Gettin' close......

 Carol Doak has just posted the final mystery BOM.   April is the actuall finally, and she’ll reveal the layout of the mystery blocks.  While I haven’t started on my March block yet, I’ve arranged and rearranged my blocks into several possibilities.   Carol requested everyone try to guess the final layout and post a pic to the yahoo group.  Thinking I had a pretty good guess I submitted my fav, only to find out ol’Tina here didn’t have the correct layout.  Hmm, Would she have told me if it was correct?  I think not….then the mystery would be over!

February's block is actually 4 - 6 1/2" separate blocks

 

 

 

My final guess - without the March block

The Dresden Dish

Like I wasn’t busy enough with my BOM’s, I started a Dresden Plate quilt/wall hanging.  It’s a “shop” pattern made by Rita at the Quilter’s Station.  My friend Sue and her sister Cheri started the quilt using the same (or similar) fabrics as the shop, but I wanted something a little brighter.  Actually my fabric choice made little sense, as the “shop” colors would fit into the main decor of our house, but I’d like to put this wall hanging in a spare bedroom.   

The 36 - 6 1/2 inch blocks are now complete - the light green is the background fabric and the different greens will be the leaves on the appliqued vine, which is placed throughout the quilt.

 

While cleaning the sewing room (which should happen far more than it does -who knows what other treasures I might find!), I found this Lisa Bongean pattern buried under some fabric.  It was too cute and tempting to wait until I had finish numerous other projects, so I whipped it together this past week.  Instead of making it a pin cushion (as the pattern suggests), I added an additional flower sprig on the right side of the basket and plan to frame to hang on the wall.   

 

 

 

 

G'night, sleep tight....don't let the bed bugs bite!

It goes without saying, Miss Shelly needed a bed for her Christmas American Girl doll!  But grandma (me) couldn’t afford a “real” AG bed.  Sharing this dilemma with my friend Sue, she told me about a group of Iowa ladies who were making doll beds out of plastic totes.   I wasn’t familiar with these beds, but with Google Image at my fingertips, I was able to find several pictures of “tote” beds.  What a great idea!  When Shelly and her doll go visiting, she can pack up her bedding and accessories in the tote.  Not finding a pattern, I figured I could come up with my own version, especially since everyone isn’t using the same size tote. 

 

A sheet set too!

Fitted sheet pulled back to show thin mattress

Top of plastic tote

Skirt is removable from tote

Instead of using elastic at the top of the skirt, I used velcro. I thought the elastic would slip down easily

I also numbered the velco tabs on the skirt and tote so

Shelly could assemble on her own

Finished bed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're gettin' close!

January BOM

 

The month of April will be the completion of the Carol Doak BOM Mystery (yahoo group).  The February block has just been posted (early!)  I could be wrong, but I think Carol will post one more block for March and the "big reveal" for setting instructions will be in April.  I'm nervous and excited all at the same time - Carol's mystery instructions were for a 2-color quilt, and with me being on a "fabric restriction diet" (I've banned myself from buying any more fabric), I didn't have enough of any one fabric to do the mystery.  It only occurred to me recently, I could have done a scrappy red and white or scrappy blue and white quilt....since I've always wanted a 2-color quilt I feel like a loon for not thinking of it!

Aint nothin’ Bitty about it!

When my middle granddaughter asked for an American Girl Doll for Christmas, I nearly went into spasms.  Ok, sure….they’re adorable dolls, fantastic accessories, but slightly on the pricey side.  I cringed and wondered how in the world I could justifying the purchase.  Low and behold, about a week later I get a call from my sister-in-law saying the Today Show is offering a discount code to order Marie Grace discounted to $50.  Now we’re talkin’!  I can certainly justify that!   The internet was abuzz that morning with people talking about the discounted dolls and patiently waiting for the release of the secret code.  Thankfully, I had my order filled out to the point of entering the code and completing the check-out process because later I heard the dolls were sold out by the time the West coast received the code (which is really too bad for them).

Two weeks later, I had Marie Grace in my hot little hands.  By the time Christmas Eve arrived, I could hardly wait for Shells to open her new doll.  Oh, but it gets better – not once did I think about how my youngest granddaughter would react….oh no, not once did I wonder if she’d want an AG for Christmas as well.  I was smart enough to order 2 Marie Grace’s, but Beezer is a tiny 3 yr old.  So my plan was to hold on to the doll a couple of years, then give to her.  Not a bad plan, unless little Beezer wants a baby doll sooner.  With her birthday the first week of January (turning 4), I decided to purchase Beezer the Bitty Baby.  Again about a $50 purchase, but I’ve already set this expensive ride in motion.   

I knew I should have ordered on-line, but nooooo I figured it was just as easy to run to the AG store (you know, save on shipping), plus I was wanted to see first-hand what all the hubbub was about.  Omgosh, it was like I drank the pink koolaid when I crossed the threshold of the store.  I went nuts, not only did I purchase Beezer the Bitty Baby, but I added the accessory pack as well.  And the madness didn’t stop there….I also purchased the Kid size matching pajamas.  I totally lost my mind and I’ve decided I'm never going back to that store…..it’s bewitching.

Once I regained my senses I decided the AG’s needed doll quilts.  For this, I went to the scrap bins….

My niece Em has a set of bunk beds for her AG's. 

 

 Shell's Marie Grace will get to snuggle with this one.

 

Happy New Year! sorta.....

All through the month of December, I told myself I'd blog more often - it would be my New Year's resolution if you will.  It seemed a whole lot easier than saying ......I'd lose weight, exercise more, etc.  Right?  Well, here it is the 16th of the month and I'm just now getting around to it.  Not only did I lag in posting, but my BOM's have suffered as well.  With all the Holiday festivities, it was hard to stay on track with anything (that is, for me!). 

 

Carol Doak BOM for October

 

 

Carol Doak BOM for November

 

...and the stocking were hung by the chimney with care....

I'm my own worst enemy....my cup runneth over with unfinished projects, yet I took on another. The Hub's daughter asked if I made Christmas stockings?  I never have, with 3 of my own children and 4 grandchildren, I'd never made anyone a stocking.  I'd bought the premade needlepoint stockings with their names embroidered on them. Had I taken on the stocking project, my youngest child at 23 still wouldn't have a stocking to date.

This was a little different, Kate wanted a quilted stocking - something "cutesy and girly" for her new baby girl. Hmm, ok - sure, I'm up for the challenge.  At All People Quilt I found a Joy-Stocking pattern I liked.  Didn't care for the "Joy" applique, so I left it off.  Added heel and toe caps and elfish looking trim around the top.  This is what I came up with.....

 

 

 

Yep, cutesy & girly!!