Progress Made!

The surprise new block.....

What it looks like so far....

And a big surprise coming up!

And a little more.....

And a little more.....

A little sewing... A little progress...

Oklahoma Disaster

My oldest daughter called me today. She lives in Oklahoma and her home was missed by the tornado on Monday by just a few miles. I've always thought she had a wonderful talent for putting things into words, and the sadness of the recent tornado is no exception.  I usually keep this blog for quilting related eye candy - but how can I not share her emotional story about Monday, especially when her husband says to her - "tell your mom to share your post.  All those middle age women will want to help."   How could I not love him for considering me and my friends middle age; when I am probably far from middle age!  OK, maybe not far from, but old enough.  To visit her post click here.

So grab a few tissues and visit her post about the ending to our wonderful weekend in Des Moines to celebrate our middle daughters graduation - congrats Dr Jenna (doctor of pharmacy)!

Finally - I started a new project!

It's been awhile, but I finally started a new project!  I bought this fabric back in September for a small wall quilt!  I'll keep the pattern a surprise for now!  Otherwise you won't have anything to look forward to!

Only in Oklahoma!

Do you find a pig grill in the middle of a shopping mall!

A Quilt Finish!

I posted a picture of this quilt top back in January when I worked on it at retreat.  But now I can say it is completely done!  In fact it already is on its way to its new owner, I just haven't had time to post pictures! 

Isn't it gorgeous!  I love how my long armer quilted it - she is truly a wonder with my quilts!  I love her sooooo much!

A few more fun gifts

I came across a tutorial for these fun round earbud pouches.  I just had to make some for gifts!  At least with these small projects I can get some sewing in, and projects completed!  Plus it is fun to give them to friends!  You will find the tutorial here.

And since I was doing quick projects I also used her Lingerie Bag tutorial and made some of those!

Wet Swim Suit Bags

After I made all the fun beach stuff for my trip, someone suggested a wet swim suit bag.  I LOVED the idea.  Now normally they are called wet bikini bags, but well.... when you get to be a certain age, have 4 children and a desk job....  lets just say I made mine just wet swim suit bags.  Hope you can tell in the below picture I lined them with some vinyl so I can pack my wet swim suit in my suitcase on the way home.  I came across another fun pattern last night that hopefully I can share with you in a few days.\

5 Beach Sets all done!

I have all 5 sets of the beach things done and ready to go!  4 weeks and counting!

Quick Gift

I needed a quick gift for a special someone of my daughters who is graduating from law school in May.  While we are NOT Packers fans, he is and I found this quilt kit in a store.  It was so fast to make and is at the quilters as we speak.  Should be ready for graduation in May!  The pattern is "Take 5 Goes Crazy".

Lets go back to January

I wanted to go back to January and share something I made for a friend and I that I hadn't posted yet!  Yes, so I"m really late in sharing!  My friend wanted this sewing pouch for a small rotary mat and some tools to take with places.  She had seen this pattern and had been bugging me for months to sit down and help her make it.  Her birthday is in January - so I surprised her with one all made up!  Above is mine on the left and hers on the right!  Aren't they cute!

I loved this kitchen fabric and had no idea what to use it for - so I decided my travel case was just going to have to be kitchen themed!  My friend loves quilting fabrics.  Want a peek inside?  (Yes I bought her those notions to go inside as part of the surprise too).

My first try was horrid!  I had picked out all this cute valentines fabric that said I Love You along with some quilting fabric and fussy cut everything.  Not until it was done did I realize that the front pocket of the inside also shows on the outside!  I know - not hard to realize that, but I just didn't "think"!  Anyway, I gave this one to my friend for her to give her granddaughter who has started doing redwork.  So for her it was fun for grandma to give to her.  Just had to share another fun project I did this winter!

I was busy at retreat!

Took last weekend off and went on a quilt retreat!   It was wonderful.  And I worked hard!  First above is my done done done easy street!  Quilted and bound!

And the rest of the weekend I worked on little gifts for my girls weekend at the beach coming up.  Screen Pouches for us (the drink ones) and 3 pink ones for the daughters left at home!

And then fabric wallets.

And last - beach bags!  I still have 4 more beach bags to make.  But at least I got 2 done.

And this is the back of them.

Another quilt top finish

Finished this quilt top/back for a surprise gift for a good friend of mine and my sisters.  Later this spring we are spending a long weekend at Myrtle Beach - I can't wait!  My sister and me, and the friend and her sister.  It will be a blast!  We rented a house right on the beach.  We can sit on the porch and chill and watch the ocean - or even jump in if we are so inclined!  I love how this one turned out!