Shabby Cottage Roses

I thought you'd like to see one of mom's latest stitched pieces.  This is a hanging pillow with Shabby Cottage Roses:

I believe the embroidery pattern is from my collection of vintage designs.  I share with mom and I know she has some of her own so I'm not entirely sure. 

In other news, we're still looking to adopt a kitten.  We've checked with our vet's office numerous times and they haven't had any kittens come in yet.  We've checked with the various shelters in our area and to be honest, we're not thrilled with some of their policies.  Scott and I both feel that neutering a cat at 2 or 3 months old is just too young.  We understand why they do it and I'm certainly a firm believer in spay/neuter but that just seems too young.  It doesn't look like we'll have a choice though.

My vet's office called this morning and suggested that I check with Animal House Shelter in Huntley Illinois.  It seems that's the shelter they recommend so Scott and I will go there.  I've already filled out the adoption application and a lady called me just a little while ago to say that we've been approved.  So, sometime in the next couple of days, Scott and I will go up there.

It's very hard for me to do this.  Not to adopt a kitten but with so many that need a good home, it's just hard.  And quite frankly, I wouldn't be doing this if Garfield and Simba were still here.  I guess I can't think about adopting another kitty without thinking about them.  But I can't have them back so we have to give a new baby a good home.  I'll keep ya'll posted.

Crazy Quilt Blocks for Christmas Ornaments

I finished up the 3 crazy blocks I was working for Christmas ornaments.  Well, I finished the stitching but I still have to sew them together:

This one took me a little bit longer than the others because I did the tatted Christmas tree myself and then sewed it on and beaded it.

 I also did the tatted lace myself on the blue block.  I have a ton of vintage tatting but I like to do my own now and then so I don't forget how to do it!

And then here's the one you saw the other day:

I have these pretty little ornaments to hang from the point at the bottom of these pieces.  I found them at Michael's before Christmas last year:

I had planned on sewing these together today but I don't think I can squeeze one more thing in.  Maybe I can sew them up in the morning.

Vintage Greeting Cards

I'm almost done with my 3 Crazy Quilt Christmas ornaments and will have some more photos to share over the weekend.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a pretty printable with you:

This image is from my personal collection of vintage greeting cards.  Just right click on it, save it to your hard drive and feel free to use it for your crazy quilts and other craft projects!

Crazy Quilt Christmas Ornaments

I got a little too close with the flash on this piece, but I was looking for a few small things to stitch and decided to do a couple of Crazy Quilt Christmas Ornaments:

I stitched this up last night and started another one this morning.  They will hang on the diagonal like I've shown here in the photo.  I have some little bell like ornaments to hang from the point.

I like to keep a drawer of "ready to stitch" blocks on hand.  Sometimes, I'll take a day and just sew a pile of things and then put them in the drawer.  That way, if I don't have time to sew a block, at least I have some things to stitch on.

Cottage Beach Seascape Bowl Fillers

I have some finishes to share today.  First, my Crazy Quilt Bird Pillow is done and it's so pretty!

I love the soft, wide cream colored lace that I used on it.

And my Seascape Bowl Fillers are done:

Everything is included except the bowl!  The Crazy Quilt Pillow, the seashells, the faux pearls and the hand dyed cheesecloth for lining the bowl!

Maria had asked me how I made the anemones.  I confess, I did not make those.  I'm fortunate to have a home decor store give me their outdated fabric and trim books.

So my anemones are nothing more than little tassels!