Thanksgiving Blessings

The family came to eat, drink and visit together. It was very nice. My SIL and niece where here this year. They moved to Florida last year. She is moving into her dream farm in a week or two. So excited for her. Can't wait to hang out and watch the wild life. I miss that.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. A lot of work. Hubby did all the cooking. I did the cleaning. Then some peeling, gravy & pies . Carri made sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole. So delicious. Amber made the biscuits and some delicious cookie cupcakes! The daughters did the clean up at the end of the day! Awesome! Thanks girls, you made your mother very happy!


This was Sebastian's first Thanksgiving. He is 6 months today! We put him in a high chair at the end of the table. He just took it all in. Banged away with a spatula. Let him taste frosting. That, he really liked.

Louie Grandma & Sebastian

Grandma & Sebastian

Sebastian loves the camera phone.

Grandma, Grandpa, Sebastian & Raina. Silent Logan in the background

Grandpa and Raina

Grandpa came out of his garage to spend time with the grand kids. Raina is warming up to Grandpa now. Raina told my SIL that she picked the pose with her hand on her face just for this picture. She is quite a character!

Missing this year was Shara. We miss her and hopefully we can have her come next year for the holidays. Its been over a year since I have seen her. 

****************************

Was having a lot of trouble getting into my holiday sewing.  Don't know why, but dragging my feet. I thought about it for several weeks, then realized my list of things was endless. That list is overwhelming! I put away 2 quilts I was trying to rush. This helped tremendously. 

Last week I did repairs on shorts for hubby. They have been lounging in a basket for months. You know what happens when you fix one? Hubster runs into the room with more. He is a happy man now. Favorite shorts fixed.  I am a happy woman because I sewed something that was not stressful. Another thing on my list was to recover dog blanket. So I finished that in half an hour. Dog is thrill believe it or not. his nails are not getting stuck in it anymore.

Have 3 charity quilts to do. One is complete except for hand sewing. Ugh! not my thing. I am a machine sewer through and through. I guess I get that from my mother . Her nickname was Maqinita at the Lion's Club.. Translates to " The Sewing Machine". Second one will be sandwiched today, NO MATTER WHAT! Third one needed some pop! This is where the playing began. I added cupcakes to a rather plain gingham quilt top. Much more fun to look at! All it needs is binding. 

It will be a 3 day sewing marathon for me....well until I need a nap.  
Doll clothes need to be made, and a purse or diaper bag for those clothes. Also a well overdue Tablet stand for Raina. She requested RED! Funny because she loves all things Pink. Well Pink is Red before we add white. I am sure if I ask her she will have an amazing answer for me. 

Lots of Love to All of You
Happy Thanksgiving 
Happy Sewing

Aileen in FL

Babysitting & Creativity

I have been  babysitting for a few months. I am still trying to find a rhythm to my new normal. I need to create/sew  a little everyday to feed my soul. My daily needed naps have gone by the waste side. No time for that.  I try to rest when he does. Sebastian is more and more alert, giggly and precious everyday.

These are bra inserts. Louis thought they were hats? 

I had been working on a quilt for SIL. He likes my daughters quilt. Thought he should have one of his own. He wanted black and red AND Iron Man. Took me quite a while to find the Iron Man fabric. Then more time to figure how to cut it to make the best use of it. I used a lot of geeky fabric with black background in it. Aliens from video games, superman, words like Pow Bang, plugs from back of PC, and of course Pac Man. This was an original design. 

The Iron man quilt is done and delivered. One happy SIL!

I also made a quilt for my MIL. She turned 85 or is it 87 this year? She has been on my bucket list for years. Thought I better get on with it! Mailed it to her before her birthday. She was thrilled. After cleaning up my sewing room, I realize I could squeeze out 2 pillow cases from the left over fabric. Second package sent. They were a hit!!

This is a Bonnie K. Hunter quilt called Sister's Choice. I made it with 2 inch strips instead of 2 1/2 inch. What was I thinking?? LOL!

My granddaughter is now it a toddler bed. The crib she has converts to this. New, Fast quilt needed. In 2 weekends and with the just 2 layers, the quilt was done. Its hot here if Florida. Mom wanted an in between weight quilt. Because there is no batting, it only needed minimal stitching.   She already has a Grandma quilt! 

I  started to go to my quilt group again. I really missed talking to the wonderful ladies. It had been several years since I could attend. We have a great time, laughing, sharing and creating. What better place to be.  

This month I hope to get a few things made for the holidays. Sewing room is clean and organized. Time to make a MESS!!

Happy Quilting,

Aileen in FL

June ~ Enjoying the new normal

June is almost over. There is a new grandson in the family. What a cutie. Sebastian was tiny. 4 lbs. 11 oz. 16 & 1/2 inches long.  Instant bundle of love! Here he is rocking the quilt I made for him.

Proud Grandma.

This is the best picture of all. Louis looking at his brother. 

We made sure he met him before anyone else. He loves his brother. Holds him often. My heart is full,

Here is Carri's new normal. 

Her life is very full.

I have never seen her so happy.

She is making a funny face. 

She said she may have to buy a bigger bed! LOL!

Life has been very hectic since Sebastian was born. Loving it and passing out at night with a smile on my face.

Happy Quilt!

Aileen in Florida

The Baby is Here!!

We held our breath waiting for baby Sebastian. He was born May 27th. Weighed 4 lbs, 11 oz and 16 1/2 inches. Such a tiny bundle of joy!   Big brother Louis in love with Sebastian. My heart is full.

They are so precious.   

Grandma and Grandpa

I did manage to finish the premie blanket for Sebastian. I still don't like the colors but my daughter loved it. I backed it with flannel. No batting. To hot in Florida for that right now.

Time to clean the sewing room and get more receiving blankets made.

Happy Quilting. 

Aileen in Florida `~ Happy Grandma of 4~'

May~Baby coming

Today is the half way point for the month of May. First 15 days flew by. Carri's baby (4th grandchild) will be arriving May 27th. He will be a premie. Am I ready?

I have been putzing around my sewing space, cleaning this, moving that. Basically chasing my tail. I am trying to make a quilt for the baby but having a hard time of it. Carri's favorite color is brown. I am not a fan of brown unless it is shoes or a handbag. I made 40 blue and brown 4 patches that I have been staring at it for a week. I stalled making a quilt for 8 months because I just don't like brown. What a grandma. I am getting brain damage trying to cheer these blocks up.  They will be visiting the seam ripper later. Carri said add yellow or green. After researching the net on quilt size, most sites advice 24 to 36 inches. Makes sense. Two of my girls were very small. One was 6 lbs 9 oz. and the other was 5 lbs 2 oz. Carri was full term at 8 lbs 2 oz. I put Cabbage patch kid clothes on them. There were no premie outfits in the 70's or 80's that I could find. Even those outfits were big. Good news is that we did find some premie stuff at Target and Toys R Us.

I am sending out an SOS to Quiltville Open Studio group & my followers..... YUCK! HELP!!!

20 Left over 4 patches

---------------------------------------------

 Today I started another quilt from my scrap blocks and whip up a baby quilt. I used blocks I have been hoarding for over 10 years. I bought the black background star fabric in the Catskill mountains. Only had a little of it. Carri asked me to remake a Overall Bill pillowcase and chose that fabric. How could I say no? Then there was just a little left. Few years later I made the remains into 9 patches, which sat and sat. Not enough for anything, until today. Still have 3 blocks that can go on the back. This quilt will hopefully be dragged around the floor and loved to shreds!

Happy Quilting

Aileen in Florida

April Almost Gone

It has been a very long time since I posted. My daughter & family moved in to my home (my sewing room) in December and out again in February to a lovely home just a few miles up the street. They are doing great and expecting a second son in June.

I have been looking for my sewing stuff and Mojo ever since. LOL! I managed to finish one quilt that has been on my bucket list for years. This one was for my MIL, AJ. She is a very lovely woman. I love her dearly. Her birthday is today. She turned 87. I mailed her quilt out a few weeks ago to be sure it would get there in time. When I started cleaning up the other day, I realized that if I pieced the fabric I had left over from the backing, there would be enough for 2 pillowcases. DH dropped them in the mail on Thursday night. Thank you USPS for Priority mail! They arrived today.

AJ is thrilled with her quilt and her pillowcases!

The pattern is from Bonnie Hunters Free Pattern tab  at Quiltville.
It is called Sister's Choice. I used 2 inch strips instead of 2 1/2 inch strips. I really like it!

Now to make a baby quilt  for newest qrandson arriving in June.

I have been on the hunt for vintage sewing machines. Bonnie gave me the itch! Did you get it too?

I have acquired my first ever 1935 Singer treadle. Her name is Hattie after the original owner. Cost $85.00. It was very stiff and needed a good cleaning but hums along beautifully.

The cabinet is rough but strong. Middle drawer hanging down on  left side. Rest of drawers are fine. Just needed a little TLC. She sews very nice stitches. I just need to get the rhythm. So far I can treadle with my right foot but have to be careful not to run over my left foot. OUCH! Its going to take a lot of practice.

Happy Quilting

Aileen in Florida!