Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sewing Fun

After seeing all of your spring flowers I had to go get some of my own.  There is absolutely nothing blooming around here, so I made a trip to Michaels where I had seen this cute little pitcher on sale for 50% off when I was there on Saturday searching for yarn.  Sunday I got an email with an extra 20% off all regular or sale priced items.  I flew there and found just one of these little pitchers was left for the final price of $4.99!  It's so cute and was orginally priced at $19.99 so I think I got a bargain.  I don't usually buy much for me, but I was drawn to this little pitcher when I first saw it at it's original price and I've been hoping for a big sale before they were gone.  It's about 9 inches high and perfect for these daisy's isn't it?
Next up is a picture Mandy sent of Miss Piper enjoying her corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots on St. Patrick's day.  She REALLY liked the corned beef.  Mandy said she ate every single morsel of it.  It's not a very flattering picture, but you can tell she's scooping that beef in!
Yesterday I spent the afternoon piecing more nine patch quilt blocks.  Now quilting isn't my "thing," so don't look too closely.  These are all of my scraps of cotton fabric from when I've made different dresses, quilts, etc.  I can't stand to waste the small pieces so I kept it all.  Then over the past few months when I had a spare minute or two I would cut out 4 inch blocks.  Do you see the sweet pincushion Taci made for me?
Then they were sewn into nine patch squares.
This is the view from my sewing machine.  Not bad, huh?
These were some of the squares I came up with.  Purely random grabbing fabric and sewing them together.
I had also cut out squares of fabric for the backing, so the next step was to make quilt "sandwiches."  This is so you can quilt "as you go."  You quilt each square and then when they are all done, you sew them together.  I've never done this before but thought it would be a great idea to have these to work on throughout the summer while at the lake.  No sewing machine required.
I have some in a tote bag to take with me when traveling or at the lake, along with my quilting thread and "betweens" needles.
Here's a view of more blocks.  I have 37 done in all.  I ran out of backing fabric but have lots more four inch squares.  I really don't care how long it takes me to finish this quilt.  Maybe years.  It just makes me feel good not to have wasted all of the fabric.
I made this baby blanket yesterday and Sunday evening.  Really.  It's size 13 needles and chunky baby yarn.  It was done before I knew it!   It's about 36 inches square, done in the Granny's Dishcloth pattern.  So simple and easy. And the yarn is so soft.  It was given to me last year by a lady in our church who was moving into a nursing home and didn't crochet anymore.  I love gifts like that!  This will go to the hospital in the next batch of goodies.
You ladies had such nice comments on my last post.  Really I'm nothing special and I know each of you do things for others too.  I enjoy helping others and giving my handmade things away to people I know who either need or appreciate them. 

I'm so looking forward to meeting the girls on Friday for lunch.  Hubby is going along on this trip and dropping me off at the restaurant and Gracie is taking me to Mandy's.  He doesn't think he would enjoy our chatting as much as we do!  :-)  I am seriously married to a saint.  I adore that man!  We've been married 36 years in September and I adore him more today than when we married each other.

Have a lovely, lovely day my friends.

Blessings,
Betsy

14 comments:

  1. Great buy on the pitcher. And Miss Piper is certainly enjoying her food. Your blocks are all so very pretty. I love quilts but am not a sewer. Wow! That baby blanket sure worked up fast. Lovely use of gifted yarn. Have fun with the girls on Friday. Best wishes, Tammy

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  2. P.S. Jingles likes to cuddle on her own terms. She is currently cozied up right next to me on the couch. She doesn't particularly like to be held but she does like to lay on us or next to us. Her purring is very loud right now. :)

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  3. Oh you will always be something special to us! You are always making and giving to others. :)

    Love your quilt you are working on. It's so pretty.

    Safe travels to you both and looking forward to your posts about the meet up with the other ladies.

    Blessings always

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  4. we love our husbands. And we are so lucky

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  5. Wow..you really did get a bargain on the vase and your daisies fit perfect!
    LOVE your quilt tops....great idea to save all those extra scraps! I've never tried quilting as you go in pieces like that, I wonder if it would be a lot easier. I always make my quilt top then sandwich it all together as one big piece and then quilt and also I find that quilting all by hand is so much neater than using my sewing machine....it's the way my grandmother did it for years, maybe that's why!!
    Have fun with with everyone and tell them I said Hello!
    xx Shari

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  6. I think your quilt is going to be awesome! I do want to try my hand at quilting, soon.. and maybe an Amish design! I am so looking forward to see you all.. day after tomorrow! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  7. Your quilt is going to be so beautiful. The new jug is adorable and what a great deal you got. Your husband sounds wonderful and I'm so glad to know you are still very happy and in love. :)

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  8. Good for Piper! It is so much fun to see her enjoy the meal :) I am especially intrigued by your quilt as you go quilt. I've never heard of that before, but it sounds neat, and you have made a great start! You'll have to tell me more about it on Friday!!!!! xx

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  9. Hello Betsy, It looks like is having a fun time eating.. Your quilt is looking wonderful.. Have fun on Friday with your friends and happy shopping. Hugs Judy

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  10. I disagree, I think you are absolutely something special! You are amazing and giving, you always think of others, I think you bless everyone's life that you touch. Have a wonderful trip.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  11. Beautiful quilt blocks! It'll be such a treasure when you get it all done. I've not done it before, so I'm looking forward to seeing how you join the "sandwiches".

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  12. Fantastic work... I love the quilt squares and all of those colors... The view from your sewing machine is fantastic... I'd be staring out of the window all day long!!!!

    Nice little pot of flowers.. We are finally getting a little spring color here --but they say that winter is coming back... Gosh!

    From one non-talented Betsy to another talented Betsy (YOU)---hope you have a wonderful weekend.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  13. The quilt is already looking fantastic!

    Helenxx

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  14. Wonderful post Betsy.. and yes think that pitcher is perfect for the beautiful daisies; so good of the LORD.. He does give us the desires of our hearts.. just when we need it..

    great to see little Miss piper so healthy.. love the tale of your squares.. great idea well done!! ... my trouble would be I would have to organise the colours, I could not just pick up and sew! :D
    Shaz in In Oz.x

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