A Modern Take on an Old Tradition

 Usually my office does a "little" decorating, but with covid lurking around, not so much. This year we did not have a decorating contest, no one had any interest, much less wanting to be in the office. The cubicles were bare.

I needed something, something a little bit festive but with a modern twist. Here's what I came up with.

Happy holidays Amelia and Sean.

Happy Birthday!

Recently the hubby bought a new truck. I have named it "The Beast" and parking it in our garage is a challenge. For the hubby's birthday, I made him a sign that reads "Raptor parking only." He uses the cameras to line up on the sign and stops when he reaches the upper line. Now there is no more blue tape on the front wall and "The Beast" is positioned perfectly.

Happy Birthday E.J.

On another note: giving the circut cutter a workout by making t-shirts. Can you relate to this?

Answer: teacup chain. (One of the many calls used when square dancing.)

Every Family Has One

When I heard a family member was expecting, I knew exactly what quilt I wanted to make and give them. It is called "Penguin Party" by Elizabeth Hartman. The pattern calls for  pastels, but I'm not a pastel person, so I thought I'd make it bright colors, more representing the personality of my family members. Colors I chose were family members school colors and favorite colors, each with a little different texture, but overall having a solid feel.

I decided to make one penguin a little different, representing that one person that every family has. It could represent the cousin that shows up at grandma's house on Thanksgiving and announces, "I'm a vegetarian." Or it could represent the in-law that showed up to a formal wedding wearing blue jeans. (One family member was overheard heard saying, "At least he wore long pants.") You know the one I'm talking about-every family has one, or maybe two. It could be the aunt, who after a "few" adult beverages decides she has to (and I use the term loosely,) "sing" every song in the karaoke play list at the family Christmas get together.

After finishing the quilt, my DH pointed out to me that we do not know the spouse very well. Would they be offended? Would they understand what I was going for? Oh well, probably not. I decided to put the quilt in the closet and if a family member or friend decides they want it, all they have to do is ask and I will give it to them.

Every family has one-you know that crazy aunt that quilts and believes everyone loves quilts as much as she does.

I will be making more of these....

I needed a small gift for a friend of mine who did me a favor. Having seen these little boxes, (known as bitsy boxes), which are all over the net, I decided to make one. After all, I have a box full of zippers (odd sizes and colors) which over the years I had purchased at flea markets or yard sales, loads of fabric and a piece of soft foam. What could go wrong?

Well, .........they are addicting and I made four in one afternoon.

I couldn't resist making one using "Liberty of London" fabric. The scale of print is perfect for these little boxes.

Finishing at about 2 1/2" square, these little boxes will hold lots of little pieces. My original plan was to place a couple of tubes of chap stick and a bottle of eye drops inside. The plan was successful and very much appreciated.

Last Completed Quilt of 2018

Back in the summer when my "Swell Christmas" box arrived, I opened it immediately and got to sewing. The instructions called for the log cabin logs to be 2-1/2", which after completing just 1 block, was HUGE. I didn't like the look. Everything went back into the box, placed on the shelf, destined to become a UFO or PhD.

Toward the end of July/beginning of August, Thelma of  Cupcakes 'n Daisies, posted her rendition of this quilt. I loved how it looked. She cut the log cabin strips at 2-1/4", and instead of making 20 blocks (4x5), she made 30 blocks (5x6).

The box came off the shelf, the "completed" block was ripped apart and I got busy. The quilt was finished in time for Christmas (94) and measures 72x60. This was my last completion of 2018---Thanks to Thelma.

This quilt needs a home. OK, family and friends, speak now or forever hold your peace.
Vickie

15 Entries, 15 Ribbons Won

Well, the county fair is over and I did quite well - 15 entries and 15 ribbons won. Some of these entries need a home, some don't. OK family and friends, if you would like any of these items, please post a note on the blog and I will get back to you. However, I had better not see them for sale on Etsy, Ebay or in a garage sale.

Starting at the top:
(1) Red skirt (2nd place), stays with me.
(2) Apron made with strawberry fabric (1st place), needs a home.
(3) Crochet baby afghan in blue and green (2nd place), needs a home.
(4) Tote bag made from a recycled bird seed bag, (1st place), needs a home.
(5) Casserole carrier, (3rd place), stays with me.
(6) Wedding hankie, (1st place), has a new home with the bride-to-be. (Close-up in previous post.)
(7) "Roll Tide" tissue box, (3rd place), is going home with Morgan. (Close-up in previous post.)
(8) Quilted cosmetic bag in purple, (2nd place), needs a new home.
(9) Quilt, hand quilted, (1st place), stays with me.
(10) Crochet doily in lt. yellow, (2nd place), needs a new home and I made an additional one to match.
(11) Ashley's Christmas Stocking, (2nd place), is going home with Ashley. (Close-up in previous post,)
(12) Decorated sneakers, (3rd place), stays with me.
(13) Baby bib, "Veggies", (2nd place), needs a new home.
(14) Christmas quilt throw, (2nd place), stays with me.
(15) Cherry's Jubilee quilt, (1st place), stays with me but is for sale here.

NQR-More Fair Entries

When a blond headed, blue eyed Princess tells you she wants her Christmas stocking to be pink and purple, the discussion is over. Here's what happened.....

Also, friends have a child getting married later this year. I made a little hankie for the bride.

Fair registration is the end of the week and there are several items that will need a home after the fair closes. Stay tuned.

The County Fair Approaches

Creating entries for the county fair is always a challenge for me. Judges like things that are trendy, (recycled items for example) or things that represent the area or state. Being in "Georgia Bulldog" territory, my first completed entry is not going to sit well with the judges. Let's see if this one wins a ribbon or not:

 

ROLL TIDE!

BTW: this item will need a new home. Leave a comment and after the fair, it could arrive on your doorstep.

Race to the Finish

Which came first, the baby or the quilt?  In this case, the quilt, but just barely. The mommy-to-be had a few contractions and I knew that quilt had to get finished. Contractions have stopped and I have finished the quilt.
Here is the anatomy of my latest creation: 1) Start with the borders and sashing. Having made this quilt before, the border dimensions are given last and as usual, I am running back to the fabric shop for more fabric.

 

2) add the foxes

 

3) add the bunnies

4) add the hedgehogs and relocate the foxes 

 

5) add the owls

6) add the thistles

 

7) add the butterflies

 

Add an all-over stipple quilting pattern and binding.Whew! Finished quilt:

Wishing mommy and daddy a very happy, healthy baby boy---and very happy that I finished the quilt (86) before the little one arrived.

Baby Girl arriving SOON!

As mentioned in my last post, several friends are having babies or grandchildren. The first one scheduled to arrive, should be here within the next two weeks. Both mom & dad, along with grandma are counting down. Dad painted the bedroom a unique color of what I would call "periwinkle-lavender." It's a beautiful color, but you know I'm never going to be able to match fabric to that exact color. My plan became "pastels" and I found a grey fabric that had a shimmering fiber for the border. (Hey, after all, a girl, no matter what age, has to have some BLING.) Off to the sewing room, fabric flying, rotary cutter spinning and putting the petal to the metal, I finished with plenty of time to spare. Fresh out of the washer and dryer, I can't wait to place it into the gift bag and send it off to it's new home. (85) Doesn't this scream BABY?

For the backing, I couldn't resist. The "daddy to be" has a salt water aquarium. With "nemo" fabric, my plan was complete.

The quilting design is an all-over or edge-to-edge stipple pattern and the batting is polyester.
'Fancy Forest' by Elizabeth Hartman is the quilt pattern.
Next post will be another baby quilt. They just keep coming.......

First finish of 2018

Fiestaware Explosion (84) is my first quilt finished in 2018. This is another of my 1-2-3 quilts and was made with a Timeless Treasure Tonga Treat where the colors remind me of Fiestaware dishes.
Lots of things happening in the sewing room. Friends are having babies or grandchildren and the fabric is flying. Stay tuned.......

I have decide to sell this quilt and the details can be found here.

Ready for the Fair

My projects are complete, all 10 of them. (Actually 11 if you count the set of doilies as two.) Don't think I will be overall winner this year since they changed the limit of entries from 10 to unlimited. (You know there is going to be a home-economics teacher that enters all 36 canning/jellies categories.)
Anyway, here is a picture of all and some of them will need new homes after the fair.
Here's the run down:
1.) Quilt - I will keep this one. 2.) Apron - dragonflies on navy blue with green trim - needs a new home. 3.) Fabric berry baskets - some need a new home. 4.) Fireside basket - I will keep this one. 5.) set of pillowcases - light blue/tan - needs a new home. 6.) "Bear" Christmas Stocking - has a new home. 7.) Multi colored doily - needs a new home. 8.) Set of doilies, ecru colored - needs a new home. 9). Christmas table runner (48") - needs a new home. 10.) Minions tissue box cover - needs a new home.


Ok family and friends, including those of you who are drive-bys, if you want something, leave a comment telling me which item you want. You are limited to ONE and first posted gets it. Also, if you are a drive-by, I will need to contact you so become a follower and please use a "working" email address.