{Post 1,570} Be. Our. Guest.

With our segue into empty nesting, we have changed our rooms up a bit. We have made Rachel's bedroom into our main guest room. We have moved a queen-size bed in there. She will live in the dorm this, her last semester. Once she graduates, she will be down in her room again until she gets married on August 18, 2018.

As you might recall, I painted this room Dover white (it had been grape popsicle). With the addition of the bed, easy chair, and side tables, it looked a little bland. I was so hesitant about putting things up on the walls. I wanted it perfect from the get-go. So I hemmed and hawed for ages. 

I finally decided upon and made this sign. The words are cream-colored contact paper. Easily removable and replaceable if I want. I am going to eventually put a coat of polycrylic on it so it will match the bed frame better. I. Love. It. I got the idea from a friend's blog, The Frugal Housewife. I made some changes in construction, but the seed idea was hers.

{Post 1,569} Auditory Doc/Quilter

I am in an exam room with my husband. He is seeing an auditory doctor for the first time. She is a quilter. She has one of her wall quilts in every room, including the outer waiting room. This is the one in ours. It is heavily quilted. It is not my style in any way, but the work is lovely!

{Post 1,568} A Crazy Christmas

I am bad about taking and sharing pictures. My son-in-law is a professional photographer, and I had the sense to request that he bring his camera with him for Christmas. I wanted to get one group picture of this crazy crowd. So many well-loved people and lots of good food. Apparently I am a child magnet, even for my son's girlfriend's daughter! So much fun all day long.

This is not all of my children, but we did get to see them all at some time during the holiday season. 

[Post 1,567} Baby Quilt Finish

...well, except for washing and drying!  I made this quilt this past weekend, then quilted and bound it this AM. I also hand quilted around each letter in the name to secure it flat and make it look just a little nicer. 

My inspiration was a random baby quilt I saw on Pinterest. I had asked the new mom if she had a color preference (why do I always wish I had not done that?). She said gray and navy blue. I had not one thread of gray in my stash. I like gray, but I don't have any in my house. 

So I went to Hobby Lobby and got 1-1/4 yards of the gray and white chevron print. I used a navy blue shirt for the letters. The back is pieced from 6" pieces of plaid brushed cottons. It is about 42" square. 

It is not my original plan, but I love the way it turned out!

{Post 1,566} Possible Baby Quilt Layout

I came across these blocks today. I had another set that became the baby quilt below. Now I need a quilt for that baby's little brother! The original quilt was the brighter/darker half of a charm pack. This is the lighter set. I like this but is there something better?

Original quilt:

Layout of leftover blocks...

Input welcome. I'd border it with muslin to make it the same size as the original. I want to avoid buying fabric if I can!

{Post 1,565} Merry Christmas to All My Readers

I enjoy reading so many blogs. I like the depth of them as opposed to a one-sentence or caption on Facebook or Instagram. I am old-fashioned.

Here is the last update on my 2017 Christmas quilt, because I just took it out of the dryer and put it on the half wall in our living room. I guess in retrospect, the picture would have looked nicer if the mantle and Christmas tree lights were on, but I am happy with the way it looks.

I used up all the green print flannel I had for the back. The color perfectly complements the front. I quilted it with an original pattern I made up a few days ago. The top thread is white, and the back is a medium sage green. There wasn't quite enough of the backing, so I had to add a small row of shirt pieces from the front fabrics horizontally as well as an 8" wide red piece on one of the halves. It will fit a twin bed, and it might go there some time.

Here are a few other pictures. I'm off to cook and clean in preparation for our Christmas company.

Our living room rug (which can be seen at the bottom of the next picture, perfectly matches the quilt). I took this picture to show the quilting.

...that important label...

{Post 1,564} Started Quilting Christmas Quilt

It seems like I would never get started on this quilting! We have had company off and on, a steady flow of visitors, and the last ones just left this afternoon. I had been mentally practicing a newly designed (by me) design. I love it! Don't get me wrong, I have loved seeing all my people. It's just that this quilt has been absolutely languishing.  LOL!!

Here's the view from the end of the quilt.