Friday, July 31, 2015

I am Finishing Up the final Touches Around the House . . .

before I get on the bus to go pick my little brother up from Bend, Oregon!!


I am going up there to help him finish up packing and to travel back down here with him.  He is coming to live with me so we can take care of each other as we grow old!!

We are coming back with a 20 ft. U-Haul, towing his car behind and his 25 foot trailer pulled by his 1974 truck!!  Yiks!!  A little concerned about that old truck but with both of us travelling side by side, we should be fine!!

The highlight of the trip will be spending a day up at Sisters, Oregon!!



Here's the funny story that goes along with a visit to Sisters.  When Kelly and I were young, I forced him to go to the fabric stores with me.  He hated it but I really didn't give him much of a choice!!  I know, mean big sister!!

I told Kelly that I would love to go up to Sisters and visit the fabric shops since I had missed the big quilt show earlier in the month.  His reaction??  REALLLLLLY????  Ha!  Ha!!  Still the mean big sister after 55 years!!

I'm soooooo excited to see Sisters again!!

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

It Was Suggested to Me . . .

that aluminum foil would sharpen my rotary blade, giving it more life.


So, I decided to give it a try - what could it hurt??


I folded the aluminum foil into a strip so there was a bit more depth for the blade to travel through.


Then, I made cuts as close together as I could so that I got the biggest bang out of the strip.


And then I tried it on a scrap of fabric.  Dang!!  It worked!!


Boy, as expensive as these rotary blades have become over the past few years, a little piece of aluminum foil is worth it to extend the life a bit longer.  Then, I took the cut-up foil and recycled it!!  Win, win for everyone!!

Give it a try and let me know what you think!!

Monday, July 20, 2015

I'm Going to a Baby Shower Tonight . . .

for Willow.  I decided I wanted to make her a little quilt where she could lie on the floor and do her baby exercises.



I think it turned out pretty cute.  I used a Layer Cake from the "From Bump to Baby" collection by Gina Martin ~


And made one block from the Big Star quilt at Missouri Star Quilt Co.  Here is the YouTube video I watched ~



Instead of making the block the conventional way, I decided to use a bunch of different fabrics to get a scrappy look.  The two border fabrics and binding are also from the same collection.

Ok, I am going to share a story that shows my age.  When I saw the name of this collection, I had no idea what it meant.  My cute young friend Ashley explained to me with a gesture of her hands down at her belly which explained exactly what the name meant.  Lightbulb!!  I got it!!  So much fun!!

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Saturday's Smile!!



I know this is a commercial but it is GREAT!!  Enjoy!!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Slow Sunday Stitchin'

Yesterday we had a wonderful reprieve from the scorching heat and sun - we were overcast with thunder and a bit of rain!!  LOVE!!

So, I spent the afternoon making July Inchy Hexagon Flowers for Helen T. in the United Kingdom.  Last month I was late, this month I am on the early side!!  Always feels good to be ahead of the game, especially since it does not happen too often in my life!!  :-))


Saturday, July 4, 2015

Happy 4th of July!!


Today is a day we keep sacred because we love our Country!!  Enjoy the celebrations but always keep in your heart what this day means to every American!

“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in 
which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, 
good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits.” 
 Thomas Jefferson

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

June Flowers for Keri

in the Inchy Hexegon Flower Swap!!


These are the first flowers for Keri in this Swap!!