Boite et Petit Livret Vintage

Book and Small Vintage Box

Last spring I signed up for the Artfulgatherings event to be held in July.  They were to be offering a variety of classes featuring various techniques.  We I received the class listing, I knew that I wanted to take Nancy Maxwell James' Boite et Petit Livret Vintage.  We are making a book and box following Nancy's wonderful collage techniques.  The book features vintage photos, laces, buttons, jewelry, and vintage gloves on the front and back cover.

I have finished my two interior pages but the front and back cover and box will be completed next week.   

Sewing Tray Swap

Here's my sewing tray for a swap on Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  The mail date for the swap is September but I decided to get it finished.  My DH had knee replacement surgery a few days ago and I am his caregiver and driver for the next 6 weeks.  May not have lots of time for swaps with nurses and physical therapists visiting our home and doctor's visits.   He is recovering nicely here at home and we are thankful for that.

The tray is made from a picture frame.  I removed the photo from the frame and replaced it with part of a vintage quilt top.  I purchased the top at a antique store a number of years ago.   I also added vintage seam binding packaging.   My DH drilled holes for the handles prior to his surgery.   Vintage wooden thread spools are used for the handles.  I attached a pair of small sewing scissors.

The back of the sewing tray is covered with foam core board and scrapbook paper.  I love this paper and have used it for a number of projects.  It is by Graphic 45.   I made a matching pincushion to include in the swap.

"Y" Quiltie - Yellow

I finally have a few minutes at the computer so I'm posting my "Y" quiltie for the Yahoo Group - Fabric in Altered Arts 2.  This month's alphabet quilt had the theme "Yellow".  I found some yellow fabric strips in my studio that are left over from the baby quilt in the previous post.  I then added batting and backing and a yellow binding.  I stamped the word yellow along the binding and embellished with yellow items from my stash.  We have ONE more quiltie and our alphabet collection is complete.

Baby Quilt is Finished

The baby quilt is now finished.  I'm quite pleased with the Pooh fabric border and the blocks from my stash.  I used the "stitch-in-the-ditch" quilting technique for the center portion and did a free motion quilting on the border.  Detail photo below.

Another Baby Quilt on the design wall

The young couple living across the street are expecting a little girl the end of the month.  I decided it's about time I made the new little one a quilt.  I searched through patterns but eventually decided on this simple block.  I had a number of 2 1/2" strips left over from the last baby quilt and decided to start there.

Since I'm working to reduce my stash, I selected other similar fabrics and used my Accuquilt GO cutter to cut 2 1/2" strips.  I sewed three strips together and cut into squares.  I then placed then on the design wall to determine a pleasing placement.  Here you see the squares on the design wall.

 I searched through my fabric stash and found the two fabrics above.  I will use the Pooh fabric as a border and the swirls for the backing.  I'm thinking it will make a cute baby girl quilt. 

All Star Week in Phoenix

The  Granddaughters attended the All Star Game Fan Fest in Phoenix on Monday with our son.  Here they are in the corn field with Randy Johnson, Ozzie Smith, Ricky Henderson, and Catfish Hunter.  You may have seen the Pepsi ad that features these former baseball All Stars.  DH and I also had our photo taken here on Sunday afternoon prior to Futures Game and Celebrity All Star Game. 

 Our entire famiy  enjoyed the All Star festivities.   I have ordered a photo of DH and myself at Home Run Derby.  Last night's All Star game was the perfect ending to a wonderful three days at Chase Field.  I'll post more photos later.  I heard that attending an All Star game is a once in a "Generation" experience.  So now we have experienced it!! 

July Civil War Chronicles Block of the Month

This is the July block for the Civil War Chronicles Block of the Month Quilt.  Another block with lots of half-square triangles.  This month we made four blocks with a total of 112 half-square triangles.  This was one of the simpler blocks even with all those half-square triangles.   This one is called Kissing Lanes.  These blocks will be placed in the corner sections of the quilt.  We now have 5 months to go before completing the quilt.

This week's task is to complete the July section of the Chestnut and Vine Block of the Month.  I hope to visit Three Dudes Quilt Shop this week to see the finished quilt but my time will be limited.  We have tickets to all the events at the Baseball All Star Game here in Phoenix this week.

Sewing with Granddaughters

This morning the granddaughters learned to use the sewing machine.  They made totes from ballerina fabric.  One has more blue with a blue lining and the other pinks with pink lining.  We had to put a box under the sewing machine for the youngest.  Her legs weren't long enough.  They both completed their totes and were so proud of them.  I had the fabric cut when they arrived.  They did the rest.  We used the new seam guide on my Janome.  They learned to use the various functions on the machine.  They called it the computer part (which I guess it is!)

They took their bags to the library this afternoon and we checked out some books for them to read.  The library also had a presentation by Ballet Folklorico.  They really enjoyed the performances which included dancing, singing, and musicians. 

The girls also prepared their own lunches today.  These are photos of their creations.  We got a little carried away with the green food coloring for the seaweed noodles.