I wanted something for my dining room table that was tall, easy to move off the table (when we're eating), and CHEAP. Walmart had foil wrapping paper for $2.44 and wire ribbon for $1.27. I simply wrapped some gift boxes, taped them together, and tied the ribbon around them. As for the decorations on the wall behind the centerpiece, those are thick, felt window decorations from the 99 Cent Store (2 for $0.99). I hung them from some leftover Costco ribbon (sooo much left over!) and thumb tacked them on the wall. Now all I need is a little ham and scalloped potatoes!!

Here is a fun and quick idea to add some girlie funk to a Christmas gift. Take a little piece of craft boa (sold on the roll) and tie it in the center of some curling ribbon. Easy peasy!

Two words.....quilt tops!

These are some of the baby quilt tops that I compulsively sewed a few weeks ago (4 others turned into quilts and 2 weren't blog worthy!). They were my "teaching myself how to quilt" quilts. I've learned a lot by just going for it, but do need classes to get a more professional look. Many of the fabrics I already owned (yes, I collect it!) so there wasn't much $$ that had to be spent during the process. These quilt tops are in the "They'll be finished when they have a home" category.

Natalie's Wallet

So Natalie had this little wallet need that I happily remedied! At the beginning of the month while we were in Salt Lake City together, Natalie graciously humored me and uncomplainingly wandered through a quilting fabric store. The least I could do was to let her pick out some fabric for me to sew her something! Inspired by her brothers' new wallets, she chose to have me sew her one as well. The lady who rang us up commented on how nicely the fabrics went together. I think so, too!

Kevin's Quilt

My son, Kevin, wants a lap quilt for his birthday next month. So last night I started playing around with some fabrics I had purchased with him in mind. This is what I have come up with so far....and he likes it! Today I'll work a little on cutting out the pieces. Next week (Thanksgiving break) will be the perfect time to get the main part of the quilt top put together. With a child with a birthday two weeks before Christmas and another with a birthday a week after Christmas, I'm always a little pushed this time of year. I hope my sewing machine can take the abuse!
Here is a link to the free block pattern at
Quilter's Cache.

Quilting Time!

This is an unfinished quilt top that I named Lil' Dude. It was inspired by my grandson's first Halloween (his Mommy dressed him up like a cowboy). I would have started quilting it today but when I went to wash the backing fabric this morning there was NO WATER! Foo.This needs to be washed and have the "scrappy" element come out. The colored fabrics are top-stitched with all the layers stacked such that you quilt it as you sew them on. Do you see the circles happening in the pattern?
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I call this one Elephant Walk. I love the tile looking fabric around the edges (Maybe called sashing? I'm new to the quilting world and don't know the terminology yet!)

Because this one looks like 1930's patched pants, I call it Hobo!


I knew, just KNEW, that if I started making quilts that it would take over my life. And so, for the past few years I have collected quilting projects from the internet, bought quilting patterns (on sale) as well as a few "pretty" fabrics BUT never sewed anything quilt-ish. I know myself. I accept the fact that I am somewhat OCD and therefore must be careful what I start. Don't ask me what happened to finally trigger this new hobby. One day it just happened. So as expected, it has completely taken over my free time. In one month I have completed: 2 Halloween table runners (off to Mom and daughter), 2 baby quilts for my grandson, and one quilt for Grandma's house. I have completed tops for: 2 donation quilts for the Marine Base hospital, 2 more quilts for my grandson, 2 baby girl quilts, a generic baby quilt top for ?, and a lap quilt. And finally, I have the fabric and pattern for a quilt I will be sewing for my 15 year old (all my boys want one!). See? Problem. But look how happy I am!! Isn't that worth something? I say....yes! As I finish quilting all the tops I have completed, I will post pictures of them and give links to the patterns (some are free!).

terry burp cloths

In preparation for a service project with my church for military (new) mom’s, I’ve started playing around with some burp cloth ideas. I think that my favorite combination of fabrics is terry on one side and flannel on the other. This way they are absorbent but soft. Plus the terrycloth fabric is a little grippy and should stay on mom’s shoulder better than flannel or a diaper. Today I bought the terry cloth and should have enough flannel on hand to make quite a few!

Fabric Wallets

A couple of years ago, I made a wallet each for my sons and as well as a family friend. I recently noticed that that my son's wallets were looking a little tired and decided it was time to make new ones. I loved taking my boys to my scrap fabric drawer and having them choose the fabrics they wanted for the new wallets. It's always fun to see your children share, if in only a small way, what you yourself enjoy doing!
Now that the wallets are finished, I just might attempt writing a tutorial for others to make them. It's always a challenge to find something boyish to sew. And this project seems to be a winner!

Sleep Masks

I needed a little something else to add to my pillowcase gift (posted earlier), so I decided to sew a little sleep mask. And then, because they're so easy and fun to make, I was compelled to sew more - four to be exact! With Christmas coming, I just know they'll be great little somethings for someones ...maybe with a crocheted washcloth and yummy smelling soap!!

Holiday Bibs

Yesterday I made some bibs for my grandson. For a pattern, I traced around an old bib I had tucked away in a kitchen drawer. The fabric store only had black snaps, so I'm going to have to go internet shopping for more color options. FYI, I prefer snaps to Velcro because then baby is not able to pull off his bib!