A Patchwork Quilt

Hello!  Today I have a quilt to share with you.  I made this quilt out of lots of different pieces of material....some were sample swatches of upholstery fabric,  and some old jeans and shirts.  The backing is an old duvet cover.  As you can obviously see, I'm not good at getting them to match up right, but it is colourful and very cozy.  I had pieced all the middle sections together, and then decided to make the quilt larger so then I added the extra sections to either side of the middle one.  It is a large queen size quilt and is the biggest I've ever made.

I borrowed the walking foot attachment from my daughter and then did my best to sew in the ditches.  In the areas where the pieces didn't match up it was interesting to turn the fabric just right to make those little detours.  I ended up rolling the material into the throat of the machine and that worked quite well.  Then I wanted to make my own seam binding for the outside so I went online and found a great video on how to do that.  HERE!   It was quite simple, but I do need lots more practice. :)

Sharing with The Art of Homemaking Mondays. 

Pretty Quilted Cards

Hi Friends!  I have some cards to share with you today.  I have long wanted to make quilted cards since I saw them on Becky's Place blog.  Although I looked and couldn't find the actual post.

For the above card, I used some My Mind's Eye paper (the butterflies), and Momenta papers.  Then I used  a couple butterfly stamps from Forever in Time.  I added a bit of lace and some green sheer ribbon for a finishing touch.  Oh, I also did a tad bit of inking around the whole edge of the patterned papers with my chalk ink.

For this next card, I used Momenta papers and then added a light bit of stamping.  The stamp I used is from Forever in Time and I used Tim Holtz distress in in tumbled sage I believe.  I added a touch of ribbon and some fun measured twill ribbon.  Then to accent the corner I used some paper flowers with a pearl in the centre.

Lastly, I made this one.  I also used Momenta paper for this and then I used a background stamp I have from Hero Arts and it's a leaf and floral background one.  I used the Tim Holtz distress in in tumbled sage also and I love the softness it added to the papers.  I then added some lace ribbon and a little sheer pink ribbon for colour.  (It goes with the touch of pink in the lighter of the squares.

Thank you for dropping by!  I hope you have a beautiful day!

Sharing with Word Art Wednesday.

New Foods On Our Plates

Hello Friends!  What new foods have you been trying?  One thing that I've been seeking to do do as of late is to try new foods with my family.  I'm very adventurous with trying things myself,but my family isn't so much.  So.....I've found some not so daunting recipes.

The first pictured above is Spanikopita.  It is spinach, feta cheese, olive oil....you are also supposed to add garlic and nutmeg (but I didn't).  Then it's all rolled up in phylo pastry and baked.  My all but two in the family enjoyed them.  An attempt of mine to get my family to eat more vegetables.

Then I have a sweet friend who shared a recipe for this amazing italian cake, Tiramisu.  It is lady finger cookies dipped in coffee (I used hot chocolate) then covered in an amazing cheese mixture.  Sprinkled with cocoa also.  After chilling it in the fridge overnight, it was soft and amazing!!! The pan was scraped clean with a rubber spatula! LOL  So you could say this was a huge win.

Then I had gotten some wonton papers, but never got to making wontons so thought I'd try something different since there was nothing for snack time.  They make good make shift pie crusts (I made them double layered) and we added mincemeat and homemade applesauce to ours.  Then of course a dollop of whipped cream on top.  Another win. :)

We've been having lots of other things: like fried zucchini in spices; rice with zucchini and chicken rolled up in egg roll papers; and homemade Sloppy Joe's.   Last night was a good old favourite....chilli! :)  With lots of leftovers for this week.

Do you like trying new foods with  your families?  What are some of your favourites?

Praying you have a lovely day!

Sharing with The Art of Homemaking Mondays.

A Lovely Daughter

 Hello! Yesterday one of my daughter's turned 13.  The Lord has greatly blessed and she is such a lovely young woman who loves the Lord and is growing in the grace and knowledge of Him.
I made the above card for her from odds and ends of paper that I found in my craft room.  I found some lace and crocheted some small flowers to match.  The sweet girl image is from Anna Stillwell -Cuttlebug Cuties coloured up with Spectrum Noir markers.  I inked the edges of the papers to add a softer tone, and the sentiment was a freebie I found online a long time ago.

Below is the cake I made my daughter and it tasted pretty good to. :)

Sharing with Word Art Wednesday.

Snowman Family

Hello Friends!  Today I'd like to share with you my snowman family.  We had a homeschooling get together to make a craft and the kids made these cool sock snowmen.  I thought they were so cute that I made one for my husband and I as well.  Now the family is complete. :)

I found some ladies socks without the ribbing although it wouldn't matter I'm sure and then followed the instructions on the video.  The idea of using pins for the eyes and nose was a bit dangerous with kids so we just had them decorate them as they saw fit.   Here is the link to the video that inspired them. HERE!

I thought that my new snowman would be a good profile picture to. :)
Hope you all are enjoying the winter and the many beautiful things that God has created!  The snow and frost on the trees here where I live is so lovely and brightens up the outside world.

Sharing with The Art of Homemaking Mondays.

Sweet Babies and Dear Friends

Sweet babies and dear friends.  The first card I have to share with you is one from odds and ends that I've saved for awhile now.  I love all the little words that are arranged together.  I adore babies and dream of more of my own.  But the Lord is in control of that.  Bundle of Joy!  Some people focus on all the sleeplessness, the diapers, the work....but babies are such a blessing and a treasure.  Sweet little people to get to know.

This second card is made from papers that a dear friend gave me.  It's from Marianne Designs and is the Holland collection.  I made a small cut on each side of the circle and threaded a ribbon through and then added a stamp I have along with a snowflake flourish.  You can't tell in the picture, but I used a marker to soften the white in the ribbon to a cream colour to match the card better.

I haven't been making cards as much lately, but I do love them.  They are personal, and are special gifts to others.

Praying you have a blessed day!

Sharing with Word Art Wednesday.

Cute Little Lotions

Hello!  Today I have some cute little lotion bars to share with you all.  I finished using the lotion bar that I'd been given and since I loved it so much I decided to make some.  I'd never used lotion bars before, but I think they're great!

I found a silicone flower mould at the grocery store and a silicone bar mould at the free store.  I'm going to look for more flower moulds since they're so cute!  I tried using ice cube containers, but they didn't work so well. Silicone is the best I've found for this kind of thing.

It was really easy.  Just melt the same amount of beeswax, coconut oil, and cocoa butter together and pour into the moulds.  Wait for them to solidify, pop out of the moulds and use or package to share.
It's wonderful to be able to make things for your family so simply and then have some to share for any occasion.

Sharing at The Art of Homemaking Mondays.

Making More Cards

Hello Friends! I found some inspiration to make some more cards today.  Namely deadlines. LOL  I have a friend that is getting married in a few days and so I made a card for her above.  Her bouquet is pink and cream so I thought it was fitting.   I paired a couple papers together with a touch of lace and ribbon.  I didn't have any wedding sentiments printed out but thought this would be ok.

This second card is for my dear Mother-in-law.  She is a special lady that loves cute things like I do.  Hoping to cheer her with this.  The greeting is on the inside.  I used this cute stamp from From the Heart Stamps and coloured it with my spectrum noir markers.  I layered some odd papers and sewed the background together with my sewing machine.

It was so nice to work with paper again. :)
Hope you all have had a nice day!

Sharing over at Word Art Wednesday.

Keeping My Hands From Idleness

Hello Friends! Well I haven't been making cards lately, but I have been trying not to be idle either.  I have a few things to share with you that I've been making and I hope you enjoy.  The Lord has greatly blessed me with a lot of free or cheep yarn so I've been making use of it.  Some insights into my life at home. 

My girls and I have made some wonderful little sachets to go in our clothing drawers and around the house.  We used these beautiful sachet templates from Stranger's and Pilgrims on Earth. She has a huge range of wonderful teaching on herbs and household things.   

The above blanket is a baby ripple blanket.  Pattern found at Peanutzmom's Pattern Place . It's made with Little Mouse, Soft Fern, and Prince Pebbles yarn from I think Red Heart.  Very soft.

In our yard are four bird feeders that my children and I have put out made from recycled milk and apple juice containers.  We have a variety of birds and the local squirrels that vie for the seeds and it often makes for some very entertaining moments. :)  Above are a couple pine grosbeaks that were outside the kitchen window today above the feeder. Then below is a picture of the squirrel who was trying to guard the feeder and keep them away.  We also have Whisky Jacks, chickadees and Magpies that come around.

I've made yet another pair of warm mittens for myself.  The yarn was from a dear friend and it's a washable wool.  That will greatly help for I have a tendency to get dirty. LOLI didn't actually use a pattern for these, I just remember certain steps from a previous pair I'd made and just made them to fit my hands.

Then I found this sweet yarn.  It's Rosebud and I don't know who it's from as I've already gotten rid of the labels.  It's very soft as well and I love the vivid colour.  I had enough yarn left over to make a little doily to match.  I used this shell stitch pattern from Yarntopia for this blanket.

I've also made a granny square blanket for a little one from chunky yarn in Wedgewood.  This one is fairly heavy, but SO warm.  I found all the yarn at the free store and it was just enough to make this.

Then I've made a little granny square blanket from odds and ends that I've found/ collected.  I like doing square blankets with scraps since I never know how big it'll get and then if I have to improvise it doesn't look odd.

I've been making lots of yummy things with my children.  Below my daughter made some apple pies with me.  We've been making cookies, cupcakes, and much more.  My daughter's are also doing very well at making meals and we are working on menu planning.

So there is a glimpse into what I've been keeping my hands busy with.   I have a quilt that is mostly finished, but I have lost my walking foot attachment for my machine so I'll have to wait to finish that project when I have the right tools again.
It is a blessing to have things to do that can be shared with others.  What have you all been up to?
Praying you have a blessed day!

Sharing over at the Art of Homemaking Mondays.  

Ribbon Embroidery

Hello crafty friends!  Today I have something a bit different to share with you.  I was encouraged by a sweet lady to try ribbon embroidery.  I've never done this before and thought I'd give it a try.  I cannot say that it is my talent....but I did finish what I started.  There are many many ways to do this skill but I tried a free hand on a small bag that I found.  It was a material with a looser weave that I thought would be easier to let the ribbon pass through.

I used an upholstery needle to fit the ribbon through the eye, and plunged right in.  I used four different ribbons, but all were satin and were very smooth to go through the fabric.  I struggled with getting the ribbon to lay lay just the right way. :)

It was an interesting project, and I'll be adding an insert to the bag to protect the backing of the work.  I have yet to find the right material....I'll keep looking.

Here are some pictures of the little panels that I worked on a little closer.  I tried to make three different kinds of flowers....yes, feel free to laugh.  I almost didn't share this...but I suppose it's all part of the crafting process.  

Thank you for taking the time to drop by and check out my blog! Praying you have a lovely day!

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A Special Outfit for a Special Bear

Hello Friends!  Today I have something a bit different to share with you.  My son wanted a little camouflage outfit for his teddy.  He picked out some yarn that he liked and so I thought...for a long time how I would go about doing this.  It's not perfect, but for the most part it fits well.  He now has an outfit of a hat, a coat and mittens on a string.  So he won't get cold this winter....well....I am thinking of making him pants.  What do you think?

Here's a back shot.

He's a well loved bear and my daughter sewed a button nose on for him after the original one wore off.

I sewed on a couple buttons on with brown thread to keep the jacket front together.

Then to keep the mittens from falling of or just plain getting lost....I sewed a string on to them.

It was a fun project, and I have an outfit to make for my other son's stuffy.  That will take a bit more thinking since it's considerably smaller.  So that will be forthcoming. :)  

Well, I've had some feedback...so here're the Teddy with some pants. :)

Praying you all have a beautiful day! 

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