Scrappy Summer Sew Along - Sweet and Simple Table Runner

I made this Scrappy Happy table runner, you can find the tutorial at Bee in my Bonnet here.

After sewing all the Easy Corner Triangles, I had these triangles left over.

They were big enough to cut l l/2" squares.

I layed out all my little squares, plus others that I retrieved from my l l/2" square box.

I used my Alphabitties and labelled all the colored sections.

I had never used them before, and discovered that they were invaluable.

I always get my little blocks mixed up and out of order.

Not this time!  Thank you Alphabitties!

You can find them at the Fat Quarter Shop, and they're very

inexpensive :)

Here's my table runner all sewn together, and waiting for the border.

I used a Lakehouse dot for the background, one I've had for a few years.

I'm making this table runner for my daughter in law.

She got a new hall table and I offered to make her a table runner.
She wanted me to use some bright colors.

The border I used tones down the bright colors a bit and it has inspirational quotes that add whimsy!

The border is 2" finished, here is another closeup of all the cute little prints that I used.

Scrappy squares can be very meaningful.

I can tell you what project I used each and every piece of fabric for.

I'm a sucker for polka dots and cherries and gingham :)

Here's the finished table runner.

I am going to call the repair shop today and see if my sewing machine has been fixed.

I really miss it and have a long line of projects waiting to be quilted.

Thanks for stopping by, I'll see you again in a couple of days :)

Handmade Birthday Club, July 2014

I've been making about one gift a month for the members in our Handmade Birthday Club, since January.

Well, guess what?

This is my birthday month!

I mentioned that one of my loves is Aneela Hooey fabric.

Isn't this the cutest table topper?

It's 24" X 24", and oh so cute :)

When I first opened the package, I looked at the back first.

I was so excited that I forgot to look on the other side, the front side, lol!

"House of bad cats" also sent me some owl notecards and some owl washi tape. 

LOVE!!!

For now, I've got my new cherished table topper on my antique sewing machine table.

I'm going to use it to decorate my table when I teach the Young Women at church in another week :)
They'll love it!!!

Handmade Birthday Club 2014

It's Holli's birthday this month, she's in our handmade birthday club.  It's my birthday this month too :)
I'll show you all the gifts I receive later this month.

Holli said that she has never made a needle book for herself.

I made this cute little "Zakka" style book.

Don't you love the teeny weeny little cherries?

I love the Norwegian style little boy that I fussy cut, also.

I used an antique button for the closure.

I made a little patchwork on the back cover and hand quilted it.

The loop is a hair elastic :)

You can find the tutorial for this needle book here on my Pinterest board, "random tutorials".

I used a pale yellow piece of wool felt for the pages.

I really love all the little details.

This needle book is really small but a lot of time and thought went into making it, I sure hope Holli likes it!

Modern Instabee - July

This Modern Instabee has been so much fun.

We follow each other on Instagram, and see everyone's blocks each month.

I love the book too, I highly recommend it!

This month, Patrina requested the Triple Star block.

It has been the most popular block so far.

Everyone has chosen it, except for two people.

Often, we fussy cut the center block but I think that Denyse Schmidt's fabric doesn't lend itself to that, so I chose a simple black dot.

Patrina wanted saturated colors, no reds, pinks or yellows.

One of her favorite designers is Denyse S., so I went with that.

I hope she likes the rust and black colors together.

I will gladly make another block if these aren't the colors she had in mind.

Patrina also wanted a signature block, so here it is.

I'll add a goodie or two and the block will be ready to put in the mail today :)

Scrappy Happy Summer Sew Along, Table Runner

I'm a month behind on this sew along, because I was visiting my children and grandchildren :)

I showed you my pattern along with most of my Lori Holt fabric.

I decided to use one of my favorite lines, Sew Cherry!

This is the first time I have cut into my Sew Cherry stash!

I've used a little bit here and there, but I'm afraid I'll run out...

Lori said that I can contact Riley Blake and ask them to reprint any of our favorite lines.
Here are my layouts to make sure all the colors went together well.

Instead of the usual white, I decided to use Kona Aqua for the background.

These are all the triangles that are left from my Easy Corner Triangles.

I'll put them to good use soon and show you what I make :)

Paisley's Blessing Day

Paisley Louise's blessing day was on Sunday, July 6.

Did I mention that she was named after me?

My middle name is Louise :)

I hope we always have a special relationship with each other.

Warning:  Grandmothers tend to share lots of photos!

Doesn't she look like a little angel?

Each little spirit that comes into our lives is such a blessing :)

It may look like Paisley doesn't like wearing her bonnet!

Here we are, the proud grandparents.

After the church service, we all went to a city park to have brunch.

I always love to have my photo taken holding my grandchild on their blessing day.

I didn't realize that Paisley's gown was tucked under her little feet.

Here are the proud parents, my son Jordan and his wife Kimalee.

These are the men from our family.

Two of my sons, my husband and son in law.

These are the girls.

My two daughters in law and two of my daughters.

It was a wonderful day!

We all had a great time visiting and eating and the children had so much fun playing on the playground.

Many memories were created.

 Thank you for letting me share this day with you :)

Paisley's Blessing Gown

A tradition I have, is making an heirloom blessing gown for each of my grandchildren.
I made this gown for Paisley, she is my 10th grandchild :)

This gown is made of cotton organdy.

It is very sheer and crisp.

I hand embroidered some flowers on the yoke.

The French cotton lace is attached at the neckline, with entredeux.

I embroidered some flowers and ribbon on each sleeve.

I love the Swiss cotton lace and entredeux on the cuff, with gathered French lace.

The focal point of this gown, is the fancy band along the hemline.

Each row of lace is attached seperately, and sometimes it takes 3 rows of sewing to attach it.

Here's a closer view of the laces.

I love this cotton organdy, it doesn't fray or wrinkle as much as Swiss batiste.

I always add pearl buttons to the back, I especially like these little flower ones.

Each of the blessing gowns I make, always has a slip to match.

The gown fabric is sheer and the slip gives it more of a "princess"look.

On the back of the dress in the center by the hem, I always embroider the baby's initials.

Paisley Louise Horst
Louise is my middle name :) I feel pretty honored!

The idea is that Paisley will pass this heirloom gown on to her daughter when she is blessed, and embroider her initials next to her own.

Paisley's daughter will do the same and so on....

Eventually, there will be a row or more of initials :)

The organdy fabric doesn't lend itself to embroidery as well as swiss batiste.

I also make a smocked bonnet with double faced silk satin ribbon.

I was searching for a spot to take the photo, and decided to take it next to my first grandaughter Kennedy, who was wearing her heirloom blessing gown and bonnet.

Here's a closeup of the bonnet.

Sometimes I add seed pearls, but I think this fabric needs to stand out on its own :)

Here's a full length photo of the gown.

Now it's ready to be delivered.

I'll show you photos of the blessing on Wednesday :)