And another little dude...

I had one more little dude quilt to make...and finally got it finished!  It only took me a day to do it since I already had the blocks cut out from another project.  It's just the doing it.  

But, in my defense, I did break my right foot (5th metatarsal) and had to wear a boot for 6 weeks.  Yes, I can sew with my left foot on the pedal...but it's not the most fluent.

The photo below shows the quilt with the binding.  I absolutely LOVE binding with striped bindings!!  These quilts went to little cousins.  Both baby boys are my hub's cousin's grandsons.  Whooo...that was a mouthful!!

Since I was kind of out of commission for awhile with my foot, I've been mentally putting together several projects.  The FIRST is to organize my sewing room.  Now to just do it...

For a new little boy...

I did this one this past week.  Hub's cousin just had another grandson...so a quilt was in order!

This one also used fabrics from (gasp) my stash.  All the prints in here were used in 2 quilts I made for my granddude, Grant.  I just love the bright primary colors.

The design is Fishing Net by Suzy Quilts.  This baby size is 35" x 39".

I love the little caterpillars on the backing fabric.

I did all the quilting with the Dual Feed (aka...walking foot) that's attached to my Bernina sewing machine.  I love the straight, precise, quilting with this design.

And another!

Yes, I've been bitten by the QuiltingBug.  Is there a 12-Step Program??

My knitting has pretty much taken a back seat.  I've got a cardigan over 3/4 done.  I just need to finish the one front yolk section, block & seam...and then the button band/s.  Guess I've lost my knitting mojo.☹️

This one started out as just 'playing' with fabric.  I had the 5" charm pack sitting around for awhile.  When I saw this design, I knew it was perfect for what I had.  I even had the white background fabric.  This was another fun one...with nothing but HST (half square triangles).  Also easy to quilt, doing both FMQ and also using my (attached) Bernina Dual Feed (aka...walking foot).

Once completed, I decided to donate this throw size to Quilts For Cure.  This is my 2nd to donate.

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Christmas Quilt

I finally made a 'couch quilt' for my daughter, Kendra.  I used some of the same fabrics as the one I made several years ago for her hubs, along with some leftover from Marshall's quilt I finished last summer.  

This was another quick project.   Since there was absolutely NO matching of seams involved, I zipped right through the piecing.  It was also quick to do the FMQ.  I worked 1/2 (3 long panels) at a time.  Personally, I think I did a bit toooooo much quilting on it, but that's just me.

 Here you can really see the dense quilting.

 All spread out on my couch before I wrapped it.

And...there was enough for a pillow case, too.

I have (for ME) the exact same quilt design cut out and strips (somewhat) pieced...just needs subcut and pieced into strips.  I just couldn't bring myself to FMQ the exact same thing right away!  I actually had mine cut/started first, but put it away to make this for Kendra's Christmas present.

I've been busy...

...since my last post!

I've been busy watching my little princess/granddaughter.  She is now officially at a sitter full-time. She was ready.  I was ready.  But...I miss seeing her (almost) every day.

I've also been quite busy quilting.  I did one of Angela Walters (The Midnight Quilter) Quilt-A-Long (Glorious Dawn).  As you can see, there were a LOT of pieces...and sewing...but it was so worth the effort.  I worked like a mad-woman to get it completed.  I almost sent it out to my long-arm quilter but am so glad I decided to plunge forward and to the FMQ myself.  Yes, there are 'not so perfect' quilting lines, but it turned out beautifully, even if I must say to myself!

This quilt currently has a place of honor on my living room couch.

Finally...

It's DONE!  I've only had the fabric for a couple years.  This is for my older son for his couch.  He wanted something he could curl up with...and completely cover his body for when he takes his 'Friday after work' nap.  

I got it back from the long-arm quilter on Friday, sewed the binding on Saturday...and gave it to Marshall when he came for breakfast today.

My original plan was to do some sort of Drunkard's Path (my all-time favorite design), but it just wasn't working for me.  I defaulted to the easy (and much loved by me) Rail Fence.  It's a perfect design for those fabrics!!

 Pre-wash/dry

 There he is, holding up the long quilt next to his 6'3" body. 

 I love bindings that have some sort of a stripe to them.

Didn't take long to machine sew the binding.

The final hand sewing took 4 hrs. 10 min...but who's counting?!

Good thing for the NCIS marathon on tv!

Definitely one of my favorites...just love the colors he picked out!

...off to decide on my next quilt project.

Keeping Busy...

I've been keeping busy with a LOT of quilting!  Guess a new machine puts  you in the mood.

This is my first donated to Quilts for Cure.  Just did simple straight stitching with a little serpintinein the borders.

Recipient unknown...unless my soon-to-be grandbaby is a Princess!  This one is also just straight lined quilting except for a little swirl in the borders.
ETA - YES, my new grandbaby is a Princess!  Ella joined us (a week late) on 4/24/18.

This is a floor quilt (for my house) for the new grand baby.  Again...straight stitching with serpentine in the borders.

This one's for ME.  Perfect for my feet/lap while on my recliner.  FMQ all the way on this one!  (don't look too closely...only my 2nd time!)

It's DONE...

The little guy's quilt is done!!  What started out as a quilt for a twin bed at my house...turned into a full size for his house!!  Go figure...


I didn't have enough of the blue for the entire backing, so I put an 18" green piece off-center.  It looks like I planned it that way...not that I didn't have enough fabric!

I did all the free-motion-quilting in one day, then finished up the borders (straight stitching with a walking foot, not FMQ) and the binding the next day.  Good thing my 1st attempt/try at FMQ is for a 2 year old who won't notice!!

The next day I made 2 pillowcases, burritio method (only way I'll make them).  As soon as DD/SIL puts up his double bed, I'll deliver this to him.  He's currently (finally) sleeping in his toddler bed...so the crib is going back to the nursery for Baby #2's arrival next month.

All fabrics were purchased from fabric.com.  THIS is the pattern I used.

Sneak Peak...

Here's a little sneak peak of the quilt I'm making for our little granddude for when he's having a sleepover...or just napping...at our house.

Now if he'd just willingly use his 'BigBoyBed' at his house...rather than preferring his crib!!  He loves the piano/guitar quilt I made...just doesn't want to sleep in that bed!

Oh, the trials of a TWO year old...

New Bedding...

I had a LOT of fun this week!  The little dude is being transitioned into a toddler bed...and OUT of his (much loved) crib.

Since the 'big boy' room is going to be music themed, with a guitar and record albums on the wall (and there's a piano in their living room), I went with music fabric.  All fabrics were purchased from fabric.com.  The piano/guitar fabric was almost like a panel, and I 'fussy cut' to make it work.

 I had the entire quilt finished and was working on hand stitching the binding when I thought to send photos to my one sister.  I just couldn't come up with how to quilt around the piano keys and guitars. I think I just looked at it toooooo long, I couldn't see it.

 Low and behold...she came up with a brilliant idea!!  I stitched around the sets of black piano keys, then did a little zig-zag around the sections of the guitars.  I did this machine quilting after the quilt was completely done.  Perfect...

 I did a serpentine stitch on the straight areas (you can see in the photo) and did just a simple X and outline stitch around the rectangles in the center of the quilt.

 The fitted bottom sheet is the fabric with the cream background.  I'd never made a crib sheet before...oh what fun!!  The top sheet is out of the white background fabric and I put elastic on the bottom corners...and the piano/guitar fabric on the top edge.  You can see I used both panels for the pillow case, which was done 'burrito style' (the only way I'll make them anymore!)  Since his toddler bed takes a crib mattress, I photographed the above on the crib I have at my house.

Here's the little guy playing piano with his cars!!  He actually got a sneak peak of the quilt when we kidnapped him from the sitter mid-week.

Here's Grant after we delivered it.  He immediately put his head on the pillow and did a little fake sleep.  His dad got out a guitar and he had so much fun!!  Wonder if he'll actually give up his much loved crib to sleep in his 'big boy' bed!!

Now to patiently await the arrival of Baby#2 in mid-April...and find out if its another boy...or a little princess.

Another for the little dude...

This past weekend was another 'road trip' for Olga, my friend over at Okay Let's Go Quilting, and me. This time we took a short trip up to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, leaving early Friday morning and returning late Saturday afternoon.

Having a great time drooling over fabric! 

We stayed at Weber's which was awesome!!  Our first floor room had a 'back door' that led right to the indoor hot tub and pool (good thing we thought to bring swimsuits)!! We even decided to have dinner at the attached restaurant...makes it better for having a few cocktails..

Our main goal of the weekend was to go to the Wool & Wine Festival at Sandhill Crane Winery. Personally, I thought it was very over-rated.  Yes, it was fun to go there...but for yarn shopping, not so much.

I think I found my all time favorite quilt shop!!  It is Ann Arbor Sewing Center.  It was so well organized, perfect for my OCD!!  So many wonderful fabrics.  I've never seen that many solids in one place...all organized by color and shades.  We were there Friday and my brain was on overload.  We went back first thing Saturday morning and I bought my stash.

I found this absolutely adorable fabric for another pillowcase for my granddude, Grant.  This has got to be the most adorable one I've made so far!!  For you nay-sayers...I know there should be nothing in the crib...but...he's 1-1/2 yrs old and loves his feather pillow, which isn't that 'fluffy'.  In this picture it is on a regular pillow from my house in his crib here.  The pillowcase was once again done with the burrito method.

Olga & I already have several more trips in the planning stages...

Gotta love those girlfriends!!!💗

Start of another project...

It's time for another quilting project.  No, I haven't forgotten about my knitting!  I've got one sweater waiting patiently to be wet-blocked...and another I've finished the back.  No photos yet on either.

My older son, Marshall, has been 'requesting' a quilt for some time now (we're talking several years) so I thought it was time!

Here's a sneak peak...sorry, it's just a pile of fabric.  I've decided to NOT use the lightest gray in the stack.  It will be some variation of Druckard's Path, my favorite pattern.

More to come...

The Little Dude...

My little granddude, Grant, is the most adorable little guy known to mankind.  He's almost 17 months, finally decided to walk a few weeks ago...and is trying to get the rest of his top front teeth.

I've got these little flash cards with pictures of animals and he is so funny with the monkey.  He grins/laughs, scratches his belly and says, "EEE EEE EEE' when he sees the monkey card.  So, to honor his love of monkeys, I made this pillow case for him today.  I purchased the monkey fabric HERE.  Today, while shopping with Olga from over at Okay Let's Go Quilting, I found the blue giraffe fabric at one of my local quilt shops here in the Columbus, Ohio area.  I did the burrito pillow case pattern , which is the only pillowcase I'll make anymore.  So easy...less than 1/2 hour start to finish.

Hope he likes it!!

Love Cookies

Happy Valentine's Day!

We're pooch-sitting for our grandpuppy this weekend while her parentals go on a little ski weekend trip.  I made these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chip cookies for their road trip...and for snacking.

Now to figure out what to give the 2 boys...

I'm on a roll...

I love this baby quilt!!  I've always wanted to do my favorite block, Drunkard's Path, and now I have.  I even like the 'mistake'.  Since this was a 'let's play' project, there's no recipient at the current time.  I will definitely be doing another Drunkard's Path quilt!!  The circles are really fun!

I have one happy son with this one!!  This is my variation on Rail Fence.  I pieced it all together several years ago, but just recently found a long arm quilter (who is affordable).  I delivered it several days ago.  Yes, that's the top of his 6'6" body sticking out the top as he's holding it up for the photo op (in his living room).

...off to work on another quilting project.

Another MKAL

I just got home from my LYS and made a yummy purchase.  This is for a Stephen West Mystery-Knit-Along that starts later this week.  I'm going for subtle here...and it will be perfect with a red sweater for an Ohio State basketball game, or with several other sweaters I've got.

Hopefully, it won'd shed too much on my black wool coat!

A Wedding in the Family!

Here are my 3 lovely offspring...in birth order.  Kendra got married June 22nd.  This photo was taken before the ceremony while we were taking 'our side of the family' photos.  I caught the kids off-guard...and love how it looks like the boys are 'done with their job' of being the Brother Protectors!

Despite a bit of heat/humidity early in the day/afternoon (and the venue NOT cool enough) it was a very lovely day.  The mixing of 2 wonderful families!

I Scream, You Scream...

THIS is what I've been doing lately.  Okay...this is what I've been obsessed with lately!

We've had (2) Cuisinart ice cream makers (the kind you freeze the bowl) for awhile.  Why two?  Seems like Bill & I had the same idea one year for Christmas.  He & Marshall used the one he got for me several times before wrapping it!  At the time, they were in Columbus & Parker & I were still in Delphos (Kendra was at Ohio University)...so we decided to keep both machines...one for each house.

Time travel 10 years forward.  One random day, we both realized an ice cream machine with a compressor would make our lives much happier. (I know, we're quite pathetic and need to 'get a life')

Then last month, Bill, Marshall & I went out one Sunday and picked black raspberries, then stopped to picked up some vanilla ice cream on the way home, planning on having said berries over the ice cream.  After we ate our treat (which was quite tasty by the way), Bill hopped on the computer, went to Amazon and ordered the above ice cream maker.

And THAT is what is on my mind 38 hours a day...ice cream concoctions!

I've found the perfect custard base and have made numerous batches of the luscious frozen goodies.
Vanilla Bean
Black Raspberry
Chocolate w/Peanut Butter chunks
Strawberry
Vanilla w/Chocolate/Butterscotch Swirl
Chocolate with Peanut Butter/Hot Fudge chunks
Butterfinger w/Chocolate/Caramel Swirl
Burnt Butter Caramel
Beer (that was a total bust...even for the people in the family who love those awful microbrews [and was eaten by the garbage disposal])
Peach
Chocolate
Wendy's Frosty Ice Cream

And do you think I even thought of taking a picture of all that ice cream I've made???!!  I promise to post some photos...and recipes...soon.

Then there was the day I went with Parker to pick black raspberries.  His froze his stash and is going to use them for either his home-brewed beer...or homemade wine.  But that's a whole other blog post!!

...off in search of ice cream ideas

4 Generations

I titled this post '4 Generations' since I put my parents photos in the picture, too.

Except for the youngest generation, we're in Birth Order.  Just wouldn't have worked to put the 2nd youngest holding the baby!!  These photos were taken after Mother's funeral luncheon last month.

We started the 'grandkids' in birth order when the youngest (who belongs to me) was a maybe 5 or 6 years old.  Every time they're together now (these days it seems to be mostly at weddings!) they line up this way.  I have to chuckle when I see the shortest next to the tallest.  This generation ranges in age from 42 down to 28. (I'm sure they're pleased that I mentioned this!!)   I take credit for the 6th, 8th and last.

The 'great grandkids' range in age from 13 down to 4 months.  In this photo, the oldest is holding the youngest, her cousin, the 2nd youngest is being held by his brother, 3rd youngest by her cousin.

Even though, because of geography, we don't get together very much, we always have such a great time when we do.  We did pretty good this time...the only 2 that couldn't make it was a brother-in-law (Phoenix) and a niece's (the short one:-) husband (northern Illinois).

Next time we'll be together (as many as can make it) will be in June at my daughter's wedding...a much happier event!

My Mother

 Agnes Schuerman Swick

8.20.18 - 3.9.13

Mother...you were the BEST

You will be truly missed by all

Enjoy your restored memory

Have a great time with Daddy

...save me a good spot!