Love . . . . .

Love doesn't make the world go 'round'.

Love is what makes the ride worthwhile!

                                                      Franklin B. Jones 

This moment . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . 

{this moment} -. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Inspired by http://soulemama.typepad.com/

Flannel + stitching + clipping = Fluffy !

Find a box full of flannel prints (left overs of pajama pant making for the grandbabes)

Can't bear to throw out or donate - cut into 10 inch squares. 

Stack two squares (wrong sides together)& sew an X through each set of squares.

Lay out squares into rows & stitch together in random pattern, using 1-inch seam allowance.

(I added a half-square to each row to off-set the seams)

Stay-stitch around entire quilt, 1 inch from edge.

Clip all seams and edges while watching Downton Abbey.

Throw in the dryer for 15 minutes.

Result:  Fluffy Ragg Quilt -

perfect for movie nights at MoMo & Papa Bill's!

Size:  65"x74"



On another note:   I barely knew which teams were playing yesterday -

but, I did contribute to the Super Bowl Sunday madness.

Purchased at my local quilt shop during their Super Bowl Sale -- 30% off !!

My little space . . . .

For the life of me, I have never understood how those lucky enough to have a large craft/sewing studio - keep them neat and tidy.  I see all those beautifully organized work spaces in quilting magazines - fabric folded and tucked away in a antique hutch or stacked in custom-made shelves draped with swags of hand-made bunting.  All that organized/labeled glory simply takes my breath away -- but, then I realize they might be just like me -- creative and messy -- just on a much larger scale!  That all those studios aren't always that pretty all the time.  Which means I feel better about sharing these pictures of my little space - before & after.

Here's what it looked like last week - all the sewing/crafting/knitting leading up to Christmas had taken it's toll.  Which led me to take a few organizing ideas from those magazine studios I've been admiring.  Ideas that will help me keep the space more 'user friendly' and ready to use whenever I have a few minutes to create.

 
My weekend was spent sorting and purging - gaining a bit of control over the 'stuff'.  Some works-in-progress were put in large zip-locks and stored in the large black plastic tote that now sits on my sewing table. My current project (using only stash flannel - more about that when it's finished) is waiting for me in another black tote under the table - ready when I am.

Other WIPs were abandoned - fabric returned to stash or donated - what matters is that they are gone.   And, I'm telling  you - it feels good to have my space all neat and tidy.  It may not be 'magazine' pretty - but, it's my little corner of the creative world !

Note:  Large plastic tote on table: Target $7.99 - Large plastic bucket tote under table: WalMart $4.84 -- both are very sturdy and hold lots of 'stuff' !!

Making me happy . . . . .

Blue skies - without a cloud in sight (along with warmer temps for this weekend)

Finally - finishing up some WIP (both knitting & sewing) 

Loving - anytime spent with grandbabes (and grand-puppy too!)

These things are making me happy today . . . .

O' one more thing making me happy - - -

For the past few weeks, I've been thinking of these old-fashioned cookies.

I remember them from my childhood - dunking them in milk and biting off the tops first - so good.

After checking with 3 stores in our area and almost giving up -- I found them at Dollar Tree.

I've discovered that they are go very well with my morning coffee.

Color me 'happy' !!!

Clicking for babies . . . . .

Playing 'catch up' with this post.  Here's what happens when you download pictures and then forget about them . . . .

This is such a wonderful (and much needed) program: http://clickforbabies.org/get_started.php

Back in October, I saw the article linked below.  Digging in my stash. I found one purple baby hat almost completed and purple yarn to knit more.  Then, four more hats were finished and mailed.   

http://newsok.com/cute-purple-caps-serve-serious-purpose-for-oklahoma-infants/article/3714354

My contribution for 2012 - tiny baby hats in shades of purple (guidelines are on the main website).  Knitting purple baby hats will be my 'traveling' knitting projects for 2013.  

Now to see what other pictures / projects have been forgotten !!!

Merry morning . . . .

 

Christmas morning started with a dusting of snow - 

which gave me an excuse to try out my new camera.

 

 

Inside it was warm in the glow of the tree - -

 

 

 

there was knitting (and coffee with Peppermint Mocha creamer) - -

 

 

 

and, a bit of playing with my new toy - - -

 

Merry times indeed !!

 

Note: first post using my laptop - definitely a learning curve  - but I'm having so much fun!