Monday, January 28, 2013

Applique Sampler finished


 I'm on a mission to finish up a bunch of my UFO's ("unfinished objects") this year.  Thankfully, I've found a great group on Facebook with the same goal so we've been cheering each other on.  Last Saturday many of us did a 12 hour marathon and I managed to get this quilt all quilted and bound.  I had already done some of the quilting and it took the full 12 hours to finish it.  My family was great about giving me the day off from my usual mommy chores.



Hedgehogs!  Pretty much the whole reason I got the pattern.


Not only did this project give me a chance to practice my applique skills, but I used it as a way to practice my machine quilting skills.  It's a small quilt but I went through two big spools of thread.

I tried out different kinds of background filler in different blocks.


I even practiced my freehand double feathers, which turned out a bit wonky.  I like to think of them as "casual."  This whole quilt is just a practice piece.  It's so girly I wont display it much. 

But I do love those hedgehogs!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Needlework Tuesday: California Snow


We don't get snow around here, but for some reason all of my current projects have snow on them.  Here are the first two months of Santa's Village done.  There are buttons and beads and French knots that will go on later.


Here is my wool banner for January.  The original pattern had a dark shawl but I thought that was too drab so I gave her a pinkish one.  I have no idea why she has ice skates.  Or feet for that matter.


For some reason I just got the urge to make this snow bear after I saw the pattern on Pinterest.  I think I needed a break from my usual embroidery and quilting.  Looking at his hat, I think it could use a pom pom.

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Still Dreaming

related [litandlaundry.blogspot.com]
Still dreaming

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The Joy of Returning

Once in a Lifetime

related [litandlaundry.blogspot.com]
Once in a Lifetime
When I was a new mother I felt there was always so much emphasis on keeping baby books - first steps, first words, etc.  With three babies in the house I never was able to keep much track of that stuff.  What I didn't realize is that there are some momentous firsts that nobody ever tells you about, and there are no pretty scrapbooks for.   Falling in love with Mr. Rochester for the first time is one of them. 

The conversation from the comic strip happened a few days ago. I'm getting the play-by-play of what's happening to dear Jane.  I've always loved this book and to watch Wasabi Girl discover it has been wonderful.  I'm not sure how she's managed to stay unaware of the plot for so long.  I've watched various versions of the movie but I guess she didn't watch them with me.

She is totally in love with Mr. Rochester and told me proudly that she knew he was the fortune teller all along.  We agreed that we dislike Blanche Ingram.  I am savoring every chapter she tells me about. 

Drama Girl, on the other hand, seldom reads books I suggest to her.  She has little patience right now for the classics.  She did, however, curl up with The Hobbit one rainy day and concedes that it was a very good read. I hold out hope that we'll have some overlapping taste in books.

In the meantime I can hardly wait to gently open more doors for Wasabi Girl.  When she recovers from Mr. Rochester she'll be ready to meet Heathcliff.  *sigh*

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Needlework Tuesday: Santa's (Invisible) House


Here is my progress on the first of 12 Christmas houses I'll be working on this year.  Guess which color was backordered?  I just got the hazelnut for the house so I'll start on that today.  Then I'll get started on the next one, which connects up just to the right.  At the end of the year, if I keep up, it will be a village of 3 rows of 4 houses each.  The pattern is by Country Cottage Needleworks.

Christmas at our house is all packed up.  I just have a mug full of leftover candy canes on the counter.  I also need to list out all the Christmas cards we received so I make sure to include everybody next year.

I haven't started decorating for Valentine's Day yet, even though the stores are full of stuff and I have quilts and decorations I can get out.  The house looks absolutely empty.  It needs to breathe and rest a little after the long string of holidays.

The kids are finally back at school.  Drama Girl is all signed up for her SAT test in a few weeks.  I'm still in complete denial that all this is happening.  She did well on her PSAT and there are many chances to retake the SAT if she wants to improve her score.

Saw "Les Miserables" with the family over the break.  I think it's one of those 'love it or hate it' type films.  I absolutely loved it.  Worth the admission and the long length just to see Anne Hathaway.  Have you seen it?

Needlework Tuesday is hosted by Heather at Books and Quilts.  Be sure to visit today and see her wonderful triangle block tutorial.

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