Vintage Mother's Day Brooch for Sarah

This is the vintage brooch  I send  Sarah, my partner in the Vintage Mother's Day Brooch Swap over at A Swap for All Seasons.  One of Sarah's favorites is anything with ballerinas.  I had this brooch in my vintage jewelry collection and decided to send it to her.   We were to design a unique way of presenting the brooch to our partner.

In my stash, I found a piece of vintage fabric featuring ballerinas.  I attached the vintage brooch to the  fabric.

 I then inserted the fabric with the brooch into a gold frame.  I found the gold frame at the thrift store and it worked perfectly for this swap.

Next I wrapped the little frame in another piece of the vintage fabric. 

To attach the fabric, I added a hand crocheted pink flower and pin with a heart tip.  I hope Sarah likes her ballerina themed package.

I am linking to Pink Saturday.  Check Beverly's How Sweet the Sound for other Pink Saturday posts.

Quilt Camp Tote

I completed this Quilt Camp Tote this week.  It went in the mail yesterday to my friend Pat.  She is celebrating her 60th birthday next Saturday.  I won't be able to attend her party but am sending this tote.

  The pattern is by Penny Sturges for Quilts Illustrated.  I purchased it at Three Dudes Quilts.   It is large enough to hold a quilter's ruler and cutting mat.  Perfect for those quilting classes.  I did have one complaint with the pattern.  The photo on the front of the pattern shows this great looking quilt block for the front pocket of the tote.  However, the pattern doesn't give the instructions for that quilt block.  It has instructions for a different block but states that you can use any 12" block.  I designed my own block to match the lining fabric.  I used my Janome 11000 to embroider a quilt design in the center.  The back of the tote has another pocket but I made it from the tote fabric.  Inside is lined and has another pocket of the same size.   Lots of storage in this tote.

"V" - Violin Quiltie

We are nearing the end of our Alphabet Quiltie Swap on Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  This is my V quiltie.  The crochet flower was an after-thought.  It looked a little bare with just the fabric and dictionary pages so I added this crochet flower.   I made it a few months ago.  It was the perfect color even thought it has nothing to do with the letter "V".   The quiltie will go in the mail tomorrow to our hostess, Penny.  Hope it makes it to her by the end of April.  I'm running a little late this month.

Happy Easter

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter with family and friends. 

April Block Finished

I finished my April Block of the Month last evening while watching American Idol.  I'm very pleased with this block.  I'm not a fan of applique but I think it turned out o.k.  This is the center block for the Chestnut and Vine Block of the Month Quilt.  When placed in the center of the quilt the square will be set on the diagonal.  You can see the completed quilt top here.   So glad to have that first square completed and ready for Block 2 in May.  The kits are from Three Dudes Quilts in Phoenix. 

Mild Spring = Beautiful Roses

We've had a lovely spring here in Arizona.  Weather in the 80s and 90s here in April.  As a result of the wonderful Spring, there are beautiful roses throughout our neighborhood.  As Cody and I go for our daily walk, I am amazed at the lovely roses growing along our route.

These pics are from our own back yard.  The rose bush is a climbing rose and the bush is over 50 years old.  This year it is filled with lovely blooms.  The color is so bright this year too.  We are still enjoying many of the flowers on the patio and in the flower beds.  It won't be long until temps begin to exceed 100 and the flowers will be gone. 

Hope each of you are experiencing lovely Spring weather.  Wishing you a Happy Easter weekend.  I'm planning to see RIO with the granddaughters Friday since they are out of school that day.

A Birthday Watercolor

My CA sister visited in March and brought me my birthday present.  This lovely water color featuring great colors and a fisherman.  She found it in Palm Springs.  It will hang in our vacation home in KY later this summer.  For now I have it hanging on the dining room wall.  The colors match the spring quilt I have on the wall in the living area of the room.

 It was unframed and just today I found the perfect frame at Michael's.  It was an odd size and I had to trim it down a little.   It was not signed but I love the scene.  Please excuse the glare on the glass.