Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

My DH and I joined the YMCA.  It is only 3.4 miles from our new home.  We have enjoyed swimming laps in the great heated pool there and I have been able to take the aquatic exercise class for arthritis.  I feel it is helping with the pain in my knees and back.
I am working on a couple of memory quilts for a friend that lost her husband a little over a year ago.  I think it is the most difficult quilt activity I have ever done. As I was cutting up the shirts I had tears just thinking of her dear DH and how wonderful he was.  Such a great person!  I will post photos of the quilts once I complete them.

20 more little dresses

Here is another group of dresses being sent to Haiti with our mission group.
This group of dresses brings me to a total of 55.  I hope to make more throughout the year for future mission trips. My over all goal was to make 50 dresses and this group brought me to my goal and more!

Rag Doll

I found this cute doll tutorial over at "Love Laugh Quilt" and I have been wanting to make one.
Here is the link for the tutorial.
http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to.html

Here is a photo of my first attempt.   Not great but it was fun to give it a go!

I made it for a friend's new granddaughter.  I hope she likes it.

A shout out thanks to Beth for sharing her talent!

More little dresses

My cousin, Pat and I are making dresses to send to Haiti with a mission group from our diocese.

these are the ones Pat made..(7)...last time we sent dresses she made 20!

these are the ones I made....(20)...last time we sent dresses I made 15!

I love making these little dresses.  It is a great way to use your stash for a great cause.  I do not usually make clothing so this was a challenge for me but these are so easy and quick to make.

We are both working on making many more!

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.