Pay It Forward

Several months ago I accepted an invitation from Nina Lise on Mrs. Moen's blog to participate in a Pay It Forward handmade gift exchange. I don't know if you have checked out Mrs. Moen's blog (you can get to her from my favorites list on the side of my blog) but she has a fascinating blog where she posts some amazing, thought provoking, creative projects that she makes. I couldn't refuse to join in the fun! Last night when I came home from work I found this large envelope with Norwegian stamps in the corner and knew that I was the lucky recipient of a Nina Lise original!!!
First I found this delightful card that I am sure was made with the help of her grandson. Lots of bold and bright brush strokes of vivid paint.

Then I pulled out this one-of-a-kind, delightful, amazing, wonderful, creative piece of artwork. It says "Put on a Happy face" on the top. The dress of this beauty is handmade "Make a smile" fabric (made by Nina Lise). The background is a vintage bed sheet. Nina Lise machine quilted wavy lines down the background. The arms and legs are left loose from the background and the head is held on with beautiful buttons. I have never seen such a perfectly sewn down binding. I am so delighted with my gift and can hardly wait to add my gifts to this Pay It Forward challenge. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Nina Lise!
Now comes your opportunity to participate! I just need 3 people who are willing to accept the challenge. If you are willing to join in the fun just let me know. The challenge is that I have 1 year (365 days) to make a handmade gift for you and if you accept, you have 1 year from the time you receive my gift to pass a gift on to 3 other bloggers. Isn't that fun??? You never know what exciting thing you will receive in the mail from me but I've been thinking about what to send for several months now. Come on.....Join the fun....Accept the challenge.

Happy Quilting! Lynda

Ellie's Valentine Tutu

Here's our little Ellie modeling her Valentine skirt from Grandma. Just 20 months ago she was about the same size as that monkey in her hand.

I'll be back tomorrow to share a special package that came in the mail for me!

Happy Quilting! Lynda

1920's Quilt Kit

Several years ago a sweet lady named Margaret Perry gave me this 1920's Quilt Kit that she had been working on for quite some time. She had hand appliqued the center and 3 corners before she gave it to me to finish. I DO NOT ENJOY hand applique but I told her I would finish it....someday. I did work on my little corner for several weeks. I took it to Linda at Just Sew fabric store in Highland and she machine quilted it for me. 1920 quilt kits were prestamped with where each piece was to go and the lines for quilting too. The fabric was all stamped with the flowers, leaves and vines. Margaret had cut them all out. Each piece had its own place on the quilt. Margaret passed away before I got it done but I think she would be so proud of how beautiful it turned out.

Here are some pictures of the quilting and the applique and even some of the hand embroidery I did to embellish the vines.


I don't know if you can tell that it has a scalloped border. I plan on getting some light blue for the binding and tackling that job as soon as I get my Viking back from repair.Happy Quilting! Lynda

Quilt Retreat

OK I've only been without my sewing machine for a couple of days and I'm already having withdrawals!!! I cut up several Valentine type fabrics and made a little skirt for Ellie. The waist looks way too big so when she tries it on I may need to remove a few strips and tighten the waistband a bit. But I think it turned out cute.Here is the almost completed table runner from our quilting day on Wednesday. Thank you Suzanne for letting me use your machine. I ran out of bobbin so decided to wait until later to finish up the binding. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? My machine isn't working. Why didn't I just wind another bobbin and sew the rest of the way around so I could have some hand work to do. Oh bother.
Here are a few pictures of our fun day at Suzanne's wonderful bonus room. (It is sooo big and roomy and comfortable.)


Me and my big smile because I finally got it right. You see, my first couple of strips were on backwards so my braid was going the wrong direction. After a couple of attempts and unpicking I finally got it right. You can see Judy busy working on her French Country looking table runner in bright yellow and blue. She used a different pattern with Flying Geese.

Sorry Martha, we got the back side of you working diligently on your runner. Martha used lovely spring colors with a tie dye looking back. Dee put her runner aside for a moment and worked on a word scramble Suzanne had challenged us to do. Some of the words were quite impossible.Here Debbie is working quietly on one in golds, browns and blacks. It is really beautiful.Nancy is doing a little cutting for a border on her Valentine runner. Alice was there too but she must have been a little camera shy today.Judy again working on the final border before trimming and ready for the binding. It is so much fun to work together on a project and see how different they all look with different fabrics.

Thanks Suzanne for a great day of sewing, laughter, story telling and a scrumptious lunch too.

Happy Quilting! Lynda

Family Time

I love having my children come home for a visit. Daughter 2 came for a few days since she will be starting a new job and not sure when she can come again. Daughter 3 and Ellie decided to come also. We did have a good time together as always. We tried making chocolate souffles. They turned out pretty good. Only 1 problem.....it made 8 and there were only 4 of us to eat them so we each had to have 2---- since they aren't good after sitting and deflating.Ellie and dolly were quite pleased with the new quilt. Poor dolly kept slipping out tho....I think it may have had something to do with the way she held her....upside down quite often.
I spent Wednesday sewing with a few other ladies. We each made a table runner. Pictures hopefully soon. I forgot my camera so Suzanne, our teacher for the day, said she would e-mail me a few to share. Sadly, my sewing machine has been sounding pretty rough lately and it wouldn't even sew a single stitch!! Luckily Suzanne had an extra one I could borrow for the day. Now I have to wait to put the binding on until I get my Viking back from repair. What will I do with my time now??? Just got a call from my quilter and she has my 1920 kit quilt completed. Oh I can hardly wait to pick it up to show you.

Happy Quilting! Lynda

Ellie's dolly needs a quilt

Ellie is coming for a few days visit. Decided her dolly needed a little quilt. This is a tiny twister quilt made from some leftover 5 inch squares. No batting, solid yellow background and binding. Just stitched in the ditch. I think her dolly will like it.Happy Quilting! Lynda

Ellie's new hat

I found this pattern for a Jack and Jill hat by Izzy & Ivy designs that I thought just needed to be made for Ellie. I read over the instructions several times and finally cut out all the pieces and started making the hat. The instructions were a little difficult for me to follow completely. It told me to make a buttonhole in one part but never had me use that button hole for anything the rest of the pattern. I don't make clothing very much anymore so I may be a little rusty on following those kinds of patterns. I made a couple of mistakes but eventually the hat turned out really cute!

Here's Ellie wearing her new hat. She only wore it long enough for a few pictures tho. I will make it again because I think it turned out quite well. My daughter thought it would look great in black and white striped fabric for a train conductor hat for a little boy.....some day.

I've also been making a couple of quilt backs and taken one of them to the quilter. I finally got the rest of the fabric for the Rick Rackasaurus quilt too. Can't wait to get that one finished. My niece should be having her new baby boy soon and I want to have it ready to give to her.

Happy Quilting! Lynda