Spring Greetings

to everyone and a mixed bag of things to share.

First up.  Thank you all for the comments you all left on my last post and a hand of welcome to those that have come on to follow, visiting, and passing through.

My postings of late have not been consistent, but I assure you it is not because of boredom or nothing to share.  I'll try to make blame to Daylight Saving Time. LOL.  Pushing the clock one hour forward had me out of balance this year and just couldn't get my act together.

Alright... What has happened since my last post?  I have been busy with my girls taking them to and fro to appointments, spring shopping and the likes of a teenager; then came school spring break with more appts.  The girls and their friend even managed to get me in the gym playing volleyball for three consecutive hours.  Sheesh!!!  I must say, I had a good workout, but I licked on my sour muscles for an entire weekend.  LOL.   

Alrighty...

1.  I stitched this spring embroidery piece, Spring Greetings, and finished it as a pillow.  Cute I thought.


Spring Greetings embroidery pillow stitched with
DMC threads:  605, 747, 209, 745, 564, 3824

2. While playing with some dye for a project, I tossed a few skeins of threads in and so I used the threads on the Tulips only to see what they would look like. I really love the way this pillow turned out with it's soft colors.  I will use this as a bowl filler.  



Glory Bee free:  Spring Tulips on 32 ct Belfast (mystery)
stitched with DMC threads:  605, 747,209,745,564.3824
Tulips in hand over dyed threads
finished with pink rick rack and filled with crushed walnuts

3.  I finished Blackbird Designs, Anniversaries of the Heart (SAL), Bonus block.

Blackbird Designs, Anniversaries of the Heart, Bonus
stitched with said threads


4.  While watching Eleanor Burns on T.V. one day, I took notes and made "How Charming Table Topper".  The topper required the charm squares that are so very popular now.  Well I did not have any charm squares so I made some up with some spring fabric I had calling me to use them. It is unfinished (waiting for a scallop ruler) but I just love the cheerfulness in this topper.



How Charming Table Topper by Eleanor Burns



5.  As all quilters know, there are the leftover fabbys.  So I made this little zipper pouch to hold my spring floss.

Zipper pouch

6.  Then these carrots looked good enough to eat!!!  See the link for the tutorial.  I did not paint mine because I liked the way they finished up.


Fabric carrots
find the tutorial here from this very talented lady
@  Our Cozy Nest


7.  Our spring shopping was a bit disappointed as we came home with barely anything.  Just a good lunch.  LOL.  So I pulled out a pattern and made these no frills, easy peasy dresses for my youngest DD. 

The first I made just as the pattern required,  using it for fitting.
The hem fell just above the knee as is the picture on the pattern.

 and here was my review:  "Mom, I like it, but it's not long enough."

8.  So as with any great mom would do, I readjusted the pattern and made the second one a bit longer below the knee, hoping I could get a better review.

and here is my review as I am taking the picture (see her in the corner)  "I like it Mom, but is doesn't twirl enough." 

I told her she was going on the sewing machine next.  LOL.

9.  Okie dokie. My BOM with my local quilt ladies.  We were introduced to using thangles on this block; and I would certainly use thangles again.

10.  Another stitchery block, Merry.

Merry


Up for a Challenge WIP

I thought I should get back to business and work on my WIPS.  My first one is now framed and worked on two more.

11.  Here is Blackbird Designs, Winter Wonderland, I finished with BBDs yahoo group winter SAL.  I now have this piece framed and hope you all like it.

 

Blackbird Designs, Winter Wonderland


11.  Although not part of my WIP, and a little rough stitching this "winter" piece during spring, I thought I would go ahead and stitch the accompanying pin cushion to Winter Wonderland for it may never get done if I stow it away.  I used the leftover threads to stitch the pincushion and did not have enough of the WDW Lancaster Red to do the urns so this is why the urns are in white and used DMC 221 on the berries.  Hope you all like the make do changes.



Blackbird Designs, Winter Garden Pincushion
with said threads and the addition of DMC 221 and slight variation
finished with a beaded trim and filled with crushed walnut shells


12.  Next WIP.  I was to finish this yesterday, but my DD threw one of those curved balls at me; and that's alright because It was a teachable moment with DD.  So here is this WIP for now. 


Faithwurks, Stitching is always in season

13.  This next WIP was to celebrate the successful potty training for DD some time ago; but while I was stitching this piece, it somehow took on another meaning for me and I hope to get the courage to write about it when I am done stitching my 4th block of BBDs, AofH. 


Sue Hillis Designs freebie
Put on your big girl panties
go make your own here

14.  Bear with me.  Here is part of my curved ball from yesterday.
My DD, Tiger, asked me to take her to the hospital to visit one of her schoolmates who is diagnosed with cancer.  We stopped to pick up a card and a beautiful bouquet of bright spring flowers. 

DD went in to visit and came back to the lobby very emotional.  We took turns going in to visit as my youngest DD was not allowed in.  Now having never meeting this young man or his mother, I greeted them both with a hug, expressing a few words of encouragement and to please call on me if she should need anything.  Needless to say, I was too very moved by entering the room seeing this dear mother crying.  Just wondering.

She mentioned she appreciated the flowers and I could not help but think that maybe those flowers helped to lift their spirits and just the fact that someone cared enough maybe to just come visit her son.

I felt a deep sense of sorrow within my DD and asked if she would like to make a little something for him and of course she said yes.
So we made our way over to Joann's and picked up some fabby and we will make a quilt for him.

And, so with that said, I'd like to believe we were out making sprit's bright, doing God's work of comforting the sick.  The young man will be in surgery tomorrow his mother told me and I pray the surgery will be successful.

On this last note, if you all would say a prayer for this young man and his family, I'd be much grateful to you all.

If you have another send one for our military servicemen and women and their families; and please say also a prayer for the people of Japan.

Be blessed 'yall.

Hugs.
Jackie.