Summer Projects

It's been a while since I completed any projects. Slowly, but surely, I am working on my new Grandaughter, Ella Amberley's, scrapbook. She is 4 mos. old and I am going to try and get up to her birth in her book. So far, so good. It is so much fun looking at the photos and how much she has grown in such a few months. Above are her ultrasounds, then the couple's shower in March below.

I am also making a quilt for Ella. The class this summer is a Mystery Quilt so I don't know what it's going to look like. The neat part is that I am using some special material I have been saving for many years. The light pink is from dresses I made for my girls when they were little. The rest of the material is some I inherited from my Mom when she was into cleaning out her craft room some years back. I love that part of quilting.

Sewing with Jayden

My grandson, Jayden, thought sewing was just for girls, until he picked up the needle and thread at my house and patched up a stuffed toy for his little sister, Ella. Now he's got his own sewing kit at home and his Mom says he wants to fix the tear in the couch! We went to an art show and he wanted to buy a sock monkey made by my friend and co-quilting buddy, Janice. When we got home, he thought she needed a skirt, so we fixed her up. A little tulle and a lot of love. Voila' a special present for sissy. I am so proud of my boy. He isn't afraid to try new things, even if they are supposed to be for girls! Way to go future Metro-man!

Life is Good!

I finally finished the punch hook project my BFF, Karen, gave me. It is my first effort at this type of needle work and I enjoyed it enough to try it again. Now I will frame it and find a special place to hang it and add it to my "finished" projects. It feels good to have it completed and I have to admit most of the time I believe what it says.

Quilting 101

My first attempt at a new art form...Quilting! I'm currently taking a class taught by Bobbie Porter, who lives, breathes, and teaches quilting. I am hanging in there and determined to finish my first effort, the Medallion Quilt. I am learning a lot about sewing, something I thought I was already good at, but haven't done in a number of years. I have an original Bernina 707 I bought in 1971 and am giving it a re-birth. The class requires me to bring the little gem to learn the quilting techniques. Its like reconnecting with an old friend from high school.

I am enjoying this new art form that has been around for hundreds of years. I hope to finish this one and venture out making another for my new little grandaughter, Ella!!


This technique is called "paper piecing" and it is extremely time consuming. I have to do 36 of these before I can continue adding to the above quilt. Bon Chance!! I'm up for the challenge. Clearly, this 2nd quilt I am making is much more difficult than the tied one I made for Addison, but has less "love" inside. For the record, the Blues Clues quilt will always be special to me.

My first quilting project

My first attempt at quilting turned out successful, at least by my Addison's standards. It was my gift to him for his 3rd birthday. He fell asleep covered by it after his birthday party. My friend, Janice, helped me put it together. It took about 10 hrs, but was fun learning a new craft.

Coming up is a Couple's Baby Shower I am giving for Bridgett and Matt. Below are the invites I sent out. I got to use another toy, my Xyron 900 to back the paper with adhesive. Then, I used my Stamin' Up Coluzzle to cut the ovals to place on the cards. Hoping to have six couples attend, I think it will be fun for the "Dad's" to participate.

In my Mind's Eye

My creative juices have not been flowing, but I'm trying to squeeze them out. Having time on my hands doesn't mean the mood strikes me lately. I know all artists deal with this dilemma, I am not the first and won't be the last. I finally got some energy and began painting my little statues from the garden that represent my two daughters, Amber and Bridgett. I still have to find the perfect place for them, but glad to have them in good shape again. With all the rain we've had, all my flowers are blooming and need some company!

February is almost over, but the thrill of Valentines is still on my mind. I had so much fun creating cards for my boys, my girlfriends and my hubby. It gave me joy to see their faces when they opened them up. That's what card making is all about. I wanted to do more, but time ran out. There's always next year!

I have a new toy. It's called the Cuttlebug. I can emboss with it and make die cuts. Jayden and I have had fun trying different things. So far he has covered a mini notebook and I am making invitations for a baby shower for my Bridgett, who is due in May with our first Princess. Having a die cutter will help make my cards "pop" as well as the embossing. My next entry will be about quilting, I hope, as I am taking a quilting class in March. So many crafts, so little time!!

Christmas is closing in

My Floral Arranging class is drawing to a close. This centerpiece was an idea I got by going to Michaels to see what was on sale. I suspect an arrangement would cost around $50 or maybe more. Instead, because my class provided the greenery, oasis (that wet green thing that holds the flowers) and the flowers, it only cost me $2.40. Of course the class cost was $45, but I have made 5 arrangements so far and one to go. I had fun, met some nice ladies and got to smell fresh flowers in my house every week. I made this one for Bridgett to put on her table for Christmas. It is a surprise, so shhhhhh, don't tell! The other one I made for me is much smaller to fit on my table.


I bought the bucket and candy canes at the Dollar Tree and the flowers etc. were provided by the class. Voila' !! Next week I hope to make a wreath to hang on my door. Look out, Michaels,
here I come!