Songbird Quilt

I've just finished cutting all the fabric for a Songbird quilt that I'm making for a friend of my daughter, Mollie. I've been going back and forth for months about the pattern to use, but I finally saw one and was inspired. The best part is that the pattern was free! I saw an ad for a fabric line by Wilmington Prints that showed this pattern. Granted, I'm not using the fabric shown, but I think the pattern is so cute that it will work with portraits of Songbirds inserted instead of butterflies and nature prints. You can see the pattern I'm using here. It's called "Illuminating Spring."

Well, got to get busy sewing! Hooray for Spring!

So--sew---Ready for Spring!

I am so happy today to finally see the sun! It just gives you an energetic feeling when you wake up to a sunny day!

I'm also full of happiness today because it won't be long til my best-est quilting girlfriends will be driving down my lane for our annual hittin' the Shop Hop Trail! In just a few weeks we'll be driving the backroads of Tennessee, laughing all the way as we go from quilt shop to quilt shop and drool over all the beautiful fabrics. Thinking (in our dreams) about all the new projects we'll just "have" to do! Truth and reality is that I still haven't done the projects that I bought the fabric for at last year's Shop Hop!!! But, it's the fun and fellowship with my sisters that makes it the happiest time of the year.

Then last week, I found out how to make a "bootie bouquet" for a baby shower. I found a cute little pastel basket to arrange my "bootie" buds in and the pic shows it sitting on top of the baby quilt I made for a dear friend. Gotta love that You Tube! I get so many ideas from all the crafty people out there!

Oh, and I have also been busy with some paper crafting too. Just love working with paper and these projects are some that I can actually get finished! Ha! Ha!

Here are some little treat baskets that I made for the wonderful, dedicated children's teachers at my CBS class. They were so appreciative of something that is so inexpensive to make,but it's the heart of the matter after all. Showing that you love your friends so much that you want to take the time to see them smile. That's what I love about crafting! Make it to give it away!

New Month, New Quilt

Le Jardin Applique Block of the Month

I'm going to try something new. A block of the month quilt! This is something my sister has been doing for years and I've just not been that interested before. But my favorite quilt shop is starting an Applique Block of the Month in February and I've signed up for it. It's the pattern called Le Jardin by Bunny Hill Designs. It is really so sweet. But February is a few weeks off, and today, on Bunny Hill's blog, Bunny Tales, Anne Sutton offered a free pattern for another Applique Block of the Month quilt called Snowbound ! So I think I'll start with that one! If one is good, two must be better!

Click on the Snowman button if you want to get the free pattern!

New Year~New Discoveries

Well, it seems everyone liked the little dollhouse potholders that received them! It's always encouraging when a gift is well received...makes you want to keep on creating to make more unique items for those you love.

Speaking of unique, I found a great shop on etsy today that has beautiful,bright and fun fabrics. I'm so glad I discovered this shop! It's called 44th Street Fabrics and I just love their offerings! I also visited their blog and they are running a fabric giveaway until January 11th! Check out the sweet and charming fabrics...I know you'll love them just like I do. I think I'm going to have to order this pattern (above)! It is just too cute!!

The new year is going to be a busy one and I'm hoping to get some of my projects finished that have been waiting to be pulled out of the cupboard and worked on for far too long. Let's hope my wishes become reality this year!

Another Little Doll House

Just finished this little house for daughter-in-law, Jessica. Her kitchen is black and white and red, so I think this might fit right in!

Christmas Crafting

Here are some of the items I've made for friends and family this Christmas. The Farmer's Market Pot Holder came from a pattern I found on a blog. It's so simple! Check out Craftzine for lots of different ideas.

I just love creating something special for a dear one in my life!This was made as part of a Secret Santa gift for my CBS (Community Bible Study) Leadership Christmas Fellowship Party. I made it from a free pattern I found...a tutorial called Doll House Pot Holder on Freda's Hive . It was so easy following her excellent instructions.

This is the other part of the gift. A tablerunner from a pattern called "Sew Square Runner" by Pieced Tree Patterns.

Made this pillowcase for a special friend. It is from the pattern "The Amazing Pillowcace" by The Great American Quilt .com

Lovely Summer

How time goes by...so quickly. I have to admit this blog has been sadly neglected--again! I know it is due to the fact that I do most of my postings on Facebook and once I've taken care of that, there's no time left for dear Blogger.
What a busy summer this has been. I always thought that summer was a time for relaxing and kickin' back. Not this year. I barely got out of weekly CBS duties when I was tapped to train new teachers for Sunday School and help start up a Sunday School program at our church. I love working with the children and yet, I know it doesn't come naturally to everyone which is why I needed to spend quite a bit of time working on training for the volunteer teachers. We had a great number of volunteers and that was such a blessing! We didn't have to twist arms or anything to get them. And now, 6 weeks into the program, I am glad to report that it is going very well! We thank the Lord for His blessing on it!A few weeks into June and we joined the 2009 CHVA Car Tour of the Smokies. What fun we had re-connecting with friends from past tours who came from all over the US. They all have one thing in common..their total love and obsession with their 50's cars! We were with the tour on and off as we did have some obligations at home to take care of, but we enjoyed touring highlights of Chatttanooga, spending the day at Dollywood, and exploring downtown Knoxville (but a good part of that time was spent with grandchildren and daughter and SIL). Love to be with them...it is never a dull moment!Here we are at Dollywood....

I have also been working on some Jelly Bag and Charm Party totes that various ones have ordered from me. I guess it means I have a little home-based business now! I dubbed it Sue B's Bags ! I'll post some pics of the latest ones...

Red and whites..look so charming!Added my own idea of ties to the sides which adds some novelty as well as being practical..keeping it closed better.

This bag I made as a diaper bag. Love that Charm Party fabric! Also added a bit of lace to the pocket which makes it perfect for the baby look. Inside I added elastic that will hold a bottle or sippy cup upright, too.This "Jelly" tote was made to be more of a Plain Jane look. But it makes it fit in with just about any outfit one might wear. This green bag is the first Jelly BagI ever made at a class at my favorite quilt shop, Spring Creek Quilts and Fabrics.This is the latest..made with Serendipity Sunflowers. It really is summery, don't you think?Khakis and reds...very versatile.