Beautiful July

Nothing crafty to report, I wish there was. I have so many projects going on right now! The weather has been absolutely phenomenal for July! I have been trying to do as many outside things as possible with the kids. The Chihuly Exhibit was at our local Botanical Gardens a few years ago and thankfully a few pieces remain. His work is AWESOME! Get out and enjoy the sunshine :)

Owl Love.

As a child of the 70's I remember the lovely Home Interiors Owl pictures my mom had hanging in our living room. Maybe that is why my sister and I have a love for all things owly now. I found this adorable owl tote pattern on a new to me blog. It is super cute and must be added to my long list of to do's :)

Wonky Stars

I need to give credit where credit is due :) I used this FABULOUS tutorial to create the stars for my Fourth of July quilt! It was super easy and a lot of fun too!

New Fabric.

I love using vintage sheets in my sewing. Occasionally I find a new sheet that I love almost as much as the old ones. I found this bright cheery set at Target on clearance! I have so many ideas flowing. I love the blue and funky flowers. The full size sets were on clearance, not the twin sets. I had to buy two sets because Gina loved them for her bed as well! I am thinking of a twirly skirt set for Gina, possibly a quilt backing, maybe a dress for a Melly & Me bunny. What would you make with this great print?

Well She Finally Came to Her Senses!

My Machine that is. She would not work for me. I tried the new cord and NOTHING! Then I blew on her (dusted her), and begged and pleaded and finally she started up! No light though? Halfway through the line stitching on my quilt the light finally came on!!! Thank you old girl :) We are back in Business!

I was able to finish this July 4th quilt just in time! It is the first quilt I have machine quilted, and the first larger than a baby quilt I have made by myself! I would have never been able to accomplish this without the help and support of the Old Red Barn Quilt Along! Thanks to all of my fellow quilters :)The parade was cancelled this morning because of rain!!! So this new quilted blanket will be perfect to sit on and watch fireworks this evening, weather permitting. I have tossed it in the wash so it will puff all up in time. I can hardly wait!

Thanks again for all of the help and encouragement, and special thanks to Dana for making it all possible!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Was it Jealousy?

I was using my ANCIENT Kenmore to quilt my 4th of July quilt when all of a sudden my trusty Modern (circa 1999) Kenmore won't turn on at all!!! I think she is jealous that the old lady was getting sewing time? I have no idea! But how will I finish everything I need to? Maybe (hopefully) she just needs a new pedal/power cord. I am seriously in tears right now. I would love a new machine, but I have a sick attachment to her. She was my first new to me machine. The old lady is a piece of junk! I don't like her, and was just using her to quilt. She was actually 2 steps from being sent away before I realized I could lower the feed dogs to free motion quilt.

I am going to run and get my sister's power cord (she has the same machine). I hope this works!

4th of July Quilt

Well I am attempting to machine quilt! The only machine I have that I can lower the feed dogs on is this super old Kenmore. I really need a machine upgrade!

It is not going so well. Maybe I will finish this quilt for the 4th next year. I like the loops, and the randomness. This was supposed to be my practice quilt for a bigger project I have going on. I may just have to put the old machine away and break out the quilt frames. Hand quilting is so much more therapeutic, right?

Annie.

Last Thursday, when it was super hot, I took Gina to see the musical Annie. We went to an outdoor amphitheatre. The musical started at 8:oo p.m. and ended at 10:40 p.m. It was 95 degrees still at 10! But it was sooooo much fun!

When the show started Gina decided she wanted to be Annie. Then she leaned over and whispered to me that she likes to sing but just not in front of a lot of people! I bought Gina the movie about a week before we were to see it live, but she said she wanted to be surprised! By the end of the show she was singing loudly right along with the girls (those songs do stick with you LOL).It was so hot the cotton candy got hard before Gina could finish it! We had a wonderful time. As we were leaving Gina took my hand and said I had so much fun spending the evening with you. She is so sweet and I Love her so much (I must remember these times when she is a teen)!

*Thank you Dad and Peggy for the great tickets!