I love my garden...

Katie's Polka Dot room!

I wish more of photos came out but you can see some of Katie's room:

We had also used fabric for a french memo bulletin board for Katie.  Katie helped with every process for her room and I'm proud of the work she did:

 Now Denise is making a Pouf (never heard of this before but it is an ottoman) which she is knitting from...get this...old t-shirts that she dyed and tore into strips which became her yarn.   You can't tell in the photograph, but it is a great thickness and would be perfect to use this kind of technique to make a rug--which is exactly what I am considering as a fun project for this winter.  

Work on wedding party preparations continue here but slowly but surely, I'm getting things checked off my list!  Take care and have a great day everyone!

Seeing polka dots...

When I was a kid, I loved reading Little Dot comic books.  Dot painted spot on EVERYTHING :)  Today we might say she was obsessive/compulsive; back then, she was just fun to read.  I loved that her name was Dot Polka instead of polka dot.  I've been thinking about little Dot this past week because Katie (from next door) has been going through a room revamp.  Her theme has gone from pink pussycats to bright polka dots-- perfect for a young teen.  

Yesterday I finished some pillows for her:

She had picked the fabrics last week and I wanted to finish this before she gets back from camp on Saturday.  I hope she likes them!

laptop sleeves for Jessica

Jessica just replaced her laptop and asked me to make her a sleeve for the new one. The brown one was my prototype--these are super easy to put together.  Anyway, she loves this nesting doll fabric so I was excited that I actually had some on hand.  I'll send both of them to her tomorrow. Have a great day!

Been busy...

My mother told my son she wanted to have a party in honor of his recent surprise wedding.  Of course, she wasn't really thinking clearly.  When the guest list exceeded 50 people, I had to put my foot down and tell her "this isn't just a little picnic anymore."  So we rented an affordable (and air conditioned) recreation hall...

And now we are trying to prepare for a fun day in a white cement block building that is very VERY plain.   I'm also insistent that we honor their personalities; they live simply, responsibly and creatively.  A "princess for a day" theme is just not Jessica.

 I asked Jessica what she would like at the picnic and she said "suprise us!"   Soooo I'm taking my cue from the outfit Jess wore at her wedding.  I making a lot of table squares for the tables and finally touching my beloved 30s/40s style fabric.  Afterwards, I'll wash the squares, take them apart and make a 9 patch quilt in their colors for them:

I'm going to make fabric pennants as well and sachets as favors.  When in doubt, pull out your fabric!!  I have to do this now since the party is at the end of August.  

We will decorate mason jars that I have and friends are loaning for vases.  I pruned all my flowers so we can have more in time for the party.  This is the time I am grateful I have an over the top garden :)  

I also found some vintage  "cats in love" embroidery transfers on flickr.  I bet you are surprised that I am not using poodles but the couple have a cat they adore.    I wasn't sure what I was going to do with this but then I visited Martha's site, Q is for Quilter and she incorporated a similar block (cat in a wedding gown and veil) into a quilt she made for her daughter afterwards.

Anyway, that is what I am up to these days and why I am AWOL.  I am truly happy these days and enjoying this so much!  I just love this couple and it makes my heart sing to think about how happy they are.  They may joke that nothing is changed but they are GLOWING :)  
Have a safe and happy day ya'all!

Ufo completed!

From quilt top that was never going to be completed...

 to pillows for Katie.  Katie is now 14 (I think) and changing her room to be white with bright polka dots.  Anyway, she and Denise liked them!

I know have four ufos basted and ready to quilt.  I'm super busy these days so anytime I can get moments to sew, I'm happy.  Hope you are staying cool and hydrated!  

Scoops of love quilt

Got a recent request from our guild for this quilt.  The request was for quilts to send to children who are dealing with the trauma of the Oklahoma tornadoes.  Anyway, I got this one finished and can hand it in tonight at our meeting.  Have another set of blocks ready to go and hope to assemble it and get it finished during next week (we are on a deadline).

Photos from Saturday's surprise...

For Linda...Really bad camera photos from the surprise wedding that my son and Jess had on Saturday evening.  Yes it was a legal marriage, nobody knew about it beforehand and it was relaxed and carefree.  Can't wait to get the good photos (hopefully from Jana) in the next week or two.  The couple have been together for 7 years but with Jessica's upcoming surgery, made it legal so that Peter is officially her next of kin and caregiver...

"Yes we are going to get real rings...when we can afford them."   I love that these two are always sticking to their budget and always doing it with a sense of humor.

Signing the license :)

Jess with Franscesca her lifelong best friend (and maid of honor) and below, Jess with Jana (Peter's lifelong best friend), Peter and Sean (another lifelong friend and the official best man).

Better photos and the story to come...but right now I'm still celebrating the joy of officially having Jessica in our family!!!

Two by two

Another UFO finish!  

This pattern is over at Martha's if you want to download it and finish one yourself :

http://qisforquilter.com/2013/02/more-vintage-uk-transfers/