Baptism Quilt #5 (and #2!)

She was SO excited to get baptized!  Her birthday is the latest in the year of all the grands, and she always feels like she has to wait an extra long time to celebrate...but this year there was even more excitement.  She made the choice to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She told me last year at her birthday to remember that her favorite color is purple!  I hoped it wouldn't change between then and her next birthday - and it didn't!

She is such a ray of sunshine to all around her and it was fun to spend this special day with her.

Happy 8th birthday sweet Katie - we love you!

It dawned on me that I didn't post Parker's quilt!  

Sheesh!  Better late than never - right?!  I'm only 3 years late in getting it posted.  

He loves blue, so that was the base color for his quilt.  

I love how they are all similar, but are so different as they are taylored for each specific grandchild.

Oh, how we love them!

Halloween Quilt

I've had a whole pile of Halloween fabric sitting in my craft closet. Left-overs from quiet books, trick-or-treat bags and other miscellaneous projects. I decided it was time to whittle it down a bit, so I made this cute wee quilt! The blocks started out at 4 1/2". I had everthing I needed to create it except for the binding fabric and a little warm and natural. There's always a way to use fabric leftovers. I'm thinking I might need to do a wee quilt for Christmas! But I think I'll start it next spring and do something other than just the diagonal pattern I've done with all my quilts. Do you have a favorite, easy quilt design? I have so many different ones pinned, but I get a little overwhelmed. I'm not a terrific quilter - my blocks don't always line up....but sometimes the beauty can be in the mistakes, right? But seriously - if there's a quilt pattern you love that would be good for a beginner - please share!

Another Beautiful Day - Another Baptism Quilt

It was another beautiful baptism day for one of our grandchildren. This is the 4th baptism quilt that I've made and I always seem to make little adjustments along the way. I consider these practice pieces so I can perfect some of my techniques for a quilt I have on my mind to do, and they don't mind at all. They seem to really look forward to this special gift from grandma and grandpa. I love making them! It was a wonderful day, and he was so excited!

He chose the color scheme for his quilt. He had also picked green as a color to include, but when I laid it out with the green blocks, we both decided that it was not going to work. So glad I asked him about it before I started sewing it together. My friend stitched his name and his baptism date on a block so it will aways be a reminder of the day he made a commitment to our Father in Heaven to be baptized into his church and to follow Him.

Baptism Quilt

Grandchild #3 was baptized in May.  He told me that his quilt needed to be red!  It's his favorite color.  I did what I could to oblige.  He was so excited to get it, that when we went to his house after the baptism, he saw I was carrying the quilt and came running to me with arms outstretched and said: "Come to papa!  "Funny boy!

I cut each of the blocks 9.5" square, so when they are all sewn together they are 9" blocks.  I only chose one fabric that was minky.  The kids love how it feels, but I don't like sewing with it so the majority of the blocks are flannel as well as the backing.   I have a good friend who stitched his name and baptism info on a block and I chose a fun, coordinating cotton fabric to bind it with.  

I'm still not a great quilter, but I'm getting better.  I'm glad I can do this for our grandchildren and they genuinely seem to appreciate them!   

 

Baptism Quilts

I've been working on baptism quilts for our grandchildren.  It is such a special time for them and I wanted to make something so they could always remember their special day.  I didn't get a picture of the first quilt I made all by itself, but you can see how happy this sweet girl is with her quilt.  It's just the perfect size for snuggling.

I let them choose their color scheme and make the quilts from a combination of flannel and minky fabric.  The squares are cut 9 1/2 inches square.  I use 6 colors or color/pattern combinations.  The quilt is 5 squares wide x 6 squares long.  I also have a friend embroider their name and the month of their baptism on one of the corner blocks.  

I'm working on quilt #3 right now.  He requested every color (except the girlie ones!), but I had him narrow it down to his favorite color - which is red! 

  

 

Halloween Table Runner

I finally had time to do a little fabric shopping and make this cute table runner for our coffee table.  I had some different fabrics in mind when I went shopping, but I'm happy with the results.

 I was going to share with you the blog post that was my inspiration for this table runner, but when I went to the blog I couldn't find it.  I'll keep looking - and I promise - when I find it, I will update this post.  Mine is cute - hers is amazing!

And the little porcelain ghost sitting there?  The fuzzy spider on his head plays music when you push it.  We've had that ghostie for a LOT of years.  Our daughters used to enjoy him, and now our grand-kids are having some fun with him too.

Waiting for Parker!

My youngest daughter is expecting her first child - soon!  It's a boy.  His name is Parker.  I already love him to pieces!  I've been doing a little sewing for the little guy and the first time mom and dad.  I made a car seat cover that has already been sent to them.  I also fancied up this take-along diaper wipes case and made a few receiving blankets.  They are made with two different pieces of flannel and sewn together.  I make them bigger than store-bought - approximately 43x43 - and try to do a cute edging. 

See you soon bud!  Enjoy your last few days with Heavenly Father!

Christmas Preparations

Christmas! Just saying the word brings with it so many feelings, thoughts and desires! I want to do things for other people - I feel so grateful for our blessings - I'm thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ; His birth, His sacrifice and His resurrection. I desire to be like Him. I want to have our family around us. I enjoy the sweet feelings of peace and comfort that exist within the walls of our home. Christmas!

This Christmas Season so far has been a bit of a blur. Right after Thanksgiving my hubby had some major back surgery. He has healed incredibly fast and well - a tender mercy from a loving Father in Heaven! But there was still stress and worry and some sleepless nights and I'm still working almost full-time. All of those things I traditionally do the first couple weeks of December didn't happen. We did get the tree up and decorations in place Thanksgiving weekend - everything else was put on hold. This week I started baking. And sewing. And making lists ~ lots of lists! And slowly crossing things off of my lists. And making more lists! :) I know you know what I mean!

So - here are the cookies I made last weekend. Gingerbread. Fabulous, soft, yummy gingerbread cookies. I love how the kitchen smells when I make these cookies. I copied the snowmen that were featured on Bakerella's site a couple of weeks ago. It's very obvious that she is a professional.... hmmmm - just don't look too close!


And this - the directions said: "15 minute table runner." I was skeptical. It actually took - from beginning to end - 25-30 minutes. Not bad though! It wasn't the fabric choice I really wanted, but when you procrastinate sewing projects at Christmas-time, you get what no-one else wanted either! Oh well - This was a practice one - the ones I make this summer for next year (yea, right) will be fabulous! I had to laugh because the project I left out after Christmas last year to work on over the summer never did get done....to be perfectly clear....never got started! Oh well - there's always next year - Right?!

Gingerbread
1 c. molasses + 1 c. shortening
Put in a small saucepan and just bring to a boil. Simmer for 2 minutes - remove from heat and cool.

1 egg
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 c. warm water
6 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger

Cream egg, sugar and vanilla together. Add molasses/shortening mixture and mix till blended. Add soda water and mix well. Slowly add dry ingredients and blend until mixed well. Dough will be quite stiff. Roll 1/4" thick, cut out and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Remove immediately to a cooling rack. When completely cool decorate or store in an air-tight container.

What's your favorite Christmas beverage? I think ours is slush! Recipe coming soon.
Christmas music and Christmas stories....do you have a favorite? Coming to a post soon!
Merry Christmas!