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.

Pretty New Ironing Board Cover

I have a small ironing board in my sewing room that has looked pretty bad for some time.  I decided it was time to make it pretty.  I took the old cover off, pulled the string out of it and placed it on top of my fabric to use as a pattern.

It does look pretty bad and has a few holes in it.

After cutting the fabric using the old cover as the pattern I sewed extra wide double fold bias tape all around the edge.  I then strung a cord all the way through, using a safety pin to pull it through with.  I would sew the cord, actually heavy string, right inside the tape if I were to do it again, it would be much faster.

The board was then covered with two layers of white fleece. I was planning to use a staple gun but since one of my sons must have borrowed it, I used good old multi-use duct tape.

Now here is my board with its new cover.  Much better!

I sit my little board on top of an old stool which sits beside my sewing machine.  It it just the right height and I can quickly turn and press while sewing.

Boy does that dresser need a coat or two of paint, one step at a time I keep telling myself.

After work today my husband and I took a walk to the park on the lake, a few blocks away, and spent a little time enjoying the beautiful day.  Part of Patrick's recovery from surgery involves walking every day and this was a great day for that.  We returned to our back yard and ate our dinner at the table on the patio.  I noticed while sitting there that it was time to pick a few raspberries and cut some lavender.

What isn't eaten will be added to the bag in the freezer.

I will hang this lavender to dry, it smells wonderful.

We are so thankful for the beautiful day we enjoyed today.

Joining Nick of Time Tuesday Blog Hop.

Quilt Pattern Giveaway

At the end of May I won this great quilt pattern on Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day.

This  pattern called One Big Cabin is the published quilt pattern designed by Doris and Trina of

 Row House Creations.

  

These are the fabrics I plan to use for my quilt.

I have had a chance to look this pattern over and have chosen most of the fabrics to use in it.  The strips used for the blocks are 2 1/2 inches so I will use some of this jelly roll.  I will have to look through my stash for fabric to use in the squirrel, owl and raccoon applique.   This quilt would be fun  to make for a girl or a boy.  The directions are clear and I feel confident that I will enjoy making this fun quilt even though I am a beginner quilter.

When I received my pattern Doris and Trina offered to give a copy of this pattern to one of my  readers if I would share their design on my blog.  Take a minute and visit Row House Creations and you can see the quilt made from the pattern.
  
 If you would like to win a copy of One Big Cabin just leave a comment on this post.  You can leave another if you share this giveaway on your blog and come back and tell me you did so.   I will randomly choose a winner one week from today, July 14th. 

A Good Week For Block of the Month Rehab

I was slow about getting these posted but did accomplish some sewing this week.

Below is the June block for the Aurifil Designer Block of the Month

The two following blocks are from the Blogger's Block of the Month.

I have several more BOM projects going that I would like to get caught up on but I'll just be content to do a little as I get the chance.

Visit Pink Pincushion and see what others have accomplished in BOM Rehab.

Great Blessings

This past couple of weeks have been full of trials and great blessings.  Forty two years ago on June 25th my husband and I went on our first date.  We have been a couple ever since that day. 

These lovely flowers were delivered a couple of days ago.

On Friday June 15th we were told that Patrick would have to have open heart surgery.  That was very unexpected news but good news in that he had not had a heart attack and there was no damage.  The surgery took place on Monday June 18th and we are home and he is gaining strength daily.  We spent our June 25th dating anniversary quietly at home together.

We have been blessed by cards and calls and words of encouragement from our family, church family and my coworkers.  We have received several delicious meals brought here to our home since we returned from the hospital on June 21st.  We were so blessed to have all of our children here during and after the surgery, thanks to those who helped them fly home.
  

We have clearly felt the power of many prayers for us.   As many of you have often heard Patrick say "God is good!"