Meet Lizzie!

As many of you know, I have 4 fabulous grandsons.  With that said, you also know that the toy room contains cars, trucks, planes, balls, golf clubs, etc.  My little granddaughter has been fine with all of these toys until last week.  While we were watching Despicable Me (for the 4th time) that beautiful little girl looked at me and said "Grandma B, do you have a baby doll?"  Well, we have Raggedy Andy & Nancy (a cloth doll) but no "baby doll".  Let me tell you, after waiting for such a long time for a little girl to grace our home, how could I not have a "baby doll" in the house????  I have looked at dolls at the local stores over the last couple of years but could never find a doll that I thought was cute.
Next morning - headed to our local thrift store on the off chance I could find something.  Lots of little dolls there.  Small ones, well loved ones, none with clothing, most with molded hair on their heads.  I moved several little ones out of the way......and found this little jewel.  Her eyes open & close.  She had no clothes and needed a little cleaning.  She was 75 cents!
Home she came.  Gave her a "spa day" - mineral rub (Comet cleaner), a bubble bath (Spic & Span cleaner), and shampooed & styled her hair.  Finished her little outfit this afternoon.  I think she is one special little "baby doll".  I have named her Lizzie.

Lizzie - After photo





















Lizzie - Before photo

Christmas Curtains

Shopping at JoAnn's Fabric store brought great finds.  One of my favorites was this great Christmas fabric. There was just enough left on the bolt to make new curtains, tale cloth, and a small table runner. I love Christmas!

Nature's Crossing

Lots of things going on this month.  Some planned, some not planned.  Anyway, I managed to get this wildlife quilt done today.  I used the last 4 panels from the "Nature's Crossing" fabric line by Fabri-Quilt.  The quilt finished out at about 79" X 79".  Backed with cozy cuddle flannel.  I just wanted to snuggle up in this quilt tonight.  I had to give the quilt it's name from the panel fabric.  Somehow it just seemed fitting.
Machine quilted with an all-over pattern that I like to call "Curls gone wild".

Hope all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this month.  So many blessings come to mind.  Enjoy each moment.

Riverwood

Well, another one down.  I used some wildlife panels that I had and made the split nine patch blocks with fabric from the Indigo line from Moda, Crackle by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics, Aster by Williamsburg for Windham Fabris, the border around the wildlife panels is from the Provence by Jennifer Sampson for Robert Kaufman Co., Inc, and the outer border is from Running Wild by Katherine Gardner for Riverwoods Collection.  Backed with cuddle soft flannel that was also used in the inner border.  I named this quilt Riverwood after the one fabric line.  It is machine quilted in a meandering swirly'q design using Essential 50 wt thread from Connecting Threads in Dark Honey.  I love this quilt.  It is made for a twin size bed (64" x 90").

"Riverwood"

Mixing fabric lines is always fun for me.

Curly'Q free motion quilting

Busy Day!

Well, it is the end of our apple crop from out dwarf honey crisp tree.  The last 5 quarts of pie filling done.  Three apple pies, and one blueberry.

Found a lovely little machine at the thrift store for $30 - has not been used very much.  Similar to my Singer Featherweight II machine.  It is a Janome Model 1017 made in Taiwan.  I prefer the Taiwan machines over any other Asian made machine.  They seem to be made well and I have had good luck with them.

This little machine has built in stitches - no width or length control as each stitch is pre-set.  It will be a fun machine to take travelling or a good first machine for a young person who wants to learn to sew.  The great thing about the machine is that I have the case that I had purchased for my Featherweight II and it fits perfectly.  I had upgraded to a bigger bag for the Featherweight II when I bought the quilters package for that machine.

I am finishing up another wildlife quilt.  Just have to sew the sashing and border on then it will be read to quilt.

Happy sewing to all!

Blue Hollow

Well, since it is Labor Day - that's what I did!  Eight quarts of apples, 12 quarts of apple pie filling, and finished a quilt order.

I used the "Indigo" line from Moda Fabrics for the split nine patch.  The wildlife panels were ordered from back east.  It is a size 64" x 90" which is made to fit a twin size bunk bed.  I love the blue and tan fabric together.  I named the quilt "Blue Hollow".

Love the blue & tan together.

Borders & sashing were from a different fabric line.

Machine quilted with "curlz".

Making Your Own Fitted Sheets

I have been frustrated with purchased fitted sheets!  They are always a little too small for our king size mattress (even the deep pocket style).  Well, I invested $15 in an inexpensive king size flat sheet.  Undid the seam on the top of the sheet, pressed open.  Measured the mattress (12" deep), cut each corner of the flat sheet (12" square).  Bring the cutout pieces together at each corner & sew down to the hemline.  Double stitch the seam for heavy use.  Cut about 18 inches of elastic (1/4" wide because that is what I had handy).  Undid the side hems about 13" on each side (except for the top as I had already undid the seam).  Mark the center of the elastic, place at the corner hem seam (inside the seam allowance).  Stretch elastic on each side of center of corner seam - Tack the elastic at each end, pin the center to the corner seam. Sew the hem seam where you opened the seam.  Voila!  You have a fitted king size sheet that fits perfectly.

Now I can invest in some higher thread count sheets and have great fitting fitted sheets.

I used the same format as I use for making crib size quilts.

Next quilt in the works

Started on the next quilt order.  Love the fabric I am using for the split 9 patch blocks.  It is "Indigo" by Moda.  This will be a twin sized quilt for a bunk bed.  Won't show the pre-printed blocks yet.  Stay tuned.

I am using my 1921 Singer class 66 machine.  She is the oldest one in my collection but works beautifully.

Photo of part of the group that served breakfast in Glenwood yesterday morning.  Thank you all for a wonderful morning.  Luke Robbins did a great job leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Heartbeats

Finished the bridal shower quilt tonight.  I used a quick & easy chevron pattern.  The quilt measures 67" x 79".  The perfect size for cuddling up on the couch when you read a book or watch a movie.  Also made 2 pillowcases to go with it.  Nothing better than being curled up on the couch with a quilt and some pillows.

Colors are actually seen better in the label photo.

Machine quilted with a meandering loop & heart stitch.

Name of the quilt is Heartbeats.

Dottie & I spent the weekend sewing

This past weekend I was able to finish piecing a quilt top for a wedding shower this coming Saturday.  Made a simple quilt top & finished machine quilting it today.  Took today off of work as my personal day.  Just have to make the label & put the binding on.

I pieced the quilt with my Singer Featherweight machine, which I call Dottie (as she was purchased at the Pink Polka Dot in Panguitch).  Amazing how smooth that machine runs.

Two things I picked up from quilter Bonnie K. Hunter (www.Quiltville.com).  She uses an old credit card attached to the machine as a 1/4 inch sewing guide.  Found that to work like a charm!  I used one of those advertising cards you get in the mail.

The second thing I am using from Bonnie Hunter is the leader/ender.  You keep a little stack of cut pieces (in my case 2 1/2 inch squares) by your machine.  When you come to the end of sewing on your current project just pick up a unit (again mine are 2 1/2 inch squares) and sew a unit together.  You do this at the end of each ending & it becomes your leader for your next project piece.  Cut the leader/ender off of the chain & stack up for use in another project.  I have quite a little stack sewn together just from this last quilt project.

Happy sewing all!

Singer 457

This is my newest find.  A Singer Model 457 Stylist - built in 1970.  Co-worker found it online & sent me a message.  This sweet little gal was only $45.  She is in good shape and works like a charm.  These machines were one of the final made-to-last Singer machine productions.  Another great find to add to my little collection.

For Elena

My niece asked me to make a name plaque for her littlest girl.  I had made one for her oldest daughter.  This time around I found these cute little wooden heart shapes that I could not resist.  Every other heart swings the opposite way.  A little paint, a little sparkle, and there you have it.

Faux Chennille Baby Quilt

Just finished a baby quilt.  I use 4 crib pre-printed panels (all face up) with flannel backing.  Sew rows about 1/2" apart.  Cut the top 3 panels with a slasher rotary cutter or electric scissors.  I added flannel borders with batting & there you have it - a faux chennille baby quilt.  Made for an associate who is going to have a baby girl in another couple of months.  This can be a very fun project.  Try to buy the panels on sale if you can.

Elk Ridge

Second quilt using the American Wildlife panel print.  Quilt turned out to be 79" x 87".  Combination of cotton & cuddle flannel.  Name of the quilt is "Elk Ridge".
Baby quilt to finish this month; wedding quilt to start & finish by the end of July.  I don't think I will have time to make a quilt for the Sevier County Fair this year.  I will try to make the quilt block for the contest.

Of course it turned cloudy outside today so very poor lighting for pictures.  Here they are anyway.

Vintage White Model 162 Sewing Machine

Last week while looking through items at our local Desert Industries (thrift store) I came across a vintage White sewing machine.  It did not have a zig zag foot so I didn't try it out.  Well, today I went back & the machine was still there.  I had a sewing bag with me with fabric, thread, and yes, a zig zag foot.  Hauled that sucker over to the "give it a try" counter.  Put the foot on, plugged her in, adjusted tension & she purred liked a kitten.  The carrying case is in fair shape but the machine is a sweetheart.  No cams came with it but she does a straight stitch, zig zag, & blind stitch.  Now, I found the manager & asked him if the machine could be marked down.  He went to his office.   I continued to sew on her.  Back he came & hit me with $15.  I lugged that 30 lb. puppy up to the counter & she was all mine.  At home she & the case had a good scrubbing, then oiled & adjusted the machine.  Can I just say I love vintage!
No actual sewing happened today as the weather was so nice I worked outside.  BBQ with the kids, played with Hannah, had a great day.
Maybe sewing tomorrow after church.

Model 162

High Meadow

Finished the first of a few wildlife quilts.  I call it "High Meadow".  Cut the wildlife units from a panel.  Used charm packs for the nine patch units.  Added sashing to all units.  Measures 80" X 82".  Hubby loves this one too.  Backed with soft cuddle flannel.  Free motion meandering machine quilting which crosses over each other every once in a while.  Reminded me of the tracks you see in nature.

Love the fabrics in this quilt

The wildlife blocks were beautiful.

Soft cuddle flannel on the back.

Wind was blowing so this is the best photo of the label.

A Day Out

Hubby & I went for a drive to Hatch in southern Utah.  A small town on old Highway 89.  The weather was cloudy but it was a very nice day.  We did hit some rain here & there but not too much.  Just south of Thompsonville I had to pull over to take a couple of photos.  The clouds were hanging on the mountains.  So beautiful.  Hope everyone is having a great day too.

New Quilt Order Begins

After pondering about the next 4 quilts on the list I finally decided to begin with an order for a little boy's bed quilt.  It will be a simple design as the printed wildlife blocks need to stand out.  I am using my 1946 Singer class 66 machine.  She sews like a dream.  Have to get one of the vintage machines up and running every once in a while.

Love this little 1946 beauty!

Sneak peak at some of the fabric for the next quilt.

Amazing how much I can fit into my small sewing room.

PICTURES OF THE EASTER EGGS THAT THE GRANDKIDS COLORED - HAD TO TAKE PHOTOS BEFORE THEY GOT TOSSED A WEEK AFTER EASTER.

One of my daughters in law found an idea on Pintrest.  You add about 1/2 tsp to the coloring & dip the eggs.  We found that if you dip the eggs in just plain dye & then into dye with the oil you got amazing results.

I have talented artists for grandkiddos!