Hosting Bee at My House

Yesterday was my turn to host my quilt Bee and what a lively time is was. With only five members of the seven in town we all managed to squeeze around my kitchen table.  Missing was new grandmother in Nebraska helping mother and new grandson Will and Peg who is enjoying those last weeks at their cabin in Nebraska.  We missed them both but both will be back soon.

Rosemary had magnificent Show and Tell as usual and shared several of her projects that she made a a recent retreat with well known instructors.  Cynthia brought her Featherweight and did some paper piecing, Martha was cutting strips for an organization to use in their project, Rosemary was weaving ribbons to make a tree trunk to be sewn on her miniature, Carolyn was hand stitching binding on yet another beautiful quilt, and I was holding Rusty most of the time as he wanted to be with the ladies.

Here are a few pictures.

Amazon Deliveries Make Me Happy

It doesn't take much to make me happy but an Amazon delivery can make my day.  My latest delivery was a new Nordic Anniversary Bundt Cake pan with a slight gold tint, that is just beautiful and replaces my well worn, original pan. A bit of a splurge but it came recommended by one of my favorite bloggers On Sutton Place and I knew it would be the best..

To test my new pan I thought it only fitting that I use one of  the On Sutton Place recipes.  Ann's Sour Cream Coffee Cake is one that I have wanted to try and with my quilt Bee coming tomorrow this was the perfect time to use my new bundt pan.  You can see it makes a large cake and smells so good coming out of the oven. Can't wait to taste it, I'm sure it will be wonderful, after all it's an On Sutton Place family favorite.

Hugs and Stitches
Betty Lou

Project Linus Day at Must Love Fabric

Yesterday Cynthia and I joined in the fun at Must Love Fabric, my favorite quilt shop, for their monthly Project Linus Sew Day.  A day when women armed with their sewing machine come and sew the day away making tops for Project Linus quilts.  The quilt tops are then packaged with batting, backing, and binding for others to take home and finish.

I didn't know what to expect and was I surprised to find that things were so organized and prepared for us to get right down to sewing.  Bins of pre-cut 5", 8", and 10" squares were all neatly cut and ready for our choosing.  You could make whatever you wanted.  Just sew squares together or design your own.  Most were using the 8" squares, sewn 4 across and 5 down, plus two borders.  Cynthia chose to make an I Spy which turned out so cute.

The lady sitting next to me was a speed sewer and I was amazed at how quickly she could finish a quilt top, each one just as cute as can be.  I left at 1pm and she was on her fourth top, me the slow quilter, finished one.

I plan on going next month, who knows maybe I'll get two tops sewn.  WooHoo.

Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

Playing With My Fabric

It's been busy around her the past two days, cutting fabric, making baby quilt kits, and sewing a quilt top.  Yesterday morning I got out a bunch of old stash that could be used for baby quilts.  When I say old, I mean old, most of this fabric I brought with me from N. California eleven years ago and it had already aged significantly when it came to Texas. My plan was to cut baby quilt kits, well that was the plan but then I found a baby quilt top that was about half completed so I fired up the Bernina and got it sewn together.  I need to make six little quilts for great-grands, this little quilt will be four tops completed, two more and I'll send them to the quilter for a quick finish.

It's a fun little quilt made with one charm pack, I used American Jane, Hop, Skip, and Jump and some Bella Ivory to complete.  It goes together quickly with only one charm pack and a solid.  A sweet quilt and you can find the free pattern here.

Today it was back to my original plan and I put six quilt kits together.  I love having a small project ready to sew or to take to quilt bee when we have a sew day.  Best of all, some of the old stash will be put to good use. Hooray!

Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

A Glimpse into Bee at Miss Carolyn's

This morning for three hours our quilt bee, proudly named The Cut-Ups, met at Carolyn's beautiful home.  Going into Carolyn's home is a treat unto it self as her art work and creativity is everywhere. Couple that with very creative quilters in our Bee it's like a quilt show every time we meet.  Our group is small in number but big on talent and going to Bee is like going to a mini quilt show.

Like they would say at the movies at the end of a cartoon "That's all folks."

Sunflowers Bring Sunshine into My Life

Ever since I put the fresh begonias on my kitchen table a few weeks ago I have felt the need to have flowers in the house.  Just a few stems can add such joy.  Bud was so good about bringing me flowers and I miss that, time to buy my own. You know what they say "Sometimes you have to create your own Sunshine."

The sunflowers are especially nice and remind me of the fields of sunflowers we would see when driving up the I-5 in California.  They were just gorgeous with their bright yellow petals turning their heads to the sun.  I bought these a week ago and their still shining brightly.

Hope you have some sunshine in your life today, I do.

Hugs and stitches

Betty Lou 

And Then There Were Ten

A number of years ago I made pillowcases for an organization that gave them to women and children in shelters along with the pillowcases they gave a New Testament to the women and a book of Bible stories for the children. The chairman would give me a bold of fabric along with the cuffs and I provided the accent piece from my scraps.  I would cut, serge, finish, and return to her, it was very fulfilling.

My good friend, Cynthia, also does this for her church and I told her I would love to make some as I really enjoy working with my serger. The end result, ten pillowcases ready to go

Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

We Will Always Remember

   
                                We Will Always Remember

Fast, Fun, and Easy

                                                                           

Fast, Fun, Easy, call it what you want but this quilt pattern, Vice Versa, is about all I can handle right now. It has been nine months since I joined "The Club" and it's time to get moving.  Sitting at the machine stills awkward and new, so the only sewing has been beginner baby quilts for Project Linus.  I hope to get back to my reproduction doll quilts and more intricate work but for now this is where I am.

My sewing machine has moved from my sewing room (temporarily my son's bedroom,) to the kitchen dining area.  The dining area has wonderful light but I couldn't handle all of the sewing stuff being out all the time.  So I moved once again and put my sewing machine in my bedroom. Over the years of sewing I think I have sewn in every room of the house except the bathroom (now that would be strange) and realize that if you want to sew you could always find a place.  The bedroom will work
out fine as soon as I get more light in there.

This quilt is made with a pattern I purchased on eBay called Vice Versa.  Did I need a pattern for a simple quilt, probably not, but I ordered it anyway.  A very easy baby quilt and will use it again  and again for Project Linus quilts.

Hugs and stitches

Betty Lou

Quilts for Harvey

My friend Cynthia sent me an email from Quilt Haus in New Braunfels, Texas asking for any finished quilt tops, quilt squares, batting, just about anything that could be finished and sent to the victims of hurricane Harvey that hit the gulf coast of Texas.  Cynthia was getting a box together and I knew I had a couple of quilt tops that I could send.

The first one is a quilt that I made at a week long retreat at Quilting a Day some fifteen years ago----I didn't like it then and I knew I would never pay to get it quilted.  It's not a bad quilt and the pattern is

a reproduction of a 30's quilt, it is just that the tulips are18" long.  Hopefully, someone will love it.

The second is a simple Jelly Roll Race quilt made with strips from Kansas Troubles.  Feels good that someone will be able to enjoy these treasures.

Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

It's Not a Quilt Until It's Quilted

"It's not a quilt until it's quilted," that's what my long time quilter friend, Faye, would tell me.  She would say "a quilt top does not make a quilt" and when she said quilted, she meant hand quilted.

When we lived in the mountains of Northern California I belonged to a wonderful group of long time quilters called "Wednesday Thimple and Therapy." When we moved there I did not know how to hand quilt and was eager to learn.  At the weekly meetings I would try to sit by one of the expert quilters and watch while they worked on their latest project, they taught me so much just by watching the easy rhythm of their hands as they worked their magic with needle and thread.

Getting back to my little quilt top, I just had to take a picture of my Villa Rosa Brides Dream quilt, made with a collection of Boho Fusion fabrics.  Now to finish and make it a real quilt.

Until next time---

I promise I did do a better pressing job and took a picture but I couldn't get it to download----------darn technology!

Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

Kits, Kits, Kits

Yesterday afternoon I spent my time making I Spy kits for easy Project Linus quilts.  This is my ongoing attempt to use some (a lot) of my fabric stash. My quilt bee meets twice a month and last meeting several of us brought our sewing machines.  A good use of our time and surprising how much you can get done when in company of your best friends.

A number of years ago I made some I Spy quilts for Project Linus and had quite an assortment of leftover 5"squares cut of fabrics that I had purchased just for that purpose.  What fun I had picking out fabrics with dogs, robots, elephants, and airplanes, etc.  There are so many novelty fabrics available and I purchased many of them at WalMart. This was not the time to splurge on quilt shop fabric. The way that I have been laying my squares out it takes 63 different prints, I bought fat quarters, 1/3 yard pieces, remnants, and joined in on a couple online exchanges.  One thought, if you are going to participate in an exchange, be sure to splurge and buy quilt shop fabrics for your contribution, nothing worse than receiving a bunch of junk 5" squares back from the exchange.

It was time to put all this to use and I kitted enough for four I Spy quilts.  I'm sure I have enough squares for another six or eight more quilts, may have to do a little more shopping to make up the sixty three prints.  I can easily sew one I Spy quilt at Bee and I have four kits ready to go along with two shirt apron kits.  WooHoo!
Hugs and stitches
Betty Lou

Fresh Flowers on the Table

                            

          

I have been following  On Sutton Place for some time on Facebook but just recently realized there was so much more that Ann had to offer on her blog.  A wonderful blog about an empty nester in Ohio and how she took on the full time project of redecorating her house along with wonderful tips and how-to projects and of course a glimpse into her family recipe book.

Last week Ann posted about arranging hydrangeas in a couple of different styles, one in a blue glass Ball canning jar.  With a date to host my quilt bee this coming Thursday and the tired arrangement on my kitchen table needed to be tossed, I decided to give this a try.  Mind you, flower arranging has always been a foreign art to me.

The hydrangeas at Kroger looked a little spindly but I took the plunge and bought six stems, brought them home and put them in water, then we had to go pick up my car at the Buick garage.  When I arrived back home my poor flowers were so wilted I didn't think they would ever survive and mumbled "that's $7.50 wasted."  Quickly I went and reread the post and I had missed something, Ann had a secret on how to keep hydrangeas fresh.  Success!

Here is my attempt right down to the vintage Ball blue canning jar.

You can find On Sutton Place here

Hugs and stitches

Betty Lou

More Villa Rosa

As I have stated before, I love Villa Rosa Designs patterns and recently began following their weekly blog. Every week in their Friday newsletter they offer a kit using one of their patterns, last week I took the plung into modern fabrics and ordered their weekly special.  The Brides Dream quilt pattern with ten fat sixth along with binding fabric.

The fabrics came quickly and I am anxious to get started, this is a small child's quilt and can be used as a Project Linus project or I may just keep it in my bedroom for color and enjoy being modern.

I must say, being such a traditionalist, that I probably would never have picked these fabrics, let alone have the confidence to put the grouping together of Boho Fusion fabrics.  Aren't they pretty?

Wish me luck that I can jump out of my comfort zone and go modern.

Enjoy all the pieces of you life

BettyLou

I'm Smitten With Villa Rosa

I bought my first Villa Rosa pattern, Ice Tea, about three years ago, even purchased the same fat quarters that were used in the cover photo.  It was finished quickly and has had a place in my living room ever since.  I love that quilt.  But it wasn't until last week that I realized I hadn't used the Ice Tea pattern but made the quilt using Wicked Easy.  Why, I don't know why-----I'm a quilter, no explanation needed, must have been a creative decision made at the time.

                                           

Then along the way I picked up three more Villa Rosa patterns and last week signed up for their weekly newsletter.  Each Friday they offer a new kit for one of their patterns.  Of course, I had to order the kit and then yesterday ordered seven more of their patterns. I'm smitten with their designs.

If you haven't seen or used these cleaver quilt patterns they are postcard size patterns using precuts with added yardage in simple modern designs and easy, easy directions.  The cards are priced at $2.00 each, what a bargain, when did you ever buy a pattern for $2.00?

Now I'm anxiously waiting for my kit to arrive so the sewing can begins.  You can find all their patterns Here.

Hugs and stitches

Bud's ShIrt Apron

I made this cute apron yesterday using a pattern found on Pinterest and one of Bud's Hawaiian shirts.  It was so much fun to make and simple, simple, simple.  I plan on making them for my daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters.  Love the way it turned out.  I'm send this one to my oldest granddaughter, Stephanie. You can find the directions here.

Hugs and stitches

Betty Lou

Quilt Shop Exploration

A couple weeks ago I ventured out and found myself in a couple of quilt shops for the first  time in a long, long time.

My first shop was Suddenly Sewing, a small local shop close to home and always a good place if you ran out of thread or needed just one more fabric for your current project.

Suddenly Sewing was having a pre-inventory sale and I was able to take advantage of the 20% off discount on pre-cuts.  When in doubt and get that feeling that I just have to buy fabric, I usually turn to pre-cuts.  Rather than buy some of their old inventory which I am sure they hoped customers would scoop up, I found some current pre-cuts on sale. I scored  a Litttle Ruby jelly roll by Bonnie and Camille and a Hop, Skip, and Jump charm pack by American Jane.  One charm pack is not much to work with but I can always make a small baby quilt with the addition of a neutral.

My next stop was a new shop, Must Love Fabric, and let me tell you they do.  You can feel their enthusiasm the minute you walk through the door.  Everywhere you see a colorful array of bright prints and quilts. Won't find any muted reproduction fabrics here as they have defined their style with gusto.  A great place to pick up all those happy children's fabrics, novelty and modern fabrics.  I walked out with a fat quarter stack of Caravan by Kate Spain.

It's about time I get to that sewing machine and quit buying fabric, hope to do that this week.

Hugs and stitches

BettyLou

Getting Back in the Groove

                     

            

After a three year hiatus from sewing, it's time to get back into the hobby that has always been so much a part of my life.  Bud had been so sick for the past three years and I assumed the role of caregiver and quilting was put on the back burner.

I knew his days were limited as the natural progression of his 

disease was taking over his body and I am so grateful that I made the decision to spend my time being with him and not isolated in my sewin

So as the new year rings in, I will gather up some old trusty quilt patterns, research the new, dust off my Bernina, and start making newborn baby quilts.  No matter what phase of quilting I was currently engrossed in, I always liked making baby quilts to deliver to the hospital and this will be my focus as I start quilting again.

I hope you will join me on this newly revied hobby and I look forward to hearing from you.

Until next time---

BettyLou

Quilting Friends are the Best

At our quilting bee Christmas lunch last month my wonderful friends presented me with a quilt that they had made for me in Bud's memory.  I was overwhelmed with gratitude that these dear friends would make me such a wonderful gift. 

They met together secretly planning, shopping, and sewing my quilt with every thought of pattern, fabric, color, backing be just perfect.  The final touch was Rosemary's special machine quilting.

The pattern appropriately called Crosses, was sewn with fabric in the dark colors that I like and even the label, which is so special, brought tears to my eyes.  I know Bud was looking down on us and smiling.

My quilt brings me so much comfort and has a permanent home on the back of my sofa but most afternoons and evenings, you will find me cuddled up and tightly hugging this beautiful quilt. I love it, love it, love it.

QUILTING FRIENDS ARE THE BEST

Hugs and stitches

Betty Lou