One more for the 250th

 With the July 4th celebration behind us, I thought I would make a little pin cushion for the 250th!

You can never have enough pincushions, right?

Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Wordless Wednesday

Ahh, yes!

Happy Quilting!

Helpful hint

 Organizing is not an easy topic for me. But I wanted to share something that helped me keep track of my basing pins.

I was looking for something inexpensive and I found this little plastic container at the Dollar Tree.

Not bad for $1.25.

Happy Quilting!

A Little Latitude

 

A Little Latitude by Johnnie Alexander is a sweet mystery, part of The Gift Shop Mystery series.

Port Huron is a small town in Michigan.  When a mysterious package lands on Sarah Morgan's Heavenly Presents shop door, she doesn't know if it is a hoax. What she finds is a treasure map, with an X marking the spot. She along with forest ranger Flint Carroway start to investigate. 

This enjoyable story is split time with entries from 1812. There is a code that needs to be deciphered to find the treasure.  Clean, engaging, interesting characters, nicely paced. I've read several of Johnnie Alexander's books and she is an excellent author. Even though this is part of a series, it is a stand alone story.

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

Checkerboard

 I had so much green fabric left after making two quilts that I decided to make a checkerboard quilt.

I have watched Pat Sloan make checkerboard quilts in all colors. And I like using up the fabric creatively. Have you ever made a checkerboard quilt? What colors?

Gifted quilt

 This is it. I finished quilting and it is ready to be gifted.

 This is a Villa Rose pattern.

Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Finally....

 getting some quilting done!

Happy Anniversary

 

Fifty three years ago I said "I do" to this man.

I look back over the years, and see how God has blessed us through thick and thin.  But still, it's hard to comprehend that 53 years, more than half a century, has come and gone. He has been my Anchor man, my best friend. Love isn't always enough, but it certainly helps. Any man who doesn't mind having fabric, thread and machines as a part of his life, is definitely a keeper. It's wonderful to be married to your best friend.

Happy anniversary 

Inspire

 There is only one quilt shop left standing in our area. It's a little bit of a drive for me, but they have a wonderful selection and great samples.

Love the inspiration.

Lil Sparklers

 My grandchildren enjoying the sparklers on the 4th of July.

Grandkids ages 10, 9, 8, 6, 5.

America 250 years

 I mentioned before that I wanted to make a quilt celebrating 250 America. After I found fabric at Michaels and a local quilt shop, this is what I ended up making.

It hasn't been quilted yet. And I may still try to work in the bottom section (I ran out of one of the fabrics). But we proudly displayed it on July 4th.

Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Wishing you a Happy 4th

 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

God Bless America.

Falling Into Us

 

Falling Into Us is a sweet clean romance novel by Denise Hunter.

Gabby's mothers dying wish was for Gabby to deliver a letter to her estranged mother. Gabby had never met her grandmother, Rosemary, and was very resentful of how her mother was treated when she found herself pregnant. 

Widower Mason Morrison is a reporter. And a landlord. Gabby rents his cabin for two days to locate her grandmother in North Carolina. Things don't go exactly as planned. Mason wants to help Gabby find her grandmother. A trail that ends up taking weeks. And in that time, a sweet romance starts to bloom.

This book is a heartfelt and emotional story. The characters felt so real. Gabby's issues with trust. Mason's guilty feelings over the death of his wife. Peyton, Mason's daughter, is such a sweet addition, hungry for a woman's touch. The Morrison family welcomes Gabby into the fold, even though they did not really know her. Grandmother Rosemary's cheerfulness in her surrounding. This is definitely a book you will enjoy.

Family, compassion, forgiveness and a romance round out this clean story. As always Denise Hunter is a master at writing well rounded characters. Her stories never disappoint.

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

Where did the year go?

 

It's in the bag

Do you have some wonderful resources for inspiration?? I have been a long time subscriber of American Patchwork & Quilting "all people quilt". I find they offer lots of free patterns and ideas that go beyond their magazine. There is also a community where you can find other quilters from all over the world. The most recent email has some delightful Patriotic Quilt patterns. You can sign up to receive these updates.

I had this wild fabric that was waiting for a great project, and this tote was perfect. The pattern was so easy, although it took me a couple of days to complete it. Only because I changed my mind on the straps and had to rip out what was sewn and audition other fabrics.

This is a great FREE pattern that works up into a really cute little tote.

 Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Where to find fabric?

 Recently I gave all my patriotic fabric to some gals who make quilts for Quilts of Valor. But then I decided I wanted to make something for the 250th America anniversary. But where to find the fabric?

I actually did very well at Michaels. 

We have three Michaels in my driving area. And I went to all three. Found these beautiful blue and red fabrics at a very reasonable price of $3.99 a yard.

While I was there I also picked up these pretty pieces.

Some were even on clearance. Michaels seems to be getting more fabric in stock. They are really nice quality. Maybe not quilt shop but definitely better than Walmart. Most are $3.99 but there were higher end fabrics as well. Lots of batiks. You just can't beat the price. 

Happy Quilting!

Spring tablerunner

 I know that Spring has passed us by. But I wanted to make a spring table runner. I can use it next year. So I started with an idea and worked from there.

No pattern, just figuring it out as I go. I'll get it quilted before next spring ;-)

Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

 Scrap Happy

Decluttering

 I had been collecting Quilt magazines for years. I really don't know why because so many of the patterns were repeat. But do you remember these magazines?

You could travel around the US and visit Quilt shops virtually. 

I don't buy many magazines any more. Although you can get several different patterns for the price of one pattern. But I am trying to declutter and this is one the first things that went to the library and thrift stores. 

How about you? Do you have a stack of magazines or patterns that need to be rehomed? I still have some that I need to go through. You know, in case there is one or two that interest me ;-)

Quickstep

 Here it is. Quickstep quilt top finished. 

It is a Villa Rosa pattern.   I've never made a green quilt before. I think it turned out pretty cute.

I really like these little Villa Rosa quilt patterns. They are fun to make and are only $2 (free shipping).

 Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

 Scrap Happy

Have no worries

 

Relax, throw open the windows of our stuffy little souls and let the cooling breezes of a better world sweep through! What will all our petty worries amount to fifty years from now? Rejoice in the old simplicities which no man can take away—like spring and green woods and mocking-birds. And, better still, rest our souls in the goodness of God and His amazing grace. –V. Havner

Featherweight

 Giving my Featherweight a workout.

Woo-hoo. Getting things done!

Tangy Lemon Blueberry Loaf

 

This is the time of year for delicious blueberries and tangy lemons.  I found this recipe online, and I'm sorry that I did not note the author.  But blueberries and lemons were in my fridge so it was time to try this recipe.

Lemon Blueberry Loaf

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

2 tsp lemon rind

1 cup full fat plain yogurt OR sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

1.  Stir together first 4 dry ingredients.

2.  In a large mixing bowl, bet together eggs, vanilla, lemon rind, sour cream and oil.

3.  Add dry mixture and mix just until dry ingredients are well incorporated.  Don't over mix.

4.  Gently stir in blueberries.  (I coated mine with a little bit of flour so they would bake evenly in the loaf.

5.  Pour batter into well greased and floured loaf pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes (test doneness with toothpick)

6.  Once baked allow to rest in pan for 10 minutes then remove to cooling rack.

Lemon syrup:

1/3 cup sugar

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1.  Heat together until sugar is dissolved.

2.  Poke warm Lemon Blueberry loaf with small fork and brush lemon syrup over loaf.  Allow to cool completely.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Stir together and drizzle over cooled loaf.  Allow to set.

This is a great combination. Enjoy!

Off the Cuff

Several years ago I bought this book.

There are several really cute pincushion patterns and lots of creative ideas.

This is the one that caught my attention.

I had this idea if you use men's shirts for making quilt blocks, wouldn't it be cool to cut off the cuffs and make pincushions??

So I bought a mans shirt for $1.00 from the thrift store and gave it a try.


Isn't he cute?? I did not follow the exact directions given in the book, but just did my own thing. And I still think he turned out cute :-) The ears are flower buttons.

How about you? Do you ever go out of your comfort zone? Let's be creative today and make something outside of the box!

Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Patchwork and Quilts

GO! Cutter

I made 5" blocks from fabric I had on hand.

 I like the way this one turned out so I went on and made second one.

This one is more for a baby boy. With my Accuquilt GO! cutter, I am able to cut 5" squares so quickly.

By cutting a 5 1/2" strip, there is very little waste.

Another one in the works!

 Sew and Tell 

 Finished or not Friday 

 Brag About Your Beauties   

Scrap Happy

Patchwork and Quilts

In Memory

 Memorial Day is a day celebrated in the US in honor and tribute to the soldiers who have lost their lives in service protecting our country.

Memorial Day is a truly patriotic holiday which is celebrated on the last Monday in May. It is a day set apart for remembering and honoring those who died while serving in the American Armed Forces.

In 1971 Congress passed a law making Memorial Day a national holiday. Typical Memorial Day celebrations include parades, special programs and speeches. Americans often attend picnics and baseball games, and almost any other type of outdoor event made possible by the freedom these soldiers died to protect. This holiday is the unofficial beginning of summer.

In memory and honor of those who have fought and died to keep our country free.

May God continue to protect and bless the United States of America!

America 250

 

With America 250th anniversary are you looking for free patriotic patterns? Check out Quilt Inspiration.  Not only does she have free patriotic patterns, she has hundreds of free quilt patterns. Look at her side bar or her quilt pattern archive to find different ones. So many to choose from. She also has quilt tutorials.

Happy quilting!

More travel day inspiration