Found Treasures

 

I've been helping my parents start decluttering their house this past week.   Much has gone into the trash and recycling bins, and there's much more to go thru.   But some of what my mom was getting rid of was the cross-stitch stuff that she had gotten over the years, well at least what she had found at this point.   And of course I said I'd take them, altho I won't be keeping all of it.

First piece was this Christmas stocking that was complete except for the back stitch around the bottom most figure and lamb.  That has now been completed.

This kit as in the pile, stitching was started.  Not sure if I'll keep it or send it to a friend that does cross-stitch.

This bell-pull is completely stitched and just needs to be finished off.

And found this sampler celebrating my maternal grandparents wedding anniversary.    I'm not sure who made this.  I do plan to finish it into a little wall-hanging.

And these two "new" kits were found.  The one on the left is a card kit, and the one on the right is a depiction of Jerusalem.   As of right now both of these will be going into my stash of kits.

Gratitudes:
1. For making progress in getting thru things at the house

2. For the beautiful weather here in the Phoenix weather while I've been out here.

Cross-Stitch Finishes

 Two little cross-stitch UFO's have been finished in the last couple of days.   These two will end up in either quilted postcards or mug rugs at some point.

Gratitudes:

1. For unemployment being approved.

2. For encouragement from friends in the job hunt.

Final Commissions for 2020

 4 quilts finished off my commissioned work for this year.

Queen sized planned scrappy - 41 different fabrics used in making the quilt.  Approximate finished size 90" by 108" finished size.

Lap quilt for the grand-daughter of a church friend.  All fabrics were supplied and had originally been used by my friend to make clothes for her grand-daughter.  There were quilting cottons, poly-cotton solids, corduroy, and flannels in the fabrics.

54" square finished size. 

T-shirt quilt for the son of a friend.  All fabrics in the top and binding from my stash.  Approximately 60" by 80" in size.

T-shirt quilt for the daughter of a friend.  All added fabrics in the top and backing were from stash.   Binding was made from leftover binding strips.  Approximately 60" by 90" finished size.

Gratitudes:

1. For all of the commissioned work this year

2. For the commissions that are starting to come in for next year

2020 Year-End Recap

 Lots of sewing and quilting went on this year.   

670 Masks made and delivered, with about 30 more made for market but not sold

11 Quilts - 

most lap or large lap quilts and one queen

Finished 3 stockings for a customer

3 quilted wall hangings

4 purses, 3 as gifts and 1 to be listed for sale

27+ blocks for an international block swap

15 Bowl Cozies, including figuring how to size them to fit any size bowl

41 postcards

14 quilted postcards

12 block boards

1 embellished t-shirt

1 pillowcase for a support pillow

2 memory bears

6 pillows

Phew.....lots of work in all that, mostly for commissions and gifts.   It'll be interesting to see what 2021 brings in the way of commissioned work (3 already in the queue for January) and hopefully a bit more for me.

Gratitudes:

1. For all of the commissioned work this year that helped pay the bills when there was no income from the FT job

2. For the blessings of being able to connect with distant friends over zoom that this year brought

Unexpected Blessings in the Midst of Stressful Days

 

The past 10 days have brought a number of unexpected blessings in the midst of a lot of stress at work.  

First up from my secret prayer sister from church was this selection of FQ's, chocolates, and an ornament which I didn't get a picture of.

From the ladies ministry group at church came this wonderful package as an encouragement after a rough year.   In it was some moose munch, hot chocolate, a mug, hand soap, cookies, a candle and a gift card for Walmart.

From my quilting friend Edi came a wonderful package filled with lots of goodies.   First up was a stocking and tree skirt panel featuring holly and cardinals.   Perfect to make up for a friend who loves cardinals.   And fabric and pattern to make a cute stuffed giraffe and needle minder.

A cute snail pin cushion, a totally cute snail fabric that I didn't have in my stash and new scissors.

And finally in the package were a crocheted wash cloth, a darling gnome, a tea towel, a sweet little wall-hanging that is hanging by my sewing machine, and  santa ornament.

Not pictured are the two gift cards from Panera and Joann's (can you say, someone knows me well?) that I also received from an anonymous friend.

Gratitudes:

1. For unexpected blessings

2. For the knowledge that God will provide for my needs as I navigate being laid off and finding another job.

Scrap-Happy December 2020

 Lots of scrappy quilting going on this month.   

First up was this commissioned memory quilt.    I ended up with this setting because I could feature the 4 different really light prints as the stars amidst the remaining scraps.  This quilt finished out at 54" square.  Fabrics in it include poly-cotton solids, corduroys, denims, a knit, and quilting cottons.  

Binding for the quilt was made from the larger pieces that were left after cutting the squares for the quilt top.

the backing was made from 3 large width-of-fabric scraps and a long chunk of a 4th fabric to make the needed width.

And in the midst of all the commissioned sewing that I need to get finished up before the middle of December, I got distracted by a "squirrel" and decided to take part in a Quilt-a-Long using the Everything Goes pattern by These Creative Hands.  

I do have to admit tho I'm doing my own twist on the pattern because I'm using larger squares to start the blocks off (5" cut) that I had cut years ago while making alphabet themed novelty charm square packs.  

I'm currently a little more than half way through getting the blocks for the quilt make.

To see what the others have been doing this month, click on the links below:

Kate, Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Lynn, Lynda, Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy,  Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan,

Moira,  Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry, Claire, Jean, Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, 

Connie, Bekki, Pauline, SueL, Sunny, Kjerstin and Vera

Gratitudes:
1. For the example of the widow and her flagon of oil that never ran dry throughout the drought and how God is working that same scenario out in my lfe.

2. For the coming trip to Phx