Pendant Banner

My son is serving a two year mission in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

I never know what to send him besides candy, gum, peanut butter and silly things like that!

I cam up with the idea for a little decor for his room....

a pendant representing the love my husband and I have for him, and the country that he has grown to love ♥

I made him a pendant banner, which are so easy and fairly addicting.

The X's and O's are kisses and hugs, and the pendant in the middle represents the Brazil flag.

I chose a subtle fabric for the background so that the red X's and O's would "pop"!

I used wonder under for the appliques, and used a machine blanket stitch to adhere the appliques to the fabric.

I attach them to wide double fold bias tape.

The pendants are really fast and easy to make.

The pendant in the middle is my abstract version of the Brazil flag.

I think they look similar, don't you?
I hope he's excited to hang it in his room :)

Joniopolis

Joni Hilton is a renowned author and playwright.

She has written so many books, you can find them on Amazon and at Deseret Bookstore.

I haven't read all of her books, but the ones I have read, I absolutely love!

If there is something awkward, funny, hilarious or embarrassing, it always seems to happen to Joni!

Joni also writes articles for Meridian Magazine.

I could go on and on about her literary talents!

Here is a list of some of the plays Joni has written.

Joni posted on her blog Joniopolis yesterday, and again she made me laugh!

Remember when I posted about my grandchildren last week here and titled it "Better than Grand"?

Joni titled her post "Not Grand, Not Yet".

It's really fun, you have to read it :)

Doll Clothes for Christmas

One of my grand daughters loves baby dolls so much!

I love to watch her as she holds them and talks to them :)

For Christmas this year, she is getting some doll outfits.

Here is the pattern I used, which includes sizes Small (8"-10"), Medium (11"-13"), and Large (14"-16").

I searched through many stores until I found a little suitcase in her favorite color, purple :)

I made her doll Tanja, a little dress.

I made Tanja a little pinafore, diaper cover and hair band.

There is an option to wear the pinafore ensemble with the dress.

I made her a little sleeper with matching hat in her favorite color.

I made her other doll Chloe, a little top with a matching jumper.

le 

The top is repurposed, it used to be one of my tee shirts.

I sewed little buttons on the shoulders.

I sure hope she'll enjoy many hours of dressing her baby dolls.

A lot of love went into this gift!

I sure do enjoy sewing for my grandchildren :)

Turkey Trot 5K

I have been running since February, run for a minute, walk for 5. I have finally attained the capability if running 2 to 3 miles without stopping!

My husband and I drove to Grand Junction, Colorado, to spend Thanksgiving with our son Addison and his family.

We ran our first 5K together :)

It was a great feeling of accomplishment!

My body was comfortable, but my hands were freezing!!!

I want to run a couple more 5Ks and then a 10K and ultimately a half marathon :)

Another check on my bucket list.

I hope you all had a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving.

 

 

 

 

Quilty Fun Sew Along, Week Four

This block was perfect for Nanette at Freda's Hive to host.

Vintage baskets remind me of her :)

Here are the fabrics that I chose.

I'm really excited about adding navy blue to my sampler quilt.

Three little baskets all in a row :)

Better Than Grand!

This is a collage of all 9 of my grandchildren.

I began a tradition of making each of them their own heirloom blessing outfit.

I embroider the girls' initials on the back hem of their dress.

The idea is that each child will pass their gown (or outfit) down to their child, and their mother will embroider the baby's initials next to their own.  

Wouldn't it be incredible to see a row of five initials, all embroidered next to each other.

That would be a true heirloom :)

Top row, left to right:

Bridger Alan, May 25, 2005

Kennedy Grace, July 19, 2007

Charlotte Leigh, April 9, 2010

Lucy Jane, August 25, 2013

Bottom row, left to right:

Maisie Louise, July 7, 2010

Benjamin David, September 5, 2012

Neo Kimberley, October 14, 2010

Kylie Violet, January 5, 2013

Reagan Clara, November 17, 2010

I have my adorable little grandchildren on my mind all the time.

It sure is grand being a grandmother!

Each one has their own little personality, and I love each and every one of them more than they will ever know :)

As my friend Joni says, they are the "flowers in my garden".

Paperdoll Quilt, Finished!

It's been almost 5 years, but my Paperdoll Quilt is quilted and bound and finished!!! 

It is so difficult to get a photo of a quilt, have you ever tried?

Do you have any tips for me?

This is a full view of my quilt before it was quilted.

This post will show you how beautiful Cindy Paulson quilted my treasured Paperdoll Quilt!
Here are the paperdolls, in the center of the quilt.
I love the "pebble" quilting on the "paper doll" block.
I also think that the vertical quilting behind the paper dolls really shows them off.

I want to mention that the paper doll quilt is lying on a bed with a quilt on top of it.  
You may notice the quilt underneath at the edge of the paper doll one.  
Do you notice the quilted flower vine on the polka dot border?

Cindy quilted "x's" in every single 1" square!
Don't you love the little pom pom trim added inside the binding?

It just turned out so pretty!

Little dainty swirls, enhancing the hand embroidery.
I love how the quilting makes the suitcase look even more vintage.

The kite looks like it's in motion :)

Cindy is always so careful  not quilt over my embroidery, I completely trust her with my quilts!

She quilted around the embroidered sprays of water from the hose, to complement the embroidery :)

Thank you for letting me share my quilt with you.
I'll take a photo of it hanging on the wall after Thanksgiving.
I think it's sort of Christmasy with the paper dolls on it.
It reminds me of little girl things like "The Nutcracker" and sugar plum fairies dancing in my head.  Lol!