Work in Progress

This quilt has a little bit of everything, embroidered trim from a 70's night gown, a vintage dish towel, silk lining from a 50's dress, the Leaf Stripe fabric from the Echino line from Japanese designer Etsuko Furuya, and a couple of fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party line. 

I am posting this while it's still in progress because I decided to hand quilt it with embroidery thread, and it may take years for me to complete.  

Chalkboard Menu

I looked online for a chalkboard menu, but only found one I liked for $180.  This window had been sitting in garage for years.  $20 in chalkboard paint later, I have my chalkboard menu!  Notice that my son James added some items to the grocery list in the bottom right corner.  Bunch of candy, marshmallows.... I don't think so.   

I have been on a healthy cooking kick, which requires a little more planning ahead.  I have to start soaking rice and beans the night before and make sure I have things like homemade chicken broth and bread when I need them.  This weekly menu has helped me keep up.

Kathy's Quilt

This quilt was a gift for my mother-in-law.  She has been hinting that she would like one for at least 4 years now.  And I kept planning to make one, but Christmas creeps up so quickly each year.  This year I bought the fabric in January and started work on it right away.  I was still finishing it just days before Christmas. 

I used lots of Joel Dewberry's Deer Valley collection, although I can never stick to just one designer.

This was my first time using my handy free motion quilting foot.  I traced the outline of the flowers on the border of the quilt only.  It was a great way to get used to the foot because I had the design right there to trace.  The rest of the quilt I stitched in the ditch. 

Super Hero Capes

I made these capes for James and Luke for Christmas, as part of my campaign to make as many homemade gifts as possible this year.  

They are lined with a very soft, furry fabric.  They are always stealing Sophia's baby blanket in the car to cuddle up with.  So this was my attempt to kill two birds with one stone.