Finally done (O:

Last week I finally finished my droomdekentje (charity quilt). I had had the top finished for quite a while, but somehow didn't feel like getting those layers together and machine quilt it (sound familiar?) I must say, it went quite fast and I even enjoyed the machine quilting. I quilted it in diagonal lines.



Then I want to have my stitchery BOMs finished before the end of the month. Gail Pan's was so much fun to make again! And I changed the Verandah View block a bit.

I also finished mini block 5 of Leanne's House and will put the whole block together today. So Jutta, off to block 2 (O: It is so much more fun to do this together with Jutta, giving each other advise and just knowing that someone is making it together with you, really wants you to work on it. Go over to Jutta's blog and see how she finished her block 5. Then you can also see what she did with her gorgeous strawberry cross stitch!

Over the past two weeks I received these siggies. These are from the Netherlands and Belgium.




I would like to share some flowers that are at their best at the moment with the beautiful weather we have.

This plant blooms only once in two years, I think, because last year it only showed its leaves.

And this is definitely my favorite flower! It has never had so many rose buds. My neighbors are very lucky too, because many of the roses grow their way (O:

And a quote that I really enjoyed reading this week and is so true:

Emotions fuel memories. Memories fuel emotions. Choose what you want to remember each moment. It’s a quick and powerful way to shift perspective and can change everything.

- Kim Allen

Take care!

Swap, bag, heart and shoes

This week an envelop arrived from Sarah, with whom I had my second swap. It wasn't due until June, but she told me not to argue with a pregnant woman...
Look at the lovely little purse she made and the pretty needle punch. Thank you so much, Sarah for all the loveliness (O:
I will post my swap for Sarah, as soon as it has arrived Tasmania.



On Sunday Laura and I went to the Stoffmarkt-Holland in Aachen. They had some lovely fabrics there. We both admired the movie star fabric, so I decided to make a simple bag for Laura with it. On the picture, the button is still missing, but I have put on a black vintage one by now, which I found in an old handcraft shop in Tongeren, Belgium.
Laura only recognized Marilyn Monroe, so I am learning her the names of the other stars.



For two special people, I made this little heart from the pattern Dzintra gave me a while ago.

Laura and I both needed new shoes. I guess you can see that the purpose for the shoes is very different. I just love the contrast!

This week I have also been working on Leanne's House quilt that I am making together with Jutta. She made the lovely header of my first three mini blocks.

And I have also been working on a little something for a blog friend who will soon have a baby. Still waiting for the little one to be born, so I can finish it!

A lovely week to all of you with lots of sunshine, happiness and many smiles!

This and that

Today I had the feeling I had to make something for myself that I could finish within a day. So I finally made Leanne's thread holder, that had been on my list 'pretty things I want to make' for a long time. I needed this little holder, because while stitching, my threads can be found everywhere. Thank you Leanne, for this great tutorial! It was really fun and fast to make (O:



Then, for a swap I want to make a tote bag, but I had never made one before. So on Sunday I looked for some happy sunny fabrics and made this one with the tutorial by Sarah. It's a very good one and I made this in no time. I never knew making a bag could be so much fun!

I received two more lovely siggies, one from Marjo and one from Anja.

And to my jelly roll Objects of Desire I bought this gorgeous panel. This one really makes me happy! Now I will have to decide how I will use my jelly roll and this panel for a quilt. Any suggestions?




Last Saturday Ger and I had a day off for the two of us. We went to Alden Biesen, where we took a walk through the blooming nature. Here some some impressions:

Kasteel Alden Biesen

The beginning of our walk



Poortgebouw

One of the quotes that reached me this week I want to share with you, as many of us seem to forget this:

"To a happy person, the formula for happiness is quite simple: Regardless of what happened early this morning, last week, or last year - or what may happen later this evening, tomorrow, or three years from now - now is where happiness lies." - Richard Carlson

Happy days to you!

Leanne's House

Yesterday was Koninginnedag. It is the day we celebrate our queen's birthday. What should have been a happy day ended in a terrible tragedy, with seven people killed and two more severely injured. Children were injured too. What goes through people's heads, when doing something like this?
But I still wanted to show you the inspiration Konigin Beatrix gives us. My sister, who teaches 3rd grade, gave her class a coloring picture and look at the wonderful results. If my sister had said she had made this picture in a museum I would have believed her!



A while ago I visited Gaby's blog. She was making this gorgeous Sunbonnet Sue quilt. I couldn't help myself making this for her. The pattern was designed by Ria Lanser, who started a pincushion club. I wasn't going to join it, but what she makes is so much fun, easy and fast to make, that I couldn't resist.

And this is the pincushion I made for Jutta and me, the flowers taken from Leanne's House quilt, I think it is block 2.

And today Jutta and I finally started Leanne's House quilt. We were really looking forward to it! I started cutting the first three mini blocks of block 1. The pattern is very well described!

Lyn at Bluebird Quilts is having a blogaversary giveaway! She made a lovely welcome hanging, has a very cute angel bunny and has added some check squares. She is inviting everyone to join the fun!

For those of you who are stitching Verandah Views by Cheryl at Willowberry Designs. Her fifth block is out and gorgeous once again.

Jenny at Elefantz has her third block ready to download for the Shabby Roses BOM. It is very pretty. I will be saving it for another time.

And a good saying to end this post:

"Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout."
- Morihei Ueshiba

Have a lovely weekend!