For Sam

 

I wanted to make a quilt for my granddaughter Samantha.  She helped to pick out these cute colors.   I think it really reflects her personality!

 

 

This will be for the main bunk.  The flowers are 3-D

The small runner looking thing is for the 2nd bunk.  I bought an expensive duvet from IKEA and this little bed runner will look cute at the bottom of the bed.  There are 2 throw pillows -only one in the pic; and my favorite thing of all time to make-pillowcases!  I really love making them in place of shams.

A little detail -I found these tags at Quilt Market in Salt Lake a couple of years ago, and really like sewing them into stuff.

The back didn't quite make the width -so here is my solution.  Makes it a lot cheaper when you're only off by a few inches.

Happy Birthday Katie

It's that time of year again where we get to celebrate Kate's birthday and 'go to town' for the weekend.  I look forward to this every year and we really don't do anything spectacular - just spend some time one on one shopping, eating and more shopping.

I made this runner for her birthday.  I think it will go well in her farmhouse!

BOO!!

I don't know what it is... but I do love Halloween decorations.  I think it gets me excited for the change in the air and for the upcoming holidays!

 

 

 

 

Coffee Filter Wreath

 

 

 

 

 

 



Can't have witches without Dorothy!
 

 

 

 

These Look Ridiculous!

These pancakes look so good - I thought what a great thing to serve the kids on the first day of school - don't you think?  I haven't made them ...yet... but I WILL
go to recipegirl.com and then type in cinnamon roll pancakes in the search box and you'll find wonderful, detailed directions

Petra's Pastels

  My great grandmother made a dresden plate quilt  using my mom's and aunt's dresses for the 'plates'.  I have wanted to make one for my bed for quite some time because I don't get bored making them.  You get to make a different looking block each time & it's fun to see how each one turns out.   It was originally supposed to be a throw, but just turned into a full-blown queen.  I haven't sent it to the quilter yet, but here it is in the raw... 

This is the back,  I didn't want to spend any more money on this thing, so I just pieced the back from fabric I had left over and some others that just matched the top well.  I plan on using the strips for binding too.

The front of the quilt... I used mostly Fig Tree fabrics because I wanted a soft look.  (although the brown kind of sticks out -but it does have some peach flowers in it)

My applique skills kind of break down when it comes to making circles.  (they look like pointy little seed pods)  Anyway, I thought I could cover the holes in the plates with yo-yos.  I bought a 3 1/2" yo yo maker -well worth it!  I'll attach them when it gets back from the quilter.

This is the one that started it all.  Isn't it cheerful?  Some of the fabrics are so worn, they have actually disintegrated.  Since there is nothing I can do about it, I feel it just shows it was a 'working' quilt!

Hey Cupcake!

I was invited to a wedding and wanted to make something for the bride.  It was a 'theme' gift - cupcake pan, cute liners and this apron.  The cupcake towel was purchased at Home Goods - (the girly ruffles added later)

(by the way, the neck ribbon is 'adjustable'.  I just made small buttonholes in the apron and inserted ribbon and knotted ends.  That way she can unknot them and re-tie if necessary)

 Below:

I just cut 2 1/2" strips with my pinking shears, then placed some heavy duty thread like carpet thread, or thread for hand quilting right down the middle of the strips, then zig zagged over it. 

I secured one end by stitching over it a few times with a tiny straight stitch and was able to then pull up the heavy thread to fit the size of the apron.  Then I just stitched it onto the apron using a regular straight stitch.  It's a little 'casual' looking and to be honest, it will probably fray after washing, but I'm hoping that will just add to the charm.

 

This was so fun that I made a pillow for granddaughter's new room using the ruffle technique!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 80! to Aunt Dixie!

My sweet Aunt Dixie just turned the big 8-0. 

We went to a big birthday bash and I gave her this bag.



I hope I look this good when I turn 80!

Why do we have to 'improve'?

Where is my playlist?  I can't hear anything -just because someone thought they needed to 'upgrade' the site!

And now that I'm on the subject - what's with the 'new and improved' blogger???  Maybe I just need to post more often and I could get used to this.  But it sure stinks being electronically challenged!!

On the Lookout!

We recently went on a lonnnnngg road trip back to Illinois.  While we were in Iowa, we went to a really neat place called Amana Colonies.  There is a total of 6 little communities that were settled back in the 1800's and set up as a religious colony where everyone lived communally.  They had to abandon the whole idea in the 1930's because the young people started to move away.  What is left now is this charming rural community and a really, really beautiful 'downtown'.

THE LOOKOUT...

See the neat vintage metal bread box on the stool?  Well, dummy me I thought that is so cute, I should probably get one for the deck and plant something gorgeous in it.  But I didn't even look at the price tag.  So the rest of the trip was spent looking for one just like it.  Anyway, I would even be happy with a repro - so I'll keep my eyes open.

Move Over Martha!

                   Cute Invites                  
Our Homemaking Leader must make Martha jealous.  Her ideas have a definite 'look' to them and are so cute.




     "Find your wings and Fly"


                                                                                                                   
We held a special night to honor our outgoing young women and incoming Relief Society Members.  There were 4 girls (one of which couldn't be there).

 Cute aprons don't you think?  They were made of tea towels from Marshalls and Tuesday Morning.

Notice the cute trims to embellish the towels

 Naked tea towels - in their "before" state           

 

 Her jar-o-trims



 While we watched food demos, the 3 senior girls made these cupcake garlands.  She found most of the liners at Michaels and are of varying sizes.

Can't you imagine these for a girly birthday party?  Notice how every once in awhile you insert a doilie and also how some of the liners are inverted.  She uses bakers twine and a large eye needle to string them.

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We saw food demonstrations, the cupcake garland, the tea towel aprons and a professional housecleaner gave us some wonderful cleaning tips using stuff you would have on hand.

A fun and informative evening - and I think the girls felt special!

BBQ Pork Chops

I get tired of the same ol BBQ recipies so this one caught my eye. I've made it several times and although the ings. are simple, it really tastes good. Try it on steaks too.

In case you can't read the teeny, tiny print, here is the recipe;

1 c. mayonnaise
2 T. lime juice
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 t. chipotle chili powder (I have substituted chili powder)
8 pork chops

Blend first five ings. Reserve 1/2 cup; set aside. Grill or broil pork, brushing with 1/2 cup mixture, until done. Serve with reserved 1/2 cup.

A Beautiful Day!

We decided to take a Sunday walk and I thought I would take you along with us...



This is one of my favorite homes in the main part of town.  Farmington was settled by Mormon pioneers and some of the homes are still occupied.  This one used to be a hotel.

 I have always liked this house but it used to be painted yellow and was so much prettier, I think.

 I wanted you to see this fence.  It's just an ordinary wooden fence but I thought the way they drilled the holes in the tops was unique.

 There is a trail that runs along the back side of our local amusement park.  They have a small zoo and these buffalo are some of the residents.

 Along the trail...

This used to be a 'salt box' but they since added the porch and the garage addition.  Beautiful! 

 Used to be the city hall years ago, but is now a museum.

 I just love our mountains!

 And our sunsets!

Bedroom Makeover-Finally Finished - Almost!!

At least the painting is done. I still need new curtains - actually curtains, period would be nice since we have only had blinds up for awhile now!

Now, for the before and afters...

BEFORE

AFTER


BEFORE -CLOSET


AFTER
(I could only take this picture before we uglied it up with those pesky clothes and shoes!)
note the new fixture - I have the matching flush mount for the bathroom, just haven't hung it yet.




Decided I wanted hooks instead of racks. The beadboard is new.






BEFORE (those are paint samples on the wall)







AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER (spray painted rustic bronze)

BEFORE

AFTER (I found the pretty tray at Home Goods. It is to corral my perfume bottles - problem is, I can't find them now. I put them somewhere - but don't ask me where. I've turned the house upside down. I guess my family will know what to buy me for my birthday for the next couple of years!

BEFORE

AFTER

(as you can see the long wall is not finished. I'm waiting for my 'inhouse carpenter' to put up some wood paneling.)

I can't say that I like painting, in fact, I can say I pretty much hate it. But I do like the feeling of accomplishment when it's done and the crisp, clean look it gives a room.