Mardi Gras Parades with the grandsons!

We had a full day today!

We went to our younger grandson's school parade.  The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day.
He is in the 4 year old preschool class.  Here is a photo of him in the parade... It was so sunny.   We had a great time.

After this parade we headed out across town to see the oldest grandson's school parade.   He is in Kindergarten.  It was a nice parade with a band and Mardi Gras walkers.  The kindergarten children all drove their battery operated vehicles.  Too cute.

Here is a photo of him in the parade....

 Miss Louisiana, USA was there too.    She used to attend school here.  It was sweet of her to come and support her school.  Such a beautiful, sweet, girl.

She took a picture with me. 

Wall hanging!

My aunt made this and had it hanging in her sewing room, It is so cute! I just might have to make one for my sewing room!

16 dresses

I have been busy these last 2 days.  I made 16 little dresses to send with a mission group from our diocese next month heading to another country.  My sweet cousin has made 14 dresses so we will be donating 30 for this trip!
These dresses are so much prettier in person!

I have never done this before and it feels wonderful. I know there will be some happy little girls.  My DH suggested I find a simple pattern for shorts so I can make some for little boys.  I will have to do that.   I did not have to buy anything, I had all this fabric in my stash.  What a great way to use up your stash!!!

January item for Stocking Exchange

I am participating in a Stocking Exchange with my blog friend over at Wasteland Wallowing.   Here is the information on the Stocking Exchange.  Come play with us!  It will be fun.

http://wastelandwallowing.blogspot.com/2014/01/stocking-swap-update.html

This is my January item.... a mug with a matching mug rug.

Scarf complete

this is a photo of the black and white scarf I finished today!
These are fun to do.

The loom is loaded!

I still have 4 tops to quilt and I know I said no new projects until I finish all the quilt tops I have ...but....weaving does not count since it is not a new "quilting" project, right?.....  At least that is how I am looking at it.

Here are a few pictures of getting ready to weave.   I will post a picture of the scarf once I finish it.

Blog problem

For some reason,  my followers list is gone and I can not figure out how to put it back on.
Can anyone help me please?

Watching Downton...

I just watched another episode of Downton Abbey.  Mr. Bates has figured out what really happened to Anna.  Look out Mr. Green....your days are numbered!
I am not sure I can wait to see what happens next Sunday.

I finished another one

I made this quilt top several years ago when I was learning how to do disappearing nine patch.  I used some random 4 inch squares and I found this floral fabric in my sash that I used for the back.

Mug Rug fun!

I am participating in a Mug Rug exchange and these are the mug rugs I made. I hope my "partner" like them.

I made one for a sweet friend. This will be in the mail tomorrow!

I made one for my DIL.  She wanted one once she saw the others I made.

I had so much fun making these mug rugs.  Now back to quilting another UFO.

Another UFO finished!

My sweet friend from Mississippi sent me these little blocks so I put them together to make a cute Christmas lap quilt.   I did FMQ so it was quick and easy!  I had to piece the two red fabrics together  to have enough for the backing.

She finds it too busy but I love this bright cheerful fabric!

One word Monday? What would your word be today?

Finish

Leave your word in a comment!

Snow in South Louisiana? ! ?

Our middle grandson is enrolled in a very nice preschool.  Every year they have a snow day. They bring in ice and make snow.  The children love it.  Here are a few pictures of the fun they had today!

Making snow

another UFO finish! Ducks!!!

Here is another top I quilted this week. I put this one together a few years when someone gave me some duck prints.  I tried the round feathers again!
It is beautiful and sunny today so I took these photos on the back patio.

I have 8 more quilt tops in the pile to finish!
Wish Me Luck!

Free motion quilting....???

I am determined to learn how to quilt feathers and designs on my quilts using my regular machine.
I found a nice round feather stencil that is getting easier to follow each time I use it.

My question to all you great quilters out there is ........do  you draw out a stencil design all the time or do you just do feathers and stuff on your own free hand.  

I feel like I am cheating when I trace a design on my quilt top to follow.  I feel as though I should be able to free motion with out having to trace it.

Please, suggestions and tips on how to get better at this.  You can see some of my work on previous posts on this blog.

I practice, practice, practice!!!!!

another finish

I finally finished this quilt top.  I made it many years ago.  It was a perfect way to practice my round feathers. I did one on each of the blocks.  It made for an interesting back for the quilt.

Grandsons in Quilts

I took these photos over the last few weeks.  Just want to share what we love most.
They love wrapping themselves up in one of my quilts.
Too Cute!  

cleaning my sewing machine

I am so bad about cleaning my sewing machine.  I always seem to be to anxious to get to the sewing part that I do not want to take the time to brush out the lint.  I am almost embarrassed to show you how bad it was.

Here is a before picture........I'm so bad huh?

  I put the bobbin so you can have an idea of how much I got out of there.

Looks so much better...I still need to get out the vacuum and get the rest but at least now I have a happy machine and I can get busy sewing again!

How often do you clean out your machine?

working on another unfinished quilt (made with vintage fabric)

I put this quilt top together about 10 years ago.  I decided it was time to quilt it.  I thought it was a perfect quilt to use to practice my round feathers.  I have about 18 more circles to do then I plan to do some free motion fill in quilting. I am not sure how I will bind it.  I am thinking of using a blue or red fabric cut on the bias and I will  try to go around the curves.  It measures about 54" by 68".  The fabric is vintage and still in great condition.  I found the fabric in a box I had with some of my mom's stash.  She was a seamstress and did a little quilting. She mostly made clothing. She passed away back in 1984 and I kept some of her fabric.  I was not quilting then so I'm not sure why I kept it.  I'll post a couple of pictures when I finish it.

My sewing plans for 2014.

I am a fabriholic.....are you?

 Last June I decided to stop buying fabric for a year..  I did pretty good.  I only bought a few yards of fleece in December, that's not fabric is it?

When we moved into our new home in October I realized that I had more fabric than I would ever be able to use. I gave some fabric to a friend's daughters who are just learning how to sew and I gave some to our local library where we did some sewing lessons.  

For 2014 I plan to complete UFOs before I start a new project.  I just ordered a big roll of warm and white batting so I will be busy quilting over the next few weeks.  I'll post photos as I finish them.  

What are your sewing plans for 2014?