Tada.........

Leah's quilt is finished and already sent. I sent her a card with a message from all the stitchers.

Dear Leah, there are many mistakes in this quilt, as you grow and become aware of them know that there isn't another quilt in the world like this. It was made special for you. It carries our prayers and hopes for you and each time you wrap up in it your wrapping yourself in a huge hug from The Crafty Coven.

I'll just leave you with many pictures, and a few close-ups of the different sections. It was my first quilting experience and super fun!

Totally Useless Sal.......

Here's a picture of my TUSAL Orts for May. Check the top-right sidebar for a link to the SAL info in Yoyo's blog.

Here are the projects I worked on while collecting these orts. Chatelaine's Taj Mahal; Chatelaine's Christmas Mandala; Mirabilia's Flora Fairy; Mirabilia's Crescent Moon and Stab and Stash's Dreamsleep. There was also a red and yellow race car for Love Quilts that isn't pictured.

Have a wonderful rest of the Memorial Day weekend!

Thanks Brandy.......

This is an early birthday gift from my special friend Brandy. Gingher Designer Series scissors in the Ashley pattern (pink/purple flowers) and the most beautiful scissor fob (isn't that tea pot just adorable?) and thread picker in pinks and silver. I believe the fob and picker are from My Big Toe Designs (at least the box she packaged them in was). Brandy and I drink alot of tea so this was the perfect gift. You've spoiled me with such a beautiful gift. THANK YOU SWEETIE.

Here's a new picture of the progress on Leah's quilt. It's so pretty, I just know she's going to love it! It's all pinned and ready to machine quilt which I will start on right after dinner. I'm so in love with this I may have to make a visit to see Leah so I can snuggle with her in her quilt. Just to show how tenacious I can be, I stitched the left-hand column 5 times and ripped it out 4 to FINALLY get a straight seam. I don't know what was wrong with me but I'm glad it's over. hehe

Yoyo asked through the comments section about the charts used for Leah's quilt. All the pieces are from a leaflet published by Alma Lynne (but the designs are Gloria & Pat) and the name is 'For Every Little Princess (and Her Prince)'.

This summer has started off really busy around our house. Melanie is home from her first year of college. She had a great year but she's ready for a break and is glad to be home. Music to Mom's ears! So while I don't really feel like I have more craft projects going than normal, I do feel like it takes me longer to accomplish anything.

I started this Love Quilt square for Jamison back in April and just finished it today. Isn't the detail pretty, all those 1/4 stitches and backstitching were worth it. His quilt is going to be awesome!

My next square is a baby monkey for Travon. I'll get that started sometime next week. I want to finish Leah's quilt and get it in the mail then I have a small piece to finish stitching and make into a door hanger for a baby shower the first week of June.

Don't forget to check back on Sunday for the unveiling of The Totally Useless SAL aka The Mystery Ort Jar......happy stitching!

All's right in my little world.......

DD is home safe and none the worse for wear. She has blossomed this past year and it's hard to imagine her first year of college is complete. She will be home with us for 6 weeks then off to Texas A&M at Corpus Christi for the month of July. She was selected for a slot in this summer's Governors Internship Program for high school Gifted & Talented kids and she'll be working on the campus during their summer program. It's like a free month long paid vacation. For those of you who are new readers, DH has a unique job and home unless he is actually working. So, he's been home and lot the past month and we've had a wonderful spring. I just know this summer is going to fly by.

This is a picture of my Taj Mahal by Chatelaine. This is my first Chatelaine piece and I'm really enjoying working on it. I decided to stitch it with the recommended silks & beads and it's been a fun piece. While the fabric is gorgeous (it's Fairy Morn by Sugar Maple Fabrics), looking back I wish I had chosen something without so much color. The piece it's self has so much color I feel like the two are competing. Nevertheless, I'm pleased and will pick it up again soon.

I've stitched quite a bit since this photo last weekend. I finished the building on the right and the trees directly above, plus the first section of the flower/column in the border on the right.

I've picked up Dreamsleep and been stitching on her for the past few days. It's such a gorgeous piece to stitch - all those deep browns and beautiful pinks.

We are going to see the new Star Trak moving this afternoon. I've been really excited about it and just waiting for the release date to get here!

I've joined The Totally Useless SAL from the blog of Dragon My Needle. It looks to be like a lot of fun so check back on May 24 for an update and picture.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.