precious blessing

Joanna

 our granddaughter

Everyone told us...but now we know....

there is nothing like this feeling...

"my cup runneth over"

Life is Good!

Quilting joy

or
 quilting  "Joy"

pillows...

a few more before the 25th...

(Joy is my version of this and this.)

Life is good.

So much happening here!

The baby shower is over!  It was a great success. Over 50 friends and family came and showered Jenn!  

It was a lovely day.

Even the dad to be (my son, John) sporting his "baby beard" received something!

A Daddy's diaper changing survival kit!  

Hilarious!! 

If he's anything like his father; it will come in very handy!!

We got our first measurable snow.  One of the maples hadn't even finished dropping it's leaves yet! They're all gone now and so is the snow. It sure was pretty.

My design wall with more progress on Metro Hoops.  I only have eight more hoops to make!  I haven't sewn the 4 squares together that make one block yet since I have a few blocks that don't have matching hoops.  Not sure how much that would even matter but thought I would just wait until they're all pieced and decide if I can keep them the way they are or if I should mix them all up.

I just finished quilting this top.  It was pieced, by hand, a long time ago by the mother or grandmother (I can't remember) of one of my co-workers.  She inherited the top and promised it to her daughter when she got married.  Well the daughter's been married for years now!  

I did an all over of wonky feathers on it.  

Love the fabrics. 

It's definitely a scrap quilt as even some of the hexagon patches are pieced!  A few of the background hexi's are a very thin corduroy type fabric!  Cool.

I'll be excited to get it done and back to her.  She gave it to me with no pressure to get it done.  This is the co-worker who had a stroke during the summer.  She's doing very well and I know getting this will just be another positive for her.

Almost makes me want to make one, but not quite.  :)

Scrap Happy

After a morning appointment, I bought the 2nd set of purse tabs for my Scrap Happy purse.  

I explained why in my last post.

I went straight to my cutting table and put the 2nd handle on!

I immediately transferred all my stuff into it.  

It's really a perfect size. 

 I love how bright and well, happy it is. 

 It makes me smile!

I want to make another one!

Soon.

I'm gonna try to link up to Amanda Jean's finish it up Friday.

finishes...

I am pleased as punch that the CW Sampler quilt is finished. 

 I sewed the last few inches of binding down this morning!  I did almost all of it last night while watching the Pens v. Bruins game.  If the game wouldn't have been soooo exciting, I could have finished the whole thing for sure!!

Today I also finished two purses. 

(well almost)

 I've been trying to get this Urban Pods one made ever since I saw Jenny's on her blog.  But there is no pattern for it.  Yikes!

 When I started putting together my Scrap Happy Purse, I had an "aha" moment and thought I could do them both at the same time. 

  

 After I quilted the panel for the Urban Pods purse,  I realized that when I sewed the gussets I would lose some of the pod design around the side.  

I was bummed  and almost put it aside. 

So glad I didn't.

 I didn't cut out the curvy part at the top like Jenny did. 

 I was just too chicken!

Here's the inside.  

I lined it with home dec fabric. (that was a hint from Amanda's pattern) -it saved me from having to fuse interfacing to the fabric. 

Nice. 

And I got it on clearance at Jo Ann's! 

Double nice!!

The inside pockets are from the Lazy Girl patterns that I've made. I just went from memory (dangerous since I don't really have one most of the time) and it came out fine-- miracle.

And here is my Scrap Happy Purse.

 Oh MY Gosh!! I LOVE it. 

Amanda's directions are fantastic.  You should go right over to her little shop and get your own pattern and whip one of these up!! 

Seriously.  

 I loved Amanda's purse handles; but the one's I got have rivets on the tabs.  

 Unfortunately, I didn't realize I needed 2 sets of the tabs. I only bought one package... duh! 

I could only attach ONE side!!  

So now I have to run back to Jo Ann's so I can finish the other handle.

I almost used it today with just the one handle.  

Here's the inside. 

 I just love the lime green!  

A new quilting design

I planned on quilting the CW twin quilt with baptist fans.  

But a few evenings ago I was going through a pile of magazines. You know how all of a sudden you just realize that there are too many magazines sitting around and they have to go.  

But you can't just pass them on before going through them one last time to make sure there isn't some pattern or article that you can't live without!

(surely I'm not the only one who does this?)

Anyway, when I got to this magazine

and the piece on Denyse Schmidt; I remembered noticing that the quilts in the article and the one on the cover of her book were quilted with the same all over design.

So I got out some paper and pencil and sat there in the living room at 11:30 at night and practiced it. 

The next day I tried it out.

Love the look and that it was a quick design to stitch out, will definitely be using this one again.  

I did use a long piece of blue painters tape to keep my rows straight and a four inch wide ruler as my guide. 

Needless to say, the stack of magazines are still there! 

The binding and label are sewed on -- just need to hand stitch it to the back!

Yesterday I finished the smaller Urban Table Runner.  I ran out of the background fabric I used for the blocks and although I have at least 10 similar fabrics none where close enough for me to use happily!

I quilted and assembled the outside panels for Amanda Jean's purse pattern and picked out a fabric for the lining-that will be the next step. 

I need to buy handles, I've never used those kind before and want to try them.  

The pattern gives directions for making your own too. 

Finally sewed together these Urban Pods blocks for the purse I'm making with them.

There is no pattern for this one.  I'm just winging it. (scary)

I added the center piece; which will be the bottom.  I was thinking if I  do the same lining pockets as I'm doing with the Scrappy one it will be super efficient!!

I have to cut off the top and bottom of the curved blocks to get the look and size right. I guess I should quilt it first and then cut it.

I f-i-n-a-l-l-y loaded my twin CW block-a-day top. I think I'm gonna do baptist fans on it.  

The block a day blocks are almost gone....that is a  good thing for sure!

Oh and before I forget.  I just finished Kate Morton's book 

I loved it!!  Wow.

Fun times, fun times...

Life is good!