Baby Quilts

 When I first started quilting a few years ago I had no table no chair and a very clunky sewing machine.  I sat on the floor and sewed.  I probably would still be sewing on the floor; however, my ever sweet and loving husband got me a table, a new sewing machine and he's always looking to see what else he can set me up with.  :)  It's so very wonderful to have someone that looks out after me.

My daughter's nickname is Ladybug and so I'm always looking for things I can add little ladybugs to.  This little quilt needs some border fabric and she'll be ready to bast and quilt.

Last year I made This QUILT for the Hands 2 Help charity.  I have one ready for this year too.  I'll show it soon.

Enjoying this stormy Florida day.  -Little Mama Hen

Triplets!

 Mama's Friend has a son who just had triplets!!  Can you imagine the sweet little blessings in that home!  Two Girls and a Boy to add to the two Boys that they already have!  What a wonderful family!  My prayers and blessings go to their sweet beginnings.  I sewed up three little baby quilts for the new babies and I'm going to do a couple of pillow cases for the big brothers.

 I drew a picture of an elephant and then cut him out and picked three different fabrics and used heat bond.  Then I did a little (not heavy) zigzag stitch for added security.

And of course what little girls quilt is complete without a few Dresdens.  :)  Oh how I love little Dresdens.

My niece's birthday is coming up and I made her a little zipper pouch and filled it with some goodies.  Oh how I love my little petunia, she's grown up into a beautiful young woman and she's a wonderful Mama.  I will always see her a that little three year old that I covered with petunia from head to toe one blissful summer so long ago.  

My heart is full of wonderful thoughts and hopefulness; spring had a way of doing that.

   Oh and if you're looking for some fun charity gatherings then head over to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and see what Sarah has going on with Hands 2 Help

-Little Mama Hen

Batik Petal Quilt

The weather here has finally taken a little dip.  It was 55 degrees yesterday morning and this morning too!  Love this weather.  It feels good to slip on a light sweater.  

In between Halloween festivals and decorating pumpkins I've done a little sewing.  I finished this bright little baby quilt.  I really love the back fabric.  I may go get some more.

I plan on attending more festivals and even eating a little candy and goodies this weekend. I read a quote this week that really was great.  It read, "If you have the power to make someone happy. Do it."  I love that.  It makes my imagination start thinking about what I could do to make someone happy and just that makes me smile.   Have a great weekend. April @Little Mama Hen

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Double Irish Chain and Some Fries

 Working a little on my Double Irish Chain today.  I'll give you one guess of what I plan on filling that white space with...Dresdens??  why yes!  I can't wait!

Of course, quilting always makes me hungry, but I don't always want sweets.  I often crave salt.  It's a good thing that I'm healthy with low blood pressure and good cholesterol readings, because I love some salt!  I remember when I was little kids use to talk about how they'd sneak a cookie or some sugar from the sugar bowl, but I always went for the salt shaker.  I'd just sprinkle a little in my hand and enjoy!  Anyway, I have finally just about perfected potato fries.  But I don't really fry them, I bake them.  I cut the potato into thick circles and then slice to make long chunks.  Leave the skin on!!  It's a great source of potassium!  I spray them a little with PAM and sprinkle them with some Emerils Chicken Rub and Mortons Season All.  I arrange them on a pan covered with aluminum foil and bake at 400 degrees for 45 minutes!  I like using Red Potatoes but you can really use any kind.  What do you cook when quilting?

Today was slightly cooler for us!  We were able to sit outside and enjoy the weather!  Hope your weekend is full of good weather, yummy food, and of course some good ole quilting.  :) -Little Mama Hen

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Dresden Star

 I love to make Dresden petals for a quilt.  They are so dainty, simple, and add such beauty to the quilt.

 Dresden petals are very time consuming and delicate, but oh how I love them.  This quilt top is nearing a sweet finish and it will be very hard to part with her.  I'm using the same technique/pattern that I used for my last Bloggers Quilt Festival Entry Here.  Of course, when the top is done, I still need to construct the back; I'll still have her for awhile.  :)

  

 I've been wanting to make a Double Wedding Ring quilt.  However, I didn't even now there was such a quilt called a Golden Wedding Ring!!!  I found a template on ebay and I'm so excited to get this little one started!!!  scrappy style of course!

It's raining a little here and somehow when it rains I just know that all is well and good. -April@Little Mama Hen

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Stepping Stones and a Sham

I love scrappy quilts.  I'm not sure why except that they are so full of color and every single one always turns out different.  With this Stepping Stone quilt I started out with 3 inch squares.  Half the squares were light fabric and half of the squares were a darker fabric.  I then cut 2 inch strips and switched between the dark and light fabrics.  Easy, fun, and very scrappy.  :)  A great element about this pattern is that you can make it square or elongate it into a cozy rectangle.  Mine finished at 43"x 61", perfect for a toddler or a throw on the sofa.     

I also finished another pillow sham for my cousin.  I actually painted the front and the back has a zipper closure.  It should fit nicely around a 20" pillow form (I only had an 18" form for the pic).

I hope that everyone is doing well and I'm hoping for a little cooler weather soon.  -April@Little Mama Hen.

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Pillow Shams and Snacks

 I've been working on a few pillow shams.

 There's a zipper closure in the back so that I can remove the pillow form and clean the quilted sham when needed.  And that's important when little ones scamper through the house.  :)

Of course, quilting always makes me hungry!  I have two fun snacks to share.

The snack on the left is a peanut butter bar.  Just mix 1 cup of peanut butter with 1 cup of Honey, stir until smooth.  Then stir in 3 cups of whole rolled oats.  Press the mixture into a pan and chill for an hour or so.

The snack on the right is fudge!  It's actually the recipe on the back of a package of Nestle Toll House chocolate chips!  So easy and unbelievably delicious!!  I omitted the nuts.

Fudge Recipe

Have a great weekend and make sure you eat a little fudge!! -Little Mama Hen

A Little of This and That

Quilt top for my Daughter

I've been having such fun this Summer doing a little of this:

Quilt Top for My Son

 And This 

And This (Lanyard Tutorial Here)

And This

 



And a bunch of This

Hope Your Summer is warm and sunny too.  April@Little Mama Hen

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Loving July

 I've been quilting and playing with my little ones and quilting and playing with my little ones and suddenly I saw some back to school signs at the store!  Wait!  No!  Already?  Then I remembered I still have plenty of time, stores just like to start their sales early.

One of the projects my kids have LOVED this summer is the good ole baking soda and Vinegar science lesson.  We added a little food coloring for some added fun and an artsy twist.  Just grab a baking pan and pour in some baking soda.  Grab an empty egg carton (make sure there are no holes)  and pour some vinegar in each egg cradle.  Add a little food coloring.  Give your kids an eye dropper or a teaspoon works too.  Seriously, they played with this forever.  :)

We also found an art project on Pinterest that was a lot of fun too.  Chalk in My Pocket was the website.  We used regular ole Elmers glue and a canvas board.

I've also been working on a couple of petal quilt tops.  They're so dainty and pretty.  :)

My Little Ladybug gave me a tiny, little plant for Mother's Day.  She had prepared it in her First Grade Class.  (She had an AWESOME First Grade Teacher!!)  She had decorated a styrofoam cup and she presented it to me with such love and pride.  My heart melted.  Actually, they make my heart melt on a daily basis, I love them so much.  It took awhile, but it bloomed!  so pretty.

Well, I hope your Summer is Lovely too. - Little Mama Hen


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Freshly Pieced

Busy Little Mama!

Is Summer busy for you?  Our Summer is flying by and we are having a blast!  I've had some time to do some quilting (believe it or not!).

Let's see...I finished another pillow sham.

And a couple of baby Quilts.

And I won a Layer Cake from the Hands 2 Help Challenge!  Moda's Oasis!  I'm thinking I'll make another quilt like This One.

I also picked up some fabric to start a pillow for my cousin.

Of course, other than quilting, we've been swimming, going to the zoo, playing outside, and running around with a 4 year old and a 6 year old!

One morning we found this cute, smiley, little guy working hard on his web.  It was amazing watching his expert artistry!

Hope you're having a great summer!! -Little Mama Hen

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Hands 2 Help Finish!!

Front of Quilt

Quilt size:  46" x 58"

Well, she's done.  And I hear a beautiful thunderstorm rolling in and laughter bellowing from my two little ones' room.  All is well and I look forward to packing up this sweet quilt and sending it off for the Hands to Help Challenge over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.   Thanks again Sarah for providing an outlet for us to give.  

Back of Quilt

I hope your Sunday is filled with blessings and laughter. -April @Little Mama Hen