Thrifty Spools of Thread ...

I am linking up with Linda of Coastal Charm's NTT.

Linda is also having a giveaway on her blog!

I bought these "spools of thread" after Christmas on sale.    The only thing is I can't put them to use on my sewing machine!  They are 12" and 8" tall.

 But that's okay ... I will put them in my sewing room.

Look how large they are!  I need to peel the prices off.

I went to Yankee Candle after Christmas and the first thing I saw were these large spools. 

I'm thinking to myself "what are they doing with these?"

 They were marked $1, $2, and $3.  I didn't think twice ... I had to have them.

They are actually made of thick cardboard with yarn wound around them but I love them.

 The sales lady knows me (Amber loved to go in there and buy candles).  I asked her what she had them for and she said they were part of their Christmas display.   I didn't go in there before Christmas and see the display because I didn't need any candles at the time.  I wish I could have seen it!

By this time my husband is thinking I have lost my mind!

I could just see myself sewing with these large "needles"!  The sales lady gave the "needles" to me.  So for $6 I have the largest spools of thread I have ever seen!

This will be my only problem ... our kitty found the string and will have them unraveled if I don't put them up where she can't get to them! 

These are just for fun but they make me smile when I see them!  I may use them in my Christmas decorating next year ... who knows :)

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Hearts in Time for Valentines

 I am joining Susan at Blackberry Creek for a weekly update on what we are working on to finish in 2011.

(I am still working on the teacup border on the Sweet Tea quilt.)

This was a quilt kit I purchased a couple of years ago.  Now I finally have the borders on and hopefully have it quilted before Valentines day. Very simple patchwork quilt. 

I love the pink and green chenille used in some of the blocks along with the heart fabric.  I am a February baby so anything with hearts gets my attention.

I think I will put my walking foot on my machine and do a simple cross hatch  design due to the chenille and the texture.

This quilt goes with nothing in my house but hey a girl has to have something pretty and pink to snuggle under for a winter nap :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  The sun is shining here today and it is around 60 degrees!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna



Lil' Bo Peep Ironing Board

Okay ... I admit I am a hoarder when it comes to keeping my girls toys as they were growing up.  We always taught Amber and Jennifer to take care and appreciate their toys.

I was in the basement today and I saw this Lil' Bo Peep ironing board hanging on the wall.  I thought how cute it would be hanging in my sewing room. 

This brings back so many sweet memories!  I can just see Amber or Jennifer standing and "ironing" their baby's clothes :)  

This little ironing board is only about 20 inches long. They were very little when they "used" it.  It has scratches on it but it is at least 28 years old.  I have pictures with them ironing with it!  They played so well as little girls together as long as Amber was the "boss"! LOL

Now I am on the hunt to find the iron that goes with it!  I have kept every toy they ever had as children.   I still have every Barbie doll they ever owned along with lots of Fisher Price toys you just don't see now in stores.

 I wonder what I will find as I organize the basement?

Oh the memories!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Retail Therapy

  I can't believe it has been a week since I last posted.  I have been sick with fluish like symptoms.   I think my body has ached all over.  After seeing  a doctor twice this week, I think I am going to survive.

I haven't even been in my sewing room except to grab a few quilting books to look at and I saw my purchases I made before I got sick.

Look at this yumminess!

It's a quilt kit I purchased at my local quilt shop when they had a 30% off sale.  It's packaged so cute I hate to even take the fabrics out! 

I have been wanting this kit and I couldn't resist it once it was on sale.  It's called Tiny Town by Bunny Tales.  It is machine appliqued with little houses, shops ... everything that would be in a little town.  I love it!

Here's some of the fabrics in the kit ...

And I couldn't resist this roll of fat quarters.  It's called Sweet Divinity.  I haven't decided what I will make with it.  I always hate to unroll my bundles :)

Can you tell I am ready for Spring with all these pastel colors?

I hope to do some sewing tonight now that I am feeling better.

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna



Sweet Tea - UFO Challenge

I joined Susan's UFO Challenge for 2011.  I need to finish some projects before I begin any new ones.  Last year at this time I put everything on hold for Jennifer's wedding.  This year I have no excuses!

This week I have been working on a quilt I began a couple of years ago.  I adore teapots and when I saw this quilt in a shop while on vacation I had to purchase the kit.  I am sure I had enough fabrics in my stash to make the quilt but it was already packaged and ready to cut and sew.   

The pattern is by the Quilt Company.

I had to search for the blocks ... I thought they were in a clear plastic container. The pieces of the border were in the plastic container but I couldn't find the blocks. After searching for about an hour I found the blocks already sewn together. It was with all my other quilt tops that need to be quilted.

The teapot blocks all sewn together.  

There is paper piecing and applique in the blocks.  

 I need to press it really well.  It has been put away for about a year.

All I need to finish the top is to make the teacup border and sew it on.

  The only thing is each one of these little blocks has 14 pieces.   It was very time consuming just getting the pieces cut.  I have to be extra careful ... I don't want to cut anything wrong.  

I have been sewing away on my teacups.  The blue fabric is the teacup.  The red pieces are a ribbon border.   I will go back and applique the teacup handles after I have each one pieced.

I am making progress :)

I know now why I live in the South ...  I am tired of the snow!  We still have snow in our yard.  There are several inches sill lingering.  The sun finally popped out today but it has been very cold for us.  I hope we get above freezing tomorrow and get back to more normal temps for us.

Schools have been closed all week here where I live.  There is so much ice and snow still on the roads.  We do not have the equipment to deal with such things!  If we had the equipment if would be rarely used.  We just don't have snow like this very often.

Snow .... go away!!

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna

Winter Wonderland

It looks like a winter wonderland here in the south.  We received between 7-8 inches of snow.  I went outside for a few minutes to take a few pictures.  It is not often that we have snow pics!

My magnolia tree is drooping with the snow.

I didn't realize I left this basket hanging until it filled with snow.  Funny how you notice things with snow on it :)

Inside our sideyard looking out to the highway.

Looking into our pasture. 

Snow on a fence post ... so pretty!

Chairs filled with snow in the backyard.  My topsy turvy planter will probably have broken, cracked pots.

Looking out my front door.

We didn't lose power so I can deal with the snow. At least if I am going to be in the house I can watch television and sew.

The weatherman just said we might make it above freezing on Friday.  There has been very little traffic going by the house today.   Schools will probably be closed most of the week.  In the meantime I am not going far.

Stay warm and God Bless!

Donna

Winter Storm

We are under a winter storm warning where I live in the South.  Everyone has been to get their milk and bread at Walmart!  We are expecting more snow than ice.  South of us there may be lots of ice.  People in our area just don't know how to drive in the icy, snowy weather.  Highway and interstates are closed already.  We have plenty of food here in our house and we are prepared.  Years ago we were without power for days when there was an ice storm.  We have not had icy weather in years. 

In 1993 we had "The Blizzard of "93".  The state was shut down for days!  We had about 2 feet of snow which is a once in a lifetime event for us.  We were without power for days and at the time we were totally dependent on electricity to keep us warm.  We had the fireplace and kept warm by the fire and listened to the radio.  We "camped out" by the fireplace to stay warm.  We slept on a mattress all snuggled up.  Since that event we now have gas logs and a gas hot water heater.  Everyone here remembers March of 1993 due to the blizzard and plenty of stories to tell.

I have my hand sewing on standby along with plenty of books and magazines to read to occupy the time should the power go out.  I made beef stew for lunch and an Italian Cream cake for something sweet to eat.  Hopefully the electricity will not be affected and the ice and snow will soon be just a memory!

Stay warm,
Donna

Organizing & UFO Challenge

I ended last year hoping I would get organized this year ... especially our basement!  My husband and I installed 4 huge shelving units in the basement so I have been reorganizing and storing Christmas decorations away.  I have labeled and stored items away by room.  I have made so many trips up and down the stairs ... I am pooped!  Due to pulmonary fibrosis I have to take a break between each trip!  I am slow but I am getting there :)  Better late than never! 

I need motivation this year to finish so many projects I have started so I decided to join Susan at Blackberry Creek's Little Green Quilter UFO Bust 2011.  I may not post every week but I am going to try.  I am working on my list and so far I have about 10 things I need to finish.  I have been working on a quilt since the new year and I am making progress.

I just need motivation :)

I've been so behind on responding to comments left for me.  I read each one and I am going to try to do better this year.

I am headed to my sewing room now to get busy. 

Thanks for visiting and God Bless!

Donna