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!"

Beginner's Quilt-Along

I decded to join in the Beginner's Quilt-Along hosted by Pat Sloan.  I have been learning to quilt this past year or so and always learn something new by participating in events like this.

The fabrics below are what I chose to use for this quilt.  I purchased these from Melanie at Fabric Chicks without a project in mind.  Visit the Fabric Chicks website to see the great deals on beautiful fabric.  The fabric line is Lily and Will by Bunny Hill.  I think I may add another pink to the stack, we'll see.

Block 1

Block 2

The blocks are 12 inches square, quick and fun to do.  I learn a trick or two with each block.  It's not too late to join in.  Visit Pat Sloan's Learning Center and get started.  Block 3 is ready to go, maybe I will get the chance to work on it today.  Oh, I almost forgot, I won an iron for posting about this Quilt Along on my sidebar.  I will share it with you when it arrives.

Another BOM Rehab Block

I was able to complete my Aurifil Designer block for April.  I have not been near my sewing machine in a couple of weeks.  I spent one of those weeks at the hospital with my husband who had very unexpected heart bypass surgery.  It has been a rough week for our family, but the love and support has been amazing.  I am thankful for the word of God and prayer and how it can bring peace to your heart in times of trial.  The verse that seems to be going through my head whenever I experience trials is Isaiah 26:3 but I have now added verse 4 to my memory. 

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:  because he trusteth in thee. 
Trust thee in the LORD for ever:  for the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.

I will share a little more about this event in our lives a little later.  Patrick is doing well and I have set up my sewing machine in the dining room to be close by.

Aurifil Designer block of the month - May

Linking with BOM Rehab at Pink Pincushion.

Fabulous Needlework Design Finds

I don't get the chance to stop at a Goodwill store too often but I did find some fun things last week.   I have always loved Crabapple Hill embroidery patterns and have purchased several over the past few years.  I was looking in the fabric, yarn, patterns and notions section at a local Goodwill and found these patterns.  They have not been used but I intend to make good use of them.

They each had a sticker on them that said $1.99, I took the patterns out of the plastic to get a somewhat better picture.

I also found the cross stitch design below for 99 cents

I love this Bird Brain Designs  embroidery pattern, which was also $1.99

The eyelet trim below was 99 cents .

It is fun when you find such treasures when you have 15 minutes for thrift store shopping.

I will be linking with Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove.