My Bottomless Pit of Projects

Last night I finally finished the basic smocking on the bassinet skirt I have been working on for our new grandson. Now I need to put a few duckies on it. I have to figure out how to do that today. I can't decide if I want smocked or silk ribbon.

It really is a huge relief to get the major part of the bassinet skirt finished. I was secretly worried about whether I would have it finished by the baby shower. The part that is left won't take long at all. It has been a joke with Shelly and I, since I was trying to keep it a secret from her, yet she had to help me pleat the 7 1/2 yards of layered fabric which had to be run through the pleater an inch at a time. I kept calling it "the thing that you don't know what it is". I know she knew what it was but she was gracious enough not to tell me she knew. It's sort of like pretending to be curious about a Christmas present after you've already peeked.

The list of "Things I Need To Make" doesn't ever seem to get any shorter. As soon as I check one project off, I add two more. I guess the main projects are done. The baby will have a bed to sleep in, a few quilts to cover up with, clothes to wear, pads to spit up on, and a family who loves him. When it comes down to it, he can't ask for more. I can ask for more though so I'll just have to be his advocate and continue to make more things.

As for the rest of today..........football and duckies.

More Baby Stuff

Here are two of the knit shirts I made for the new baby. I embroidered them with my embroidery unit on my sewing machine. I made the burp pad with Tigger on it for Pony to use. It is bigger than the common size burp pads. I thought the shirts would fit a new born but I think they are for a chubby 6 month old baby. I made pants and a hat too but we all know what they look like. You'd think this was my first grandchild but it's just my first grandbaby with this sewing machine!

Enchanted Bouquet Wholecloth Quilt

This is my favorite quilt. I just wanted to have it on my blog because it is my original design and I love it so much. I drew out every single element of the design by hand. It is one solid piece of fabric on top. The color is done by using really bright felt underneath. The puffy part of the feathers is extra batting called trapunto. The blue thing on the right is the first place ribbon it got at the Yellowstone Quilt Fest in Cody, Wy. It won second place, Peoples Choice at the Big Sky Quilt Show in Billings MT. My husband says it is the most beautiful quilt he has ever seen. Karen McTavish (famous long arm quilter) said it is the most beautiful multi-colored whole cloth she has ever seen. I call it Enchanted Bouquet. The background of this quilt is micro-stippled and has McTavishing, yes named after the quilter Karen McTavish. I plan to make more of this type of quilt.

Another Grandchild On The Way

I have been so busy lately trying to get Shelly's new baby's nursery designed and sewn. I finished the valance and sheers for the window. The sheers have appliqued stars that match the fabrics in the quilt and room accessories. The valance, sheers, and crib skirt are finished and I'm almost done with the bumper pad. We painted the walls but since Shelly and Pony live in an apartment it was white or paint over them when they moved. I figured I could cover the walls with enough stuff that no one would notice anyway. I appreciate the fact that even though Shelly is more than capable of designing an amazing nursery, she and Pony have graciously allowed me to do anything I want

Since the design of the diaper stacker hasn't changed in 75 years, I have decided to design it for today's disposable diapers. You'll see it when I finish. I'm doing a message board for the wall too. Think I'll embroider Tiggers on it. Pony likes Tigger.

So far I have made two quilts, one Noah's Ark, and one with yellow duckies, and a pillowcase for a baby pillow with a smocked ducky insert. I am in the process of making a bassinet skirt that is smocked with layers of tulle over baby blue batiste. Besides the smocking I will put silk ribbon duckies on it too. My best friend Chris just HAD to show me the pattern for the bassinet in a Martha Pullen book and I couldn't resist. The baby (boy) is due Nov 28th. I don't have much time. I wanted to make my 4 year old granddaughter Mackenzie some smocked dresses for school too! I guess once the baby gets here I'll have more time and hopefully a serger!