Forgotten Quilt Projects

Way back in 1992 I took a quilting class for beginners along with two of my friends.  This is the wall hanging I made.  We learned how to use a quilters ruler and rotary cutter, all about perfect points, batting, binding, and hand quilting among many other things.

My stitches were too long and too far apart, but not bad considering it was my first attempt at hand quilting.

This is another small wall hanging I made when I wanted to learn machine quilting.  It was quick and easy to make, but I felt like I was cheating by using the sewing machine for the quilting!

While going through my bags, bins and boxes of fabric and projects, I found the following quilt tops that I started and never finished.

This one makes me a little sad.  My Grandma was in a nursing home and my Mom asked me to make her a lap quilt she could use when she was out of bed and in her wheel chair.  Sadly, Grandma died before I finished it.

I don't even remember this one!  I don't remember when I started it, who it was for or anything else about it. Well, I do remember buying the fabric at an Amish quilt shop in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  The border for it is a beautiful yellow with purple pansies.  It will be pretty if I ever finish it!

I LOVE this pattern.  I think it's called Tumbling Blocks.  Erin picked out the pattern and the fabrics and I set out to make her a quilt for her twin bed.  Oh my goodness, I had no idea it would be so complicated and difficult.  By the time I got this far, I found out it was rated for advanced quilters.  I have hundreds of squares and diamonds cut out and don't know if I will ever finish it.  I remember thinking at the time that it would probably be easier if I hand pieced it.  Maybe it would be something to work on when taking a break from something else.  Erin would be happy!

My fabric cabinet is filling up.  I'm close to finishing the organizing of the sewing room and then the decorating begins.  I need to shop for a comfortable chair to sit in while I do handwork or read or nap!  I can see light at the end of the tunnel of this redo and I'm so excited.

Have you ever put a project away and then forgot about it?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  pumpkin spice kisses and all things pumpkin
     *  the last two tomatoes
     *  picnics
     *  relief from humidity the last couple of days
     *  people who inspire me
     

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Clematis growing in the weeds!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Comes in Twos

I fell so far behind with the Focusing on Life photo challenge that I just gave up on it for a while.  There were many weeks that I did take the pictures but then didn't write a blog post.  I would like to get back on track with the weekly challenge, but in the meantime I'll occasionally show you some of the photos.  I can't promise you though that the missed weeks I show you will be in order!

Week 36 we were to take pictures of things that come in twos.  What better than feet and eyes.  Luckily, Shylee came to visit and was more than willing to let me take pictures of hers.   Her feet are always moving and her eyes are very expressive.  If I'm completely honest, her energy and constant motion makes it seem like there are two of her!  

I hope you have a terrific Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

What I Found On Vacation

It's been nearly two months since I went to Arkansas to visit my family.  I was able to visit an antique mall and found some wonderful treasures for my sewing room.  Two of the items are actually new.  I found the pink alarm clock and the shabby hook at Hobby Lobby.  I really wish we had one of those stores here, although I would be in trouble if we did!

My favorite find is the old sewing machine drawers.  I couldn't believe I found them in such good condition and with a top.  This way I can set something on top of them, like the clock!

The sewing room is coming along.  The more I work on it, the more ideas I get for projects.  I need to hurry up and get the room done so I can start doing the fun stuff, but it seems like just when I think I've found all the fabric, I discover another bag full!

I hope you have a fantastic Monday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

We will never forget!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  sunshine and the pretty pattern on the floor when it shines through the front door
     *  eye candy in my sewing room
     *  progress on the sewing room
     *  running into a friend I haven't seen in two years
     *  the faithful few who continue to read and comment here

What are you thankful for today?

Have a terrific Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

Today I'm thankful for
     *  four generations
     *  a rainbow so close and bright you felt like you could touch it
     *  a few more days with Shylee
     *  the peace and quiet when Shylee went home!
     *  my local farmer's market

     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

My daughter, granddaughter, and I took a road trip to visit family.  It was 2500 miles round trip and I'm so thankful it was uneventful.  Unlike last year when there were blown tires and forgotten bags!  You can read about that trip here, here and here.   

 I'm also thankful for
     *  time spent with far away family
     *  birthday celebrations and cake
     *  road trips with beautiful views
     *  air conditioning in the car
     *  cruise control
     *  my own bed and pillow

What are you thankful for today?

Have a thankful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Sewing Room Window Idea

*****The post for Where Bloggers Create 2013 is here*****

I'm thinking of using this fabric for a valance over lace panels for my sewing room window.  I get the late afternoon sun and I don't want blinds or shades to block out the sun or the view.  I'm thinking the lace panels will filter the light more than block it out.  The valance would add the pizzazz needed for a finished look.  What do you think?

I haven't been able to work in the sewing room this week.  I'm getting ready for a road trip to Arkansas on Friday.  I had to close the door to the room so I wouldn't be distracted from the things that HAVE to get done before I can leave!  Erin and Shylee are joining me and I'm so looking forward to a visit with my family.  Shylee is the only great granddaughter amongst five great grandsons, so it should be fun to see how that goes!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Where Bloggers Create 2013

I'm so excited to be participating this year in Where Bloggers Create, hosted by Karen at My Country Cottage.  

I've been waiting for what seems like forever to make my sewing room a space that is inspiring, fun, and comfortable to be in.  Due to circumstances beyond my control (which are the worst, don't you think?), I wasn't able until just recently to start the makeover.  I'm no where near finished, but I'm happy just to be on my way!

I've had the sewing room for six years and made do with closets and plastic totes for storage.  Eventually that wasn't enough, and there wasn't room to add more.  That didn't stop me from accumulating more though!  More fabric, more vintage linens, lace and buttons, more fabric, more patterns, more ribbon, and did I mention more fabric?  The room eventually evolved into this.  I couldn't find anything anymore.

After cleaning out the room, my daughter and best ever son-in-law came and painted for me.  There was never a question of the color...PINK!!  And my awesome husband and sweet granddaughter put together furniture.

The main thing I wanted was a cabinet with glass doors.  Being able to see the colors, patterns and textures of the fabric was important.  How could I not be inspired when I see that every time I walk in the room?  I didn't realize it would be so time consuming to create mini bolts of fabric or to fold smaller pieces in a way that they could be stacked.  I have so much more fabric to go through than what you see here.

I wish I had more to show you, but I'm thrilled to have this much done.  Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll be done and can finally start sewing again.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by!  I'm looking forward to visiting all the blogs over the next few days.  Be sure to go here to see some incredibly inspiring and creative spaces.

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

My daughter came to visit bearing gifts from her garden!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 27~Texture

We touch a lot of stuff throughout the day.  Ever notice how many different textures your fingertips feel?  Probably not.  Unless you are purposely feeling something for it's texture we really don't pay attention.  This week focus on how things feel.  Then snap a shot of that texture!

I've been touching a lot of fabric this week as I go through my stash.  The majority of it is cotton but I also have some silks, flannel, fleece, satin, microsuede, and this oh so very soft minky fabric.  I bought it to make a baby blanket but never got around to it.  Fabric comes in so many different textures and I can't help but touch it and feel it when I'm wandering through a fabric shop.

I didn't touch this with my fingers, but the silky smooth creamy texture of this orange creamsicle pie was just heavenly!

To see more textures, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

xo Annette xo

Happy Independence Day!

Whatever you do,

Wherever you go,

Whoever you're with,

I hope you have a spectacular 4th!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Bad Annie dog!!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week26~?

We are half way through the year, and this week's prompt was to focus on whatever we wanted to!

I know this doesn't look very exciting, but to me it's like Christmas!  I'm working on a sewing room redo, and I can finally start working on the organizing and decorating.  The cabinets with glass doors are new and will hold my fabric.  I'll finally be able to see what I have!  There's lots of storage space in the other cabinets and there's even more that you can't see right now.  I want to have everything done so I can participate in this year's, "Where Bloggers Create 2013".   I also want to start sewing again.  I have a long list of projects to work on!

To see what others focused on this week, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime

I hope you have a fun filled weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

One of our nephews passed away yesterday.  It's just very sad and heartbreaking, but I'm thankful he was able to spend his last days with his family and that he went peacefully.  I'm thankful his family find peace and comfort in their faith.  God is good!

I'm also thankful for
     *  not having a job!  I'm still battling this virus and I probably would have been fired by now.
     *  my sewing room is ready to organize and decorate
     *  my new found distaste for diet coke.  Being sick has messed with my taste buds and I've been trying for ages to give up the soft drink.

     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo