Friday, February 20, 2015

The birth of a little bear.....


A wish was fulfilled when I took a workshop in bear making this month with Wilma. We arrived early and started on our bears full of expectations. First we choose our fur and traced the pattern. Carefully the fur was cut being sure to keep as much of the bear fuzz as possible in tact as we cut. I was so excited to see the bear's head. 


We started sewing the pieces together on a real Singer featherweight. How fun to use this machine! 


Lunch breaks sustained us as we worked.


Our first day of the workshop was over so quickly and we were so excited to give our bear heads their first drive home. They already had so much personality.....


Two weeks later...my homework was done and my sweet little bear was ready to go back to the workshop to be finished off.


It was quite an operation. My little bear got his eyes followed by legs and arms attached. Then came the excitement of stuffing him. He was almost there. He only needs a nose and mouth and paw markings. 


At the end of the second day, little bear was officially born. He and his brother happily posed for photos.....


Enjoyed their first time in sunshine......


...and Usdi Yona (Cherokee for little bear) came home to keep me company. I smile each time I see him. He sits here on my desk talking to me as I blog. 

Thank you Annemieke for giving Wilma and I our first bear workshop. For sharing your expert knowledge of bear-making and for your hospitality!

Heidi and Yona

P.S. - Thank you all so much for the comments on my previous post on my birthday quilt. 

Thursday, February 12, 2015

A year older and a quilt richer.....


A year ago on this very day I turned 50 and started my jubilee quilt. Today a year has passed and I have a lot to be grateful for in life and much to look forward to. My jubilee quilt is finished and hanging in my living room as of yesterday. 


I spread out the work on this quilt, appliquéing my hearts throughout the year and in various and fun places. From sewing while in traffic jams to being on vacation these heart blocks hold memories. The last heart was appliquéd with a different fabric than the others and placed in the bottom left hand corner since I am left handed. 

The quilt was actually done a month earlier but I waited until the last day of my 50th year to sew on the quilt label which is when a quilt is really finished to me. I love The Bronte Sisters but especially Emily so choose a quote from Wuthering Heights to calligraphy on my label. 


So today, I am enjoying a relaxing day. Friends came by for coffee and pastries this morning. She even came in the house singing Happy Birthday to me in English. *grins* My husband and I are taking a walk in a local castle grounds and then having dinner out at a favorite restaurant this evening. 

This year, I have a goal of finishing 15 UFOs and this counts as the first on my list. 

Heidi