Applique practice

We have actually been doing quite a bit of sewing lately. Our sewing class is going well and we have so much fun together. I have been sewing for years but I am still learning when it comes to making clothing. The teacher is a wonderful seamstress and good friend, so very patient. Of course, it takes lots of patience when sewing, as I've learned over the years. As I've been blogging and visited so many blogs with good advice that's one thing quilters are stressing, Enjoy the process, don't get so frustrated and anxious to finish.
Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to lately.

Daughter #2 cutting out her skirt pattern

Spoiling our sweet little "ELLIE"

Making hexagons and learning to do English Paper Piecing

Practice with applique

Dee Brestin

My two daughters and I were so blessed this weekend as we listened to Dee Brestin, Christian author and speaker. She was the speaker for a Women's Conference that we attend each year.
She is an amazing motivational speaker and author of many books and Bible Studies. We purchased three books before we left. I started one today, Woman of Beauty,
focusing on 1, 2, and 3 John.
Dee certainly has an amazing calling on her life as the Lord uses her to speak to women today. Praise God for the opportunity to have met her.

Sunshine and Scrappy Quilt

The weather has been wonderful today!! Not bad for the first day of February!!
Such a great day with warmer temperatures and sunshine.....so we took a nice walk over the field behind our house to see the awesome view. Taking in the beauty of the majestic mountains and blue sky was such a sweet sight for a Sunday afternoon. Of course the funny thing is, not everyone would enjoy our little walk since it IS where our neighbor keeps his horses. hee hee. You gotta watch where you step. (:
Come on, it really was worth it!

I have several projects going.....the pinwheel quilt for my hubby along with a few hand stitching projects. But....I just had to start cutting those 2 1/2" strips for a "scrappy quilt" when I saw this over at Quiltville!

How easy and so cute. I really need something that requires no thinking, lol!! So, that's what I did this afternoon, began cutting those strips in lights and darks. Can't wait to start on the sewing tomorrow.

My youngest daughter and I begin a sewing class tomorrow that will be taught by one of the homeschool moms in our group.....we're excited!! Looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead for these sweet girls and moms who will be learning to sew together!

Have a Great Monday!

Valentines Day is just around the corner and so I wanted to add a little
"LOVE" to my blog by changing up my background. I love the cute little chicks in the background, adorable!!

Speaking of chicks, Amy, over at Sew~Amy, has made the cutest little quilt with chicks called "Chubby Chicks," that I'm dying to do myself. Who doesn't like chicks. My youngest dd was looking over my shoulder the day I first spied this little quilt and of course she wanted me to make her one just like it! How sweet!

We have been busy with life all week. Hanging out with friends, church activities, and of course much school work going on here as we gear up for our second part of the year.
I've got a little sewing time in and have been anxious to post a picture of my applique I've been practicing but my camera is giving me a hard time and won't download my pictures. Yiiiiikes, I'm hating this! Hope to clear this up real soon and get some pictures up.

Visiting some of my favorite blogs and I came across a great site for patterns at quilts by cheri ~

My favorite is the Square Dance pattern, this would look so good in my living room. I'm trying to add a few Primitive decorations and this would certainly fit in perfectly.

Last but not least I would like to leave you with a link to "Revive Our Hearts" with Nancy Leigh DeMoss. She has started a new series of radio broadcasts entitled, "Discerning the Truth in a World of Deception." I read the first one today on the website but I encourage you to LISTEN to her broadcast, it's truly a wonderful radio show and she's an amazing woman of God! Her voice alone "draws you in" and captures your attention as she speaks. Please take a moment to visit her website, finding a radio broadcast in your area, or listen by way of podcast on her website. I promise you will be glad you did!
Have a wonderful day my friends!!

Winter Scenery

With reports of black ice on the roads we are staying in today. Morning services were canceled at church.
Although I will miss those sweet smiling faces in my Primary Sunday School class I'm happy to be inside on a cold day such as this.

The ice makes for a pretty picture in the creek across the street from our house.

Have a wonderful Sunday friends!!

Name that quilt

Here we are......the last finishing touches just before finishing my labor of love. This quilt is for my oldest daughter, who picked out the fabric herself. The colors are beautiful together after the quilting.
I didn't think about naming or even labeling this quilt until reading about the importance for future generations on some other blogs. I have never made a label so I will be planning this and thinking how I want to do this. I would appreciate any tips for an easy label after the quilt has been completed.

Stippling was so much easier and relaxing using Polyester thread, my machine loves it!

Adding the binding was fun, I love this fabric.


Completed, hoooray!!!
For you, my sweet daughter!

Many of you have given me such inspiration and encouragement as I have worked on this quilt......
I would like to say how much I appreciate all of you, my blog friends.

I found that I needed visual reminders of the correct way to complete the binding and found volumes of treasure over at Quiltville

What an awesome lady! Thank you!

Another great blog is Bonnie Hunter's blog with so much helpful information and good stuff.
This is where I found instructions for quilt labels.

Have a Great Weekend!

New fabric

Hello and Happy New Year a bit late.
It snowed last week just a wee bit and Ellie was fascinated!
She's watching the snow fall.

Adding some color and neutrals to my stash.
Oh, how I love finding a fabric sale!!
This came from Ben Franklins.

Two new quilt books

This is my first new project for the new year, a flannel quilt for hubby.
I love pinwheels!

Yes, we are back into our routines and so I must get started with my day.