Ocean Waves Quilts

Peeking in on "ladies of the Evening"

This is a beautiful table runner, made with all of those tiny little squares that Jackie had left over from other projects. Jackie, a long time member of "The ladies of the evening" is using up, and finishing up her ufo's. Jackie does beautiful work, and she sure is prolific! Above,  a gorgeous wallhanging with scrappy baskets. Below a redwork embroidery piece, beautiful, and all ready for fourth of July. Great work Jackie, we are looking forward to more of your ufo's! Stay tuned................

 Here is the companion block that comes each month with the Sue Garman "Twas the night before Christmas" applique block of the month. This one is quite easy to do, using "Thangles". I think you need some instant gratification when you decide to attempt the applique blocks,lol. (Scroll down to see a picture) The applique' block is unbelievably labor intensive. I really should have counted the hours I have spent on this block, and I am not finished yet! I even "cheated" a bit, and used some scraps of ultrasuede for the really tiny pieces that would be murder to needle turn. I am getting more encouraged now though, as the block is starting to take shape. It will definitely be an heirloom  quilt, I sure hope I live long enough to finish it.

I was once working on a hand appliqued' Hawaiian wallhanging that my friends from "ladies of the evening" said I was going to bring to the nursing home. Well, guess what, this one may truly accompany me there! I am going to put it in my will....because it will have to go to someone that would "get" the amount of work in this.

    Other than this project, not too much going on, still working on the "vacation" quilt, I should have pictures of that to show you soon. I hope you all are enjoying your holiday today, and maybe sneaking in some sewing time. Stay tuned.................

Handwork vs Machine..........

Sarah , thank you so much for your input. I, too, wish you could find a hand applique and quilting class in your area. Although I do more and more machine work these days, to me there is something so special about something made by hand. Maybe because handwork is becoming scarce.

The first quilting class I ever took, the teacher said "I don't care if you never do another hand work project in your lives, but if you learn how to put it together by hand first, you will be able to put it together by machine much easier". I Have found that to be true. I do find that sometimes, nothing clears my mind or relaxes me so completely as to just quietly sew.

    As far as finding a group to sew with...maybe you haven't heard the story of the "Ladies of the evening". I put an ad in the newspaper, for "friends to quilt with".  Twenty three years later, we have added more "friends." We sew together and laugh together. You have never seen such a motley crew...but somehow it works, lol. Speaking of handwork...here is a quilt that is all hand appliqued' and quilted. My sister already asked for this when I croak, lol.

May Block of the month................

 I have been trying to keep up with this "Block of the Month", because a month surely goes by fast! I finished this one, and promptly hung it in one of the bathrooms. It matches really well in there! I do plan to hang a hanger in my place of work, and change the hangings monthly next year, when they all are done.

    I may be switching over to doing the applique by machine on these though. That's because I signed myself up to do a "Twas the night before Christmas" block of the month, by Sue Garman.  If you would like to see the whole series, it is sold by Quaker town quilts.com.

     Each month you get a block to applique'. It is a 14" block. You also get a 12" pieced block, for a companion quilt. The pieced block is pretty simple. It is made with all half square triangles. I used "Thangles" so it was quick and easy to put together. The applique block is really labor intensive...a challenge for me, and I have been doing hand applique for a looooong time! This block has the tiniest pieces ! I have gotten around the 1/4 inch windows and chimneys by using ultrasuede. Mine is  "in progress", so I will show you a picture of the original block by Sue.  Each block has a line embroidered on it from the poem. I think this will be a family heirloom someday, if I live long enough to finish it, lol! I haven't done hand applique ' in so long, I really had forgotten how much time it takes. Although I can see why most of us have gone to machine sewing, because of time constraints,there is a lot of satisfaction in just sitting quietly and stitching.

    Kathie (from "Ladies of the evening") and I were just discussing last week how the tables have turned. Now if you tell some people that you are doing something by hand,  they give you "the look", as if that is "old fashioned". Not too long ago, it wasn't "as good" if it were done by machine. I like both, and they both have their place. Any thoughts on machine vs handwork out there? Stay tuned.........Oh, p.s. I actually have TWO ufo's!!!!!!! How's that Kathie and Peggy???? 

Peeking in on Mary G...............................

 Here is a picture of one of Mary's creations. Mary makes many baby quilts for "babies at risk". This is a really cute I Spy quilt. Kids really love pointing out all of the things they can "spy" on these quilts. I can't remember whether this is one of those quilts for the babies at risk group, or for one of Mary's many "grands" or "great grands". Good job Mary!

Peeking in on Kathie..................

 Can you believe this adorable pillow? Kathie made this pillow to give to her Granddaughter ! It has 62 pieces!!  Isabella's first dance recital is coming up soon, I think she will be one happy little girl to get this!

 More  from the "ladies of the Evening,soon, when Mary Ann sends me the pictures, hint hint:) Stay tuned.......

Mother's day gifts................

I made this tote bag for Bill's mom Flo. I really HATE to make bags, but this was just a quick and easy one.

I had been wanting to make my daughter-in-law Laurie a pillow with grandson Camden's picture on it.  I had made them with the girls pictures when they were little. I just loved this picture of Camden with him smiling away!He has on the sweater "from hell" that I made him. The ladies of the evening heard me say how long I knitted on that sweater!  I am working behind the scenes, so stay tuned.............

Happy Birthday Riley and Raelynn!!!

 I really don't like to bake, but I couldn't resist this giant cupcake pan that I saw in a catalog. It was easy to put together, and the kids thought it was really cool. It takes two cake mixes, one for the top, and one for the bottom. the good thing is you can use two different kinds of cake! Fun!

Riley is four years old................

I bought these little t shirts and capris. Using scraps from other projects, I decorated these outfits for my grandchildren. I thought they turned out very cute, and were a fun project to make. The possibilities are endless!  Is this the happiest baby  you have ever seen? This kid is always smiling,lol.

We had a little family birthday party for Granddaughter Riley tonight. Raelynn's birthday is very soon, so we had a shared  birthday. The girls really liked their outfits that I made, and the webkinz sleeping bags  that I showed you before, got a rave review as well. Raelynn said her carrier was "really cool Gramma". 

     They also got a gift card inside their birthday card so they can buy a new summer outfit. Raelynnn cracked me up, she gave it to her Mom and said "I got a drivers liscence", lol!

    

Mother's Day........................

Have you ever thought of the gifts your mother gave you? Not the latest barbie doll, or the cutest outfit. The long -lasting gifts that you still remember today? My mother gave me the gift of reading. I still picture her, with her book propped up, knitting like a mad fiend as she read her latest book. She also taught me to knit, and  do crafts, a true gift, as now I pass that on to my granddaughters. She taught me to do those crafts "right". If it wasn't done well, and the mistake was glaring, she would say "rip it out",lol.

    She was the most accomplished knitter I have ever known. She made gorgeous hand knitted sweaters and afghans for everyone. She also did wood carving and made Nantucket baskets One of my most favorite things she made me was a Nantucket market  basket that took her forever!

    She also gave me a sense of "family". Our family wasn't perfect, by any means. I know it wasn't like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father knows Best". But, if there is any trouble or problems in our family, one thing we knew....we could count on each other for anything. We knew we could count on our mother like that. You could ask her advice, and she would give it..you might not like the answer, and she may have given it even when you DIDN"T ask. She always said that was her "job". Her no-nonsense words are still in my head today.

    She had a great sense of humor, she always said "no fools, no fun". She loved us unconditionally, and that, I am sure, was not always easy. She could drive me nuts sometimes, and I sure wish she was still here to do it! She has been gone 16 years now. I hope I am the kind of mother to be missed as she is, every day. Happy Mother's day Annie!