Project Quilting 15.5: Wearables

For this Challenge, the projects must feature wearables- clothing apparel or accessories. Maybe an article of clothing repurposed into a quilt. Or an actual garment (clothing). When I began sewing, it was apparel and then costumes for the theatre stage {my BFA major in college}. As my grandchildren have gotten older, they prefer "store-bought" clothing, you know how that goes, lol.

Back to the Challenge. We can choose to make a quilt that is somehow representative of wearables. The project doesn't have to be a quilt though. My project is a little quilt that features Sunbonnet Sue and Suspender Sam. The patterns are from a book by Eleanor Burns {that I purchased many years ago} titled Sunbonnet Sue Visits Quilt in a Day®, ©1992. This little quilt is based upon Patricia Knoechel's wall quilt {on the book's inside back cover, titled Springtime}. Back in 2014-15, I made the full-size bed quilt for my granddaughter. Please continue reading for more info, and for comments.

Almost Amish quilt: completed!

Here is my finished Almost Amish little quilt. What another fun quilt-along hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts Blog. Be sure to visit the link party to see many more quilts. It is so fun seeing what colors and fabrics people chose, as no two will probably be alike. My little quilt has both dark and light colored solid cottons: burgundy, hunter, black, brown, slate blue, and white.

Amish children wall hanging quilt

Hello again. Pictured above is a wall hanging that I began nearly 3 years ago. This was when I was just learning how to quilt, lol. This pattern is from an older book that was purchased many years ago, anticipating to "one day learn how to quilt". The book is titledSunbonnet Sue Visits Quilt in a Day®, ©1992 by Eleanor Burns. Yes, the same book that my granddaughter's Sunbonnet Sue bed quilt was made from. This wall hanging {on the book's inside back cover} is titled Springtime, and was designed by Patricia Knoechel. It features an Amish boy and girl. She is hanging a quilt on the clothes line, and he has gone fishing. How fun is that? The fabrics are from my stash, all 100% cottons. The backing is solid white with hanging pockets in the top corners, and the binding is a dark slate blue color. Per the instructions, the machine quilting is stitch-in-the-ditch around the two main blocks. The children are both machine appliquéd. Measuring 18.50"X32.50", this wall hanging's batting is Warm N' White©. Please continue reading.

Spring Tidings Swap 2015

Hello friends. Recently I participated in the Spring Tidings Swap at Bumblebee Lane Cottage. My partner was Michelle of: Simple Pleasures Blog. Pictured above are the wonderful items that she sent to me: an 8X10 framed black rabbit on canvas, an Amish book full of whimsical Pennsylvania Dutch expressions and terminology, a cute book marker, a cross-stitched "Welcome" house with red hearts in a circular frame, a rusty tin can with a battery light candle and aged sheet music What A Friend, a little chocolate felt bunny inside a craft paper box, a burlap pocket with a black felt key decoration and full of red flowers, a navy checked homespun pillow with a cute blue bird appliqué, a small woven frame with a Springtime graphic inside, a patriotic heart-shaped craft box full of mug coasters, a ceramic blue bird, a ceramic white bunny, a word art wood plaque with the letters "Spring", a wood heart-shaped bowl full of painted white and pink Easter eggs, and a pack of chalkboard-looking word art stickers. Wow! All such great items. Sending many thanks to you Michelle. I absolutely love everything that you sent. Please continue reading to see what I sent to Michelle.

More scissor cuts!

Here is another Amish scherenschnitte, found at a local thrift store for only .50 cents. Yes, the same thrift store where I had found another scherenschnitte several months ago. How lucky is that? This one is small, 3 1/2"X4 1/2", and is framed in a pretty wood frame. Scherenschnitte is a German term that means scissor cuts. Notice that the cream-colored paper is cut-out to reveal the red and navy papers underneath for a two dimensional effect. The Bible verse is from Joshua 24:15, "As for me and my house, We will serve the Lord". This craft is often made by the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish people, and dates back to 16th century Germany and Switzerland. In the 18th century, settlers bought the craft to America. Don't you just love finding treasures like this?

Danice G.

Thrifty Thursday: old flour sifter and candy tin

It's Thrifty Thursday again. This time, I am sharing the vintage old flour sifter that was found at a local antique store for $4.00. The mechanism still functions, and some rust is present. It is stamped, "Foley Made in USA" on the front. How cool is that? On to our local Salvation Army store... where this Pennsylvania Dutch Amish Rum Candy tin was purchased for only $1.00 (no candy inside, lol!) So, the grand total spent on this trip: $5.00, a bit more than usual. Well worth the money, don't you think so?

~Winner of Simple Times Giveaway~

Good morning friends. Thank you to all who entered the Simple Times giveaway. Random Number Generator© selected #1, which is: Cindi of Cindi's Country Corner. In her comment, Cindi said that her favorite thing about Spring is, "... The thing I like best about spring is not being cold!" 'Will be emailing you in a sec, Cindi, for your mailing address. There are many new followers recently, and all followers are very much appreciated. Just think, 3 1/2 years ago this blog had only about 30 followers... Are you all enjoying some warmer Spring weather? Here in Alabama it is warmer but rainy with some storms mixed in. That is typical for this area during this season. Prim Spring blessings.

~Simple Times Giveaway~

Good morning friends. The Spring solstice in North America arrives on the 20th March, and to welcome that I am having a Giveaway. The theme is Simple Times, and the items are in the photo above: an Amish-style stump doll, a wood frame chalkboard with chalk, a double-stacked pin keep, 3 prim clothespins, a set of 4 homespun coasters, and a bag of Fresh Linen potpourri. This is one of my favorite times of the year. To be entered in this Giveaway, you must:
*THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*
♦ Be a follower of this blog via GFC, Bloglovin', or Linky Followers.
♦ Have an active, family-friendly blog that you have posted to in the past 2 months.
♦ Due to shipping costs, reside in the contingent USA.
♦ Comment on this post that you want to be entered.
♦ Tell us in your Comment what you love most about Spring time.
♦ By entering this Giveaway, you affirm that you have read, understand, and agree with this blog's: Privacy Policy/ Giveaway Rules. You may also left-click the post image for a smaller sidebar-sized image for your blog. Please link the image to this blog post.

The Giveaway will end on 03 April 2014 at 10 PM CST. The winner will be selected by Random Number Generator©, and announced on the morning of 04 April 2014. Prim Spring blessings, and best of luck to you all.

~Esther's new frock~

Good morning friends. 'Remember Amish Esther from a while back? My idea was to dress her in Amish-style clothing, but later decided that she actually looked more like an early American pilgrim. So, Esther now has a new more Amish-looking frock. I just "winged it" on the pattern. Green is my favorite color, so that's also a plus. The doll was made by: Cyndy at Crafty Stitchers- Etsy. Esther's original frock did not have an apron, and was a shorter length.

~Amish-inspired doll: Ravenwood Whimzies' 2nd Doll Challenge~

This is the Amish-style doll that I made for: Wendy's 2nd Doll Challenge last month. She turned-out 23" tall, and is named Amish Hannah. Continue reading to see another photo of Hannah.

~Thrifty Thursday: scherenschnitte~

This is a small 3.75"X 6.75" framed scherenschnitte, a German term meaning scissor cuts. The art form dates as far back as the 16th century in Germany and Switzerland. In the 18th century, new settlers brought the craft to America. Some of the Pennsylvania Dutch Amish people still make scherenschnitte. Isn't this one too cute? Across the bottom it reads, Loving hearts make a house a home. The cream-colored paper with the cut-outs lies over the burgundy-colored paper, forming a two dimensional view. This beautiful framed work of art was a real thrifty purchase for just .50¢

~Linking-up with: Ivy & Elephants' Link Party~