scrappy trip along progress

This week I've been able to work on my scrappy trip along and have had lots of fun!  I think it is one of my favorite blocks to make.  Such a fun and simple process and you can't stop at just one block!   Thanks so much for all your ideas and words of encouragement from my last post!

As you can see I kept the dark block and made some more with black and charcoal.   It think it is really going to add a great contrast which is what this type of quilt is suppose to have.

To go a little faster I've started to do 3-4 at a time.  I love being able to add that many to the layout at one time.  Instant enjoyment!!

I did a couple layouts as I wasn't sure if I liked the black really scattered.  I thought it would be fun to have a couple of the diamonds really pop.  What do think, do you like the dark blocks scattered or together?  Here is a picture of them scattered~

This week I found a lovely crocheted diamond afghan at a thrift store so I thought I'd show you!  I love quilted ones, and a crochet one is just as beautiful!  Isn't it lovely!

I've also enjoyed taking my boys to the library.  It had been awhile since we had gone and it is great to get back to going regularly again!   It is such a peaceful place to spend a little part of your day!  Here are some of the books I've been enjoying.  I have several projects I can't wait to start!

I hope everyone had a lovely week and wishing you a wonderful week-end!

i couldn't resist...

...the Scrappy Trip Along!  All the lovely scrappy blocks popping up all over blogland had really got me wanting to make a quilt too.  After seeing Aneela's on facebook and a little encouragement I went for it, and LOVE it!!  The process is so fun and simple.   Here you can find the tutorial if you'd like to join in too.

Though once I started I had a hard time stopping.  I ended up making 4 after the kiddos went to bed. 

My inspiration was the pillow I made last year for Kylie.  Remember how I wasn't sure if I should keep the black in or not.  I was so glad I did and it is one of my favorite pillows I've made, so why am I  now having the same doubts.  Maybe with it being a larger block it doesn't look right with the dark text print?  Uggh!   

I was going to make my next block with the black seed catalogue but don't know if I should???  What do you think?

 Here are the blocks individually~

So now to decide whether to keep going with adding the dark text prints.  I think I'll do one without dark now and wait to see what you think before I go forward with more dark.  :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week-end!  Next week my kiddos go back to school so it will be nice to be back to a schedule!

a year in review & old new 30's

Can you believe it is now 2013!?! It seems like 2012 had just begun and now it is a new year again! Am I the only one that time just flies now that I'm older. It was fun going through all my "lovely little handmades" from 2012! I'm excited that I was able to have a wonderful year of sewing and add little tidbits of cuteness to my home!

 

Before the holidays Lecien sent me these lovely samples of Old New 30's!  Every time I think I won't be able to like another Lecien collection more than the last, I always do.  I can't wait for this to come in the Spring!

I love the cute cheater print and the sweet mini flowers and cherries with blossoms!  So sweet!

For Christmas my sweet hubby gave me a gift certificate to my favorite Antique shop that I'd been eyeing some things at.  Here is the pretty rug I got with my gift certificate!  Isn't it pretty!  Even Sweet Sophie loves the new rug.  :)

I also got some pretty vintage sheer curtains.  I love how it adds such prettiness to my hallway.

This lovely vintage framed mirror and shelf was what I got Christmas morning!  He even hung it up for me Christmas day so I could enjoy it!   I just love it!!

This week-end we went up to the Mountains and stayed with my little brother at his cabin.  He is a professional snowboarder so he lives up there all winter long.  It was fun being able to spend the week-end in the snow and enjoy some family time!

My brother, Ryan and I.  

I love the beauty of winter in the mountains!

My little ones spent hours upon hours sledding, and playing in the snow!  Pure fun!

Sledding fun!

I couldn't resist the fun!  :)

We even enjoyed some snowmobiling!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and happy New Year!!

Hugs,

a Christmas pillow & Merry Christmas!!

Hello, my sweet friends!  It was a busy week-end of baking, sewing, a lovely Christmas church service and spending time with family!  This is such a special time of year and I hope to be creating as many memories as I can for my dear ones.   Tonight we'll be having dinner with friends and then going caroling!  I'm excited for the day!

I was able to finish the Christmas pillow I told you about in my last post so I thought I'd share it with you today.  I think it turned out really cute.

My little vintage Elf on the Shelf found a home for it during the night and gathered some candy canes for my kiddos!  ;)

Last spring I made a couple of these pocket pillows but this time I added some sweet lace!  I really love the touch.

As in my Christmas patchwork quilt I used some Cherry Christmas and Alpine Wonderland.  I also love how the basics and florals of The Simple Life and Lecien compliments the sweet Christmas fabrics!

Yesterday when we were at church my Bishop told us about a wonderful Christmas message about the true meaning of Christmas.  It is so easy to get sidetracked with the business of the holiday season and forget.  I know I need to stop and ponder more often like a child of what the true meaning is.  I thought I'd share the little video as it really is touching.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas as...

Hugs,

the patchwork christmas quilt~ all done!!

This week I was able to quilt and bind my patchwork Christmas quilt!   It always feels so fabulous to finish a quilt, especially a Christmas one!

I added a couple borders, Cherry Christmas, Holly and a solid aqua.  For the binding I used Robert Kaufmans, Pimatex basics red and white polka dot.  I love how soft Pimatex is.   In this picture below my sweet little guy is doing his very best to hold it up for me.  :)

The finished size is 48 1/2 X 60.  Perfect to snuggle under on these cold winter nights.

For the backing I used an aqua and white floral vintage sheet.  I left the white border and lace edging on the vintage sheet to give it a sweet little touch.

I think it turned out cute, but how could it not with such cutsie Christmas fabric!  :)

 Love it with the light shining through!

With a couple winter and Christmas pillows!

I thought I'd show you what I did with a few of the vintage glass ornaments I showed you last week.  I hung a few from a bow and ric rac on my vintage up-cycled mirror. 

I love how it adds the perfect Christmas touch to the mirror! 

I also found a cute vintage Christmas tablecloth this last week!  I eyed it from way down the aisle at my favorite thrift store and made a mad dash run for it to make sure I got it before anyone else.  ;)

My favorite vintage find this week are these adorable little pixie NOEL candle holders!  Aren't they so precious!!  I adore them!

I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful holiday season!  I'm off to work on a Christmas pillow I started yesterday.  :)

Hugs,