First Quilt Project of 2014

 Spent the day with the granddaughters.  We had a great day.  They made rag dolls from a kit purchased at Hobby Lobby.  Doll was smaller than we anticipated but they had a great time making the dolls.  They then built them a house out of the boxes and drove them around in their remote control cars from last Christmas.  It's never boring with the girls around.

I promised to show you my first quilt project of 2014.  It all began when I saw a lovely quilt on a blog.  I found the pattern "Magical Slice and Dice" and ordered online.  Now the fun begins.

Here is the fabric I chose for the quilt.  Well actually the lady at ETC. (a local crafting and fabric store) helped me find a fabric that would work for slice and dice. The fabric is Mimi by Chez Moi for Moda.  I love the colors in the fabric. Next I cut the quilt squares following the instructions in the pattern.  Then I assembled the 40 blocks.  All 40 blocks are different.  Below you can see 4 of the 40 blocks.

Next week, I'll show you the next step - attaching the sashing to each block.  Can you guess what color I'm using for sashing??????

A Happy New Year

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.  We shared a wonderful meal with friends last evening.  The food was delicious and the company great.  However, we were home before midnight.   We left that up to the younger ones.

 I hope to return to blogging more frequently this year.  My goal is to share my projects as I work on them.  Tomorrow I will share a quilt I began this past week.  It's going to be a beauty!  I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Table is Ready for Brunch

The table is set and ready for tomorrow's brunch with friends.  Below is a closer look at the place settings.

 

The menu will be

Country Ham brought back from Ky from Penns (the best ham ever!)

Green Chili Breakfast Quiche

Biscuits & Gravy

Fresh Fruit Cup

O.J. and hot beverages from the Keurig

 

The crystal was a gift from my mother and father in the early 1970s.  I've had the Christmas china since the mid-80s.  The goldware is about the same age as the china.  I haven't done a formal table in a number of years but decided to get everything out this year for the holidays.   The log centerpiece allows just enough room for the Christmas placemats.   

Pinterest Inspired Table

 

My tablescape was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest.  While in Kentucky, I  visited my Uncle's wood pile and selected some logs with bark still on them.  He knew the types of wood but I don't remember.  We brought 6 longs home and my hubby cut them to size.  I decided to use flameless candles.  I thought they would be safer.  I put a piece of burlap under the wood and am using a table cloth that isn't necessarily Christmas.  I added vintage blue Christmas ornaments and greenery.  The blue jars and the half pint on the tallest log are from my collection.  The others I purchased at Goodwill. 

Here is a photo of the other side.

 

I left the one log empty since it wasn't too straight across the top.  Our table is narrow so I still have room for placemats on each side.  I'll put out my red placemats later in the season.  It was fun to arrange this centerpiece and it reminds me of our vacation home in Ky.  Also looks good with our jar pendant light above the table.  You can see the pendant light here.

It's Finally Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Thought I'd begin sharing some of our Christmas decorations.  I worked on the Living/Dining Room over the weekend.  This is our new tree.  I decided to purchase a Slim Line tree this year.  I only had to move a side table to accommodate the tree.  No major move of furniture this year~ Yeah!

 

I chose a blue theme.  Many of the ornaments are vintage.  Some gifted to me by my sister.  Some purchased at the thrift store.  Decided to make a bow for the top.  I'm very pleased with the results.  Fabric wrapped around the base is a piece of vintage Christmas themed blue print cotton.  Now all we need is for me to wrap some presents to put under it.

 

The Snowman in the background was purchased years ago at a craft fair.  He is painted on an old cabinet door.  He is one of my favorites from my collection.  And most important he is easy to store.  This year I decided to display most of our snowmen on shelves (I'll post photo later).  I'm almost finished with my tablescape with features logs from Ky.

A Birthday Quilt for a Special Girl

I made this quilt for my youngest granddaughter.  Today is her birthday.  She is 9 on the 9th.  A special birthday for her.  The quilt is made from my stash of fabrics.  The butterflies and stripe were left over from her room decoration projects this past summer.  The purple and blue are from her older sister's room decoration projects.  

The back is a black fabric with similar color dots.  The quilting is by machine.  My friend calls it a meandering design.  Not sure if that is the official name.  I used my new Janome 15000 and I'm still learning to free motion quilt on the machine.  Every machine is a little different when using free motion.  I think I'm going to like quilting on this machine.  If not, I can always get out my old trusty Bernina 165.  I learned to free motion on that machine years ago.

November Swap Card and Tag

I received this card and tag from Debbie.  She was my swap partner in the November Swap for all Seasons.  The color for November was brown and she included these lovely hand dyed ribbons and distressed tags from her stash.  She does lovely work and you can see her work by clicking on her name above.  Thanks Debbie for a wonderful swap. 

You can find out more info about the Swap for All Seasons by clicking the link on the left.  The January Swap is closed but February Swap is just around the corner.

 

On a personal note, we are back in Arizona after spending most of October and November at our vacation home in Kentucky.  Slow internet in the country prevents me from doing much blogging.  I hope to begin regular postings.  I've tried to keep up on reading my favorite blogs but wasn't able to comment at times.

 

You can see my November swap cards and tag on the previous post.