Friday, January 23, 2009

All the little pieces....

.....are stitched together.



I've been stitching every spare minute I get and am having such a fun time of it. I love all the vari-colored pieces and how they look together. I am still not completely done with the crib quilt because I need to order some of my favorite batting and then decide whether or not I will machine quilt, hand quilt or tie it.....


click picture to enlarge

....but I did finish this valance that includes the embroidered blocks that I had at first intended to be sprinkled in the quilt. Daughter-In-Love had the great idea of making a valance with the blocks, and together we brainstormed about how to add the bitty blocks in with them. I am thrilled with the results and I only wish I had another valance just like it to put on my own window in the Workshop.

We've had a nice 10 days worth of January Thaw here in the North. A January Thaw is exactly what it says....it gets unseasonably warm (in January, of course) and all the snow and ice melts down until there's almost nothing left but brown dirt and brown grass and ugliness. People wash their cars and take their motorcycles out for a ride and act like it's spring when really, they know better.

But here we are today, back to Regular January when it is very cold and it snows and the mud turns into hard mud. There's thick frost on my window panes again and the temps are dipping below zero again, but hey! it is wintertime after all and so I am not complaining. I kept repeating to myself when I was taking my walks in 40-50 degree temps, "Enjoy this now, Jody, because it's not going to last." I really did enjoy those nice days, but I didn't get my car washed. Dang it!


January Thaw...I told you it wasn't pretty.



Look who's been visiting my backyard along with the Black-capped Chickadees.
A Downy Woodpecker.

20 comments:

  1. Hi Jody!
    The quilt and the valence are fabulous. I love all the pieces together. We just don't experience a proper winter here in Southern California. The photo of the bird is so nice...
    I'm glad you take joy in where you are and the seasons that are allotted to you...

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  2. Beautiful! I love it. WOW! I love it too! Wonderful work girlie!
    THe black capped chickadee is so neat!
    Sounds like we have the same weather.;)

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  3. Jody, both the quilt and the valance are truly wonderful. I like everything about them.

    We've had quite a bit of fog in our area lately, and so the weather has been feeling damp, even though it hasn't rained.

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  4. That is one of the cutest little valances I've ever seen! Beautiful handiwork! And the quilt too.

    We're in a thaw right now - thanks for the reminder to wash the car :)

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  5. I love your quilt and valance. Must be for a special little somebody? I brought my sewing machine along in the RV and am definitely getting some quilting done. It feels so good as I haven't had a chance to do anything for almost a year. What a feeling of satisfaction. Your January thaw was much more productive than ours was. We're currently in New Mexico, but I speak with my daughter back in Minnesota every day. Even after our thaw we've still got lots of snow on the ground so consider yourself fortunate. At least you get to start over - we just have to pile up more!! Happy Saturday!!

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  6. Jody,

    Oh how I love these and what a treasure for little grandangel to keep for many years (and maybe pass on!). When you described the valance I couldn't quite picture it but it really turned out so cute! BTW, I love warm and natural batting. I used warm and white for my flower pounding and it quilts up so nicely.
    Don't forget to label it for your sweetie!

    Joyce

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  7. Ellen,
    Thanks for the compliments. It wouldn't be "proper" for you to experience a winter like us. So don't even try. Just enjoy the nice weather for me.

    Debbie,
    I guess we probably do have the same weather....Alaska is similar to ours. Cold. The bird pictured is the Downy Woodpecker, but the chick-a-dees are always close by.

    Mrs. Staggs,
    I'm so glad you came by and thank for the sweet comments. Fog sounds wintry too.

    Island Sparrow,
    Did you get your car washed yet? Our cold is moving your way!

    Lena,
    Yes, the quilt and valance are for my grandgirl. Well, being from MN, you know all about winter. Enjoy NM and your quilting time.

    Joyce,
    Thanks for mentioning to label the quilt. I'll do that.

    Clarice,
    I'm glad you like the fabrics and how it came together. I guess when you put so many fabrics together, you're bound to please somebody.

    Cowpies and Mudpies,
    I'm glad you stopped by. Thanks!

    Jody

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  8. Beautiful pictures Ms. Gumbo. And I love LOVE the new quilt and valance -- the colors, fabrics, and embroidery are just adorable!

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  9. Beautiful quilt and valance for your grandangel. I'm guessing she will save it for her own children. I'm getting some quilting time in too, as we sit here in Florida. We to are from Minnesota, where Lena is from, so we're enjoying the warmth of Florida!

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  10. Jody, your quilt and valence are so pretty! I love the vintage, creative, colorful, and inviting effect. Great job!!!!!

    :) LaTeaDah

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  11. Very pretty. I love embroidered things. I've passed along an award to your blog, which I really enjoy reading.

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  12. Fabulous job on all your creations! Have you thought of doing a stippling or meandering machine stitch? I imagine it's going to get lots of use so something sturdy. I personally wouldn't take all the time hand quilting it. The stippling is kind of fun to do.

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  13. HI Jody! I love the quilt and valance! So very vintage looking!

    We may finally be getting some real winter weather soon here in Delaware... the whole country's had snow, and we've just had rain and flurries.

    Kim :-)

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  14. oops Jody, sorry about writing the wrong bird down.

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  15. Oh, I love your crib quilt and valance, Jody! So cute!

    We've had amazing weather here. Lots of beach days where a t-shirt was warm enough all by itself. It's been something of a gift. Cold today, though, but we walked the beach anyway.

    And I haven't washed my car yet, either. :-)

    Susan

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  16. Jody, the quilt looks so beautiful. What an heirloom to give your grandbaby! We have freezing fog over here, the kind that makes your hair wet and soaks through your coat...I quite like it though.

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  17. That quilt set is just adorable! A step back to a simpler time.
    Keep warm.

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  18. The valence...I remember when I saw it back when this post was new...so dear! All your visual offerings are lovely. Thank you.

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