Show and Tell Tuesday and a Very Merry Christmas

From my house to yours...a very Merry Christmas to you! 

Hope your day is joyous...doing something you enjoy.

Show and Tell Tuesday

I've accomplished a lot this week...

Finished two quilts for a client...she wanted two exactly the same.  I did a quick turn method which requires no binding, tied them, and sewed one stitch line between the large and small borders.

 Got all my pictures hung back on the wall after painting...decorated for Christmas too.

 

Don't forget to print your free pattern of "The Thread Sac" HERE.  It's great for holding all kinds of things.  I use mine for thread scraps instead of having them fall on the floor.

I think I've shown this bag before, but figured you wouldn't mind seeing it again.  This bag was made with a quilt block as the front pocket.  I used 'painter's drop cloth' for the fabric on the outside of the bag, and cotton strapping for the handles.  It's my own creation...made for my little niece.

 

7 'sleeps' till Christmas...yippee!

A little sewing...and much sadness

As I sat at my sewing machine the tears seemed to just keep coming as I thought about the tragedy that happened today at the Elementary school.  I am so sad...I will be praying all night for the families who lost loved ones today.

 

It helped to keep myself busy sewing today...despite the gloominess that I feel.

 

For awhile now I have had a burning desire to paint the whole inside of my house upstairs minus the bedrooms...so I set out two weeks ago and did it.  Within one week I had it all painted...but then came the need to slightly redecorate.  So I started with some new curtains in the kitchen and new pillows on the couches.

 

I've gone a bit crazy with buying home dec. fabrics and trim...I'm so pleased with the results.

 

Here are three pillows I just finished today!  Yipee!  So fun to have new pillows for the Holidays. 

 My plan is to make 3 pillows for each couch (I have 3 little white couches) so I have 6 pillows to go.  Shouldn't take too long...these took about 45 minutes each to make.  I'm not sure yet how I will group them, but there will be some consistency when I'm done placing them on each couch.  For now, they are bunched together, but I'm sure I'll change them around.

 I bought this sweet little truck from a friend who added the cute little tree on the back...so sweet!!

Show and Tell Tuesday

It seems as though the countdown to Christmas always brings a bit of anxiety for adults, but not so for children.  They love to countdown the days until they can open their gifts.  Just like my little niece who is coming for a visit soon...but instead of counting down the days she counts the 'sleeps'...she understands it better if that's how it's referred to and I think it's just adorable.  So she keeps us all informed of how many 'sleeps' there are until we are together...so sweet!

So I am sure that many of us are counting down the 'sleeps' until the holidays...and making lists of everything we have to get done.  I know I am.  I've managed to make a lot of my gifts and get some sewing done for a few customers as well. 

But in the midst of all the hussle and bussle my daughter had a Lego Robotics tournament (where her team placed 5th!) last week and I was able to work on my Tumbling Block Quilt during competitions.  I am now calling it the Tournament Quilt since it's the quilt I always take with me on the road to games whether it's Volleyball or Legos. :)

I am loving these blocks so much!  I'm using mostly Civil War prints.

I hope after the holidays to do a tutorial on tumbling blocks.  So be sure and check back with me.

Happy Tuesday!  janae'

Customized Pouches

I've been making these little pouches for sometime now.  Having fun making them for my kid's friends, gifts, and my Etsy shop. 

I made two today...




This one for a friend...

And this one for a customer.  I placed grommetts in it for use in a three ring binder as a pencil pouch.


Isn't it human nature to want to point out the flaws in our work (we shouldn't, but we do) I guess that's how we learn to get better at something...well, I can clearly see that my photos need some consistency.  My husband always says to me "consistency, girl" - "okay, I'll work on it"!

Show and Tell Tuesday

Never fear...I am here!...better late, than never, right? ;)  It was a very busy week last week with my painting project.  With the help of a dear, sweet friend, and my father...we painted my main entry way, hallway, living room, stairwell, and kitchen in three days.  Phew...a lot of work, but well worth it.  I went from a red kitchen, gold living room to all Antique White - a big change for a girl who LOVES color.  I'm enjoying the brightness and freshness of the new color.  The family jumped right in to decorate the tree and we are ready to celebrate Christmas with lots of parties, and family.

In the midst of painting I also found time to make a bag for a friend...She picked out the fabric which is linen and told me what she was wanting as far as the bag should look and I set to work.  I love a good challenge and this one stretched me.  The front pocket is rounded with a flap, and there's a zipper for the closure.  She loved it! - It was a success.

Have a great week and remember...

THE ONLY PLACE WHERE HOUSEWORK COMES BEFORE SEWING IS IN THE DICTIONARY...mary kurtz.