Project Linus

I took the day off because it is Stephen's birthday. Not that I knew what that meant when I woke up this morning, I just knew I couldn't go to work. Since his death, I can't focus or plan anything. Finding meaning in the loss of a baby is totally impossible but I just did not want to waste this day wallowing in my own sorrow, I've done enough of that on most other days. I wanted this day to be a positive remembrance of this most important day.

I had ordered altar flowers for church in memory of Stephen, and I planned on planting a bush in memory of his birth. But it all felt sort of superficial, like some common thing that everyone does whether it's meaningful or not. I did it anyway, I found a beautiful blue butterfly bush. It was something that felt good to do, but at the same time I couldn't imagine myself planting a bush every year on his birthday. I guess I really wanted a tradition I could continue in memory of him.

So I fidgeted and surfed the net for nothing in particular. Of course all I usually want to do is sew on my off days as sewing is therapeutic for me. Before I knew it, I was surfing for baby quilt patterns. And that's when I remembered Project Linus. I looked them up and there it was - a reason to do what I love best - make a quilt. And I could do it in memory of Stephen and give it to Project Linus so a sick baby could have it. And I could do this every year. It was a perfect idea.

I was rambling and excited and ready to get started. It's perfect and how incredibly coincidental that I am a big Peanuts fan. It was like this was meant to be. I got started immediately. A review of a good pattern and a look at what I have on hand still meant a trip to the fabric store. I really enjoyed picking out such cheery fabrics. I got them home and put them in the wash machine immediately. While I waited for the laundry to finish, I read the instructions and prepared everthing to get started. In no time I had the top done. Since I machine quilted it with straight lines, that also went pretty quick. Before I knew it, the binding was on the edges and I was done.

My daughters really liked the idea and thought they might want to do the same next year, so a new tradition begins out of sadness and love for our little SIDS baby boy. I am so glad I took the day off.


With love,
Stephen's Grandma

Fall Craft Fair

Even though I had planned on doing two craft fairs this fall, as it turned out, I didn't get my booth money in quickly enough and the craft fair at my church filled up. But that's ok, it just meant I had more time to prepare for the next one. And that one was paid in full so there was no turning back. Plus it was at work so it was an easy decision.


The craft fair at work was meant to benefit the Alzheimer's Foundation. It was pretty successful for me and I am glad I had the opportunity to participate. I almost forgot how much hard work it is to pull this off but it was a great experience and pretty profitable as well. It was a nice "employee benefit".

When today came I was a little nervous even though I had done this years ago. There is something about having my hard work judged and sometimes rejected by customers that I find intimidating and I guess I take it too personally. I mean there are plenty of things at craft fairs I'm not interested in so I don't know why I take it so hard.


I set up my booth which was pretty stress free and almost relaxing. It didn't take me as long as I thought it would and I had plenty of time to enjoy the process. I think part of the reason was I followed a crafters suggestions and set my booth up at home first. I also did a lot of prep work including great signage and good packaging after the sale.


The craft fair took place from 10 am until 1:30 pm, not long but it was enough time to sell lots of stuff. I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to sell my items. I sold woodcrafts, tote bags, hand made dolls, and lots and lots of catnip toys. What fun! I had a great time and made some extra money in the process.

The hardest part of the day was taking everything down and packing it all away. It took me four trips to the car to get it done and I was exhausted when it was all over. Now it's time to list the rest on Etsy and get ready for the spring crafting events.


Until then, it's time to make some handmade Christmas gifts and get back to quilting.

Halloween Cover

For Halloween, I made a quilted pillow cover using a Thimbleberries design. I love fall colors so I really enjoyed making this, plus the Thimbleberries designs are wonderful as well.

A Warm Quilt

Jeff mentioned that we could use a new bed quilt. The weather was getting chilly at night and he wanted something warm and comfy. After some thinking I decided to take my pretty little beige, scraps and make a quilt. Of course, I did not have enough scraps to come close to queen size but the idea gave me a good sense of direction on what this quilt was going to look like.

Once I dug out all of my beige, off-white, ecru, flowery little prints I realized that some of this fabric was almost 30 years

old. The reason some of it was still around is that these prints weren't exactly favorites of mine, probably something I bought to fill in around prettier fabrics at one time. I was bound and determined to use every last bit of it.

I cut the squares into triangles and started to make the rows. Incorporating the old with the new was fun and I could very easily stick in the not-so-favorite fabrics and they blended nicely without making me cringe with dislike. It was turning into a lovely, soft, warm looking quilt.

It didn't take me long to complete it, I think the cooler temperatures were a signal that I wanted this one done soon as well.

Back to Craft Fairs

I finally took the plunge. I bought craft fair booths. Not one but two so I jumped in with both feet, I paid for a booth at my church craft fair and another at my work's craft fair. Now I'm committed to making lots of inventory. I just wish I had more time.


I used to do craft fairs regularly but I stopped as the kid's events seem to take over. Now that they are grown, I am excited about getting back to it. I have really nice display racks that Jeff built for me. So I scrubbed them so they are clean and ready to go.

The Friendship Bag

I found this tutorial on a blog called p.s.iquilt. It was so cute I had to give it a try. I used scraps from a wall hanging I made so I didn't have to invest in any new fabric (**rats**!). I think I am going to make a bunch of these. I am also going to try a larger version as a lunch tote.

Iron Cupcake and the Cupcake Apron

My daughter, Jen enters a monthly contest called Iron Cupcake. Each month there's a specific theme, such as liquor, savory, spice, fruit, etc. for each month.

During the last month that she competed the theme was vegan/gluten free so she made a s'more cupcake with flourless chocolate cake cupcake in a graham cracker crust with homemade marshmallow topping. They were delicious. So I made her this cupcake apron to wear at the competitions.

Good Morning Pillow

I love to go through the clearance buttons. It's like an adventure to see what I can find, and not just for the cuteness or the deals but for how they can spark the imagination. I found some Mary Engelbreit buttons for 50 cents and I had to make something to attach them to. The buttons are on the back and now they seem pretty boring compared to this design so I didn't bother to include a photo of the buttons, just the inspiration from them.