Well, I finally finished my first quilt, all sewn together,machine quilted, and binding put on. I really am happy with it altho I have a lot to learn and lots to practice before they will be o.k... I quilted each square with some different stitching so that I got practice on free motion quilting. I found a blog that had a different one for ea. day of the year. I did duplicate a lot of them with just back and forth stitching. But I try feathers, flowers circles and you name it. It was so much fun.

I also did free motion just following the print on the fabric. It's just like drawing. I love it. Especially after I got my machine cleaned. It was way over due, and really could tell the difference after I got it back. No more breaking of thread and nests on the backing. I do have some of them...

Just some more areas on it. Didn't have anyone or anyplace to put it to get the whole thing in picture.

This shows the back so you can see some of my attempts to get fancy with all my different free motions stitching. Soooo much fun. Cann't wait to get another one to that stage. On the back you can see some of the nests my machine was making before I got it cleaned. None after, but they do look bad. I free handed the feathers, but have lots of practice to do with them, lots... Would like to take a class on feathers. and I even have puckers and everything you are not supposed to have but, oh well. I love it, for my first one.

Well here it is!!! A mushroom hat or whatever you would want to call it. It's for the play Alice in Wonderland, one of the mushrooms. A friend's daughter is in the play and she had no idea how to make a mushroom hat. Of course, my brain started turning and I volunteered. Here's the finished product. It had to be grey with brown spots on top. Used that foam board, cut circle 18 ins. wide, with hole in center for head. Wrapped with fabric which is kind of like a fleece. Attached a baseball hat into hole. Made larger circle and gathered aroung edge, and attached to under side of bottom. The top was then stuffed with fiber fill...

This is view of bottom showing underside of hat.

The top of is with spots on. How fun this was!!!!

Here are the orange cheer bows for GD. They have orange sequin fabric attached down the middle of wide grosgrain orange ribbon and have pony tail holders attached onto bow. Their cheer coach just passed away from leukeumia a couple of weeks ago and they are wearing these and doing a special program for her at state competition this week-end. Orange is the color for leukeumia. It is very touching, as they all were crushed when she didn't win the fight against cancer.

Now I have to work on the binding on my first big quilt...

I finally went and got buttons to cover and finished my strip sweatshirt. It was made from a kit from Nancy's notions that I bought at their spring expo on clearance. I had to get some extra fabric as it was a bigger sweatshirt. It included a jelly roll + the fabric for the bias piece and I had to provide the sweatshirt. This is the front.

This is a photo of the back of the jacket.


A close up { dark of the covered buttons.

Also finished all the cheer ribbons for GD's cheer and stunt squad. I only had to make 22 of them. They are very stiff from the 3 layers of grosgrain ribbon. I use heat and bond to layer them. They are attached to a elastic pony tail holder. They hold up really good and hold their shape pretty good.

Now on to my next project....

This is my helper that tries to help with everything!!! How can you say no to a face like that.lol

This is a ready made fleece that was embellished with a scotty design and name

This is a sweatshirt that I had embroideried some time ago, but added the saying for a Christmas that my DD is giving.

The back of the sweatshirt with another design... Now I think that I've finished for a couple of days.

I finished the apron and chef's hat for an order that I've been working on after I got the Christmas cards done. A gal bought the material and ordered the set for her GD, who is 12 years old and loves to bake. Now she has her own apron and hat. lol

Well this is it, my 2009 Christmas Card especially made for my family and friends. The skinny Santa is stitched with love and I printed the border with the computer...

This is the center, hand glued on, in hopes that it will stick and be straight. You cann't believe how much love is put into these, but they are fun and can send just a little bit of love here and there. Each year I think that I will quit this thing, but then I don't and don't think about it till the next year and then I cann't say no.... I've really never gotten a handmade card from anyone else .... Isn't that strange. I wish that everyone would go back to the basics and do this kind of thing.... Maybe someday!!!!!

No pictures today. Just up and am packing for my five day break. Going to the Dells with the Red Hats. Have a bunch of resale shops to check out and will be going down the Lazy River till I am all shriveled up from the water. In the wave pool too.lol But not down the hurricane, my GS told me I might get hurt. That's how much he knows, who knows, when a bunch of ole ladies get together... Better get busy.
Molly