Tuesday, May 22, 2012

LATE SPRING CLEANING & FINISHING UP SOME PROJECTS

We have been able to finish up a couple of projects this week.  
Forever, I have been on a mission to outfit all of my base cabinets in the kitchen with sliding drawers.  And this week, Bob finished making the six drawers for the last two cupboards!  They are wonderful -- so much easier on this old back to access stuff.   The two base cupboards contained most of my good crystal serving pieces, vases, punch bowl/cups.  It was almost impossible to retrieve them previously without standing on my head.  And, of course, I couldn't put everything away without washing all of it.  Now, there are just 16 more cupboards to clean in my late effort to do some spring cleaning.
Also, on the agenda this week is to get the outside of the house and the windows all washed.  Yesterday, we took everything from our screened-in porch out on the lawn to scrub the winter dirt away!  We plan in the next couple of weeks to make a couple of changes on the porch -- so I'll wait until then to take some photos out there.

In my continuing effort to acquaint myself with my new sewing machine, I decided to make a quilted table runner.  In the past, I've always machine-pieced my quilt tops, but always hand-quilted the layers together.  With the new machine and all of its bells and whistles, I decided to try machine quilting.  This is my first effort.  It was fun, but I still prefer the hand-quilted look.  
Our table is 7 feet long so it took 28 'Courthouse Steps' blocks to make the runner.
Lot's of work planned for this week -- better get going!!!


I'm joining the following parties this week.  Please check them out for inspiration -- you won't be disappointed.
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Dear Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

14 comments:

Tammy said...

I would love to have drawers like that in my kitchen! Your quilt is beautiful! I also prefer to hand quilt. It is very relaxing to me. I am your newest follower. I hope you can visit me sometime too:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sally! Oh, I love your drawers in your kitchen. Your hubby is so good to be able to make these for you. I do have drawers in my kitchen and I do just love it. It makes life so much easier. Your runner is gorgeous and glad your going to town on your new machine. I've never seen that pattern before. Looks marvelous.
I'll be looking forward to seeing your porch.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Wild Oak Designs said...

I understand the hard work to make the table runner...and I have a new machine that my hubby got for me last Christmas (2010)...It does the free motion quilting, and I enjoy that immensely...it will never replace hand quilting, but it is fun....
You did a great job....
Nancy
http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

Marilyn said...

The sliding drawers are so useful! I'd be in real trouble if my table was 7 feet long...piles would only increase! But the table runner is looking very sharp! I finally checked out this week! So now it's full time work at home this summer. The yard is calling me now. Have a good rest of the week.♥♫

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi darling, what a sweet and crafty hubby you have. Those drawers are awesome, sure going to make life easier for you. Your runner is fab!!! Love, love love it.. Yes, my dear I made it to Briarcliff once again, when my shop grows up I want it to take on that kind of appeal. Mary Carol was there and I spoke with her briefly she is such a dolly. Looking foward to seeing the porch. hugs ~lynne~

Barbara said...

Looks like you and your husband are very talented. I just love your table runner. I wish I had the talent and patience to quilt. The colors you used are so beautiful.

Donna Wilkes said...

Came over from Funky Junk. I'm thinking you should loan your hubby out! Wonderful drawers. I have a ton of cabinets - none organized. I'm hopeless!

Distressed Donna Down Home

Sue said...

Hi Sally.....great table runner...I am actually finally making a quilt for my neighbor who is adopting a baby...don't laugh....I am ofcourse doing all all on the machine and there will be no quilting involved...just doing squares....batting in between the front and the back....maybe a border around the edge...but so cute with sock monkey fabric and stripes and dots and fabric with colorful buttons....I know she'll like it no matter how bad it comes....
And yes, we had to ship back to NYC by Fedex all of Miss B's Disney goodies....all 15 pounds!!
Daughter is taking her to the "Eloise" tea at the Plaza on Wednesday, which is her actual birthday...compliments of grandma and grandpa...

Lorrie said...

What wonderful drawers in your cabinets. I have a couple and think ALL lower cabinets should be equipped with them.

Your quilted runner is so pretty on your table. Great job!

eileeninmd said...

Your new drawers do look very nice and easy to use. I love the pretty table runner and your lovely table. I hope you have a lovely week ahead.

Rhondi said...

Thanks for commenting. It's nice to know someone Is still willing to read my blog. You have been busy and I love the kitchen sliding shelves

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

The drawers are fabulous. I love them. The runner is stunning. I use to do a lot of quilting, none any more, it is a ton of work and this pice is gorgeous. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Stephanie said...

I am green with envy over all those drawers. If they were in my house I could get a lot more stuff!

The Charm of Home said...

Your table runner is fantastic! Great job!
Sherry