snapshots.

in may : 

the garden is in full bloom.  

lots of tomatoes and yellow squash.

preparing for more painting.

i turned 45.  

i love getting older.

my baby is about to graduate high school.

i drink far too many caramel frappes.

made our first batch of pesto for the summer.

going back to tide laundry detergent.

love love love crocheting maybelle squares.

hardly any sewing going on.  sniff.

forgiving myself for not being able to do it all.

no matter how many times i tell myself that i can.

trained at the local courthouse, to work the polls. am falling in love with this little town we call home. it only took eight years.

  took a 2 1/2 hour nap on mother's day.

guilt free.

xo

friday finish. candy color cowl.

 

I just put the final touches on my candy color cowl and have also listed it in my little etsy shop.  I know it is hotter than hades up here in the Northern Hemisphere (at least it feels that way in my own back yard), but I have loved working away on this cowl and have already begun another one. 

Thank you for visiting today.
Have a lovely weekend.
xo

tutorial tuesday. granny stripes.

 

I absolutely love Lucy's blog, Attic 24.  It is one of my favorites to visit.  It is always such a delight to see and read about Lucy's surrounding area, day to day happenings, and especially her crochet!  Wow!  She has an amazing use of color and design.  So inspiring!

One of my favorite tutorials is for the granny stripe.  It transfers easily to any crochet project you might want to make as well.  I began a granny stripe cowl so that I would have something to do while waiting during my layovers in Atlanta.  Coming and going from Michigan.  I have been craving yummy pastels lately.  The variegated acrylic yarn has been a fun way to get all of them in one project.  I'll be sure and share when I finish.  wink. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday!
 

weekend plans.

Hello and Happy Saturday.  I hope that your weekend is off to a great start!  We went from experiencing violent weather on Thursday to clear blue skies today.  I really should be outdoors getting a jump on a few things before they are overgrown, but decided to stay put inside and work on a few projects.  Here is a little glimpse of what I am up to this weekend.

All of Kathy's gorgeous fabrics are paired up and being cut into swoon blocks.  The background fabric is gray (you can see it here).  I just love that pop of orange she included!  I can't seem to get enough orange these days.  Do you ever do that with a certain color?  Which one?

A little happy mail arrived at my home!  A few half yard cuts from Fig Tree Co. recent release of Avalon.  I love every fabric that Joanna creates for Moda, but truth be told, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Strawberry Fields, and now Avalon are my very top favorites!  The red with white polka dots will become the binding for my Strawberry Fields Granny Square quilt (it is en route to the quilter now), you can see the finished (unquilted) quilt here.  Joanna's fabric lines mix very well.  I hunted for more of the Strawberry Fields fabric with no luck.  I am so pleased at how the polka dots from Avalon go so well with the Strawberry Fields line.  

I have noticed that other designer fabric lines are the same way (for example : Bee In My Bonnet for Riley Blake, Bonnie and Camille for Moda, V and Co. for Moda - just to name a few).  I am so glad, aren't you? It is fun mixing their lines together!

Did you happen to spy the crochet pin cushion in the above picture?  It is currently available in my little shop as well as a few others.  I am also happy to make more for you if need be.  

 (tutorial tuesday supplies - hint hint)

I hope you will drop in on Tuesday to see the latest tutorial I will be sharing with you. 

natnkat update.

Allergies got the better of me this past week, including a complementary ear infection, which at that point everything came to a stop.  If you know me in real life, you know I don't sit still well.  That actually bothered me more than the pain in my ear and the fact I could no longer breathe.  ha ha ha.

However, I took advantage of the down time to stock my little etsy shop.  What a treat!!  

I just love making these little crochet pincushions.  

Each one is made with acrylic yarn ("I Love This Yarn" by Hobby Lobby) and filled with crushed walnut shells.

They make a charming addition to your sewing room while containing your pins close by.  Another suggestion is a sweet little gift for your sewing friend(s) or goodie bag treats to take to your upcoming quilting retreat.  Each are available here in my little shop.

 Thank so much for visiting today.

xoxo

linking to :

House Of Smiths Spring Fling Linky Party  

a little finish.

This delicious, snuggly, warm, aqua, infinity scarf/cowl is for a friend.  I know, that is a lot of adjectives, but truly, this is probably my favorite cowl made to date.  I can't wait for her to receive it.  (it's in the mail - big smile)

And a work in progress ... a patchwork quilt for a dear family member.  Made with mainly older, much loved fabrics.

 

monday.

 

Last Christmas I received Lori's one yard apron pattern and the equivalence of her darling fabric needed to create it.  

Thank you so much Lori!  I adore my little apron and your pattern is fabulous!!!  I will be making more for sure!!

(patterns : July Star Blocks and Spin Cycle)

There are a few more finishes to show today.  First up are two quilt tops I made for Clara.  They are two of my favorite patterns sewn to date.  I really enjoyed the time spent on piecing them together!  Thank you so much Clara for the opportunity to create these dear quilt tops for you.  They are going out in the post today.

Next is shamefully over due.  November's bee block.  I am a tad intimidated by paper piecing, but am feeling a bit more at ease, now that I have a few under my belt. 

I am super excited that January is my month and these are the fabrics I mailed out for my block. 

I could no longer resist the scrappy trip around the world!  I just love how fun these blocks are.  I have four in the works (so far).

In the evenings, I have been crocheting with wool yarn that my daughter, Katie, gave to me Christmas before last.  There isn't a lot left, so it is becoming a snuggly scrappy infinity scarf.  The yarn is so pleasant to work with and the rhythm of this simple crochet is so relaxing.  It is a perfect project to do at the end of the day.

Thank you for dropping by today.  

I hope you have a fantastic week!!

xoxo

one more for the road.

I think it is safe to say, that I have finished my very last crochet project for 2012.  I have been blessed by a dear lady who has shown Woody and I great compassion while recovering from his spinal cord injuries.  Those earlier days were some of the most frightening, and I could not let the new year slip in with out first expressing how much I (we) appreciate her kindness. 

This snuggley warm cowl seems like such small token of thanks, in comparison to the selfless care she has shown.

tying up loose ends

 literally

I recently finished two crochet projects.  I never crocheted a pillow cover before, so there were many "re-do's" along the way. 

I have learned some great lessons by doing so.  This little note is stuck to the side of my sewing machine.  I see it every time I enter my room.  It suits me.  It is something I need to be reminded of.  Always.

The second crochet finish is a scalloped edge scarf.  I so love making this pattern.  Especially for my friends.

touches of Christmas.

Mr. Winter seems to have found his way to these parts.  I hope his visit will not be short.  It seems strange to wear flip flops and listen to Christmas music at the same time.

I have been sewing non-stop.  Truth be told, I can't show you what it is.  Just yet.  

I can however share a couple of treats that are making their way around our home.  Remember when I asked you all for input on the one word that reminds you of Christmas?  "Peace" won, however, if I had more length to the boards I would have also chose Emmanuel - one of my very favorite Christmas words.

Mr. Rabbit, who sits on our porch, greeting visitors, received a little bow for Christmas.

And a few scraps of wool yarn became a new ornament for our tree.  I fell in love with Debbie and Becky's Christmas trees!  I wish mine looked just like theirs!  Everything they make is adorable!!

and the winner is ...

This is what I look like on the inside!
With my curly hair and all!
I love Christmas time!! 

 A giant thank you for all the dear comments left about my sweet little crochet pincushion.  I love making them and am touched that so many of you liked it too.

the winner of sew, mama, sew's give away is ... Lori

sew, mama, sew! giveaway day!

Welcome to my little giveaway hosted by sew, mama, sew!  I am so glad that you are here.  We will keep things real simple.  The winner will receive a hand crocheted pincushion, made with love, by me.  The winner will be chosen randomly on December 7th, so please make sure I have a way to contact you.  International entries welcome.  You are not required to follow my blog, but I would be happy to have you.

Merry Christmas and best of luck to each of you.  xoxo 

giveaway closed winner to be announced 12-7-12

a bit of catching up.

There is a chill in the air around these parts (finally) and I am loving every bit of it!  I even think I smelled my neighbor's fireplace the other evening.  Heavenly.

One of my favorite trees on our property is changing color.  The perfect spot to take a few pics.  Pretty soon all the leaves will have fallen.  I am enjoying each one for as long as I can.

Here is a smidge of the back. 

 

Since the hopscotch quilt is bound, washed and photographed, it is now nestled between a couple of favorites.  Just waiting to be used.

Don't you just love snuggling under a warm, comfy quilt on cold nights?!  Nothing compares!

The backing to Valerie's Christmas quilt arrived a couple weeks ago, but forgot to show you.  It is called Crush (ivory) by Tina Givens for Free Spirit Fabrics.  It is absolutely gorgeous in person!  You have to check out Fashionable Fabric's sale fabrics!  Truly.  I was able to order 3 yards for $4.50 a yard!!  You can't beat that!

And now with the backing cut to size, the hand quilting will begin.  That is something I work on in the evenings.

I tried machine quilting it.  It all went south fairly quick, which has cost me a good bit of time.  I have two lists I am working on ... things to be completed before December 1st and things to be completed after ... this is a before.

Another evening project I am working on are a few wool and acrylic yarn pincushions.  They are Christmas presents.  But sshhh ... don't tell!  

Here is a snippet of the Spin Cycle quit progress.

It has been such a joy to create Clara's Spin Cycle quilt top.  I will be sad to see it go.  sniff.

I received the sweetest package in the mail from Heather.  I can not go another day with out posting her adorable creations. 

I have been secretly admiring her crocheted hangers for as long as they have been listed in her cute shop.  I am so touched that she made one for me.

It now holds up my favorite apron.  Heather's work is the finest quality and she adds the sweetest charm to everything she makes.

In addition to the precious hanger, there were a set of cute coasters.  Which could not be more perfect for my sewing table/desk.  I painted it earlier this year and want to avoid nicks for as long as possible.

Just look how they match my coffee mugs.  I love it!  Thank you so much Heather.  You are the sweetest!

On a side note ... am I the only one who has wanted to bring the Christmas tree down from the attic and decorate?!  The day after Thanksgiving can't seem to come fast enough this year.