Monday, March 26, 2012

A rainbow in the mail

I didn’t know how much fun it was to buy thread!  Connecting Threads had a thread and fabric sale, so I thought I would give them a try.  I always need thread and I needed 12 yards of pink fabric (which is not cheap!)  for a Dresden Plate quilt I’m starting.  Who can beat $2.48 a yard?  I was a bit worried about the quality, but it seems great.  I also ordered a rainbow sampler, 24 - 5 inch charm squares,  for $2.07 so I can use as a reference when I order solids in the future.

Connecting threads pack

Connecting threads charm pack

Doesn’t it make you want to find something bright and colorful to sew?

Stormy

Friday, March 23, 2012

My Mini Vacation

I had the best week!  Thanks to my super awesome sister-in-law, who babysat my kids for three days, I was able to go on a trip to Ventura, CA.  My husband travels there all the time for work, so I decided to tag along.  There were a lot of firsts on this trip.  My first sushi restaurant. I had oysters, clam, eel, and lots fish.  My first exploring on my own, which is a super big deal for me.  I drove a rental car with a GPS system and found my way to three fabric stores, the Ronald Reagan Memorial Library, Ventura Pier and Santa Barbara Pier.  I also played on the beach and shopped.  So much fun!

I walked the harbor and ate at two restaurants overlooking this:

Ventura harbour

I watched the beach turn from this:

Footsteps on the beach

Ventura pier waves

to this:

Foggy Ventura beach

I saw this:

Airforce One

Yes, that’s the retired Airforce One.  I got to walk through it head to tail!

And I shopped here…… (among many other places)

shopping

Did I mention how much fun I had??  Now, it’s back to real life again.  Sigh!

Isn’t it funny that the biggest reason I wanted to leave was to get a break from the kids, but they are what I missed most when I was gone?

Stormy

Friday, March 16, 2012

Mini Star Quilt

I was in the mood to make something little….and turquoise…. and maybe red too.  I started flipping through my quilt magazines to see if anything caught my eye.  It did!  In the June 2009 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting there is the cutest little mini quilt.  The fabrics weren’t my favorite, but the pattern was perfect.  I have been wanting to try my hand at mini quilts for quite awhile, but have never gotten around to it.  Perfect time to try. 

Mini Star Quilt Size

I think it turned out pretty cute. Unfortunately, it takes much more effort to line up those seams and not cut off star points when the squares you are sewing with are 1-1/4 inches tall! So, don’t look too close. I know in a few years, I’ll be looking back at this project and smiling at my inexperience. But for now, it’s hanging on my wall so all can see my cute mini star quilt. (Measuring only 13 inches tall.)

Mini Star Quilt Back

Stormy

Monday, March 12, 2012

I Swoon!

I love it!  So very much!  I started it in November and kept having to stop for other projects.  But, it’s finally finished. Hand stitched binding and all!!  ( I’ve always machine sewn the binding on.)  It took me six hours to stitch the binding.  I couldn’t put it down because I couldn’t wait to post pictures of the finished quilt.  Did I mention I’m a bit excited about this one??

I SWOON over it…

Swoon quilt

(Yes, you can see my daughters standing behind it, but the morning sun looked so pretty!)

Swoon Quilt 2

Swoon 2

Swoon

It’s too pretty to use!  I don’t know what I’m going to do with it.  Maybe just love it forever and ever.

Stormy

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Tree Blossoms

March in the Texas desert is not very green, but it does get pretty warm.  Which means the trees blossom a little earlier than most other states.  I was out enjoying my tree blossoms and had to take a few pictures to show off because they are just so pretty.

Tree Blossoms

Purple blossoms

White Blossoms

White Blossoms 2

White blossoms close

Nothing beats the first signs of Spring!

Stormy

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Another retro apron

The last apron I made was a bit too hard for a church group to sew in an hour, sooooo I had to find another pattern.  Stop Staring and Start Sewing has a great pattern called “Apron in an Hour”.  It’s the perfect apron for what we will be doing.  Super easy and super cute.

retro apron 2

I feel so stylish when I’m cooking these days!

Stormy