Baby Toques

Three new babies means knitting baby toques, right?

This one has a tiny pink and purple speck in the yarn.  Very cute and girly.  The purple one in the background was made for a bigger baby head although the patterns claimed they were both for newborns.  Luckily I gave the purple one to the baby that one the size prize.  But every baby is a blessing, right?

My Tidier Sewing Room (Pt 2 of My Messy Sewing Room)

Okay, here is where we started.  I moved the mess outside the door of my sewing room.  Then I sorted for a few days...

That was hard work especially for my brain and heart.  I did reacquaint myself with many older fabrics that I still love though, so it was not time wasted.

So Tada!

Yeah, just showing off my DH's work building my cabinets over the left over maple flooring...

You know it can't stay that tidy.  Why, if I have so much extra space why am I downsizing my stash in the first place (insert smiley face with a wink)?

Now this is real.  I really have plastic containers of thread, and a pressing board that needs a place to stand when I am not using it. Oh, and that wonderful bolt of handkerchief muslin I got from my sister.  This is real.

But to my eyes everything looks fresh and ready for action.  Yeah, me.

Spinning Wheels, my Aunt Maude Quilt

When my parents married, my Mom was sent a quilt top made by her Aunt Maude who lived in BC.  The top languished for a few years and then my Mom undertook to quilt it herself although she had never done such a thing.  Winters in Manitoba are long and cold. It seemed like a good idea.  I have always admired that quilt and was mesmerized by the pattern.

It has seen a lot of wear since the early 1950s.  Recently my Mom gifted it to me.  I am delighted to be the keeper of Aunt Maude's quilt.

But I had to go one better and try to make some of these blocks.  Well I found out why you don't see this block in quilting magazines.

It was a challenge just to get it drafted up.  But I think my effort was worth it.

When I finished nine blocks I called it a day.  Let me tell you though there are lots of mis-cut and wonky pieces in the bottom of the bin, sigh.

Sewing Clothing Sheer long top

I have found that I just can't find the right tops to go over my new leggings.  They generally are not long enough.  I did get one gently used but the colour wasn't quite me.  So... I made a pattern and...

I was pretty pleased with the result and weather here has been almost warm enough to wear this lovely thing - but not quite...
I am also working on another top using this pattern.

The Kitchen Chairs

My husband is a whiz in the wood shop and he has been working on more chairs

He received the birch for these chairs from my father who had harvested the birch trees from near the edge of Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba in the late 1940s. Well cured when he got the wood in the late 1980s and now getting new life in my kitchen.

Amazing, huh?  My DH just goes at it. We had some cushions cut at Future Foam. Then, my dear friend Marilyn gifted me with some of her fabric stash and the most perfect leafy seat cushions were born.

Stunning, huh?

My messy Sewing Studio Part 1

A sewing studio is just an empty room populated with quilting and sewing paraphernalia.  But as stuff piles up creativity goes down...help!

Small Items: and old quilt come home and Tilda doll stuffed

I really admire the work of Tone Finnager and her wonderful dolls.  So here is mine stuffed.  She may just stay this way as she seems at home in my sewing room in her pink underwear.

On a side note my youngest son was home from University and brought back his quilt for repairs.  I made it quite a few years ago now but I still like the bright colours and slick way those stars went together.  The red edging is velvet and that has worn very well.  Its the corners where I neglected to put velvet - oops!

Baby Quilt for a Boy

A boy it is.  And I am excited that my son and DIL asked me (well actually she asked me) to make them a quilt.  As they had the cat first, it had to be included...so I started with this picture fabric.

Then I liked the polka dots but lines go well with polka dots, right?

Nice, but a bit boring so I added some attic window frames....

Now, its cooking.  Borders are next.