Auriful Designer Block of the Month - July

I have not had much time to blog in the past week or so but I have completed a few things I hope to share this week.  First I want to share the Aurifil Designer block of the month designed by Sarah Fielke  I have been buying Aurifil thread to complete this project and I enjoy using it in my embroidery.  I have changed the colors just a little if I don't have all of the colors suggested in the project. 

This will be a fun quilt to put together.  You can check out the Flickr site here and see the other blocks made with these designs.

I will be joining BOM Rehab at Pink Pincushion

One More Block For Rehab

I have just completed block 4 of Promises and Borders by Jenny of Elefantz.  I am working hard to get caught up on this block of the month.   Of course with many other projects going on I will just have to plug away on it as I get the chance.

I have enjoyed working on this so far but my embroidery seems to go a little slower when I work with linen.  I have no idea why.  I have been motivated by participating in Block of the Month Rehab at Pink Pincushion.  Visit Sinta's blog and see what others have accomplished this week.

"One Big Cabin" Giveaway Winner

I have chosen a winner in the One Big Cabin quilt pattern giveaway.

 I thought it would be fun to do this the old fashioned way and put all of the names in a bowl, your name went in twice if you posted about the giveaway.

 I closed my eyes, swirled the names around a bit and picked a name.

Parsley, I will be sending you an email message so that you can send me your mailing address.  Thank you to all of you who entered my giveaway.

Where Bloggers Create 2012

I am participating in Where Blogger's Create 2012 at My Desert Cottage

I had planned to make several changes to my creative space this year and did not complete as much as I had hoped to.  I do love to spend time in my sewing room/creative space.  For many years the dining room table was where I sewed and did any kind of crafts or projects.  I am so thankful for a room to keep everything together and I can leave projects out and to have all of my materials and collections around me.

My space is upstairs in one of the two bedrooms.  To the left is my room and there is a guest room on the right.  I store a few things in the guest room also but they are all behind the closet door so the room doesn't look too cluttered.

I did not even notice our cat Lily on the stairs until I loaded the picture on to my computer.  She loves to spend time lounging on my chair in my room or on the bed in the guest room.

At the top of the stairs is my little wrapping/card writing station.

This is my space from the doorway.

The old green table on the left was made by my grandfather for my grandparents first home.

The sewing machine desk is on my list to be painted white but as you can see I did not get to it.

This closet is behind the door when you enter the room.

I like the fact that so much can be out of sight but I know where to find it.

Organized clutter, pens, pencils, scissors, paint brushes, etc.

An old doll pattern, cut out and ready to begin stitching.

 

I am a big fan of pincushions. 

Just a few of my books and magazines.

I enjoy quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, crochet, decoupage, and many other types of crafts and projects.

 

The dresser on the right is another project on my list, it will be painted white.

I just completed my new ironing board cover.  The board is sitting on an old wooden stool, just the right height for turning from my machine and pressing.

I did make this sewing machine cover this year.  Bari J at We Love French Knots had a stitch along and provided the design with tutorials for the stitching.  I used Jacquelynne Steves fabric to complete the project.  Visit Jacquelynne at The Noble Wife to see her latest fabrics and patterns.

My valance is made with tea towels and little birdie clips.

I sometimes think I should simplify so I put some things away in boxes and drawers.  I try that for a while and I seem to go right back to my organized clutter. 

The blocks on the table are from the Beginner's Quilt Along, hosted by Pat Sloan.  Those who know me know that I always have several projects going at once as I am sure many of you do.

I have an assortment of sewing baskets, some empty, some full of treasures.

The sewing machine picture I completed this year and was also a project I found on

We Love French Knots.

We are now looking back toward the door, I see a little bit of me in the mirror.

I like to sit and look around and think about a project. I may be sitting there a while trying to remember where I put something (that seems to be happening more often). I can use this chair when it is not occupied by a long haired gray cat.  I also keep a lint roller handy to use before sitting. 

 Much of my fabric is on the open shelves behind the chair. 

I love books, old and new.

Little doll, a gift from my sister Becky and my birthstone girl, a gift from my Mom.

"It's a Little Bit French" stitch along.

White lace and trims

White buttons are my favorite.

A place for everything.

A treasured box made for me by a fellow blogger.

I love this book Embroidery Stitches 1908.

I am so thankful for the space I have to be creative and for a husband that understands my need to spend time there.  What ever your space big or small enjoy the process of creating.

Beauty in the Garden

I have been inspired many times while blog reading to take a stroll through my garden and see what beauty I can find.  When I get a little overwhelmed or tired I  find that this is a perfect way to be inspired or to just relax.  I grab my little camera and take a little walk.

The picture below shows our front entry garden and the shade tree we had to have removed because of disease, we really miss the beautiful tree and the shade it provided on our deck.

I wanted to share this so that you could see how quickly the little plants I planted have filled in.  I really like the "cottage" look as you can see but it can get a little out of control.

Many of the plants in our garden have been purchased from the clearance shelves at our favorite nurseries and I find a home for them and give them a little TLC.  It is fun to see them thrive a year or two later.

Ceanothus "California Lilac"

I have two plants, they were tiny and sad when I bought them.  It is very different from the evergreen ceanothus with the blue flowers we are used to seeing around this area.

We have had some fun family times in the past couple of weeks and the picture below shows two family members taking a break from all of the outdoor fun.

Our youngest son and one of our grandsons are busy keeping up with important business.

I spent a little time with a bucket of white paint and a brush giving my little garden fences a touch up.  I painted 4 and have at least 25 or 30 to go, a project I hope to complete this summer.  These were hand made by my Grandpa Backstrom many years ago.  He cut them by hand, and nailed each one together.  He would paint them each year before placing them around his vegetable garden.  I brought many of them home some time in the 90's and have used them several times. 

This picture shows how he would nail them and bend the nail over to keep it secure.

Today is another beautiful summer day in the Pacific Northwest, I plan to be looking so that I don't miss the little blessings. 

I will be joining Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsom Life.