Bind-A-Rama

I’m in ‘finish it up’ mode 

(as opposed to start-itis) 

so I’ve spent some quality time making and sewing binding. 

I had to set up more support - tv trays all around - 

to handle the giant quilts (pics soon!)

but I’ve got 2 quilts and 3 wallhangings finished and ready to hang. 

Whoo! We won’t mention the pile still patiently waiting . . .

Padauk

I mentioned to hubby that “some day” I’d like to have a small table that fit over the arm of the couch to hold tools when I’m sewing.

Look what he made!

The wood is African Padauk and that’s its natural color. So gorgeous!

It’s an odd space, with not much room, and this works perfectly. Being married to a woodworker has some very nice benefits.

100 Days

Jac’s school is celebrating 100 Days on Thursday (since the school year began)

and the kids are supposed to wear a shirt with 100 things on it.

 “Wait, wait! My eye itches…”

Marie brought over some patches and sparkles

 Front; note the necklace

so Jac and I could start sticking them down.

 Back. I wanted the shoe closer to the bottom of the shirt but Jac wasn’t amused. (So it could kick her butt. 😜)

It’s surprisingly hard to count rhinestone sparkles - 1, 2, oops dropped it - 

“Are we done yet???”

but we got it done with no burned fingers or shirts.  Victory!

Jac was also selected as Student of the Week on Monday,

with a sweet note from her teacher. (Yes, I know all the kids get it during the year, but I’m still a proud grandma!)

Brights

Whenever we come home to find Pop has added something new to the front yard - like these flowers - 

Jac’s instant reaction - shaking her head and with hands on hips - is, “Grandma, we need to take away his credit card.”

She may change her mind though, 

when she sees the flowers’ solar powered secret.

So pretty. We may need more . . .

Daffodils and Crochet

Finished this month’s flower garden project - Full Bobbin Designs’ Daffodil -

while I got Leia started on her first crochet project. 

Be still my heart! 💕

She wants to make two ridiculously cute little amigurumi cows for herself and a friend. 

Not the easiest first project but she’s motivated and picking it up quickly. This is going to be fun. 

Sneak Peek

Picked these up from the longarmer today and I’m thrilled with how they turned out. 

 Diamond Tula

Next up - binding, washing and glamour pics. 

 Botanical Beauties 

It may be a little while, especially on Diamond Tula. There’s 3 hundred and 65 inches of binding needed for that bad girl. Queen-sized quilts are big. 

Back To It

With everything going on in December, I fell behind on my flower garden block-of-the-month project.

 10” block

But as of today, I’m all caught up. December’s block is Crocus by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time. I’ve made several of her patterns,

 6” block
including yesterday’s little green guy, and they are always well done and easy to follow. 

January’s block is Remembrance Day Poppy by Sarah at Full Bobbin Designs, another of my favorite FPP designers. Now I just need to get February’s block planned . . .

Ribbit

First project of the weekend - a hoppy friend for the flower garden.

Koi Pond

Done! Ok, the top is done - still need to do the backing and quilting and binding . . . 

This was on last year’s Plan, from gorgeous fabric I found in Colorado in 2021, so it’s barely had time to age. 

At 44x60”, it’s perfect for hanging on the tv room fireplace once it’s back from the longarmer. 

Cuties

I coulda been sewing but what’s a grandma to do when the cuties come calling?

And they bring the grand pup along too. 

This is Fox, a red mini poodle pup, and Donovan looooooooves him.

There were tears when dad insisted that yes, grandma could hold the puppy (but not for long.) 

Happy again. Such cuties. 

The Plan 2023, Part 2

Part 1 of this year’s quilting plan was kits; Part 2 is using up some of the fabric bundles I’ve accumulated. 

The quilt with the Tula Pink Daydreamer (purchased 2021) and True Colors (2022) layer cakes is current at the longarmer but I’m not calling it ‘done’ til the binding is on. (Done 2/2023)

I bought the echinacea/coneflower fat quarters in early 2021 - so gorgeous! - and that quilt is headed to the longarmer this week. Whoo!  (Done 2/2023)

The Firefly bundle from Ruby Star Society was a Christmas gift from Matt and Mary. Can’t wait to use it!

Thinking about using this pattern 

with the Alison Glass Sun Prints 2021 bundle I bought in January. 

I’ve started two projects with these gorgeous Carolina Lillies but nothing has clicked.

Maybe I’ll find the perfect pattern this year??

Love Tula’s Tiny Coordinates Dots and Stripes so much. Maybe I’ll just add them to everything . . .

Alison Glass Sun Print Luminance Lights (bought 1/2022) to go with the Sun Prints above. 

Orbit fat quarter bundle, on sale for little more than shipping. Loved them so much I ordered a second batch. Sparkly!

Ombre Confetti Metallics, two separate purchases. I buy these whenever I see them in a bundle. Sooooooo pretty.

Rusty Gold

One of Pop’s favorite things is searching local swap meets and antique stores for what he calls “rusty treasure,”

old metal bits he can remake into . . . something.

This time he found a $15 set of cast iron eagle uprights,

added an acacia plank from the hardware store,

and voilá -

a new, grandgirl approved bench for the bedroom. Sweet!