Hazelnut Latte

Yummy colors of cream, chocolate, bronze, and black go together fabulously, don't they? I've had these coordinating fabrics for a while, just waiting for an idea to take shape. The fabrics usually let me know how they want to be used; it's entirely possible that I'm a fabric whisperer.  

The design is my version of Jen Kingwell's Flutterby block, adapted to use Accuquilt dies and resized to nine inches. Layout done in Electric Quilt 8 gave me yardage and number of pieces for each fabric, so cutting and sewing went quickly. 

I chose a stone and cream geometric print for backing and binding. Free motion quilting in a meandering stitch with cream thread was done on my Janome Horizon MC 9400 with the Flynn frame. 

Hazelnut Latte is 44” x 54” in size, just right for snuggling on a chilly day with a riveting book and a cup of hot coffee.

Hazelnut Latte (EQ8)

Accuquilt dies:

3 ½” x 6 ½” half rectangle triangle 55411

3 ½” square 55006

Feel The Love

Feel The Love

For this Valentine's week, my featured quilt is a sweet little wall hanging. Scrappy red and white hearts float on a background of pale grey mini-dots. Feel The Love is 23” x 33” and could double as a table mat. Red and white diagonal peppermint stripes are used for backing and binding.  Quilting was done in straight lines 1/2” apart with white thread.

I had a few red squares left over, so I whipped up a 6” square mug mat. These two were last week's project, along with straightening up my work area. Somehow things from other rooms in the house make their way into my space: shirts for ironing, receipts, magazines, sale flyers, etc. I took care of all of that clutter; now my space looks ready for creating more goodies.

Today I am sending lots of love to Fayetteville, Tennessee. Sir's Fabric was destroyed by fire on Saturday evening. What a heartbreaking loss for the owners, the employees, and the community. Thankfully, no one was physically injured. Sir's was a family owned business and I can't imagine how devastating this must be for them. I didn't go often, but I really stocked up when I was there. I am in mourning for the lost fabric.

Forget

Valentine's Day...

I'm waiting for the

discounted

CHOCOLATE

on the 15^th!

Chocolate Batik Fantasy

I must have been craving chocolate when I made this table mat back in February. Who am I kidding? I crave chocolate EVERY DAY! It's a wonder more of my quilts aren't done in brown and mocha colors.

I've had the turquoise and chocolate floral print for a while and couldn't cut into it. Nothing spoke to me until I was inspired to make it the focal point. The single log cabin square is framed with turquoise and set on point inside the batik border. 

I used 5” slashed squares of mixed dots and purple batiks for the other side, keeping the same border fabric. Final 24” x 26” size is good for a wall hanging, too.

Now, where's the dark chocolate?

🔷🔷🔷

 

A balanced diet is

C H O C O L A T E

in both hands.

Chocolate is always the answer!

Who cares about the question?

Happy Halloween

just hand over 

the chocolate

and 

no one will get hurt!

Outdoor Living, Porch Style

Just in time for July, I finished sewing spiffy new covers for all the cushions and pillows on our screened porch. My yard sale rocking chair got an upgrade to match. I love that they can be easily removed for cleaning.  I added new rugs to complete the look. 

 

Spending hours on the porch reading, talking, and grilling was a wonderful way to enjoy a summer week in our fresh new space. The weather fully cooperated, with low humidity and temperatures ranging from 60's in the morning to only low 80's in the afternoons. Not all down time for us, since we caught up on some yard work as well.

Can you believe we even opened windows to bring that cool air into the house – in July? AMAZING! 

My mama joined us on the 4^th for grilled burgers, chocolate pie and family time. What a pleasant, quiet holiday for the three of us, relaxing on our porch.

Useful Notion: Sometime you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are, and who you want to be. 

 

Valentine Chocolate

Yeah, I know it's early, but February is nearly here and I was ready to whip up some new Valentine decorations. While sorting fabric, I found delicious colors for these two projects. Warm brown and caramel colors contrast nicely with batik reds for a table runner called Valentine Chocolate. A few half square triangles, squares and strips made it quick and easy. I just love how it looks on my kitchen counter.

Another simple project, One Heart, is an adorable door hanging for my mother-in-law. Since she doesn't see very well, I thought the black and white background would contrast well with the bright red heart. Neither project took very long to design or to finish, so I'm headed back to the sewing room to keep my creativity flowing and my fingers busy.

Useful Notion: February is the month of love, hearts, lace, and chocolate, with some bubbly wine and a few snow flurries thrown in for good measure. Enjoy it!

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz

Put Your Heart In It

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, celebrated with hearts, flowers, candy, jewelry and perfume. I've always loved this holiday, even in elementary school with those goofy little valentines and candy hearts. A day focused on chocolate and roses is always at the top of my list! I'm not picky...any chocolate will do, a little bag of Hershey's kisses or a fancy two pound box of Godiva.

I'm lucky to have the same loving sweetheart for the past forty-two years. He's had plenty of time to figure out what I like, and he always remembers. Not just on holidays or anniversaries, but every day. A good relationship is created by making an effort, communicating, loving, sharing, and doing those extra little things for each other.

What things? We both do them. A sweet smile, a shoulder to lean on, or a hug while I'm standing at the sink. Filling a coffee cup, starting a load of laundry, ironing shirts, going out for breakfast, helping our parents, taking a walk together. A surprise little gift, a favorite movie, a call for no reason but to say I love you. I could go on and on. It's really about being nice, considerate, and helpful. He's a keeper, and I think he feels the same way about me.

Sure, there have been a few little bumps in the road. Everyone has those, especially when you've been together as long as we have. They require forgiveness, tolerance and understanding. The point is, you have to put your heart into anything worth having, whether it's marriage, family relationships, friends, your job or your life.

So, today, tomorrow and every day, put your heart in it and give someone love, friendship and a smile. You'll be happier for it, I promise.

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it,  take yourself out of it.”  – Unknown

Best Memories of Halloween

 Any holiday that involves large quantities of candy, especially chocolate, ranks high on my favorites list. Dressing up in silly or scary costumes only adds to the excitement. Whether you're a child or an adult, this is one fun time of year. When I see the expressions on the faces of little goblins, memories of Halloweens past are vivid in my mind.

Years ago, my best friend Pam and I got out early and covered nearly every house in our neighborhood, an area 5 blocks square. I remember the crunch of leaves as we dashed from house to house. We knew which people gave out the best goodies, so we tried to hit them early. We decorated paper grocery sacks to carry our loot at first, but changed to pillowcases that held more and avoided the loss of precious candy when the bag ripped.

Choosing a costume was so much fun. I remember being a pirate, ballerina, hobo, princess, cowgirl, bunny, 20's flapper, witch, and cheerleader. Sometimes I had a store-bought costume with those awful plastic masks...I wore glasses so the masks never fit right and made my glasses fog up. Other times I helped my mama sew one or we'd piece together something out of her closet. Some years we had to wear coats or rain gear over our costumes, which absolutely ruined the effect.

We'd drive out to my grandparent's after trick or treat so they could see us. She made the most delectable popcorn balls and chocolate fudge candy. Even if we didn't go on Halloween, she made sure we got those yummy, sticky snacks sometime that week. We got huge hauls of candy, and got to eat what we wanted. My mama always filled the candy dish in the living room so not much was left over at our house. My favorite candy? Nearly all of them, but creamy delicious chocolate is the best, hands down.

When I had my own business, we chose a theme and went all out decorating the office. We served treats and our customers stopped by to see our secret costumes. Memorable themes were: western, gypsy, 50's, favorite animal, Gone with the Wind era (Miss Scarlett here), pirates, coven of witches, and pajama party. Favorite candy was fun: our pregnant receptionist was a peanut M&M, I was a Hershey's kiss, the two others were Baby Ruth and licorice.

The best year was Addam's Family—we won the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce prize for best costumes. I was Morticia, the other three were Uncle Fester, Pugsley, and Wednesday. No one was tall enough to be Lurch and we decided that Gomez was out of town. Thing sat on the front desk, and our office was transformed into the creepy Addams Family mansion. We laughed all week and got very little work done that day, but it was great fun!

As you prepare to dole out treats this year, remember your favorite Halloween with a smile, and save a few dozen extra pieces of candy for yourself. 

Trick or treat!

Write It Down: The Beauty of Lists

Anyone who knows me can tell you I'm a list person. I don't think I'm obsessive about it; often I forget to take a shopping list with me to the store. But I usually remember most of what was on the list anyway. I guess writing things down may save the information into my brain. For me, making lists helps me focus on what's important and checking off the completed tasks is very satisfying.

The most common lists people make are: to do, shopping, appointments, reminders, goals, and projects. I like the fun lists: Favorites (food, books, places, activities, people, bookmarks on the computer); Ideas (to write, to ponder, to make, to inspire); Go Me! (accomplishments, milestones, positive attributes, awards); and Quotes (inspirational, funny, thought-provoking, motivational).

Whether you write on scraps of paper or on your computer, using these notes to guide you through your week can make life run smoothly. They don't have to be long...sometimes shorter is better. You just have to follow them! Lists can bring order to chaos, help you enjoy life, relieve stress, limit procrastination, and inspire you to achieve more. They can allow you to be flexible and take advantage of opportunities.

When I worked in tourism, I created a master list based on our program of work, then notebooks or folders for each project with detailed lists inside. It was the best way I found to manage such a busy, diverse organization. I did the same when I owned JKI Mailing Services. Work is easier and goals are met more quickly when you're organized and prepared.

Now that I'm retired, some of my lists are different but still help me focus. Both of us are very busy with hobbies, gardening, yard work, travel, home improvement, helping parents, and other projects. I keep an ongoing someday list, a life lessons list, and a list of things that make me happy.

How many lists do you keep?

Useful Notion: Be sure to sprinkle a few fun and relaxing things into your to do list along with chores. Remember, all work and no play makes for a dull existence. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Take a walk outside
• Eat ice cream 
• Have a glass of sweet tea
• Sit on the porch
• Lunch with a friend
• Snuggle with sweetheart
• Buy or pick flowers
• Smile at everyone
• Count your blessings

-------------------------