Scott of  The Late Bloomer.

The quilt is made with about 80% Red Rose Farm, a bit of Lecien's Flower Sugar and some yellow buffalo check that I had in my stash.  It is backed with a large hot pink on white polka-dot.

Thank you to all of you who sent me messages when I inquired about the proper way to do embroidery.  I have been in love with these vintage dish towel transfers for quite some time and knew they would look great on a quilt.

The quilter did a wonderful job, though it is hard to see in these pictures.  She even quilted tea pots into the cake stand blocks.

My kitchen walls are yellow and the kitchen is decorated in aqua, yellow and pink with a retro feel to it.  This hangs on the wall in the kitchen and really ties the room's theme to the vintage items I have placed there.  I used almost every bit of the fatquarter bundle of Red Rose Farm.  With the scraps I would like to make some placemats.

A big thank you to Elizabeth for designing such a wonderful line of fabrics that will certainly keep my kitchen bright and happy in the cold, dark, dead of winter here in Michigan.   See you tomorrow for more Christmas decorating pictures!

Hugs,

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It's hard to believe that just five short days ago we were experiencing our first snow of the season.  If you looked out my window today you would think otherwise.  The weekend was filled with the sounds of ambulances as people tried to remember how to drive on slick, icy roads.

I thought you might enjoy some Christmas decorating photos.  I took a bunch this weekend so I could show you what I've been up to.  These pictures are of my dining room.  The color scheme centers around the red and cream dog toile wallpaper (yes, I said dog).  My tree is mostly black, red and cream and is made up of hats and fancy gloves, little tiny purses and various shiny, beaded trinkets.  There is a full shot of the tree at the end of this post.

Even the doll house gets a wee tree at Christmas.  Mother is busy baking for the holidays.  I think she might need an apron so she doesn't get that fancy dress dirty.

There is much to do about glitter on the sideboard.  Sparklie snow people shimmer against the backdrop of Christmas sheet music, all reflected off the vintage mirror they stand on.

The snow owl watches over the proceedings, a bit suspiciously if you ask me.  Not to worry, there's no flying allowed in the house.

Oh, how I love Christmastime.  I'll be back tomorrow with more photos of this room and then we'll walk through the "Pretty Room", if I haven't bored you to tears.  Monday morning blessings from winter wonderland!

Joyfully,

Sunday Scripture

"For He will command his

angels concerning you to 

guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their

hands, so that you will not 

strike your foot against a stone."

Psalm 91:11-12

With joy,

From Generous Hands

One of the things I have learned on my journey through blogging is that bloggers love to give gifts, either through generous giveaways, swaps or because they like to surprise us with things they know we'll love.  I have been the recipient of some wonderful gifts.  A few days ago I won a pattern giveaway from Brenda at Little Acorns.  Brenda is a fabulous designer of the most amazing patterns and fabrics.  I am currently working on a Christmas applique quilt with her "Celebration" fabric, imagine my delight when I found out I had won SIX of her patterns!

I signed up for an apron swap last month through Sue at Country Pleasures.  I was delighted to be matched up with Judy from Daily Yarns 'N More.  This week I recieved this wonderful apron, which fits me perfectly!  I love the fabric she chose.

Judy also included this pretty fabric mix of flannels and cottons as well as some pretty soap. Judy recently moved to Gentle Hearth Farm and I have so enjoyed all the beautiful pictures she has been sharing of her new life on the farm.  Judy is a quilter, knitter and a weaver and when she's busy creating, beautiful things come from her hands.

One of the first ladies I met when I started blogging is sweet Beverly from My Sew Sweet Studio.  Beverly sent me these darling crochet pieces and some pretty linens just because she knew how much I would like them.  They fit perfectly in my "Pretty Room" where I enjoy them everyday.  Beverly is an expert (yes, Beverly, EXPERT) seamstress, pattern author and makes the most amazing children's clothes and bags.

A visit to all of these ladies blogs would brighten anyone's day, grab some coffee and head over!  Today it's dark and snowy here in southwest Michigan.  I good day for sewing I'd say!

Blessings,

Friday Pretties

For today's Friday Pretties I want to take you into the magical world of Liberty Biberty.  The author of this amazing blog is Mercedes and she lives in New Zealand.  She is a minaturist.  Yep, that's right, all these pictures you are looking at come from the inside of a doll house.

A visit to Mercedes blog will leave you with your mouth hanging open.  Her detailed, lovely rooms are just down-right amazing and look better than my life-size rooms!

As I have learned from reading her blog, there are alot of minature enthusiasts out there and I can see why.  This is a whole other realm of creativity and I'm awed by it.  I can't quite wrap my brain around how it's done, but I'm so glad she can!

Be sure to stop on over at her blog and take the virtual home tour.  You will come away with a whole new appreciation for this craft.  I am trying to figure out how I can shrink myself so I can move into this wonderful, enchanting place.

For more Friday Pretties visit Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things

Joyfully,

A Full Heart

First snowfalls are always iffy.  We tend to forget how to drive in the snow when we haven't done it in a few months.  The drive to deliver the cake went well, it was the drive home that about did me in.  Somewhere along the way there must have been an accident because I crawled along the highway at 5 mph for a good hour, in a snow storm, in the dark.  I have to tell you though, I would do it again just to see his face light up.  This picture was taken when his friends were singing to him.  I am so proud of the man he is becoming.  My heart is just not big enough to hold the love I have for him, so I'll place this love in God's hands and be forever grateful that he chose me to be Taylor's Mom.

With joy,

It's Snowing

Loving the colors of Christmas

Today we are experiencing the first snowfall of the season.  A very gentle, slow falling snow, just like the kind you see in the movies.  It appears winter has finally arrived.

My favorite new candy

Today is also my son's 20th birthday.  I can hardly believe it.  Can he really be that old?  Can I really be that old?  I am making a cake and plan to deliver it to him at college later this afternoon.  He is about an hour from us.  Hopefully, the snow won't keep me from going.

Still finding decorations to put up

I'm having some difficulty grasping the Christmas season this year.  I don't know what's that matter with me.  Are any of you having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit?

Hugs,