Word Challenge

My sewing group is taking on a new challenge.  Here is our first reveal:

The Challenge is to pick a word and make a little quilts or blocks using that word. 

We were inspired by two quilts at the Northern Star Quilt Show.

This word is SQUARE - square dance, Times square, etc.

This word is APPLE - the Big Apple, Apple Computer, etc..

We decided on a 9" block and will make one monthly and reveal them when get together.  Here are our first blocks.

Norma's word is CAT:  Cat's Pajamas

Pauline's word is EYE:  Eye of the World

Nancy's word is TIME:  Showtime

My word is BEE:  Queen Bee

I am planning to make 9 blocks and make a wall hanging for my sewing room using the potholder method like my buddy Wendy at The Constant Qulter. who has perfected this technique.

I think it will be great fun and I have so many ideas for my word.  Stay tuned or jump in and pick a word to start your own.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

xo

Kats, Kwilts & Kitchen Hacks

I haven't made a matching little mini in a long time.  What fun it was!

 When Randy D sent me some great low volume strips after I had I finished my top, I knew just what to do with them.  Thank you Randy!

 I simplified it to little plain blocks.  I tied and finished the edge in the same way. 

 I even did the backing the same.

Starbuck is such a good quilt inspector.

Speaking of matching minis....I had misplaced this a long time ago.

 It was buried under that still unorganized stack of crap good stuff.

 I think this will make a fun mini to my Snowflower OBW quilt.

Kitchen Hacks:

When you have leftover hamburger or hot dog buns they make great croutons.

Melt some butter in a pan
add fresh chopped herbs (dried in the winter) and garlic powder.  Add the cubed buns and toss and toast them
If I have some, I add Parmesan cheese when I take them off the heat and let the cheese coat the warm croutons.   If you are lucky they will not all be eaten before you add them to a salad.

Finally a good solution to storing quick bread loaves.  Just use the lid as a base and the bottom as a dome.   I had to use 2 for this loaf.

Here is a vine that I have no idea of its name.  The hummingbirds have been feeding on those tiny buds all week.  It is fun to watch an hard to catch on the camera.

 My moon flowers finally bloomed last week.  They only last one night similar to morning glory blooms.  (which have not bloomed yet).

 Linda Harris mentioned on IG that they have a lovely scent at night and she was right!

Paula Harden mentioned that they attract hummingbird moths.  I sure would love to see that!  Here is an image from the internet.

Starbuck seems to be saying "Are we done yet?" 

I'll be back on Friday with a bonus post on my Sewing Groups new challenge.

xo

Sleeping With George Washington

Sweet Dreams is on my bed.  Hooray! 

I just have to say, this quilt has been a delight to make from start to finish.  I love how old fashioned it is.

I'm not usually a quilt counter, but there are about 1,200 square knots holding my layers together

 I don't think I'll get tired of sliding my hand across them.  I really like the feel and texture of them.

I also don't think I'll tire of looking all the conversation prints.

The binding - Breaking News - There isn't any!  Call the Quilt Police!

I decided to bring the back to front and machine stitch it.  Here is how I did it:

I trimmed the backing to 3/4" of inch.

I rolled up the edge once

 twice - to the edge of the top

 Thrice 1/4" over the top

Finger pressed it and pinned it.

Carefully stitched it to the front about 1/8" from the edge.

I just love how simple it was and how I didn't have to cut, press and add a separate piece.  View from the back.

The Backing.  Here's where I had a little trouble.

I used this large GW print.  I had to piece it.  I'm not saying this is perfect but its really really close. 

I've developed a way to achieve this and will be teaching it as a bonus in my workshops. 

I had to make a long match too, which worked okay.  The repeat drop was very big and I didn't want to waste anymore of my limited fabric.

 you see how the background is print is "off"

I added this great NYC fabric (a nod to the Revolutionary War and George's Army)  He really slept around in New England.

I had planned it so that I would have the pretty yellow birds over me on my side of the quilt as you see here.

 Oooops.  My brain forgot I'd be flipping the quilt.  Rich has the pretty birds on his side and I'm sleeping under George Washington.

Thats how it goes.  Right?  Do you ever do things like this?
Please help a sister out and say yes.
xo

Dog Daze

woof!  that's how I feel about the recent hot and sticky weather.

This is a random post with some of what I've been up to the last 2 weeks.

I started tying my Sweet Dreams quilt last Sunday.  I had hope to be finished....but you know; Life.

As you can see I'm using Chenille needles and an assortment of gold pearl cotton thread.

I set the table with old cutting mats.

I made a very funny error on the backing, which I share next time.

I made a fabulous blueberry pie using this recipe here.

My son gave me the Broadway CD of Hamilton for my Birthday.  I became pretty obsessed with the music.

It is based on this book, so listened to it.  All 36 hours.  It was fascinating.  I can't wait to see the show one day.

At my son's suggestion I attended a free one hour iphone video class at Apple in New Haven (where he works part time).  It was great and I highly recommend taking a session I learned so much.

Afterward Andrew and I popped into the Yale Gallery.  These are installed right onto the walls.

It is a completely free Art Museum and worth a visit if you're traveling on Interstate 95, and who isn't this summer?  am I right?

This looked like a quilt.

wild.  I can't image how rough this was to work on.

Andrew reaction when he learned it was all made with liquor caps.

 A video (3rd try) of humingbirds at the kitchen door.  Our record is 9 at one time this summer.

A little while back I "saved" a hummingbird caught in the garage.

 Poor thing was exhausted.  They only fly up, so I got on a ladder and caught it.  Poor little thing it happily flew away.

What have you been up to?  Have a great week and see you soon.
xo