Happy Spring!

Oh my....SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Blogger has a new format for posting.

Keep your fingers crossed, I'll do my best.

I've been busy..........
Had the youngest 3 grandkids (under six years) for the weekend.

   It was their Mommy's birthday. So on Sunday when they came to pick them up
we surprised her with a special dinner, a very decorated birthday cake and handmade cards.
Wouldn't you know, it rained all weekend!
Lots of coloring, puzzles, movies and Uno games for Papa & me.
I Love to have them around!

Spend last weekend at retreat.
12 crazy quilters and a ton of chocolate.
What could be better?
I worked on a 30's pinwheel quilt, set on point, 
that just needs borders.

I can't decide, piano keys (like the pattern called for) or
maybe a ribbon? Or flying geese? Zigzag?

Need to leave wide open spaces for feathers.

I spearheaded a sewing marathon to piece two "comfort" quilts

for guild members who are facing serious health issues.

We wanted something bright and cheery that said "Spring".

Members wrote words of encouragement and signatures in the white strips

 The pattern "Summer in the Park" is a free video

from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

They made it look so easy, and it was!

EXCEPT......edges are on the bias.

And you know how tricky bias edges can be.

My title was "Happy Spring" because I wanted to show you how

beautiful my flowers are in the front yard.

I can't wait to fill my planters on the porch, trying to hold off for

another week or so. Temps are still dropping in the evenings.

Hope all is well in your world.

Ain't it the truth!

(pinterest)

Howdy!

Spring, make that SUMMER weather is here!

It's so much easier getting out of bed with the sun shining

and the birds chirping.

Don't you agree?

Want to share a little project I made

for my quilting friends at Guild.

A Matchbook Needle Keeper.

Isn't it just the cutest?

Easy-Peasy to make.

Here are the directions.

Since I had only boring white cardstock on hand

I needed to pump it up a bit.

Sew......I ironed Steam A Seam 2 on the back of cute fabric,

 then pressed the fabric onto the cardstock.

It worked!

Who knew? 

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the

WI Quilt Study Group meeting in Madison.

Janette Dwyer spoke about her favorite subject

"My girl Ruby" 

 Have you heard of Ruby Short McKim?

She is nationally known as a quilt designer of the 1920s and 1930s.

A woman ahead of her time!

For both her creative and business talents.

Janette bought lots of quilts and patterns to share.

Her enthusiasm for Ruby is contagious!

I purchased the Roly Poly Circus pattern.

You know I love redwork!

Here is a picture of the quilt I found on Google.

With all the projects I have going maybe I will get this made for 

 my great-grandchildren?

Check out this beautiful customer quilt.

Jean did a fabulous job working with flannel.

Pictures are from this winter but hey......
I forgot to show it.

The backing flannel is so cozy.

Well, I'm off to work.....my machine is calling.

Quilt On.

A Rough February

But life is looking up.

(From Pinterest)

Let me show you what I've been up to.

So far I have 15 blocks (375 yo-yos) completed.

My goal: 1225 or 70" x 70"

I may be adjusting the size....LOL.

***

I've tried a few new recipes.

OOOO talk about delicious.

LOOK at these......

 you've gotta be hungry!

Click on the photo for the recipe.

From "The Pioneer Woman".

and

Honey Garlic Pork Chops

Both are quick and easy to make.

Hubby gave them two thumbs up.

***

I'm sure you've read about the

Homemade Laundry Detergent craze.

Let me tell you first hand.

It works!

Better than "works".

It's Amazing!
My laundry smells so fresh and sweet.

And cheap inexpensive to make.

Can't beat that.

Today is Super Tuesday and all I can say is:

Lots of Hugs and I'll have quilts to show you soon.

  

Busy-Busy-Busy

Wow, last week was a busy one.

I have so much to share.

Let's start with Kathie's

 cute Americana quilt.

Hard to see the quilted details.

Love the legs! 

Good job Kathie!

 I finished my September "Birdie" Block.

It's not to late to start.

The embroidery is fast and fun.

Come on..... you can catch up!

 The link to the free pattern is on my side bar.

I'm stitching mine in fun colors as you can see.

Doesn't this look

scrumptious?

I baked this for our Guild meeting last week

and everyone loved it.

No leftovers.

The photo and recipe are from Paula Deen's website.

I mean really,

 2 sticks of butter and 4 eggs....only Paula.

Click to enlarge and print.

It will be a real battle between this and last year's

Pumpkin Crunch recipe this Thanksgiving.
Hubby loved them both.

Working on a Halloween table topper.

Hope to have it finished to show you next week.

 

 

Hubby and I went to see the movie "The Debt".

It's 4 thumbs up from us. 

What a thriller!

 

 

Well, that's my life up to the minute.

I hope this finds you healthy & happy.

Stay safe.

SUPER FAST Jelly Roll Quilt

Okay, I maybe a little late for the party.....

but have you seen this video?

I couldn't believe it.

Piece a jelly roll top in 35 minutes?

(That's the record time).

I was fascinated to say the least.

Of course, I had to try it.

It took me about 90 minutes

start to finish.

I started with 2 half price jelly rolls from JoAnn's.

Each one contained 20 strips.

You need 40, or 1600 inches. 

The most important thing to remember is to cut the first strip in half.

(you won't need it)

This enables the seams to be staggered.

Next, sew all the strips together, end to end, on the diagonal.

I believe this is what took so long to do.

Or sew it seams.

I just picked a color, at random, no set pattern.

Then, find the two ends of the long strip and stitch, right sides together.

Cutting loop apart at end.

You now have a L-O-N-G (800") strip that is 2 jellyroll strips wide.

Find the 2 ends and stitch again.

Your strip is now 4 strips wide and 400" long.

 Repeat stitching ends 4 more times

 your piece should be 32 strips wide.

Your Finished!

My top measures  50" x 62".

Add a border and you've made a nice size lap.

Clear as mud?

Here's the tutorial from

Heirloom Creations.

Last night I kept thinking about the box of 2 1/2" strips I have cut.

Hmmm.

My strips were 22" long so I chose 40 and used the same technique

for a baby quilt. I didn't time myself but is went together QUICK.

This one I pieced the strips together straight edge.

Really scrappy.

Just what I had on hand.

Finished size approximately 34" x 50"

Notice the strips are vertical?

With a little more thought I maybe able to make it work!

What a wonderful charity project for our guild.

Can't wait to share it with them next month. 

Let me know if you try it!

Or have made one.

Stormy Weather

WOW!

A storm passed thru this morning and left our deck a mess.

Guess I'll be looking for a new table at the end of the season.

We went to MLK on Sunday to celebrate Piper's First Birthday.

What a cutie!

I did a little stitching this week.

Finished up my BOM's for June & July.

And sewed 3 rows of my quilt together.

I'm half way there!

When the last block is posted I'll be on the home stretch.

(photo from Hoot-n-Nanny)

This pie recipe is perfect for summer.

NO BAKING.

But.........it must be refrigerated 8 hours before serving.

A good "make the the day before" if you remember.

I found the recipe here.

Lanell has how to photos and lots of tempting recipes.

(click on recipe to print)

What can I say......I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!

Busy week ahead.

Friendship Stars Quilt Guild Picnic.
Sure to be a good time.
Isn't show & tell the best part of guild meetings?
Working on customer quilts.
And a "how to" on bais binding.
I've had several emails inquiring
 about the scallop edges on my redwork basket quilt.

Stay safe.

Summer Love

Finally, it feels like summer.

And looks like summer.

Bird Feeders out.

 Planters filled.

Baskets hung.

 Flag flying.

Oh happy day! 

**************

 Here is the May Birdee BOM.

I know, I'm a little late.

June is already posted.

I'm going to catch up soon.

Since last weekend I pulled a tendon in my foot 

and have been sitting with an ice pack.

Poop, I hate getting old!

But, I'm fun to look at-wobble-wobble-wobble.

 **************

Have you seen what's going on over at Kelly's?

It looks like fun.

Be sure and check it out. 

Left Overs & A Give Away

Don't ya just love left overs!

Whether it be food or fabric.

 Does this red work look familiar?

 In March
Debbie at Busy As Can Be  
offered this free embroidery pattern.
I stitched it on a tea towel
only to discover that it was waaay 
too pretty to get dirty.
(Picture grandson, running in, wiping his
cute little dirty-grubby hands on it).
So, I cut the tea towel and used my leftover fabrics
from my red work quilt to make this table topper.
It measures about 25" and so cute on my table!

 There was even enough left over 
bias binding to finish it off!

Thanks again Debbie for the pattern!

And speaking of cute......

 

 Mary Engelbreit's 

Bowl of Cherries fabric with polka dots.

 

 And cook book.

Just leave a comment and 

I'll try real hard to draw your name 

and send both, 

1 yard of fabric and the cookbook, to you.

P.S. I'll draw Saturday morning before I head out of town!