Why not cloth napkins?

We have a few sets of cloth napkins and tend to only use them when we have company. But why not use them every day? I go through so many paper napkins in one meal it really is wasteful. Generally it isn't because I need so much paper but because they are disposable I just use one after another.

 So I made up a few sets of fabric napkins for our house that we can use every day. Treat ourselves like guests is my thought. And it really doesn't take much to toss them in with other clothes or towels to wash them.

Check out my ETSY Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/mybluedaisy for some of your own.

There are so many options when it comes to fabric. The napkins I made here are with fabric from Jona's shop http://fabritopia.com/ where you can find something great no matter what mood you want to set.

I feel more like we're having a meal together when I bring out the cloth napkins. Not just eating food - which is what we tend to do.

And I like having options - even in my napkins!

Baby B Quilt Finished

I finished Baby B's quilt over the weekend. Now it is washed, dried and ready to mail.

It is so soft and cuddly I'd like to wrap myself up in it.

This quilt is easy to make but clipping the edges for the ragged look takes a lot of time. A few years ago I made a a similar type of quilt with "ruffly" edge. Because the fabric for the ruffly edge is cut on the bias instead of the grain of the fabric it requires larger pieces of fabric to work with than I had on hand this time. So I went with the raggy style and the patchwork blocks.  Next time... probably back to ruffly. Either way I like both quilts and hope Baby A and Baby B will like them too.

Baby A Quilt

I don't often use pastels because I tend to like brighter fabrics, but this Simply Baby fabric is sweet.

Baby A's quilt is ready when she is.

Now on to Baby B which will be similar but different. My mind is thinking of several possibilities but I suppose I won't know what it's going to be until I actually do it.

Simply Baby A and Baby B

   My nephew's wife is expecting twin girls sometime in April. Meanwhile, I'm getting some things together to welcome them when they arrive.

I'll be using some of this Simply Baby fabric that I found at http://www.aquiltersoasis.com/ and some from my stash:

These chicks are my favorite

        

I want the quilts to be similar but different. Not just to remember which blanket belongs to Baby A or Baby B, but because these little girls will be unique individuals and I want to celebrate that from the beginning.


Meanwhile, I can't wait to meet them!

Don't want to show you too much here because it would spoil the surprise -- but I'll put pictures up when the quilts are done. And Babies -- no peeking!

This, that and something else

It has been an interesting week here and I kept busy with a little of this


      (That's Baxter watching me work)



Bedside table before painting

  after paint

    

...and that laundry! 

and a bit of something else

I see my pin cushion has a few threads that still need snipped.

Have you ever heard of emery sand? Me neither. I had no idea that such a thing existed. That is, until I was researching pin cushions (Hey - I got curious) and found out about emery sand. Apparently this is a fine sand that when used in pin cushions cleans and sharpens the pins. 
Unfortunately, mine is filled with white stuffing so my pins will probably be dulled with use. This may become a decorative pin cushion if I get my hands on some emery sand and make more. 

What a Great Day!

I had the best day. I was able to spend time outside doing creative projects....mostly.
I started with this old table purchased in 2001 at an antique shop. It's been my bedside table all this time. Originally we had dark walls and the table looked great. But times have changed and this table needed some updating.
So it went from this 

 To this
                    








In between coats of paint I pulled some weeds. (I know, some of you are up to your knees in snow....)                                                                                                                  

Next, I posted these bags on my etsy shop:

  
  

    

There was also time to go to a women's group, pick Wes up at the airport, walk the dogs and just spend some quiet time with God. What a great day!

A Luci-Bug Original

A few posts back I showed you Luci's first stitching design. Luci is very creative and always ready to learn something new.

After Luci finished the stitching, I added some fabric cutouts and some free-motion quilting. Then the strips of red fabric (her request) and the fabric for the back.

Luci will add the stuffing and close the last seam and then she will have her very own  original creation.







Luci already knows how to make pillows so, other than the free motion quilting, she could have finished this herself. Maybe this summer we'll work on the quilting part!!


Here's the fabric I used on the back.
Great work Luci!