New roof at last

We finally got our new roof!  It took two guys 9 days to put it on the house. They worked between rain showers that Tropical Storm Lee brought to our area.

Here are a few before and after photos:

before

after

before

after

We love the new look.  What do you think of it?

Fun with the grandson

We have our older grandson here with us today and to spend the night.  We took him for a ride in the golf cart.  My brother in law has cattle and chickens in the back of the property so we ride around to look at the cows and the chickens.  The babies love doing this. Here is a photo of the chickens in their pen.

While sitting there watching the chickens eat, I asked my husband if the chicken's are still laying.. My grandson ( he's 3) piped up and said "no mamae, it looks like they are all standing up"  I almost fell out of the golf cart laughing.  He is fun, you never know what he will say next!

Isn't life wonderful !!!!!!!

organized disorganization - trying to straighten out the sewing room

I have spent several ( many ) days trying to organize my fabric so I can find what I want when I want to use it.  I'm not sure how long this will stay in place.  When a project is in progress a hurricane comes through the room.  I am trying to stop between projects and get the room back in order!  Does anyone else have this problem?

Here are a few pictures of the room as it looks right now!

this is one corner of the room

   

  these bins are in the closet

  

this is a shelf in the closet

another side of the closet

the sewing corner and design wall

the serger, quilt books and Accuquilt Go 

embroidery thread and computer desk

It may not look that neat to some people but for me it is a great improvement!

A dress for Abigail

My niece came over today and wanted me to make a dress for Abigail. There's  a first time for everything.  Hailli picked out the fabric and lace and I made up a quick pattern and this is what I came out with.
I think Abigail likes her new dress!

It was fun to spend some time with Hailli!

New adventures are lots of fun!

Sewing for baby again!

I finished this flannel quilt today.  I used a very light lining.  It's my version of a rail fence pattern.

Sewing for baby!

We have a grand baby due at the end of October.  We do not know if it will be a boy or a girl.  The happy parents are letting it be a surprise.  Prayers are for a healthy baby and we are all trying to think pink.  Seems this clan makes only boys.
I wanted to make a couple of things for the new baby so I pulled out my books and found this one.
I made the sleep sack yesterday and the little booties a couple of weeks ago.

There is a pattern for some cute little reversible pants in this book that I want to make later this week..  The fabric is a truer green than it shows here.  The little frogs on this fabric is so cute.  The lighting was not very good when I took this picture.

Busy weekend making bags!

I pulled out these patterns that I bought at a quilt show in Houston, Texas about 7 years ago and decided to try making these bags.

The purse came out better than I expected.

I think my daughter-in-law will like this diaper bag.

These were fun to make.   I work slowly but I think I am getting a little better at making these.

Hearts from sweet hearts.....both bees are sending blocks

I am participating in 2 online quilting bees.  For my turn I asked for hearts on pink and and red fabric from both groups!  This has been great fun.  I have made many blocks to send out and now it is so much fun to check the mail.  I have been getting them in just about every day for a couple of weeks now!
I think these are some of the most talented ladies and I am so excited to be a member of these wonderful groups.
Check out this photo of the hearts I have gotten so far.  I am still waiting for hearts from about 8 bees..........

Getting organized ! ! !

 I am trying to organize my fabrics. I pulled out a bin of scraps (I have 5 more bins ) and I started cutting.  I used my Accuquilt Go cutter and cut out about 150 tumbling blocks, then some 2  1/2 squares and some small half square bits, then I got out my rotary cutter and cut out some 6 inch,
 5 inch, 4 inch and 2 inch blocks. 

 I took the scraps from all this cutting and used every piece that was at least 1 inch square and  'made' a piece of fabric that is about 26"x20".  I don't know how I will use my 'made' fabric but I plan to add to it once I tackle another bin of scraps.

I am also trying to get my fabric stash in order!  I read about using comic book backer boards so I got some.  My shelf went from this...........

                                                                    ......to this......

neat huh?

I had only ordered one box of the backer boards so I ran out.  I ordered two more boxes and will attempt to get it all in order when I get them! 

I took all of my fat quarters and folded them and have them in a couple of clear plastic bins.  I will show a pic of that next time I post about getting organized!

Thread color

What color thread should I use to quilt my black and white quilt.? Black or white!
Please let me know which one  you would use.

A Black and White quilt!

I started this project last week.  It has been a challenge but fun to do.  Let me know what you think.  I am going to put a fabric with a black and white print for the back.  It is about 43 inches square.

Another Mary Quilt wall hanging

I made this one for Rosa. She does so much for our church.  Always there when you need her!

Heart Blocks from online quilting bees...

I am participating in two online quilting bees.  I wanted lots of blocks for my quilt so when it was my turn in each of the bees, I asked for the same kind of block. This is what I have received so far.  They are beautiful.  I can't wait to get the rest of them.  These ladies are so talented.

Black and white quilt

I have started a quilt in black and white fabric.  I will try to post photos later this week.

Another prayer quilt.

I made another little quilt of Mary.  I gave this one to a special friend. She leads the rosary at church every weekend.  She said she loved it.

Block of the Month Quilt

I bought a block of the month kit on Ebay several years ago.  I finally took the time to put it together.
It was fun to do.

Looking for fabric with flowers

I have been searching the internet looking for fabric with roses on it.  I would like to find a fabric that has roses and other flowers that are large enough to "fussy" cut out.  I have a few nice religious panels that I want to add roses to when I make them into small quilts.  Please leave a comment if you have any ideas.
thanks

This is why I no longer hand quilt

Someone recently asked me if I did any hand quilting.  I told her no.  I can not remember if I every posted this but this is why I can not do hand work.

Several years ago my husband and along with good friends took an adventure vacation.  We did a bare boat rental and rented a 36ft sail boat and spent about 2 weeks sailing in the British Virgin Islands.  It was a trip of a lifetime for me.  We sailed and snorkled everyday.  On day 11 I slipped and fell and hit my right elbow.  The hospital in Tortola was an adventure in itself.  When we returned home I had surgery to fix the elbow.
This is the result of the surgery....3 plates and 17 screws hold the arm together. 

Because of this hardware,  I can hardly do any hand work at all ..sewing makes the hand turn and move up and down and it starts to hurt after a while.  Now everything is done on the machine.  As a result of the surgery, my right hand stays swollen.  I push myself to hold a rotary cutter and manage to cut out my fabric.
It's a challenge but I love to sew so I push forward and ignore the pain.  Often I get so involved in a sewing project that I actually forget I am in pain.  Sewing is great therapy.
I used to hand quilt all my quilts.  I loved the quiet time it gave me to think and pray.  I miss it but I am thankful I can use the machine to do my quilting now.

Another quilt top quilted!

A friend of mine has a daughter going away to college in the Fall. Her grandmother made several quilt tops so she was able to pick the one she wanted.  She brought it to me and I quilted it for her. It is so big.  It's 110" X 90".  It turned out so nice and she loved it.  She said it will look great in her dorm room at school.

I made her a pillow sham and a little lap quilt with some of the pieces.  It was fun to do but I don't think I will be doing anymore big quilts tops after this one.

I was so proud of her.  Seeing my sewing room and quilts inspired her to try sewing.  She made the cutest little pillow with  a variety of little blue scraps.  It came out so nice.  I should have taken a photo of it.

 I hope she continues to do sewing projects!!!!

Here is a photo of Hannah ( on the left ) with her new quilt. 

Art inspired quilt

I am taking part in a mini quilt swap on the 15 minute blog site.  We have to pick a piece of art and make a small 15" x 15" quilt to represent the painting.

Here is what I came up with!

I kinda see starry starry night .....do you!

Not sure if I will use this one for the swap....might have to pick a different painting.