One done

Pattern from: Fresh Fabric Treats (the Moda Bakeshop Book)
Fabric: Bliss

This is a very nice pattern with good directions.  It give you an opportunity to use some of those fancy stitches on your machine.  Love the pockets.  You will notice that I did not use the loop and buttons on the side pockets, too, I just wanted those free for water bottles and such.  If you like handles for your shoulder, then you should also increase the length of these. 

I think it turned out super cute.  I am in the process of making a second, in a non-scrappy matter with a nice focal print for the pockets.  One of these is for Buddy's teacher for Christmas and the other will be for me when I head back to work later this week.

Company coming? Easy Dessert

Thank you for your many kind comments about Buddy.  He and I both appreciate your support.  Originally I had plans to share this recipe yesterday.  It is great for summer because it is a tasty no-bake dessert and it is perfect for company.  I hope you will give it a try.

Eclair Dessert

Ingredients:
1 box of instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size)
1 1/2 c milk
8 ounces cool whip
30 graham cracker squares
chocolate frosting

Whisk milk and pudding for 2 minutes.  Allow to set up for 5 minutes.  Gently fold in your cool whip.  In your 9 X 9 pan, lay 9-10 grahams in the bottom.  It is okay if you need to layer them a bit.  Just cover it.  Next, spread half the pudding mixture, and then top with 9-10 more grahams.  REPEAT.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.  Frost before serving.

Today in the mail I received a very nice letter from the Joplin quilters that I sent that quilt kit to.  They said they received over 500 finished quilts and loads of kits and materials to rebuild their guild with.  I think that is pretty fabulous and they were clearly touched by the love of the quilting community.

Sometimes it is tough being a kid

So, we went to the playground and five minutes later abruptly left the playground after cracking Buddy's head.  We drove to med express, walking in the doors 5 minutes before they closed.  I might add, if you are squimish...don't scroll down.

Luckily, we had the DS in my purse to distract him.

4 staples later, we left.  The doctor said to me- We have this numbing gel that we can give him and he will feel nothing.  But that takes 30 minutes and you would be keeping 4 people here for that.  Or we can give him a shot which will be a poke and a sting but then it is over after a few more pricks.  It is up to you.  I felt pressured, but went for the gel anyway. 

Another Camielle Bag finish

I forgot to share this finish!  Pattern:  Camielle Bag by Quilts Illustrated

Fabric:  Heather Bailey's Pop Garden

Another UFO bites the dust!

This was a birthday present for my dear friend, Megan.

For Brian and Brooke

This is the quilt I made for Brian and Brooke.  You see, they are getting married.  

Brian was one of my very first friends in this world.  While I was quilting, I thought a lot about Brian.  Brooke, I know you are in good hands.  I remember Brian convinced his mom to buy me this hideous beautiful green beaded necklace at a garage sale, when we were probably about 4 years old. I thought it was the most beautiful necklace.  He has always been very generous, that Brian.  Brooke, I am sure he will buy you lots of jewels and treasures, as well.

I also remember a time when these bigger kids came riding by on their bikes, and they were not very nice to me.  Brian took care of them and told them to get lost.  So, I know, Brooke, that Brian will take good care of you.  He is very loyal, protective, confident, and in-charge.  He has always been that way...he will make a wonderful husband. 

So, to my friend, Brian, and his beautiful bride, Brooke...may this quilt help you make a cozy home together.  While I quilted it, I prayed for a very happy marriage.

Easy Mini Tutorial- Blooming Table Runner

 After I finished this table runner, I thought to myself.  That was easy.  I should have made a tutorial.  I think I can still walk you through it without the step by step pictures- it is that easy. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pack of petite size charms (or cut some regular charms into 2.5 squares).  You need 28 petite charms.
• 1/2 yard focus fabric for the center (mine is the dark chocolate with those big blooms)
• 1.5 inch strip of contrasting fabric (your strip needs to be at least 29 inches long)
• 1/4 yard binding material
• 1/2 yard of backing material
• 1/2 yard of your favorite batting (I used warm and natural scrap I had from another project)

Prepare your fabric:

• Lay your charms out into rows, 2 rows of 7 charms (for each end cap of the runner).  4 rows total  Sew them together, you know the drill.  Iron the rows in opposite directions, and then sew 2 rows together for end "caps".  Repeat for the opposite end.  They should look like the photo below, just not attached to the focus piece or the contrasting fabric yet.

•  Iron your contrasting fabric strip wrong sides together.  This piece is going to peek out.  It will not be sewn in on both sides. 
• Now is the time to check your measurements.  My petite charm end caps measured 14.5 inches long.  So, I am going to cut my green contrast strip to that length.  If your charms measurement is different, just cut according to that length because you want everything to match up nicely.
• You also need to cut your focus fabric that length.  So, again make your adjustments, but mine measures 14.5 long by 25 inches wide.  If you don't want your runner that big, you may want to make the width smaller.  IT IS OKAY.  Make it yours. 
• Now that everything is prepared it is time to sew some more. On each end of your focus fabric (that is my brown fabric with the big blooms), you want to sandwich the raw edge of the green contrast fabric (not the folded edge) between your focus fabric and your charms.  So lay the focus fabric right side up, lay the green raw edges on top of that, and then put the charms right side down on top.  Be sure to match up all 4 raw edges and pin.  Sew with a 1/4 inch seam.  You have one end done!  Repeat for the other end.  IRON.  Congratulations the top of your super easy Blooming Table Runner is done.  Don't you feel accomplished? 

• After you make your yummy quilting sandwich (consisting of your backing, batting, and top),  now you get to quilt it.  Anything would look nice, even straight lines.  Whatever you do, don't completely sew down your green contrast strip.  I chose to meander in the center, cross hatch over the charms, and I sewed just to the inside of the seam of the green contrast strip.  If you enlarge the photo, you can see what I did. 
• Finish it by binding using your favorite method. 

Finished runner 14.5 X 34

If you have any questions, or if I lost you in a step...please feel free to ask!

Housewarming

Tomorrow we are going to a BBQ at my cousin's new house.  It is so nice to have family living closer now.  First my mom and dad, and now my cousin.  This cousin is pretty special to me, as I have lots of fond memories of her growing up.  My grandma use to have these huge oak trees in her front yard.  We use to play house on the base of them...it was so much fun.

Anyway, I bought her a new pitcher for her house.  It had a bit of green in it and I thought it would go nicely with these towels, which I embelished with a bit of scraps I had.  I thought the scraps were the perfect match, don't you??

Speaking of perfect, this cute boy just turned 7.  It was a fun day. 

I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, and he replied, "Your chocolate cake cuz my mama makes the best chocolate cake."  Melt my heart.