Better Late than Never?

I haven't posted in a looooong time. This is why I was skeptical of starting yet another blog. I have great intentions but just can't follow through. But I'm going to keep trying.

First, its Spring! Finally. Today is partly sunny, I can see little buds on the giant maple tree in the back yard, the grass is green, green, green. Maybe now the Winter blahs will go away!

I've finished and sent off 2 quilts- One for my sister Jessica and one for my BFF Liz.

Jessica's is all flannel and was supposed to be a Christmas gift. She got it last weekend. I love the flannel- its so soft and comfy. I used a thicker batting than I usually do and it really gave the quilt a good loft. The quilter did a great job with a cool, kind of modish 70's leaf pattern. We decided on a green thread on both sides and it makes the back look great. You can see the quilted pattern and I think I like the back more than the front in some ways!







Liz's quilt is a wonky log cabin block quilt. I showed some pictures in a previous post. The fabrics are not ones I would usually work with, but I love the final product. I made the binding with leftover strips and its the first binding I've ever sewn where you really can't see the stitches. I am super proud of that. The quilter used a meandering pattern and I love it. It makes the quilt just bumpy enough but doesn't distract from the quilt top pattern. Another good job by the Patchwork Peddler!





I have been crocheting lately. Well, trying to crochet...I made a scarf (no pictures yet) and it took forever. I think I took it apart at least 5 times before I was feeling like I could actually follow the pattern. This new crochet adventure has made me realize how much I suck at following directions! I get distracted and just don't pay enough attention. Thank goodness for my friend Karla, she really talked me through the pattern. Thanks Karla!

I have these fabrics all piled up and am trying to decide what I want to make with them:



I am thinking maybe this or this. I have to think on it some more...hmm.

Go on out and have a sunshiney day!

Take a little action...just a click or two away

Greetings all...after a looooong absence that involved a trip to see mom and a Phil Lesch/Bob Weir show in SF, a family crisis and even more cold damn weather, I am back. Just wanted to drop in briefly and alert folks to some kind of disturbing info I just discovered...Thanks to Amy over at Angry Chicken, I learned about the following:

Check out the Handmade Toy Alliance website.

In a nutshell- the Consumer Product Saftey Improvement Act (CPSIA) was enacted in August of 2008 in response to the dangerous products that were discovered coming out of China and other countries and being sold here. High levels of lead and other hazardous materials were found in many products and an alarm was sounded. Unfortunately, the CPSIA will also impact small, home made products that folks make and sell to earn extra money. It is not possible for most crafters to afford the testing that the CPSIA will require for their handmade toys.

Let's remember that the most important thing that parents can do to ensure that they are protecting their children is to be INVOLVED in their lives. Common sense shouldn't need to be legislated.

And, finally, just some pictures of my dogs, cause I love them and they make me smile...


Go out and have a sparkly day!