Missy the Microbe

My niece, Dr. Beth Orcutt, is a micro biologist and is out on her research ship again this summer for a scientific tour.  They do lots of experiments and have a program for people to sign up and follow along and there are weekly activities to do at home.
Each summer my grandchildren and me sign up to follow one of the microbes.

Each year they have a different microbe for the kids to talk to and this year it is Missy the Microbe.  The Green Gang from NC [that's us] got to name the microbe this year. 

Here is the link if you want to see.

https://sites.google.com/site/adoptamicrobe3/letters-from-the-giant-microbes/wemadeittotheship

Baby Dolls

The last few days I have been working on these very old baby dolls.  A lady that I taught how to quilt a few years ago wanted me to make new dresses for her dolls she had as a child. This lady is now 85 years young, so the dolls are in delicate condition and were very dirty and the original dresses deteriorated.

I cleaned up the dolls as best I could and then made the new clothes. The large doll I fashioned a new slip and underwear in pink with delicate flowers.  Then the pink satin dress has an overlay of tulle and a new embroidered collar.  For the little doll I made new underwear and a dress of green and peach flowers.  Then made new blankets and pillows to lay the dolls on. 

A fun project and I hope she is pleased with the results.

My Cats

Today we took our two persian cats to be shaved for the summer heat in Florida. I don't think they like the new look.


Esther before




Esther afterward




Sara before




Sara afterward



International Siggy Swap

Yesterday I received back all the blocks from an International Siggy Swap on the Dear Jane list. Lots of beautiful blocks and here are a few of my favorites.

4th of July Friendship Swap

This week have been working on my friendship swap for the 4th of July and filling the box to get ready to send. Going in the mail today for a secret sister.


Front of the Patriotic mat




Back of the table mat




Goodies in the box - pattern, coaster, needles, emergency kit, hand massage ball, and candy wrapped in a patriotic fat quarter.



My "Grand Faces"

Today I finished a circle quilt of my six grandchildrens' faces.  It was started at a quilt conference last year and it is pieced faces, then the faces are painted to bring them to life.  I love the way it captures the personality of each of the children. I have hung it above my bed. Love it, love it.

Two new blocks of Piecemaker Quilt

In the last few days I have finished two more of the blocks for this quilt.  I just had the beads to put on and so left that to last.

Austen by the Sea

I finished Austen's baby quilt today for the shower his mother will have this Sunday. They are doing the baby's room in everything ocean and fishes. This is a quilt-in-a-day pattern for an ocean quilt. The fishes are appliqued down and I used a really fluffy non-allergic batting so it is fluffy and soft for baby Austen.


Austen by the Sea



Christmas Tree Skirt

Today I finished the first of eight planned Christmas Tree Skirts that I am making this year.  This was a pattern I found in a local quilt shop when shopping with my niece Susan a few months ago.  I love the Christmas fabric line from 'Birds and Bees' by Clothworks.



Reverse side



HAPPY MAY DAY

Happy May Day to all

I received this beautiful siggy yesterday and thought I would post a picture, just love the Texas blue bells and the blue fabric. The picture doesn't due it justice. Thanks so much Sally for the siggy.

This is a wall hanging for spring that I completed this week.  It was made from swap blocks from my friendship group done in 2010. There are fruits, veggies and lots of chocolate to make you want to eat.  It hangs above my kitchen table.
Love it.

May Day Swap

I got this lovely handmade bag from Sandy, my swap partner on a May day swap our quilt group did.  I love the teal color and all the embroidery she did on the bag, even my initial.  Also, some Amish magazines, a note pad, a quilt coaster and a wooden needle holder.  What a great swap.

In Remembrance

I said this would be snippets of me so here is a puzzle that my brother Ray and I put together this last month.  Ray lost his wife last year on April 20th and I finished it on that day this year so there fore in remembrance.  Ray comes down once a week for dinner on Saturdays and to keep him busy we do a puzzle.  It usually takes three or four weeks for the 1000 piece since I don't work on it much when he is not here.

This cat puzzle reminds me of a cat that Tracey had when they lived in Missouri called Maggie. It's uncanny how much they looked alike.

JN Sunflower Illusions Quilt

    I love this quilt and Judy Niemeyer's foundation paper piecing by Quiltworx.com.  The name of this pattern is Sunflower Illusions but I wanted to do this in Christmas colors of red, green and gold.  I wanted to use scraps and not have to buy anything to take her class.  I did use the scraps but ended up not going to the class.
    A few unnamed people thought I was crazy but I stuck to it and this is the finished top.  My friend Pat helped me choose the border and I am pleased with the red Birds and Berries by Clothwork textiles. 
    Now I have to quilt it and decide on a name.   Will you help?  I thought Christmas Illusions or Illusions of Christmas wouldn't work as Christmas is not an illusions. My Jesus is real.  Let me know if you can think of a name for me.

A close up of the flower

Elaine's Aprons

    My granddaughter, Elaine, asked me to make her a new apron as she has outgrown the one I made her a few years back.  Then she requested one for her American Girl doll that would match hers.  Last night I made them with a favorite lime green that she likes.  Don't forget to make me something to eat Elaine.

Timothy's Birthday Quilt

Last year Tim picked some car blocks from a Scratching Post Swap I participated in [the rest went to my son's quilt].  I finally got them pieced and quilted for his 12th birthday next month.  On the back I put a pirate print I found.  He can use the quilt for wrapping in while watching TV or laid over his bean bag - the spot his dog Keanu likes to sleep.  Tim is my greatest customer, loving anything I make for him.  Happy Birthday Tim, it will be mailed tomorrow.

My First Post on My New Blog

   This first post of my new blog is dedicated to my dearest friend, Pat. She was dismayed that I deleted my old blog and after much teasing, I jumped in again.
    Really, it was because last night I couldn't sleep so decided to do something constructive. I haven't been able to sew much because of all the eye problems. 
    A few projects have been in production and I promise to post soon.
Resending