Thursday, June 30, 2016

A Celebration table runner

With the 4th of July celebration upon us, I wanted to finish binding this table runner I had started last year.

No pattern. I started with the blocks and added the red, white and blue fabrics and just fooled around with them until I came up with a design I liked.

The runner is long, but I do like the final result. 

And here it is on my dining room table.


All ready for the July 4th celebration. 

Happy Quilting!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

The final repair

In 1999 I made this dinosaur quilt for my son when he was 8 years old.  It has been very well loved for 17 years. I repaired it once already, but the last couple of years has pushed it into a very sad state.
 
This may be the last time I can salvage this well loved quilt.

Happy Quilting.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Thursday, June 23, 2016

One charm pack?

What do you do when you have only one charm pack?

I started out with a pattern from Simplify.

The pattern uses one charm pack and a light background.

I tried putting the blocks together in the assorted manner shown in the book, but I was not happy with the results.

So I rearranged the blocks, and decided to work this as a table runner instead of a table topper.

Much better :-)

Happy Quilting!

Monday, June 20, 2016

From This Moment

Elizabeth Camden is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her most recent release, "From This Moment" enchanted me.


What captivated me about this story was the details of building the first subway in Boston. Having come from New York City, where subways are the way of transportation life, I found these details to this story most intriguing.

The story centers around Romulus White and Stella West, where sparks fly between the two creative minds. Each one meeting their match of a high self ego, while a mysterious death tears them apart. Stella has something Romulus needs for his scientific magazine, and Romulus has something Stella needs to solve the mystery of her sisters untimely death.

I deeply respect Ms. Camden's in-depth research into her historical novels. Her attention to detail continues to surround every book I have read. And this one does not disappoint. Not only details concerning the time period, but the characters as well. Romulus has the distinct attribute of a person with ADD.  He seems to be highly intelligent, yet is a dreamer, cannot keep focus, and has lost his first love for lack of responsibility. He feels he cannot hold down a job, and has a great fear of commitment. But Stella West is a force to be reckoned with and their romance blooms as a result of the struggles they face. This was quite an interesting story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Friday, June 17, 2016

Not what I thought

Whenever we travel, we often stop at places of interest. On our recent return from New Jersey I asked my hubby if we could stop at MaryJo's Fabric store in North Carolina. We were on the right road, so it wouldn't take us out of the way.

I had been to MaryJo's several years ago, and was overwhelmed with their fabric selections. Thinking it would be the same this time, we headed to Gastonia.


Having driven many miles, it was late and we were pretty tired with we arrived. I was washed with anticipation about what was behind those doors.

Okay, to say I was disappointed would be an understatement. Yes, there was plenty of fabric, but not what I remembered. Very little name brand lines. A lot of fleece and half of the store was filled with decorator fabrics. I so clearly remember purchasing civil war fabric years ago, but this time most of the fabric appeared to be theme related. The only name brand lines I saw was Downton Abbey.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not a fabric snob, as I do purchase fabric from JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. But at least at JoAnn's the fabric is put on sale occasionally or you can use a coupon. 

There were only a few customers in the store, whereas I remember the store buzzing the last time I was there. So what has happened? 

Here's a couple of samples on display. 


Nothing like Hancocks of Paducah where they have dozens of samples for inspiration.

Would I go back? No. Even if we were in the same town, it would hardly be worth my time to walk the aisles. 

Have you ever experienced such a change when you returned to a well known store?

Anyway, enjoy your weekend. And Happy Quilting.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

House quilt patterns

This blog post from Quilt Inspiration caught my attention.



Maybe it 's because I love house quilts. Or maybe it's because I have a house quilt that is still a UFO.


Better get this one finished before diving into any of these other House quilt patterns!

Happy Quilting!


Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Flag Day


In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.For the total background about this holiday, pop over and read Flag Day in the United States.

May our flags wave high!

Happy Quilting

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Sesame Chicken

Isn't it fun when one of your kids finds a recipe and it turns out to be a winner!! Well that's what happened when my youngest son directed me to this recipe on Blog Chef. We both worked together making Sesame Chicken and boy, was it ever good. It was as good if not better then the Honey Chicken at Pei Wei.

I tried my hand at making fried rice, but I think I need to work out the seasonings a little more.

I won't write out the recipe because if you go to the website they have tutorial pictures and all. Check it out. I'm sure you will love it!

                                                            Sesame Chicken

Monday, June 6, 2016

Baby doll bed

I so enjoyed making the baby quilt for the new grandbaby due to arrive next month. And if you saw my last post, you noticed I also made a doll quilt. Because a little girl has to have a quilt for her baby doll.

And of course, the little girl needs a bed for her baby doll. Sooooo...... on our way home last month from a trip up north, we stopped at an antique mall in Macon GA that we have frequented before. Tucked away into a corner of this very large complex was this little beauty.

The wood was in excellent condition, and this is what it says on the back.

Yep, made in the good ole U.S. of A.  In the south. In Alabama to be exact. I imagine the baby doll crib is probably from the 50's or 60's. Long before they were made out of plastic.

My hubby cleaned and oiled all of the wood, and I set out to make a new cover for the crib base.

 I took off the old fabric, cleaned the base and then found a thick piece of batting to make a little mattress, then covered it with a zig zag fabric that matches the baby's nursery.
Baby doll sleeping in her new crib, covered with her very own sheet and quilt.

I love these extra large party bags. The doll bed fit perfectly. Ready for the baby shower. 

And here we are at the unveiling. 

Friday, June 3, 2016

Baby Quilt

Grandbaby is on the way, so this first time Grandmama had to make a quilt for the little Princess.


One of my favorite patterns by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew. 
By the way she just had a precious little girl. So stop by and wish her and her family some sweet baby love. There are some very awesome pictures on Allison's blog.

Knowing we are expecting a Grand Girl, I just had to make a little doll quilt. 

What fun to sew for a sweet little one who will be making her appearance next month.

Happy Quilting!
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Thursday, June 2, 2016