Here is my most recent little finish. I put the binding on over the weekend. I have so many little quilts that I have made and they just go in a tub. I really don't know what to do with them, but I do enjoy making them. I was asked what mystery quilt I am working on. It is called Anne's mystery. I actually printed it off in 2004. I have a binder of mystery quilts that I have printed over the years. I will print all the clues and put them in a clear sleeve with clue 1 on top. This way I never see the finish. Luckily the website was printed across the bottom of my print out so I made a visit there to see if the pattern was still there over 8 years later and it was. By looking at clue 1 I believe it is the first one, as she has two mysteries posted. I doubt I get much done this week or weekend. I have my family all here and I am so enjoying that. We have a big event coming up this weekend and then once that is over the kids will leave and I will be back to my empty nest. More on all of that this Friday.

Still Plugging Along

I am still sewing, in between spending time with my boys who are home and watching my granddaughter for the evening last night and church this morning I still was able to accomplish quite a bit. I have my binding sewed on my little quilt, my dress that I am wearing to a party next weekend altered and my little quilt top from the quilt along all finished. What a fun little project this was.

I also was able to get clue #2 all sewed from the mystery I am working on. I think this is going to be a fun quilt as it is so bright. I haven't read ahead to clue 3 yet but I have yet to use the main fabric so this quilt must have a bunch of different components to it. I am going to spend my Sunday evening catching up on my dvr'd programs and doing some handquilting on the little wool qpplique quilt I just got started on.

Quilt Along

I am participating in a quilt along. Actually two quilt alongs. First Humble Quilts is having a quilt along with a little doll quilt. Well I am a sucker for little quilts so I had to join in. Above is the finish of part 1. I started with the fabrics below.

My friends have all headed north for a quilt retreat this weekend. I was not able to travel with them so I am quilting along at home. I have a slew of projects to work on, part 2 of the quilt along and part 2 of the mystery quilt, plus a binding on one of my little quilts I finished. So I have a good day ahead of me!

More Mystery

Clue 1 is finished. This went really quickly. I have the cutting done for clue 2 and hope to get the sewing done this weekend. So far I am having fun with this, a nice little project for January!

We are to get a bit of snow tonight, I hope it doesn't amount to much.  I find as I get older I get less excited about the white stuff. 

Off to make pancakes for dinner!

I'm Making a Mystery Quilt

Strips are all cut for clue 1. This is a spur of the moment deal. I am not quite sure how I talked myself into this but I did. Way back in the 90's I made over 20 mystery quilts. A quilting friend recently contacted me and asked if I had any mystery patterns as she was wanting to make one. I sent one her way that I had already done myself and in re-visiting my book of clues I decided to start one myself.

I pulled the above fabric out of my stash and then pulled colors I thought would go well with it. I think it will make for a cute and bright quilt for my granddaughter and will also help alleviate some of the stash. So here goes...

Redware Inspired Project

 I have been a collector of redware for quite a few years.  I have a cabinet brimming full with all my pieces.

My favorite pieces are the 3 plates that have my children's names on them.  I have had this plate above for at least 20+ years.

A few years back I started working on a few wool projects that had the look of redware.  This was after I had taken some classes in Liberty, Missouri that inspired me in that direction.  This is a little pillow that I had started and just recently I pulled it out and finished the applique on it.  Today I am working on adding a small fringe edging, I will stuff it and then I will have another finished project!

Bird in a Tree

I was able to get the binding on another little quilt. These are so much fun to work on as they go so quickly.

I just did my usual echo quilting by hand. Very easy to quilt this way.

And the best part is getting to use fabulous fabrics for the backs!

A fun picture from one of our family vacations!

 Last night turned into one of those unexpected most perfect moments! My son who has been in South America and whom I haven’t seen since last April walked through my front door. My youngest son who has been attending college out of state is at home right now and my daughter lives across from me so this is the first time in over 3 years that I have had all three of my children together at one time. He wanted to surprise us and surprise he did. Now to just enjoy them as adults together for the first time.

I have been busy since the beginning of the Christmas posts. First I moved, just around the corner from where I lived. I am now across the street from daughter instead of living behind her. They just can’t get away from me, ha ha.

I also made a trip to New York City to spend some time enjoying the holiday atmosphere and to do a little shopping. Loved it! Could absolutely live there!

Of course we had to take my granddaughter to see Santa for the first time. Needless to say she wasn’t impressed.

Then even more vacation time for me as I took a few weeks off to enjoy a quiet Christmas with my family. We got a bit of snow so that allowed me to get my new sewing room somewhat organized and to pull a couple of unfinished projects out and work on finishing them up.

Life is precious and time is a key element. Let's make every moment count and help those who have a greater need than our own. -Harmon Killebrew