Before and After

Okay we've been very busy with home improvements lately. And by the way, what is it about home improvements that make you want to do more and more? They are very addictive. I have SOOOO many plans still. . . but here is the kitchen before. (Notice the horrible clutter.)

We painted the cabinets, walls, and ceiling, replaced the cabinet hardware and did a backsplash behind the stove AND threw away about 2 tons of clutter. Now we have to tile the floor and do something with the countertops. . . Gotta give a close up on my backsplash. I designed this. Had to do a quilt block you know. The Terra Cotta colored tile is what will be going down on the floor.
Notice the border on the other side of the wall in my after picture. That's next! As is that ugly brown carpet. Coming up! But tile in the kitchen first. The list just keeps growing. Home Depot and Lowe's have so many cool things. Have you been there lately?

Now for some quilting pics. The blocks in this quilt were made by my husband's great aunt. His grandmother gave them to me and asked me to put them together and quilt it. Voila!

This quilt is for a coworker who is having a granddaughter. Hope she likes it!

Here is the back:

And a commissioned quilt. This is for St. Nicholas school. The students drew on squares with fabric markers. Those are the small squares surrounding the school t-shirts.

Awesome fab giveaway

Kerri is having a great giveaway on her blog. Some yummy fabrics. Check it out here for a chance to win.

Knitting, Quilting and Birds. Oh My!

I am trying to teach myself knitting in the hopes of someday making my own socks, among other things. So I bought a book, some needles, and yarn and started with a wash cloth. And look. . . stripes!!

I'm so impressed with myself. Now you knitters extraordinaire out there won't think a think about this I'm sure but I'm just so thrilled that I actually did it. I'm now lost in a knitting dream of striped socks and beautiful sweaters, caps, etc. Reality is beginning to set in though. I started a hat for my daughter. Hmmmm will it ever fit her head? That remains to be seen. But I did finish the dishcloth.

Meantime I have finished another t-shirt quilt. This is for a coworker. She is giving it to her son and his fiance who met at Auburn and are to be married in another couple of months.

Now for the birds. I found this family of bluebirds in our backyard. It started as one or two brave little souls coming over to see what that was I threw out for them (breadcrumbs) and before I was done I had counted five. I'm sure there are more. I'll keep waiting to snap their pics. I love birds.

Gotta give a shout out about this stuff!

I just got my order in the mail today for this unbelievable lotion bar. I love love love this lotion bar. I ordered the Blueberry and wow is it wonderful. Quickly absorbing and does not leave a greasy residue at all which is important when handling fabrics and fibers. My skin is much smoother and suppler (is that a word). And it's good quality natural ingredients. Can I say enough good things about this stuff? If you order between now and Valentines there is free shipping! I'm off to order more, now to decide between Cottage Rose and Blackberry Sage. . . hmmmmm.

you can find Lizzy Lane Farm here:

http://lizzylanefarm.wordpress.com/

And her shop here:

http://lizzylanefarm.blogspot.com/

And can I say something about this salve? RUN do not walk to your computer (okay guess you're already there) and order this stuff. It is amazing! I have a very bad burn on my hand from my iron and it was red and irriated around the area that had scabbed over (gross huh). It was also itchy. I began putting this salve on as soon as I got it and the redness/itchiness went away, the skin is smoothing out and the whole thing has vastly improved. I have burned myself more than once quilting (call me Grace) and it usually takes a couple weeks for a burn this bad to heal. This thing is almost completely healed in 3 days!!! Best news? This stuff is way more economical than anything I've bought before. A generous tin for $6?? 'Nuff said. Now my peeps, go forth and conquer. . er. . purchase.

No, I'm not affiliated with Lizzy Lane Farm in anyway. I just love finding good quality items & feel the need to share them with you. Hoping others will share their wonderful finds with me. It's a network of love Y.