How About Them Apples?

Red Delicious

This mouth-watering lap quilt was finished in early January. I used the Accuquilt apple core die that I got for Christmas. Cutting was a breeze...I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to cut out this shape by hand! Notches helped make sewing together the pieces much easier. I did have to slow down a bit to maintain accurate seams. No racing at full speed on this one.

Red Delicious finished out at 43” square. Red prints and a cream/black modern geometric are alternated for the center. Black fabric with gardening tools is used for inside border, backing, and binding. Outside border is a red burlap print. I quilted a straight stitch along the curves for the interior, and used a decorative serpentine stitch with black/grey/cream variegated thread to accent the red border.

This beauty should remind me to eat apples more often. It's said they keep the doctor away, you know. 

An apple a day keeps anyone away

if you throw it hard enough

🔴...feeling a little saucy here...🔴

Why not upset the apple cart?

If you don’t the apples will rot anyway

~Frank A. Clark

Winter Leftovers

Another winter project complete! I've used more leftover black and white print fabric plus a modern teal and black print that I've been saving for a while. The result is a high contrast nine block quilt called Center Crossroads. Even with the little pieces, I finished this one in a day and a half.

My secret? A disappearing four patch technique. It starts as a large four patch block of two contrasting fabrics, which is then sliced up and rearranged. As long as you keep your rotary cutter sharp and your ruler steady, the seams match up nicely. I experimented with a diagonally sliced block for the back, so this lap quilt is reversible.

Whoever thought of this method is a genius. I imagine it's a rotary cutter invention. I don't remember seeing the technique in older quilting magazines or patterns. And I just can't imagine Granny Rose or Granny Hill cutting up a completed quilt block with scissors to rearrange it, but maybe they did. Those women were pretty resourceful and could have used short cuts that they kept to themselves.

Useful Notion: Cutting fabric into little squares and sewing it back together may sound like insanity, but it actually keeps me from going to pieces.

Any day spent sewing is a good day.

Marvelous May!

Cinco de Mayo: Since I love Mexican food, you can bet I'll celebrate by enjoying chips, guacamole, a big plate of Pollo Loco and an icy cold bottle or two of Pacifico.

Mother's Day: Without my quirky and hard working mama, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. She always took good care of me, so now I'm returning the favor with love. I'm grateful that I can talk with her daily, and that she's still a feisty redhead. Thanks, Sam!

Flowers: My yard is full of spring flowers and I love them all! Pale and dark pink peonies, delicate white azaleas, violet tall phlox, purple, peach, white and yellow iris, hot pink carnations, sweet smelling lilacs and heavenly roses in yellow, orange and pink.

Strawberries: I don't grow them but Portland berries are the sweetest and best. They're beginning to come in, so I'm heading to Bradley's for a crate of these juicy delights.

“My mama taught me that I had the power to achieve my dreams, to find my own way, and to be responsible for myself.” ~ Katie Scarlett

Star Wars Wisdom

During last week's snow days, the mister and I enjoyed a movie marathon, complete with pizza, popcorn and beverages. We watched of all six Star Wars films, and I was reminded of a few favorite quotes.  They may be handy (and appropriate) to use in daily life. 

Enjoy, remember, and gain wisdom from the force.  

"Who's the more foolish, the fool?  Or the fool who follows him?" -- Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn

“I find your lack of faith disturbing.” - Darth Vader

“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda

“Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the dark side.” – The Emperor

"Never tell me the odds." – Han Solo

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” – Han Solo

“The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent.” – Qui-Gon Jinn

“I have a very bad feeling about this” – everyone.

Say Yes Or No

When someone asks you a yes or no question, answer it simply.

Yes.    No.    Maybe.

Then wait. 

If there's a need for additional information, let them request it. You decide whether or not to share any more based on who's doing the asking.

It isn't necessary to volunteer details, embellish, make excuses, justify, describe your history or list reasons behind your decision. Most people don't want to hear them anyway. They probably just want the simple answer.

The people who matter most will likely be satisfied with the answers you give. Who cares about anyone else? Many are just nosy and only want the drama, the gossip, or the juicy details of your life. Giving extra information makes them think they are entitled to know everything about you. And it isn't their business.

Keep it simple. Resist the urge to offer explanations. Be confident in your decisions. You choose what to share with others. Be a little mysterious. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself.

“Don't underestimate me.

I know more than I say,

think more than I speak,

and notice more than you realize.”

--Unknown

“Don't try to explain yourself to stupid people.

You aren't the jackass whisperer.”

--Unknown

Good Grief, It's Monday!

I'm going for another cup of coffee...

here's a collection of Monday quotes. 

Monday, Monday.  Can’t trust that day.  

~The Mamas & The Papas

Just once, I would like to wake up, turn on the news, and hear… ‘Monday has been canceled, go back to sleep.’ ~Unknown

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. ~The Carpenters

Why is Monday so far from Friday but Friday so close to Monday? ~Unknown

Monday morning you look so fine. ~Fleetwood Mac

If each day is a gift, I would like to know where I can return Monday. ~Unknown

Just another manic Monday. ~The Bangles

Too much Monday, not ENOUGH coffee. ~Unknown

Patience

pa•tience

• the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain without complaint, loss of temper, or anger
  
  
• an ability or willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay
  
  
• quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence

I am willing to be patient. Really I am. Somehow it doesn't always turn out that way. I have the ability to tolerate petty annoyances, pain, delays and bumps in the road. I've always been able to calmly take what comes and move forward. I've got perseverance and diligence covered.  It's just that occasionally I get hung up on the without complaint and loss of temper part. That must be genetic...my red-headed German-Irish roots are showing. 

 

Patience is a wonderful quality to have, but it isn't always easy. I guess that's why it must be practiced.  

“My patience comes in limited allowance, and you used it all.” Anonymous

“Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sweet Simple Things

Favorite Quotes From Garfield the Cat

Garfield is a wonderfully lazy, lasagna loving fat cartoon cat created by Jim Davis. He's sassy and funny, and his cynical outlook on life always makes me smile. Here are a few of my favorites from his many nuggets of wisdom.

“I'm not over-weight, I'm under-tall.” 

 

“Never trust a smiling cat.”

“Eat every meal as though it were your last.” 

"I can...but I won't."

“I'm not messy. I'm organizationally challenged!” 

“The most active thing about me is my imagination.”

Honey, If It Ain't Your Tail, Don't Wag It

Sometimes people get too concerned about what is happening in the lives of others. Most, like me, mean well and only want to help or offer suggestions to fix a problem for a friend or loved one. After all, I'm a logical woman and a pretty decent problem solver. A little help can be a good thing. It's nice to offer someone an alternative idea or a neutral assessment of their issue.

Occasionally though, you're just butting in where you don't belong. Taking on other people's burdens can cause you a lot of stress. You might need to keep your mouth shut instead of volunteering yourself to fix every imperfect situation that comes across your path. The challenge is to know when to help and when to let people muddle it out for themselves. A wise man once told me that as a rule, folks don't like to be told what to do and how to do it.

I've collected a few good quotes that remind me to think before I jump in there. Feel free to share. I hope these make your life happier, reduce conflict, and maybe give you a laugh!  

“Don’t sign on for more problems than you must. Resist the temptation to involve yourself in other people’s zones of expertise and responsibility.” ~ Twyla Tharp

“Don't concern yourself with things that don't concern you.  If it's not your business, don't make it your burden.” ~ Author Unknown

“He missed an invaluable opportunity to hold his tongue.” ~ Andrew Lang

“Do not condemn the judgment of another because it differs from your own.  You may both be wrong.”  ~ Dandemis

“Just remember, there's a right way and a wrong way to do everything and the wrong way is to keep trying to make everybody else do it the right way.”  ~M*A*S*H, Colonel Potter 

 

“Don’t interfere with somethin' that ain’t bothering you none.” ~ Old Wild West talk

“Make somebody happy today. Mind your own business.” ~ Ann Landers

“If no one asked you for advice, keep your thoughts to yourself.” ~ Author Unknown

~~~~~