Can't Sit Down

Cubby and Claire went off early Saturday morning to Vet-a-Visit at MSU.  They had fun seeing the animals. Cubby said his favorite was seeing a horse on a treadmill. He wasn't interested in sticking his hand inside the see-thru cow though.  He got a little stuffed cow and had a personal consultation with the vet. Most kids said their animals had broken legs or sore tummies. Cubby told the vet that his cow had "boiling water on his head". They wrapped it in a big bandage. I can tell it's going to take years to live down that trauma... can you say therapy?

Cubby looks quite natural with a stethoscope don't 'cha think? Claire said other kids sat on the chair with the animal in their lap. Cubby insisted on standing because he was the animal doctor and that's what they do. He's got a mind of his own! 

Trees Plus...

Played a bit more with the trees this week. I'm caught up now for this installment. I need to get busy on my Sauder entry so I guess that's what I'll focus on this week. 

Here's a couple of the trees added to the barn. I really like the way the hand-dyed fabric makes the barn look weathered.  Couldn't get my sewing machine to blanket stitch so I had to zig zag the star. I used rayon Sulky and a piece of paper toweling underneath as a stabilizer. It's easy to rip off when you are done.

"Purple mountains majesty" and all that...

Here are the pieces pinned on top of another quilt on my design wall. I wanted to try using a light background since I don't do that very often and it's SO popular right now but I kind of like the way it looks with the more intense colors peeking out from between the blocks. Stick with the plan! Still have about 17 more trees to use. 

Forest For The Trees

I certainly don't need to start a new quilt project but I HAVE recently finished two quilts so a new quilt seems in order. I'll work on the other UFO's later...

I've been making trees this weekend. I didn't realize how many batiks I had until I started digging out the greens.  

A couple of weeks ago I got a great deal on Ebay. It was advertised as "20 batik fat quarters with some cuts". (Maybe she finished her project? Maybe she decided she didn't like batiks? Maybe she was getting rid of her mom's stuff?) Anyway, there were 29 good sized pieces, some with only small pieces cut from them and in addition to the batiks, there were several hand dyes.  I got the whole shebang for under $20!

The trees are part of a larger project I found in a magazine.  More to come.  

ALQS5 - Elephant Parade

Here is the the little quilt that I received in the Quilt Swap.  It's a wonderful little elephant that came from Sarah in the UK! I pinned it up on my wall across from my sewing machine so I can see it when I look up. It makes me smile! The next challenge comes out in April. This was so much fun that I'll have to try it again.  My quilt went to someone in Columbus, Ohio. I hope she likes hers as much as I like this one.

Quilt Swap

I decided to join an online quilt swap.  This is my 8.5" x 11" entry and it's even done on time!

I used fusing, buttons, beads and even some baby rickrack I found in my stash. There was no date on the rickrack wrapping insert but I think it's probably left over from the 40's. It was given to me from a friend's mother's estate.  I wonder what our estate sales will look like or will my kids just send everything to the landfill? Fiber recycling? Grind it up for insulation?

Christmas Mayhem

Does it seem like the Holidays get a little crazier each year? This year Santa actually stopped by our house on Christmas Eve. Jacob received a Nerf Football and was very excited to see Santa. After Santa went off to visit other boys and girls, Jacob put his head in his hands and exclaimed, "Oh no! Santa brought me the wrong present! I wanted a penguin Pillow Pet!".  We tried to explain that Santa would be back during the night and could still bring the penguin but Jacob wasn't too sure. Thank goodness, on Christmas Morning there it was under the tree. 

"I knew it!  Just what I wanted!"  One happy 4 year old. 

**Note jealous dog tail between Jacob and Santa.

In all the pre-holiday craziness, I actually forgot to give Jacob his Cowboy Quilt?!? So for all of you procrastinators out there, keep on!  I wasn't finishing the binding in the wee hours of the morning. If so, the quilt would have been under the tree and probably pushed aside to get to the toys. This way it can be its own presentation and may get a more appreciated reception.

Here is the Country Stitches block #11. After lunch I'm off to pick up the 12th and final block. It's not my colors but I think the blocks will make a nice quilt for my parent's bed. My sister said that's a good idea since the one they are currently using is one she made in the 70's. You'd think with two quilters in the family.....

Foster Fridays

Another generation of Foster Fridays!

Time goes so fast!  It seems like just yesterday that my kids, Irene's kids, Mary Hutchin's twins and Enola's kids were running around the library and playground at Foster on Friday afternoons.  And now we have the next generation.  Foster Community Center is a wonderful resource to have in our community.  A great place for quilters to gather on Friday afternoons.