Tea for two

Almost from the time my niece Abigail was born, we've been having tea.  My favorite pictures of her are when she was 2 and wearing Nana's hat, pouring tea from my tea pot (Aunt Bobbie staged alot of photos with the kidlets when they were small.)  Each year I try to have a tea party for her birthday,  sometimes with just the two of us, sometimes with family and other times we've sent out invitations to friends.
Last year she asked if she could have a tea party with one friend.... For some reason it never happened,  schedules conflicted and the such like.  So today we made it happen (only one year and a half later). 

     Abby's brothers and parents are in Iowa for Jr Bible Camp, so Abby spent the week at Nana Camp (the boys had Nana Camp in July while Abby was at Teen Camp)  part of Nana Camp includes a day with Aunt Bobbie.  We  had to split our day up, yesterday we painted pillows with Emma Bean and went to the playground.  This morning we had tea with  Christa. 

I took my coffee table (which is an old trunk) into the backyard and decorated the tree and clothesline  with fabric flowers and tulle.  I wrapped some pillows in fabric for the girls to sit on and brought a vintage suitcase &  books out.  I used bridesmaid's bouquets and loose flowers as well as fresh flowers from my garden. Hats and scarves were provided. 

 

 

Menu : Strawberry Cheese  Tarts with whipped cream,  Nutella Shortbread (Girl Scout cookies with Nutella) and Cinnamon Earl Grey  tea (*somebody* put the box of  the tea I had planned to serve- Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride - away empty and I only had Earl Grey and Cinnamon Stick left... The girls drank two pots full so they must have liked it)

 

I left the girls to themselves until after the second pot of tea,  it's rare that they see each other without crowds of siblings.  Christa brought a set of American Girl books and they played the game that was attached.  Then we read some poetry and Emma joined us. After Christa left Abby and Emma played dress up with the scarves. 
The weather today is perfect for being outdoors, it's hot but there's a beautiful breeze and the tree had fantastic shade until about 2pm.
Now it's time for Aunt Bobbie to go play in the sewing room!  Have a great day!

 

 

Whoop Whoop!

Today I am linking over to Confessions of a Fabric Addict -  Tuesdays  note: well  I *tried* to link over, but the linky  is closed,  I've been trying to get this post published since Friday but blogger app would not cooperate.  
I have a fabulous Friday finish! 
But this finish goes with a quilt I don't believe I have mentioned here!  Wow I am behind. 
Oh I am not as behind as I thought - Emma's quilt was mentioned here
I finished Emma's quilt in September.  When I held the quilt show in February, Emma was asked if we could show her quilt. She refused stating that she was afraid it would be ripped. When assured by her mom that Aunt Bobbie wouldn't allow anything to happen to it, she said it could be shown , however she had to stay with it all day. We decided the show could do without an energetic 5 and a half year old and left her quilt at home. :) 
Now for my fab Friday finish - Emma Bean just turned 6 and for her birthday we were supposed to go shopping with her cousin Abby (whose birthday is 4  days before Emma's) but Emma was unable to go. It wasn't till a couple days later (it's been a crazy month,  lots of confusion has reigned) that I realized that Aunt Bobbie didn't get Emma a gift because the plan was to buy it while we were shopping. Oops! So I wracked my brain and couldn't think of what to buy or make. Then as I was reorganizing some fabric I came across the fabric from Bean's quilt. Light bulb!  I'll make her a pillow with the leftover blocks.  Then I decided it should be a shaped pillow and made an owl.  I sorta used this tutorial from Ashley but tweaked it a bit. And made it very large (I didn't plan it that way but the quilt block was so big I had to make the owls belly bigger) 
I used all the fabrics in the quilt and some fleece I bought for a fox scarf
(so glad I bought extra.) it was all ready to stuff and then I realized I only had a small handful of stuffing. Not quite.  I got stuffing yesterday and used almost the whole 32 ounce bag. It's so SQuiSHY!  I think I want to keep it.  I really like the strip of fabric in between the two pillow pieces. It gives it a boxier look.

NewFOs for April

I am actually going to remember to link up this month- I ALWAYS have a New FO going on, I just never remember to link up! 
In April I was rather busy with the Volunteer Party- I made rice hot/cold packs for the volunteers (I used Lori's tutorial over at Bee in My Bonnet) but I can't seem to find a picture :( I just realized the extras are lying on the table so I can take a picture!

 

I called them Hot Lead/ cold Feet packs to go with the movie theme

 
I also started some bags

and made a blueberry (AC wanted everything blueberry for his birthday and since my fabric for his gift wasn't here yet I made a blue berry) 

Him and Bernard the blueberry are rather silly

 I also made a scrap bag and pin cushion- just for me!

I got the Debbie Mumm fabric for my birthday

and started a memory tie quilt for a friend

I have since found a much better fabric for the background

I even have a plan in mind for the tie quilt- and may be able to work on it this weekend.All these projects are finished except the Tie Quilt-I got more done than I thought, I should do this more often. 
Have a great day!Oh by the way, I am linking this up with Cat Patches NewFO Party!

It isn't Raining Rain

(Click for music- it will pop up in another window and you can listen whilst you read) 
 "When April Showers come your way, they bring the flowers that bloom in May. So if it’s raining, have no regrets. It isn’t raining rain you know, it’s raining Violets." 
I have had this song stuck in my head ever since this April Showers Mug Rug Hop was announced! So now you can have it stuck in your head too!:)

I was ever so excited that this hop was just in time for my birthday- and my friend Laurie’s birthday too! I decided to make Laurie a rug for her birthday gift, but I’ll show that one in a minute. This is the rug that was inspired by the song that is running through my head. This is MY rug for MY birthday!

I quilted the raindrops around the violets

I am NOT happy with the FMQ words but I didn’t have time to redo them.


 

 I am so thankful to Gina for reminding me that my day was today – I was thinking that I was on Monday. 


 

Brain Freeze! My mind is rather occupied with a million things (sound of music Picture)   especially our Hollywood Volunteer Party that is happening on Tuesday. I am glad my day isn’t Monday! 

Laurie’s birthday was on Saturday  so I made her this rug- The Hollywood Party is in black, white and red and they happen to be my favorite colors and Laurie's too, so here is the Yambo Awards Mug Rug: 

 

if you look closely I added an L for Laurie

Sunday evening, while Pastor Fritz was preaching, I was inspired to make this one.

Our Spring Campaign is titled Get in The Boat and Pastor loves to fish, (usually from his kayak- this is a canoe because the kayak looked odd.)  And I had this fish material so….

 Get In The Boat. Made for Pastor Fritz.

 

 

I think if this fish got in the boat- Pastor might capsize!

 

I will be cutting a few more rugs in the near future, they are fun to make! Thank you to Erin and Madame Samm for keeping us all together and inspiring us to try new things!  Have fun hopping over at these fabulous blogs: FRIDAY, APRIL 12th

Bobbie @ From This to That <--- That's Me

Leslie @ Les Quilts

Kristen @ Meadowbrook

Lavonna @ ZellerWear

Lynn @ Thimblemouse & Spouse

Amy @ Sew Incredibly Crazy

Martha @ Living Life

Shawn @ Creative Inspiraciones

Rhonda @ Sunrise at Ravelly's!

Toye @ Quilting Adventures of a Ginger

Oh My Sewing Machine My Sewing Machine- A friend indeed!

Sherman and I got a lot done this weekend. Of Course it wasn’t the stuff I should have been working on but …. I finished my project for the Covert Robin and I even put an inset zipper pocket in the tote! (applause)  and then I decided to start another little project for my swap partner- I hope that whomever has my name is enjoying this swap as much as I am! 

Last weekend Aunt Bobbie got to take Emma Bean out to Lunch for her birthday. Emma received a new kitchen from mommy and Daddy so I made her an apron and potholder. I believe she liked it!- She didn't take it off the whole time we were shopping and would have slept in it if mommy had allowed her.   Emma Bean’s Apron was a store bought one that I purchased many moons ago for a child that is way too tall for it now. I just added a pocket. I also made a potholder for Emily, whose birthday we celebrated this weekend.

 I took Emily's potholder in to work to show it off and left it on my desk. Being too lazy to go into work to get it, I made Emily a little bag and then I decided to make her an apron as well.

Emily's Apron is reversible

After arriving home from Emily’s party, I started making spring bags for the little girls in my nursery SS class. I made four. I think the Venti Mocha Java Chip Frappucino that Diane brought me may have had something to do with my crazy sewing spurt.

I still had the JDeere Fabric out from Emily’s apron, so Sunday afternoon I made three bags for the boys. The fabric was intended for pillows and I used the outside edges as the handles (the hardest part was pressing those things) and I pieced the leftovers to make the back for one of the bags.  I ran outta time, so I still need to make one more boy bag and one more little girl bag for Wednesday night. I also need to make a couple of bags for the “bigger girls” in my Kings Kids class.

I was really supposed to be making gifts for our Volunteer party at work- but the party isn't until April .....

Have a great day!

more birthday and Cherry Blossoms!

For my birthday, I received a Giant Teacup planter with Gerbera Daisies  a small teapot, Victoria Magazine subscription. (For Christmas I received  a subscription to Tea Time!) * giggles* 

earrings and bracelet handmade by Eah!

I also received a can of cranberry sauce ( family joke) a watch and some beautiful handmade jewelry,

as well as the Giant Muffin pan I've been"needing."  I have been very blessed! Thank You all!




Furthermore, I was surprised with this: 

Cherry Blossoms Teacup and hand painted Egg! My first thought, after the oohs and ahs, was "I know just what I am posting for Teacup Thursday!"   Thank You Jori, for such a treasure!
Also participating in Teacup Thursday:
Rose Chintz Cottage Antiques and Teacups The Rosemary House Lady Estelle's Tea Corner
Denise's Delights Faith Hope And Cherrytea Beautiful Clutter Martha's Favorites Breath of Fresh Air

Lady Linda Teacup Teacups In the Garden Letters from the Northwest Gracious Hospitality

A Delightsome Life Poetry in a Pot of Tea Lady B's Time for Tea

Romance of Roses From This to That Fabby's Living

Art Books Tea Tea, Friendship and the Fine Art of Card Making

The Nest at Finch Rest Rose Walk Cottage Christine's Home and Travel Adventures

Just Cats Rosewalk Cottage 

Atteatude and Chocolate and of course our Hostess Miss Spenser

Easter and my birthday!

When I was a little girl, Easter was always on somebody else's birthday, or the day before or day after my birthday, but never *on* my birthday. It was on my cousin's birthday- April 7th when we were 11 and then again when we turned 22, but never on mine! {little girl sigh} Easter was finally on my birthday  in 2007! I was very excited! I looked it up and discovered that the next time it would be on my birthday would be the year 2091!  This year at Christmas, SunshineBoy and I were making a calendar with all the family birthdays and lo and behold Easter was on my birthday again! I checked two or three sources to make sure I wasn't reading the calendar wrong, but somehow I missed it when I checked  back in 2007! If you want to check yours - here is the handy dandy list I used.

Hey Vicki- your next Easter birthday will be in 2075-
We will be One Hundred and One- I mean you will be One Hundred and One- I will be 25
(for the 76th time.)  

When I was little, I wanted Easter to be my birthday because I'd get extra candy. Which, thinking back probably wouldn't have happened- I probably would have received less. Now, I am honored to share my birthday with the day we celebrate our LIVING Saviour! Resurrection Sunday awesome! Jesus proved He was the Messiah by defeating death and Hell!

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 

Four years ago, my sister gave me the best birthday present ever-  My nephew A.C. was born on the 10th. My gift was a little late but that's OK!  I keep asking what Sistermine is going to do to top that gift but she won't answer. :) A.C. knows that his birthday is right after Aunt Bobbie's. Last year, he told everyone "I'm Aunt Bobbie's present." It is so fun celebrating together! We got to have a pool party this year. 

Sunshine Boy made A.C. a card

For some reason, I seem to make a special cake for fourth birthdays, so A.C. got a Rainbow cake - he loves rainbows!  According to 3yo Emmabean, Dora likes rainbows so Emmabean tho't I should put Dora on the cake too! Since A.C. isn't fond of Dora, I declined. It was a fun and easy cake to make- just cool whip and candy and Sprinkles! 

EmmaBean wanted a kiss so A.C. kissed her on the forehead.
They are the best of friends as well as Cousins!

I made this funny bunny for Emmabean

For my birthday I received lots n lots of fabric and spent all day Monday sewing and playing.  I have been busily "bolting" my fabric and it has been fun rediscovering fabric I have forgotten about. My studio is going to look like a fabric shop for Cinderella's mice!  I also tried to reduce a 12 inch block pattern to a 9 inch block pattern. 


face blurred to protect the despicable



I did a test block with scrap fabric first. Now Sistermine has a very cute 8 inch Daffy block for our Scraffy Daffy quilt. I decided to keep my Cathedral star at 12 inches.  

Very simple Cathedral window tutorial from
April Mae Designs - scroll past the Hello Sun Quilt Along
( if you can- I am making it for Sunshine boy- don't tell)
The Cathedral Star tutorial is at the bottom of the page

For Teacup thursday tomorrow, I will be sharing a very special Birthday gift! See you tomorrow!