Helping Children

Cindy over at Just About Cindy got me thinking about what we do for others near and far. So I wanted to share an easy way to help hungry children.

Products like PAM Cooking Spray and others, participate in the great endeavor.

 

It's simple and free, only your time of a few moments is required. To learn more go to http://www.childhungerendshere.com
to see how easy it is to help. You won't be sorry!!

It's A Hoot

First, for those of us who celebrate Easter, I hope you enjoy the weekend, festivities and church services for those who attend.
 

 Another walk through my head about mug rug making.
 

From conception to realization.......the makings of a mug rug.

On paper...what I was thinking of......feathers, wings, big eyes. contrast, night-time.

My favorite adhesive - Steam-a-Seam2 Lite

I'm liking the movement in the feather fabric I chose......onward!!

Looking good so far, but maybe a little more detail on the abdomen.

Background fabric looks good; the tree branches from the corner add interest but it needs more, what, I not sure yet but I'll think of something.

The moon adds a little something and I'm done! Next will come the sandwiching, quilting and binding. Hopefully this little guy will appear on one of my Thursday give aways.

 

A is for Aardvark - BOW - "M" & Mug Rug

Block "M"

 

And now.......

the winner

of the

"I Need Coffee"

mug

rug

is

 

 

__________Carla_____________

 

Congratulations!

Just leave a comment and we'll get together via email.

 

 

 

This little log cabin mug rug was fun to make. Some of you might remember that a similar one appeared in a quilt & I gave away another weeks ago. This little guy was unlucky and wound up in my UFO box. When I ran across him the other day....I thought.......mug rug candidate.

So, if you'd like a shot at the cabin just leave me a comment and you're in the hat.

I'll announce the winner on April 4th.

 

A Bridge Too Far

Well, actually it's a crossing but very scary. Have I mentioned that I don't like bridges!  If you're wondering why I'm posting about this particular photo, let me just say that across that planked bridge is little "Buzzard Bait/Sugar & Cream," the calf.

Some of you may remember her plight and shaky start to life.

Click HERE if you'd like to read all about it.

So where was I? On yea.....She'd somehow gotten away from her mother and is now lost. Where is her mom you ask???? Her attention is  busily munching on bales of hay with the those heifers. It fell to me to shoo little Buzzard Bait back towards her mommy.

OMG, are you kidding me!!!!

This is not happening. Did I mention that I really don't like to get involved with cows and babies.  I parked the Jeep and walked over the bridge. Sorry, no photos of the walking across said planked bridge but I know you can use your imaginations on this one. 

Finally, I m' safely across but where is that pesky calf?? In the underbrush, way back in that thicket stands little Buzzard Bait staring at me.

Did I mention that I don't like tight spaces! 

Needless to say, I lost my cap, dropped my glasses, nearly stepped on them and wound up with several scratches before little Buzzard Bait bolted for the herd. It's very difficult to get sand off the lenses of one's glasses.

 

She went straight for her momma and the milk. I'll retrieve my cap another day, cause I'm headed for the house and a nice long very hot bath! Where's I park that Jeep?

I'm okay, really!

 

 

 After I recouped and downed a couple of aspirin, I got busy on a mug rug that I'd been playing around with. I love green fabrics and have loads of scraps laying around waiting for a project. Decided to do a turtle. 

Seaweed or Kelp

Turtle pre-stitching faze

After stitching.

 Now all that's left is the quilting. This little guy will appear in one of my

Thursday give aways very soon.

Hope everyone is having a peaceful week rather than the type of strenuous time I've had.

The Makings

Might I say to begin with....Buuuuurrrrrrr! It's freezing here in central Texas.....very unusual weather for us but apropos for the cold snap that always happens around Easter.

As most of you know, I am really into making mug rugs. So the other day I was thinking of one I really wanted to make using an owl. Of course, I'd need the appropriate fabrics so off to the old stash I went. Boy was it a thrill to look through all those scraps for just the right colors. I won't show you the mess I made because it was quite shameful but loads of fun.

First I made this little owl. I know, I should have placed a quarter next to him so that you could really appreciate how small he is. Sorry...hindsight and all.

Next came the leafless tree with shapely branches to add character.

Now to the background fabric. I was lucky to fine this dusky blue piece....love it but had to use it. I added a light blue moon to the mix which appears in the background.

Finally, I added the owl. Now all I have to do is quilt it and bind it. So you'll be seeing the mug rug in a future Thursday post with my "A is for Aardvark" BOW.

Make sure you pop over to Judy's to see what other are doing on this wonderful Design Wall Monday!
Also, if you are interested in donating a quilt or two, visit HERE to read about two heart-warming projects that need your help.

A is for Aardvark - BOW - "L" & Mug Rug

Block "L"

 

Last week my computer was acting up....nearly drove me crazy. I didn't get to post a new mug rug for the give-away.

This week's mug rug is...............

.............................

 

"I Need Coffee"

Isn't he/she funny but looks so much like me in the mornings before I have a cup!!

To get a chance at this week's rug, just leave a comment. I'll draw a name and post it  on

March 28th.

If you have already won a mug rug, you can still play along to add to your collection. That's the beauty of these give away....you can win over and over and over!!

Not A Garden

Nope! It's not a garden. It's a very large field of........ newly planted grass sprigs..... very dusty work and tough on the old body. Now all we need is a little rain and that field will turn into several crops.  While I'm waiting for all that to happen, it's back to the sewing room and house work.
I have a great idea for the next mug rug, so I'm off to look at some fabric from my stash. Stay tuned for tomorrow's post.


 

Heart O' Mine

While my computer was acting up, I finally got around to making this little quilt. It was fun and fairly quick. I had seen it on several blogs and wanted to try it out. I only changed one thing and that was the outer squares (all squares are 2 1/2") which I used green to give the quilt a bordered look.
It measures 31 inches square. I'll think about doing another border or two later......LOL

Make sure to pop over to Judy's to see what everyone else is up to.

Winner.

Congratulations to Guilitta!
You are the winner of the birdhouse. I've had to post separately from my usual Thursday schedule because I'm still having computer problems.......Sigh!

Just leave a comment and we'll get together by email.

A is for Aardvark - BOW - "K"

Block "K"

Updates and Finishes

The other day I posted about changing the green fabric over the buffalo because it was just too vivid.

I went with neutral 3 inch squares.

Sorry the photo is not straight but you can see the big difference. I'm very happy with this look.

The quilt measures 46" x 54" and I'm not placing a border on this one. I like the way it just ends.

"In These Shoes" needed a special border. I auditioned many fabrics and settled on the feather-like fabric.  Love it!!! This quilt measures 25" x 32 1/2".

Finally, I've bordered my Christmas quilt with two rich fabrics. I really enjoyed making this quilt and was happy to get it done instead of it winding up in my UFO pile.

The quilt measures 45" x 50".

Back From Retreat - DWM

My "whacky" girlfriends and I had a blast over the weekend on retreat.  Needless to say we laughed and ate our way through the days and evenings while actually getting some sewing in.
Here's a look at what we accomplished.

Kathy was really driven. She made two Jelly Roll quilts within a 4 hour period the cutest fabrics. She inspired us to try the technique.

It's a Boy - Jelly Roll quilt.

It's a Girl - Jelly Rolls quilt.

Annie (no blog) showed off her skills with a Jelly Roll quilt of her own plus, she showed us what she's been working on for a while.

 

The Christmas tree is from a challenge from two years ago.

This layout is from Annie's request from a row quilt challenge the "whackies" did.

 

 

Molly, our hostess, worked on braided strips made from her scraps. It was amazing to see the rows develop.

Note the wonderful scrappiness, all from Molly's stash which seems to grow rather than shrink.

Kathleen worked on a quilt top from her stash and a hand embroidery BOM that is going to make a stunning finish.

This quilt top was from a panel - WOW!

 

These hand embroidery blocks are from a winter scene BOM.

 

And finally, here's what I was up to and was happy to get that far.

BTW make sure you pop over to Judy's to see what everyone else is up to on this Design Wall Monday.

 

One new mug rug. Look for it to be given away as I post the "A" is for Aardvark blocks.

I finally sewed my red teapots together. The girls suggested that I sew strips between each teapot so I took their advice and added the cornerstones, as well.

I'm sure you all remember this one. I thought to never get those shoes sewn down but it happened. Again, the girls suggested the black fabric separation. All I need to do is find a suitable final fabric for a 2 to 3 inch border.

And can you believe it, this baby is finally put together. I've been working on it off and on for two years. I need to find a border for it.

 I might change out that green fabric above the buffalo. I probably will because it is bothering me just looking at it. What are your thoughts??

 

 

A is for Aardvark - BOW - "J"

Block "J"

 

And the winner is..................

 

 

____________________Needled Mom____________________

Congratulations. We'll get together via email when I get back from "retreat!"

 

 

 Here's the next Mug Rug give away.....

A cute birdhouse.  Just leave a comment

and you're in the hat. The winner will be announced March 14th.