Eye Candy!

Yesterday was our guild meeting.  I always come away so pumped and full of inspiration.  We have some absolutely amazing quilters in our group who are so sharing, positive and upbeat.  I soooo look forward to the third Wednesday of every month which is when we meet.

The highlight of yesterday’s meeting was the reveal of 12 charity quilts made by the combined efforts of many of our members.  There is a new local hospice opening in the Fall of this year and it is our goal to have a hand made quilt for each of the 18 beds.  To date, 12 have been completed and more are in the works.

By the time I remembered to take my camera out, these had already been shown.

We have several longarm quilters in our group who have donated their time and materials to finish these quilts.

The machine quilting is absolutely stunning, and most of the quilts are custom quilted.

Even as I type this, I’m still amazed at the work and beauty.

And more eye candy…

Outstanding quilts by an outstanding group of gals for an outstanding cause!

Have an outstanding creative day and as always…

Happy stitching!

Kaaren

More Pincushions!

From the first time I first saw a biscornu pincushion I just knew I had to make one.  Biscornu is a French word meaning irregular.  Most of the ones that I’ve seen have a cross stitched pattern on top giving them a soft vintage look but alas, I don’t know how to cross stitch so the idea of making one just faded with time…until a couple of weeks ago, i.e.

Janet, who is an absolutely amazing quilter, posted a tutorial on her blog on how to make a biscornu pincushion!  Yesterday afternoon I decided to take the plunge and to my surprise and delight, it only took me about forty-five minutes from start to finish to make these two.Janet’s instructions are so clear and easy to follow.

Here is the reverse side of the same pincushions.

This one is made from vintage fabric that I bought from Nanette’s etsy shop…

and this one is made from redwork fabric that I had in my stash.

Life is good.  Two more pincushions!  Because you know…

You can N-E-V-E-R have too many pincushions!

Happy stitching!

Kaaren

This and That…

We went to Ogdensburg, NY yesterday to do some grocery shopping and to pick up a few things that I needed at Joann’s. I hadn’t received my latest Joann’s flyer or I would have postponed going until this weekend as that’s when all the great Memorial Day sales begin. I did pick up the things that I ‘desperately’ needed and plan on going again this Friday to take advantage of the specials.

I’ve been working like a beaver on my swap gifts. I finished the mini quilt for Spring Blooms Mini Quilt Swap, so that’s two out of four swaps that can put to bed.

The dimensions are 17” x 13 1/2” and it’s done in purples and greens, my swap partner’s favorite colors.

Here’s a little peek at a project that I’ve been working on for another swap.

And some things that I painted which will be included with each swap package…

And another style…

I’m having a great time creating, sewing and playing with all these projects and so far I’m on schedule to have everything made, wrapped and ready to ship out on or before the due dates. Woo hoo!

Last night I had to bring in the few annuals and hanging baskets that we had purchased because of the chance of frost that was in the forecast. It certainly is a little nippy for this time of year but the warm weather can’t be too far away.

Having said that, I’d better venture outdoors to see how things fared overnight in the gardens.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren

Not MIA…Just Busy

Swaps and gardening…or is it gardening and swaps? I have to learn to prioritize. After such a long winter, I’m finding it hard to keep my hands out of the dirt.

After taking stock of which perennials didn’t make it through the winter, it looks as though I’ll have to replace about a half dozen plants. I just love going to nurseries at this time of year because everything looks so fresh and like fabric in a quilt shop, is just crying out for me to take them home.

When I’m not in the garden, I’m busy stitching projects for upcoming swaps. I love to make things as gifts for others which is probably the reason why I joined four swaps! So far I’m on schedule with the time lines that I’ve set for myself so I haven’t felt any undue pressure…yet.

I just finished this pincushion which was really a lot of fun to make. I think I enjoyed the embellishing part the most because that’s where you can let your creativity take charge.

Actually, I made more than one because if you recall, you can NEVER have too many pincushions!

Here’s a little preview of a mini quilt that I’m working on for another swap. I’m doing mine in my favorite wool-on-cotton method and I’m hoping to complete it today.

I have several other swap projects on the go as well which I’ll sneak in as I make more progress.

Now I’m off to do some weeding as there’s rain in the forecast for tomorrow.

Happy stitching!

Kaaren

Mom

No one will ever take her place. 

She was kind, generous and the most positive person I’ve ever known.  She was always there for us.  Her three children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren meant the world to her and she was our world as well.  She was our rock, our mentor and made our world a happier place.

My Mom lived a simple life.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening and reading…and she loved her night time television shows.  That’s when she relaxed and unwound.  She loved to laugh and you could often hear her laughing out loud at some silly comedy show.  Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.

The above photo was taken on her wedding day, September 9, 1941.  Two days later, my Dad was deployed to England to serve in the Armed Forces during WWII where he remained for four years.

My Mom lived with Sam and I during the last year of her life.  After a brief but courageous battle with cancer, my Mom passed away on June 23, 2006.  Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her.

I miss you, Mom.

 

Kaaren

“Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my Mother.”

Abe Lincoln