Another Mini

I got the template at the Long Beach Festival...it's tiny. After the first row I was ready to chuck the whole thing. By about the 4th row I was getting better. I love the way it looks! The whole thing is around 8". How do you think I should quilt it? Outline stitch?

First Square of Charm Quilt Done!

Here is the first square of my charm quilt. It measures around 12" and contains 64 squares that were cut at 2". I figured it would be more manageable !

The Long Beach Quilt Show

This is the damage I did at the Long Beach Quilt Fesitval....rather extensive. I spent 4 and a half hours in a fabric-induced stupor. Now today I must pay the price. I have quilt show hangover. Apparently I am too old to haul around 9 tons of fabric for 4 hours. Depressing. I got loads of gorgeous fabric and a few patterns. Seeing all the wonderful quilts displayed in the various booths really motivated me. I am now on no-buy until the Road to California show in January!

WIP Lap Quilt

Here is a little pastel number....way out of my normal color range! The blue squares are Lucien which are incredible!This is currently up on the design wall. I hate things on point...so will probably procrastinate a bit before I get to sewing it all together! LOL This may be the lap quilt my daughter takes to college. Ok-she is currently heading to 8th grade so I am giving myself awhile!

I am torn lately between small doll size quilts and wanting to work on lap quilts. I don't have any plans to make anything beyond lap size these days. I have about 6 bedsize tops waiting to be quilted. I really like slightly oversized laps. What size do most of you make your lap quilts?

Today I am lucky enough to be attending the Long Beach Quilt show. I will post all my goodies after I get back!

New Group Invite

I have decided to begin a new group on Flicker called Charm Challenge. I have enjoyed making my little mini squares quilts so much I am going to try a big one! Anyone who wants to play can mosey on over!

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

Here is a cheap and easy favorite recipe......I'm about to make it for dinner!
1/2 lb. ground beef (I usually use about 1/4 a lb.)
1 med. onion chopped (I always just toss in minced dried onion)
1 lg. can beef broth and 1 small can beef broth
1 small tomato (I freeze this then remove the skin under hot water)
1/3 cup barley
1 tsp. thyme
1 TBS parsley
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 bag mixed vegetables

Brown meat and onion. Drain. Combine the rest of the ingredients and cook approx. one and a half hours on low.

Backwards me!

Sorry....did this backwards and too lazy to redo. Just scrolldown and do it in reverse! LOL

Step 5: For each placemat cut 2@ 2" by 10 1/2" and sew to the sides. Quilt and bind as desired. Easy peasy !

Step 4: For each placemat you will cut 2 @ 3" by 12 1/2". Sew these to the top and bottom.

Square and subcut unit into 5 1/2" sections. Each unit of 12 pieced strips will yield 3 placemats. Therefore if you want to make a set of 6,you will need to cut 2 of each of the 12 fabrics and repeat these steps.

Step 2: Sew the strips together lengthwise.

Chinese Coins Placemats Tutorial

Step 1: From each of 12 fabrics cut a strip 1 1/2" by 19".

Hitty Sewing

Here is a Hitty dress I made this morning....pre mini-quilt obsession I used to make tons of these and sell them on ebay. I have lately felt the urge to make some more! The little wooden dolls for those who don't know Hitty,are 6 1/4" wood carved dolls made to resemble the Rachel Fields character from her Hitty book. I have probably 15-20 various Hittys carved by many talented artists. I love sewing for her because my beloved civil war fabrics are right up her alley! This particular doll is made by the remarkable Jean Lotz.

Aaahhhhh....

Lookin sweet!

Well...That's it....

My baby turned 13 yesterday....so I am officially the parent of a teen now. Dang I'm old.

WIP

This is my humble attempt to recreate a gorgeous framed mini I saw by Sawyer's Nana on Flicker. Only hers was tiny and more perfect. LOL I spent most of the morning trying to get this right....and since there was math involved,and I am a math moron,I was happy with it.