Saturday, November 07, 2015

Fall has Arrived

Here in California, Fall has been battling it out with Summer. And I'm so happy to announce that Fall has finally won!!!

And what better way to welcome Its arrival, 
than with a chicken pot pie.


And a mini fall quilt! 



I've got the borders on it and hope to quilt it tomorrow!  The recipe for the pot pie is on my blog. 
click here to take you to the post.
The quilt is a tutorial available at temecula quilt co's blog

Happy fall y'all!!!

Friday, October 09, 2015

Frosty's Tree Farm

The making of a new quilt...
Here in Southern California we are experiencing
a lovely HEAT wave! Ugh!!!


Designing a Christmas Quilt makes me long for winter! 


The only way to build a snowman in this heat is with wool. In Frosty's world it's snowing and wonderful!


Happy Quilting!!!


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Half Square Triangles

In the 15, or so, years I have been quilting, I have tried every method there is to make half square triangles or HST to those in the quilting world...


I thought I would share with you my method. 

Rather than cutting (for instance) 2 7/8" squares, I cut 3" squares. I always round up to the nearest 1/2" or 1". Then I cut them in half on the diagonal and sew the pieces back together. 


Cutting them in half is something I never wanted to do because I use so many wovens and the bias thing just irritated me. After taking classes from Cheri, I gave in. I will say it's so much faster and because I've cut my original squares a tad bigger, I can square them up perfectly...

Happy Quilting!!!



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A Trip Around The World. twice!


I made a trip around the world. But then I thought...hmmm. With a little cutting I had two!


This one just needs a border.


Have you made a trip around the world?




Friday, September 11, 2015

Sarah's Wedding...

I was fortunate enough to decorate 
for a the wedding of these two fabulous people!


Shawn and I went to school with Sarah's parents and my kids went to school with her. I was thrilled when her mom asked me to decorate for the wedding. It was a PLEASURE for sure! 
The only bummer was that Nolan really thought 
Sarah would one day be HIS bride!!!


You can see why. 
She's everything Nolan would want in a wife! 
But alas, she is Isaac's. And he is a lucky guy!!!











Congratulations to you two! 
May God always bless your marriage!

P.S. Photography by Ben Christensen














Wednesday, September 09, 2015

My First "Real" Pattern!


I'm so excited! 
I designed my first pattern! 
I just had to share. 
Hopefully it will be the first of many!





if you are interested in purchasing a pattern, 
click here for the link to fat quarters quilt shop.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

A New School Year

These cute kids started a new school year!
Masyn is in 7th grade


Nolan is in 2nd grade


And Evyn Rose is in kindergarten!!!


I love them so much! 





Thursday, June 25, 2015

Fireworks!!!

I'm in love with this quilt. 
It's an original pattern by Cheri. 
Indygo Junction published it a hundred years ago. 
You may still be able to get it.


This one is my moms! Just finished quilting it. 
Happy summer quilting!!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Ohio Stars

Well, I broke a promise. Sorry! We've been sick around here...
Vanessa from V & Company 
has a great tutorial to make these blocks. 

(photo from V & Company)

So gather up the
2 1/2" red square
(8) 1 1/2" red squares
(4) 1 1/2"x 2 1/2" muslin rectangles
(4) 1 1/2" squares

And using this tutorial make four star blocks.

Happy quilting!!!

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Inexpensive & BIG white board


I needed a large whiteboard for our classroom but I didn't want to spend a fortune.
Enter Michaels!!!


They have these 24x36 frames in many colors. I got mine for $12 on sale!!!

All I did was take the display paper and turn it over to the white side. The plastic cover is perfect for dry erase markers and now I have a big, inexpensive white board!
YAY!!!
Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Dresden Borders...

Sorry. Yesterday flew by...

Sew the (4) 15 1/2" squares together to make the center of the quilt.

For the borders, sew a red 1 1/2" strip to each side of the 2 1/2" muslin strip.
Repeat for all 4 sides. Then trim these 4 units to 30 1/2". 

I will be back tomorrow for the stars. I promise :)

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Dresdens...the cutting

Welcome back!
Ok so let's get cutting.


From your muslin, cut:
(4) 15 1/2" squares
       (these are the block backgrounds)
(4) 2 1/2" x WOF strips for the inner border
(16) 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" units for the stars
(16) 1 1/2" squares for the stars

From your color fabric, cut:
(8) 1 1/2" strips x WOF for borders
(4) 2 1/2" squares for the stars
(32) 1 1/2" squares for the stars
(4) 2 1/2" strips x WOF for binding 

Using the directions for your dresden plate ruler, cut your (42) charm squares into (84) plate pieces. 

Happy cutting and have a very happy Easter!!!

Come back Monday!!!



Friday, April 03, 2015

Easy Dresdens!!!

Have you wanted to make a dresden plate quilt but haven't wanted to invest the time? 

I'm teaching this wall hanging at the shop this weekend and I have decided to invite you to quilt along with us!!! 

The more the merrier!!!

You will need:
1 1/4 yd of Muslin
1 yd of a color (surprise! I chose red)
1 charm pack with at least 42 squares
1 easy Dresden ruler

Ok I will see you back here tomorrow with cutting instructions :)

Friday, February 27, 2015

She is FIVE!!!



Holy smokes, the time is flying by!!!


This sweet sugar, just turned FIVE!


At five Bub is still her all time favorite!
She LOVES Minnie Mouse, Max & Ruby, Sophia the First, and Doc Mc Stuffins.

She dances like a teenager (that's all I'm saying about that) she loves to sing and play just dance.

Her daddy bought her a pink BB Gun. She can hold her own with any boy that tries her patience or pulls her braid.

She loves to get dressed up. But ONLY when she wants to! She isn't bossy but she sure doesn't let others boss her around. 

She's independent like all my kids. Maybe a tad more than the rest. She is THE BEST hugger and still loves to snuggle.

Her favorite color is pink. She loves all things sugar. Thus the nickname, Sugar. Which, by the way, she loves it when I call her that.

She's excited to start kindergarten but is sad she's leaving her preschool friends. 

By far, she is the most social. 

We adore her! I can't wait to see what the future holds for her ❤️

Sunday, February 22, 2015

A {Joyfu}l Heart

We had our RS Woman's Conference today.
What a WONDERFUL group of speakers. i got so much out of it.


as i mentioned before, i was asked to decorate.
i love decorating, but let me tell you.
when it's for someone else, it's a whole 'nother ball game
and i was stressed out.


how do you decorate a cultural hall???


well let me tell you how i did.


i obviously had a budget to stick with,
so i went with burlap and lace runners.
i have a friend that has a meal planning business and gave me all the
large soup cans i needed for the centerpieces.
white flowers and eucalyptus made it simple.


i had nothing to do with the food. 
thank goodness, because i could never have
come up with this.
it was a vietnamese meal and it was deelicious!


chalkboards, bunting, burlap and more bunting
made a big statement without a big price.


i put all these together in a day.
get old books from a thrift store. 
i just used twine from the jewelry dept at joanne's 
and ran a zig zag stitch over it to hold it in place,


burlap is great.
if you cut strips, you can gather it by simply and gently
pulling a thread from the center.
i start a thread from each side, i have better luck that way.


shawn made this 4ft square chalkboard for me.
its masonite trimmed in moulding of your choice.
paint with chalk paint and you are good.

TIP! i haven't had any luck with chalk pens and chalkboard paint.
be prepared to repaint if you use it.


a joyful heart
makes the face cheerful!
enjoy...


Saturday, February 21, 2015

Cupcake Liners!!!

I was asked to decorate for a woman's conference at church. So I decide to make lots of garlands to fill space. 

Cupcake liners and ribbon from Walmart turned out to be my best friends!




They are really so easy. 
Don't be afraid to mix colors and textures. 
The more the merrier