Stella's new gear!

Stella went to REI, too!

We scored a matching backpack and boots!

[guide gold, one our favorite colors]

Stella's worn a backpack and a lifejacket, so this backpack didn't bother her at all.

The boots, on the other hand....

She thought she couldn't walk! So she laid down and gave me the stink eye for about 40 minutes.

Finally, with coaxing from a doggie cookie, she was able to try out the boots.

She hates them so far.

Shopping at REI tonight

Although I have a canoe, I'm considering a kayak. Something to splash around in a lake or Class I/II, with Stella of course.

Something that loads easily onto the truck.

Something I can put her onto/into when we're in the water.

So far, it looks like the best option is a Sit-On-Top.

Now to decide if I should do a one or two person?

How long 'til I train her to stand on the bow, like in the picture above?

Email me if you have ideas on the right playboat for our needs.

9Patch for my Aunt...Oh-my-god-it's-PINK

I think that this is the pinkest I've ever sewn.
It's bright and oh-my-god-it's-pink pink.
She's going to love it!
The flannel on the back has stars - very warm and cozy.
I hope this quilt will see many naps....

Grams' potting table... refinishing update

The arduous task of stripping is complete and I'm now sanding.

It's coming along!

I still haven't decided on a color... but I have found a new-to-me product: Milk Paint.

I bought some samples and will try it on scrap wood first, to see if will make the finish I like.

A four pack of quilts back from the quilter!

Just back from the quilter today are my four latest creations:

"the orange project," bubbles and patches, 9patch cowboys, and another plainspoken. I think the plainspoken is a design that will be with me for a while.

These were, again, quilted by Melear Fabrics. Great job, again!

All four have flannel on the back to make them warm and luxurious.

There is orange flannel on the backside of this one. It's a Denyse Schmidt design.

Each piece is crooked! It made me cry a little bit.

There is light-green flannel on the back side of this one! It was a quilt-kit from Connecting Threads, made with 2.5 jelly rolls.

The 9-patches were given to me from a friend... you can't see it too well on this photo, but some of the fabric prints have cowboys on it! Yeha! I put forest green flannel on the back.

This last one has chocolate flannel on the back. This plainspoken is starting to be a fav! It's all in the palatte!
These four will be christmas gifts!!!!!

Last year, I took the handmade pledge and failed miserably! I was able to do about 10% of the gifts by hand.

This year, I've taken it again, and have pledged for 100%.

I hope I make it to 60%!

Christmas, I'm ready for you!

Grams' potting table... re-envisioned [before photos]

One of my next projects...

Refinish Grams' old potting table! It's the real thing!

It's been on her back porch for decades and is now home with me.

The porcelain top has a rich patina, so that will not be refinished.

Everything below the top is dropping paint chips, so I'll be stripping, sanding, and painting or staining.

Now to pick a color for the legs and drawer face - my first thought is always red or orange, but this might need to stay white.

The tabletop's not really that dark; this was photographed in the shade.
The drawer needs some major help! Definitely a new bottom piece and maybe some dividers on the inside.
Overall, this is a fine specimen! I'm lucky to have Grams' table and the opportunity to use it.

This will either replace the computer table I've been using OR it will be a new sewing table.

So many possibilities!

First attempt at paper piecing!

Here's my first attempt at paper-piecing!

I see that I made a mistake on the last two pieces by sewing on the wrong line - but overall, I am pleased by my first attempt.

I learned a few things:

• even though it's about scraps, make sure they're big enough. [I had to re-do a few that were too small]
• my sewing's not too shabby. Following a line that's clearly marked wasn't too difficult!
• the possibilities of paper-piecing are endless!

I'm going to practice on a few more log cabins and see if I end up with enough courage to actually try a Kaffe Fassett's jewel squares on the cover of his book, Glorious Patchwork.