I just opened up a little shop on etsy. com the store for all homemade items. I figured I would give it a try. I just love to make things and this way I can share a bit of my creativity with others.

Come and visit me at www.countrymommyto6.etsy.com

Blessings

Melanie

I just fell in love with this fabric from Windham called Paper Dolls http://www.baumtextile.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=321 

This weekend I cut the dolls and clothes out, ironed on a double sided stabilizer and put a heavy muslin on the backs. I found some clear velcro dots to adhere to the dolls and the clothes so that they can still better. I haven't attached them yet. I am using these for a gift for my 4 year old daughter and 5 year old niece for Christmas. Such cute material!!

Now it is much more cost effective to buy paper dolls, but the little tabs tear off so easy, and these can be like an heirloom to pass down to my grandaughters later :) Something fun to make besides.. Aren't they just precious! I wonder if they would sell at the craft show we have in town this Oct? They would be fairly pricey with the material, stabilizer, backing and velcro dots though.. something to ponder..

blessings to you

Melanie

I made this table cloth today for our Thanksgiving feast. I am not sure yet if I am going to back it and quilt it or just leave it as a top. I got the snowballs from a swap on one of my quilt groups and the side panels are from fat quarters from different swaps as well. Really helps me to get a variety of fabric without having to buy the variety. The boys are afraid to eat on the table topper! I told them if they don't use my creations what is the point in making them!!

Melanie

When we were on vacation this summer we spend some time at my Father in Law's house. My MIL passed away 9 years ago, she was a seamstress and reupholsterer in her day. There was still material around so I chose some to take home and incorporate into a quilt here and there. My daughter was given a box of 'scraps' that she pretends to iron, and can cut up.. all came from Busha's house (polish for grandma). Well one day she decided to cut up a bunch of fabric and handed it to me and said Mom make me a blanket with this. So I had her sit with me and design where each piece went. I of course had to work some wonders to get it into a rectangle and then put an old baby blanket on the back for the backing. It is a baby doll blanket and she was so proud of it. I hope this is just the beginning of her taking an interest in sewing and quilting. I didn't have the interest as a youngster though my mom sewed clothes for us often. I just never was interested until we moved to the farm!! Seemed to go along with the whole farming paradigm. So here is my daughter with her first creation... (and a couple of hams in the back!!)

Blessings

Melanie

I was blessed with a full weekend of sewing!! Back to the quilting and sewing now that fall is in full swing. I love sharing my creations here so here are the things I was able to work on this weekend.

My 11 year olds Safari Quilt. I basically pieced and completely the whole top this weekend. Many many hours involved in it, but I think it turned out beautiful!! Now the hard part to do the quilting in time for Christmas!!

I made some stocking blocks for an exchange on one of my groups. I am making several different ones of these and hoping to use some for a wallhanging or lap quilt for my Grandma's for Christmas.

And some Jacob's ladders for a monthly lottery on a yahoo group. I love entering the lottery just for the opportunity to make various blocks!!

So now I still will do some more stockings and need to order the backs for the Safari quilt and a Dog quilt (that I still need a picture of) so that I can quilt them for Christmas. Lots in the works and the sewing machine is HAPPY!

Blessings

Melanie

I got a great dose of sewing this weekend and completed 25 insect jar blocks. I plan to border it in green and yellow.

Melanie

I am not getting much sewing time but did manage a few jar blocks. I am going to make bug jars next for a quilt for one of the boys:) I have a lot of insect material from swapping with people in my quilting groups. I am hoping to make a food jar quilt too.

My list of sewing projects is growing!! Today is raining so I may get a little bit of time to sew. This weekend we are putting the garden in so that will take the extra time up with weeding, picking, canning to provide an awesome winter harvest :)

A very easy quilt block to make. These are for an swap on one of my groups.

I send out 5 of each and then will get back 10 different ones. It will make a very colorful blanket later!

Melanie

My latest quilt top...

A close up...

 A wonderful Angel is going to quilt it for me. I just need to find my backing for it, and send it out to her. She has a large machine to quilt with and is going to put a snowflake pattern on it.

Melanie

I entered the create a pig contest at the pork festival and won first place for the prettiest pig...

Tote bags over the weekend....

Using London Lawn material by Moda

And the next using Peas and Carrots by Moda

I am running out of space to save pics so will have to go through and delete some old postings, that is why these are so small, as I am running out of room!

Melanie

My latest creative venture has been tote bags using charm packs, which is a variety of material that makes a patchwork type of bag. I am so enjoying making them. I think they would sell great at the farmers market, and they will be great gifts too. The top one is available if anyone is interested. The second one is going to my friend's daughter for a graduation gift. I have at least 10 more that I have been collecting the material for. If you are interested you can contact me through my email.

Blessing, Melanie