Babies!

This past year has been the year for babies!  I have just completed my fourth baby quilt since last spring. I really enjoy making these quilts because they are small and obviously less time consuming, and yet I like to personalize each quilt to fit the style of the family it is going to.  The fourth quilt will be revealed after my daughter Laura and her husband Matt's baby shower in March.

Five Little Monkeys

This is Melanie holding her daughter Maddie's quilt.  They wanted the same colors similar to my grand-daughter Cooper's room. Luckily I could use many of the same fabrics. I also gave her the book "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" which was the inspiration for this quilt.

Mr. McGregor's Garden

This is Henry's Peter Rabbit inspired quilt.  The middle section is a panel, which of course simplified the piecing of the quilt. I wanted more detail and "more work" to set this simple quilt off. The inner checked border surrounding the panel are small pieced squares including some chenille fabric to give it texture.

I also embroidered one feature on each square.

I did free motion quilting.

Here is a close up of the inner border.

Hillary and Henry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dick and Jane

Dick and Jane books were the inspiration for this quilt.

I bought this fabric previously not knowing who it would be for. When Hannah and Jeremiah were expecting their second child I thought it would be perfect.

 

 

 

 

Ready and waiting for baby!

Jewelry Organizer

Recently I spent some time organizing at my daughter and son-in-law's home in New York. Yes, they asked me. One of my favorite projects was making a jewelry organizer for Laura's "closet room".  The room is still a work in progress, but definitely closer than it was.  I used one of the old printer drawers that they had used at their wedding to store the tea and seating information. ( See earlier blogs.)  I cut out pieces of various scrapbook paper and placed in the back of the squares/ rectangles. Then I purchased  small binder clips and clipped them to the wood to creating hanging hooks for jewelry.  I hung it on the wall, to create a fun, artistic but practical "keeper of jewelry".  I think I want to do this for myself!

Spring Sweater for Cooper

Back in February, a friend of mine invited me to go on a "Shop Hop" around central Wisconsin. I found this Lana Merino yarn and fell in love with the colors. Perfect colors for a spring sweater for Cooper! I found several knit patterns that I liked, but I'm not a fan of knitting. (I know. I need to deal with this. ) My mom taught me to crochet, so I've always crocheted. Creating my own pattern, I came up with this...hope it fits!

Project Catch-up!

Well, once again it has been a long time since I last posted. At least I'm consistent! Here are some of the projects over the past year and present that I have completed.

Today I completed a lap quilt that I started last week. I love to go into quilt shops and look at fabrics, but I vowed I could not buy anything until I completed the last collection of fabrics that I had purchased. This quilt is fashioned after "The Modern View: Contemporary Quilt Pattern." It was fairly easy to put together. I was also able to practice "free motion" quilting with my new machine. This was a quilt I planned to keep myself, so it was easier to "practice" different free motion designs and not be so stressed about making it look perfect. 

Dresses for Cooper!

Cooper had to attend a few weddings this year.

I know...she is adorable!

1st Christmas Dress!

"I love it Grandma!" but when I can I take it off?"

Cooper the Skunk!

This outfit was a lot more comfortable!

Nine Months Old...Happy Halloween!

Another American Girl Doll Outfit

No doll has a complete wardrobe without a "Packer Game Day" outfit!

 
Crocheted Wedding Gift

Justin and Melanie Matney

Summer Furniture Fun

I had an old coffee table that needed to be finished.

A little McKenzie Childs inspiration!

I love painting vines!

A new patio coffee table, but what can I display in it?

My daughter reminded me about all the teacups I had left from her sister's wedding.

McKinley and Koda agreed it was a good idea!

Easter Stitchings

Quick machine appliqued wall hanging

Happy Easter

I think Cooper liked her Easter outfit!

McKinley

 Of course I couldn't forget the grand-dogs. Easter scarves.

Bear

 

 

Koda

Creations for Cooper

Easter is coming and of course Cooper needed an Easter outfit! Her mother and I looked and looked while shopping and nothing quite caught our eye. So...we went to JoAnn Fabrics and found the perfect Easter fabric along with some dotted swiss for the lining and collar.  I also crocheted a little bolero sweater and matching booties to complete the ensemble. Here are some views of the outfit pieces. Sorry, you'll have to wait for Easter to see it on Cooper.  Hope it fits in a couple weeks.  She's growing so fast!

Front

Back

Close up of ribbon detail and collar piping.

hem detail with dotted swiss underskirt peeking out

crocheted bolero

booties

headband

Ready for Easter! Ready for Spring!

 Since I was in the crocheting mood, I also made this sock-monkey hat and diaper cover. It's a little big right now...but it won't be long. It's so much fun creating things for Cooper!