Blankets, Quilts, Afghans & more...

Self Binding Receiving Blanket

with matching Baby Album

I am going to be a GREAT-grandma!

My grandson is having a baby girl, which means I am going to me a great-grandmother.

They are having a wee baby girl.

For the baby I made this self-binding receiving blanket.  

I've never made a self binding blanket before, but this was fast and easy.

For Mom, I made her a baby album.

On the inside, there is an envelope with a pin to pull it open.  

Mom can keep, I think, a lock of the baby's hair.  

There is also a pocket behind the envelope.

A pretty pink bow to tie it all together.

Let's not forget the "Goodnight Moon" book to be sent along as well.

It is tradition in our family that everyone new family gets one.

...and goodnight to the little old lady whispering hush.

Quilts

FINALLY!  FINALLY!  FINNALLY!

After, I don't know how many years, I finally finished the Halloween Quilt I started way back when.

I started this quilt when Ginger's Quilt Shop was still in business (I miss that Quilt Shop).

Cleaning out the garage and reorganizing, I came across this UFO (UnFinished Object).  This was not the only UFO I came across while going through all my crap, I mean stuff.  There were six other quilts that were left unfinished.  Some just needed the binding sewn on, others a bit more.  

Since this posting, I have finished two more quilts.  One was a sampler quilt and another a baby quilt.  The baby quilt was not for anyone in particular.  It was a quilt I put together from a swap I did when I was a member of Night Owls Quilt Guild.  Now that is ever older than the Halloween Quilt.  Wow!

Right now I am working on a beautiful blue Batik quilt that is another UFO.  But!  For the life of me, I cannot figure out the pattern.  It is one I made up for a class I taught (way back when), and I cannot figure out how I put the pattern together.  Luckily, I had the direction for it with the quilt.  Whew!

Still plugging away at all these UFOs and feeling a sense of accomplishment.  I feel a bit proud of myself, finally getting these done.  Now, should there be a baby on the way somewhere or a quick gift to give, I'm all set.

HAPPY QUILTING!

Inchie Art

One Inch Art

Last year I drew out one inch squares on a piece of drawing paper approximately 14" X 16".

My goal was to do a piece of art everyday, starting January 1, 2018.  Drawing on a 1" X 1"  square would be manageable, I thought, and it was.  However, coming up with something to draw everyday without repeating myself (which I did) was the difficult part.  Not so much in the beginning, but towards the end it was a bit more challenging.  I did skip a few days.  Some because I forgot, others I just did not feel like it and then there were those days when I was not feeling well enough to draw.

Looking at this now, I see that some were really, really good and then there were some that were really, really bad and then whole lot of in betweens.  I must say, although it was a bit challenging at times, it was lots of fun.  There is about 7-1/2 months of drawing. 

Wow!

I can't believe I did that.

Christmas In July

Photo Holders

Soooooooooo

It's "Christmas In July" for me and I've been busy MAKING Christmas gifts.

Why have I been making Christmas gifts?  I'm glad you asked.  I don't want to buy into the money making schemes of the all mighty dollar.  I don't want to shop to buy something, just for the sake of buying someone a Christmas gift.  I don't want to buy something, anything, just so someone does not get left out.

I think making a gift for someone that comes from the heart is worth more than what money can buy.  I want to think of that person, knowing  what they mean to me and make something special just for them.  It doesn't have to cost a lot.  It doesn't have to extravagant.  It just has to come from the heart.  I think that is what handmade/homemade gifts are all about.

Why am I making my gifts in July?  Another good question.  If I take time, one month out of the year, I can take my time in making the gift(s).  As the year draws nearer to Christmas, I do not have to rush to do something/anything and then end up buying something/anything.

This is one of the items I have made for someone(s) special.  I can show this because the person(s) getting it will not see this post.  Those who do see it are getting something else.

I have one more item to make, but I can't show you.  I can't show you anything else I've made either.  

Ssshhhh...

It's a surprise and cannot be revealed until Christmas.

So, maybe this has inspired you to have your own Christmas In July and start creating something for that special someone.

Tag Book

Quotes & Sayings

Life Takes You to Unexpected Places

Love Brings You Home

It has been quite some time since I've done anything in my "Quotes & Sayings" Book.

I like how this turned out, even though I copy the image from someone else.  I'm sorry to say, I cannot remember who that person is, otherwise I would give credit.  

I had drawn out the image a few months back, but never finished it until now.  I enjoyed coloring in the picture.  It was like coloring in a coloring book.  I don't much like to color, but with this little picture, I did.

I have been traveling here and there lately and have not been home much.  Although it is true that life sometimes takes you to unexpected places, it is even more true that LOVE brings you home.

Art Swap

Beach Theme

Awhile back, I joined an online art swap.  Jennibellie's Journal Workshop to be exact.

For this art swap, the theme was "Beach".  However, we were not to do a beach scene, i.e. beach landscape and the like.  The theme was to focus on the essence of the beach.  

Here is my version.  

I found scrapbook paper that reminded me of the ocean with the sunset in the background.  I used cheese cloth to mimic netting, a starfish, some flip flops and ocean rocks.  It measures 5" X 7" and is back with heavy cardstock.  

I hope my swap partner likes it.  I know I do.

What I've Up To...

Just Playing

Had a few ideas in my head I wanted to give a try.  Spent a day playing around with the ideas, just to see what worked and what did not.  I had lots of fun exploring the different techniques and experimenting.

 

The first thing I tried, was this little flip booklet using a cereal box.  The outside is covered with scrapbook paper, the inside with book pages and I used a strip of muslin for the hinge.  Folded some coffee stained paper, cut to size for the inside and there you have it.  May decorate the outside of this little booklet at another time.

The dimensions are 4" X 6". 

Next, I made some tracing paper bags and then covered the outside with music sheets and napkins.  Added paper doilies, lace and flowers.  The pink flower on the right was made from a used dryer sheet.  

These were so much to make.

I also made some envelopes and library pockets using coffee stained book pages.  

Good additions to use in a Junk Journal.

Here are some crochet motifs I made while watching television. I had so much fun making these tiny little doilies, I could have made a whole lot more.  I had some bed crochet thread that I stained with coffee before crocheting them.  These will be cute little additions to add to my bags, envelopes and Junk Journals.