Wednesday, December 29, 2010

I Spy

I spy a pony, a doggie, a heart, an Easter egg, a snowman, a flip flop, etc. Can you guess what I am working on? I'm making an I Spy quilt. It is a surprise for a little girl who was diagnosed with multiple tumors and will be undergoing chemotherapy in the coming weeks. She is just a year old, and I thought she and her mom and/or dad can play I Spy with her while she is in the hospital.

See, I wanted to get involved with Project Linus. That was my original plan for this coming year. However, due to yet another change in my work schedule, attending the bimonthly meetings is not feasible. I have come to realize that there are enough people in need right around me that could be blessed through a handmade quilt or blanket. I don't have to be a part of an organized group to be able to do this. As I see a need, I will make a quilt/blanket to meet the need. It will be more of a Linus ministry because rather than it just being community service, it can be done as a ministry.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Getting My Feet Wet Again

It's been over a year since I last made a quilt. My last quilt was Kurt's Cowboys quilt for Christmas last year. This year has been a bit busy with planning a wedding, getting married, and settling into a new way of life. Now, life is settling down. I am only working part time, we're getting the hang of married life, and now it's time to quilt.

I've never been a great quilter - I've always been a beginner. I decided that before I jump in with something big, I needed to get my feet wet with a small project. I have a very special Vermont Teddy bear - a sewing themed bear that Kurt gave me as a wedding gift. I decided that she needed a quilt to keep her comfy during this long cold winter. I dug through my scraps stash to see what I could find. I had a few charm squares and a few strips from a jelly roll that were all from the a similar fabric family. I decided to see if I could pull them together to make a miniature quilt for my bear. I loved the tape measure charm squares because Sew Bear wears a tape measure for her headband.

I started on the quilt Sunday evening, and guess what? It's finished!! I had *sew* much fun with it that I am very eager to move on to my next quilting project.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

My "Sewing Center"

My dear sweet husband bought me an "Ott" lamp for Christmas. It's wonderful!! My sewing corner in our bedroom gets very little light. This lamp is perfect. I am so excited to have my "sewing center" all set up and ready for me to get to work in. In the next couple of days, I am going to making a list of my sewing/quilting goals for the new year, and I will share them on my blog.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Who Would Have Thought....

Who would have thought that I would be making a Barbie outfit for a Christmas gift for Hannah now -- at 15 years old?? I wanted to have a little fun with Hannah at Christmas time this year and let her enjoy pretending she was a little girl again. I bought her a basic cheap Barbie, but decided to make it special.

Hannah loves the University of Alabama. Her dad's whole family are huge Alabama fans, so.... that was the inspiration behind the outfit. I wanted it to be something she would enjoy displaying in her room.

I made the outfit, and then put the Barbie back in it's original Malibu Barbie packaging and wrapped it. When she unwrapped it this weekend (We had Christmas early because they will be in Florida for Christmas), she loved it. Her first question was "Where did you find this?" Then when I explained I made it, she couldn't believe it. It was a cute moment!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Sew Busy!!



This has been a busy week so far. Yesterday was a very cold morning. I was *sew* inspired by the cold, that I made myself a fleece hat. I have had this pattern (Butterick 4324) for years. When I was leading a homeschool girl's sewing club, we used this pattern to make capes. I was digging through my patterns and noticed the hat. I thought it was cute and decided to give it a try. I had a small scrap of white fleece that I used. It went together in about 15 minutes or less (not counting the machine embroidery). Since it was a plain white fabric, I decided it needed a little something to perk it up - and of course machine embroidery was the answer. The possibilities are endless with this little hat. I can make them with novelty or sports fleece. I can make them in various colors and add personalization with embroidery. The pattern calls for 1/3 yard of fleece, but you could make at least 2 out of that (because of the width), possibly more. I wish I would have discovered this a little sooner so I could make more as gifts for Christmas, but time is running short.

I also finished up Timothy's Christmas PJ pants. I didn't work too hard to get the stripes to line up. I probably could have, but I bought just barely enough fabric to make the pants, so I couldn't fussy cut too much. They're just PJ pants after all, and Timothy doesn't care. He thinks they're great!!


So, lastly, my current project is Hannah's Christmas PJ pants. I have had this fabric for several years. In fact, I am pretty sure I bought in January 2008 when my friend Susan came to visit in Pensacola. We went to A&E Pharmacy together. They have an amazing fabric department. This fabric had to be incredibly cheap because I bought 6 yards of it. I have no idea what I was thinking then, but now it's enough to make Hannah's PJ pants and a pair for me too - and maybe even a pair for Bridget too.


Friday, December 10, 2010

CHRISTMAS JAMMIES

I went to JoAnns this morning to get a Barbie clothes pattern, but got something else too! I found adorable Disney Cars Christmas flannel on sale for $3.49 a yard. It's perfect for PJ pants for Timothy for Christmas Eve. Sadly, he won't be with me on Christmas Eve night. He will be with his dad in Florida (1,100 miles away), but this will be a way that I can feel closer to him and he can feel closer to me. I am going to use Kwik Sew #3042, size medium (7-8) for him.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Better Late Than Never


I had planned to have my dress ornaments finished by Saturday - or Monday at the latest. However, I ended up working 13 hours over the course of this past weekend, so it just didn't happen. However, last night, I finally finished them all. This was probably my most favorite ornament I have made for the Martha Pullen Fan Club ornament exchange through the years. It felt good to smock again.
Now I am free to move on to my next sewing/quilting project. I have a couple of things to do. I am going to JoAnns this weekend to get a Barbie clothes pattern to make one or two Barbie doll outfits for Hannah. She (almost as a joke, but she will still have fun pretending she is a little girl again) is getting a Barbie doll for Christmas. I am making a couple of pretty outfits for the doll so she can use her as a decoration in her room. I don't have any more Barbie doll patterns. I got rid of them through the years, so I will have to get a Simplicity one this weekend when it is on sale.
I am also going to attempt cosmetic bags for the women on my Christmas list. The pattern looks easy enough. I will probably start those tomorrow.
Lastly, I am making a quilt for my teddy bears. Now that sounds strange to some of you, but I have teddy bears in my room as part of the decorating/charm. I've decided that just as many people dress their dolls for the seasons, my bears are going to be done the same way, and right now, they need a quilt. It'll just be a simple quilt, but still fun.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

First Smocked Dress Ornament Finished!

I sat down this morning to begin smocking my little dress ornaments. I decided to go for the metallic thread, even though I knew it would be a challenge. I am so glad I did though - it looks perfect with it. Now, this first one is a tad whompy, but it was a learning experience for me. I've never smocked anything on such a tiny scale before.

I will get two more smocked today and then have two to smock tomorrow, and then I will be finished. I have to work on Saturday, so I will have Kurt take them to the post office Saturday morning. This is the most excited I have ever been about an ornament for the ornament exchange. I had more fun with these than any of them in the past. It is so nice to smock again - even if it's a miniature dress!!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Mini Bishop Dress Ornaments


Oh this was *sew* much fun. For the past several years, the ornament swap has been such a stress due to the fact that I was working full time. This year, I knew that I would be working part time beginning the end of November, so I would have more time to make the ornaments. I decided to do something I have always wanted to do - make miniature bishop dress ornaments. I found the pattern in an old issue of Sew Beautiful. The pattern was designed for making bishop dresses for tiny dolls, but it was just the right size for hanging on a tree. It really wasn't that hard - although sometime it was a bit intense trying to work with something so small.

I have finished all of the sewing for all five dresses. All that is left is the smocking. The dresses do not have a lot of smocking, so it won't take too long. I am still not settled on what color floss I want to use. The fabric is red with gold sparkles. I would love to use a gold metallic, but that can be a night mare to smock on. I must decide soon though because they need to be finished and in the mail by Saturday!!


As soon as these are finished, my next project is to make cosmetic bags for the girls/women on my Christmas list. I have some cute quilt cottons that I am going to use to make these.

It's *sew* nice to feel as though I have my life back with not being tied down to a desk 8-9 hours a day!!!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's been a while

It's been a while since I have been here. I have dibbled and dabbled with other blogs to try to find my niche in the web. I had a lot of fun with the Smocking Bee for a few weeks, but there wasn't enough interest or response to keep that going.

Alot has gone on since I was last here. The biggest and best news is that I no longer work full time! As of last week, I only work 20 hours per week. It has been such a blessing so far. I now have time to be the wife, mother and woman that I want to be. I work from 12:00 - 4:00 each day (still from home) and am able to spend my mornings sewing, cleaning, reading my Bible, etc.

I haven't done much sewing in the past couple of months. I helped Bridget (my step daughter) sew. She made a pillow and also a pair of PJ pants. I made an adorable top for Hannah. It was a treat to be able to sew for her again. She is now 15 and hasn't asked me to sew for her in years, but we picked out a New Look pattern together, and I had a great time sewing it. She loved it and has worn it several times. :-)
Right now, I am busy making my ornaments for the Martha Pullen Fan Club Christmas ornament swap. This is the 8th year we have done this. This year, my ornaments are minature smocked bishop dresses. I am almost finished with them. They have to be mailed out by Saturday. I will post a picture when I am finished.

Friday, August 6, 2010

The Smocking Bee

Work is coming along quite nicely with my plans for publishing "The Smocking Bee" podcast.  I have downloaded all the necessary software, registered with PodBean, and Timothy and I even worked on a little test yesterday evening.  For any of you who are heirloom sewers/quilters or smockers, what would you like to hear in an heirloom/smocking podcast?  I'd love to hear your ideas.

In the meantime, while I am still working on the podcast (and accompanying blog site), I am also working on my entries for the Denver Fair in September.  I only have just over one row of smocking left on my Christmas ornament.  Then I move onto a smocked doll dress for Martha (my 18" Martha Pullen doll).  I will probably have to design my own smocking plate for the dress as there are so very few picture smocking plates for dolls out there.  Picture smocking is my favorite type of smocking.

It feels good to be back in the swing of things with my sewing/smocking and with the Martha Pullen Fan Club.... if only school would hurry up and start -- then life will *really *settle down when I'm not trying to work full-time from home with three bored kids in the house all day!   24 days and counting!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Smocking Bee

Do you remember reading about old fashioned quilting bees?  Some people may still have them.  I know the Amish still do.  Have you ever heard of a smocking bee?  Well, me either.  That is why I have decided there needs to be one.

Being in the northeast (Pennsylvania), smocking is not very popular at all.  In fact, most people don't even know what it is, so I have decided that I will begin a virtual smocking bee via my blog and in the very near future, via podcast.

Once a month (perhaps more frequently in the future), we will meet together (via chat room) to smock together.  We can share what we are working on, ask questions, and just enjoy one another's company.

I am also very excited about my future podcast.  As some of you may recall, I published a podcast for quite some time a few years ago.  It was a general sewing podcast, and I loved doing it, but life sort of got in the way.  I have searched high and low and have not found any podcasts dedicated to smocking or heirloom sewing, so I decided that was the niche for me.  I will keep you posted as my plans further develop.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

SAGA WEB Smockers

Now that I have decided to take up smocking, I would love to join a smocking guild again.  I have been involved in smocking guilds in both Indiana and Florida, but sadly, there are no local smocking guilds in this part of Pennsylvania.  I am considering joining the WEB smockers through SAGA.   Hey - I work from home, so why not attend SAGA meetings from home??  :-)

Cable 1, Trelis 2......

As you can see, Sew Bear and I finally got to do a little smocking last night.  I don't believe I have introduced Sew Bear on my blog.  She is my Vermont Teddy Bear that my sweet husband gave me as a wedding gift.  We also went to Vermont Teddy Bear Company on our honeymoon.  Sew Bear is wearing a cute little jumper, has a tape measure for a headband, and carries around a tomato pincushion.  Kurt gave her to me so she could keep me company while I sew.

Last night, Hannah and Jonathan were at band, and Kurt took Timothy on a walk to the playground which gave me uninterrupted time to smock.  I finished almost an entire row!  This is going to be a smocked Christmas ball for the Martha Pullen Fan Club annual ornament exchange.  I am getting a head start on my ornaments this year.  In fact, I am thinking of making these for my family as well as Christmas gifts.  That being said, I needed to get started soon, so now was the perfect time.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

To Smock or Not to Smock

Sometimes I think I lost my identity in my divorce several years ago, but I think I  lost more of my identity when I stopped smocking.  I discovered and fell in love with smocking in 1998.  My first smocked dress was Hannah's 4-year-old birthday dress.  I was hooked from my very first stitch.  For the next 9 years, I smocked nonstop.  I smocked lots of things for Hannah, and then Timothy came along and I smocked even more for him.

Early in 2000,  I set my sites on getting my smocking published in Sew Beautiful magazine http://www.marthapullen.com/sb/sewbeautiful.html).   In 2002, I started a local smocking guild, The Emerald Coast Smocking Guild when the town I moved to did not have a smocking guild.  In 2003, I began to pursue publication in Sew Beautiful Magazine.  I was able to work with the magazine to have our local smocking guild featured in the Easter 2005 issue.  I even designed a smocking plate that was featured in the magazine.

By 2007, Timothy had outgrown smocked outfits, and I put my smocking supplies away, and with that, I put a part of me away.  I resigned myself to doing what most other moms do when their children outgrow their smocking..... I took up quilting.  Now, don't get me wrong.  I like quilting.  I *love* quilts.  They're works of art.  However, I am not very good at it.  I've been working at it for quite some time, but it just doesn't come as naturally to me as smocking did.

Now here I am -- it's 2010.  I am newly married to a wonderful man who is very supportive and encouraging of me enjoying my creative hobbies.  So... what do you do when you love to smock, but your children have outgrown it? 

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

10-20-30 Minutes to Quilt

Okay - I admit it -- being a working wife and mother is not as easy as I thought it would be.  I know it will get easier once school starts, but for now, during this adjustment period, I am a bit busier than I thought I would be.  My children are here all day long, and I am trying to work all day.

Our goal is for me to eventually cut back my hours so I have more time to be a wife and mother, but until that time, I need to figure out how to make this work.

After a week of having my kids back from Florida and working, I think I have gotten most of the daily housework routine down.  Now I just need to figure out how to make time for me so I can do the things I enjoy to do alone -- like quilting.

For starters, I am researching what would be involved in starting a quilting small group at church.  Our church already has a scrap-booking group, so why not a quilting group?  That would give me at least one evening a month with my hobby.

However, I'd like a little more.  I think I am going to begin to apply the principals from Nancy's book "10-20-30 Minutes to Quilt" so I can still enjoy my hobby.   I have to readjust my mindset  to realize that I can't always sit down and sew/quilt for an hour at a time.  I have to just be ready to grab a few minutes here and there whenever I can.

So, here's my goal.  For the rest of this week,  I will spend a minimum of 10 minutes in my sewing corner each day - even if it's 10 minutes before we go to bed.   In an effort to have some accountability, I will post to my blog each and every day what I accomplished during my 10-minute quilting block.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

My little sewing corner

I actually made it to my sewing  corner yesterday evening.  I made 8 more 9-patch blocks.  I now have 32 blocks completed.

This morning, I put up a few of my sewing-themed decorations on the wall near my sewing corner.

This evening, I plan to make 4 more 9-patch blocks.   I will have some company with me as I sew this evening.  Sew Bear - my sewing-themed Vermont Teddy bear that Kurt got me as a wedding gift will be keeping me company. 

I can't wait to get my IPod back from Hannah.  She took it to Florida with her.  I love to listen to quilting pod casts while I sew.  It's always inspiring.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

My New Life Has Begun

Kurt and I were married on June 18, 2010.  The wedding was incredible.  I will post pictures later today.  We are now settled in our new home.  My children will return from Florida this weekend, and then we will be completely settled.

I will now have time to find myself again.  I think I got lost in all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, moving, end of the school year for kids, work, etc.  Now that things are settled, I am looking forward to quilting time.  

I started a disappearing 9-patch quilt some time back.  I am not sure if I will pick up where I left off on that or do a quickie quilting project like perhaps a new purse or something like that.  Regardless, this evening, quilting/sewing is on my schedule, and I can't wait!

My sewing corner is in our bedroom, and it's all set up and just waiting on me to sit down and get to work.  Oh, and one of my wedding gifts from Kurt was an adorable Vermont Teddy Bear dressed in a sewing outfit.  She is so precious and will be joining me as I sew.

I will report back tomorrow (or later tonight) and share what I accomplished!

Friday, May 14, 2010

A Beary Special Wedding

Wedding plans are definitely under way.  We discovered with second marriages and blending families, that the biggest part of the engagement has to be preparing for the marriage, not the wedding.  We have been going through a mentoring program through the church that has had us hard at work, working through every issue imaginable.   It's not been a lot of fun, but it will be well worth it in the long run.  However, we are now down to 35 days until the wedding, and the fun begins!!

We didn't really plan to have a teddy bear themed wedding.  It just kind of happened.  We first found the cake topper that is absolutely gorgeous.  I fell in love with it, and Kurt really liked it too.  Then came the stuffed teddy bears to use to decorate the reception table and gift table.

Then came, what I think will be one of my favorite teddy bear parts of the wedding.  Timothy (my 7 year old) is going to be our ring-bearer.  Rather than having him carry the dainty ring pillow, he will carry a white teddy bear (adorned with baby blue ribbons (our wedding color), and the teddy bear will be carrying the dainty pillow with the rings.   It was absolutely too perfect for our wedding.  Timothy is so excited about carrying the bear.  He was already excited about having the job as ring bearer, but I could tell he was pretty nervous.  This makes it a lot less scary when he just has to carry a bear. Not only that, but he gets to keep the bear as a special gift after the wedding. 

Lastly, I was able to locate a teddy bear-themed wedding guest book.  I had no idea they even made such a thing.

The best part is, I have spent very little money (considering what I have purchased).  Everything I have mentioned has been purchased (brand new) on ebay.  I have only spent $60, and that includes the teddy bear cake top, the teddy bear ring bearer pillow, two sets of bride and groom stuffed teddy bears, the teddy bear guest book AND shipping and handling on all of those items.  I think that is pretty amazing!!


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A block a day keeps the doctor away....

I've heard the silly quotes that say things like, "Sewing is cheaper than a psychiatrist" or "Sewing is my therapy."  I am finding that is true!  Between planning a wedding, preparing to move, the lingering head cold that spread among my family, and Jonathan's bicycle accident that landed him in ICU, I have often felt as though I am one french fry short of a happy meal.  I've decided that even in the midst of my hectic schedule of work, transporting kids to band practice, homework, etc, I am going to commit to making one block a day (which becomes 4) for my disappearing 9-patch quilt.  Every day, I will make a 9-patch block that will be cut to create 4 disapeparing 9-patch blocks.   These are simple, no-brainer blocks, but will do wonders for my mental state.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Quilting/Sewing Table/Desk

For years, I have used an old fashioned sewing cabinet as my sewing table.  However, it's never worked very well.  I never seem to have room for whatever it is that I am working on.

Jonathan found this desk at a Mennonite garage sale for $10.  It's crammed in my living room for now, but after Kurt and I are married, it will go in our room.  It's perfect.  I have a top drawer for my scissors, pins, etc.  The drawers on either side are great for storing quilt blocks, charm packs, quilting patterns, even a work in progress.  I am so excited to finally have a place to work and have enough room to spread out my projects while I work!!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Future Home


Today, Kurt purchased our future new home.  Actually he is moving in tomorrow.  My children and I won't move in until June.  Our stuff will move in the weekend before our wedding, and then we will move in after the wedding.  It's such a perfect home for us. It's everything we could want and more.  It's in the perfect location.  It's got a great set up and plenty of room for all of us.  The yard is very pretty too.  It feels like it is our castle.

Kurt's realtor was amazed that I had not seen the house until today.  I had seen pictures and driven by many times, but had not been inside it.  I didn't need to.  I trusted that Kurt would find the perfect home for us and he did. 

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

The Battle Costume

My church is doing a sermon series that cullminates with a drama presentation called, "The Battle" in April.  They had volunteer opportunities for everything imaginable, including a "sewing team."  I've never done sewing for church, but was excited because this was something I knew I could do.

As it turns out, most of the volunteers were not familiar with sewing from patterns or doing anything like garments/costumes.  While I had never done a costume before, I had made garments and followed patterns, so I got to do one of the three main character's costumes.  Mine is the bad guy's costume (it's black).  The shirt was a challenge because it is a silppery, shiney fabric.  It slipped and slid all over the place, but I got it done.  The robe part was much easier!

I had to say that I am very excited about sewing the drama presentation and being able to see my work on stage.  It felt good to be able to help out my church in this way,

Sunday, March 28, 2010

AQS Lancaster Show



Wow - what an experience this was!!  I've never been to a quilt show or anything like that before, so this was all new to me.  I was first amazed at just how many women were there.  They estimated about 20,000 women attended the event.

After a few minutes of standing there in awe, I began to walk up and down the isles of vendors.  There were vendors selling everything quilting related.  They even had quilt-themed socks.  That was definitely tempting because I just love socks, but at $8 a pair, I had to pass.

Landauer books had a booth with some great sale tables.  I got two $5 books.  One was for me and one was for my mom for mother's day.  They also had a special where you got a free quilt-themed calendar when you spent $10 or more, so I got the free calendar too!

Then it was on to admire the gorgeous artistry of the quilts.  Oh my, they were amazing!!  I took lots and lots of pictures, and I wish I could share them with you here, but while we were able to take photos of the individual quilts, we are not allowed to post them on the internet.   One of my favorite quilts was an "I Love Lucy" themed quilt. 


I didn't take any of the classes offered, but I did attend one of the many lectures.  The lecture I attended was called, "Amish Women and Their Quilts".  It was taught by Rachel  Pellman.  She has written several books on the subject - including one that I have "The World of Amish Quilts".  She even autographed my book for me!  :-

Her worshop consisted of a brief lecture about the Amish in general - what they believed, how they live and why they do the things they do.  Then she began explaining more about their quilts and her experiences from interviewing Amish women about their quilts.  I have always been fascinated by the Amish, so I found this to be very interesting.  Then she shared a slide show of actual Amish quilts and explained them in detail.  After the slide show she acttually had some reproduction Amish quilts to share with us in person.  The Amish are most known for just a few particular patterns.  One of my favorites was "Sunshine and Shadow".  I also like the simple, yet often dramatic because of color choices, "Center Diamond" quilts.

It was really a great experience.  I am already looking forward to going next year. 

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Quilt Show, Here I Come!!

In addition to asking me to marry him and giving me a gorgeous engagement ring for my birthday, Kurt also booked me a hotel room for tomorrow night so I can go down to Lancaster a night early for the big Lancaster Quilt show.  I've never been to a quilt show before and this one is a doozie!   I am so excited!!  Kurt is going to take care of my children tomorrow evening and Thursday so I can have a little mini-vacation at the quilt show.

On Thursday, not only am I going to be at the quilt show, but I am also attending a lecture called, "Amish Women and Their Quilts."  That sounds sooo interesting.  I can't wait til that lecture.  I am looking forward to visitng all the booths/vendors and seeing all kinds of new quilting products/patterns/techniques. 

Thursday, March 11, 2010

We have a date.....

We have set a date -- June 18, 2010!!  The above link is to a dress that I adore.  I am going to see if I can find a comparable dress at a lower price.  It is the perfect style that I want.
Our color scheme will be purple because purple is the color of royalty and Kurt treats me as though I am his princess.

More details to come.....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Proposal Night at the Pagoda in Reading, PA

Yesteday was my birthday.  I received the best birthday present in the world from Kurt.  He asked me to marry him. 

He had a very romantic evening planned out.  He first took me to the Pagoda - a beautiful landmark in Reading.  It rests on a mountain high above the city of Reading.  It was quite windy and freezing, but we enjoyed our time of taking pictures and enjoying the beautiful views. 

While waiting for the sun to set, Kurt suggested we go back to his car and wait.  When we got back in the car, he handed me a beautifully-wrapped box.

My first gift was a hotel reservation for the night before the big Lancaster Quilt show.  He wanted me to have a night away to be able to enjoy the quilt show.  I am so excited.  I will have complete peace and quiet for that night.  Ahhhh...

Then, I had a smaller box to open.  In that box was the most incredibly gorgeous engagement ring I have ever seen.  I was speechless - something that doesn't happen very often.  I gave him a kiss and he asked if that meant yes.

We then went back outside to watch the sunset and take a few more pictures.  It was a beautiful sunset -- absoultely perfect for a romantic night.


When we left the Pagoda, we went to "Austins" a very nice restaurant.  We had a wonderful time.   Our waiter recognized our goofy grins and asked if we had just gotten engaged.  I guess we were both so excited that the whole world could tell.  It was very sweet.   I am very blessed to have a man like Kurt in my life, and I am excited about spending the rest of my life with him.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Charm Square Quilt

This is what I am working on right now.  It's a disappearing 9-patch quilt using charm squares.  I am using the "Friends & Flowers" charm pack by Moda.  This picture shows how I arranged my first charm pack.  Tonight I am going to stich up one of the 4 big blocks, and tomorrow I will make that into 4 smaller blocks and post a picture of that when I have done so.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Snow-Covered Day in Amish Country

This past Friday, we were finally able to dig out and go for a drive.  This is what it looked like as we prepared to pull out from our driveway.  Can you believe all the snow??





 We went to Bird-In-Hand so I could buy bulk white chocolate to make Kurt's home-made valentine candy.  There is a great Amish market that has the most delicious bulk white chocolate.  This horse and buggy was parked in the parking lot.  I took a picture of it because it looked so out of proportion.  That is a normal-sized Amish buggy.  Look at the size of the horse compoared to that buggy.  I have never seen such a huge horse before.  I thought it was worthy of a picture.

Kurt's Quilted Valentine

I realized that if I wanted to post this picture, I would have to explain the names in the card. When Kurt and I first met almost 2 years ago, I was in Florida and an avid sea-shell collector, thus my nickname became "Shelly". Not long after that, I decided he needed a nickname as well. He had recently told me about the movie "Gladiator", and I decided that he sounded like "Maximus". So, from that point on, we have called each other "Maximus" and "Shelly". ;-)

That being said, this is Kurt's quilted valentine.  I wanted to make him a special card.  I have been searching high and low for ideas and just couldn't find anything that fit.  I knew I wanted it to be hand-made and I preferred that it be fabric/quilted.
 
I wenet to two different Amish quilt shops and found the perfect combination.  I used these two fabrics to make him a miniature quilt that folded into a tri-fold card.  If you look closely at the border fabric, you can read the messages printed on the fabric.  I thought they were perfect for a special valentine card.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

My Early Valentine

This morning was not going so well.  I was still snowed in, having to work, and the kids were out of school *again* because of the snow storm.    Imagine my surprise when Jonathan asked if I was expecting flowers.  I told him no and asked why he was asking.  He said there was a floral van that tried to get into the drive way but couldn't (because of the snow).   A moment later, my phone began to ring.  It was a delivery person from the florist asking if we were home because we had a delivery and he was just going to have to park in the middle of the road to delivery my flowers.

I ran outside to meet him (because he would have had to climb over mounts of snow), and was so excited with what I saw.

Kurt sent my valentine to me early.  It included roses, a carnation, a heart balloon, a huge Hershey kiss, and an adorable teddy bear that I have named Valentine.   I have the best boyfriend/ Valentine in the world!!

Quilted Bible Cover

I started making this Bible cover on Tuesday night.  I remember exactly how I made the first one, and as I was constructing it, I was a bit concerned that I wasn't doing it right.  My instinct was correct because my first attempt at this Bible cover was too small for my Bible.  I was so sad.

Thankfuly I had plenty of extra fabric, I tried it again last night.  This time it fit perfectly.  I loved these two fabrics.  Hannah picked them out for me.  She is great when it comes to coordinating colors.