Home Is Where the Dog Is

Greetings Blog Friends,

Back in November, I switched gears from all those Christmas flannel quilts and turned my attention to a quilt for my dear friend Rena, who has lost two dogs in the past two years.  Each time, she has given her heart and both times she lost them to an illness that took their young lives.  She has since gotten another pooch, but nothing can take the place of those gone before.  I am hoping that this quilt, which was given at Christmas, will bring a smile to her face and help to mend her broken heart.  The quilt pattern and main  fabric is from the Home Is Where the Dog Is Collection by Henry Glass.  I purchased a panel and two coordinating fabrics for the borders, but pulled much of the interior fabrics from my stash of fat quarters and remnants.  Finished size:  60" x 74".  Here's a look at the fabrics and a peek of the panel.  

And here is the finished quilt, just before it was mailed off to Rena in California.

And, I was right, she loved it.  Here she is with the quilt on Christmas Day.  Enjoy, Rena, and remember...whenever you need that hug from me, just wrap yourself in this quilt, and I'll be there!

Wondering about all those Christmas Flannel Quilts....more on that next time!

Christmas Hearth Rug--Just In Time!

Greetings Blog Friends!

Merry Christmas to Everyone!  

Amidst the hustle and bustle of family gatherings, cooking and just enjoying the season, I was able to complete a new hearth rug made of Christmas fabrics.  It was finished just this morning, made of fabrics by Hoffman.  I actually bought the Jingle Pop jelly roll last fall, but never got the rug made, so it has been waiting with all the other projects.  But, it has been on the queue for this year, and yesterday it made it to the top!  Another stash busting project.  Yay!

I love this collection of fabrics, all have gold printed accents. 

One Family Christmas gathering has been and there is one yet to come.  My next post will detail some of the handmade gifts that were lovingly given and warmly received.  Till then...

In a Pillow Frame of Mind

Greetings Blog Friends,

I'm in completion mode and moving along quite well with Christmas gifts.  More photos next post!

I've made a couple of pillow covers as gifts.  These are both 20" size, a nice size for cuddling or napping.  You might recognize NAP from last year.  It is made of flannels from the stash.  And, yes, Packers is the same pattern, just with green and gold and a different embellishment.  Also with fabrics from the stash.  Both covers are removable for laundering.

This is my hearth pillow for Christmas.  I've had the house shaped doily for several years, and finally did something with it.  It is made with leftovers from other projects and fabrics from the stash.  However, I'm not sure if I like it on the cream background.  I'm contemplating a redo on this one and using a darker background so the house stands out more.  A redo, though, will require a bit of work and will have to wait until after Christmas is over.   

Flannel quilts are quilted and bound!  I'll share photos of those next post. 

Till then...

A Stocking for Dino

Greetings Blog Friends,

This week I am sharing a project I made for a very special little friend...our traveling mascot, Dino Sinclair.  Dino is a little green dinosaur and there is a story, of course, of how he came to join us on our travels.  Three years ago, Denis and I were traveling west to Colorado, taking the northern route through eastern Wyoming.  We stopped in Sinclair at Station #1, which is right next to the refinery.  When we went inside, we discovered it was more than just a filling station/convenience store.  It was also an adoption center.  There  were many little dinosaurs there waiting for a new home, but this one seemed special.  Our eyes met and we made a connection immediately.  He has been my traveling mascot ever since that day.  Dino has been to Oregon, Florida, Colorado, Italy...and is such a great little traveler.  Every time we look at him, he's smiling.  Here's Dino on some of our travels:

 Multnomah Falls, Oregon

 At scrapbooking retreat

 In Hamilton, MO at MSQC with Jenny Doan!

 Overlooking Lake Onalaska

Colosseum in Rome

I had been looking for a felt stocking to make for Dino for several years, but with no luck.  Then, one day, I found one on eBay and I've been working on it for the past month.  Here's the finished stocking with it's proud owner.  ( I think he's smiling extra big for this!).  Maybe it's because now both he and Morty (our sock monkey in residence) both have a stocking to hang on the mantle.

Till next time...