New soaps, Apple orchards, and Scarfs

So tired tonight. I made soap...lots of batches of soap. Some of them are...Ginger Peach, Coconut, Lavender (with real lavender ground in and decorated with oregano blossoms), Red Delicious Apple (so Yummy!!-with dried rose petals on top of this pink soap), a plain soap bar batch for my mom, a small batch of lilac (very mild scented), oh! and a lovely chocolate topped with curled/grated chocolate soap on top...I think that's it.  I will take pics soon for you to see :)

Chocolate soap with chocolate shavings.

Red Delicious Apple soap with Rose petals.

I finished the ends of a bunch of scarfs that I bought. Someone had started to make them and never finished. I finished them (yes, I took on someone else's UFO project!)

I also sewed up a few blocks on my tessellation quilt before making supper.

Mom came over after lunch and we made a quick jaunt down to the apple orchard...which reminds me, I better go check the apple crisp in the oven....

Apple Crisp

Shopping Fabric!!

My dear husband dropped me off in Ottawa street while we were on vacation in Ontario. Ottawa street is all fabric and the parking lot and signs are all buttons and spools (see pic on the side).

I shopped with my daughter-what fun!

Here are the fabrics I picked up. They're all quilting fabrics, as I needed more for the two quilts I'm working on (one king sized for hubby and I, and one for my daughter that she doesn't know about).

 

AND as promised, here is a pic of the cathedral window quilt in progress:

In a Pickle

I made a batch of dill pickles today but didn't have enough cukes to do a batch (drat all that spring rain), so I used zucchini spears instead. I'll let you know how they turn out in a month or two (when we pop open a battle and try them.

I also harvested most of my broccoli today. De-worming them is a chore (I farm organically). Some have suggested salt water soaks, but the silly things attach themselves to the broccoli with fine silk. The trick I use is to pour hot tap water over the whole bunch and shake vigorously. Then I slice off pieces and put them under hot tap water while finely inspecting and separating branches. Then I blanch and freeze. Works great.

I finally decided on a solid black background for my daughter's hope chest quilt. I eyed the blue batiks that were on sale (buy one get two meters free) but I passed on it. The colors on the cathedral window quilt will stand out so much better on black.

I also found some old fashioned map fabric for my map loving youngest son. He needs a new quilt as well.

We helped my mom pick all her latest cukes and veggies from the garden. She kept one and gave me the rest, so guess what I'm doing tomorrow? Pickles! Mustard pickles. I should be able to make 2 batches (about 52 jars!!) I'm getting the kids to help, though!

Results of the fair

Just back from picking up our items, ribbons, and prize money from the fair.

Here's how it all looked:

My daughter won 15.00$ worth of prizes (her bread won 2'nds and 3'rds-pretty good for an 11 year old competing against adults!)

My son won 9$ in prizes (his handmade pottery candle holder won first place in his age division)

I won 62$ in prizes. I received 5 first place ribbons (for a ring, my dried garden herbs, a crazy quilt I had made for my eldest son, a turnip from my garden, and broccoli I grew.) I also won 8 second place ribbons and 8 third place ribbons.

Quite a haul, quite a haul. :)

Cotton

I ordered cotton here with very good results-great for spinning, quilt batting, etc.

Finished Curved Medallion Quilt

I started this quilt about 5-6 years ago. I put it away once I finished the center medallion. The curved piecing wasn't sitting flat enough for my liking. Amazingly enough, after being stored for so long, it did flatten a fair bit. A wedding prompted me to pull it back out and complete it. Here are the results.

Star Wars Quilt

I'm working on a Star Wars Quilt for a nephew of mine.

I have silhouettes cut out from various brown/beige/ and green prints.

I also have the silhouettes traced onto various sized squares in glow-in-the-dark thread!

That should be a fun surprise for him. :)

I find it easy to make patterns from coloring pages here on the web.

You can take these shapes on the left, re-size them, and print.

Finished Train Quilt

Here is a pic of my finished train quilt for my nephew (my mom is holding him). He absolutely loves it and often refuses to part with it. I'm so glad :)

Under Construction

I'm in the middle of some custom bracelet and cuff link orders for a wedding party.

Lots of fun!
Here's the finished results for the bracelets (for the bridesmaids).

Train Quilt

This is the latest quilt I'm working hard to try to finish for my nephew. It's a crib sized train quilt. This is my favorite block.

Latest Quilt

This quilt project is a strip quilt made from scraps that have been accumulating over the years. I love this kind of project. It's quick, easy, and I love the colors!!

This is one strip that is going to be the width of the quilt. It's going to be a summer quilt (no batting, just an old sheet in the middle). I'm machine quilting as I go (free motion-stippling).

Click on the pick for a close up.

A Quilter's Point of View

A New Look at Houseplants

Diapers...everywhere

I really enjoy making diapers. I find it very relaxing. That being said, I hope I sell some soon-before the house is overrun with diapers!

Here are some new prints:

After God's Own Heart

I've always viewed this phrase as being a person who pleases God.

Today I saw this phrase in a slightly different light. As chasing after God's heart...pursuing after the things that please God...after God Himself.

God likes to be pursued. Like a woman likes to be pursued by the one she loves. Lethargic and indifferent can really kill a relationship.

I guess that's be me of late in my relationship with You, God.

Been Stitching

I'm in the midst of sewing a kids coat size 4...from a pattern (I usually don't use patterns).

I learned how to understitch today!! (topstitching close to the seam)


Here's the pockets:

Love the fabric!!

Vintage Quilt

New Baby Diapers!

I have been making fitted flannel diapers for friends and decided to sell some with unique printed flannel. Here is my first of this series:

Diaper Flannel

Tan Baby Cowboy Booties

These tan colored, cowboy style booties are a great accessory for baby!

This fabric is fuzzy in spots and flat everywhere else-very unique.

The back opens and shuts via velcro for ease of access.

Size:0-3 months, Preemie, doll

Materials: cotton polyester, Velcro, thread

$10.00

Buy here