Friday, July 13, 2007

Stitching, Quilts & A New Puppy

Life has been fun the last couple of days. A new puppy in the house does that. Carly, in the picture with Rachel, is adjusting well. She is about the calmest puppy ever! It is in her breed. She will become very playful but will calm right down. I think I would feel comfortable putting a newborn baby on the floor with Carly in the room. I guess Keeshond's are not dominant, nor do they want to be. Perfect family dog. The only down side is a once a year "shed". She found her voice this morning and barked for the first time. We were outside for her morning potty and she got down, her chest on the ground, butt in the air, tail wagging and barked. She scared herself half to death! She runs like a deer and smiles like a fox. The kids adore her and I think it is a good mix. I have not been the best at picking dogs. Mostly little yappers who are hyper. Now you know why Sweet Hubby took 6 years before relenting to a new puppy.

After seeing so many beautiful pieces of stitchery on many blogs, I decided to pick it up again. I have learned that in the past I had been doing it all wrong, and it is not as easy as I remembered. I joined a stitchery swap and am freaking out!!! I need more practice! I started a series of quilt blocks (not the one shown) and was so excited to see a finished product on Joni's page. It will be the perfect "sit outside" or "take along" project, and I really have nothing in that stage. I have lost my enthusiasm for the flowers blocks on Charlottes quilt. With the Masterpiece block in progress, any other hand applique is daunting. Charlotte really wants to learn to stitch and I am afraid I will be making some phone calls to Linda on a regular basis for "instruction".
Don't you just love a quilt as a tablecloth? I do. Sweet Hubby does not, but he goes along for the ride.This is the only quilt I ever made for myself (and finished). It is called "My Favorite Fabrics". The name is self expanitory. While in the process of hand quilting, Zachary decided to "be a helper" and clipped some basting threads. An "accident" occured and he ended up clipping a piece of fabric. I committed no crime of child abuse, but appliqued another piece of fabric over the clipped area. My photography skills are not improving, but if you look close, you can see the patch on the reddish colored triange. Just another reminder that only God is perfect!
As I go to start my day, which consists of more puppy training, assisting Kyle in tying his teacher's quilt, keeping the little kids busy & happy, and taking some time to stitch on the lady, I will leave you with another view of my beautifully graced table. The children will be eating their meals at the breakfast bar today!!

17 comments:

Saska said...

I committed no crime of child abuse...
So glad nobody was "injured" over this!

I like putting a quilt on the table, but then my guys are always scared to use it. Maybe it'll make them a little more careful....maybe.

Sue said...

That quilt looks great on your table, no quilts on tables here, yet, Ruthie is NOT ready for that (and neither is her mama, who would be holding her breath for minutes on end!)

Knit-Wit said...

Beautiful quilt. You inspire me to start quilting again.

Libby said...

I love having a quilt on the table . . . after a horrible incident that involved a hand quilted wholecloth and an ink pen - I no longer use my favorites.
So glad that Sweet Hubby relented and allowed a puppy to join your family - let the fun begin *s*

Joni said...

You are so funny Bren. The quilt is beautiful and perfect in my eyes!

Lily Mulholland said...

Bren that's a lovely table cover (can't bring myself to say cloth, because it's so much more than that!).

And what a gorgeous little puppy. Let's hope she's a good one - oh and yes it is so funny the first time they bark!

Unknown said...

I love quilts on tables, but don't have one on mine.. Praying you and Zac feeling better and Carly too.

Jen and family said...

thanks for visiting my blog

Carly looks beautiful

U have been busy

I like the quilt on the table too

Rose Marie said...

I've never put a quilt on my table before, but what a cosy idea. Once, I cut a slash in a border that was just finished, and it is amazing what a little bit of matching fabric will hide. Cute puppy and they are such fun.

Andrea said...

Your puppy is so sweet. And your quilty tablecloth looks great - I too would make the kids eat at the breakfast bar !

TrainingHearts said...

Oh, I adore the quilt tablecloth and actually have never seen one. Oh....I want to learn to quilt.

Solstitches said...

The quilt looks so lovely on your table.
It must have taken forever to hand quilt!
Enjoy the new puppy. She looks really sweet.
Margaret

Unknown said...

The quilt looks adorable on your table. Good look training your puppy.

meggie said...

I love you wonderful table quilt.
It is so hard for children when they make mistakes. I see the fright on my little grandson's face, & I smile & say 'Whoopsie'. He relaxes & smiles back.

Rose Johnston said...

What an adorable puppy!!! how cute!!! love the quilt on the table....would be a great idea for our summer when we are all outside eating (then it will remain safe lol)....ur stitching looks great!!!

Wendy said...

Your quilt looks lovely on the table. My cat likes to sleep on all my quilts...so you can imagine why I wouldn't want one on the table.
Good luck with the new puppy.

In Pursuit of His Call said...

I will need to remember the breed of dog Carly is...I've never had a dog before, but I've always begged DearHubby for one...He said that once we're done having kids we can consider it...We have a few more years to wait, but I've been keeping different ones in mind...

I wish I knew how to sew. One year DearHubby bought me a sewing machine for my birthday...I made my maitron of honor dress, for my sister's wedding, on it and it turned out pretty good...However, I would never know where to begin in making a quilt. That is such a blessed skill you have and the quilt on the table is lovely:)