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.

 

November Swap For All Seasons

The theme for the November Swap for All Seasons was Birthday and the color was brown.  This is the card I made for my swap partner.  She liked vintage photos so I used a vintage photo from my collection to make this birthday card.

This is the birthday tag I made.  I used scrapbook paper from my studio and an image from Vintage Workshop Art To Wear.  I embellished with ribbon, bead trim, and a little spoon and spatula.  I remembered the spoon and spatula from an altered cookbook I made a few years ago.  It fit perfectly with the cookbook theme.

Here is a photo of the card, tag, and the brown items.  We are to send something brown from our stash along with the card and tag.  I found brown bias trim, a fat quarter of brown fabric, some brown Fancy Fur to send in her package.  My partner was Joyce from Pittsburg.

 

To find out more about the Swap for All Seasons click on the link on the left.

Civil War Chronicles Quilt

I finally put the Civil War Chronicles quilt on our bed.  It was a 2011 block of the month at a local quilt shop.  It took me 2 years to complete the quilt.  I have no idea how many hours when into completing this quilt top.  It measures 108" x 108" and includes a "million" half-square triangles.  (Well it seemed like "a million"!) 

I had it professionally quilted and I love the work Sharon did.

 

She used lots of feathers and other designs of the era.  The photos don't do a good job of showing the wonderful quilting designs.  I have to admit that the quilt is quite impressive on our king size bed.  I will never attempt anything like this again but I do love the finished quilt.

Primitive Snowman Wall Hanging completed

 

 

I finished my primitive snowman wall hanging this week.  It as a fun project and I am so pleased with the way it turned out.  All the fabrics are from my stash (including the backing).  The design is by Anita Goodesigns. 

This is my favorite snowman with the blue bird on his arm.

 This little guy is holding stars but they blend into the background in the photo.

This is the candy cane snowman.  I love his green and gold scarf. 

I also used an Anita Goodesign to make a quilt label for the back of the quilt.  You can see the backing fabric in the photo.

Quilt Show and Card Making Weekend

 

 

My sister and I spent the weekend at her cabin up North.  We attended The Rim Country Quilt Roundup Quilt Show on Saturday.  What wonderful quilts and wearable art they had on display.  Animal quilts were a popular theme.  Horses, bears, dogs, and lots of owls.  Some quilts were embellished with crystals.  Lots to see.  Sorry I didn't take any photos.

 

In addition to the quilt show my sis and I spent the weekend making Christmas Cards featuring vintage images.  We took our scrapbooking supplies and Christmas embellishments and worked at her dining room table.  Sorry no room for food!

 

Here are some of the cards we made. We had so much fun on our sister's weekend! 

 

Many of the images are from my personal collection of vintage photos.  Others my sister found on the internet. 

PINKS from Jill

 

 

I received a wonderful little box of PINKS yesterday from my October Swap partner.  Linda at A Swap For All Seasons is hosting a monthly swap.  Stop by and check out the November Swap with a Birthday Theme.

 

 

The theme of the October Swap was pink.  We were to make a card and a tag.  We were also to add a pink item from our stash.  Jill out did herself on the stash item and included a number of wonderful pinks from her stash. 

 

Thank you Jill.  You can see what I send my partner, Melodie, here. 

Primitive Snowman

 

This is the project I am currently working on.  I am now the lucky owner of a new Janome 15000.  It is a dream machine and an improvement over my 12000.  Traded in the 12000 and came home with the 15000. 

 

This square will be part of a wallhanging/tabletopper that I am making as a Christmas present.   The design is from Anita Goodesigns.  I just love their machine embroidery designs.

 

 

The snowmen will alternate with the crazy quilt squares like the one above.  This too is an Anita Goodesign embroidery block from Jelly Roll Quilts.  When you make the larger squares, you can't use a Jellyroll because you need wider pieces than 2 1/2".  I found these lovely Christmas fabrics in my stash.  So far I'm loving these blocks.  I have 6 blocks and am working on block 7.  I think I will stop with 9 blocks and then make the borders from the red and gold fabric above.

 

It's still in the 90s here in the desert but I'm ready to begin working on Christmas presents.  I try to give as many "handmade" by Pam items as possible each year. 

Friendship - A Swap for all Seasons

 I recently participated in the October Swap on a Swap for All Seasons.  The theme of the swap was Friendship.  You can check out the Swap by clicking on the Icon on the left of my blog.

The color for the month was pink.  We were to make a card and a tag.  Lastly we were to include something pink from our stash. My card is shown above.  I used scrapbook paper, cardstock, stamps, and a button.

My tag is shown above.  I used my new Silhouette to make the tag.  I'm so impressed with the machine.  I printed the tag on my printer and then cut out the shape on the Silhouette.  The tag features a piece of vintage fabric from a 1930's quilt top, vintage buttons, trim and an image cut from a notecard.

Here are the pink items from my stash.  Instructions said to include "One Pink" item.  Of course, I couldn't stop with just one.  The bias tape, rick rack, and seam binding are vintage.  All items are on their way to my partner in North Carolina.

New Jar Pendant Light

We are in the process of redecorating our living/dining space.  I recently purchased a dining table from Copenhagen.  The table was a perfect fit in our narrow dining area but the lighting above the table didn't fit with the table.  I searched for something linear and found this Jar Pendant Light at Pottery Barn.  It is perfect for the space.  The electrician installed it this week and we love it.

I'm not sure we are keeping the blue walls but will wait until all furniture has arrived before making a decision.  I'll post more photos of the transformation as we make the changes.  Shutters should be installed next week and furniture is scheduled to arrive the following week.  My DH will be repainting the shelves and  hutch to match new wall unit (Swiss Coffee).  Seems like one thing leads to another.  Especially in a older historic home.

Is It Fall Yet?

 

The weather has been under 100 all week here in the Valley of the Sun.  We began the week with a rainy Monday.  Cool and rained most of the morning.  Made me think of fall so I decided to share one of my fall quilts.  It is made from a kit I purchased a few years ago.  I love all the fall colors and hope you too enjoy my "Salute to Fall". 

 

As a footnote, we will be back over 100 by the weekend.  After all we do live in the desert and will appreciate the warm weather in December, January, and February.

Scrappity-Do-Dah Quilt

 

This is a Scrappity-Do-Dah quilt top that I made for my sister.  She had wanted me to make a quilt for her and I finally selected a pattern.  I wanted to use up the fabrics in my stash.  I found this scrappy quilt pattern and set out to make the quilt top.  There was lots of cutting, trimming, and squaring up in this design. 

 

Here is another view of the top.  I plan to stitch in the ditch along the  sashing and then add a center medallion to the center where the four triangles meet.  I will use my Janome 12000 quilting program to do the medallions.  It will take awhile but it is to be a Christmas present.  My sister has seen the quilt top and would be happy to have an early Christmas gift!!! She will display it on the bed in her guest room.  The bed is white (a vintage bed that belonged to our mom and dad) so the quilt will look very nice.

 

I'm linking to Pink Saturday.  Please check out our hostess Bev's blog.

Sudoku Quilt Top

 

This was my quilt project for the week.  My Janome 12000 is in for it's yearly servicing and I used my Janome 11000 to complete this quilt top.  I had purchased the Sudoku squares from Moda a few years ago.  The fabric is Lovely by Sandy Gervais.  When organizing my studio last week, I pulled out some easy-to-make projects and this was one of them.

 

The kit only included the Sudoku squares.  The green sashing was from my stash.  I had originally planned to use a bright blue border but when the center of the quilt was finished, I didn't like the blue border.  I searched my stash and found this green that was perfect for the border.  I finished the top yesterday.  I have a bright blue floral for the back and may use blue for the binding.  I won't be quilting until my "baby" is back from servicing next week.  This quilt is to be a graduation gift for a special young lady.

Jelly roll quilt for Baby

This is a Jelly Roll Quilt that I made this summer for a friend's granddaughter.  The baby's nursery was decorated in light earthy tones.  I found this jelly roll and made one of the Jelly Roll 1600 quilts.  You can read about my first jelly roll 1600 quilt here. 

 

Since the quilt was for a baby, I used flannel as the backing.  The new mother loved the quilt and has it proudly displayed in her home. 

 

 

Hobo Bag

This is a Hobo Bag I made recently for a friend.  This is an Anita Goodesigns Project Pack.  The quilted blocks are made in the embroidery machine and then assembled into the bag.  I used my wonderful Janome 15000 machine.  I continue to be amazed at the lovely embroidery produced by this machine.  Complete instructions for the bag are included in the Anita Goodesign Design Pack.

 

The fabrics for the bag were included in a grab bag of fat quarters that I ordered this summer from Craftsy.  At first I was disappointed that the bag didn't include 50 different fabrics but now I'm glad it included a good variety but duplicates of some fabrics.  Perfect for this project.

 

I found this button in my stash and it was the perfect addition to the bag.  The loop is made from a hair loop.  Luckily I had a pack that included the perfect blue.

Cowboy Baby Quilt

I finished this quilt recently.  The border and center square feature cowboy themed print.  The squares in this quilt are made of charms from a charm swap I participated in this spring.  Once we swapped charms, then we had a quilt challenge to use the fabric in a quilt.  The quilt had to feature one square made from your fabric and follow a pattern provided.  The block represented your state.  I made my own design for the quilt and am pleased with the resulting cowboy quilt.

 I altered my feature square slightly but it does feature my five fabrics from the swap.  The quilt was a gift for the new baby boy across the street.  The cowboy theme seemed appropriate as the five year older brother told me his baby bother's name was "gunslinger".  Actually his name is Sterling.

As I back to blogging, I'll be featuring my spring and summer projects in the days to come.

It's time to show some new projects

I recently completed this thread catcher for a dear friend.  She too does machine embroidery.  The thread catcher is perfect for all those little threads that you clip during machine embroidery.  The top is a pin cushion.  I have one and keep it by my machine at all times.  It's like my personal "trash bin"!

 

 

The embroidery design is from Anita Goodesigns (my fav machine embroidery company).  The pack is called "Sew Fun" and contains many wonderful sewing related embroidery designs. 

 

Decorating a Tween Bedroom

In my last post I described helping my youngest granddaughter decorate her new room with a butterfly theme.  You may recall that our decorating experience began with a visit to Hobby Lobby to pick out fabric and one other item for their rooms.

When oldest granddaughter selected her room in the new home it had denim draperies.  She immediately told her parents: "Mema can make me something better".  So we set out to find fabric for curtains.  Here is what she selected for her curtains.  She decided on tab top curtains with blue buttons on the tabs.

 

She also selected fabric for a name flag to be made using Anita Goodesigns Party Flags embroidery program.

 

 

 

Here is the item she selected to use in decorating her room.

 

She selected a two color scheme for her room since it has a chair rail.  Papa had a few concerns about paint color when he saw the paint samples but after painting, complimented her on the great paint selection.   Here is her wall with name flags above her bed.  The colors are not accurate in the photo but you get the idea.

 

 

Here are the curtains.  We still need to add blue buttons to each tab.

 

 

 

For her craft item she asked for a "black board".  Papa went to Home Depot and bought a sheet of the black board.  She selected the paint color and we painted a frame Mema purchased at Goodwill.   She is so proud of her new message board.  The colors in this photo are closest to her actual wall colors.

 

The granddaughters made a trip back to Hobby Lobby with the their mom and she selected this chandelier to hang above her bed. 

 

 

I'm not good at whole room photos but will attempt to take some pics of both girl's rooms when completed.