A SPECAIL THANK YOU...just CLAUS

This might seem like old news...

BUT it needs a post because its sew full of

what giving means to me. 

This is my 81 yo Sister, Arbutus Swackhammer.

Yep that's her name...you can't make that up.

She had had a rough life...much by choice...much by

incidents that should never happen to anyone.

But this is a happy post. 

About her Adult Protective Services Caseworker, Brandon,

 and how he helped Arbutus find a new and happy life in 2020.

Brandon has 2 little boys, I had lots of novelty fabrics.

I decided a quilt for each boy was a perfect way to say 

'thank you' for all his help.

I had all these prints in my stash to choose from.

Perfect Ten, by Swirly Girl Designs is my 'go to' pattern for kids.

Makes a great size quilt to enjoy for years.

 Caleb, age 3, animals and bright colors.

Caleb 6, Robots and Helicopters

You see, Brandon works in Licking County

and he found her housing in Marion County

That was a 1 1/2 hour drive each way.

He made that trip once or twice a month

to ensure she would be ok.

My sister had NOTHING to setup housekeeping.

Brandon worked to get her an apartment she could afford.

to set up all the senior services available to her.

Many people donated household goods and delivered to me.

Brandon, would pick them up and take them to her.

You see, COVID was spreading fast and we were asked to stay at home.

 

I decided then my thank you gift would touch his little boys lives.

It wasn't long until I had two quilts made.

Backs

My Bernina 740 has a text function.

So each quilt was labeled, on the front of the quilt, after quilting.

Made by: Mrs. Clause 2020

I rolled them up and tied them with fabric.

Bagged them for Daddy to pick up on my porch.

He would place the bags under their tree for Christmas morning.

After all, they are from Mrs. Claus.

Christmas Day, Brandon sent me this picture.

THIS is why I love playing Mrs. Claus.

THIS is what the holiday season means to me.

THIS is a Merry Christmas.

I am already working of my giving for 2021.

I will find a Mrs. Claus recipient.

You can count on that!

2016 FAVORITES

It was tough to pick out favorite things I made in 2016...

cause I pretty much like everything I make...

But here goes...

Halloween quilt using Riley Blake fabrics...need to quilt this one

 I gotta get my Ghastlie on all year long.  This top needs quilted.

A Ghastlies Supertote...one of my all time favorite bags.

and a Ghastlie "Ring of Coffins" pillow

Keeping in the Halloween Spirit...I finally finished this one 

after about five years of procrastinating!

I always enjoy making zippy pouches.

I pulled out all the Ghastlie stops using up

some of my cherished, 1st year of Ghastlies fabric stash

to make this for a holiday gift.

Kathy Guenther, my BFF and knitting menor 

is an excellent knitter and this bag...

had to be hers!

Llama love here...

I made several of these pouches using my Mom's 

embroidered dresser scarves and my scraps.

They were gifted to Mom's granddaughters for Christmas.

I did finish a couple quilts in 2016 that I adore.

This is called "Catching a Cold" because I pieced it in 2015 

when I had a horrible cold.

I used 5 packs of Christmas/Winter Charms for the front 

and 2 1/2 Layer cakes of the same fabrics for the back.

Michelle Mayton, longarmer did an all over 

snowflake design!

I finished the Metro Rings quilt. Michelle Mayton 

did a fabulous job keeping this very modern. 

Charley Harper fabric "flew into my sewing room" sew

I made a fabric covered journal for my 2017 year of projects

I started the Splendid Sampler but got bored very quickly.  

I made about 11 blocks using this fabric...

which is where the favorite comes in.

I may do a few more this year and make a small wall hanging.

I started working on some Charley Harper wall hangings 

for a one-girl quilt show (me) in November.

More on that later!

A bedside pocket organizer and pillow case for my niece.  

Luv the faerie fabric that was in my stash since 2006!

I am excited to get going on some new projects.

 What's on your horizon!?

CATCHING A COLD...for CHRISTMAS

Last year I had the most horrible cold and cough.

They said...bronchitis....felt like...pneumonia.

Not much energy but I wanted to sew

I grabbed a bunch of charm packs by

my favorite Christmas fabric designers..

I was coughing..it was snowing..

chain piecing happened.

Decided the back would be layer cakes...

also Christmas fabrics.

I sent it off this last fall to my longarmer

cause sometimes it just needs to be DONE!

and she quilted an all over snowflake design.

Made some binding...

"Catching a Cold"

was DONE!

I love that it's reversible and I can enjoy all my favorite fabrics.

Let's hope I don't  

Catch another Cold

but if I do....THIS will comfort me!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

AUTUMN WOODS QUICKIE!

Sometimes I want to make something just quick and easy!

Like this table runner...all from my stash

  "Autumn Woods" fabrics by Kate and Birdie  

 2 FQs for the center design

 1 FQ for the border

1 FQ for the binding

Here is a close up and aren't these squirrels 

and falling leaves...luv it!

Lotta Jansdotter for the backing and 

the quilting was just some easy wavy lines

I think its speaks Kwilty Pleasures !

I hope you fall is nice and easy...just like this project!

LLAMA LOVE

Next to quilting...I luv to knit.   

That being said I have found a new luv of llamas!

An IG friend posted a baby quilt with llama fabric.

I asked her if she had a scrap of it I could have

...hoping to add my own stash with it and

make a cute knitting  project bag!

This is what she sent...an entire sampler pack

of Llama Love by Michael Miller! 

I found this domino stash fabric for the lining

and had a zipper in my stash!

I added a piece of the stripe, trimmed the pieces 14" x 15"

Followed the Noodlehead Open Wide Zipper Pouch pattern

but with my custom sizes. 

If you have not seen it...check out the free tute here.

Added some serpentine quilting...

on the exterior and batting piece

(NOT the lining)  

I picked a "S" looking stitch on my machine

and adjusted the length to stretch it out long...

 And here is an inside peek...

It's Llama Luv at its best!

MINI TREE TABLE TOPPER!

I am not ready to give up on the 

Quick Curve Ruler (QCR) and have the mini

to make this "Mini Trees" table topper.

I absolutely love this!

Download the free pattern here by Sew Kinda Wonderful

You can also purchase the mini ruler from them.

I decided to use some of my hoarded 

Flea Market Fancy along with

Cotton and Steel white on white print

This Flea Market Fancy will be the backing and binding.

All cut and ready to SEW MY STASH 2016.

I will work on this while at the beach this fall.  

After all...it might rain!