Sidelights

 

I've had this pattern for a while. I love the panel pictured on the cover. But alas, when I bought this pattern, the panel was already gone. A limited edition out of print. So I started looking for another print, hoping to find something similar. Every Asian pattern that I came across just did not do it for me. Until.......................

The colors are perfect. And I also found fabric for the large border with coordinating colors.  It's perfect for a friend I would like to gift this to.

It's fun to find something that has been elusive.

Happy Quilting!

Another one in the works

 Found some 10" squares and started making another charity quilt.

And some orphan blocks will make up nicely,

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The Bitter End Society

 

The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox is an extraordinary story about a long history of family.

Ana Watkins is a kindergarten teacher who has gone through a harrowing experience with her kindergarten class. She is asked by her Great Aunt Cora to  come visit for the summer and help pack up her house at Bitter End Tennessee. Ana is more than happy for a little escape. What starts as a hope to reconnect with her long lost aunt, turns into a discovery of tainted family ties. 

Amanda Cox has written a moving story that digs deep and moves seamlessly through a dual time story. Paced and well developed, the struggles her characters face are relatable. The descriptive details, settings and the birds were brilliantly painted as Amanda writes a deep story of pain, tragedy, forgiveness and family. Amanda Cox is an exceptional author and I would highly recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ecopy of this book which I received from Net Galley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Welcome August

3 Million pillowcases

 It's always fun to make pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  I've started on some and have a few more to finish before taking them to the donation location.

Over 3 Million pillowcases have been donated to children in hospitals. 

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Michaels or Hobby Lobby?

 Okay let's get real here. With the closing of JoAnn's, we as crafters and quilters have been thrown under the bus. Not only for fabric but other things like notions and patterns/books.  Although they do not have a big selection, I have purchased fabric from Hobby Lobby in the past. They would offer 40% off every other week on their fabrics. Which was a great buy for medium priced fabric. However they recently have gone to 30% off and not every other week. 

So what gives? Their new fabric is coming at 11.99 and 12.99 a yard. Huh?? 

I have also gone to Michaels. Their fabric run from 3.99 to 7.99 a yard. 

Which to me is a much more affordable than what Hobby Lobby is offering. And I think with Michaels buying JoAnn's intellectual property we will be seeing more fabric coming into their stores. I do not have an excess amount of money for fabric, so I have always had to buy sales to mount up my stash. And I do not think I am making heirloom quilts for the generations to come ;-)

So what do you think peeps? Is it just a coincidence that Hobby Lobby raised their prices and lowered their % off just when JoAnn's is no longer in business? Please don't shoot the messenger. I have never had a problem buying from HL. However I probably will think twice before buying fabric from them anymore. The more we support Michaels, the more they will provide affordable fabric.

Second Chance at Sunshine Inn

An opposites attract trope with a little family drama, on both sides, and some soul searching thrown into the mix. A little something for everyone in this one. As a traveling NICU nurse, Everleigh Hartnett is broken hearted to learn that her godmother, Alana, has passed away. Everleigh has inherited half of her godmothers B&B. She wants to sell the inn to have money to fund the nonprofit she and her godmother wanted to create, The other half has been left to the caretaker, Cade Witherspoon. And he doesn't want to sell. The B&B is his second chance at starting over. They are at  stalemate as to what Alana meant for them to own the B&B.

As they work together sparks start to form between them. They both loved Alana, and want to do what they think she would have wanted. 

This is a sweet clean romance with wonderful characters, good dialogue, and a beautiful setting on Coral Cove. Second Chance at Sunshine Inn is well written, and a delightful summer read. Amy Clipston has written a meaningful story that tugs at your heart.

I received a complimentary ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine.

July Sew Sampler

 I have been receiving the Sew Sampler from the Fat Quarter Shop for over a year and a half now. And I have to say the boxes are always a pleasant surprise. And I think reasonable for what you receive.

I think there was only one month where I didn't use what was sent, and I did a giveaway that time. I have loved the fabric and supplies each month. It's fun to see the new lines that  are available. 

Have a happy quilting day!

Shop hop

 Last week hubby and I celebrated our 52nd anniversary.  We decided last minute to take a little trip. So hubs asked me where would you like to go? I thought about it for about a second and said Bird House Quilt shop in Warner Robbins GA.  We packed a bag and headed 4 hours north.

I have enjoyed this shop every time we visit. Not having traveled much in the last couple of years, it was a delight to visit once again.

Of course they have pretty samples on display.

And a clearance bin to choose from.

We were directed to another quilt shop, two hours north, so we headed there.

I was a little disappointed in this shop. They had several pretty quilts on display, but when I asked about the patterns I was told they didn't have any. Like last years designs. You know they shouldn't leave up displays that they cannot offer.

Next we headed east towards Charleston. To People Places and Quilts.

This shop has changed a lot of their offerings. More modern fabrics and a LOT of embroidery. 

The last stop was a cute shop in Kingsland GA. 

Now this shop is well worth the drive.

Beautiful fabric.

Friendly helpful people.

Did I make any purchases in our personal shop hop, you ask?  Why of course.

Now I just need to get busy and sew :-)

Happy Quilting!

Once Upon a Christmas Carol

 

Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Melody Carlson is a heartwarming Christmas Novella. 

Carol Langstrom is all set to head to the Bahamas for Christmas when her flight is diverted to Michigan due to a blizzard. With her birthday Christmas day, Carol was never a fan of the holiday. So she avoids it as much as possible. But being stranded, she finds herself at the home of her estranged aunt, who she has never met before.

This story was one of learning to love and forgive. Insights into how Carol could learn to overcome her relationship with her mother and rediscover happiness with family and friends. 

This is a great holiday story told as only Melody Carlson can. The characters were interesting and well written. A warm and uplifting supporting cast. Carols soul searching felt true as the difficulty of her decisions were heart felt.  This is a sweet clean romance.

I received a complementary ecopy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. 

3 Yard Quilt

 Last week I got together with one of my quilting buddies to made a 3 yard quilt.

The pattern was from this book.

This was the second 3 yard quilt that I have made. The pattern was not so easy as I could not see the block. But we eventually found it and made the quilt top.

It still needs borders, but it's as finished as it is going to be for right now.

Here is quilting buddies. YAY!

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Birthday girl

 My sweet little granddaughter turned 9 years old this past week. How can it be? Time is flying by as these precious children grow up.

I found this cute mirror compact and lipstick holder at an antique mall recently. I thought it would be a fun gift for her.

So I made a little bag to match.

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Happy Independence Day

"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12)

Wishing you a very Happy and Safe 4th of July

Baby Quilt

 I finally finished quilting this baby quilt.

And gifted it to the new mama.

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June Sew Sampler

 Summer has arrived. And so has the Sew Sampler box.

Lots of goodies in this one. Find the details on Fat Quarter Shop blog.

Red, white and blue

 Red, white and blue.  This time of year brings out the patriotic colors.

 

We start off with Memorial Day, then Flag Day and then our American Independence Day.

Do you only use these colors at this time of year?

Do you decorate for the different seasons?

By hand or machine?

When I was a new quilter in 1985 I took a quilting class at the local craft store. Back then we were taught how to cut out the pieces with scissors and used cardboard templates. Towards the end of the class, our teacher showed us a tool that looked like a pizza cutter. She told us this was a Rotary Cutter and would speed cutting time. Of course we all laughed and said it could not take the place of scissors! HA!

About that same time, my sister in law took a class at a quilt shop. She learned Eleanor Burns Quilt in A Day pattern for the Log Cabin. She shared with me how quick and easy it was to use this method (using a rotary cutter). And as the saying goes, the rest is history.

I started this quilt around 1986. I purchased 100% cotton fabrics from a quilt shop. My plan was to make a quilt for my then toddler son. We worked on the Log Cabin pattern, and I completed the top. It was my goal to hand quilt this quilt.

So I started working on it, but did not make very speedy progress. Hand quilting took a lot of time. As a matter of fact it was not completed until 2004!

This is one of my favorite quilts and the only one I completely hand quilted. It was fun to work on, and I love how the colors all worked together.

Do you quilt by hand or machine? Or do you send your quilts out to a longarmer?  

Lost and found

 So as I was going through fabric, I came across two orphan blocks that I had made several years ago. They were supposed to be part of a blog hop I participated with a friend. My friend finished her quilt, but my little orphans lay around, just waiting for the day.

So here they are. I thought surely I must have some of that fabric somewhere.

Since organizing my stash I was able to find the background fabric. Which was a huge help.

I did not really want to make 10 more blocks so I was going to go for a table runner.

Easy enough to make one more block.

And enough extra fabric to work out a table runner. Yay!

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National Sewing Machine day

 If there is anything I love to talk about it's my Bernina Virtuosa sewing machine. Since receiving this machine I have enjoyed sewing so much more. 

When I graduated from high school I bought myself a Singer Stylist sewing machine. It was a basic model that I thought would serve me for many years. But after a couple of years it was giving me a lot of trouble. The repair man told me, there was one plastic part that kept breaking. It became a drudgery to sew. Thankfully a dear lady from church gave me her "old" Kenmore when she bought a new machine. I sewed on that machine for miles.

Then Christmas 2004 my dear hubby gifted me with my Bernina. I asked him how he knew to get a Bernina. He said he heard me say one time that Berninas were the best machines. And I have loved it ever since. She doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, just a few fancy stitches. Lately I have noticed that some stitches I used regularly are not working. So I am just hoping this grand lady is not going to bite the dust. I love it too much. And I would never be able to find another one to replace.it.

What about you? Do you have a machine that you love. There are so many fancy machines now, it would be hard to choose.