Welcome Little Ari!

Mormor and Ari!
Originally uploaded by *Mormor*

Dear little Ari was born this past July to our daughter and son-in-law in Canada. He is the second of our three darling grandsons and a little brother for Axel! He has just turned six months old!

Amy Butler Pincushion

Amy Butler Pincushion
Originally uploaded by *Mormor*

Just a little project...I was using up some scraps and thought they would make a nice little gift item! They are 2.5 inches square and are embellished with beads! They're also on my Etsy site!

www.maryannscreations.etsy.com

Patiently Waiting??!!

This weekend, I've been busy working on a welcome-quilt for our baby grandson who is due any day now! I'd like to say that I'm waiting patiently, but that wouldn't be quite truthful! Sooooo....I've been in the sewing room, trying to keep my mind occupied! I pieced a little Zoo Quilt for the soon-to-be new arrival in some bright colours which are supposed to be good sensory stimulation for babies! Didn't have a pattern, but thought I'd start by framing some cute prints with the brights.


Well, the blocks started getting away on me and before I knew it, the top was beginning to out-grow the batting and backing! Hmmm........change of plans!!! So, I had to bid farewell to the wider blue sashing I'd planned on ending off with and will now just use a narrower strip of blue for the binding! Oh, well!! I think this will be ok in the end!I got it sandwiched, basted and am now starting the hand-quilting process. It's going quickly and should hopefully in the next few days!!!

Stay tuned for pictures of the finished quilt...and of course, the new little wee one! Have a great day!!

Mary Ann

Sweden Here We Come!!!

Well, we've just returned from a fantastic trip to Sweden and are still on Cloud Nine after a great holiday! We loaded up our two dogs, canoe and camping supplies and headed out into the great blue yonder!! We had no definite destination in mind, only that our travels would involve Sweden, a remote setting somewhere by a lake, a few good books for my husband and some prepped quilt work for myself!! The makings of a wonderful vacation!! After arriving in Småland, we paddled out to a remote island on pristine Möcklen Lake near the town of Älmhult. There, we set up camp and ended up doing some day-trips in the canoe, as well as just relaxing around camp. We were also graced with the presence of a nearby eagle's nest, where we could watch the parents feeding fresh fish to their young. Absolutely incredible!

The above picture depicts our crossing of the Øresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden. Also, our shiny new canoe!!!

Did someone ever say that quilting and the great outdoors don't mix??!!! Well, here I am, just loving to stitch in this natural environment! Listening to the wind in the trees, the song of the birds and the water lapping against the stones on the beach was wonderful. And at the same time being able to express my creativity...well, it's pure solace for the soul. Life just doesn't get too much better!!!

Here I am working on G8, the Dear Jane block called Justin's Comet. It's block number two on my second Jane Stickle quilt, which I am calling "Jane Meets Kaffe"! On this block, I'm using a pinky/red Kaffe Fassett fabric for the pattern, with Kona Snow cotton as the background. It was fun to piece! I also finished sewing several "Siggies" for the European Swap I'm involved with. I embroidered some designs on them and just have to sign them now.

I wish everyone a very happy summer and hope that your holidays are truly memorable! Happy Quilting to you all!!

A Walk in the Country Side...

Beautiful gray skies in contrast with the ripening grain, made me stop and snap this picture the other day! We've been having quite a mixed bag with regards to our weather lately here in Denmark! After two months of drought, there's finally been some rain for the thirsty fields! Not to mention thunder, lightning and some occasional gale-force winds!!

Right now, the poppies are blooming amongst the golden grain in the fields. A beautiful sight, here in the hills of Sjælland near our home. I always think of the poem, In Flanders Fields, whenever I see these gorgeous flowers. Memorized when I was a young child in school in Canada, John McCrae's poem is a tribute to all of the soldiers, Canadian and Allied, who served and died on the battle-fields of Europe.

Here's a few of my own flowers I stitched today. They're for a siggie which I'm sending to an internet quilting friend in Scotland! I usually stamp my siggies with permanent ink in different colours, but today I felt like doing something different! Hope you like it, Elly!!! I'd better go sign it and pop it in the mail!!!

Last but not least, thanks to my dear husband for the beautiful flowers on my recent birthday! You are such a sweetie!! XOXOXO

This and That!

Yesterday, I opened up the new copy of Danish Patchwork Guild's magazine and was surprised to see a picture of some of my work! I occasionally sew display items for the local patchwork shop, Slotshuset, and earlier this year, I made some little critters from Melly and Me designs. Shown in their ad, are Mrs. Perkins the giraffe and Pocket and Floss, a sweet little rabbit-couple!! They were such a pleasure to sew...I also loved using the brilliant-hued fabric of Kaffe Fassett to create with! It makes me soooo happy!!

I'm stitching on my Mom's flannel blanket these days. I'm doing it in the Yellow Brick Road pattern and using these yummy Moda flannels by Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Designs. I just need to assemble the blocks and start the quilting process. Stay tuned for pictures!!

Last but not least, if you have a minute to check out Lynette Anderson's blog, you can enter to win a very dear little stitchery pattern in redwork called a Trio of Greetings! Good luck and have a wonderful weekend!

Anybody Out There...?????

Well, it's been such a long time since I posted....I hope there's still a few faithful readers around to read my ramblings!!! Lots of things going on in my life, but I've still found time to sew a few projects....just not posting any pics of them!!!

Anyways, the garden's been just wonderful! We've had very hot and dry weather the past few months, so things are growing really well! A touch of rain would be nice for the plants, though!

Hmmm....let's see what's new!!!

I've finally been working on my Truly Scrumptious blocks!! These are so much fun to stitch!! I must confess that I love switching from project to project and these blocks are a nice break from sitting at the sewing machine! It's also been so relaxing sitting in the shade out in the backyard and indulging in a little embroidery!

I also just received two new Cinderberry Stitches patterns... Fresh Breeze and Tea Party For Madeline. I like to order from my favorite internet shop called Be Sew Whimsical. Darlene has a great selection of patterns and her customer service is fantastic!!! I totally recommend her!! Here are my two new patterns along with a beautiful new Fat Quarter for my collection!

This is my little Tulip Table-Topper I made this spring, too. It's hand-pieced with various batik fabrics from my stash. I had bought the pattern a couple of years ago and thought that now was as good a time as any to complete it!!!

Well, I'll sign off for now and see what I can come up with for my next post!! Have a great day!

More Tulips!

I was in Copenhagen yesterday and couldn't resist taking a picture of this fantastic flower market! Orange everywhere!! Of course, I couldn't resist buying a bouquet of tulips, either! Flowers and fabric...I truly believe that those are my two biggest weaknesses!! Ok, so I forgot yarn!!!

 














I bought three skeins of this lovely angora yarn in a wonderful little shop called Sommerfuglen. It's situated in the old inner-city and carries some beautiful and unique yarn brands. I'm making a little neck-warmer scarf and I'll probably use a brooch to fasten it off....I have lots of antique finds in my jewelry box that would be just perfect! The pattern is just a simple crocheted shell stitch, which should work up quickly! Our spring may be early, but the winds can still be chilly!

Here are Pocket and Floss, some sweet little rabbits designed by Melly and Me of Australia. I made them for display in our local quilt shop, Slotshuset Patchwork. They were really fun to sew and I hope to make a pair for myself!!! Maybe before Easter arrives! We'll see!






Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to wish our little grandson, Axel, a VERY HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!! We love you, Axel! Have a wonderful day!! Love from Mormor and Morfar!! XOXOXOXOXO