Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Spring has surely sprung here in Arizona. In fact, it came around February. I love Spring and the feeling of renewal it brings. However, spring in Arizona leaves one wanting when it comes to color.... Don't get me wrong, the desert has it's own beauty, but I really miss getting my hands dirty in my flower and veggie gardens. Our front yard is landscaped with rocks, cactus and other drought resistant plants, per HOA rules. Our backyard still needs some landscaping, but due to lack of time and funds, very little has been done. There's dirt. And that's it. So, I have found that fabric is the next best thing to bring some color into my life! :) I went on a quilt shop-hop last Saturday with my quilty friend, Joanne. (yep- we have the same name-cool, huh!?) There were a lot of quilts displayed that had the 1930's reproduction prints in them. I thought they were so bright and cheerful that I wanted to do something like that for my house! So I picked some fabric.....cut some squares...... And made this little table runner. I got the idea from my friend, Sharla, who has some awesome craft ideas. These little squares are basted on top of the fabric, then sewn leaving the raw edges. Then, when you wash this the fabric gets all raggy looking. It was very easy and quick to make! (**the only problem I had was the measuring....I know, I know, I should have paid more attention in Math class....and then my markings all but disappeared when I let it sit overnight. So, I kind of guessed as I was sewing and my lines aren't that straight!)

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Here's a funny for you--Our old doggy Rudy fell asleep on our bed as he does most every morning. After preschool, he came trotting down the stairs wearing one of my sports bras! I put a load of laundry on the bed this morning and I guess he somehow got it on. Aside from it being on upside down, his arms were in the straps and everything!I had to snap a picture before I took it off...I laughed and laughed! :) Okay--On to Wednesday business -- I finally remembered to take a picture of my new table all gussied up. I like the table where it is because it is narrower than what was there before. It makes the walkway a little wider. I also have to show some of the great stuff I got while yard sale-ing on Saturday with two of my favorite friends. Cori G. and Joanne (yes, I have a friend with the same name..cool, huh?!?) went to a community yard sale here in town. There were lots of fun things to see. I got this jug and little chair. I put it on the stair landing. My little bunny didn't have a place to sit until I got this chair....at least that's what I told Craig! haha! Be sure to pop over to Leslie's @ My Country Home and see what she and everyone else is up to!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

This is going to be a little teaser of a post...:):):) I am doing a couple of swaps with a couple of very talented and sweet blogging friends. We are doing wall hangings so that's what I have been working on. They have alphabets.... prim dates.... and saltbox houses..... But, whose is whose???? Oh, I do love a good surprise! Happy Wednesday, everyone. Be sure to stop by Leslie's to see who else is working on some fun things!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I'm a little late with this post today but I wanted to participate in Leslie's Whatcha working on Wednesday. I haven't posted since last Wednesday and that's because I have been sewing my fool head off getting these things finished up. I am so glad and will be giving my happy little sewing machine a much needed rest! :) I am in the mood for a change of pace.....I would like to make a motion to end winter. Would anyone like to second that??? It's not that we have a winter even remotely close to others around the US, but I just get feeling so sorry for everyone that has been affected by the extreme cold temperatures, freezing rains and record breaking snow fall. The weather here is heavenly. I would like to invite all those who are freezing to hurry and buy up one of the thousands of homes for sale in Tucson and spend their winter's here!! Yesterday it was 78*. I had such spring fever! So these are the projects I have been working on..... A Valentines day runner. Another Valentines day runner.

And a quilt......

And another quilt.

All of these were made with fabric from my stash.....that's why the back of the snowball quilt is pieced as well. I tried my hand at dying the other quilt and the runners. I like the way it subdued the harshness of the red and white. I can't decide if it needs to be a little darker, though.

So, my change of pace will be VALENTINES DAY for now. But I am really itching to plant some flowers!

Keep warm my blogging friends!

Whatcha woking on Wednesday

Here's something I have been working on..... It's a red and white little quilt that I will put out for February. I also have another red and white quilt top and two table runners that I am working on. My little sewing machine has been a real trooper.

I have a question for all you wonderful people out in blog land......

When you have fabric that is a little too bright and you dye it, what kind of dye/color of dye do you use? My other little quilt is just too bright of a red and way too white for my liking.

Thanks in advance for you thoughts!

Make it a great day-:):):)

A Month of Thanksgiving

I was visiting the blog of a friend of mine from high school. Andrea has been posting about the things she is thankful for this month. She is so spiritual and uplifting. I enjoyed reading what she has written so far that I decided to follow her lead. I have always been one to keep a journal, but a long time ago, I heard Oprah talking about how she keeps a gratitude journal. In it, she writes everyday about something she is grateful for. She mentioned that at first, it was difficult but as she continued with it, it became easier and easier to see what she was blessed with. I thought I would give a gratitude journal a try. Honestly, there were some days that all I could muster was, "I am thankful that the sun was shining". However, as time went on, and just like Oprah, I have been able to more easily see the things for which I am so thankful for. It has also changed the perspective of my life. It has made me more aware of the Lord's hand in my life and in the world around me. It has also made me thankful for my trials and the things that I have learned from them. So, the rest of the month of November, I will be doing an online gratitude journal. I am so very thankful for my forever family.

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I have been working like crazy on my home made Christmas. I have sewn about a gazillion half-square triangles......

These need to be clipped and pressed. Then the whole lot will be squared up and transformed into a gift for someone......I wonder who that someone will be????

Quilt sandwich, anyone???

These table runners and wall hangings are all ready to be quilted.

I wish everyone a happy day.

Counting my blessings

Sometimes I just can't believe the generosity of others. After being MIA from the blog world for a few days, I get a message from Mary at Gettysburg Homestead saying that she has a surprise for me over at her blog. And what do you suppose I find once I get there?? This lovely and extremely kind award.... I simply can't believe that she has awarded me this, especially given the fact that I have been doing some whining on my blog lately..... But, THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, Mary. Here are the rules to this little bit of fun! 1. The winner can put the logo on her blog. 2. Link the person you received your award from. 3. Nominate at least 5 other blogs. 4. Put links of those blogs on yours. 5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated. And the nominees are........ 1. Kim at Bitty Bits and Pieces. She makes some wonderful quilts and is so giving to all those around her. She also shares wonderful recipes, too! 2.Linda at All Stitched Up.She has organized the most fabulous swaps. She is a very talented seamstress and her stitching work is impeccable. 3.Cori at familywithfivekids Cori is so dedicated to her sweet family.She is always volunteering at her kids schools. She is a scrapbook aficionado and gifted card maker! 4.Tara at Just the Bergie Boyz. Tara is also a very talented quilter and crafter. She recently made THE cutest pincushion for Linda's pincushion swap. She also posts the sweetest pictures of her boys. 5.Nicole at Our Cozy Nest. She posts some wonderful pictures of her home (and those of others!)on her blog. And do you want to hear a strange coincidence??? Nicole and I attended the same high school!!(I do believe there were many years in between, though! haha!) 6.Anna at Thimbleanna. Anna is so funny! I always have a little giggle every time I read her blog. She also leaves the sweetest comments! Then, I received this wonderful PIF gift from Kindra at Three Guys, a Girl and a Prim place. I just KNEW she would send something wonderful! Thanks Kindra!! It makes me want to get out all my fall decorations, even though it is still as hot as Hells Hinges here in AZ! :) Craig returned from China on Sunday. He brought so many wonderful gifts for the kids and me!! He called it our "Chinese Christmas"! He brought me this beautiful pearl necklace, bracelet and earring set. He also brought me a little sugar bowl...not for sugar, though. He said it's for my "trophy case". (That's what he calls my curio cabinet.) He is so funny!! Here is a little something I have been working on for my Whatcha' Working on Wednesday post..... It's a Halloween table runner. I seem to be making a lot of runners these days. I know it's because (a) they work up faster than a quilt (b) they are easier than a quilt and (c) I am a finish it tonight kinda gal!! Well, I am off to prepare dinner for the missionaries. This is their third time in as many weeks. They are a lot of fun. I am going to get some pictures of them tonight!

Whatcha Workin' On Wednesday, Olympic Update, & Preschool begins!

Here is what I have been working on this week... It's the bag for my swap partner. This is just a little teaser, mind you, because I have discovered from reading other blogs that I am giving away too much information. And, I would hate for her to figure out who I am and ruin the surprise! I will say that the colors I used were requested by my swap partner. It has been interseting using such spring colors when all I want to work with right now are fall colors! :) This is a picture of my first attempt.....let's call it a prototype... The actual bag that I will be sending does not look like this. Preschool has been in session for a week. Yesterday we played with some shaving cream. I will just say that I had to put on a video for 10 minutes to clean up the aftermath of that activity. It was a big hit, however, and the kids and the room smelled wonderful! Craig is having a good time over in China. He has been able to do some real bargain shopping a the "Silk Mart". He can really chew down at the vendors prices! He has been ripped off by a taxi driver and is mad about that but now he knows what to do for the next time. (That taxi driver better hope Craig doesn't jump in HIS taxi again....) Jill has been practicing well despite a nagging knee injury. She throws on the 16th. The TV will probably not show the womens shot put event, as they hardly ever show any of the throwing events. But, she is on a Home Depot commercial that is shown frequently. She is the girl chalking up a shot put!! There was also a really great article published in The Church News if anyone would like to see it. (Our churches newspaper publication) I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Whatcha working on Wednesday--week2

Here is a little something I've been working on. I started it a while ago but put aside to work on some other things. Now since July is right around the corner, I wanted it to be finished so I can put it out with my other decorations! It's a table runner. It worked up really fast and easy. I am not really a fan of the fabric, but since I have vowed to use up some of my stash, I decided to use it anyway....it's a little too cutesy for me, but nothing a little tea dying can't fix!! I hope everyone has a fantastic Wednesday!

Whatcha Working on Wednesdays?

Linda over at Behind My Red Door pointed me in the direction of Leslie at My Country Home.She is starting a "show and tell" of what people are doing/crafting/keeping busy with. It's called Whatcha Working on Wednesdays. Here is something I have been working on. I saw one of these little table shelves on Linda's slide show. (you can see for yourself if you look at her slide show that I have posted on my blog) I figured I couldn't live without having one of my own. I put this together all by my little self, if you can believe it. (Shhhh....Don't tell Craig I used his nail gun!! Oh ya, or his saw....) Anyway, It's sitting on my counter just so I could get a picture of it for this post but I don't think I will keep it there for long. Once I get our table cleared off I will try it there! Don't you just love that sign??!! To all future dinner company....consider this fair warning! :):):)