I finally finished my crocheted pot holders last night - whew! I can understand why artists might say "it isn't fun when it's work" when they're creating something - ha! It really is more fun making these for gifts rather than production work :-) But I'm glad they're finished, and now we'll see how they'll sell.

Next project is to make bread baskets out of fabric. I bought one in Solvang, CA last year, made a pattern today, and hope these will be a good item at the fair. They're pretty cute. :=)

The sun is out today, most of our snow melted, and we're enjoying a bit more fall weather :-) Happy Saturday, All!

This is a couple examples of aprons that I made this past summer. My friend Amanda loves lady bugs, so when I saw the fabric with them, I knew I had to make something for her. I also made a series of aprons with various polkadot fabrics which are going to be items available for sale at the December arts n crafts fair. Each apron comes with a recipe for a Southwest style entre. I love Mexican food and thought it might be fun to share some of the dishes we enjoy :-)

I had worked on my business cards for the arts n crafts fair a couple of days ago, and I almost had them done. Then I noticed as I was cutting them apart that the ink hadn't adhered to the paper - what a bummer! So today I re-printed them on our other printer; now have a stack of them to cut apart. I guess it's good to have projects to keep me busy :-)

This is the watermelon slice pot holder - crocheting it goes fast, so it shouldn't take too long to get a stash of them made. Then I need to get back to the piggy and the chickens. Thankfully, the fair is several weeks away, so I still have plenty of time. :-)

This is the reversible Christmas tablecloth that I stitched recently. Can't decide if I'll keep it for our kitchen table or have it for sale at the arts n crafts fair. Love the fabrics, though!

Name Change :-)

Decided that this isn't just a posting for my quilts, so changed my blog name to more accurately reflect my projects.

It's a bright sunny fall day, cloudless sky - perfect for creating more crocheted pot holders!

Happy Friday everyone and have a great weekend! <3

Here's the crocheted piggy pot holder.  Have to confess, this one was a bit trickier than the chicken.  But check out the squiggly tail!

I found some cute wiggle eyes with eyelashes - couldn't resist.

So with the long eyelashes, this little piggy's moniker is "Petunia"  (anyone remember the Porky Pig show and Petunia???)  :-)

Just finished chicken number one. Four more to go!  He's about 14 inches tall, and if I do say so myself, he's a cutie, huh?  :-)

Am hoping these guys will sell well at the December 12th arts n crafts fair!

Okay, back to work...   :-)

More projects :-)

The past couple of days I've been crocheting pot holders for an arts n crafts fair that I'm going to be in this December.  Just finished a pile of apples with worms, then it's on to crocheting chickens, pigs, and watermelon slices. 

Will add pictures as I finish each group.  I'm anticipating that the chicken will take much longer than the apples.  :-)  But they come out cute, so it's fun :-)

Guess I should change the name of my blog to My Quilting, Sewing, and Crocheting Corner???  :-)

This is our beautiful daughter Nicholle Christmas 2008 admiring the snowman quilt I made for her.  Would love to make another quilt for her this year, but I'm afraid I'm becoming very predictable with all my loved ones after giving everyone a quilt for the past several years - ha!

This fabric practically begged me to buy it.  Wasn't sure what I was going to make from it, but knew I had to have it.  (What doesn't show up in this picture is the small glittery sparkles on the fabric)  Decided to make a pair of sheer curtains.

We usually put up the Christmas tree (I know, I'm planning early! ha!) in the living room in front of the glass patio doors, so I'm planning to hang these curtains there behind the tree.

It's amazing how quickly the stores have their Christmas decorations out each year, and this fall is no exception.  Summer is barely over, and Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are vying for attention.  But I have to confess, I like getting Christmas gifts early, so have already purchased a few things.  In addition, I bought a couple sets of salt-n-pepper shakers for the Thanksgiving table.

Even though I'm not a winter person, I do like the holidays and all the baking and decorating as well as the anticipation of being with family around a table heaped with food :-)

Old World Christmas

I found this fabric on sale after Christmas, and it stirred that "little child" in me as I looked at the face of Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.  I don’t think any of us ever lose that child-like wonder as we decorate the tree and lovingly place our beautifully-wrapped gifts under the tree.

I also hope we never lose the wonder of the precious and priceless Gift of that very first Christmas – the birth of our Savior. 

Victorian Dreams

I've always been fascinated by the fashion and "look" of the Victorian era - the long dresses, the elegant hairstyles, the lace-up boots, lacy doilies, and especially the elaborate hats.

I have to confess, though, that even though I love seeing pictures of the Victorian era, I'm grateful to be living in the current age with all the modern conveniences, not to mention modern medical advances.

I love America!

This quilt reflects my patriotism and love of America.  I served three years in the US Army and during basic training had the honor of being on flag detail.  It was a dream-come-true for me, as I had always hoped to be a member of a flag detail.

I come from a family of military - my dad was in the Navy, my older brother was in the Air Force, two other brothers were in the Navy, and my husband and I both served during the Viet Nam era.  My husband's family also has many military members, and his dad earned a medal during his tour of duty in World War II as a ball turret gunner.

A few years ago, I had the privilege of visiting Washington DC with my family at the inurnment of our father's ashes at Arlington National Cemetery.  I think I had goose bumps the entire time I was visiting in DC, and my hope is to return for another visit, this time with my husband.

For all her faults, America is still the best country in the world, I think we have the most beautiful flag as well as the best National Anthem in the world.  God bless America!

Alpine Meadows

Just finished another quilt today.  This fabric is a tad on the dark side, but I was drawn to the cabin-in-the-woods theme.  When I first saw it, it reminded me of the cabin near Ruidoso that my husband's parents own.  We recently spent three wonderful days relaxing there with our daughter Nicholle, and we look forward to next spring and the opportunity to enjoy the cabin again!

The fabric also reminds me of the Pacific Northwest where I grew up - lots of pine trees with that wonderful pine scent.  I love traveling back home and taking in the fragrance of the evergreens.  When I was growing up, my dad and I loved to hike in the hills behind our family home where small streams of clear fresh water ran through the thick woods.  In the winter time, the snow would weigh down the tree branches forming a canopy over the road.

In 1975, my parents moved to an area near Hayden, Idaho called Alpine Meadows which is where the above picture was taken.  Daddy passed away in December 2005, but mom still lives in their home which she now shares with her dog Karlee, and where she still attends their church, goes to lunch with her lady friends, goes shopping, and enjoys baking her famous cinnamon rolls, brownies and pies.  This quilt is entitled Alpine Meadows in honor of mom and daddy's special homestead.

This is a quilt that I made a number of years ago as a gift to my mother-in-law.  I also made a matching pillow to go with it.  Mom was an avid cat-lover, which is why I chose the pattern.

Though mom is no longer able to enjoy her quilt a result of advanced Alzheimer's, the colors are cheery so we have draped the quilt over one of her rockers in the living room for her to see.