Needles and Pens

Made lots of progress on my sewing "to-do's" for this week: Finish shoe blocks for UFO challenge (and the top is ready to quilt!) Add borders, layer and pin my mom's birthday quilt Plan two baby quilts that I need to start on soon! (hopefully cutting/sewing this weekend!) Get started on my November "Get 'er Done" pillow project (Started yesterday and finished today, just in time for Sew & Tell Friday at Amylouwho's!) My November "Get 'er Done Challenge" project was four throw pillows made from this Psalm 23 panel: I was given this panel by a friend who was clearing out some of her stash, and she also gave me some coordinating fabric for the pillow backs. I was particularly happy to see this panel among the rest, because it had special significance to me... but more on that in a bit. On past pillow projects, I sort of muddled my way through on the zippers. This time around, I found a really nice tutorial by Erin at t...

A little follow up on my last post... We went to our grandson, Aaron's, birthday party this past weekend and he showed me the new sheets and pillowcase I made for him, on his bed. They fit! "Good job, Grandma!" (I love it when he says that.) Looks like he won't fit in his little bed for much longer, though! I can't believe how fast he's growing up... (Here's the tutorial I used for the crib/toddler sheet. Super easy-to-follow instructions, and purely coincidental that she also used a John Deere print. lol) Not only do the sheets match his John Deere quilt , they also match one of his birthday gifts... "Take you for a ride on my big, green tractor..." (Jason Aldean, one of Aaron's favorite songs.) Cousin Sophia hangs on for dear life. :o) Borrowed this picture from my daughter, just cause it's so cute. Happy birthday, big guy! We love you!

Yesterday I attended a baby shower for one of my daughter's school friends, and as I looked around this room full of kids (who are no longer kids), I couldn't help thinking... where does the time go? I remember so many of them as giggling little girls not so long ago, and yet here they are, all grown up, working, going to college, starting families... They say that time marches on -- but sometimes it seems more like a sprint. Mommy-and-Daddy-to-be Pinwheel Quilt for Baby (who is coming in March!) Best wishes, Katie! I cannot wait to see your little boy. He will be such a blessing to you, and though there will be good days and bad days, he will bring you more joy than you could ever imagine. ;o)

I can still remember that crisp, fall day back in 1972, when I walked into Mrs. Bell’s first grade classroom in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Mrs. Bell first uttered the words that, in time, would be all too familiar: “We have a new student joining us today.” Twenty-four heads turned as I made my way across the room and nervously took my seat. It was my first experience with changing schools. Mrs. Bell picked up where she had left off, with a math or spelling or reading exercise, but no one was paying much attention. There was a new kid in school. Who could resist watching her and wondering… where did she come from? Did she have brothers and sisters? What did she like to do? Where did she live? What was she like? Mostly, she was shy. In the first grade, though, shyness is only a temporary discomfort, relieved fairly quickly by the recess bell. Moments later, freed from the confines of the classroom, a group of chattering girls surrounded me on the playground. By the end of the day, I had l...

... our youngest child, Timothy Joel, was born. And although he was a surprise to us, I can't imagine living the past eleven years without this sweet, funny, smart, kind-hearted boy in our lives. I was nearly 32-years-old when I learned I was pregnant with Timothy, and I honestly thought my child-birthing days were behind me. If I'd had any doubts at all, that pregnancy and birth cinched it for me. I know it's common these days to wait until your thirties to have children, but I must say, giving birth at 32 was far more difficult than it had been in my twenties. Maybe my body was just worn out from the process of raising my first three, but for the first time ever, I pleaded and begged for an epidural that day, only to be told, "no," for reasons I have yet to understand. At any rate, we both survived it. What seemed like eternity was actually less than nine hours of labor, and finally, Timothy was born. We couldn't have been happier to welcome him into our fam...

Lynette from Lynette Anderson Designs asked this question on her blog yesterday, and inspired me to share my own bed quilt story. I first became truly hooked on quilting back in 2002, by way of an online quilting group's invitation to join in my first quilting round robin. There were six quilters in my group, and we each started with a center block, sending it away to the next person, each adding a border and then passing the quilt down the line. I was fairly new to quilting, but really enjoyed the excitement and challenge of adding a new border to each quilt that came my way. Little did I know just how beautiful my own little center block would grow to be. When my top was finally returned to me, I just knew it belonged on my bed. It would be years, however, before I actually got it finished. Here's a photo of the quilt in 2007 -- five long years after the round robin was completed. I added the wide checkerboard and final solid borders to make it big enough to fit the bed. Fin...

Still waiting for baby... so I decided to start another project to pass the time. ;o) Our guild challenge this month was to "do something with hankies," so I thought it was the perfect time to revisit those that were given to me several years ago, by my husband's grandma. I chose these reds, pinks and whites for my project. I could see something very "valentine-y" for the end result, and since my birthday is on Valentine's Day and Grandma's was very close, well, that seemed appropriate. Incidentally, Grandma and I shared the same first initial, too: Next came the fun part. I found this Hanky-Panky Crazy Quilt pattern, by Cindy Brick, at the HGTV website. It seemed perfect for what I had in mind. I spent hours playing with different combinations of fabrics and embellishments that I thought might work: The hard part was cutting into Grandma's hankies, but I finally convinced myself that I only had them as a keepsake, and a wallhanging for all to enjo...

Several years ago, I started a craft business, making and selling items for babies and children. One of my favorite patterns was for a baby bunting, quilted, lined in soft flannel and decorated with various types of ribbons and trim. When the business came to an end, only one bunting remained, and being one of my most favorites, I decided to keep it for a future grandchild -- or granddaughter, rather, as it was the pinkest, most frilly bunting of all. Now that my grandbaby-to-be has been confirmed a grand son , I thought it was time to pull out the pattern, dig through the stash, and make something a bit more boyish. Granted, it does have a few pink teddy bears on it, but I was really proud of myself for fighting the urge to go fabric shopping and just use what I had on hand. I only purchased the ribbon, ric-rac and buttons for trim, and I think they added just enough of a boyish touch. Coincidentally, the quilted teddy bear fabric was given to me by my mom, who once made a cute littl...

Last night I started working on a brand new quilt journal/scrapbook, since my last one holds three years worth of quilts and is, well, stuffed to the gills. I've been collecting all kinds of little stickers and other goodies to start journaling my latest quilts, but somehow it's been difficult getting started on that first blank page. And yet, despite my apprehension and rudimentary scrapping skills, I have finished page one, "A Box of Chocolates." "Chocolates" was my first finished quilt of 2008, donated to Quilts with Love for the troops serving in Iraq. I've made several quilts and tops for Quilts with Love, journaling each one, and so I've run out of new ideas to include on these pages. The new addition this time, a miniature copy of the Certificate of Appreciation that was awarded to the group last year. I love to fill my pages with pictures and pretties, so I often forget to include the details of the quilt, the size, the fabrics, how the idea ...

...little project finished last week. I made a little bear like this one for my niece when she was maybe about two-years-old. My youngest son, a year older, wanted one, too! I cut out all the pieces and then, as with so many other projects, it was promptly forgotten. Found the ziplock bag with all the pieces last week and finally finished him up. Another potential gift for grandbaby-to-be?

This weekend I tackled the last of my sewing room projects, an unsightly stack of plastic bags containing unfinished, long-forgotten sewing projects from years gone by. Little did I know that the experience would be a perfect fit for this week's Sunday Scribblings theme, "time machine." Patterns Revisited Today I sewed sweatpants cut out in ‘01 Doll clothes from 1998 Added zipper and hem to a dress from ‘06 The progress I made, it was great. Next, some pajamas that Grandma cut out Perhaps around ‘79 She passed them to me, in about ’93, Surviving through decades of time. I sewed and I sewed, and the memories flowed, Of how all this attire got its start. Of the people, the places, the beautiful faces Some gone now, but still in my heart. It was only a project, another “to-do,” But it gained a more meaningful theme Who knew that a trusty old Singer could serve As a homemaker's time machine? 2008 © Heather Haapoja

I was tagged awhile back by my friend, Carol, at Giraffe Dreams , to do the Seven Random Facts meme. THE RULES: 1). Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you. 2). Post THE RULES on your blog. 3). Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog. 4). Tag 7 people and link to them. 5). Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged. Okay, here goes... seven (extremely) random facts about me: 1. I’ve read the Bible from cover to cover – once. I’d like to make it a regular habit! 2. Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I was about fourteen, my sister-in-law was a pre-med student and let me help with her lab work. I did my first (and last) surgery, performing an ovaryectomy on a white lab mouse. I’m happy to say, the patient survived. Actual surgery didn’t change my mind, but four years later, the pre-vet college workload sure did. I gave up my veterinary dreams. 3. Everyday conversation triggers music in my head. For example, a simple “hel...

This week's Photo Hunt theme is "party," and since my daughter will be graduating this year, I've had "graduation party" on my mind. There's so much planning and stress involved in planning a grad party, but when the day finally arrives, it's all worthwhile. Right about now, I need a reminder of that! This group is my son (in the middle) and some of his friends playing bocce ball at his grad party in 2006: Family and friends on the deck, enjoying the beautiful, sunny day: The younger crowd had a blast on the trampoline: A great time was had by all -- and yes, we can do it again!

It's Show and Tell day over at Kelli's House ! I'm relatively new to Show and Tell, and I'm already having a hard time finding things worthy of showing! I think my post today is a bit unusual, but it does have a great story to go along with it. At least, I think so. ;o) I have a thing for birds' nests. I'm amazed at the intricate, detailed work that goes into them. I'm inspired by the care taken in the construction of these little works of art, designed for the specific purpose of comforting and protecting their young. Like this one, for example, a high-walled, cozy little cubbyhole, tightly woven with soft, grayed moss. My dad found this one abandoned in his garage, and gifted it to me. Besides this little beauty, I have a couple of nests that grace my Christmas tree each year (I've heard that this brings good luck for the coming year). However, there is one special nest that holds a place of honor in my china cabinet, year round. This is the one with t...

This is my beautiful daughter on the day of her baptism, just over eighteen years ago. She's a young woman now, embarking on her greatest journey in life. A journey none of us would have chosen for her at this time, or in these circumstances, but we rest in the knowledge that God, in his infinite wisdom, has a plan. This fall she will be blessed with a baby of her own, joining me in all the joy and heartache that is motherhood. So we go forth in faith, put our questions and doubts aside, and look forward to the reward of this new little one in our lives. "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward." ~ Psalm 127:3 The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photos and a verse! Click on the logo above for more Word-Filled inspiration.

As I contemplated the whole “passion” prompt this weekend, my thoughts turned to the things I enjoy doing, the self-fulfilling activities that bring joy into my everyday life. I found it difficult to zero in on a theme, however, so I mentioned it to my 13-year-old daughter: “Oh, that’s easy,” she said. “Really. And what would you write about?” “Music.” Of course! For her, it is easy. She eats, sleeps, and breathes music. Oh, there are other things she enjoys; her friends, her family, her pets, the occasional video game, but for the most part, it’s all about music. She sings, she plays guitar, she writes lyrics, and if she’s not singing, playing, or writing music, she’s probably online, printing out more lyrics. At this stage in her life, music is her life. It was easy for me, too, at that age. I ate, slept, and breathed horses. I spent my earliest years desperately wishing for a horse of my own, saving my every dime in a little tin box for the day my dream would come true. When it f...

I'd like to thank Sherry, at The Journey Back , for inviting me to join in "Show and Tell Friday" over at Kelli's House . I thought of several things I could share for my first Show and Tell post, but my thoughts finally came around to quilting (of course!) and one of my most-treasured possessions, my "heirloom UFO." In quilter-speak, a UFO is an UnFinished Object, something which most quilters have in abundance. This particular UFO is a special one, though, as it was started by my mother in 1947 and is still a work-in-progress. My mom was only fifteen when she decided on a whim to make a Sunbonnet Sue quilt, based on the one her sister had on her bed. She proceeded to cut 160 little pieces from my grandmother's sewing scraps, and even basted down the edges on many of them before losing interest and packing all of the tiny pieces away. The truly amazing thing is that my mother (who became an Air Force wife) hung onto all those pieces for nearly fifty y...