Saturday, January 31, 2009

String Lone Star Quilt

If you go to this link you will find directions for making a string lone star quilt. Don't you think this quilt is so beautiful? And if you go here you see Faye Burden's quilts. On the right column are her string quilts with the string stars down toward the middle of the list. I SOOOO want to do one. But that is another day/month/year LOL. Put it on the list! But (sigh) I must finish UFOs first.

Wouldn't you just love to go to Faye Burden's house and SEE her beautiful poster bed with the canopy and touch and FEEL these hand quilted quilts?

Happy quilting and blessings,

Fabric Shopping

Myself and three others from Kraz-z Quilters went to Graham yesterday to Frances' Fabrics. She was having a sale! We had a blast and didn't hurt our pocketbooks too hard. We mainly were searching for things we needed to finish projects. BUT it sure was tempting! We were good girls, though. All except Dixie! I'm ratting her out. She found this beautiful brown floral and just had to have some. I don't blame her. I did the same thing Thursday. I went in to grab some toilet paper and see if our local Duckwall's had the ink cartridges my printer takes and just HAD to look at the fabric. Bad mistake or good fortune? I found this beautiful large print floral that will make a beautiful 4 Patch Stacked Posies. Do you agree? Good fortune, right? My guild is wanting me to do a workshop on the 4PSP after one of our meetings so there you have it. I can demo this fabric and not have to use from the bolts I sell so there will be more to sell. ; )

I found the top two at Duckwall's and the bottom two at Frances' Fabrics. I wasn't happy with the fabric I had chosen for the sashing for the Star BOM so I found this Moda Marble at Frances'. The green is a one yard piece I will use for binding on Time Travel.

AND there are neat little shops on the square in Graham. We ate at our favorite place The Magnolia Tea Room. I had what they call the Magnolia Duet-a half sandwich and small cup of soup. The sandwich was turkey with provolone cheese, lettuce and cilantro mayo. The soup was Chicken Tortilla with fire roasted tomatoes. Very good! They also sell antiques and have a florist shop. I found these small bowls there. I was wanting some more small bowls for dessert. Since our family is growing.




We had talked about going to Denton to Linda's Quilt Shop on Super Bowl Sunday but as a group it wasn't working for everyone. She is opening at 8am and has 43% off. So tempting to make another trip!

Blessings,

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Cookie Recipe

I haven't posted a recipe in a long time and DH loves these. My oven wasn't working and hadn't for a couple of weeks (DH is a procrastinator, too) and he was able to get it going again so I thought I would bake him some cookies.

Power Cookies
from Imperial Sugar Company

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
3 cups uncooked oats
(or sometimes I like 4 cups oats and 1 cup raisins)
2 cups coconut
2 cups raisins
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts

Cream together butter and shortening with brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, salt, and baking soda and mix into first mixture. Add remaining ingredients and knead into mixture. Drop by heaping teaspoons, 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets or use parchment like I do. Bake in 350 degree oven for 9 to 10 minutes. You know your oven--just watch them. Makes a lot!

They are sooooo good. There went my diet. Do any of you use olive oil to replace the fat in your recipes? I used a little (1/4 cup when I made these) just to experiment. And just a note I usually reduce the sugar by half a cup. I know you could more but we kinda like our sugar in this house.

DH came home again yesterday by 2:30pm. I haven't got much done lately. I wonder why? One reason--I stay on the computer too much. Another- when DH is home he will talk to me when I'm in another room and I have to come to him and say "What did you say?" I get my exercise anyway. LOL Another - he got a used laptop and got our son-in-law to get it on the internet. DSIL downloaded free virus protection. DH was still getting things showing up. Being less than computer savvy we went to Wal-Mart yesterday and bought a program. Last night I couldn't get the old program off in order to install the new. It shows to be off under our programs but it's still running. I advised DH to take it in and have some computer guru fix it.

Blessings,

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Praise the Lord!

It's time to praise the Lord! Remember my post the other day about abortion? You gotta read this article and celebrate. Thanks for praying.

Not sure what our overnight low was here but it was twenty degrees at 8:00am. Well, we got more sleet last night and schools are closed again today. The sun is out and things are beginning to melt. DH came home yesterday around 1:30pm. He went in this morning and came home around 8:30 and then went in again around 9:30. He said their water was frozen in the shop and the heaters were running and it wasn't warming up much. The sun is helping a lot. We've called off Kraz-z Quilters today. I've been watching the news from DFW area and travel in areas is a mess.

Blessings,

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Bridges and Over-passes Covered in Ice

My thermometer reads 30 degrees on the south side of our house and we have a north wind this morning with drizzle. Schools are closed, government offices closed, and it's supposed to get worse as the day goes on. I am snug as a bug in my nice warm house. I'm praying everyone is safe out there and for those in other areas who have lost power. I've fed my Max and given him warm water and now I think I will sew!

Blessings,

Sunday, January 25, 2009

All About Applique

I found this blog All About Applique by Kay Mackenzie. She has a pattern line and written a book. It is very informative and interesting. She also has guest bloggers who talk about applique and links to applique sites.

I stand corrected. Kay Mackenzie has several books to her credit with another in the works.

Blessings,

Blog of the Week

Quilts 4 Heart is the featured blog in my sidebar under Blog of the Week. Check it out.

Happy quilting and blessings,

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Giveaway at Terry Atkinson

If you go to Terry Atkinson's blog and leave a comment on this post you will be entered to win a copy of her new book Fat Quarter Fonts.

I went to Paradise today. Paradise is only a few miles from my house. We meet and sew in the fellowship hall of a local church there the fourth Saturday of each month. I got all the Navy 4 Patch Stacked Posies blocks squared up ( I used my new square ruler-and it made quick work of squaring up). Yahoo! Now I just have to sew them together and then decide on borders. I also took my crumb blocks to show them. It's always fun to see everyone's projects. They are as individual as they are. Oh, by the way, we had a cold front come through last night. Yesterday it was near 80 degrees. Today we may have gotten up to 38 degrees with a brisk north wind. Brrrrrr! Perfect day for sewing! Just a little cool hauling the stuff in and out. Well worth it!

Happy quilting and blessings,

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Spent my gift certificate



I got a gift certificate to Jo-Anns for Christmas. I shopped online & ordered rulers I needed. I also ordered the no-melt mylar template plastic so I can applique the Dresden Plate blocks. The package came yesterday. Look at the slender ruler beside the mylar. It has sixteenth inch markings. This will come in real handy doing the Star BOM.
I've going to use the Companion Angle to make flying geese to finish the Time Travel quilt (remember-DS#1 wanted it bigger and still does). I already had the smaller EZ Angle and I needed a new square ruler. I had dropped mine on one corner and #%#$& and that corner was ruined. I had been wanting a Tri Recs ruler ever since Judy L talked about it on her blog. Sounds like I need to play. LOL

I've been working on more crumb blocks. I have thirteen all trimmed and ready to go. But there are like seven more in different stages of completion. They are also addictive. Beware! With crumb blocks you don't have to be precise with your seam allowances. And they are like rabbits, or guppies (which ever fits the picture in your mind (I know we're always searching for things in there)LOL) or any creature that multiplies readily. You sew and trim and there's more pieces!

Enough sewing! I'm going outside to work in the yard. It is in the upper seventies today. Woo Hoo!

Blessings,

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

2009 International Siggy Swap

I have joined the 2009 International Siggy Swap sponsored by Connie W at Cootie Bug 2 blog . There were still some openings if you're interested.

I've gotten my sales tax and bills mailed. I've worked on more crumb blocks last night and a little while this morning and I hope to get back to them later. I've also got to work on Kraz-z Quilters scrapbook.

Happy quilting and blessings,

Sunday, January 18, 2009

75 years



We gathered this past Sunday Jan. 18 to celebrate my DFIL's birthday. Here is the McShan clan! We were missing our youngest DS, DDIL, DGS Mason, DN and DN's dh, another DN and DN's dh, and her three children. It was a beautiful day with even more family and good food. Lots of laughs and good times. Happy Birthday, Fred McShan, and many more.

It was an absolutely beautiful day with temps in the seventies. The butterflies and honey bees were all over a rosemary plant. On Saturday we visited my mom and step-dad and saw two robins.



Blessings,

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

First Attempt at Crumb Blocks



I've been trying my hand at crumb piecing. I mixed a little strips with the little pieces. To think most of these little pieces would have been thrown away. What am I making? Not sure yet. Maybe another tote bag or small quilt.

I have a question. What quilting magazines do you subscribe to and why? What do you like or dislike? I'm in the market (I think) for a change.

Blessings,

Monday, January 12, 2009

Last of the Quilt Show Pictures


A cheery bright quilt!



If you knew me better you would know that I love yellow!



I want to make one of these some day.


This was the only 4 Patch Stacked Posie quilt and a big one. I took this for you, Lindi!

I really, really like this one. Even though I may be starting toward brighter colors I still gravitate to the muted tones.
Here's wishing you blessings from on high,

Sunday, January 11, 2009

More from the 2009 OKC Winter Quilt and Embroidery Show

Close-up of basket.

More baskets. I love basket quilts.




I really liked the edge on this quilt. The colors in
the photo on the right are not true. I don't know what
exactly happened.

These feathered stars were amazing!




My taste must be changing because I was really attracted
to the bright quilts.

This quilt was stunning!



Above left--very unusual. Above right--very nice piecing!





A very comforting quilt.




These One Block Wonders were the only two I saw.
I really like the colors of the one on the left. The one
on the right is very unique in it's coloring.



This quilt is so amazing!



This turtle quilt was absolutely beautiful!


A beautiful whole cloth quilt.


This to me was kinda unusual.




I am always impressed with these richly appliqued
type quilts on the left. I thought this little sheep quilt was
so unique.
There's still more pictures. Can you stand some more tomorrow?
Blessings,

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Major Eye Candy

My friend, Kathleen, invited me to go to the 2009 Oklahoma City Quilt and Embroidery Show. We went today and I took pictures. So get all comfy with a cup of something nice to drink.



This one won Best of Show.
Absolutely stunning! The machine quilting exquisite.




I really liked this one.


There were lots of appliqued quilts.





Close-up of corner.















Click on the photo on the right above to read about the this wall hanging.



Click on the photo on the right above to read about this
beautiful Hawaiian quilt.



I will post more pictures on another day. Don't want to give you overload.


Blessings,