Edgy Softness

Who doesn't just love a cuddly, soft baby blanket?! And the darling baby fabrics are so numerous!! How could one resist such cuteness?? Not me . . .

And crocheting a little soft edge just adds to the sweetness!

Thanks to this nifty little idea . . .





I've made a stack of soft, delightful baby-licious blankets for our Chrismas bazaars!

Hope the buyers can't resist!

Scarecrows and Pumpkins and Sunflowers~~Oh My!

Mama and Papa Scarecrow

Baby Scarecrows

Scarecrow Buddies

Friendly Scarecrow

Comfy Scarecrow

Scarecrow in the Sunflowers

Scarecrows in the Pumpkin Patch

Scarecrow Clones

Seems that I can't have too many Scarecrows!

Quilter Wannabe

I have a confession.

I have been sewing for 49 years. I sewed my outfits in high school. I made my own wedding dress. I made clothes for my babies before they were born. I made cute outfits for my toddlers and more cute outfits when they were school age. I made work clothes when teaching. For Christmas bazaars, I now make aprons, hand mitts, little purses, hoodie vests for kids, baby bibs, and much more. In other words, I know my way around in a fabric store, and I can work a sewing machine.

But---I have never made a quilt. I have always wanted to make a quilt, but I'm scared. What?? I can't explain it. Maybe it's the size or a fear of failure. I absolutely love quilts. I admire them at the county fairs and bazaars. I follow quilter blogs and marvel at their creations. I have even resorted to buying ready-made quilts for our bed and couch. I have a pretty good fabric stash that makes people ask if I am a quilter. I'm always buying cotton remnants that elicit comments like "This must be for your quilting stash." And (I'm embarrassed to admit) sometimes I'll say "Oh, yes it is!"



I'm a total quilter "wannabe". Okay, so now that I'm retired and have all of this glorious, uninterrupted time, I'm committing myself to making my first quilt. I'm not sure which way to turn. Should I begin with something small like a wall hanging or runner? Should I just jump in and begin cutting shapes and making blocks? Which design should I start with? A nine-patch, a string quilt . . .? Is there a good book or website for first timers? Should I sign up for a class? I feel a little lost, but determined.

I now have my mind set to complete a quilt before I turn 60--that gives me about a year. And I'm on a mission to find a project that will put my silly fear to rest! Any suggestions?

Pretty Little Aprons

I've been getting reacquainted with my sewing machine since being sick. My lonely tubs are waiting to be filled up for the Christmas bazaars, so I'm staying focused and working on one thing at a time. A stack of unfinished aprons was my first project to attack. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. They're reversible, have pockets, and one size fits most! I sure hope they sell . . . otherwise, guess what my family and friends are getting for Christmas!!

New Sewing Project

Look at this cute little purse. It's meant for organizing credit cards, gift cards, ID cards, store rewards cards . . . you know, all those cards that fill up your wallet or get lost in the depths of your big purse.

I found the basic pattern several weeks ago, modified it a bit, and have already made 75 of them! Something new for the Chrismas bazaars that will be here before I know it!!

I Organized My Fabric Stash!

I got this wonderful idea here using foam core board.
I instantly knew that this was the answer to my never-ending quest to organize my fabric in a practical, accessible way. I'm always picking up cotton remnants--I just can't help myself! But then I forget what I have, and it just sits on a shelf or in a tub. But not any more . . .Yay! Many thanks to The Little Coffee Bean!

Here's What Being Married for 60 Years Looks Like

Come October, my parents will have been married for 60 years. They have been together so long that they have basically grown up as one entity. They seem to know each other almost better than they each know themselves. And this goes way beyond simple likes and dislikes.

She knows when he's getting a little too tired. He knows when she's got a headache. She knows when he wants something to eat. He knows who she's talking to on the phone by the sound of her voice. They watch out for each other, protect each other, support each other, defend each other, encourage each other.

He glows and calls her "good-lookin'" when she walks through a room. She gently covers him when he lays down for a nap.

He patiently waits in the car when she gets her hair done or shops for fabric. She listens with care when he reminisces on his time in the Navy during WWII.

He lovingly takes a picture of each afghan that she crochets. She trustingly relies on him to fix anything and everything.

They seem to live in tandem, each one half of a whole. I will never know what it's like to have a faithful partner of 60 years. But I'm privileged and proud to see what it looks like through my very sweet parents.