A Diamond in the Rough

I found this little diamond in the rough at a garage sale and really wanted to get it, but decided I didn't need it...well, after a week I was kicking myself that I didn't buy it. Did I happen to mention the garage sale was 2 hours from my house... It just so happens I was going that direction again this week and happened upon the same house where the garage sale was and so I stopped to inquire if the sewing machine was still there. It was! I was really excited to be able to get it (at a much lower price than what it had been the week before) and brought it home. I was told it had only been used six times, but it is old and needs some TLC...I just have such a hard time passing up sewing machines - love the turquoise color.

Beautiful Fabrics

Isn't this fabric dreamy? On my last trip over the mountains to Eastern Oregon I stopped at one of my favorite quilt shops (Stitchin Post) and picked up these beautful fabrics. The minute I saw the red with white dots I was in love so then I picked another coordinating fabric to go with it. I then dreamed of the possibilities...and finally decided it will be a handbag.

Black Cabinet

For a long time now I've been wanting a home for all my quilts and was so excited when I found it. This black cabinet came from a second hand shop called Aunt Bee's House here in Salem. It was a fantastic price and it's Ethan Allan - two things I couldn't pass up. So I brought it home and my quilts are stacked inside. So fun...

Fabric Recycling

One of my most favorite things to do is take fabric that no one wants and turn it into something useful. It's a challenge I love to take on. So when someone gave me a big box of upholstery fabric samples I quickly got to work... I made 2 huge (100"x100") quilts that are now used as picnic and camping quilts. They're tied quilts with cotton batting and a flannel sheet for the backing. *Tip - Flannel sheets make great quilt backs. I buy them when they're on clearance at great prices. I also made the little hanging pillow dog out of a pattern I found. It's mouth is a zipper. I made a bunch last Christmas and put gift cards in their mouths. So in the end I won the challenge and wowed my friend who thought the fabric was just for throw away! I love it when I can prove them wrong.

Fabric Boxes

Here is a project I made for a store sample at Greenbaum's Quilted Forest. It turned out super cute - I do have to say it was a bit time consuming, but I love the finished product. It's made with cotton cording and 2 1/2" fabric strips.

Sew Fun Skirt

I recently made 4 skirts for a friend going on a trip - but do you think I remembered to take pictures of them? So I made one for my daughter and here it is... I had so much fun using fabric that my parents brought me from Hawaii. The pattern is Simplicity #2606 - so quick and easy with pockets too.

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

My mother gave me a book and said "you must read this, you will not be able to put it down", and she was right. The book is Hope Rising by Kim Meeder from Bend, Oregon. It's a book full of incredible true stories of horses rescued from bad situations, but what's even more amazing is the transformation of lives that come from Kim and Troy Meeder's little horse ranch called http://crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/. I was so moved by the book I just had to go visit the ranch. I was there last Monday. It was so amazing - like a little bit of heaven on earth. The ranch is a beautiful place with so many wonderful people there. I highly recommend visiting their website and reading Kim's books.

Crater Lake in Oregon

This last weekend I took a drive with my family to Crater Lake for the very first time - and yes, that is sad seeing as I am a native Oregonian. The lake was amazing. I don't describe very many things as majestic - but I would certainly describe Crater Lake as majestic! Absolutely amazing.