whole lotta nuttin'

Thank you for all the great book suggestions!

It seems we are hitting the doldrums of summer here, which is actually quite nice.  Most of my days seem to be a filled with a little of this....a little of that.... and not much.  I think they call it the dog days of summer.

I did finish designing the last two blocks of my Hot Flash quilt.  This was a bit of challenge working with all these different prints. (gosh red is hard to photograph!)

and I've been making patches for the nine patch swaps which are due here to me on October 1st.

My Sailor took part in this year's Chicago to Mackinac Island yacht race.  He was part of a 8 man/woman crew aboard Slapshot, a 135ft. J109 sailboat.  The race is 333 miles.  They started on Friday at mid-day and finished on Monday at mid-day.  They came in 5th in their class - Congrats to the Crew of Slapshot!!

I picked up this pretty plate at a flea market recently .  How could I resist red and white, transfer-ware and my new great state of Connecticut.   Love the gilded fluted edge.  $8.00

I also picked up this wonderful folk art painting.  I love the simplicity of it.  The frame is nice and plain.  It looks great in the kitchen.  $12.00

Hanna and I found these socks shopping in New Port.  We laughed so hard.  They had others with foul language.  I would have bought them all, it was hard to pick.

Tomorrow I'm off to Hershey, PA for the Quilt Odyssey show.  If you see me say hello!

What's Cooking Good Looking

Remember this old thing?  I finished this top in Sept. 2012.

While I wait to get my stencil for my King quilt, I'm marking this one for machine quilting.   I'm using a stencil that I designed and cut myself.

I've approached the Stencil Co to see if there is interest in manufacturing this.  I hope so, mine is getting a little ragged.  Would you be interested in a 18" fan stencil?

FFF - Summer Cooking (or the lack of)

Here's an easy no cook summer meal.  Use any frozen pizza and add dollops of pesto (I use Classico) and cook according to package directions.

I use the Presto Pizza Pizzaz baker.  It makes a frozen pizza in 15 minutes, and you don't turn the oven on.   It's great for heating up leftovers too.

I drizzle the pizza with Balsamic Glaze.  You can add your favorite spices and enjoy!  For supper you can get fancy and add a simple green salad.

Of course this is my all time favorite summer meals fixins'.....heaven.

I just finished this book and really enjoyed it.   It was the first time I have read this author.

This was another wonderful read this summer -

I'm always looking for a good book.  What have you been reading?

Smooth Sailing

Today I'm sharing a quilt I made in 1999 for my Husband's 40 Birthday.   He's been sailing his whole life, so I thought the paper pieced sailboat would be perfect for a signature quilt.  There are 40 boats, of course.

It's very scrappy.  The blocks were finished and signed at his Birthday Party

As a little joke, I put his upside down.

 I used a lighthouse panel for the backing.

This summer Rich has been playing with a friends' used Laser.   He and Andrew went sailing in it over the 4th of July weekend.

Small craft advisory?  No problem......

I can't remember is this was before or after they capsized.  

Boys just love messing about in boats, don't they?

Summer Time Fun

Happy Friday!  I hope you are having a wonderful summer.

I recently received 2 lovely surprise gifts in the mail.  First was a lovely assortment of greens from my friend Diane.  Don't they look perfect nestled in my potted herb garden?  Thank you Diane.

Kelly sent me this beautiful Bee pin cushion.  I have yet to stick a pin it as it is too lovely!  There are such pretty details in the stitching.  You can read more about it on her blog Pinkadot Quilts.   It looks perfect among the flowers.   Pretty fabric and card too - Thank you Kelly I'll treasure it.

And hey - it matches the tattoo on my foot.

Coco loves to lay on the deck and watch the birds.   She has always folded her paw under - silly puppy.

The hummingbirds are continuing to visit the feeder regularly - like several times an hour during the morning and evening.  I have had as many as 3 at the feeder this year.

What a handsome fellow!

For Fun I did a puzzle that was a gift from my son and his girlfriend.

Andrew and Sig attending a beach wedding in Florida.

Hope your summer is the right combination of busy and relaxing and most of all fun!

Calling all Swappers!

The Swap Groups have closed - Thanks Everyone - Check for an email.

**I have set up a FB page for this swap.  Click here and request to be added.  I've already some of my FB friends so you may already be there.  

Happy Monday!  Here is an update on the swap.

The Complete list of 50 repro swappers:

Barb V                 Susan H                  Carolyn H           Roxanne

Rachael S            Mayleen V             Sandra H            Mary P Watt

Ginger S              Dixie H                   Angie H               Rondi L

Carmel L             Laura W                 Kyle R                  Ruth

Nancy S               Jill M                       Karen D              Sujata S

Cathy B               Cathy S                   Debbie S              Linda O

Mary G                Lorene H               Sally S                  Jacqui C

Julie K                 Amy L                     Judy M                Taryn F
Diane K               Didi S                      Janet O                Patti A
Vivian R              Mona R                   Valerie K             Patti S
Debra R              Laurie N                  Donya B              Belinda
Jeanette T         Kim S                       Meredith L         Judy S
Lynelle P            Suzanne A

Complete list of 25 Modern Swappers:

Barb V              Cathy B           Sue A                  Nancy W

Susan H           Juliann P        Elizabeth W      Penny J

Laura W           Kelly M           Karen D              Sue A

Ginger S           Debra G          Didi S                  Heather K
Sharon K          Norma A        Rona R               Joanne B
Sarah W            Theresa S      Nancy B              Barbie VFM

Karen D

If you have cast a vote, but do not see your name on the list, it is because you have not sent me an email.  I have set a limit of 50 swappers for the repro group.  And 25 for Modern group.

Here are the details:

Make a set of  3 inch finished 9 patches for each swapper using the technique I posted about here.  The sets can be all the same, or you can use up scraps, as long as there is a set for each.  I will confirm the final number at the end of the week.

For repros:  Use a light and a dark fabric.  I don't want to put many restrictions on this because the scrappier the better.  Please us good quality fabrics only.

For modern swap:  Use a light and dark fabric.  Use modern bright new fabrics and avoid muddy colors.  Some solids are fine too.   We will  be doing 2 (different) sets for each swapper because we have less people.  

The deadline will be October 1st.   I want to give everyone time to make them since it's summer.

If you are on a list feel free to start sewing sets!  Have fun!

Long May She Wave!

**Update 7/2**
Thank you to all who have emailed me so far.  I'm going to close the repro swapping at 50.  If you have voted to swap please send me an email to get on the list.  If I don't have your email I won't have you on the list.

Hip Hip Hooray~  The swap is on!  The repro group is going strong at almost 40.  The modern group has 8 so far.  I'll leave the poll up until July 10.   Please send me an email at barb.vedder@gmail.com so I can start building a data base for the swaps.  Just let me know which group you want to be in.  The patches won't be due to me until Sept or Oct. so there is plenty of time to make them.

With Independence Day coming I took a cue from Janet to post some Patriotic quilts.  Check out Janet's wonderful collection here.

Here are some of mine -

Fine Feathered Four - all things American

I love the Ford Motor Company fabric (lower right corner).  My father worked there for over 35 years as a machine repairman at the plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois.

backing:

Challenge -

Remembering Abe -

Tumbler - (tumblers from Kathie)

Olympic Eagle

Here is a link to my Pinterest board with loads of Flag Fun.

Have a fun and safe Fourth of July - Happy Birthday America!

 Send me an email for swap list - thanks!