Been Sew Busy!

2016 - the year I pledged to buy only the most needed fabric and to complete as many projects as I could.
And I've been pretty true to the pledge.
I've completed a number of projects, although there have been a number of new projects that have come up needed throughout the year in between those scheduled.
Larry and I were visiting a local quilt shop a couple of months ago - just looking(!) when I noticed a cute paper piecing pattern for a sail boat.  I've been wanting to brush up on paper piecing for some time since I was getting to be somewhat adept at it years ago.  So I bought the pattern. 
When I got home I found a note on Facebook that my niece is expecting a baby boy in February!  Perfect.
Little did I know that that pattern would cause me to break out in some pretty gnarly language!  Honestly, I felt like I was brain deficient as I struggled through making those little sail boats.  I would insist on sewing them on backward, or put piece 3 on before piece 2.  It got awful.  Larry would quietly come into the sewing room and say, "are you OK?"  And sometimes he would only be met with a growl.  But I got it done.

Around the border it reads "Sail, Sail, Sail Your Boat, Gently Out to Sea, If You See a Big Blue Whale, Invite Him Home to Tea."  In the top two corners are Mariners' Compass Stars and in the bottom corners are a tea cup and a blue whale.  I quilted it free motion on my Husqvarna Viking Ruby.

Next up, some burp cloths.  Made 11.

An embroidered shirt.

Some bibs with mylar under the embroidery to make it sparkle.
And finally, a shirt for himself and a shirt for his big sister!

And here she is, sweet Teresa...the youngest daughter of my baby sister.  Her Mama's picture hangs in my sewing room, and I felt her watching me make these things for her new grandbaby coming.  His name will be Lincoln Owen (the Owen a relettering of his Grandmother's name, Gwen.)  God bless him.