Just Monkey-ing Around

This is another quilt I recently finished. It was so easy I cut it out and sewed it together in a long afternoon.  I did this on Mother's Day when my two Grand Junction friends came for a wonderful weekend visit.  My friend, Deb, had purchased some cards with quilt patterns at a local shop.  This is one of the patterns.  I loved it because it allowed me to use some larger squares so I could showcase this great monkey flannel I purchased a while back. 

I made this quilt for the new grandson of a friend and guy I work with.  The quilt is so soft since it is made with flannel.  I also used flannel for the backing.  A new quilt store in Loveland machine quilted it for me.  They did a great job at Atta Girl Quilts. 

The two quilts I recently finished have certainly gotten me in the mood to do more quilting.  If only I didn't have a job -- it sure cuts into my crafting time.  I guess I am happy I have a job and something fun to do when I get home.

Have a great weekend. 

Pretty Pink Quilt

This is a picture of the baby quilt I made for a special little girl born yesterday.  The pattern is called "Yellow Brick Road."  I took a class in Fort Collins at The Sewing Circle.  I really enjoyed the class.  It has been a while since I pieced a top and I think every teacher has new ideas or techniques to make quilt making so fun and easy. 



On this quilt you may notice the machine quilting. I was able to use the long arm quilting machine at The Sewing Circle as well as receive a hands on lesson on how to use the machine.   It was great, but gave me a real respect for anyone who works with a long arm.  It was definitely work to get it in the frame, set it up, quilt it and take it out of the frame.  I learned a lot thru this process and am so glad I had the opportunity to do it. 

I can't wait to meet this new little girl and see her new little room.

Homegrown Memories

It has been a while since my last post, but I will be sharing a lot in the next week. 

This past weekend took my husband and I on a one day trip to eastern Colorado -- the land where I grew up.  It was a bittersweet day as we celebrated the life of a dear lady I have known all my life.  Esther was a relative, but I will remember her best as the mom of two gals I shared my passion of music.  We played our string instruments and sang a variety of songs in church with our Grandmothers looking on.  As we sang "Mansion Our the Hilltop" and "My God and I" at the service this past Saturday, I felt my Grandma so close to me.  They were songs she taught me and we girls then shared these songs with our church family so many years ago.  As for the picture -- we were heading east early this past Saturday and I felt like our ancestors where peaking thru the clouds looking on us as we faced the day ahead of us.

While it is difficult to loose a special person in our lives it brings family members together again.  I felt so blessed to reunite with so many relatives, some I haven't seen in years. The service was at the church where I was baptized and confirmed. I spoke with many people that I haven't seen in years. 

While we were in the farm area we got to meet our new great nephew, Mason.  He was born July 1st and he and mom are doing well.  We also got to see our great niece who didn't seem to mind this new little guy was around.   Maybe she hasn't figured out he is staying!!! LOL

Anyway on the way home we saw many fields of wheat waiting for the harvest.  I did not see my brother and nephews as they were busy cutting the first of their wheat crop.  Looking at the wheat and just celebrating 4th of July it reminded me of the phrase -- "Amber waves of grain!" 

Have a good day and I'll be sharing more in a couple of days. 

 

Honor Flight Quilt

I hope all of you enjoyed a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  We enjoyed a weekend visit from our son.  Sunday evening, Ryan made homemade ice cream which we had with strawberries over angel food cake shared by our neighbors.  We had such a great time visiting and sharing the yummy dessert!!!  Our neighbors enjoyed meeting Ryan and getting to know him.

The quilt shown is a UFO now FINISHED and donated. A couple of months ago I posted this quilt top and the story of my donation to the honor flight.  Thanks to a generous, wonderful quilter in the community, the quilt is quilted and my sweet neighbor sewed the binding on to finish it in time for the May Honor Flight.  I'm so happy to know it has a new home with a military veteran.  May it bring comfort and a feeling of thanks for all this person gave to fight for our freedom!!

Special Day

Today is a special day for my husband and I. Thirty Two years ago today we were married.  He surprised me by sending this beautiful bouquet of roses!!! We also went out to dinner. He certainly made me feel loved.

I have been working on my quilt projects and will have pictures to show you in the coming days.  This past weekend I started on a wool applique project of  a Snowball penny rug.  It was so much fun. I just have a few more stitches and then put the backing on to finish it.

Have a great day.

WINDY SUNDAY

WOW!!!  What a windy day!!! It has finally calmed down.  I hear another weather system is moving this direction tomorrow.  I sure hope it brings moisture!!! 

Can you believe these sweet little gals are over a month old.  Hailey is on the left and Alyssa on the right.  Alyssa looks so much like big brother, Brendan.  I'm hoping I can see these two little gals and their big brother this coming week.  I'm sure I will be amazed as to how much they have grown and changed.  Yes, Desiree has the girls laying on one of the quilts I made.  She is so sweet!!!

Have great week. 

Crochet Fun

 

Hi friends.
It has been awhile since my last post.  While I've been busy doing things and working, I haven't "finished" anything recently.  But I'm happy to share a baby afghan I made for a new baby boy.  The proud Dad is a guy I worked with in Grand Junction.  This afghan was my first attempt at Tunisian crochet.  It was a great winter project.  I used a long 'afghan' hook and a couple of different Tunisian stitches.  It was fun.

Part of my past week was spent with my Mom who had a successful cataract surgery on Wednesday.  Her vision is so much better in the eye. We now have to wait until the first part of June for surgery on the other eye.

I love the spring weather, but it sounds as if snow/rain is on its way.  YEAH!!!  We really need more moisture.

Have a great week!!!

Birthday Gift

Hope everyone is having a great week. Our weekend snow is almost gone. It is great seeing the sunshine.  I'm looking forward to the warm weather predicted for the weekend.

This is my first attempt with clothesline crafting.  I wrapped the cording with strips of fabric and zigzagged together as I coiled it to make the coasters. I also used my embroidery sewing machine for the butterfly and name.  I then attached it to the bag. It was great to surprise Pat for her birthday. 

Have a great rest of your week.
 

Weekend Visit

Last weekend brought visits by family.  My brother and sister-in-law, Nathan and Amy, from Omaha and our son, Ryan, from Grand Junction came for a long weekend.  It was so great having time to share conversations, etc. On Sunday we took a drive into Fort Collins Old Town.  We walked thru some of the streets looking at the interesting architecture and store fronts. 

We found a little pub serving beer -- it was St. Patrick's Day.  We are of German descent but didn't let that stop us from enjoying a little refreshment. 

Snowy Saturday

BRRR!!  It is a cold, windy, snowy Saturday!!!  It is a great day to stay home and do some of those projects I have on my to-do list.  Wouldn't it be great to curl up in this cozy blanket?? I wouldn't mind but I think Brendan would?  This is the blanket I made him and it is shown in a previous picture.  This idea for a strip quilt came from Pinterest!!!  I love Pinterest!!  It has plenty of ideas for every thought I have.  Anyway, the quilt was very quick and easy to make.  I think I will be making the twins blankets like this as well.  Of course theirs will not have monkeys!  LOL

Desiree shared this picture of the twins this past week.   Aren't they adorable.  I'm sure she would like to see this pose in the early morning hours.

Well I'm off to make some Easter cards, sewing and who knows what else.

Have a great day and stay warm.

Back to Reality

 

  


I enjoyed meeting the twin girls.  Alyssa is in my right arm and Hailey is in my left.  They slept most of the time.  It was great to hold them and see how tiny they were.  I wished I lived closer so I could be there to help Mom and Dad like I did when Brendan was little.






 
Speaking of Brendan -- he was happy I came to visit and "introduced" me to his sisters.  He loved the blanket I made for him.  You can see him all wrapped up in the blanket.  He loves Curious George, so he loved the blanket with all of the monkeys on it.  Brendan and I had a great time playing with his cars, stickers, dragons, etc.  It was so good to see him and hard to leave!!!  I sure miss that little guy. 
 

I was so fortunate to visit with many friends on my visit to the western slope.  It never seems like my time there is long enough.  I did enjoy surprising one of my friends, Pat, for her birthday.  That was great fun.  She told me I could surprise her anytime!!!  My thanks to Judy who orchestrated the surprise visit!!!

My son, Ryan, brought me back home on Friday.  We enjoyed some shopping time Saturday morning and then welcomed my brother and sister-in-law from Nebraska in the afternoon. They spent the long weekend with us.  We had some great conversations and made the most of our time together. I will have more to share in the next couple of days.

The Quilts

WOW!!!  This weekend has flown by!!!  Maybe that is because my sewing machine and I have been creating some wonderful things.  These are the quilts for the twin girls.  I can't wait to give them to Alyssa and Hailey.  Desiree picked green, pink and lavender with an owl theme for the girl's room.  So I picked up those colors and theme in the quilts.  I sure hope she likes them. 

Mommy and girls were released from the hospital yesterday.  I have received some darling pictures.   I just have to share one of them.  Alyssa is definitely bigger than Hailey.  I'm sure Hailey will catch up soon.  I can't wait to give them some love.  BUT Brendan will definitely be my priority because he is "My Little Boyfriend."  He holds a very special place in my heart.  I did get his blanket finished as well.  I will share a picture of it latter in the week. 

They're HERE!!!

I'm so excited to share the wonderful news -- The twins were born Wednesday, March 6th at noon.  Alyssa Lauren weighed 6.12 and Hailey Elizabeth weighed 4.2.  Mommy and girls are doing great.  They will be going home tomorrow.  I talked with Desiree, the new mommy, this morning.  It was great to hear her voice and know she was doing well after having the girl's at 37 weeks by cesarean section.  Hailey is a bit jaundice but she should be great by tomorrow.  I can't wait to meet the little girls and see the rest of the family. 

The picture shows the fabric I am using for the girl's quilts.  I'm happy to say I'm almost finished with the two quilts.  I have the binding to attach and all will be complete!!  YEAH!!  I will post a picture of the finished quilts on Sunday.  I am hoping to finish Brendan's blanket on Sunday as well. 

Have a great day and I'll be in touch soon.

Special Delivery

This picture, taken last week, is of a couple very special people.  Mike, the daddy- not pictured, works for the same company I do.  I have known Mike for over eight years and was happy to share in his wedding day with Desiree.  Desiree and I became friends and enjoyed spending time together crafting, etc.  The birth of their son, Brendan, (shown in the picture with his Mommy) was a special event.  Desiree and baby Brendan would visit us often and my husband and I shared many "babysitting oppourtinities."  It was so wonderful to watch Brendan grow and it was hard to make the five hour move away, but I love my many visits, phone calls and Skyping.   So fast forward to the present.  Brendan is three years old and his Mommy is pregnant with twin girls.  I am so lucky to be making crib quilts for the little girls.  Of course I will be making a special blanket for my little guy as well. Check back for the quilt progress.