January Sew Sampler + giveaway

 The January Sew Sampler was not the usual fare. 

There were three charm packs included. But other than that, there was nothing that I would normally use.

I am not particularly fond of English Paper Piecing and it's not something that I am interested to do.  So if you are interested, I am offering the EPP and pattern for YOU! If you would like to have them or to try something new, leave a comment. I will draw a winner at the end of the week. Please note! All the comments that are coming to my feed are saying no-reply comment (is anybody else having this problem?). So I am not even sure I am getting all the comments. So if you would please leave a way to reach you, that would be great. If you leave an email address, use a dash instead of the dot com. I will know to change it to dot com.

Thanks for following along. I am happy to share with you.

Happy Quilting.

Uneasy Street

 

Uneasy Street

by Becky Wade

Pub Date: Feb 14 2025   |   

The Sons of Scandal is a series by Becky Wade. Uneasy Street is the third and final book in the series.

This is Max Cirillo's story. He and Sloane Madison meet in college and go on to start a business together. But when Sloane disappears from an important meeting, Max takes it on himself to remover her from the company.   Going from best friends/co-workers to enemies.

The story is about betrayal, forgiveness, loyalty and finding love. The characters host so many deep feelings, deep hurts, and distrust. But I loved how Max finds himself and patiently tries to woo Sloane back. It's a great story with Becky Wade's signature wit and humor. Ivy was a breath of fresh air, as the 15 year old niece of Sloane spending the summer with Aunt Sloane while her parents traveled. The surprise that she uncovers adds a dimension of interest and complexity. Ms Wade has a way of bringing her characters to life, flaws and all. Good clean contemporary romance. A novella with a follow up on Max, Sloane and Fiona would be a great addition to the series. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary advanced e-copy of this book. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Heart Pocket

 Recently I came across a cute Heart Pocket tutorial by Pillar Box Blue.

So I decided to give it a try.

This is my first one. It was a bit of a challenge, but I think if I enlarge the pattern a bit, and practice a little more, it will get easier. Plus  I did not have any denim to make my first one. I think it would look cuter in denim.  

                                       Sew and Tell

                                       NTT

                                      Put Your Foot Down

                                     Finished or not Friday

                                      Design wall Monday

Discovering Dahlia

 

I loved Discovering Dahlia by Jennifer Moore. A sweet historical fiction. 

Set in the late 1800's Dahlia is shunned by her peers after being rejected from a highly sought after engagement. A year later Dahlia decides to build a luxury ocean liner through her steamship company. She invites her friends, and enemies, on the maiden voyage. However someone tries to sabotage the trip with what appears to be accidents. But when someone ends up being poisoned, it's clear that Dahlia's life is in danger. Lord Miles Meredith, a close friend of Dahlia's former fiancé, works together with Dahlia to find out who is trying to destroy her business.

Great characters and storyline. Well written with a bit of a mystery and a long time coming romance. Although a part of a series, it is a stand alone story.I would highly recommend it.

Thanks to Net Galley and Covenant Communications for a complementary e-copy. The review and comments are my own. 

Quilts for Valentine's Day

It's just a couple of weeks away! Are you inspired?

Amy Smart (Diary of a Quilter) has shared several really cute free Valentine's patterns. Check them out!

Pretty blocks

 It has been so cold here in Florida. Down to the 30's. With no real break for a couple of warmer days.

So I have been digging into my stash and ufo's and found these blocks. 

Can't really remember what pattern they were from. Or even what fabric line. But I figured I might as well try to make something with them.

So here goes! 

                                      Sew and Tell

                                       NTT

                                      Put Your Foot Down

                                     Finished or not Friday

                                      Design wall Monday

Scrapaholic

Over the years I have saved scraps. I just cannot throw away fabric that I could use one day. But lately, I just don't seem to find a project to use them. Pat Sloan talks about using her 2 1/2" squares for a free quilt. So it gave me the idea to try to organize my scraps into useful squares. 

Right now I am cutting them into 2 1/2" squares.

Cutting them with my "GO" baby really helps to be accurate and quick.  

I know I am a long way from having enough to make a quilt, but it is a start. Later I may also cut 5" squares and 2 1/2" strips. 

2 1/2" strips can also make for a quick and easy quilt. Jenny Doan did a tutorial on making them.

Have you ever made the checkerboard quilt using your scraps?

Sunday Scripture

 

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,." Isaiah 55:10

My next project

 

From my September Sew Sampler box from Fat Quarter Shop.  

To Light the Way Forward

 

To Light The Way Forward by Nancy Naigle is a sequel to The Shell Collector but is a stand alone read. It centers around a widow in her golden years as she is trying to find her way after being married for over 50 years.

Rosemary visits her high school friend Kathleen in Whelks Island. A small town in North Carolina. But a Cat 1 hurricane hits the island and destroys a lot of the local place. Rosemary decides to stay and help with the clean up. She meets Tug whose restaurant is blown away by Hurricane Edwina. They form a sweet friendship. 

The story is about overcoming grief and forgiveness. And the joy that comes with helping others in a close knit community. 

 I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A special friend

 

Do you have a friend who sticks closer to you then a sister? I've had two such friends in my lifetime. One is with the Lord, and the other lives many states away. But yet when I think of the sweet friendships that we have shared, it warms my heart beyond measure.

"There's a blessing in our friendship,
It's a bond between we two.
For the Lord brought us together,
And I thank Him now for you.

You've been there when I needed you,
We've shared our dreams and plans.
And when at times I've fallen down,
You've given me your hand.

You are always such a Joy
Each time that we're together,
But more than that, you are my friend
And in my heart forever."

So today I am thankful for my heart friends. The ones who really care.

And share part of their lives with me. Friends may come and friends may go, but your heart friend is with you forever.

"Kindness is a friend's greatest asset,
With it she can mend misunderstandings
and smooth out rumpled feelings.
With only a well placed word,
She can raise a downcast spirit."

Hug your friend today :-)

Stone Ledge Manor

 Well it has been a fun year, making the quilts for the nursing home. And they have finally been delivered.

They were so appreciative with ooh's and ahh's over them. At the last moment I decided to sew a label on the back for them to write a name. This way when they are washed it won't be confused about getting them back to the right person. I sure hope they like them.

                                       Sew and Tell

                                       NTT

                                      Midweek Makers

                                      Put Your Foot Down

                                     Finished or not Friday

                                      Design wall Monday

Happy New Year