Mystery Quilt

Last Fall's Lifetime Learning class, Advanced Quilting, featured a mystery quilt.  I chose a piece of fabric from my stash (it was a possible border for my nieces Happy 50th quilt but didn't make the cut)  and selected a number of lights and darks that were found in that pattern.  We made blocks, which had a lot of bias and odd numbers. 
I wasn't particularly pleased with the blocks, so I assembled the finished ones into a baby quilt.  It's all done except the binding.  I used the original feature fabric as a backing, instead of the borders that I had originally intended.
Then I took the leftover pieces (including some squares of the feature fabric) and put them into a second top.  It has somewhat of a modern vibe, as I used wide white sashing.  It waits in the closet for a time when I feel like practicing my free-motion quilting again.  It's good to have a finished top or two in the wings.

Olivia

This is Olivia, my newest great-granddaughter.
The picture was taken less than two hours after birth.  My granddaughter and my daughter texted during the delivery.  Wow have things changed.

I won't be able to see her in person for a while, but hope to get lots of pictures. 

She looks like she's ready to take the world on!

Happy New Year 2014

Today I wrapped up a quilt, two receiving blankets, and some burp cloths for my newest great-granddaughter, Olivia, who should make her appearance sometime this month.




This one started out as extra blocks from a Baby Bundle, but I thought they were sweet enough to stand on their own.  The original fabrics were leftovers from a project my friend Alice H. completed..








I quilted this on my Bernina, drawing a free form flower. First time I've done that in a while - I've been sticking to straight line stitching.








My current project is to put binding on my Happy Quilt.  It was quilted by Janie G. and I think she did a great job.  Bet she had to wear sunglasses while she worked.  This thing is BRIGHT.

Crayon Ornaments

Thanks to my friend Vicky, I found a fun arts and crafts project.
You put bits of crayons into clear glass ornaments and melt the pieces and swirl them around.

More Christmas Decorations

Like I said, this year I got into it more than usual.
Here's my front hall -

The sweater and happy Santa were presents from Mona and Bill.

The quilt cabinet was made in New Braunfels - he has some beautiful cases.

Coincidentally, the red and green quilt in the case came from a vintage store in New Braunfels.  I made some repairs and it's very useable




My kitchen table has a holiday runner, Santa plate, a compote of wood fruit and pine cones, and a green depression glass sugar and creamer.

More Christmas Decorations

Some of my friends report being apathetic about Christmas this year.  For unknown reasons, I've been happy this December and have been decorating up a storm.  Not as much as some of my friends, granted, but quite a bit for me.
I did a three hour painting party/class last week and did this fun Andy WahrHoliday Tree in acrylics.  It was fun to do and fun to look at.

Christmas is coming

Christmas is coming!  The tree is up.  The wreath and stockings are hung.

The nativity set from Spain is in full view, 

by the TV.

The quilt that I won in a raffle many years ago is on the living room wall.  It is beautifully hand-quilted.

Pictures of my daughter with Santa and my grandson with Santa are displayed, along with a Scrabble greeting.















And on the coffee table,  eight handmade snowmen ornaments await the quilting bee
Christmas party.