Hungry Animal Alphabet Quilt

Last fall, while visiting Jenny in Boulder, we went to Quilt A Fair in Longmont. One of the booths sells odds and ends, perhaps the booth is organized by a group of quilters and they clean out their stashes. Usually Jenny is able to find some vintage fabric at this booth. This fall, I found a set of 4 Hungry Animal Alphabet panels for $2. I used one of the panels to make a baby quilt for charity. I used scraps from my stash and only purchased a yard of fabric for the backing and borders.

I loved the squares in the panel.  Each section had so many things associated with the letter.  For example, S is for sheep, sunflowers, sink, snow, suitcase, shutter, salt and pepper shakers, perhaps that's a scoop or shoe horn near the sunflower?

The panel sections were not the same size but I made the blocks the same size.

Even thought the yard of fabric I purchased was 60 inches wide it wasn't quite enough for borders and backing.  I ended up piecing the back with some of the fabrics used in the blocks on the front.

A Few Small Projects

I made my friend, Pat, a cathedral window pincushion for part of her birthday present.  This tutorial  was very helpful and easy to follow.

 

I tried to line up the seams on the middle of the back but they are a little off.

Finally completed another five pair of hot pads for my nephew's shower prizes. (Shower is Saturday!)  I used some fabric panels from my stash for the centers of the hot pads.

 

The backing also came from the stash.  I think I originally bought the fabrics at the same time because they coordinated well.

Finally, Signs of Spring

Spring has finally arrived. A clump of mini daffodils is blooming in the front garden.

 

Outside our bedroom window a robin has her nest in the birch tree.

 

Saturday was a beautiful sunny day, so I was working in my flower beds and checking out the yard to see what was coming up.  As I came around the back side of the house I noticed there was fresh mulch on the ground in a strip about 6 feet by 2 feet.  I couldn't imagine where it came from.

Coming around to the front of the house I saw that some bird had been building a nest on the brick ledge.  Not a wise place for a nest...I'm sure the wind has been blowing the twigs and grass on to  the ground....our new mulch.

Looking up I also noticed another bird was constructing a nest above the shutter.  I've seen sparrows in and out of the bird house....so I think we have a nest there too.  (You might notice that the shades are down in the window....we are trying to detour a robin who keeps flying at the window...he must be seeing his image and think it's another bird?)

Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies

We plan to visit Jeff tomorrow, so that gave me an excuse to bake some cookies. Tom and I don't need to have a batch of cookies tempting us, now we will only have half a batch to mess with our calorie counts.

 

I made Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies, I got the recipe from "Farm Journal's Choice Chocolate Recipes."  My sister-in-law, Kathryn, gave me the cookbook about 30 years ago because she knew I was a chocoholic.  I couldn't find the recipe online but this one is almost the same (my recipe calls for another tablespoon of cocoa in the frosting).  I changed the recipe a little when I made the cookies today, I used mini chocolate chips instead of chopped walnuts and used "Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa" instead of regular cocoa. (Remember the chocoholic thing).    

Bunny Coasters

I made a few bunny coasters for Easter presents.

 

I got the idea for the coaster from some I saw on Etsy.  I think the ears on my bunnies are a little larger.  The batting is Insul Bright so they will protect a surface from a hot beverage.

 

Finally...a sign that spring is on it's way!

 

Turning Twenty...Again

A few years ago, Jenny made me this beautiful quilt.

 

 

The big blocks have handmade redwork.

 

Jenny gave me the pattern, "Turning Twenty...Again."  I used it to make this quilt.

 

I had purchased the backing fabric a few years ago because I liked all the happy, bright colors.  I was at a loss as to what colors I should use on the front.  I had asked for help at a quilt shop and purchased fat quarters in medium tones of blue, gold and green.  I just couldn't work with the quiet colors.  I followed Jenny's advice and used her method of picking fabrics for the top.... she chooses colors from the fabric she uses on the back. I liked being able to pick brighter colors for the front.  The quilt may be a little to bright for some tastes but it does seem cheerful.
 

 

The quilt pattern is somewhat retro, large flowers and swirls.

 

Batik Easter Eggs

Before I became a quilter, I made this small pieced table runner for the Easter season.
Since I've learned a lot more quilting techniques but I still like the look of this project.

 

Jeff gave me this pottery bowl/platter for Christmas a few years ago. I thought it might look good holding some Easter eggs.

 

After searching for ideas on Pinterest, I decide to use plastic eggs, batik fabric and Mod Podge to make some eggs.

 

Completed centerpiece for the coffee table.