Oh Look!!

There is a slideshow on The Prudent Baby blog and my candy cane ornaments made the cut! I'm all excited, even if I don't win. Makes me want to create more salt dough ornaments!!

WIP Wednesday

 This quilt is for my son and his fiance. I started working on it before Mom became so ill, but had to put it on hold for a little while. I'm back to it, and am anxious to get it finished.

You know, sometimes you have a picture in your head of how a quilt will look, and when you finally get all the squares made, it's totally different. That's ok, it's what the Lord wanted it to be, so how can you be unhappy with that?

I am on a deadline, so I didn't get a chance to wait for fabric until I could get to Hobby Lobby or Joann's. I had to make due with what was in the local Walmart. I do think the squares are quite unique and pretty anyway. Even SR likes the colors and he's pretty particular.

The sashing will be a different green from what is in the squares, and since that was the only green I liked at Walmart, I'll have to make a trip to another store post haste.  There will be a long rectangle, as you can see in the photo, with their names appliqued. That particular piece is not even close to finished.

Displaying it on a dark floor doesn't really show it off very well, but when the sashing is added, it will make a big difference. I'm looking forward to finishing it in time for a bridal shower in the first week of February. Wish me luck!!

**Addendum

Today, I finished the wide rectangle with their names and date of the wedding. Thought I'd add that to the post....I'm pretty pumped about how it turned out. Can't wait to add the sashing to everything!!

I Love You

My mother was an accomplished seamstress. I remember when I was in the first grade, she was known throughout the area for alterations. And I'm talking ball gowns and suits. She made so many of my clothes growing up, and I wish I had some of them. Unfortunately, by the time they were handed down to my three sisters, there was nothing left of them.

Enter grandchildren.... Mom started making Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls about 30 years ago. She tried to make one for each grandchild, but it was hit or miss sometimes. She made LeLe an "Annie" doll and it was awesome! Her workmanship is a rare thing in this world, and all the dolls she made have lasted over all the rough treatment a child can give.

This Christmas, she intended to make dolls for each of her three great-grandchildren. She finished two of them before she became too ill to sew. The one left, was for LMW, and she managed to get the body finished, and the clothes cut out. That was enough for me to take over.

As we watched and waited on my Mom to pass, there were times when I just had to take a break, and so I finished the hair before she passed. I didn't think I could finish the clothes without some kind of instructions.

After really looking at them, I believe I can, and will give it my best. It's important to LeLe and LMW. And just as much to me. Mom left a few things for each of us, but this one thing for him was hand made with love. And she left him a note....

Just a Note

I haven't posted anything new due to the serious illness and death of my Mother. There has been no time for projects or posting, but I hope to get back to it soon. It's a new year, with new ideas and inspirations.

Until I can actually get something finished....

Happy Creating!!!

Quick Project

LMW will be 8 months old on the 4th of January. Where does the time go? I find myself agonizing over his progress, because I want him to stay a baby. He's just growing up too too fast. But, each little thing he learns and adds to his activity is exciting to watch. 

In honor of his next monthly birthday, here is the latest number shirt. He even watched me sew it. (while sitting in his walker, pulling out drawers in the dresser)

It was a rush job, as I have another very involved project going, but it turned out ok.

Bird Canvases

Now that Christmas is over, I can also post the canvas project I finished a while back. It was a gift for LeLe, so I had to wait until after Christmas to share.

These two canvases were inspired by this fabric.

The process went something like this....

Using simple acrylic craft paint, I first coated the two canvases with a combination of yellow and white. I wanted a streaked effect so I started with yellow, then while it was still wet, added some white to the brush and wiped it up and down on the yellow. A sponge brush works best for this.

 Next I sketched out the design using a watercolor pencil. This makes it extremely easy to "undo" a line or mark, and the paint dissolves into the acrylic paint, and doesn't show in the finished painting.  I normally sketch by hand, and not by tracing or using a template and that makes it my least favorite, but most important part of the process.

 I placed the canvases side by side, to make sure I was continuing the sketch in the correct place on both sides. Then began filling in with the first layer of color.

Adding the next layer of color, I again made sure the design carried over to the second canvas in the correct place, and was the correct size to look as though it was the same branch.

 The final layer was added, and was made a bit darker than the design on the fabric as requested by LeLe.

I enjoyed painting these canvases, and already have an idea in my head for another one when I can find a bit of time to actually create it.

The Reveal

Since all gifts have been opened, I can finally show you the quilt I made for LMW. It's been hard not to post it, but I wanted it to be a surprise for LeLe. And it was... :P

I found coloring pages on the web, and used those as templates for the objects in the squares. I wanted to do something a little more elaborate, but decided on something a little simpler for now. In the future, I may take my time and do something more upscale, but for now, I'm happy with it.

The backing is a simple print that I thought worked well with the green binding. The binding is the same fabric as the sashing, because I wanted more green than it eventually wound up with.

I did straight line quilting on the machine, and went around the pictures with embroidery floss by hand. I hope he will enjoy it, and remember his Nanna in the years ahead, when he looks at it. It was a true labor of love, one I enjoyed every second of.

Merry Christmas Little Man Win.

P.S. LMW and parents....getting their quilt on.....