Not a lot of Gain on Jane, California and other progress (Picture Heavy)

Hi to all.  Life has a funny way of teaching us.  I have not been blogging, nor looking at blogs as much lately.  I felt that it was keeping me from exercising,  enjoying my hobbies, and keeping me away from my family.  As I learn to juggle my time a bit better, please bear with me. I will try and post at least once a month, but if I don't comment on your blog right away, I will eventually, even if it means reading several of your posts at once.

What have I been doing lately?  Vacationing in lovely California, which was a mere 30 degrees in the mornings.  Burrrrrr!  I will take 30 degrees where I live any day.  

With my parents and kids we flew to San Diego, and over 4 days drove up the coast to Los Angeles.  We enjoyed many things about this trip.  As my parents age, I feel spending time with them is so important, even if I do have to adjust to their schedules and habits. We made some wonderful memories.

On the last day of our trip,  my son got very ill, and started to run a fever.  That was the start of the awful flu coming to our house!  I never did get it, but both my kids, and husband did.  It's taken a lot of energy to keep up with them.  Keeping them hydrated, fed, comfortable.  My daughter lost 3 pounds, and my son was the sickest I have ever seen him.  I'm glad that's over.  I didn't get much done for a week!

At a wonderful quilt shop in Vista California called Fat Quarter's Quilt Shop.  My mom and I did some damage to the credit card, and spent several hours here.  I bought 4 patterns from this designer.  This one is called Thursday's Quilt by Quilts by Cheri.

This is at the wonderful Mormon Battalion Visitor Center in Old Town San Diego.  We made a beeline here after getting off the plane.  If you have never been, you MUST go.  It tells the story of some Mormon pioneers that enlisted to serve in the Mexican/American War in the 1840's and marched over 1000 miles to San Diego.  They built roads and many of the original buildings in San Diego.   One of our descendants, C.Y Webb,  was part of this, so it meant a lot to us to learn about him.  It is top notch "Disney style" fun and story telling, and it's all FREE.  Here I am trying to strike it rich with my kids and my Mom, (my dad is hiding in the background.  I'm wearing a fabulous scarf that Deb knitted for me and gave to me on her trip to Utah.  I get so many compliments on it.  Thanks Deb!

More of Fat Quarters quilt shop.  You know when you just fall in love with something, and have to have it?  That was me with this quilt.  I don't know why, but the colors just spoke to me.   They did have a kit of this, but it was $60.00, and for a wall hanging I thought that was a bit steep.  I opted to buy the pattern instead.  It's on the cutting table right now.  A Tisket A Tasket by The Whole Country Caboodle. 

One of the best things about visiting other quilt stores is seeing the local designers.  I am in love with this local,  Quilts by Cheri.  Cheri is the sister of well known designer, Bari from BareRoots.  They have very different styles, don't you think?  This is the Journal quilt.  My mom and I really want to do this one soon. 

I bought this pattern too.  I could see it hanging with the quilt with the basket. (above).  Another local designer Joan Grenke of Bits and Pieces by Joan.  This is called Honey Bee Baskets.

Another quilt by Cheri,  "Soots and Ashes".  Sorry  I couldn't get a good picture.  It's done with all blacks and creams, then heavily tea dyed.

Another local "Stitching Stories"  A $2.00 pattern, that went home with me!

My Dad at the gardens at the mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside.  The tree in the background is the first Pepper Tree planted in California.  The monks used it for medicine. 

What's a trip to California without a stop at the American Girl place.  Yes we bought Kanani, my daughter earned her by doing jobs and homework. Now we have 4 dolls, and I think that is enough!

When the weather warmed up we enjoyed the La Brea tar pits, right in the heart of Los Angeles.  They have millions of fossils from these tar pits.  A great school day! 

We also went to the Science museum in Los Angeles.  Nothing better than leaning "hands on"

Okay, now I have to share a fun project my stitch group did last week at my house.  These clever pincushions are mounted on a heavy metal bell from Hobby Lobby.  Jolene donated the wool from her  stash that she has acquired from thrift store wool jackets.  Kathryn (no blog) prepped the wool, and provided the inspiration.  We had these almost finished by the end of our day.  The pattern is called "A Little Birdie Told Me", by Wooden Spool Designs.  Five of us made them, and they all turned out so different and cute.

My finished bird from the  front!

From the back.  Perfect for holding some scissors!  The pocket looks crooked, but it's just the angle I took the picture from.

I've picked up a little framing.  Ah' Tis Spring by Notforgotten Farm.  This was a premade frame I found and against my framers wishes, I went ahead and had them frame it in here.  It's a bit tight, but I think it still looks okay for a seasonal item.  It was a lot cheaper than going custom!

The Farmer's Wife, ready to hang in my sewing room

 This is one of my favorite samplers.  A sweet gift given to me by dear
Terri.  She did the little dark haired girl and I stitched the rest.  I hung it in my sewing room, where I can see it every day.

Last weekend, I went shopping with Jolene and Kathryn (no blog) and found this cute child size ironing board.  I fell in love, and it came home with me.  I don't know where this will end up, but for now it is sitting by an old chair in the living room.  My mom made this little quilt for one of my daughter's dolls, and I'm "borrowing it" for a little while, until I can make one for myself.

I won a fabulous giveaway by Nancy, Bountiful Stitches.  Thanks so much Nancy.  This one is going in the work basket next month!

Some of my stash from Fat Quarters.  I loved the Buggy Barn quilt.  With all the fabrics bundled up so perfectly, it somehow made it into my shopping bag.  I don't know how that happens!  LOL

Last month Jolene surprised me with fabric for this fabulous quilt.  We got together and whipped up 2 quilts,  one for her, and one for me!     We were like a well oiled machine.  She put  the fabrics in order, handed them to me for piecing,   we both ironed, and she trusted me to quilt them.   I will always have fun memories of making this fun January project with sweet Jolene.  This is called Snowman Basket by Jan Patek and it's made from 1 charm pack, and a little yardage.  Easy peesy!  Thanks JoJo!

I've been trying to get some older projects out of the closet.  My SIL gave me these cute perforated paper designs with the blocks for my birthday about 4 years ago.  I stitched a few of them, and they are in storage now, but these still needed to be done.  Seeing all of these stash buster challenges, I decided to finish these up.  I am still working on December, and then I will be done!  YES!

Not a lot of gain on Jane, but this is my progress. For the past 2 whole days I have been printing the rest of the patterns I need to send on to my Mom and SIL.  Now I just need to get sewing.  I have about 50 blocks sitting here with fabric.  Can you say OVERWHELMED!  I guess if there is no Pain, I will not have a Dear Jane, so it must be done.  This is what I will be working on the rest of the month.

Love by Sweetheart Tree, is another one of those projects that has been in my closet for 5 plus years.  I was going to make this for my in-laws wedding anniversary.  One day while working on it around her I was trying to get a feel if she liked it or not, and I asked her how she liked it. The answer was, "I would do it in different colors",   Well, it went back in it's bag and hasn't' seen the light of day since.  I decided to work on it for Valentines day, and I will finish it up for next year.  The other project Jolene and I started last month at stitch group.  It just needs a few hours to be finished.  Hopefully I can show it finished next month.

This is my quilt that I was working on last month.  It's been finished and ready to take to the quilters for a few weeks.  Initially I had planned to quilt it myself, but I don't want to mess it up, so it's off to quilters for this one.  I love the saw tooth border, and even though it was tedious, it really adds to the quilt. 

Thanks so much for coming to visit me!  Cyber hugs to all my blog friends.  I'm anxious to hear from you.  Until next time, happy stitching and sewing!

New Year, New Goals

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday!  We are well into January and it's my favorite time to sew.  The yard doesn't need my attention, I often don't have to travel outside the house, and with the holidays over, I can sit back and have great expectations in finishing a whole closet of projects!  LOL!
January is a time to accomplish, so without further ado, let me share with you what I've been doing the past few months.

This was a fast little stitching project I accomplished Thanksgiving day.  We had a small group for dinner, so we made the food low key, and spent a good deal of the day watching movies and stitching!  This is from Blackbird Designs Peppermint and Holly Book, and It's on 28 count platinum linen with colors suggested.

This snowman table runner was a project that a lady in my neighborhood put together.  I had planned on making it for a gift, but when I finished it, I decided I loved it so much that I wanted to keep it. (Naughty me, I know!)  This is from Buttermilk Basin, Winter Seasonal Runner.

I've spent the past 2 months sewing doll clothes!  This is a cute dress I just finished Saturday.  It is a pattern from LibertyJane.  I really love making doll clothes.  I'm sorry I didn't take a picture of everything I've sewn for "the girls" this month.   I will have an American Girl fashion show later.

This is a cute little snowman that my BFF Jolene gave me for Christmas.  One of the MANY wonderful things she gifted me with.  I think he is the cutest thing!

DD got a new American Girl for Christmas.  She is hugging Lanie the Girl of the year from 2010.  She already wants the new Girl of the Year for 2011, Kanani, and is saving up for it.  I decided that this phase will not last long, and I want to enjoy it as much as I can.

My antique toys I've been collecting.  It was a much better display at Christmas, as I had it on a small table with a Christmas tree.  I wanted to show you the cute doll that Jolene gave DD.  She also gave me the clown and elephant tin toys.  They are so cute added to my display.  My kids play with these all the time!

My mom made me this darling Abby bag for Christmas.  It can sit on the edge of the couch or by my sewing table.  This has been a fabulous gift!  I love using it.

This is a Dear Jane quilt that one of my friends made.  I've started this quilt this year along with my Mom and SIL.  We are trying to get 24 blocks done a month, and we will be making ours slightly bigger than this.

This is my humble start.  I love working on these blocks.  They are so different and fun, and I don't remember enjoying a quilt so much.  I look forward to more progress.

This is another quilt I am working on right now.  I seem to rotate between Dear Jane, this quilt and a stack of doll clothes!  I think working on more than one project is very efficient.   I sew as much as I can and then make trips to the ironing board with all three projects. 

I have a finish!  The Farmer's Wife by Carriage House Samplings.  This was a SAL with Andrea.  Unfortunately I was really bad about keeping in touch with her, so I hope she is progressing okay.  This is suppose to be filled in with white under the house, but I started doing that, and then decided to omit it.  I didn't think you could see the face very well, which BTW looks like a pig to me, and I don't know how to make it look any different.  I changed the dress color, and changed the squirrel to a rabbit.  I started this sampler about the time that my DD had her 9th birthday, and she was Alice in Wonderland if you remember.  Her bunny had to be put to sleep on her birthday, because he broke his back.  It was a very traumatic experience for us all, he was such a sweet little animal  Because I was working on this during her birthday, I decided to make it a "tribute sampler" to little Thumper.

Hope that this year brings many wonderful moments for all of you.  Thanks so much for your kind comments. They warm my heart!  Until next time...Happy sewing.

Going Colonial (picture Heavy)

Hi to all my blog friends.  I'm embarrassed to write this post, as it's been FOREVERRRRR since I've blogged.  I'm sorry for the absence, life is somewhat overwhelming right now.  My in laws are moving to Arizona, we have had company for several days with friends moving to Virginia.  It's been crazy!  Hopefully my blog mojo will return really soon.  Also, I'm having lots of problems posting pictures now.  I hate the new blogger layout!  It's such a headache to get your pictures in the order you want them to be in! Sorry that these are all screwed up, but I'm so frustrated, that I'm going to post it anyway, without fixing them.  

First off, I'll share my WIP's, because of the problem I've mentioned above!

Andrea from Deep Fried Cupcake mentioned that she wanted to work on Farmers Wife, from Carriage House Samplings.  I've had this in my workbasket for a while, so we are doing a SAL, to help us get it done.  I'm stitching with 32 count Black Zweigart fabric, and DMC threads, my own conversion.  How is yours coming Andrea?

I have a finish! Be Ye Thankful by The Cricket Collection.  I started this at the Shepherds Bush retreat, and took it on vacation with me.  I finished everything, except the house.  I was really struggling with the colors.   The color that it called for was pink, and I just didn't like the way it looked, so after multiple froggings, this is what I came up with.  I used the colors it called for, but substituted "Mulberry" in place of "Old Brick".  I think the red is a little bright, but it looks good with my red walls.

This is the new stash I bought at the wonderful stitching store in Williamsburg VA, called Haus Tirol.  If you go to the area, you must visit this darling shop.  I bought a few pattern that I hadn't seen before, and the stitching case in the upper right hand corner is a shop exclusive kit designed for this wonderful shop for their 30th anniversary.  The kit did not include floss, but had the linen,wool, beads and everything else.  I think I will be changing the colors on my kit and making them a little more muted and dark.  I could not pass it up though, because I just love pineapples!

A few months ago, my BFF, Jolene, helped me rearrange the blocks on this table topper that I've had in my closet for 2 years.  This was a class I took from the wonderful Barb and Alma of Blackbird Designs.  I will share again when I get the quilting done.  Barb signed the upper right block.  Isn't that cool?

After our retreat in September, Deb, Cari and I decided to start a SAL together.  This is Angel's Song from Shepherd's Bush.  I am seriously slacking on this sampler!  I need to get on a regular posting schedule so I can stay on task with this.  Are you way ahead of me ladies?  Post your progress so you can kick me in gear!

We spent 2 days at the wonderful Busch Gardens Europe theme park.  What a fabulous park.  I loved it more than Disneyland!  This is the funniest photo.  Don't I wish I had one of these at home!  "The cost of an untidy chamber", and "For want for a quiet tongue".  LOL!

During October, Bush Gardens has a spooky theme, for all Halloween lovers like myself!  This park was decorated to the hilt, and at 6:00 PM, the "spookers" as my DD called them, would come out and scare the dickens out of you.  They would replace their mannequins with real people, and when you weren't expecting it, one would reach out for you.  We were scared multiple times from people in the bushes.  Every time, my DD would cry her eyes out.  She is a scardy cat, which is pure pleasure for a 13 year old big brother!  They had these fog machines that would mist up the park, and add to the ambiance.  I think we will go back sometime, as we all thought it was the best Halloween fun ever.  We didn't attend the spook alleys that they have for the teenagers, that's not really my thing.  I just like the eerie Fall feeling.  Does that make sense?

We have been vacationing in Williamsburg this month.  It was a lovely vacation!  A small sampling of photos:

A peaceful wagon ride in style!   Outside the Governors Palace.

This is the wig shoppe.  How I loved watching this woman make wigs, and share her talent.  Wigs go back to Roman times.  did you know that?

The Governor's Palace.  The centerpiece of Williamsburg.  As your might remember, I won a pattern from Melissa a few months back featuring this lovely mansion.  I was so excited to go home and look at it.  I know this is going to be stitched really soon!

This is the gardens outside the palace.  What a lovely place to sit and sew!

Next up, was the Folk Art Museum.  Many of the items were donated by Abby Rockefeller, as she loved Folk Art finds.  I could have spent an entire day here, but my DH had other things in mind.  Seriously, we never fight, but we did NOT agree about how much time to spend in the museum.  After a few days, I did get over my grudge towards him, and lingered a few hours in here, by myself, which was pure heaven!

They have an extensive gallery of early American portraits.  Many famous painting that I had seen in books were at this museum.

Oh the cuteness!  This is a memory pot.  The owner glued special things on it that she wanted to save and remember.

A fabulous child statue.  I would love to have her in my front room!

Furniture gallery!  Heaven!  No samplers were in this museum at the moment.  (bummer.)  They did have a small quilt display, which was quite good, but the glass over the displays really made for bad picture taking.   What a fun place to visit.  I was filled with such love for our Founding Fathers, and the early Americans that sacrificed so much for our freedoms.  I'm sorry I have to type my conclusion to this post here, but blogger won't seem to let me add a sentence after this picture!  (I swear it should not be this hard!)  Take care all my friends, until next time, Happy Sewing!

Spoiled!

Life is full of fun events, isn't it?  Well, my life has been very full lately, and I feel very blessed.  Spoiled might be a better word.  As you've probably read on Terri's, and Deb's blogs, we recently returned home from a  vacation in Park City.  A stitcher's retreat, that was held in conjunction with the Shepherd's Bush retreat.
It's taken me a long time to get this post done, as I had to pay the piper when I got home, and catch up on the rest of life.  My husband does a good job "maintaining" things, but I certainly had a lot to do with the kids and school work, and house cleaning too!  (Not complaining, just stating the truth!)

First off, we finally got to meet our dear friends Terri and Julie.  We whisked them off to lunch at the fabulous "Gardner Village" to have lunch and enjoy the "witches."  This place is decked out with fun displays this time of year.

With one of my favorite people ever!  Little Tiny Terri!  She is as sweet and adorable as they get.  I am so blessed to have her in my life.  I heart you Terri!

This is outside Pine Needles, a delightful shop owned by Sandra Workman of Pine Mountain designs.

Julie, Terri, Myself, and Kathryn just "kissed" on the cheeks by the fairies.  Just in case you can't read the sign, it says "Don't pi** off the Fairies."  (Good advice, don't you think?)  In case you are wondering, Deb was on another flight, and Jolene picked her up later, so that's why you are only seeing the 4 of us here.

What fun would a retreat be without presents?  I was blown over (and I mean totally stunned beyond belief) at what Julie and Terri gave me.  This absolutely darling sewing kit.  The kit is originally suppose to be a jewelry box by Vera Bradley, but these cleaver girls turned it into the most complete sewing kit you have ever seen.  It has pins, a tape measure, a needle book with thread, scissors (cool blue storks), with a matching fob, a thimble, pins, button bag, needle minder, and thread winder.  The book was hand made by Julie.  I love this kit so much.  You know, I'll be making a matching bag real soon!  Thanks from the bottom of my heart girls.  I will treasure it always.

And if that wasn't enough...they spoiled us with more presents the next day!  Julie (AKA Miss Talented Extraordinaire) made the darling pin cushion in the box.  I love this idea!  Terri (her sister AKA Miss Creative Universe) made for us the most adorable strawberry and pincushion set.  The wool was from a recycled sweater, and is the sweetest color of red.  The bottom had Park City 2010 inscribed.  Wonderful! (Terri also beaded my daughter a Hello Kitty necklace, that she hasn't taken off since I got home!  I forgot to snap a picture, and will try and do that for the next post.) We were also treated with a bag of goodies from Michigan. Famous chips, chocolates, and dried cherries for our salads...yum!

Here is a little sampling of Jolene's fabulous gifts to me over the past few months.  We are becoming bosom buddies, and I have affectionately nicknamed  her the Spoil Queen!  She loves to give gifts to others.  The dress form above, is probably made for jewelry, but holds scissors perfectly.  Jolene amazes me with her creative mind.  The cute whisk broom is for our upcoming project seen here.  Can't wait to work on this real soon. The darling witch and red fabrics were gifts on this trip.  I'm going to make pincushions from the red fabrics, when I can decide on a pattern!  I am so blessed to have her live near me.  She is my kindred spirit!

Here I am with my new sisters!  Seriously, I want to be adopted by these fabulous ladies.  I don't have any sisters, so I am more than willing to become part of their family!  Karen (Our new friend from Colorado.  She isn't a sister, but a want-a-be like me), Joan (The sew fabulous seamstress.  Do you see the banners in the background?  She just whipped those up to decorate their room!), Simply Fabulous Cari (Yes the real one!), and Cathy (Just as sweet as she can be).  Love these ladies beyond words!  They made our trip sooooo fun.

Here is a sampling of their talents.  We were greeted with these fabulous fabric bags made from Joan.  Cari made the darling hexie pincushions.  All hand stitched and hand quilted!  My heart took a leap when I saw this, as I have been coveting wanting one of these.  She also made this cool pincushion ring.  This is a very useful idea, and I will get much joy in using it!   Cathy made the darling button pin, (which I wore to quilt guild and got tons of compliments on), She also went shopping at a local antiques store to find some goodies for our projects.  I know I'll be using that key on one of my punch projects.  Thanks so much my new sisters!  You are the best!

I was also very excited to meet one of my favorite blogger's and dear friends, none other than Thread Gatherer's Deb.  I am so glad that she decided to join us for our retreat.  She is thoughtful, soft spoken, and so sweet!   Deb's gift was AMAZING too!  Can you see why my post heading says, "spoiled"?  This was better than any Christmas I've ever had.  Deb knitted with her own little hands, this adorable scarf.  I love the colors, and this will look great with many jackets and jeans this year.  Thanks so much Deb!

Her thoughtfulness did not end there, she gave me this darling set of black and white boxes.  I promptly went home and put them to use with my different button collections.  Knowing that one of my favorite colors is red, she filled it with all kinds of red goodies!  Heart buttons, red scissors (my first pair of little gems), a really pretty lady bug pin, mother of pearl thread holders, and a beautiful pin keep.  So fun Deb!  

When I got home, I realized that the pin keep would be perfect with this Needle case that I got at a class from another Park City retreat.  This has sat in it's package since coming home 5 years ago, but I decided to finish it, and put all of my "red" treasures inside.

If you are wondering why I've been MIA for the past 2 months.  (Thanks so much Mylene for asking, you sweet darling thing!)   I had to make something for the girls too.  I wish I would have had time to do these for everyone, including my new sisters, but there is only so much a girl can do.  I made these wool army blanket bags in my quilt guild a couple of months ago.  Jolene and I were racking our brains to think of a good gift to give the girls in our room, and decided that the wool bags would be a great reminder of their Fall in Utah. We spent a few days cutting out the appliques (a wool bird on a vine with a cute acorn) then  I finished the bags, and Jolene punched scissor fobs to match.  I didn't think to take a picture of them, so you will have to look on their blogs to see how they turned out.  They were all different, to reflect their personalities. 

I also worked furiously on finishing my friendship sampler, so that Terri could stitch the little dark haired girl.  This was one of the sweetest gestures that anyone has ever done for me, and I will treasure this sampler always.  If you remember I was coveting Terri's sampler, as she stitched it with 2 threads.  I did mine with one strand, but it really turned out nice.  The colors are soft, and they look great in my sewing room, where this will reside after I get it framed.  Hugs Terri! I love it! I have now passed the threads and pattern on to Jolene, and we will be making a "Friendship Sampler" together.  It is my hope this will be a traveling pattern, to bless many more lives.

It was my pleasure and a real treat to share a little about my religion with my dear friends.  We visited Temple Square after our trip to Shepherd's Bush.  Everyone was so gracious and respectful, which meant a lot to me.  We just had the Semi-annual general conference of the Church for Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  One of my favorite things to do is to stitch and listen.  Here is a link if you want to stitch and listen too. 

I have been the recipient of some wonderful blog giveaway this past month.  I'm so sorry for the delay in posting. First off the Homespun Sampler and the Polly Gayton sampler were from Melissa of Words and Blooms.  She did a private drawing for her blog friends that read her regularly.  I love these samplers, and I am planning a trip to Williamsburg soon, so I was thrilled to see the Governor's Palace sampler.  The Stories to Live by sampler is from my friend Maggie, all the way from the UK.  I have always liked this sampler too.  Thanks for thinking of me, dear friends!  You make my life so meaningful.

It was a fabulous week, with great friends!  Deb put it perfectly...This is the rewards of blogging!  Thanks to all my dear friends who we met this weekend, New and old...I'm so blessed!

I've got some fun things that I'm finishing on the sewing table, and with a renewed sense of motivation, I should have some things to share real soon.  To all of my blog friends, thanks so much for coming to see me!  I would love to meet each and every one of you someday!