Log cabin quilt

 I went to my local quilt shop yesterday and chose some Moda fabric for the quilt. I found this Moda jelly roll in shades of blue, brown, and cream. The red fabric is for the center blocks and stars.

The cutting took no time at all, since the 2 1/2 strips were already cut. The hardest part was diving the fabric into dark/lights. Then laying out the 16 squares and using different fabrics in each square. I tried to vary large and small prints, and get different colors in each. Since the jelly roll had all different fabrics, it's going to be a very scrappy looking quilt.

I haven't sewn a quilt in quite a few years. I've always tried to get even edges, but haven't succeeded. So, I just ordered a new 1/4" quilt foot for my sewing machine. For $6, it's worth a try. Now to wait for it to arrive in the mail this week. :)


~*~ Laura ~*~

Pumpkin mat

 I dyed up some wool in a pumpkin color to use in my mat.

 The photo makes it look more spotted than it is. I'm not sure I like some of the darker navy in the plaid. I haven't finished the edges yet, so there's still time to re-hook certain sections if I decide to get ambitious.

 A quick photo of the back.

 I think my next project will be a quilt. I haven't done one in a long time. My youngest boy wants a log cabin pattern. Ok, he really didn't say log cabin pattern, but a quilt with the squares going around. I found this pattern with hidden stars. No to find some red, tan, and blue fabrics ~ the colors he chose.

Last night I was at the computer when I heard the whoosh of a hot air balloon. I ran outside and got this photo from the driveway. The weather has been SO perfect around here ~ great night for a balloon ride.

~*~ Christmas in July ~*~

 It's Christmas in July! I listed some holiday items last Sunday evening on Ebay. Hop on over to my listings to check them out. I have the set of 3 Santa ornies, this candle mat below, as well as some baby afghans.

I started a small fall pumpkin mat. I just finished the background today. Just need more orange wool to finish the pumpkin. It's 8x8, so it's a small, beginner mat.  I might try selling a couple patterns or kits on Ebay. But first, I have to get this one done.

 Earlier in the week I completed this snowman pillow. I had the wool stitchery front sitting in a drawer, and just didn't know how I wanted to finish it.

Then I saw this piece of black plaid wool in my stash, and it caught my eye. Perfect for the backing of a pillow! I used some primitive stitching on the edges, and stuffed it with wool snippets.

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 The next project to complete are these cross stitch pieces. I'm thinking of making them into mini pillows ~ similar to the one above.

I haven't bought a sewing machine (no money ~another unexpected car repair~ gotta love older vehicles!). I did start looking on Ebay to see what used ones sell for. That got me into Joann's to look at new Viking machines. Gee, if I bought a new machine for myself, my old one could go to my sister. (she doesn't sew much) Guess I better save up~ the ones I like are $$$ !

~~* Laura~*~

4th Finishes

 I've finished several items during the 4th of July weekend. I created and finished a set of  3 snow angel bowl fillers. The wings are an aged Let it Snow music sheet.

I've been working on many snow angel ornies. 30 of them are for an order. The remaining 6 will be up for auction. The wings on these are an aged dictionary copy (with the page for "snow", of course)

I finished another baby afghan in white. The ivory one I finished  a while ago. They will be on Ebay in the future.

I almost finished a set of 3 Santa wool applique ornies. I need to add the hemp cord hanger, then add some mica flakes to add a vintage sparkle. Yet another future Ebay item.

Since I had a long weekend (yipee!) I went to the Kane County Flea Market. It was crowded, and hot. I had fun browsing, but really wasn't looking for anything in particular. I went to have fun looking. I did manage to find some skeleton keys ~ already rusted.  :)   They will be nice for hanging on punch needle projects.

I still have a few unfinished projects that I would like to complete. Seems like once I get one done, I want to get more completed.

If anyone has connections for obtaining a used sewing machine, please let me know. I have an old Bernette 330, which still works. My sister lost her sewing machine, and all supplies in a flood last week. I started looking on Ebay to see what used Bernettes, Viking, Pfaff machines go for. She doesn't need anything fancy, just a basic machine.

~*~ Laura ~*~

What's on my camera?

 What's on my camera?

 Well, a finished hooked pumpkin mat. I bound the edges using strips of the background wool.

A birthday party for my dad and my youngest, James.

 James got a Tribble for his birthday. And the fur trapper hat (I know ~ perfect for summer!)

Some senior portrait proofs.

I thought I would be able to sleep in a bit this summer, as I don't have to get up for school (just my job). But, Andrew took a summer job working landscaping. He has to be there at 7am. Since we only have 2 vehicles, I drive him to work.

I haven't time to do much crafting, but need to make some time to make some items. I have an idea of a few Christmas in July items to put on Ebay. We'll see how  much I get done.

~* Laura ~*~ 

Pumpkin mat

I finished hooking my little pumpkin mat! It measures 11 3/4" x 8", and was done in a #6 cut. (I figured a 6 would be easier for beginners to start with)  The colors are more muted in person, but I had to use a flash to get a quick photo. For the wing,  I ended up choosing a black/brown/with a hint of blue wool texture. It blends in, but yet is different from the body.  Much nicer than the gray wing I had first hooked.  (I really like having  a stash of wool for those situations) Now to decide how to finish it. Cording? What color to whip stitch over the cording? Add a hooked border of 1-2 rows around the edges to set it off more? I'll have to play around and see what I like. 

~*~ Laura ~*~

Pumpkin mat

 Well, it's been a couple months since I last blogged. I'm still working full time, which is really a change for me. It's been harder than I thought to go from an overactive/sensory kindergarten classroom to a very quiet office. Then add learning a new job, more computer skills, etc. Let's say it's been challenging. There have been days where I have second thoughts about changing jobs ( I loved being a kindergarten aide, it just didn't pay), until I get a paycheck every 2 weeks. Somehow that paycheck really helps.

I have been working on a small hooked mat for the fall. I will be teaching a beginning/introduction to rug hooking in the fall. I drew up this pumpkin and decided to see what it looks like. I'm still playing around with the wing of the bird. The grey is too light. I don't know if I'll keep the wing, or take it out. I tried to keep the design simple, not a lot of colors/wool to buy for the students. If you have any thoughts, please let me know. Is it to challenging for a beginner? Trying to work around the curves? Although I found it was easier to bind an oval compared to a small square mat.

I did manage to crochet a baby afghan and sell it on Ebay in the past month. I'm almost finished with another one, but in ivory. It's so easy to transport, so I can work on it at lunch.

 Last week I made a ruffled scarf for Rachel. It's made from Sachey yarn. It would be fun to make in them in school colors for the fall.

 In April, Andrew had his Eagle Court of Honor, where he received his Eagle Scout Award. We originally thought that maybe we would have 40-50 people. Nope. We had over 80 people come to see him get his award!

Last weekend Rachel and I went to do a little geocaching. We're new to it, so it takes us a while to navigate and locate the cache. Along the way, she spotted this little garden snake on the path.

We did manage to find the cache in the dead tree. It's a fun activity, especially before all the bugs come out in the summer. 

I'll try to update more often. (hey, I don't get paid to blog, so there's no incentive!)  I do try to read and browse other blogs. I still have to have my craft eye candy.   :)

~*~ Laura ~*~