Sewing, Planning, Cleaning

Even though my posts are not regular, I am busy. I have been sewing, planning a few new projects, and cleaning.

One of the things I sewed recently was pillowcases for DD. Now, before I show them, I have to first give a little history. As new parents, DH and I started reading to our kids as babies. There was a bedtime story every night and most of the time those were from Little Golden Books. As our children got old enough to talk, they began to ask for their favorite story. DD's favorite was "Three Little Kittens" and we read it over and over again. We still have all those Little Golden Books! When DD and I were out shopping this year just before Christmas, we made a quick stop at LQS. DD found "Three Little Kitten" fabric and she begged for some pillowcases. So, what's a mom to do??? That's right, buy the fabric and make them for her 29 yr. old DD to accommodate those fond memories she keeps alive from her childhood.


I also made a couple more bucket bags. I decided to experiment with different size squares. The black, red, and tan bag was made with a 2 1/2 inch square and the primary color bag was made with a 3 inch square. The black one is for DD and the primary color.....I'm thinking that one might go to my niece. These are so fun to make. The Welsh Quilter posted a wonderful tutorial on making these bags.You can find her blog here. You then need to look back at her archives to June 23, 2007 to find the tutorial.



I also got in the closet and pull another UFO. I pulled out a BOM from several years ago. I have 12 blocks finished, but I was going to do 2 of each to make a large quilt. I cut and sewed on a couple of the unfinished ones this past weekend. I'm going to keep them out and sew on them each time I'm up in my sewing room. I only took a picture of one to give you the idea of the colorway.

And for my last thing to share. Several weeks ago I found out my niece was pregnant. I debated about making flannel receiving blankets or a baby quilt. DD said I should do a baby quilt, so I cut all the pieces to make a Bear Paw. I'm using pink, blue, yellow and green. Here's a couple of the blocks I made.

Then I found out 2 of my husband's nephews are also expecting first babies.....so I have gone back and bought enough fabric to make 2 more. Think I will make them all alike so there is no issue about one being nicer than the other!

Does My Sewing Machine Work?

With the lack of posts about any stitching I have been doing lately...you would probably think my sewing machine no longer works. However today I sat down for a few minutes and sewed these pillowcases.
I bought this fabric when DD was in college to make a pillowcase for her and her roommate. They both liked coffee and they enjoyed getting the pillowcases. I've had the leftover fabric laying in a drawer for about 6 1/2 yrs. now and each time I would open the drawer....I would think that I really should make another pair of pillowcases with the leftover fabric. Today was the day.....I finally got it done.........and I found out that my sewing machine really does still work!

Pillowcases

We have company coming for Thanksgiving. DH's brother and his family will be here with us. There are 2 little boys in the family and one of them was born on Thanksgiving. I am planning to bake his favorite cake....applesauce cake....for him to enjoy while they are here. We are going to give him $ and let him select something he would like as a gift. I also decided to make him a pillowcase. I don't want the other little boy to feel left out, so I made him a pillowcase too. I think I will let the birthday boy pick first. Here's what they look like. If you enlarge the photo, you can see that the prints I used are perfect for 2 little boys from TX.








These pillowcases are fun to make and they are nice for gifts. While I was making the 2 for the little guys.....I made one for my niece also. I had made my DD pillowcases from this fabric and I still have enough for another 2 cases.









It felt good to sit and sew! I've been in such a slump lately....not sewing or posting to my blog either.