Sunday, October 16, 2011

Sunday Musings

I L-O-V-E making mini or doll-sized quilts.  Not only are they fun to do but the feeling of satisfaction is divine and the instant gratification is exactly what I need. 

I sewed the last stitch into the binding of this mini pinwheel quilt about thirty minutes ago and just had to stage this little vignette in order to take the picture.

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I used only scraps from my stash and hand quilted it.  I find the rocking motion when quilting by hand very soothing and can thoroughly lose myself in the process.

black cat divider

The binding is also made from leftovers. 

Whenever I have to bind something, I always make a little extra and save the leftovers in a jar to eventually piece together for a project that would merit a scrappy-look binding.  This was one of them! 

With two swaps coming up, this little guy will soon be making its home somewhere else in the world.

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I picked up these potted mums at the supermarket yesterday because the color intrigued me.

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I have never seen orange mums…and the centers are green!  How appropriate for fall decorating.

scarecrow pumpkin

I finally found my mini lights and decided to add them to the trencher on top of the fireplace.

Don’t you just love the subtle, gentle glow?

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I L-O-V-E fall!

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Thanks for stopping by!

Kaarenheartname

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the decor and spy something familiar :-)
I just purchased a small little pkg of battery operated mini lights...I was thinking of a bowl of sparkling potpourri. So pretty seeing some little sparkle here and there! Hugs girlfriend...sending you some hugs.

By Hoki Quilts said...

Love, love, love the 'mums' they would 'go' so well in many situations. The little pinwheel is just so cute Kaaren and I do like your idea of keeping the odd bits of biding leftovers - yep a msart move there.
Thanks for sharing
hugs - Miche'le xx

Hellen Sigurbjörg said...

Wondwrful, little quilts, and cosy pictures! It is so rewarding making little quilts. Have a good day!

Theresa said...

Lovely doll quilts!!!! It goes so well with your fall decor~~

Annelies said...

Looking at your pictures I feel it's autumn !

Doniene said...

The mums are delightful. I, too, have never seen the green centers before! The mini pinwheel is darling, and your decorating inviting!

Blessings

Florence said...

Gorgeous decoration !

paulette said...

With wonderful Fall decoration like THAT I can see why you love it so much!! So pretty!! Love the new little quilt!! I know exactly what you mean!
P

Sheila said...

Beautiful little quilt , love the scrappy look and Love scrappy bindings too.The Mums are so pretty, I'd never seen them with green centers before , lovely.Your home is so cosy:-)

Kathy said...

I always love seeing your decor pictures - you are very inspirational and now I want to change my fall decor around! Where do you get your wooden bowls and trenchers - are they antiques, or available somewhere? My table needs a wooden bowl full of gourds, apples, etc.

KaHolly said...

How very nice. I don't much bother to decorate anymore, but how homey and comfy your decor looks. Hmmm, maybe I should start to make the effort again!! What a great idea about saving the ends of your bindings!

Shakerwood said...

What wonderful fall colors on that mini-quilt! Isn't finishing a little project just about the most satisfying thing there is? Other than apple pie, of course!!

sunny said...

I LOVE your mums! And your little quilt is adorable. I keep thinking I"m goign to make some very small quilts, but it hasn't happened yet. Maybe your will spur me on!

Karen said...

I think you could go into the prim style decorating business. Everything you display looks good.

Kathryn said...

My husband and I were raking leaves today, and I love the colors before they turn brown. Whenever I have a bit of left over fabric, I make pinwheels or 4 patches. I think it's about time I look to see if I have enough for a little quilt. Thanks for showing yours. Kathie L in Allentown

WoolenSails said...

Wonderful fall decor and I love those mums, really beautiful shade.

Debbie

Needled Mom said...

Two of my favorite - scrappy and pinwheels. How good does it get? It really does look wonderful and I love the fall decorating. I need to get going on mine as it is going to be winter before I know it.

That is a gorgeous mum. It's perfect for the season.

gracie said...

So inviting! I love the mini quilt.
Lucky home it will be going to.

Darlene said...

Kaaren, your home is the most welcoming home I've ever seen! I love when you share pictures - makes me feel so warm and comfy!

Love, love the little quilt with pinwheels. I've joined the same swap - maybe we'll be partners. 'wink'

The twinkle lights are delightful.

Carol said...

Such wonderful autumn accessories. Love that little chenille pumpkin. He's just adorable. You give your readers such inspiration.

Allie said...

That little pinwheel quilt is so darling, Kaaren! Love the little vignette you have there. I too love little quilts...

Interesting mums, and I agree very appropriate for autumn! Love the lights on the mantel. I used to string white lights across the living room ceiling for Christmas, and loved them so much I'd leave them up long after, just love the glow. Your little corner in your last pic is too darling, that doll and quilt are so sweet! And is that a chenille pumpkin? SWEET!

elizabeth said...

You have a wonderful gift for arranging your home. I love the little quilt and the trencher is adorable. I will be saving my excess binding from now on...what a great idea! Oh and the mums are so pretty..i also have never seen orange and the green centers are perfect! Thanks for sharing...Elizabeth in Kansas

Donna~~ said...

Geeminie--I would love to just sit in your lovely home and absorb the fall decor! (I'd be very quiet--you'd hardly know I was there, except for the sighing) Everything looks so perfect!

Kats Studio said...

Love that little quilt. I am into miniatures, currently working on an art gallery. I also like they way you have your displays set up. I look forward to the Canadian Geese coming here to raise their babies every year.

GerryART said...

Your words and pictures a
are comforting, Kaaren.
hugs

Sunnybec said...

Your little quilt is lovely! I never thought to save all my bindings to make a scrappy binding, what a good idea....I will have to go and dig them out of my scrap box now and keep them all together. Linda

Denise :) said...

How cozy and pretty! :)

Mad about Craft said...

All your decorated bits & bobs are lovely!

Kathleen said...

I should really make mini or doll quilts this way I will be able to make more of them...also I do love to do handwork so maybe I should give it a try...I have never seen orange mums with green centers..very pretty...sending good wishes to you and hope you are doing well

Colleen said...

Adored your mini quilts. I too enjoy making them...fast rewards! Your decorating is wonderful. Have a super week!

Marsha B said...

I love the pictures of your home, it is so inviting! Love the little quilt, it is so darling. Enjoy the fall, it is my favorite time of year.

Paula said...

The doll quilt is adorable. I have decided to make doll quilts while we travel this winter in the south.
Your home is decorated so beautifully and welcoming. I think we all would love to just come over and oh and ahh over your talent to decorate.
I save my leftover binding but know I know why I was saving it. LOL! Everytime I put the leftover in my scrap basket I wondered why I do that. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love the little quilts, I am definitely going to have a go at this :)Thank you for sharing

Orcsmom said...

Kaaren,
Thank you for always being such a inspiration to me! You are very talented and creative. Thank you for always brightening my day with your blog entries!! Hugs!!

Pam

Lesley said...

Kaaren, your postings always put a smile on my face! I love how you embrace the seasons and showcase them throughout your home. You have changed an "older" house into a "home" that is so special and so you...enjoy your new little quilt! And now I know what to do with all my extra binding!
Cheers!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Just a warm and inviting post of projects and seasonal inspiration. Just wonderful mums - had to tell my SIL about them. Oh, love the lights and lead right into the next season. Many gentle hugs.

Hands Sew Full said...

Love the little Mini! I think I may have to make something tiny because I love hand quilting but the large projects get very weighty after a while. The little ones would be perfect. Those orange Mums are really lovely too.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your mums are lovely! I love the lime centers. All the ugly mums must be shipped to Florida. You're quite talented with decorating! Everything you do looks so perfect together and scaled well.

Bev said...

Hi Kaaren,
I so look forward to seeing what you are making. This newest one is so lovely. I have only made one mini quilt for my granddaughter. But I think you are on to something. Making a mini quilt, does bring satisfaction . Thank you also for your generosity. You are an amazing lady and so talented. Bev

Pat said...

A sweet little quilt and the scrappy binding is just perfect! I agree about the satisfaction achieved with a completed small project. Have been so involved in huge quilts this year just had to finish up a small Carpenter's Wheel.

The orange mums are wonderful!

Candace said...

Everything looks so warms and inviting, Kaaren! I love the mini lites with the Chinese lanterns! Your little quilt is perfect and what a great idea for leftover bindings - I think I have a few (wink)!
Cheers!

Neabear said...

I love your mini quilts! When you make your binding, is it on the bias? I have noticed other quilting bloggers saving their binding strips. I guess I should think about doing that too. But not sure how to do that, I mean on the bias or not.

~Linnea

Ha...the word verification for me is "string"...to funny!

Elzaan said...

Lovely mini quilt. The receiver of that will love it to pieces.
Great decoration! The flowers are beautiful as well.

Sandi said...

Your Autumn decorating is just lovely.

I need to do a big purge and do some decorating.

You are so inspirational, hope ou are felling well and positive in your outlook.

Lovely little quilt.

Janet said...

What a lovely mini quilt and it looks so nice in the setting yu placed it in. The mini lights look great, I might have to pinch that idea.I haven't seen mums that colour, how perfect for Halloween too. I just don't enjoy their smell.

Sue-Anne said...

Your little quilt looks beautiful - perfect colours for Autumn and Halloween.

Jenny's Place Online said...

A lovely post, Kaaren. Although sometimes fiddly, smaller quilts mean you can make more of them :) Happy crafting, Jenny

Terry said...

All your fall decor is so pretty! And I just love those mums! :0)

Miriam said...

Love your new mini.
Those Mums care certainly an unusual colour!
Take care.

The Inspired Stitcher said...

I love the little quilt! Congrats on finishing it. I love your fall decorating too. It just makes the house so cosy. {{Hugs}}

pinsandneedles said...

Love your decorating style! It feels so good to make something from only stash...using every bit of fabric! Yes!

Karen said...

The color of your mums is so beautiful and speaking "fall" very loudly, lol. Your little quilt is so sweet and someone will enjoy that in your swap. Your home always looks so warm and welcoming.

Hugs - Karen

Susannah said...

Kaaren...this is the loveliest post! Thanks for sharing all the mini quilts you are sewing. They are my favorite these days, too.
The mum is eye catching!

Thinking of you with prayers.

Susannah

Heartsdesire said...

Love your sweet little scrappy quilt. How lucky your swap partner is to be receiving it. And all your fall decorating looks gorgeous. I'm inspired to pick up some small pumpkins and corn stalks for my front entrance. Maybe some mums as well. Autumn is such a great time of year, the colours are so warm and rich.

Laura said...

Kaaren - Your mini quilt is beautiful! I love it! Your decorating is so preety and cozy! Fall is such a wonderful time of year with beautiful warm colors.

Jantine said...

Lovely pin wheel quilt! Love the colours. Pin wheels are always fascinating to look at...

Merilyn said...

Gorgeous little pinwheel quilt Kaaren, and yes I do love those orange flowers, just too lovely!! Beautiful decorating as usual, you obviously get a lot of enjoyment from it, so thanks for sharing it with us, you do such a great job!!!

Sharon said...

I love fall too! Great pics of all your wonderful fall decor, and yes, the little quilt is adorable. Sometimes we need that instant gratification with a project.

Ter'e said...

Your little quilt is just beautiful......
I love the Annie doll that is holding a crow. You know me and my crows....I always spot 'em.
xoxoxoxo

ann said...

Looks like you are enjoying the fall season. Love the lights May have to look for some of them. I can use them as my night lights.

Ulla said...

Your Autumn decoration is so lovely and inviting. The mini quilt is so pretty and your rag doll is adorable.

Lori said...

What a lovely fun little quilt!! It looks like your house is decked out for fall.

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

I love small quilts, too. And I dearly love stitching by hand. Your decorating is lovely and those orange mums with the green centers are gorgeous!!

QuiltNut Creations said...

fall is my favorite season too. I love your mums, never seen them with the green centers before. and your mini quilt is just adorable!

Granny Anne said...

Lovely fall settings!
I have a question. I have heard you talk of mini quilts or doll quilts. What is the actual finished size of these quilts? I have some nieces who have dolls and lots of scraps so am thinking of marrying the two ideas.

Mikimoto Angel said...

Those decorations you got there are so cute! I love your blog big time. And the music playing in the background also reminds me of farm life. Very nice! :-)

BTW, I'm a new follower. I hope you follow me back.

Much love from Mystic Nymph.

suz said...

Everything looks so cozy and warm - the way home should look in the fall. I'm in the process of putting away the summer pastels and pulling out the oranges, reds, greens and browns. Love fall! Hope you're feeling okay.

AnnieO said...

Beautiful mini! I love a scrappy binding too. Fall is my favorite season to decorate for, all those lovely warm tones and prints.

Carrie P. said...

Lovely fall decorations. those mums are so pretty. I haven't seen them with green centers either.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Kaaren, your fall decorations are so beautiful. The way you decorate makes me think that if I were to visit your home, I would be wrapped up in a soothing, relaxing atmosphere in every room. Your home just looks so emotionally 'warm'. I wish I had your gift for creating such welcoming, comfortable rooms. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Big Hugs and Blessings...

* I have been wanting to try hand quilting some of my smaller projects because everything I have read and people I have talked to that hand quilt say the same thing you did. They find it completely relaxing. I can't do the piecing by hand but I think I will give hand quilting a try very soon. I know nothing about it, but I have some wonderful 'how to' books. Any tips from you for a novice? More hugs...

Nancy said...

I love your blog, your home decor, and the music I hear while being here. Thank you for such a pleasurable experience and I shall return. Happy Autumn!!