One Down . . . .

I finished this little lap quilt this past Sunday.  Done. Signed. Sealed.  But not delivered ~ yet. But, it is hers.  Jenny Wren.  Hope she likes it.

. . . . . And one to go.. . . .   She's on the board.  I have started quilting it.  I'm finding that I like this large, pic-type quilting.  It adds a whole new dimension to the quilt.  Not to mention, it's easier on the eyes!

 

They are the "same", but "different".   Kellifer has seen the process develop.  I hope she likes the finished product.  

Either way, both quilts were cut, stitched and quilted with love.  Just a small reminder of "home".

 As much fun as it is working on those quilts, sometimes I need a break.  Not to mention I have to tie up some of those UFO's that are so patiently waiting in the wings.  This wasn't a UFO, but I got the concept from Pinterest and couldn't get it out of my head:

I really like how it turned out.  It was (barring the zipper) one of the easiest projects I've done as of late.  The zipper wouldn't have been so bad had I taken the time to examine a pillow I already had.  But no, I had to play "Miss Know It All" and tear that stinkin' zipper out FOUR times!  Four!  What started out as a quick sew ended up as an all day nightmare.  The Zipper.  It was the culprit.  Can I just say it was the Z. I. P. P. E. R?   Yea.  It was.

Sew, that's what I've been up to in the Land of Cotton these days.  I have a few more projects mulling around in my head and I still have to tackle the plethora of  Rag Quilts for my lovelies.  With that said, I should exit Stage Right and get at it.

Until we meet again,
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of Cotton

Movin' Right Along

The seam ripper and I have been good friends as of late.  As I mentioned before, Jenny Wren's Strawberry quilt had to have her backing removed and replaced.  A polyester problem.  Not for me.  For her.   Being the spectacular loving  mom that I am, I promptly ripped out the old quilting and replaced the back with cotton.  'Cause I'm a good mom like that.  Once that was done, things started moving right along.

Here's where we stood at the beginning of this week:

 

 

 

Quilting in progress.

Here's where we stand now:

 

Quilted and ready for binding.

She's all quilted, trimmed up and ready to be labeled and bound.  I think I will take Kelly's suggestion and use a pretty green binding on her.   I chose to totally hand quilt this one.  I am smitten with the trend of large stitch quilting using Perle cotton in colors to match and co-ordinate with the quilt.  I have to "fine tune" my stitching, but all in all I think it turned out ok.  And. . . . I pray she likes it.

I have Kellifer's Strawberry top pieced together. Hers is next on the quilting board.  Can't wait.

 (Pay no mind to the pizza in the corner.  Itty Bitty "made me lunch"!)

I have also been scouting for the balance of Rag 4's cast.  I've had some auditions, but no keepers. 

Much to do.

Sew until next time,
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of Cotton

Rag Time Gal

It's been For.  Ev.  Er.  since I've been here, on the this page that belongs to the Land of Cotton.

As the saying goes:  "I've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger in a wind storm."  But things are quieting down.  Not rapidly, but quieting non-the-less.  School will be starting in a couple weeks or so.  Ahhh.   Tee-hee.

I finished the tops to the Strawberry lap quilts.  All I have to do is quilt them.  And speaking of quilting them, the one I had for my oldest had a poly blend backing.  What was I thinking?  Apparently I had a "moment".  The more I pondered it the more I realized what a mistake that was.  I chatted with my young kindred and she agreed that her momma, the recipient of the quilt, would not be a happy camper.  Nope.  Not no way.  Not no how.  You see, my oldest has a tremendous dislike for ANYTHING polyester!  It makes her itch.  So she says.  Well, anywho, I un-quilted what I had started and purchased new COTTON backing just for her.  And I'm back at square one.  Nothing quilted.  Oh, woe is me.  Sniff.  Sniff.

I needed to step back from the Strawberry Fields so I figured now was as good a time as any to round up my next cast of characters for the Rag Times I have left to make.  I have Itty Bitty's cast lined up and ready to go.  Cutting, assigning of roles and final curtain are just but a cut away.   Just like the dramas before her, Itty Bitty's Rag had a jumping off point.  Her Mama purchased a darling orange, green and purple seersucker fabric for the background.  All I had to do was fit the costumes to the cast.  But, unlike her predecessors, I let Itty Bitty have a say in costume design.  Just a little bit. 

Reminds me of Popsicles!  I love the bright colors!

Next purchases will be towards two or three more rags.  Did I mention I had a plethora of rags to make?  I did?  Oh, well, I guess whinin' about it ain't gettin' it done, now is it?

Sew ~ until we meet again,
Lovely Daydreams From the Land of Cotton

Vintage Finds

So.  This past weekend ~ I went-a-shoppin'  ~ at the Barn Sale ~ with my Kindred.  

As usual we enabled, no, encouraged, no, that's not right either.  . . . enjoyed, that's it, enjoyed! each other's company.  I didn't have a plan.  Nope.  Just flyin' by the seat of my pants, I was. "Cause that's the way I roll most times.  Having a plan = disappointment.  Disappointment as in not finding what you want.  I'm more apt to let my treasures find me.  So. . . .  as I was fltittin' along that's exactly what happened.  Some treasures found me!   Little, ol' me. 

But since this is the home of cotton and her kin, I shall tell of the finds I found concerning that beautiful mess.

I'm (as most know) a sucker for cotton.  Old, new, vintage, retro, you name it, I could love it.  But you know what they say about love ~ it.  is.  blind.  I became blind.  Blinded by the red and white goodness that was spread on a table before me.  As a feast for the cotton deprived eye, it was there,  tantalizingly beautiful.  Her flaws hidden from the naked eye.   Beckoning without saying a word.
Her beauty speaking for her, calling to me.  I was smitten.  I was snagged.  Hook.  Line.  Sinker. 

I told myself I was strong.  I was only buying ONE thing.  One.  And I did. 



And I walked away.  And I pondered.  I longed for.  I coveted those that I left behind.  I caved.
I returned.  I bought. 

I was assured the linens would wash up nicely.

Um.. . . . not quite so.

The "stains" were of the devil.

I was told the quilt blocks were made from old grain sacks.

I washed them when I got home.  I wouldn't normally do that, but the words:  mouse and pee, used together in the same sentence don't sit well with me. 

 Now they are wonky.

 

 

 

I discovered I like the grungy look they have.  Some of them are grungier than others, as you can see.

I am making a runner with them. I had some  homespun that will work nicely for the backing.  I will quilt it up with some of that vintage thread I got at the last barn sale.

 

I have plans for the other goodies as well, but I shall share them as they land on the drawing board.

Sew until we meet again,
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of  Cotton

Strawberry Fields

Spring is coming.  I can feel it.  It sets my mind to daydreaming. 

In my family I am the jam maker.  I get "orders" annually from the kidlings and my neighbor.
Strawberry Jam is the jam of choice.  Everyone here could eat their weight in strawberries.  Everyone, that is, except for Itty Bitty.  She isn't as smitten with them as the rest of us are.  What a  strange little bird she is!

So, with May and Strawberries just around the corner, I decided I should honor this glorious occasion that bestows itself upon us during this time of year in the form of a quilt.

The stage was set.  Only two characters, with the Strawberry being the main character and the Jam Jar her side kick.   All I had to do was get the costume/wardrobe department on board and we would be set.  I spent the afternoon a week or so ago perusing the boulevard in search of just the right threads.  It wasn't hard, with only two characters to don.  And the colors would be easy peasy, lemon squeezy.  I already had some vintage lovelies to jump start the wardrobe department.  Adding a little freshness never hurts.

Strawberries are predictably unique unto themselves.  Their varying shades of pinks and reds with touches of green are pleasing to the color palate.  Even if one doesn't enjoy the taste of them, they certainly can't deny their beauty.  Take it from a family of Strawberry Swooners!

Alas, the script was written and some fabrics were chosen:

 I'm not totally sold on the "Zebra" print.  Not totally.  We'll see how she interacts with the other costume selections. 
 

Here is Ms. Strawberry showcasing a light pink cotton, paired with a pale, green, vintage, bonnet, anchored by a dark green stem.  This costume definitely made the cut!  So much so that four of them have been produced!

I am excited to play with more color choices for the leading lady and to get her side kick all decked out and ready to make her debut.  

Sew, until we meet again ~
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of Cotton

We're Coming Along . . . . .

. . . . . . quite nicely.  I've finished crocheting the white borders on Ms. Vintage Granny's squares.  I bet she was thinking her parts and pieces would be forever stored in some dark crevice.

I think Ms. Gran is holding up quite nicely for a gal her age. She is, however, a little wonky ~ bless her soul ~ given I've had to use different yarns for the borders, with different size hooks just to make her squares even close to the same size.

Now the real fun begins.  I get to lay out the colors  ~ so I don't a family of reds or blues or greens all huddled together.  Next, crochet them together.   Then once they are all attached at the hip, I will crochet a border around the whole afghan, corralling those cuties together so none can escape!   Give her a good washing and then, and only then, Ms. Vintage Granny will be done!

Sew until next time,
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of Cotton

Doodling

Some days in the Land of Cotton all I want to do is doodle.  Today was a doodle day.  I found a cute heart quilt block on a cute quilt blog.  It is one of the simplest heart blocks I've seen.  It has fewer pieces to cut which means less piecing, which means less time consuming, resulting in more blocks.

Don't be afraid to try this block.  It is so easy and she has given very precise, yet simple, instructions for cutting and sewing.  I will say this, however, gingham is a funny little girl.  No matter how precise I cut my pieces and sew them together, we are almost always shy the 12.5 inches I need in an unfinished block.  It may be because I have to use a little steam since my iron won't play fair and give me hot enough dry heat.  (note to self:  invest in good heavy iron)  I'll just have to make adjustments in the border strips if I bite the bullet and make a little throw using gingham.  This particular block, luckily, will go into my sampler pile.  She will fit in well with all first time auditions.

To visit this cute little blog and to get the specifics for this block just mosey on over  here.
I bet she would love your visit.
Have fun!

Sew, until next time,
Lovely Daydreams from the Land of Cotton

Vintage Granny Squares



I've started working on my granny squares ~ again.  I found them in a storage bin when I was cleaning out my cedar closet a while back.  You may remember them as this:

 

 

All skewered on two knitting needles, held in place, in limbo, for . . .  literally years.  

I'd say, 40 years or so. 

Pitiful. 

 

 I added a second row of black around them and then tucked them away ~ again.  

But fortunately for them it wasn't for countless years!  

I decided today to get them back out today since my favorite the most boring

 sport in the whole wide world will be playing.  

ALL.  AFTERNOON.   LONG. 

I am NOT thrilled.  I hate football. 

 Period.

 

 

I decided to add a row of white to offset the black and to pull the colors out in the centers.

I hope it adds just the right touch. 

I think I may add a add a cute little border around the whole thing

when it is finally put together.

I will be excited to get her done.  She has waited far too long. 

 

Procrastination.  My adversary.   

 

 

Sew Until Next Time,

Lovely Daydreams From the Land of Cotton