Reminder to Self

Wouldn't these make for wonderful applique leaves?

I'm creating this as part of my life and learning posts for quilting is one thing that I'm learning truly comforts me. It lets me be creative, expressive and quiet. I find comfort in the hum of the sewing machine and in slipping a needle through the edge of a quilt as I bind it's finishing touches. I find joy in the creation and gifting of quilts.

 Are you a parent to adult children? If so, isn't it a unique transition? I'm learning that in life, sometimes the only thing we can control is how we react to moments. It's rewarding and overwhelming all at the same time. I'm learning to accept and respect their decisions that may be different than our own. I'm learning to replace my own worries and concerns with faith and trust in how we raised our children.
Curious what parenting life lessons you may be learning along the way?

 As a nurturer, I'm admittedly learning how to not let my own emotions and energies overwhelm me during this transition.  I'm learning to take care of myself first and not my children. A weird, yet inspiring time  in my life that I notices actually helps them that I do this! I take comfort in knowing that I have and am doing the best I can. I'm reminded to be gentle with myself and not loose my own balance in life, when theirs falls out of balance.  I'm grateful, happy and proud of the life I created that includes: health, family, marriage to my very best friend, teaching, walking, and this wonderful hobby of ours.

With smiles,
Val:)

Sewing Cabinet Refurbished

Before

 After

THANK YOU for all your comments on my previous post. The wood of the cabinet was not in very good condition, so my dad decided to sand it down and restored it to "fit" into our primitive decor using a black satin spray paint. I love it so much that I decided to set it up next to a window in our diningroom. I plan to follow up on all your references and once I get the machine up & going I think this will be a perfect spot to start sewing my eye spy quilt. 

Meanwhile, the rest of my weekend will be spent enjoying a household of family. Umm...no body told me being a grandma meant rearranging all my lower kitchen cabinets! LOL!

Happy Weekend!

With smiles,

Val:)

Look what $15.00 bought me!

Treasure Find #1:

Hidden inside this case:

Was this:

For FIVE DOLLARS...and it works! 

All's it needs is a new light bulb and a belt: (ya think!)

Treasure Find #2:

Check out what's inside here: 

 Ta!Da!

 I seriously have no clue about either of these. (LOL!) But we were out garage sale hunting for a high chair and came across them. On day one, they wanted $100.00 for them both...by late Sunday afternoon...they were lined up on the sidewalk just waiting for my final return! 

And seriously,my treasure hunting didn't even end there 

as I found all this inside one of the drawers:

The best $15.00 I've spent in a long time don't ya think!?

I can't wait to research these and get them busy sewing. I guarantee future posts. But in the mean time, if you have any websites you would recommend me to use to start my research, please do leave them in the comments, I'd be sooo appreciative. Linking up with my blogging buddy Marianne at her linky: Thrift Thursday and a few other linky parties that are on my "party" page. Check them out.

With smiles!

Val:)

Tuesday Archives #15: Displayed Quilts & Diamonds!

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<a href="http://myplvl.blogspot.com/" title="Val's Quilting Studio"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh-z8MMZ2VMG5eOk3VAQbw4e7l-v0gQQ1yBZyyvmagoeIAeuGX8qww-6JOmIkrtcFvNzCZEAkhaLp1oXC05Jlr-kIGufJ_gRTv3B7C0SVcKnPPa5aeQJUlvX65bsV-8ikQJ2KSxwSCDo8/s1600/Untitled2.jpg" alt="Val's Quilting Studio" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Welcome to the linky party that let's you rejuvenate your old quilting/sewing posts! I'm so glad you stopped by as this week is all about sharing how we Display our Quilts and well, Diamonds, a girl's best friend!

DISPLAYED QUILTS: 

My husband made me this ladder last summer to display some of my quilts.  It's perfectly located in our livingroom where quilts can be easily grabbed as we gather as a family and chat. This theme is all about quilts displayed in your home and perhaps ones you've even displayed in a show and/or exhibit. Please feel welcome to share them all...

DIAMOND PATTERNED QUILTS:

My copy of this February issue has a few sticky notes throughout, as I want to make a Diamond Medallion quilt like this one day. I've been seeing Diamond quilts popping up all over the place and I'm not sure if it's because I've been busy admiring them or if they are hip right now...never the less...please do share your Diamonds with us! 

Stash Busting with my Mom!

In January, this pile of fabric did not make my 2014 Goal List. I originally bought this as a kit about two years ago to make this basket pattern for my mom. The colors are beautiful and favorites of my mom. But, as I have progressed as a quilter, I realize I do not like detailed patterns like this, so the fabric has sat.

Well, my parents are visiting for two weeks and yesterday found my mom and I "relooking" at  this fabric. After searching through patterns and with the help of her cocker, Amber, we choose to make these into a simple chevron pattern.

After almost an hour of us saying: "Move that pink one there, and that brown one there"....we were both very pleased with the end result and I can't wait to get cutting.
(After I get my  dad's twister flimsy quilted that is!)
Mom and I certainly having fun playing with fabric!
With smiles,
 Val:)