What a Wonderful World!!

Kathleen at GROGRAIN -- http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/

Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Today was the first day I happily stumbled across this site--and this generous soul loves to make beautiful things and give them away! May God bless her!

North Dakota pt 3

I soon realized as I began working here in this little apt on my little table that I needed to get organized. I was nuts misplacing things all the time--Also--I thought it would be good to have something I could use at home too--and to quickly pack up for classes. I have seen several projects--but I sort of made these 2 up in my brain borrowing from what I remembered seeing.









The little zipper bag has a loop of sorts I can carry it on my wrist or hang it on a hook--some pockets inside-some shallow for needles, etc, and some deep.


















The roll I am very happy with--as an afterthought I attached 2 little rings on inside so it can double as an organizer in my sewing room hung on hooks but be rolled up to go with me, too . You can't see it but there is a flap that flips to inside about 1/3 way down before you roll it up so stuff can't fall out.

I like the fabric but it isn't my favorite-it was a bargain, but good quality- that is why I used it!! I couldn't bear to use something I might want for something else--and I only brought a few of my fabrics with me to North Dakota.

North Dakota Sewing Part 2

Other projects--aprons for Hannah and Patrick, toddler play pants for grandson, Krue.

sweet little girl dress for granddaughter Bright (and a doll dress to match!)
teeny little bluebrids floating on a creamy background.

I must say, that it took me a few of days to figure out what to do on the front--I couldn't find buttons I liked and I wasn't sure about applique. bought 3 different fabrics and 2 kinds of buttons. I am pleased with what finally evolved--a simple little bird applique I drew myself.

North Dakota Sewing part 1

One of the first projects was a sweet little bag to sling over my shoulder to go to the Farmer's Market or other shopping--something just big enough for the necessities so I wouldn't have to lug my BIG leather purse!









I used the same fabric to make 2 little organizers for the kitchen drawer here in the little studio apt.

ABOUT this fabric--I love it--it is from a dismembered garment from a stash of older fabrics I was given by Joann. She used to sew but was ready to part with all her saved fabric. It is a very smooth cotton--I just love it.

We have been in North Dakota a while. This is a yummy scone from the Dakota Bakery in Grand Forks. I love the wonderful slightly faded tablecloth--looks like vintage fabric--that graces the kitchen in the apt we are sub-letting for 2 months.

An Apron for Liz

Liz is getting married in May--This apron was part of her shower gift.

Little bug quilt

A quilt for Bright--March 2008
I am not sure it turned out what I hoped for--the colors maybe are drab? but I prefer to think they are kind of "old" looking to go with the the retro print. ( I loved this print!) Generally I am pleased and I had a good time quilting freemotion "flowers" on it.
size about 48 by 58.

p.s. A pillowcase and doll quilt to match:-)

oops--I should have rotated pictures before posting--I'll be more particular next time!

picnic/lunch set

This all started with a wonderful tutorial for Criss Cross Coasters (Can you see it wrapped around the base of the glass?)

Then I thought--Ooooh--I can do a matching placemat--like a Giant 4-patch. That was fun--and easy--just quilted around outside and in the ditches.

Well--I might as well make napkins! Let me say--I have often whipped out cloth napkins just rolling hem as I go--but it does indeed pay to press under first and trim inside corners. I just found a pretty good tutorial for napkins here, but I don't thin it is exactly how I did mine.

Every placemat is a little different and the 4 backs are all different--just like I did the coasters.

I don't know how to link with just a word yet--but here is the

link for the coasters: http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/11/crisscross_coas.html

And the

link for the napkin tutorial I just found:

http://lovetocrochetandknit.blogspot.com/2008/01/cloth-napkin-tutorial.html

Shortbread! Shortbread!

PECAN SHORTBREAD-This was so much fun to make.

Marybeth gave me dozens of 2" half square flannel triangles--I spotted the cabin fabric (used to back the quilt and on pillow case.) So then collected some blenders that would match--and VOILA! I put together a quilt for Ben. Ben lives in North Dakota for now--so it seemed like the thing to do.

The planning was the hardest part--No Pattern--just did some small blocks --put them together in different patterns (that was the fun part)--framed them--laid them out and had to figure how to get the green between them--
Mmmmm--That Cardboard Sewing grid thing I bought at Hancocks finally had a purpose!

This was a little bigger (58x74) and heavy--so I paid my boss to quilt it for me.(Mr. Scarborough at The Dusty Attic--He is really good at that meandering!)

Cowboy Quilt for Krue

Here is a quilt I made for my sweet little grandson's 1st birthday a few months ago. His mama gave me the cowboy fabric and I did the rest!! (I sort of made it up as I went along. I fussy cut the blue and white squares and added the black star fabric.)What was kind of unplanned--but I was really happy with the result--the striped fabric on the border and the backing and the red narrow border and binding are FLANNEL--but the rest is cotton. I just really liked the flannel stripes--and when it was all finished--I liked having flannel around the outside--soft to hold onto.

The little horse was a vintage pattern I bought on e-bay from Australia. Took TOO much time to make---but I think he is cute!

OH! This was my first machine quilting--I made a PRACTICE STRIP first to quilt and cut it into 3 bibs when I was done. Not Perfect--But I am content.

Mother-Daughter

for Stacey and Bright