Sunlight and Strawberries ~ Sizzling Circles Project

Well....I finished my circles project - except instead of 4 placemats, I put it all together and made a table runner. Just have to add buttons in the middle of all the intersections and then I'll put it in the basket of "to be sold" at the next craft fair we have in our community.  On to the next project...

Quick Summer Tote Bag

Decided to make a new tote with a pack of charm squares by MODA that I bought recently.  This pattern came from McCalls Quilting August 2007.  It measures 14 inches wide and 11 inches tall not including the handles.  I was really pleased with how easy it went together and quick!  Only one problem - when I sewed on the handles I forgot to pin them on at least a half an inch or more beyond the seam and now they are pulling away - which means I have to take the seam apart and redo the handles - otherwise I'm really happy with this new summer bag.  Penny Sturges designed it - she's published a few really nice patterns in McCall's Quilting.  Hope you all are enjoying the end of summer - pretty soon we'll be getting out all of our fall sweaters and fall decorations :)

Sizzling Circle Placemats for Summer

I purchased the book Sizzling Circles by Lacey J. Hill   because I fell in love with her easy designs.  I've already cut out my circles and sewn and turned them out - so now I've just got to join them all!  I figured if I tell you all that I've started this project - I'll be more likely to finish it!!!  The fabric is part of my "new" stash as opposed to my really "old" stash.

Actually, the real reason I purchased this book is because I fell in love with her tote bag that is in it.  The placemats are just a test to see if I can connect all the circles correctly - and then on the wonderful tote bag!!!  I'll post a picture when they're all done!

Little Jelly Bag ~ My Latest Creation

This little bag was easy to make!  Can't wait to make more.  The pattern has lots of sizes to choose from too.  A BlackBerry or iphone fits perfectly.  Little Jelly Bags

All-Machine Sewn Cathedral Window Blocks

I was so excited the day I found Chris' tutorial on how to sew a cathedral window completely by machine.   http://quiltwithus.connectingthreads.com/photo/albums/cathedral-window-wallhanging  (By the way ~ the community of quilters on Connecting Threads website - "quilt with us" is really a neat place!
I LOVE cathedral windows and hope to someday make a bed size quilt - but for now have been making smaller items.  My banner picture is a table runner that was done mostly by hand.  However, the above block became a small pillow and was done all by machine.  It is amazing how well it comes out.  I once saw table runners and bed quilts in Lancaster, PA that were cathedral windows all done by machine - but I could never figure out how they did it.  If you love cathedral windows - you may like to try following Chris' tutorial - its really not hard - it looks harder than it really is.  Happy Spring!

Finding Inspiration for Sewing

Have you checked out the projects & ideas section of All People Quilt.com ??  They have so many projects to choose from!
Below is a jacket I finished last summer.  So happy I can finally wear it!  I put a thick batting inside - next time I'll choose a thinner one or maybe flannel so the jacket won't be so bulky in the arms...

Christmas Cactus Blooms Again

One of my favorite plants! Marge, a friend of mine gave me this plant when she was volunteering at The Open Door Pregnancy Center in Toms River, NJ, where I was on staff as Executive Director.  Marge was our Shared Blessings Clothing Room coordinator.  She is now a board member of Grace Initiatives which is a maternity housing ministry I co-founded in 2004.

The cactus has really grown since I first received it.  It usually blooms right before Christmas and right before Easter.  Its early this year!!

³Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. ⁴Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, ⁵to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

Free Quilt Patterns

One of my favorite sites for free quilting and sewing patterns is Animas Quilts  They have a new free pattern each month.  I've downloaded really neat placemat patterns from their site - just need the time to start making them :)

Dreaming of Spring

This has been one very long, cold Winter.  We are sure looking for the flowers to bloom again!  Hope everyone is well and finding some time to sew. 

Blizzard of February, 2010

After 4 snow storms in a row, we're so done with winter!  Especially in southern Delaware - where they don't usually see a lot of snow.  Sure makes for some beautiful pictures though...

Katie's Quilt

I made this quilt for my daughter Katie.  Sewed the whole top Memorial Day weekend, 2009.  I purchasesd the printed scripture quotes at a local quilt shop (Serendipity in Dagsboro, Delaware.)  The designer's website is:http://www.easyaspiedesigns.com/  


I love the colors in this quilt - they're so happy and the scripture so comforting - perfect for a snuggle quilt for my reader and dreamer.

Snowy Delaware

Well, our 3rd snowstorm of the winter.  We're supposed to get around 8 inches. Can't wait for spring!


I finished another purse - this time a cell-phone purse - that my daughter Katie loved and adopted. Guess I'll have to start another!  


I bought the fabric while on a cruise many years ago.  Walked downtown in Barbados and found a small store with fabric.  Never could decide what to do with the fabric until now.  Love it!!!

First UFO of the Year!

Its only January and I've finished my first unfinished object - my mom's quilted purse.  Its a Lazy Girl Design "Towne Purse".  I made one last year for myself. Love all the pockets on the inside - I just extended the handles to 30" each so that you can carry it over your shoulder.  I also quilted the fabric with gold metallic thread - took forever, but I love the results.

A January Day

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Rom. 12:12
Love that verse.  Helps me remember.  Helps me focus.  God's word is everything we need.
Today was a work day.  I've got lots of grant deadlines and I'm happy to say that I actually finished a draft of number 1 for the year.
God is good.  Now if I can just stay focused!!