Ribbon and fabric flowers/projects

It has been a busy time.Getting ready for a wedding in Dec. I am making the ribbon and fabric flowers. I have done a lot of weddings in my time as a florist but I have never actually made the flowers.I have used silk already made flowers. There was a beautiful bouquet made with handmade flowers and rhinestones that I shared with the bride.(DGD) She liked it so we are trying to duplicate.Well will get as close as we can. I am waiting for judgement on the type of flowers at thanksgiving when they will see them in person. I have done a few samples.

 

I have also been working on a few table toppers for Christmas gifts.The pattern is from a blog.These are fun and easy to make. I did one a day until I started on the flowers.

http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/2009/10/holiday-hexagon.html

 We got our first real taste of winter .Freezing rain then snow. Ziva does not like the snow at all.All her favorite smells are gone.Runs all around the yard trying to find her spot.I had to push her down the steps.She love to watch out the east door in the sewing room.The birds and the neighborhood squirrel keep her entertained while I am busy. The weeks fly by and soon it will be 2014.Hard to believe. Hope you have a blessed week. j

Harvest,/Quilt retreat

It has been a busy couple of weeks.Harvest time is a very busy and dangerous time. One day it occurred to me that over the past 45 years I have never ridden with Mr.T. when he was working. He keeps talking about retiring. It might be my last chance so I went out to find out how he runs the catch cart during the fall harvest. There were bunnies and a coyote that ran out of the field. For those who live in the cities and really have no clue food does not come from the grocery store. It starts out  in farm fields all over this great country. It was interesting to see. Here are a few pictures.

 The catch cart.Runs along the side of the combine. The corn is dumped on the cart then the corn is transferred from the cart to a truck.Mr.T is busy when running the catch cart. I enjoyed spending the time with Mr.T.  He loves this job.

Last week I attended a quilt retreat.It was a fun time.We made some fun useful things but I can't share because they are Christmas presents.
Those attending the retreat were from Mn. and Ia.The food was great.It has taken me all week to recuperate.Thanks to Jan for hosting a great retreat. j

wall hanging/Wahoo plant

Todays blog post is about a few things that are not connected in any way.
I am linking to http://www.tootsietime.com/
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2013/11/sew-darn-crafty-linky-partynovember.html
I finished up the other wall hanging. First one was for my friend. This one is for me.It was a panel I added 3 borders to.Green gold and black.The binding is from a fabric I have had for years and never had a need to use it. Looks like Indian corn kernels.
The little witch is one I made years ago.  One of many witches I have made over the years.The wire basket is full of gourds we grew on the greenhouse last year.The plants are moved in to the greenhouse.

Last week I finished a fall table runner for my sofa table. The middle blocks are the Oct. challenge on the small quilts site.The end blocks are new fabric I just HAD to use.

  Ziva is such a joy.Here is a new picture.8 months on the 20th

The trees are turning.the Japanese maple is beautiful and the Wahoo bush has berries .If you have never heard of the wahoo bush here is a site.http://www.hortmag.com/plants/plant-profiles/the-wahoo-plant hope your week is going good.j

Reuse of a door

We can mark off another thing on the to do list.
When we did our kitchen remodel in 2007 we removed the swinging door between the 2 rooms. I had an idea to make a hat rack/bench with the door and an end table.
The end table was made by Father Kruse from the church doors of St.Mary's church in Williams Iowa.
He made several sets of end tables and coffee tables. We bought the set,of 3 that had the small window in each piece,for our family room. The room is now a sewing room and we do not use the tables there any longer. The coffee table is now a counter in the outdoor kitchen.The one side table is in a bedroom.The other we used for the seat of the new hat rack/bench. It fits the space in our small front entry. I love it!

First,picture is the table. See the little window.The church doors were oak , very heavy, thick doors. I had it decorated with a few things not knowing we would finish the project.
One is a little witch doll I finally finished last week. Poor dolly had not clothes for 6 years.

 Next is the swinging door we were going to sand it down but the patina of the 100 year old door was just to good to mess with.

 The arm rests were from boards I had from the Alden library remodel. It is hard to see but there are 2 brass hat hooks.One on each side.

Of course I had to decorate a bit. Love it! Have a great week.j
linking to
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2013/10/sew-darn-crafty-linky-partyoctober.html

Enchanted Acres

 A few weeks ago we took a Sunday afternoon ride to see what the newly oped Enchanted Acres was all about.What a great new place. Great place to take the family.Check it out EnchantedAcresIA@yahoo.com

The view out my door.

I love the new doors in the sewing/family room.The doors allow me to see out to the back patio.I put a few fall decorations out there along with the door frame and flag.I added some candy corn lights so fun!

 This past week I did more tomato juice.I also tried my hand at salsa.I used several recipes I found on line.Combined things we like and got a good response from Mr.T.

I got out fall decorations.One of my favorites is a large pumpkin made for me by my friend Judy.

The zinnias were beautiful this year.

I cut a few and put them with the chalk board.I do love pumpkin things.I'll share more another day.
We are celebrating Mr.T.'s 50 class reunion this weekend.Fun seeing old class mates.
Have a great weekend.j

Wexford glass

Last week a friend gave me a small wexford bowl. I was thrilled! I have many pieces but no bowl this size.I'll share a few pictures of some glass.Thanks Carol!!!

I also made a table topper/wall hanging.Thanksgiving will be here before we know it.


One side

 The other side











Our sweet girl,Ziva is growing so fast.Hard to believe she is 7 months old on the 20th.
Have a good week j