A Quilt for Baby Zoie

I had to make a bib too! The front brown dotted fabric is a pocket...inside that is a detatchable keeper for a pacifier or small teether or toy.

This was fun! All my favorite colors, patterns and prints coming together for a special quilt. I wanted something that she would be able to use as she grew, not the typical nursery fabrics. A lot of the fabrics I used were purchased from Karen at another etsy shop, ModFabric.etsy.com . Quality fabrics that were terrific to work with. A special thanks to my friend Kim Chambers who did the monogramming.

She's not here yet but it won't be long....Nov. 13th. Heidi and Chris, my oldest son will become parents to their first girl. She will join three older brothers!

Bringing Kellsey Home Auction Item

One of my latest little projects was another collaboration with Sara. She designed the candy motif that I've appliqued on this little onesie. Unlike almost everything that I make it is not for sale at my etsy shop but up for auction at Bringing Kellsey Home. (Scroll toward the end of the list to see this item & bid!) The auction will end at 11:59 PM on March 30, 2009.

Daughter Kellsey is from the Ukraine and the newest member to be added to the home of Frank & Renee Garcia of Clarksville, TN. They found Kellsey through Reece's Rainbow an organization that facilitates international adoptions of children with special needs. "We feel so blessed to add Kellsey to our family! We can't wait until she is home where she belongs!"

Teflon Pressor Foot to the Rescue!

Dotty Diaper Tote Bag made of canvas and a similar tote in oilcloth.

My first three oilcloth bags! Two totes and a lunch sack.

On my long list of projects has been finding and making some items out of oilcloth. In the "old days" is was a canvas that was painted with linseed oil to give it a durable, waterproof finish. Now the products that I'm finding are more of a vinyl cloth...not the same as the tablecloth with the flannel on the back but not a linseed oil finish. Finding it locally proved to be impossible so I ordered some on-line from another etsy shop, oilclothshop.etsy.com. My first attempts at sewing on this material were rather frustrating as the stitches skipped & made an awful mess! I read several suggestions about tape on the presser foot, sewing between tissue paper, between notebook paper but none did the trick. My hunt was then on for a Teflon presser foot for my little Singer and it made all the difference in the world! So what's next on the list of things to sew? Another rabbit pillow! The one shown in the previous post has already sold! Yeah!!! Time to make another....thank you Sara!

Lemon Square

I finished this little project this morning & hoped to have a new listing in my etsy shop by early afternoon. Problems uploading my images mean that I've got to wait until my technical help makes his way home for dinner. So....I'll post here, just to show that I did something today! And, just so you're not disappointed if you thought there might be a recipe? Keep reading! It's here too!!!

Lemon Square Yo Yo Pillow
A bright modern lemon print by Alexander Henry combined with an old fashion yo-yo technique will add a cheery punch of sunshine to any room. Yellow buttons accent the center of each circle.

This is a 9.25" little lemon square with finished edges of yellow rick rack & white piping. Back is finished with a flap and a removable insert for easy cleaning. Insert was made of super soft fiberfill and is included.

Creamy Lemon Squares

1/2 cup (1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for the pan

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, plus more for dusting

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)

4 large egg yolks

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3 lemons)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper leaving an overhang on two sides: butter paper.
2. Make crust: Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add flour, and mix on low just until combined. Press dough into the bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan; prick all over with a fork. Bake until lightly golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Make filling: In a large bowl, whisk together yolks, condensed milk and lemon juice until smooth. Pour over hot crust in pan; return to oven, and bake until filling is set, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan.
4. Refrigerate until filling is firm, about 2 hours or up to 3 days. Using paper overhang, lift cake onto a work surface; cut into 16 squares, and dust with confectioners sugar.

If I were younger...and taller...

UPDATE: this item sold this week (April 1st) but I'll be making this pattern again!

This is my latest etsy listing....Spring Fashion Ladies Mini Dress Tunic.

When I first bought this pattern it reminded me of Kelly Ripa & some of the oh-so-cute outfits you see her wear. If I were younger, taller then I'd keep this for myself!

The Mulberry Elementary School Mural pictures are now posted in a bit more organized way.