Friday, March 31, 2017

It's Friday!


So what are YOU doing this weekend!!

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Spring Runner

I found this pattern at the Fiskars site and dug out my pretty batiks. Just the right shades for Spring!

I think we are all looking for signs of Spring :-)

Monday, March 27, 2017

Quilt patterns

What draws you to a pattern?? I see books and patterns with gorgeous quilts on the covers only to discover they are mostly a common pattern that has been redone.

I have used this pattern for years to teach beginners to quilt. It's on one sheet of paper that was from a quilt class many years ago. It's still my favorite for teaching quilting basics.

Do you have a favorite pattern you use over and over?



Sunday, March 26, 2017

Bread for the Journey


Arise and go down to the potters house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.
Then I went down to the potters house, and behold he was working at the wheel.
And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it.
Then the word of the Lord came to me:
O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.
At one time I will suddenly speak concerning a nation or kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it;
And if the people of that nation concerning which I have spoken turn from their evil, I will relent and reverse My decision concerning the evil that I thought to do to them.
At another time I will suddenly speak concerning a nation or kingdom, that I will build up and plant it;
And if they do evil in My sight, obeying not My voice, then I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them.
Jeremiah 18:2-10

Friday, March 24, 2017

SOS

Two weeks of company left little time for quilting. The pink quilt needed to be finished as it was a gift for a friend's little girl. The pressure was on. Time was running out.  And low and behold, a new dilemma comes into play.

They had another baby girl! Like two weeks ago!!

With the clock running, I examined the WIP that were just waiting for backing and quilting. Nothing worked. I dug out a quilt I had made last year. But it was blue, and it really didn't look like a baby quilt.

Looking at the fabric I had left from the pink quilt, I thought, maybe, I could put together a simple quilt. Just 6" blocks, on the diagonal. 

I cut everything out, and started sewing. From the start I decided to just turn part of the backing forward and make that the binding.

BUT I still didn't have binding for the pink quilt. Okay, let's see if there's enough fabric to bring it forward.

YES! Just enough.

So my mad dash to finish TWO quilts ended at 1:14 AM this morning. Still need to trim the threads, but they will be delivered right on time!!


Whew! I hope you have a happy quilting weekend!

Monday, March 20, 2017

When Tides Turn


I was so thrilled to be able to review Sarah Sundin's latest novel. I have read all of her other books, and I knew this one would be just as good. She did not disappoint.

One of the things that intrigues me about Ms. Sundin's books is her research of World War 2 history. In each of her novels, I have learned so many details about the war, and the effort made by men and women during that time. Many of these courageous officers, and their diligence, changed the shape of America during this war.

Tess Beaumont doesn't want to be known as just another pretty face. She joins the WAVES so she can be useful and help the war effort. With women taking on jobs, it freed men to fight the war against Germany. Tess also finds herself in the middle of a spy ring, possibly putting herself in danger.

Lt. Dan Avery is a smart and determined naval officer. Serious minded and hungry to go to sea. His greatest desire is to be an admiral one day. For ten years he concentrates on his career, at the expense of relationships with family and friends. But along the way he loses something that changes his course. He is also drawn to the fun loving Tess. Will this be a distraction? Or could love shape Dan into a different type of officer?

You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy this book, although I found it very fascinating. There are so many things I never knew about the war. Today, with our newer technology, we have ways to detect everything. But in the 1940's everything was new and experimental. They paved the way to today's modern technology. Often under very dangerous situations. Ms. Sundin noted that many of the ships and officers were real people and actual accounts. It makes me proud to know that men and women still serve to keep our country free.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Bread for the Journey


"Sing unto the Lord, all the earth;
show forth from day to day
His salvation."

1 Chronicles 16:23

Friday, March 17, 2017

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Bread for the Journey


Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting at my doorposts.
For he who finds me finds life,
and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 8: 34-35

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Happy Quilter

For years I struggled with the quilting process. I tried thread basting or taping backing to the table, and then pinning. Lots of pinning meant a lot of stop and go, as I would work my way towards a pin. The most frustrating part, after much care, was finding folds that were caught up on the back of the quilt. Sometimes they were just little bits of fabric, but other times there were large sections that were caught.

I started watching videos of quilters who quilted on their domestic sewing machines. But it wasn't until I bought videos by Patsy Thompson that I started to enjoy the whole quilting process.

Patsy introduced me to spray adhesive.

On her video she sprays each section (backing, batting and top) with a thin layer of the spray adhesive on her design wall.

I don't have a design wall, but I was able to lay my quilt sections onto an old rug and spray each part. I started with a small project. After the three sections were sandwiched together, I just picked up the quilt and headed for my machine.I was so pleased with how it turned out that I ventured into larger projects.

Now, I am not a great machine quilter, but even so, I can quilt and quilt and never have to worry about running into or over pins. In a lot less time then if I pinned and unpinned. The basting spray and my walking foot, have been wonderfully freeing quilting tools for me.And the best part! No more folds caught up in the backing.

Here is a little sample of some quilting I am able to accomplish







I hope you have a Happy Quilting day!

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Friday, March 3, 2017

Another finish

For the last three weeks I've been battling the flu virus, which of course limited my time at my sewing machine. But this week, when I finally felt human again, I finished quilting this ufo that I had started before the bug got me down.

It was fun revisiting this Schnibbles pattern.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

A Note Yet Unsung



As I was recovering from the nasty flu virus, I found that I was able to read. A lot! One of the books that captured me was "A Note Yet Unsung."

I have a list of authors that I favor. Some write contemporary novels, other historical fiction. Tamera Alexander is top among historical fiction in my book. Ever since reading her debut book "Rekindled" I have read every one of her books and been a huge fan.

"A Note Yet Unsung" is yet another story surrounding the Belmont Mansion series. The characters and depth of this story truly draw you into how things were back in the 1800's. Where a woman was to stay in her place no matter what her goals and talents were.

I found this story compelling by the struggles each of the main characters faced. Physically, emotionally and socially.  I really had a hard time putting this book down. If you have not read any of Tamera Alexander's books, I would recommend any she has written. Ms. Alexander has a way of expressing the thoughts and hearts of her characters that makes you envision the scenes like a movie.

One thing I find interesting is the setting of the Belmont Mansion series was an actual place in Nashville, as was her owner Adelicia Cheatham. I believe it is now a University and is open for tours whenever you are in the Nashville area. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions of this review are my own.