Farmhouse Kitchen

Farmhouse Kitchen

This fun little quilt features windmill blocks made from 2 1/2” strips. The watermelon red, burnished gold, black and cream colors blend together beautifully. A cream and red vintage print nicely frames the blocks. Backed in a cheerful apple print, the 24” x 30” size is great for a table mat or wall decoration. It's quilted on the diagonal with a swirling leaf stitch.

Speaking of kitchens, I've been doing some reorganizing in ours this winter. Now that the pantry is sorted again (how does all that stuff get pushed to the back?), I can find things more easily. 

I also pared down my unruly collection of plastic food keepers. Out went old stained and cracked ones, odd lids and sizes; replaced with new clear stacking storage containers. These new ones (Brilliance by Rubbermaid) are leak proof and have a lifetime warranty. We'll see. They do take up less space in the cabinet and refrigerator.

A side note on storage: I found the prettiest little storage bins last week at Dollar Tree and could not resist! They are PURPLE to match my sewing room walls. 

I bought several sizes to hold current projects and to replace the shoe boxes I had been using for scrap storage in my rolling cart. Cute, huh?

Life's more fun

when you're organized.

Free Spirit

Batik fabrics are high on my favorites list, so I tend to use them often. For this project, I chose coral, purple, navy, and turquoise, then added in small coordinating prints. Kite blocks, cut easily with an Accuquilt die, are fun and quick to sew. The light tan background is also used for sashing, giving the kites prime focus, with a few watermelon squares to tie them together. Borders are a neutral beige with a navy/coral pattern, also used on the back.

Free Spirit

It's a happy, free spirited quilt, measuring 48” square. The back features three flying geese blocks I had in my sampler box, set in a long center strip. I quilted with natural beige thread in a small serpentine stitch, 2” apart.

Those kites look ready for March winds and prettier days than today's rainy forecast. Our 5” of snow from last week is finally gone, along with those frigid temperatures. I did enjoy a couple of batches of snow cream but I do not like single digit temps. However, it is Tennessee; the weather turns on a dime.

“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly.”

~Lauren Bacall

Roses In Winter

Rose Trellis

Our cold snowy weather, along with a couple of power outages, has made for a challenging weekend. Although I do like snow, I'm glad I don't have to drive in this icy mess any more. One thing, though, I can't sew when the power's off, so I cut, sorted and organized scraps and cleaned the sewing room. And of course, I made a batch of delicious snow cream and read by the fire.

A few of my friends have already been wishing for spring, so for them I'm featuring a pretty little green, dark pink and black quilt which I finished back in October. Rose Trellis is 24” square, made up of flying geese blocks with 3 1/2” squares. Don't these cheerful rose prints bring a smile and a hint of spring to a cold January day? I used light green thread to quilt diagonal swirling wave patterns across the blocks, and a straight stitch to outline the green squares and triangles.

If the electricity continues to go off, I may have to convince my sweetie to start the generator, or convert my sewing machine to battery power. Maybe we can fix up his Granny's old treadle machine...she made plenty of quilts on it. Stay warm and cozy, y'all.

Memory

is the power

to gather roses

in winter.

~anonymous

Moondance

“Well, it's a marvelous night

for a moondance”

~ Van Morrison

What better way to remember the amazing supermoon than a quilted table mat? I used the 6” AccuQuilt circle die to easily cut the moons, then appliqued them onto swirling black and grey 9” squares. Keeping the fabric flat and ravel free was easy: I used iron on interfacing before cutting out the circles. For quilting, I double outlined each circle in grey. This 35” square would look great on a wall as well.

Moondance

January started out cold and frosty, so we have mostly stayed in. Mornings and evenings by the gas stove are relaxing and cozy. On the days we had to get out, I was thankful for heated seats in my Escape. 

Of course, we don't have to worry too much about getting cold around this house. 

I happen to have one or two extra quilts lying around.

Reflections And Resolutions

This new year started cold, with a low of 4 degrees this morning. Our electricity went out about 5 am. Although it was back on in an hour, I was very happy to have a gas fireplace and range. There was another good side to being up so early...we were able to watch a beautiful full moon setting followed by a brilliant sunrise.

2017 was a good year. There were a few challenges along the way but everything worked out like it was supposed to in the end. We went camping several times at Defeated Creek and Dale Hollow Dam. We spent a refreshing week at Island House Hotel in Orange Beach. We started eating healthier and walking at least an hour per day. Home improvement projects and hobbies kept us busy and we were never bored.

It was a stellar year for sewing! I scored big with fabric and sewing tool purchases. I completed a total of 58 sewing/quilting projects, the most ever since I started a sewing journal. Needless to say, I cherish the hours I spend stitching.

For 2018, I plan to continue living a quiet, happy retired life. I will stay on a healthy eating path and increase my walking time. There will be camping, reading, maybe another beach trip, and lots more sewing. 

I'll make an effort to give myself time to fully experience each moment, to linger instead of rushing. Laughter with friends and loved ones, lively conversation, and learning new things are on my list. Most importantly, I want to practice awareness so that I don't miss a thing.

Wishing you all a happy and fulfilling 2018.

May you revel in the simple pleasures of life.