Happy Halloween

Here is a picture of Aleyah and Jayden pre-posing in their "gonna be for halloween" outfits last week. Make-up and other accessories will finish up the costumes later. I was hit with the swine flu this week and am just getting my energy back. I did not have the energy to do any sewing which is really sad for me as I have so much I need to get done sitting in front of me. We are off to a fundraiser walk for Juvenile Diabetes Research (www.jdrf.org) this morning and then will head over to the other house to do some repairs. We have a few windows that need to be replaced thanks to I think a stray basketball and Jayden..... Happy Halloween! Carole

Can I possibly have a 12 year old Granddaughter?

Aleyah turned 12 years old last week and I found myself thinking about where all this time had gone. How is it possible that I have a grand child who is entering the teenage years? One day they are laying in your arms and you turn around and they are in JR high. I looked in the mirror and can sure see the lines (refuse to call them wrinkles), and the gray hair that I try to cover. I dare not look down, as everything shifted towards the floor long ago. I guess I have to get with reality and admit that I am getting older. Ouch! We had a great time with the kids. We went to a hockey game, barbecued, shopped, played and of course had cake and ice cream. Here is Aleyah with her cake and then a picture on Aleyah and Jayden--happy with each other for just a moment! We gave Aleyah a new DSi and she has already learned how to take pictures with it and load them on facebook. It's a pretty neat little gadget. No time for sewing this weekend! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 9 Completes the Window

TAH-DAH.... Block 9 is done and completes the window scene. Tomorrow I plan to sew them all together and try to get the backgrounds pieced as well. I still have not had a chance to go through my stash of fabric to see if something will work or if I need to make a trip to the quilt store for something that matches. Hoping that I do not have to shop as I always buy more than I mean to. The kids will be here for the weekend, so I need as much time as possible to get this done. I'll let you know my progress next week. Happy Sewing!! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 8

And then there was just one more left to do. I will have this done by Friday and be able to sew all the blocks together. I may have to make a run for some background fabric, but I will be searching my stash to try to make something work. It has been a busy week at the office trying to catch up and get some sewing time in, but somehow I've managed doing both. I surprise myself once in a while. Happy Sewing!! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 7

Ok, Vacation is over and I have to get back to finishing one last Christmas Project. Really, I have several I'd like to complete, but I am not sure what I can truly fit in. So many other project in the wind. The goal is to finish all the blocks this week. The grandkids will be here this weekend, so that will limit my sewing time. Hockey season is upon us, so my calendar is filling up with other activities. Wish me luck! Happy Sewing!! Carole

I took a week off to Cruise..... Mexican Riviera 10-10-2009

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Santa's Visit Block 6

With Block 6 done, I feel like I can't wait to complete the whole set. The Christmas tree was a good assortment of applique and a ton of stitches. It took the longest to do for some reason. I met up with my BF Christina today and we got a sneak peek at the new Anita Goodesigns for November. It is another picture frame quilt and it is all snowmen. It will be a "must have", but I do not know if it will be done for this Christmas. Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 5

Block 5 is the center of the picture quilt and really gives Santa some great detail. I'm now past the halfway point which is always a great way to see my progress. I'm working mostly from the house today and will only have to make a quick trip to the office, so I may get some extra time to sew while I work. I really like this. Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Block4

Block 4 of Santa's Visit shows the mantle and the start of Santa himself. I used a fabric that looked like rocks for the mantle. I like the look that it gave with the holly hanging from it. I am anxious to do block five to see how the details of Santa's face turn out. I am on track to finish all the blocks before the weekend especially if this latest insomniac episode continues. Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 3

Block 3 of Santa's Visit finished off the top of the window frame and started on the Christmas tree. It is starting to look like a window and the details are really pretty. Even the metallic thread is cooperating for the most part. I really enjoy the applique parts. Now on to block 4 to start the mantle and Santa's coat. Middle of night sewing at it's best! Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 2

I finished block 2 of Santa's visit. It is still part of the wall behind Santa just above a mantle. I love it when the designs start making a bigger picture. There is quite a bit of detail within each frame. Each block is about 2 hours to complete and has between 25,000 - 45,000 stitches. I am much more motivated after I get all the prep work done and the first block sewn. Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Block 1

This is block 1 of my Santa's Visit picture quilt. I am breaking in my new machine and I am very happy how it sews. I did not even have much trouble with the metallic thread other than the normal twisting. This picture quilt only has 9 blocks and I am hoping to get through it within a couple weeks )if I can get a block done daily). Of course, this all depends on how things run at the office. If you look real close, the background has leaves on it to make it look like wallpaper. Happy Sewing! Carole

Santa's Visit Quilt

It is time to start a new project and since I have been so happy doing the picture quilts, I decided to do another one. This is another design by Anita Goodesigns and it is a project that I can do a little at a time in between work and sleep. The name of it is Santa's Visit and it shows Santa piling presents under the Christmas tree. It is a combination of embroidery and applique. I still have the binding to do on my last Christmas picture, but it is going to reside next to my recliner so I can finish it by hand while watching some TV. I'm going to break in my new sewing machine. I will post each block as I get it done. Happy Sewing! Carole