MAKESHIFT DESIGN DOOR

After my DH's doctor's appointment we stopped at Dollar General for a minute. I saw a lady buy some Christmas tablecloths and I remembered some ladies at my guild said that the back of these can be used for a design wall. So I bought 2 tablecloths - just 30 cents each! Last night I draped one over the closet door behind my sewing chair and put up the blocks of this doll quilt. It was so nice! I don't really have a large enough blank wall to have a design WALL, so I might just use the door for small quilts.

This picture didn't turn out very good, but I took it after I sewed the blocks together. This doll quilt will be for my new granddaughter when she gets old enough. I'm also planning to make a doll and the doll dress will be made out of the same fabric as the setting squares. We'll see how the doll turns out. I've never made one before.
Here's another doll quilt that I will put on my Etsy site that I just started. I only have one item on it so far, but plan to put some more on soon.
Hope ya'll have a good week!

DOLL PILLOWS AND SHOPPING

I received a gift certificate for Christmas, so Saturday I went to my favorite quilt shop to spend it. I purchased these fat quarters and charms. This shop specializes in reproduction fabrics.They also have a bin with odd shaped pieces for sale at lower prices and below are the pieces I got for a bargain price.
I made some doll pillows with this cotton fabric printed like "ticking." I had been looking for ticking, but I found this at Hobby Lobby. The pillow is about 7" x 4 1/2".
Then I made some pillow cases for the pillows. It didn't take very long to make these.

One will be sent to a great-niece and I will save some for other doll quilts I'm planning to make.

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND THAT

I thought this looked like a fun BOM. This is the first month and there will be 8 more for a Christmas quilt. Go here for the pattern.I received some neat mail last week! This is from an exchange with Sigrun in Norway! She sent me this star and I hung it in my sewing room above the calendar from Australia (below).

I did another exchange with Leanne from Tasmania, Australia. It is so neat to make friends around the world! She sent me these great Australian fabrics as well as the calendar featuring Australian wild flowers.
Thanks so much, Sigrun and Leanne!
Here I am playing with some tiny pieces left from cutting my tumbler blocks out of charm squares. I'm trying to figure out how to use the little pieces and might sew these together for a doll quilt.
Not too much accomplished. I seem to find myself jumping from one thing to another.

SOME PROJECT COMPLETIONS AND GIFTS RECEIVED

I received a painting from one of our Spanish interpreters for the court where I work. Mike carries a pad of paper with him so he can draw if he has to wait a while. I asked him for a picture, but I told him I didn't want any weird picture. You will know what I mean if you check out his site on artbreak . He and his wife go to Spain every year and this is a picture of some scenery over there. I love it!
Below is a gift from my #1DIL's father - a nice box of tea bags. After we use up the tea, the box will come in handy! I made some tea this morning in my new mug with a quilting picture on it (from my sister). Another gift (1000 piece puzzle) is in the background.
May Britt in Norway has this free pattern on her blog. I loved it and decided to make 6 of them for Christmas of 2009. They are finished! This will be my first finish for 2009. See the "One Project a Month Challenge" picture on the right side of my blog. I don't think that will be too hard to do. I guess it depends on how big the project is.
Here's a closer up picture. BTW, I have NOT taken my Christmas decorations down yet! No offense, but I don't understand people who take their's down the day after Christmas. I will probably get around to it next weekend. Tee Hee Hee!
These pennie pockets are my second finish for the month. I know they are both small things, but a finish is a finish! This pattern is available at thehappyzombie.com . I've made 12 of these and will use them next Christmas also!
Good luck on your projects for 2009!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, fellow bloggers!

2008 had many challenges and joys for our family. Our granddaughter was born on Dec. 27. Abigail weighed 8 lb. 3 oz and is a healthy baby. We have seen pictures of her, but won't be able to go to Florida to see her in person until DH recovers from his neck surgery which just took place on Monday. He is still in the hospital and may come home tomorrow - we're hoping.
Two grandchildren born in one year! Wow! What a blessing for our family!

The day after Christmas I decided to see if I could find any bargains. The pictured tin welcome sign is one of the bargains I found. I also bought some Christmas fabric! Big surprise there, huh?
Abyquilt has posted a stitchery pattern and I decided to make some Christmas ornaments for family members for this year, 2009! I am tracing 6 on my light box. The felted wool heart will be appliqued in the middle. (this wool is from the jacket I bought for 50 cents at a resale shop)

When I got home with the Christmas fabric (which I bought to make pillowcases), I got to thinking that I might as well go ahead and make the pillowcases up right away and be done with it. So, I made 8 "adult" pillowcases (on the right) and 4 "child" pillowcases (on the left). I like to give Christmas pillowcases to family members when they come for Christmas. I put them on their beds and when they go home they can take them.

I can't believe I did that! But, I have a lot on my "TO DO" list for 2009 and I need to keep ahead of the game, so to speak!

Below are the latest blocks I have finished for the Noah's Ark BOM by Lynette Anderson . I'm enjoying these a lot!