Easter Morning

"For the Son of Man
came to seek and to save
what was lost."
Luke 19:10

Lotsaprojects!

My Bernina 1630 has been getting a real work out lately! It seems like I hop from one sewing project to the next. One thing for sure, I'm never bored! Maybe you would like to see what I've been working on over the last few weeks...

Baby Whatshername quilt is ready to be quilted. I have the top marked and plan to pin baste it this evening. That little baby girl is due to arrive any day now! 

All the rows are sewn together for my postage stamp quilt. Once I get them pressed, it will be quick work to get it all together. I'm loving how it's looking so far!
With the end of the first quarter approaching, I'm pressed to finish at least one more project in my quest to banish some UFOs in 2013. Quilting the the Paint Dipped quilt was fast and easy.

I'm ready for binding and chose this Amy Butler orange dot from my stash.

Megan asked me to cover the cushions on a rocker for little Whatshername's nursery. She chose this fun chevron. It was an easy project. I need to get a picture of the end result to show you....I haven't really even seen it myself yet!

I shouted "hallelujah" when I finished up the Big Rip on my Farmer's Wife quilt last week. I'd stalled out for awhile, but finally pushed through to get the background stitches removed. This picture shows the back where you can catch a glimpse of the pretty quilting on one of the blocks and the piano key border. The quilter will fill in the background again with something besides the stippling that I removed. I have an idea that might work.

My friend, Linda, had a special birthday a few weeks ago and I wanted to give her a handmade gift. I've been wanting to try this cute casserole cover for quite awhile now.

I made the 9x13 cake carrier size using 2.5 inch strips of green fabric from my stash.

Though not really quick to make, the sewing was not difficult. The binding took the longest and was a bit tricky at the corners. I'm hoping to make one for myself sometime.

While shopping with my friend, Vicki, we ran across this Kaffe Fassett panel called Bouquet. It came in so many colors that it was hard to pick a favorite! We both decided that it would make adorable skirts for our little grand daughters so proceeded to buy one of almost every color!

I made three skirts yesterday. One each for Lula, Jane and Lois. They went very fast with elastic in the waist and a contrasting band of fabric around the hem. I am in love with the way they turned out and can hardly wait to see them with bare legs underneath!l

Haven and Maelie's skirts are ready to sew as soon as I get their measurements. Each skirt goes together in about 30 minutes!

Meanwhile, I'm wondering what projects will sidetrack me next! I think that Jane is looking for ideas!

March 365 Photo Challenge: Week 4

Winter is lingering even though the calendar says it is officially Spring. This week's photos capture my attempt to brighten the days.

Play a Game Instead of playing outside in sunshine, indoor games keep little girls happy.

Plant Something With snow on the ground, the only planting I did this week was in my kitchen window sill.

Hiding Surprise! Last week's "branches" reveal the yellow flowers hiding within.

Nurture My favorite spot for nurturing my soul

Texture  A tiny bit of snow nestles in the stump of a recently cut tree in our yard.

Dyed With Easter just around the corner, coloring eggs was a fun activity with two of my grand daughters when they came for a visit.

A Pine Cone This wire basket by my front door still holds remnants of winter.

Have you also been longing for signs of spring as I have?

Sunday Morning

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Distractions

Instead of finishing up older projects as I have intended to do in 2013, new quilt ideas keep distracting me. Amazon tempted me to order this lovely new book about my favorite style: scrappy.

The quilt on the cover really floats my boat, but thumbing through the pages of Kim Bracket's latest book made me think about the collection of voiles by Anna Maria Horner that I've been hoarding for several years  awhile now.

The fat eighths would work perfectly for this wonderful design, I think! Now, all I need is to find the perfect background voile and a border fabric. Oh, and find some time!

Then there's this little packet of the latest by Bonnie and Camille...I was so excited when I ran across it on etsy, that I just had to buy it! (I thought you might like to see the darling little sugar bowl from Anthropology that I received for my birthday last week. Isn't it just adorable!)

Just in case you think that I haven't been doing anything except dream, here are the chevron sections for the baby quilt I'm working on for Baby Whatshername. Truly, I am hoping to get this little quilt finished in the next week. 

Course, none of these things are even on the list of UFO's that I was hoping to finish by the end of March. Maybe I should have named 2013 The Year of the Start instead of The Year of the Finish....now, I know that I wouldn't have any trouble at all with accomplishing that goal! Enjoy your weekend!

March 365 Photo Challenge: Week 3

Green is the featured color for this week's pictorial view of my week. Happy St. Paddy's Day, a little late!

Messy: At one, Lois already knows that chocolate is one of the finer things in life.

Branches: Forsythia branches bring a teaser of Spring into my house.

Shamrock: Perhaps a little lame, but this Clover brand sewing product was the only shamrock that I could find to photograph. Do you have a bodkin? I used mine this week.

A Field of Green: No green fields here yet. But, my recently purchased chair sports a needlepoint seat that reminds me of fields viewed from an airplane. (Can you spy the date the seat cover was made?)

Green: I've been painting and sprucing up my guest room with this fresh shade of green paint: leaf bud.

Wearing of the Green: Molly models the latest doll clothes creation.

Spots: The gleams of light in Lula's eyes capture her love of "dress-up" perfectly!

How's your week going so far?

Sunday Morning

" She will have no fear of bad news; 

her heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Her heart is secure, she will have no fear;

in the end she will look in

 triumph on her foes."

Psalm 112: 7, 8

March 365 Photo Challenge: Week 2

This week's group of photos is a real potpourri. Let's just say that I really was in touch with my creative side on a couple of them! 

In the Morning With little exception, for the last year my breakfast has consisted of a hard-boiled egg and a hot drink--either coffee or tea. My husband reads the WSJ. You can see the page I choose!

Full Speed For 2 year old Jane, walking through a foot of snow is pretty much impossible--Grandad to the rescue!

Lucky For a person who doesn't believe in luck, this prompt was a little tough for me. Pink Flamingos are the mascot of the Empty Nest Club that I've belonged to for over 10 years now. They show up in unusual places. Keep your eyes open and you might be lucky enough to spot one!

A Hobby Sewing has been a big part of my life since I was a child. By age 10, I was sewing many of my school dresses. It's more of a life style than a hobby to me.

Pot of Gold I think that this prompt was supposed to relate to St. Patrick's Day. While visiting France ten years ago, I ran across this gold-colored pottery bowl with my name on it. I filled it with some golden fabric. That's as close as I can come to a pot of gold!

Liquid Can you guess what this is? 

Me Every month there has been a prompt to photograph myself. Ugh. Here's my reflection in a rain barrel full of water. 

I know that most of you visit my blog to read about my adventures in quilting. Thank you for putting up with the weekly photography posts. I so treasure your comments and the many friendships that I've forged over the last 3 years. Yes, today marks the 3rd anniversary of Lollyquiltz and it's been a lovely experience! It's easy to remember the date because it's also my birthday. I can't believe that I'm 29 already! ;)

To celebrate, if you have read this far, I'll give away a custom charm pack (cut from my stash) to the first person to correctly identify the liquid photograph above. (Be sure that your email address is attached to your comment or I will have to pick another winner.) # The contest is now closed as several have correctly guessed that the liquid picture was photographed from inside my car as I went through an automatic car wash. Thanks for all of the guesses, everyone! Toni, please contact me and I'll mail out your prize.
Thanks for making the last 3 years so enjoyable! Blessings to you!

A Barn Quilt for Me

Several months ago, after I posted this picture on my blog, Sarah Zimmerman commented that she thought my little barn needed a wooden "barn quilt" at the top. 

Over the weekend, a big square package arrived at my house with this inside!

 The 24 inch wooden quilt is perfectly painted in "my colors" and is gorgeous in every way!

 I get a lump in my throat every time I think about what a blessing has been bestowed on me by someone that I have never met in person. 

It came at a time when I really needed a boost of encouragement in my life.

This Missouri Star will always be a reminder to me of the enjoyment and friendships I have forged over the last 3 years of blogging. I can never thank you properly, Sarah, for your kindness.

One day, when the weather is warmer, I'll get my hubby to hang it on the little barn. For now, I plan to keep the barn quilt on my fireplace where I can look at it everyday!