Sweet Canoes

Sweet Canoes

What a darling little quilt to decorate a girl's room!

Four crossed canoe blocks of cream, white, lilac and sea green are bordered with a floral print. Cutting was simple with yet another Accuquilt die. I use them nearly all the time now.  

Backing is a herringbone print in white and sea green. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, horizontally and vertically in a square/rectangle design. It measures at 22" square and right now it serves as a mat on my sewing table.

I used up some remnants with this one, but don't worry, I caught a fabric sale last week and ordered more.

Seaside Cobblestones

Nature's muted colors combined beautifully with large hexagons in this throw sized quilt. Light aqua, soft brown and cream prints made me think of a cozy beach cottage.  

Measuring 42" x 53", Seaside Cobblestones is currently draped across the back of my bedroom chair.

The AccuQuilt half hexagon die made sewing this one quick and easy with all straight seams. The backing and binding is a tan and white crosshatch pattern.

Free motion quilting was done on my Flynn Frame. I stitched large swirls with medium tan thread in each hexagon first, then removed the frame to decorate the borders. Small swirls and applique stitching finished it off with flair.

Until I can get a beach trip scheduled, I'll just retreat to our bedroom and dream of the ocean.

“For her 

the ocean was 

more than a dream, 

it was a place she needed 

to visit to find herself.

And when she returned 

to the city, 

you could see 

the sun in her eyes, 

the wind in her hair, 

and the taste of 

the infinite salt 

on her lips.” 

 ~Jose Chaves

Ho, Ho, Ho!

With only a week until Christmas, I couldn't resist posting one last holiday quilt. It's a fun one made to hang on the wall or use as a door decoration. The 20” x 30” size made it quick to put together; I finished it in an afternoon. 

I used white on white print scraps for the letters, with a bright red tiny print as background. Crisp black and white gingham frames it nicely. I stitched with white thread in straight lines just under an inch apart.

Just a few more items on my to do list, including pecan pies to bake, and Chex mix to make.

Santa's coming soon, so be good, relax, and enjoy the holidays!

Maple Syrup

I've been waiting to share this quilt until it felt more like fall. I mixed several dies to create four leaf blocks in rich autumn colors. 

Sashing is a coordinating vine print; backing and binding are a yellow and brown scalloped stripe. I quilted in straight lines with a creamy yellow thread. 

Maple Syrup is 27” square and could be used as a table mat or wall décor. It's hanging in my dining room now.

Autumn is a wonderful time of year. The crisp air is invigorating but relaxing. Brilliant leaves, cooler temperatures, hoodies, boots, camping, and fall festivals are my favorites. For the record, the pumpkin spice flavor craze in hundreds of foods and beverages is not for me. I love pumpkins as decorations but I can't stand the taste.

This year I plan to embrace the glory of fall by slowing down, taking it all in, and enjoying every moment. My life, my decisions, my journey.

autumn
shows us
how beautiful
it is to
let things go

Town & Country

Town & Country

Another week, another quilt. I designed this one to combine the formality of crisp black dots and stripes with casual retro prints in salmon and cream. Town & Country is constructed with elements from three Accuquilt dies. I sewed triangular side sections from the kite block to form a rectangle, then added a 2 ½” square and 4 ½” half square triangles.

Backing and binding features the salmon and tan print. Free motion stitching was done with tan thread in a meandering pattern. This throw, 44” x 54” in size, would make a charming accent for any room.

Today is Labor Day, and a holiday for most people. After retirement, holidays are sometimes just another day, but I appreciate one that honors workers. 

I wouldn't be retired if we both hadn't worked hard for 40 years and saved our earnings. Our parents and grandparents had normal jobs: farmer, carpenter, truck driver, plumber, salesman, office manager and retail sales. By example, they instilled in us the need to provide for ourselves.

America was built by ordinary people, from towns and the countryside, who labored to make a better life. I have no tolerance for lazy ones with their hands out who cry that they deserve more. To them I say: Don't be upset with the result you didn't get for the work you didn't do.

Here's to American workers, who deserve this day off because they earned it!

Without ambition one starts nothing.

Without work one finishes nothing.

The prize will not be sent to you.

You have to win it.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Corners

Today's quilt is another great way to repurpose scraps, or useful remnants, from other projects. I cut 3½” squares of cream homespun cotton, then bordered it on two sides with 2½” strips of mixed bright colors. Old fashioned cream and black print 5” squares were cut to alternate with those blocks.

Corners is a fresh vintage style version of the attic window pattern. At 41” square, it could be used for a baby quilt, table mat, or wall hanging. Backing is a tan and cream stripe with scattered navy and dark red triangles. Quilting in a light tan thread follows the angles across the quilt. I used Nature's Touch 80/20 cotton batting for a slight loft. Stitching on it was smooth and easy with a walking foot.

So many projects planned, and it seems like so little time! Yeah, I know I'm retired but we always have things to do and places to go. No boredom around here! There's something new around every corner.  I always try to enjoy the journey, whether I'm mowing grass, cleaning house, or sewing a quilt.

Life is short.

Time is fast.

No replay.

No rewind.

So enjoy

every moment

as it comes.

Summer Sampler

I'm back after a much needed break to catch up on a few chores. Being a carpenter's helper, housekeeper, lawn care associate, and home organizer is hard work in this heat. Not quite caught up, but I feel better now that my surroundings are neater and my to do list is shorter.

I did squeeze in sewing time to finish another project.  Summer Sampler is an adorable retro style table topper or wall hanging, made up of four different blocks in the same colors. The cheery red and blue daisy and strawberry print was my inspiration; I found coordinating fabrics in my stash to cut triangles and strips with Accuquilt dies.

Summer Sampler

The bright white tone on tone print is the perfect contrast, set off with plaid sashing. This cute 30½” square is channel quilted with white thread in a decorative zig-zag stitch. Wouldn't this brighten up the breakfast nook in a country farmhouse kitchen? It's for sale now on my Etsy site.

By the way, aren't those veggies pretty? Local farmer's markets are brimming with fresh produce right now. There's nothing like the rich mouth-watering flavor of Tennessee tomatoes right off the farm. 'Mater sandwich on white bread with mayo...mmmm good.

It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts

while eating a homegrown tomato. ~Lewis Grizzard

Poolside

Poolside

Now that our weather has warmed up, I want to share a quilt I finished in March. Poolside is 60” square, made up of lovely 12” sawtooth star blocks framed in white sashing. Pool green and navy prints accent the crisp white stars. It's a modern version of this tried and true nine patch pattern.

I used Accuquilt 4½” square and 2½” HST dies to cut the pieces, and 2½” strip die for sashing. Cutting and sewing was a breeze! The backing is made up of four large framed squares in the same navy and pool green colors. I quilted in a scallop stitch, 1½” apart with white thread.

I love this color combination for summer! Stay tuned for another quilt made with fabric left over from this project. The top is already pieced, but I haven't quilted it yet. There are just too many ideas and not enough time. I have four finished quilt tops waiting for quilting, and dozens of them designed in EQ8 begging to be made.

Project count is up to 18 for 2018, and it's only early May. What a challenge to balance my sewing time with house work, yard work (those weeds!), laundry, daily walks, camping and fun with my sweet husband. It's sunny today, so I need to get in a few chores before sewing.

Relax, unwind

get in a

FLIP FLOP

state of mind

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.

Fabric Jackpot!

Lawdy mercy, I have hit the fabric jackpot! On Friday, we went to a yard sale and found sewing supplies. I got a grocery sack full of assorted cotton material and a dozen zippers for $13, then headed home. Thought about what I left behind. Saturday afternoon, I went back and paid $50 for all the fabric she had left. Oh my, four huge boxes filled to the brim were loaded into the back of my Escape. Thanks, Mary!

What an awesome find! The majority is cotton, ranging from scrap pieces up to 6 yard lengths. The colors are beautifully varied, with lots of chevrons, dots, stripes, and novelty prints including a few Christmas and Halloween. I spent the rest of the weekend sorting, measuring, folding, and merging it into my inventory. I concentrated on anything over a half yard first. The grand total of quilting fabric from this big find so far is 147 yards! 

I haven't even counted the basket of small pieces. Those I will press and cut into strips, squares, and fat quarters. Useful Remnants indeed, perfect for scrap quilts.

I also haven't started to check out the last large bin of miscellaneous material. There's burlap, minky, cotton duck, upholstery pieces, flannel, knits and blends for clothing.

I will definitely have to reorganize my shelves. If you're interested in my inventory and storage system, link below for previous blog posts. One change I've made is wrapping the folded fabric around comic book boards (like a mini bolt) to keep it from falling over in the baskets. It has worked great for me, and doesn't take long, although normally I only have a few lengths at a time to document and fold.  The system certainly makes it easy to see if I have enough of a particular material and to find coordinating colors.

A friend told me she was glad I found the sale since I may have been in danger of running out. She knows me well.  I am sure of two things: I am addicted to fabric, and I never want to be cured. It is my happy place, so I am pretty sure I won't run out.  

For inquiring minds, 788 yards is my current inventory total, not counting the small scrap pieces.  That should keep me busy and out of trouble for a while.   

LINKS: 

Keeping Track: Inventory System

Fabric Scrap Organization

Love is 

not caring 

how much fabric 

your wife buys.

Rainy Monday List

What to do on a rainy Monday? 

✓  Sleep late 

     (thankful to be retired)

✓  Enjoy hot coffee and a good book

✓   SEW!

✓  Shop online

✓  Light housekeeping

✓  Make homemade soup 

     (I REALLY want brownies)

✓  Update blog

🌀🌀🌀🌀🌀

Some people feel the rain.

Others just get wet.

When It Rains, It Pours

What started out as a normal two week camping escape to Dale Hollow Dam somehow turned into a wild and crazy string of events. We are back home, safe and sound. We handled the stressful stuff well, didn't panic, and actually enjoyed camping. But, I don't think we will forget this trip.

Day one: on the way to Celina, the left rear truck brake got hot, really hot. When you're pulling a big honking 5^th wheel on a twisty, hilly two-lane road, this is not good. Got to camp safely.

Day two: Ordered brake parts at NAPA, only parts store in town.

Day three: Guys at NAPA were great, next day service. Jacked up truck and installed new brakes. Not many campers to observe our amazing work. It is quiet and peaceful here during the week.

Day four: If you're ever in Celina you HAVE to stop at Los Primos for excellent Mexican food. Their Chicken La Loma is the best I've ever had. Just the right amount of cilantro in the fresh salsa. And who knew that a small town Mexican restaurant has all you can eat fried catfish buffet on Fridays? NAPA guy stopped by and asked us if all was well with the truck.

Mother's Day: Scattered the last of Sam's ashes in the trout stream where she and Allen loved to fish. My mama is rollin' on the river now.

Day six: Jerold is feeding the squirrels roasted peanuts in the shell. Three are lined up outside the camper every morning, and taking nuts out of his hand.

Day eight: Drove back home to mow grass and pick up mail.

Day eleven: Woke up 7 am to flood warnings at home. Checked our cameras and sure enough, basement had water. Drove home and found Hwy. 52 blocked near house, detour to Gallatin and back up ridge. More water than I've ever seen across fields and roads. Driveway washed but passable, ditch a mess. Vacuumed up water and started fans to dry out basement. Around lunchtime, a minivan wrecked into the ditch in front of our house. No one hurt, they left van where it landed. Jerold graded drive so we can bring trailer back in. Back to Celina along Hwy. 52 yard sale, shopped a little along the way, ate more Mexican food.

Day twelve: Decided to shorten trip and come back home to air out basement. Traffic crazy along yard sale route. Got home, unhitched. Minivan gone. An hour later, a thunderstorm slammed through, blowing over a dead pine tree out of the woods across our driveway in front. Good timing that we got in before it fell.

Day thirteen: Pulled dead pine (covered in poison ivy) off driveway with truck and picked up debris. Jerold graded driveway again. Basement dry.

Day fourteen (today): Picked up mail, sprung Callie cat from jail. Now we're all home where we belong. 

There are always a few bumps in the road, but I am hoping for calmer days ahead. 

Sticky Note Wisdom

What You See

Something to think about...

Waiting...

It seems like we wait a lot in this life, which can be very frustrating. We can’t rush waiting and we can’t wait any faster. We can only wait.

We wait for phone calls, wait on hold, wait for decisions, and wait for information.

We wait in traffic, in checkout lines, and in waiting rooms.

We wait for people to come or to go. We wait for them to be responsible and we wait for them to fail. We wait for them to DO something.

We wait for things to happen, for the weather to change, for an opportunity, for time to pass, and for that big moment.

Buddhists believe that waiting and doing are equal and essential parts of living. Maybe the key is how you manage the two to create balance.

"...but if we wait until we're ready we'll be waiting for the rest of our lives.  Let's go.”  ~Lemony Snicket

Sometimes, no matter how much you want for things to happen, all you can do is wait. And usually, waiting is the hardest part.

Along For The Ride

Life can be easy, and it can be challenging. It really depends on the day, you know? You may have a plan, but the universe sometimes has other ideas. Your attitude can make all the difference.

If you want to go with the flow, don't resist. Let the day take you along for the ride. You might end up in a better place, meet new friends, deal with an emergency, or get a new perspective. Even if you're in a stressful situation, handle what comes. The rest will either get done, or it won't.

If you're up for a challenge, fight for your way and stay on track. Something that's important to you might require your full attention with no detours. Distractions may prevent you from reaching a goal or being there for someone. Being able to say no and stay focused can be very satisfying.

That's just life: easy, restful days along with difficult, challenging ones. It can be hard to know which path to follow. It helps to observe, listen, and assess your feelings before choosing. Either way, you'll learn something about yourself.

Your life, your choice. Whether it's bumpy or smooth, you're just along for the ride.

Life is like a roller coaster.

It has its ups and downs.

But it's your choice to scream

or enjoy the ride.

^^^^^

Our attitude toward life

determines

life's attitude towards us.

~John N. Mitchell