Projects

I finished the quilt that was on my messy table from the last post. I like it a little better now that it is done. Still not one of my favorites though. But it kept us toasty warm last night. We needed a second quilt on our bed, the temps were right at zero last night. brrrrrrrrr!!

I have been able to get quite a bit down the last couple of days. Our DD is a RN and she has been begging me to make her some uniform tops. I made this one yesterday.
I haven't done any garment type sewing for so long it was kind of fun and yet a little weird. I should be ashamed of myself though, my lovebug bought me a new Babylock Evolve last year for Christmas (2006) and I have hardly used it. I had to chase away some dust bunnies when I pulled it out. As I was using it, I noticed that it still has a little bit of the new smell to it. Since I started quilting I don't enjoy the other type of sewing anymore.


I have been wanting to make me a couple of new tote/purses though. So while I was on a roll today I made this one. It is from a Tiddlywinks charm pack. The pattern is "Sew Charming" by Rose Hip Lane.
I don't think that I ever showed you all the quilt that I made for Christmas this year. It was on our bed, now with the new one I will have to put it away. How do you all store your quilts when not in use?
I designed both of these with EQ6.

Gratitudes for today:
3 days to sew!
My fireplace and cozy warm house!!
Peace and quiet!!

Sad Goodbyes

We had to say goodbye to a very dear family member yesterday. My aunt lost a very courageous battle with cancer last week. We attended a very lovely funeral service for her yesterday. She was one of those women that has been such an inspiration in my life. So kind, warmhearted, loving, soft spoken. Never a mean thing to say about anyone or anything. She lived a good long life, full of love, laughter and family. The oldest sister of my Dad. They lost their mother when she was just 12, Dad was 7, and my uncle was just 2. She took over the roll of mother for her two little brothers. She will be greatly missed. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel, to know that we will see her again someday. To know that she is now reunited with her mother and father. She has touched many lives.

We love you, Aunt Lois! Until we meet again!

Birthday Adventures!!

Our baby turned 8 years old yesterday. I can hardly believe he is that old already. Seems just like yesterday that I was rocking him, all snuggled up next to my chest. His sweet, baby smells filling my nose and his tiny, little, baby noises sounding in my ears. Making his way into my heart for eternity! He wasn't planned but, oh, what a marvelous blessing he is in our lives. How empty and boring our lives would be without him.

For those of you who don't know, he is adopted. We weren't really looking to adopt but, the Lord placed him in our lives and we loved him right from the first. We have had him since he was born, we became his legal guardians when he was 18 months old and we adopted him when he was 3 1/2 years old.

Now he is 8! We went to the zoo, the museum and other fun places, last Friday for his birthday.

This beautiful spot on the river is in the middle of the city. One of those places that you drive by a lot but, never take the time to stop and enjoy. Well, today we did. It is so pretty here. The sound of the rushing water is so soothing. There is a path that goes all of the way around for about 2 miles or so, across a couple of bridges.


We went out on one of the big bridges to get this picture of the LDS temple in the distance and Ethan was a little freaked out, seems I have passed on my fear of bridges to him. ;~) We didn't go all of the way across it, as both of our knees were getting a little shaky! :~)

We then went to the museum. They have a display there now on loan from Harvard University called, "The World of the Pharaohs". It was amazing to see things that were created by man around 3-4 thousand years ago. Ethan really enjoyed it!

Then it was on to a picnic and a nice walk around the zoo. We stopped for a few minutes to feed the ducks. We had a wonderful time, the weather was just perfect. Not to hot and just a tiny breeze blowing.
Ethan picked out this cute safari hat in the gift shop. All in all is was a wonderful Mother and Son day. One of my favorite kind of days! Sweet memories to fill our hearts and minds.

Hugs & Stitches, Julia

Spring Table Topper

I was able to finish up my Spring Table Topper today. I decided to put in on the old treadle machine. I added a few Easter decorations and Viola! A pretty little corner of spring delight! I love winter, but I am ready for a change. I love a drastic difference in the seasons. I am blessed to live here where our seasons are very different. Spring is so pretty, as everything begins to come back from their long winter sleep.
I put up the rest of my Easter/Spring decorations today. I will share pics of the rest of them in a couple of days.

Hugs & Stitches, Julia

Big Stars!

Are you getting sick of seeing this project yet? hehe

I finished the big star border on Thursday. The next border has 6 small stars each, in two of the opposing corners. I have those all made up and ready to go. I was all excited, thinking that I could get them on yesterday and loaded onto SuzyQ today. But, not to be. :~(

I have been collecting the fabric for this quilt for quite some time. Every time I would see a purple, cream or tan Civil War repo, it would come home with me. Needless to say, I WAY over bought. I seem to do that a lot. ;~) I have enough fabric for at least one more, maybe two quilts. That's okay though, Kristy wants one too. But, I will probably pick a different pattern. I have so many different patterns that I want to make, I rarely make the same one twice.

Well, even with this pile of fabric,

I still didn't have enough of the one that I decided on for the border. I want to use the one laying out in front. I did a frantic search on the internet and finally found some. It is on it's way to me now. I am not putting this back on the shelf, it is going to stay out on my table and I will finish it as soon as the border fabric arrives. I am not sure how I am going to quilt it yet, but those big center triangles are telling me to do some custom quilting. eep! That still scares me, so I think that I won't listen to them. hehe I have some fun new feathery pantos that just arrived last week, I think that I will be using one of those.

Hey, guess what? I went for one, 2 mile walk in January. I know, I know. I need to quit overdoing it! hehe It was a nice sunny, day yesterday, so I hit the walking path before I picked up Ethan from school. I did 2 miles. Oh, and some time walking around 3 fabric stores too! I am trying to get back into it. I'll get recommitted. I promise. ;~)

Hugs&Stitches, Jul♥a