Move over Martha

Can't you totally see this on Martha Stewart? I'm making an apron out of the tea towel shown in green. It's a nice sturdy one with the Moda accents and the cutest pleated pocket in the front and striped sashings to boot.


Can't wait to get it done...I'm hoping I'll be able to part with it and give it as a gift, but....I have a feeling I'll get selfish about this one and just....KEEP it for myself.....ahhh, I said it, and the guilt is lifted.


The consolation to it all....the whole cloth quilt underneath (in yellowish gold), quilted within an inch of it's life...(drum roll) is...a... lap quilt from TJ Maxx and Marshall's...for a whooping $19.99. I use them for table cloths and they wash like Tom Sawyer in the Mississippi. I buy them every chance I get and have them in four colors so far. Keep your eyes peeled for them.


Two more things before I go, one good, one bad...

Number one: my Bernina bit the dust 3 days ago and I'm using my trusty Singer 221 from 1937...runs like a newly greased pig. I forgot how much I loved it.

Number two: My hero found my Iphone which is why...he... is ... my hero!

Now...Which one of these things is good and which one is bad?

Coming Right Along

Here's the progress of my Quilt a Long with Elizabeth at Oh Fransson. I am pleased with the fabrics after all. However, Amy Butler and I had an encounter yesterday at the quilt shop where she and I are plotting this same pattern using her fabrics....like I had originally planned.



Nice soothing color palatte, don't you think?


Maybe even an "eye spy" quality to it...can you find the butterfly?


We're only through Blocks A, B, and C so far....


This is my fav by far. Don't tell the others...don't want to hurt feelings, you know.


Until tomorrow,
Lindsey

Another BOM?

Found this little wall hanging BOM late last night as the dog woke me at 3:14 a.m. to be exact.
Click the pic for details.

Block 1 - Quilt A Long

This is block 1 for my quilt a long at Oh Fransson. Did I miss something? I think I was suppose to have 6 different fabrics for each block . Oh well, I 'm going with it this time and will try a different route next time. It will be lovely no matter what!



I'm trying to make this look interesting but how exciting can two fabrics really look. I feel like I'm asking them to pose for the camera.



Back to basics, I guess. Let's all just line up like good little soldiers. (Heavy sigh....and then a smile.)

Happy Quilting today....
Lindsey

Ten Uses for Dryer Sheets

Pretty neat stuff...here goes:

1- Hang a dryer sheet outside during mosquito season to keep them away.

2-Put one in a drawer, hang in a closet under the seat of a car or truck, or in your health club locker.

3- MY FAVORITE!...run a sewing needle through a dryer sheet to keep the thread from getting in a tangle or twisty.

4-Keep one in your luggage to keep your clothes from smelling musty when you travel.

5-Rub one one the T.V. or computer screen to stop static electricity.

6-Clean shower soap scum with a dryer sheet; it dissolves the scum.

7-Keep bugs and bees away but putting a dryer sheet in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture....you can even rub it right on your skin as a bug repellent.

8-Pat hair, clothes and stockings with a dryer sheet to prevent static electricity.

9-Another favorite: Rub one on a stinky dog before they come in the house! Even works on wet dogs.

10-Soak dirty pots and pans, baked on with gunck with a dryer sheet or two. You can even use it on the stove, or oven and clean up is a breeze.

I read this in the Wall Street Journal today....it's always nice to have something positive in the news, isn't it!

Just call me Heloise today.

Moda Park?

I feel a little ripped off. At the quilt show, I was specifically looking for Amy Butler fabrics. I asked the booth owner, "Are these your Amy Butler fabrics?" She replied, "Yes, these three shelves". Satisfied, I happily began pulling fabrics for this quilt-a-long. As I began cutting this morning, I see that all the fabrics are Moda, Park series. I'm so bummed!


I do like my fabrics but I know my niece loves those Amy Butler fabrics. This quilt may have a new owner.



The process has been fun with the Oh Fransson quilt-a-long. Elizabeth is extremely organized which is appealing to someone like me who would like to have a higher level of organization in my life......

Speaking of organization....did I tell you I lost my phone? ...my IPhone...grumble.
As my Nutcracker says, "It's not lost until you stop looking for it". I love that phone and I wish it wasn't such a celebrity. It gets too many ooohs and ahhhhs when you whip it out. It's here at the house some where, I think.

Here are a few reasons why I love my IPhone and grieve it's loss:
1-I can see it. The buttons are large enough for me to see without squinting. That's the most important one.

2-It has built-in GPS...'getting lost' is my middle name. This feature alone has changed my life and worth whatever My Hero had to pay for it.

3-It has Tangrams on it. Great exercise for your brain and Baby Girl loves to play it. I figure it saves me 3 years of assisted living or nursing home costs.
Tangrams are those ancient Chinese puzzles that have the same 7 pieces. You figure out how the pieces go together to make the picture they give to you. We're hooked on them. Kind of quilty in way.
And last but not least:

4-My IPhone...well,.... makes my son think I'm half way cool.
Hey, just trying to relate to my teen...that's all. Can you blame me? I love that kid!

Hang in there and keep that quiltin' going....it's saving my sanity right now! Can you relate?

Noel

Here's a bright spot in my day...my dog, Noel. (Pronounced Nole). It has to be a one syllable word and you'll see why. I didn't name him. He's got a great story....you may want a hanky for this one. Noel was born in to the seeing eye dog program, thus the one syllable name. Raised as a seeing eye dog and trained within an inch of his life. Beautiful temperament, generous, and without a doubt shows unconditional love. Unfortunately, after two years of training 8 hours a day, he failed his exit exam. That entails going to Home Depot with his vest and leash on, guiding a person through the store and...having a huge pallet dropped in front of him. It scared him to death and that was the end of his career.

If they fail that test, the dogs are placed as companion dogs for "physically challenged" folks. He was bought for a hefty price by a family across the street when we lived in Tampa on Davis Islands. Their daughter, falls into that category. The sweet mom hired my son to walk him twice a day. At one point, her daughter and mother were having health problems and she asked us if we could keep the dog. We were elated and felt as if we had reached heaven. We loved Noel so much and were thrilled that he would be a part of our family.

I think that must have been hard for them to give him up. It did help that we moved back to Atlanta shortly afterward. Noel is as good as it gets. Kind, to a fault. A real prince. He is aging a little quicker than we'd like. With diabetes and several large cysts all over his body, he gets 2 shots a day and wouldn't dare complain about it. Such a gentleman. Diabetes causes loss of sight and numbness in his feet. The doctor says he can see shadows and shapes at best. With as much as he bumps into things, I'm not sure he sees that much.


We love him like the day is long...even if he can't guide you across an intersection anymore, he can guide your heart....to a place that shows you what love looks like. A place where nothing is hard and no one gets hurt. He is .... all about the heart.

Amy Butler / Quilt A Long

Have you seen Oh Fransson's Quilt A Long? Everything Elizabeth does is so upbeat and fun. I thought I'd give this a try since it seemed to be a short term affair. I'm going for the scrappy look with white sashing. That Kona white is so nice and bright for these Amy Butler fabrics. Choosing mix and match patterns, I'm hoping it will not look too matchy matchy.



What do you think about the brown thrown in there? It kind of reminds me of the phase of seasons we're in right now. Spring has sprung here in the south but plenty of "old brown" still left over from winter. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom here in Atlanta.




I've got a few graduation quilts coming up for highschool seniors and I thought this would be a "young" look for a special niece of mine. Suppose to be a surprise...hope she's not reading!
It's all about the heart!
Until tomorrow...
Lindsey!

Post Cards Stamps

For those of you who would like to try the fabric post cards...you can get the post card stamps at: www.earlytimesworkshop.com

The post office requires that the words "Post Card" appears on the back of the card.

She has several beautiful old fashioned styles but this was the simplest. Just contact her directly as her store photos are not up yet.

This woman does amazing miniatures on muslin foundations. Available there as well.
Here's a quick tutorial for the fabric postcards: Fabric Postcards
Have fun!
Lindsey

Kaffe Fassett Explosion

Just a few goodies from the quilt show today...these are fabrics from an adorable shop that had mostly Kaffe Fassett fabrics and a few other lovlies.


Love the pink and green! Reminds me of "sorority girl" kind of things. By the way...I am not a sorority girl...I am an alum from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. It's like one huge sorority...can you guess why? Because there are no boys there.........at all! It's a girl's school or as they ingrained in us to say.....A Woman's College. Now then, I've said it properly.


These pinks and browns reminded me of a someone's February calendar quilt...very pretty. Can't remember who's...does anyone know?


This is the actual Kaffe Fassett display. Funny how it's more muted in the photo than in real life. Oh well....still stunning. It was such a stopper at the show...people dying to get in there. Only one other booth had Amy Butler and Kaffe Fassett. They were both packed....you'd think folks would get a clue as to what sells...maybe, they're "being true to themselves" as they say on American Idol!


A Kaffe close up


Her display was so creative...she used old baskets and vintage luggage to show her wares.


Old cheese trays...to be honest...I don't really know what kind of wooden box that is but it sounded good!


These fabrics look just as good "unmade" as they do made into a quilt.


This was my favorite stash. Rich, rich color.



Have you been over to see his new book...just out in October 2008? Country Garden Quilts. I made the "S" quilt in yellow for my sister from that collection. Her good friend quilted it for me. It does come as a kit (for around $120.00) in yellow, using wild fabrics; I couldn't find it on the website but you can see the "earthy" one here.
I did order mine from that website so they should have it. Too bad I don't have a photo!

Anyway...I'll have more from the quilt show this week so check back with me for more! Including the new invention called the Bobbin Bikini!

By the way...we did have snow 6 days ago...and now it's 75 degrees outside...what gives?
Onward and upward my friends!
Ciao!

Cranford - A Great Movie Night

Any "Cranford" fans out there? We became fast friends of Miss Mattie and Dr. Harrison over the last two months. It all started when the first of our five fell ill. The movie is almost 6 hours, I believe and thus great for a sick one to pass the time. No one was sick tonight...but...we watched a bit of it anyway.

Here's a brief synopsis of the story...

Here's the dashing Dr. Harrison, do you recognize him from Pride and Prejudice?

And his true love, Sophie Hutton:

Unfortunately, it may not be on PBS for quite some time...so we ordered our own copy. A friend loaned it to me last summer when I was coming down from the helicopter and we fell in love instantly. If you love the Jane Austen type stuff, it'll be right up your alley.

Maybe your public library would have it....it will put a smile on your face and wish you were living in a simpler time.

Here's to a great movie night....enjoy!

Another Black Quilt

Just a quickie post...This quilt is hanging in my basement and came from the Tobacco Barn in Asheville, NC. I didn't realize how many black quilts I have until I started blogging. Does anyone know the name of this?

Looks Like Fun

I love Elizabeth's quilts and projects at Oh Frannson!. They are always so happy and upbeat with a little edge of funky yet sophistication attached. I'm curious about her quilt along. She's giving details on Tuesday.

Do you think you'll jump in?

Calendar Quilt Challenge - Feb.

What a fun project...very low pressure and it should turn out fairly well. I'm envisioning a nice picnic quilt out of this ... or at least a fun throw around quilt for the car and trips. By the way, every time you go on a trip...do you wish you'd brought a quilt with you? I always wish I had. When we went to Disney, I thought to myself...It's Florida...I will not need a quilt. Well, it was freezing down there and rainy one day...If I'd had one, I would have offered it to Cinderella!


I'm loving these little deer and hedgehogs....Hey maybe this could be my eye spy quilt?


Now that I'm looking at this...do you think it needed a little more brown?

Overall, February has been very, very good to me!
Enjoy!

Birthday Celebrations at Mom's Place

Yep, today is my 45th birthday. Feels pretty good actually, couldn't be happier. It's my first birthday since my mother passed away in May of last year. She lived with us for the last year and a half of her life and I loved having her here. Not always easy but a blessing none the less.

These are a few photos of her entry way/breakfast area on our "terrace level" (better known as the basement)where she lived. My Hero built a beautiful apartment there that's nicer than the rest of my house! This is a beautiful antique quilt in a log cabin variation...I believe it's called Courthouse Steps but I'm not sure...please correct me.



I brightened up the colors on this one and it's too strong but I wanted to show you the wide antique lace she attached to the bottom....just stuck on with pins....I'd never even seen them before.

She always had a knack for making something out of nothing and it always turned out beautiful....where did she do her shopping? ....antique shops, auctions and....the dollar store.


Here's the birthday girl, ....one that wishes it were her birthday ....and one....in the bed, sick. That yuk has gone through everyone in our family for the last 2 months. Nutcracker is the last one to get it.

And now...on my birthday...I'm going to do something I love to do....quilt....I'm working on my calendar challenge today and I'll post tomorrow my great success!
Enjoy your day like it was your last....
Love to you all!

Look What I Found in the Trash

It's a gift card holder with a little smidge of applique on it. Beautiful, I think and a off beat at the same time. Back to the trash or not? You decide.

Oh by the way...it's my birthday tomorrow - :) A whopping 45. WAHOO!

Guess Where I've Been.....

Can you guess? Could it be a magical place?




A place full of wonder?



A place to remind you of how small the world really is?



A place full of fantasy?



Where you travel in a teacup?



A place where you can be deliriously happy?



Where even the ugly is funny?



Where you dare to dream....



That your wishes will come true?



A place where the beautiful people....



are genuine and kind.


A place where you find your self shouting out loud with joy...


Where someone with plastic black ears can make you grin from ear to ear...


Have you guessed it yet....
it's a place....where ...."the dreams that you wish, will come true"....

Now tell the truth....are you smiling?