A New Crochet Project

Just what I needed to do days before a craft show: try something new!
There aren't many tutorials out there for these crochet ball covers, so I started with one and changed it up when I got lost! I've been using at least 3 different kinds of thread which work up differently, so I adjust as I go along. I should probably write down my favorite stitch combos.
Thank you, Jim, for getting me started!


I've had this box of satin ornaments for YEARS! I think I bought them for my Girl Scouts to experiment with, but it didn't go well. I'm happy to finally have a use for them.

Each one takes me almost and hour to crochet. Now I'm struggling with how much to charge for them. $3 or $5? I think they need a bow around the top loop.

Julia has been stringing my rolled paper beads into bracelets. The bright colors add to the look I'm going for on my awesome new white tree!

The tiny wooden spools of thread were an antique show purchase a few years ago. Until now, they have been displayed in baskets and in a glass pedestal trifle dish. Strung with crochet thread and a few buttons, I think they are super cute!

And, of course, I needed a tiny tree skirt to complete the look.
Almost ready for a show or two!

Swap Fun

I've been a little preoccupied (actually, obsessed) with the Boy Scout Jamboree. Before Pete left, it was all about preparing and packing. Now it's an all out internet attack. I'm jumping around between every possible Facebook page, blog, Flickr pool and sub-camp website. We haven't heard directly from Pete yet, but we saw pictures from their trip down and he was having a good time. No news is good news!

In between Jambo stuff, I did manage to sew something.


The Mod Bento Blocks arrived last week!
(Round 2 is starting on the flickr pool if you are interested.)
The blocks are like candy! I made 4 extra blocks to chop up for setting and corner triangles. This was my setting plan from the start so I jumped right into the piecing, and it went together in no time.
I love it! (especially because it has feet!)
I think it could use a border, which I will be auditioning fabrics for next week.

"mom. really?"

And here are the goodies from the paper bead swap.
There is such a variety of shapes and sizes, they are inspiring me to keep rolling.
You know what? Rolling paper beads is quite relaxing when you finally step away from the computer (or someone pries it out of your hands!).

I'm off to help Julia finish a quilt that needs to arrive at the New England Quilt Museum by Aug 4. Plenty of time! This morning, we finished the borders, pieced the back, layered it up and pin-basted. Time for her to quilt!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Pete finished Jazz Camp at URI on Friday afternoon. To close out the week, the kids perform in concert for their parents and friends. It's amazing how much talent we have here in Little Rhody!


This is the percussion ensemble which Pete named
Weapons of Mass Percussion.

He also played in a small combo (but the pictures were blurry).

Then Julia and I were off to Girl Scout camp with our troop.

Julia loved kayaking!

I can't decide if I prefer the dining hall full of campers or cookies!

In our attempt to make something everyday, I present a friendship bracelet Julia made at camp. Doesn't it look like a snake on the butterfly bush?

And more paper beads. I can't stop making them!
As I roll them, I thread them onto a wire. Then I can seal a bunch at a time and hang them to dry. I will need to wait a few days, because it is so humid.

And the most exciting news...

Learners Permit..................$11.50

Empty parking lot....................Free

Julia's first time behind the wheel....................Priceless!

Summer Crafts Part 1

I decided I should try to make something every day this summer.
Something quilty or crafty or yummy!
So far, most of my crafts have been samples for Bible Camp.

Julia brought up the bead bins last weekend to repair some of her broken bracelets.
I finally made myself a necklace to hang my reading glasses from. I've been wanting one since I bought the glasses a couple of years ago. There's a matching bracelet, too.


I made the beads months ago. They are rolled from recycled paper. The process is addicting! Fabric ads from quilting magazines make the prettiest beads!

On deck for tomorrow: God's eyes.
Coming soon: My 200th post giveaway!

edit: I just joined a Paper Bead Trade. How fun is that?!

Sweet 16!

Since this is supposed to be a quilting blog, I'll open with a quilt.

I made these tessellating stars from a fat quarter pack of African fabrics for Bill's office 6 years ago and haven't seen it since. I love how it looks on my yellow walls.


It came home for a visit to help decorate for Julia's birthday party.
I was pleased to see that I had done a really nice job on the quilting, and a little disappointed that my work has not really improved or changed much in 6 years. I need to work on that.


The party was a mother daughter open house to support African women. We sold Bead for Life jewelry and Zienzele baskets. Please visit their websites and do whatever you can to help. Women can make a difference in the world!


Speaking of women making a difference, we finally watched this documentary about the civil war in Liberia. Bill was living there in 1980 when the first coup took place and Liberians suffered through more than 20 years of unspeakable horrors. This is a very powerful film.


To quote the Today show, "on a lighter note," cupcakes!
The letters were die cut from Amy Butler paper and stuck on toothpicks with glue dots. So easy and cute!


Julia wanted to go to her favorite place on her birthday- Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, RI. They love climbing on the rocks, and keeping up with Pete was quite a workout! He was testing out his new Merrill hiking boots. They work!


Our Sweet 16!
I can't tell you how I feel about my daughter, or I'd be sitting here in a huge puddle of tears! If you have been reading my blog, you already know how awesome she is.


I love these kids!


We packed a picnic lunch (OK, we picked up some subs!) and discovered this is the best place to play bocce! For the record, Pete and I kicked their butts.


The flowering trees are blooming in quick succession this year. Usually, only the PJM rhodies and magnolia are blooming for Julia's birthday. (Last year, they were almost 2 weeks late.) This year, the lilacs and crab apples are starting already!


We have another busy week ahead with Julia's Confirmation on Wednesday. I'll try to not let the whole week go by without another post. I'd like to show you some quilts from a local show last weekend.

Fun with Envelopes?

Why have I been saving security envelopes for months? I couldn't remember! I knew I had a seen a tutorial for something cool made from them, but what?

Then I stumbled upon this website and remembered! So, when I should have been sorting through photos from 1999, I was slicing and rolling paper beads.

I made these 2 bracelets last night in about an hour. Julia loves them because they are blue. Even Pete thinks they are cool.

I made these long beads this morning from an ad page in a quilting magazine. They are a little bluer in real life and not so camouflage-looking. I've been wanting to make myself a necklace to hang my reading glasses from (I'm wearing them a lot lately!) and I think I'll use paper beads. I love the whole trash to treasure aspect of this project.

Now, I'm off to 1999. My list for today says, "QUIT STALLING!" at the top. My goal was to have the 1999 scrapbook done in January. I know once I get started, it will flow and I can do it quickly. But I'm running out of time! The thing that's stopping me is the lack of clear table space. I'm thinking about setting up another table so I don't have to clear off the others. And I should work downstairs where all the supplies are, but it's dark and lonely down there. I just need to jump in and start. Ready, set, GO!