1930's Reproduction Prints

I bought these sweet little 1930's reproduction prints last spring when I was visiting my friend Jeanie in California.  I love them, this is probably what I would consider my favorites.  Jeanie has 3 kids too, and she took me to a quilt shop for fun; while she entertained all the kids!  I pulled out a few small scraps from other projects too, and made up my own variaton of what I found here.

The pattern I mentioned before used 10 inch squares, but I decided to use 4 inch squares and make a small doll quilt.  One thing I found helpful, was that you cut all the squares in half to make up the pattern, so I could use up 2 inch scraps with the same result!

One problem I encountered when changing the pattern, was that you cut the large strips by going over 2 inches and up 5, there was no angle measurement.  I thought about how to improvise, then realized that even if I did figure out what degree of angle it was, the angle wasn't on my ruler so it wouldn't do any good to know!  =)  Then I realized that angling my ruler "over 2 and up 5" would give the same angle, only I wouldn't have such a long cut.  Does that make sense?

I cut a couple to see if it would work, and they seemed to line up fine.

I cut them all, without much planning as far as how many I needed (in case you haven't figured out by now, this is quite often how I quilt.... not too much planning, and lots of improvising!)  =)

So far, it looks like the blocks will end up 3 1/2 inches on the longest sides.

I laid out the pieces to see what looked best, and see how many more I needed.

Then I sewed the pieces into strips....

And then the strips together.

Added some borders, and once again found a piece of leftover batting just the right size.  =)

After the quilting, all done except for the binding.  There are actually quite a few projects hanging around here that just need binding.....

But I did get Grandma's quilt for Andy finished, binding on and hand-sewed to the back. (She had to leave before we got the binding finished).

And washed it so it's nice and crinkly, he loves it!

The day we signed Breanna up for Kindergarten in snowed again.... lots of great big flakes!  The kids loved sitting in the window seat watching the flakes come down.

These little ones are really growing up!

Levi's Quilt, New Books, etc.

I've been making progress on Levi's quilt, all I have left now is the binding.  I did learn something on this that I'd like to share for the benefit of others...... DON'T try the Polyester version of Warm & Natural!!  I tried it for the first time, because I thought it would be warmer.  That might be, but it was a nightmare to quilt!  I didn't like the end result as well as I could, but Levi doesn't notice the difference, so I'll be quiet now.

Here's the back:

Some stitching designs on the back.

and some more...

Front view, as you can see it's a bit distorted because of the batting.  It's kindof stretchy or something, it was seriously testing my attitude!

closer...

and more...

Dad was here when I was working on the front, and asked it if came with batteries!

Andy had to crawl accross it and taste it to test it out. 

Brothers.

I love these kids!!  Breanna & Levi used to wear these matching PJ's.

Big sister.

Buddies.

(Yes, her pants say "coffee addict", she made them- and was sure they had to be out of that piece of flannel.)

Some maple leaves on the back of a quilt I quilted for Lucy.

I do all my work by free-hand, so it's hard to get it to look perfect.  I'm allways my own worst critic, tho. 

Last week I sent the pink quilt and bag off to the "Mommy-to-be", but first I took some more pictures of the quilting while the sun was bright.  I love how it turned out!

It's been folded up for awhile so had some creases, but the quilting is so pretty to me.

Last week I also got 8 quilting books on craigslist, for FREE!!  I had to drive to Anchorage to get them, but that was ok with me!

I've had fun looking them over quickly, and now have more projects in mind!  When I got there she said they were all brand-new, she'd wanted to learn to quilt but never had.  Now since she's moving, she's also moving on.  She was apologizing for the one having a messed up back cover.... I assured her that was just fine with me! 

What was really funny, was that while Mom was here she'd showed me this cute little bag someone made for her- she thought I should try one.  And as I was reading thru my new books..... I found the pattern!!! 

Mom's was just 2 pieces of fabric, mine is like a mini-quilt.  And all out of tiny scraps. 

You use two layers and batting in between, it's a nifty little bag!

In the book, it was called a "totable", and can be made in all different sizes for different uses!

What have you been up to in the craft room?

Visiting Family

Uncle Jared, Grandpa Jon, & Grandma Maryn visited us; and we sure enjoyed them!  And now that they're gone, the kids are really missing them.

Uncle Jared taught Breanna how to text, mommy & daddy are kindof behind the times- we don't pay the extra for the data plan.  She picked it right up, tho, and had fun texting messages to other family!

Unlce Jared also got lots of practice reading outloud.

Lap full of snuggles!

Grandma too got to practice her reading skills.  These kids would love to be read to all day!

Grandpa Jon

He was great at puting Andy to sleep, and enjoyed a chance to relax and do Sudoku puzzles.  At home they are both very busy, and seemed to really enjoy the break.

We had dinner at the Evans' on Sunday.  Once in awhile I ask to have my picture taken, otherwise I wouldn't have any!  =)

Daddy snuggling Levi.

On April Fools Day, Daddy brought home 3 goldfish (leftovers from a prank someone played at his work), one for each of the kids!

Puzzles with Grandpa.

And Grandma helped Breanna do some paper-pieced blocks for a pillow!  (We have now decided it will be finished as a purse, which will get used more).

Breanna at the quilting machine, she used it like a pro!  I was so proud of her when I was watching, she's obviously been watching me- she acted like she knew exactly how to do it.  =)

Grandma also got a try at the machine, and she did a great job- especially for the first try!

She was quilting what we worked on while she was here, it's a quilt for Andy.  She'd made all these cross-stitched blocks before, and we found coordinating fabrics to complete the quilt.

It turned out nice, and the kids all love the bright colors!

Andy checking it out.

He approves!  =)

Thanks again for coming to visit us!!

Kids Projects

Tyler got my photo program reinstalled and working on the computer again, so here goes with a lot of catching up!  It might take me a few days.....  =)

Levi's photo-frame we covered with leftover strips of fabric.  All you do is "paint" them on with Mod Podge glue, the kids were fascinated!  Then we added some wiggly eyes, foam sticker cutouts, and his name in letter beads.

Breanna made this flower from odds and ends.  I've been collecting all these art supplies forever, and we've enjoyed trying them out.

As I mentioned awhile back, my trusty iron gave up.  Daddy took it apart and tried to fix it, but since you can't get a replacement for the malfunctioning part- it became another project for the kids.

Levi loves screwdrivers, and every toy that requires batteries around here always has the battery cover opened because of it!  Daddy put the iron back together and let them take it apart.

They both enjoyed taking all the little tiny screws out (you'd be amazed how many there are in an iron!!), and I was amazed at how well they worked together.  Levi was quite proud of the end result.

And Andy, of course, is very happy- especially when there's food involved!

Or snuggling mommy.  I love that fat little hand!

He's also enjoys "helping" mommy quilt.  I don't know if I'm warping them or what, but all my kids love to feel fabric, quilts, etc.

When you have lots of snow, it seems right to make lots of snowmen.  However, the kids have learned that it takes the right kind of snow to make a snowman!  So much of our winter is so cold that the snow is too powdery and dry.  But they did finally get one built as the weather got warmer!

And Daddy's project, was to replace the front door.  The original was over 25 years old, and leaked air like a sieve.  It was also very, very ugly.  I can't wait till we get warm enough weather to paint the exterior and finish up the house!  That saggy entry step is also going to be replaced by a small covered porch.

We also had a friendly young moose come to visit.

Spring is coming, most of the snow is gone now!

Yes, I'm still here......

We have had a very busy past few weeks, as you can tell by my lack of postings!  Of course I've still found time to do a little sewing, and I'd love to show you some photos; but that will have to wait as I can't get them to work!  Something went wrong and we have to re-install some software on our computer, but for now I can't open my photos to compress them (which I like to do so they don't take so long to upload/you to view, etc.).

My folks and youngest brother visited last week from Oregon, so the kids are also having to adjust back to "normal" life without so much entertainment and uncle Jared the "jungle gym".  We've been getting some warmer weather and most of the snow is gone, so that is exciting to us all!  Daddy is working on old Chevy's and getting the house ready to paint & re-shingle (roof), the kids are having fun exploring the puddles and playing in the dirt, and I am trying to get the house back in order.  While my family was visiting the laundry got neglected, along with cleaning the house- we were too busy having fun!  Mom & I were also sewing for my sister's wedding, and it was nice to have Grandpa as our go-for and cook!  =)

So yes- I'm still here, and yes- very busy, and yes- I hope to be back with photos of my sewing fun.  Breanna, too, has a great project in the works.  Happy crafting!