Oh my!  I know it's been awhile!  A lot has happened since I last posted but I have to confess it hasn't been because I'm quilting.  Rather than explain all the details I'll just say we moved.  Packing up fabric and unpacking fabric took a year out of me :-)  We believe this is the last move for a long while and I have a lot of quilting to do to catch up on.  I have been back in the sewing room finishing a couple of projects that have taken years to do.  I have really learned to love doing applique through the last year.  It fulfilled the need inside to be sewing.  It's been a restful,  slow but rewarding kind of work.  I marvel at projects that were done by beginners or by candlelight or by hands crippled with arthritis.  What drives the spirit to pick up the needle to be creative when there are such difficulties?    

The hand there on the top left is the maker of this fine quilt….  that appliqué!
 Her hands show the issue, the quilt shows the heart…

My favorite season is here!  
I can never figure out where to be!  
I feel the pull to the sewing room to bring out the  fall projects to finish 
and use quickly before the Christmas season begins.  

and I feel the desire to get outside before the cold winds blow... 
by the way… this is our attempt at
this pizza recipe
all we could say was…… oh yes yes yes…… we'll make it again!

Love, love, love the season of autumn. 
The colors! 
Bright oranges, rich browns, deep plum reds, and vibrant yellows that practically glow.
Touches of greens that humbly compliment and pull them all together.

Then add the amazing foods and aromas from the kitchen. 
The apples, pumpkin, cranberries, cinnamon and  nutmeg! 
This is definitely my favorite season. 
My neighbor who is an amazing cook, always makes enough to share...
well.... that inspires me to cook and share...
Hence... Pumpkin scones, and Cinnamon Eggnog scones 

So whilst my scones were baking...
 I made these sweet little pumpkins for the mantle.
Easy..
Cut 5" circles from fabric..
gather them up around the edge like a yoyo,
before you cinch the thread at the center fill with a polyfill.
Cut a small leaf shape from felt or a bit of wool
Add a bit of glue at the top
 Glue the leaf and a small twig for a stem

Sew cute... 
Happy home, Happy autumn!

This Seaside Bag is heading to Houston to the Fall Quilt Market to sit in the Clothworks booth #564.  
I wish I were in one of her pockets :-)
It was made with Wild Rose and Impressions by Skipping Stones Studio

I also had a chance to use some vintage buttons that I've been hoarding...

Making these inspire me to make a quilt using the fabrics.
What do you think? 

Just wanted to share the last days of these lovelies.

They are sure to inspire color combinations for a quilt.

I heard one time... 

...to test a guy's character have him walk your dog around the block.

...to test an egg to know if its raw, spin the egg on a flat surface.  
If it wobbles, it's raw.
If it spins well, it's hard boiled.  

And to add to these true tests
If its a great fabric it makes a great yoyo!

What would you expect from Yoyomama...

I am new to blogging then taking 4 months away... 
it feels like a spring swim in a mountain lake!    But I'm in!
               ( They are watching but not amused.... )  

I can just hear Julie Andrews singing in my head.  For those of us who grew up watching "The Sound of Music"  it is perfectly natural.  
Hence my favorite things...  to music.

                                              A new ironing board cover! 
So here's the to do:  Purchase a yard of canvas weight fabric that is 60" wide.  Lay the fabric on the floor.  Turn your ironing board upside down and center it on your fabric.  Leave the old covers on.  

 Pull the long sides over and fold them under a bit to fit nice against the legs and use stick pins in to hold in place temporarily. 


At the straight end of the ironing board, fold the ends like your wrapping a box for Christmas.  With a strong thread and needle and perhaps a thimble tack the ends in place.  

At the narrow end bring one side over as far as possible and pin to the other side to hold.  Start folding the edges like a fan and trim the excess off that would just create too much bulk. 

Fold things so they create a smooth top and side. Remove the pins and tack the places neccessary to hold with needle and thread.   

Voila! fresh new Ironing board cover in my choice of color

Ok, one last thing....
My scissors have legs.
So a fresh new leash (ribbon) on the scissors 
Then attach the leash to the end of the ironing board.
They are always there when you need them. 
A small pair will do as most cutting at the ironing board is threads.

Yes, the quilt behind the ironing board has a story... I'll save that for another day.                         
xo m

My daughter sent this via her friend on facebook... loved it.