Quilt Blocks Update

I have done some work on some quilt blocks recently

First I completed the latest Fat Quarter Stars block, called Fractured Star, designed by Nancy Miller

I made the next block from a design in the magazine pictured below.

I bought the magazine after reading a blog post by Jacquelynne Steves mentioning that she had a block in this issue.  With 100 blocks to choose from there are so many great designs I would like to try sometime.

I made Jacquelynne's block using her Sewing Room Social fabric line, I think I would like to make enough of these to make a quilt.  It was a fun block to put together.

The next project I am a little behind on but hope to catch up soon.  I am working on my Scrappy Plate Club quilt .

I gathered my fabrics, cut the prints out using my new Dresden Quilt tool, a total of 240 print pieces.

Each piece was folded and stitched across the wider end.

I stitched all 240 together without cutting the thread more than a few times.

Here they are ready for clipping the corner and pressing.

4 done, 236 to go.

I think I am going to like this quilt with the 1930's type prints.

Names, Names and More Names

The projects below are some that I have been working on for several months.  I completed the embroidery using three strands of variegated floss and stitching them in chain stitch.  The names have been sitting on a table in my sewing room for a long time.  Now that I have rested for several days after a surgical procedure I was determined to be a little creative and complete a project or two.  Well here are four projects that I completed this week.

The glass in the frames causes a little reflection and makes the embroidery harder to see in the picture but each of these are going to little boys rooms and the protection should keep them clean longer.

Linking to Air Your Laundry Friday at Freckled Laundry

and Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Simple Changes

It has been quite some time since my last before and after blog post.  We have been working to make some changes in our living room.  It all started when I found some great fabric on clearance, $5.00 per yard, while browsing at a fabric store.  I bought all they had and made plans to make curtains for our living room.  It took me some time to get them done but they are now hanging.  The curtain change made a slight paint color change necessary.  Then you know how that goes, one thing follows the other.

This is the fabric that started it all.

Below are pictures of our living room before I changed the curtains.

I can see the toys peaking out from the end of the couch.

Once the curtains were complete, we made a slight change in the paint color, it feels a little "softer".

Lyndie and I painted the mirrors and many things were not hung back up on the walls.  It will take a while to figure out what should go back up.

New area rug but still have the same very necessary toy box for the grandkids.

This is my favorite reading or sewing space.  The bright light makes it work great for my aging eyes.

A temporary "slip cover" helps bring things together.  I plan to sew a fitted cover someday soon, I must say that it is not at the top of my "to do" list though.   

I like the simple changes that started when I found a beautiful length of fabric on the clearance rack.

Linking with

 Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses

Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!  I am spending the day resting after a surgical procedure and have been spoiled by my Sweet Valentine of over 40 years.  We started dating in the summer of 1970, which must seem like a long time ago to many of you.  I know that our marriage has been blessed by the Lord. 

The picture below is of a pillow I made using a design from Shadow Redwork by Alex Anderson.

 

There is a phrase about love in the "shadow"

True Love

Is the Joy of Life

I believe that the only True Love we can ever know is the love of God.

Oh Love of God how rich and pure

How measureless and strong

It shall forevermore endure

The saints and angels song.

This is the chorus from a song my husband sings at church, The Love of God.  It has always been a favorite of ours.

This Valentine and the one below belonged to my grandmother.

Tell someone you love them!

Happy Valentines Day!

I am linking with Pat Sloan's Valentine Link Party.

Valentine Swap

I participated in a fun swap sponsored by Luanne at Nanalulu's Linens.  My swap partner was Kay who lives in the San Diego area.  Pat and I lived in San Diego for the first four years of our marriage and we loved living in such a beautiful place.  Our first son Nathan was born there. 

There were some guidelines for the swap, we were to send our partner something new, something vintage and something handmade.  These items were to be Valentine related.  We were to try to get to know each other a little through email, facebook or our blogs.   It is always fun to make a new friend and also to send and receive a fun package.

                                                These are the items Kay sent to me.

A beautiful scarf, valentine socks, bracelet, "be mine cupcake", metal heart, pillow kit and vintage tea towel.

She sent me more than three items as you can see.  I wore the scarf to our Valentine Dinner at church and received several compliments.

Thank you Kay!

I am looking forward to working on the pillow kit while I am off work for the next two weeks.

Below are pictures of the items I sent to Kay.

I enjoyed this swap and thank you again to Kay for the great gifts and to Luanne for organizing this.

3 New Quilt Blocks

Sewing has been slow lately as I have been experiencing pain in my right shoulder.  I took a couple of pain pills yesterday and before they made me too tired I managed to complete 3 quilt blocks.

I have links to these Quilt Alongs on my sidebar.

Fat Quarter Stars Block 9

Fat Quarter Stars Block 10

Bloggers Block of the Month Block 5

My shoulder is improving and I am looking forward to getting back to my sewing.