Dreaming of warmer, spring days!

Today, we are in the midst of yet another heavy snowfall event! Tomorrow the forecast is for strong winds, so, a howling blizzard will probably occur. I want spring; so, to put myself in a better mood; I found this photo of a warm summer day. Look, green grass, blue skies and warm weather! Here's my two guys wanting to be "Easy Rider"

Thanks for all of the suggested names for the new quilt. However, I've decided I wanted something very unique! So, the new quilt has been named: Sadena's Garden. I am sure that leaves you scratching your head, but, I'll explain. I had a great aunt...you guessed it, her name was Sadena. She was neighbor's to my Grandpa and Grandma Nieman. I loved to visit her...she had white hair; always pinned up in a bun. She was such a happy lady and I also remember the many lovely perennials around her home. This quilt reminded me of her; happy and colorful. I simply had to pay tribute to this wonderful lady!

Just as I promised.......

Just as I promised...a new quilt design. However the painting, moving furniture and cleaning; it took longer than I expected! With the bulk of that behind me, I've moved back into the creative mode. Check out the cutest ever wall hanging. It is a fun size, 30" x 54". The flowers are pieced, the flower pots are applique with a touch or super wide rick rack for fun. Antique buttons finish off the flowers. Isn't this just what we all need right now; bright cheerful colors and the promise that spring can't be too far away?

I need a little help however......for the life of me, I can't figure out what to call this quilt. We've used up all of the good names, and some we've used to death! Let's see....we've used Spring Blooms, Spring Flowers, Pretty Posies, Spring Garden, Grandma's Garden....you get the picture. Give me your ideas, please!! If you submit the name that we choose to use; you'll get the pattern for this quilt free! So, I look forward to lots of creative, imaginative names....please don't be shy!

One thing leads to another!

My idea started out small. I wanted to move a pie safe from my sewing room to the master bedroom. Take the cupboard from the master bedroom; put it in the living room. Take a cupboard from the office to put in the sewing room to replace the pie safe that held all my wool. The coup used to sit on top of the pie safe that is now in the bedroom with a TV on it. My original plan was to get rid of the coup; but, I had lots more wool than I thought I had, so, I turned the coup on its side and set it on top of two other cupboards. I think it turned out kind of nice. Check it out!

The cupboard that I moved from the office to the sewing room.....


but check out what is behind that curtain.......

Wool! And, sad to say; this isn't my only stash of wool. I've got another cupboard full as well! I need to stop moving all of this furniture around and make plans to use this stuff up! I've got some ideas for rugs spinning in my head and I've got some design ideas for wool projects.

This afternoon I want to work on a new spring design that I hope to have updated on the web site by the week end. It is all about flowers!

Nasty Day!

It is one NASTY day! Check out the photo of my back yard....The visibility is truly ZERO in the country. The snow is being blown into gigantic drifts again. Funny how an inch of snow can become a blizzard when combined with 40 mile an hour winds. Good day for a bowl of soup and a day of quilting, don't you think?

I must share this great photo of my husband and the two grand boys....We watched them on Saturday night and they were as wild as ever! Here they are; reading a heavy equipment magazine. We love being grandparents; it is one of life's rewards for getting old; and we intend to enjoy every second of it!! All too soon these little guys will turn into young men with little to say!

Here's to a productive day of quilting!

Good Bye Snowmen.....

It is official! The snowmen have been put in storage until next year! Besides, it is time to decorate for Valentine's Day!! I've added a few garden accessories to the mantle in addition to my old tin heart. Something new always feels good in winter, don't you think?

In case you think I'm not devoting enough time to designing....I'll let you in on a new project that I've been working on for Quilter's World. Below is the color pallete. I really like the muted backgrounds and the vivid, earthy gold and rust fabrics. Can't share the motif with you or any more of the design. As the publication becomes closer, I'll share the quilt.

Have a great week end!

Out of the Mouths of Babes.........

Nolan has been coming over after pre-school. Everyday he enlightens me with some quirp that leaves me howling. Yesterday was probably the best one I've heard. I told him that his zipper was down on his jeans....his response? "Ya, I know.....I did that at school; I was hot!"

January 18--Martin Luther King Day

I know...I've been absent; but, I just don't feel too chatty! (I know hard to believe) I've been finishing up projects. I have a cupboard full of kits (I know...what's up with that?? Sometimes I don't want to think and a kit is instant color planning in a bag!...I can relax and sew) At quilt market many, many years ago, I purchased this darling kit from All Through the Night. It is wonderful wool, which was supposed to be hand stitched...I changed the pattern and made it all fusible, machine blanket stitch. I still have the stick arms and the nose and eyes left for stitching. Then, add a backing and I can say this is done. It was very time consuming; but, so cute!

Next, came a Buggy Barn kit that I purchased so many years ago; the fabric could be considered vintage! It needs to be quilted. Looks like my machine quilter is going to be busy!

And this same kit had enough leftovers to make this little pillow top! I know...that really isn't finished; but, I can do that in an afternoon...after the quilt has been quilted.

I finished stitching this reindeer quilt together...I made one last year and gave it to my daughter and while I was making it; I did extra blocks so that both of the boys could have a quilt as a keepsake. Ready for the machine quilter!

And, another project....ready for the machine quilter!

Here is a Halloween table square! All I have to do is finish sewing the binding on......

What did I work on last week? This project that drove me insane!! I made 240 - 4" finished pinwheel blocks plus 12 - 8" finished pinwheel blocks. It was a kit; very cute...but, you know how a person can get into a project and think; why are they doing it this way??? The blocks were an over cut and then trimmed to another size. Guess that is ok if you are not an accurate with seam allowances, but, a total waste of time of you are accurate! I felt like I was cutting two entire projects...and when each block had to be re-cut...I made 960 cuts to make the silly 240 blocks! Plus, the initial cutting of the entire quilt! It wasn't a lot of fun; and that is probably why the blocks are sewn together; but, I might put it together next year!

Today, I found this little house quilt; and thought I can quickly finish this project.....

What's left in the cupboard????

Plenty!!!