Two for One

This is a first for me...two posts in one day...actually, two posts within a few hours.  I have to tell you I feel like a VERY

Pretty clever, huh....get it...very lucky girl...sorry, I forgot I wasn't trying to explain it to my kids ;-))

So, why do I feel like a lucky girl?  Really, there are many reasons...but, I am referring to being lucky here in Blogland....Is that even a real word?  Blogland?  Not sure, but that's what I call it.

I am lucky because....

• I found my way here to Blogland.
• I've met and made great new friends.
• I still get a thrill out of posting my progress/thoughts/ideas/questions/pictures, and ...
• I still love reading what my new friends have made/thought/suggested/blogged about.
• I've learned many techniques and been inspired by all I have seen.

I could go on and on and on (which I guess I already have), but what I'm really trying to say is:

I am lucky because .....

• Not only did I win TWO giveaways during the Blogger's Quilt Festival,
• But I also won Allison's giveaway of three strip blocks and a bag of green and blue strips at Cluck Cluck Sew!! Can you believe she doesn't want them anymore and is just giving them away?!?!?!  I almost didn't leave a comment because at the time there were already 77 other people also wanting to get their hands on these gorgeous blocks ;-))  So glad I was the lucky girl!!!  Thank you Allison.
• It gets better...I also won a prize on Gudrun's post here where I was randomly picked for correctly guessing which designer's baby picture was on her blog.  I'm telling you...you need to click on the Cross Country Quilt Designer Blog Hop button and see the twelve days of free project patterns by twelve different designers.  Gudrun has a beautiful quilt as you go Christmas wall quilt on her blog today.  Thank you Gudrun.
• After posting today's blog entry, I discover I won ANOTHER baby picture guessing game prize giveaway!!! This time from Heather at Ankas Treasures.  She is also one of the quilt designers participating in the Cross Country Blog Hop.  Today, she is sharing some of her favorite Christmas memories.  Heather even has her family Christmas card picture taken and posted.  I need to get on the ball.  Thank you Heather.

OK...that is all the prizes I have won...so far ;-))  Can you believe it?  I can't.  I'd like to come up with a way to share my good fortune.  I've been thinking about that lately, especially since .... winning lovely prizes from nice and generous people ... it is almost my 50th post .... Thanksgiving is right around the corner.  All good reasons, among many more reasons, for being thankful.  I plan to keep thinking about this (for a few days or so), and when I come up with an idea (giveaway, charity project made with prize fabric,??), I'll let you know.  

Here is my Moments picture for today. (Click on the new sidebar button to find out more.)  Just to show you that not everything with me has been going according to plan.  Not even close.  I still am not brave enough to show the worst of how my house looks.  This is my dresser which is hardly ever cleaned off enough to see the bottom.

I guess I need to get off the computer and get some work done.  Continue to have an amazing day!!!

Christmas Came Early

Look what I found on my doorstep this weekend.  Lots of goodies from FedEx and USPS!!!

What could be inside??  I couldn't wait to open these boxes and packages, as I knew they came from wonderful places like Amazon, Hancock's of Paducah and moo.com!!!

Not only did I receive fun stuff in the mail, but I also made a visit to a favorite place...the Apple store!!!  My old laptop was acting quirky, and I knew it wouldn't last until Christmas.  When my photos suddenly disappeared, I decided I had justification for buying my own - and early - Christmas present.  I purchased a new Mac Book Pro.  I went down in size to the 15" which seems small compared to my 17".  I probably should have gone for the 13" but I like seeing my pictures on the "big screen"!!!!

In addition to the packages on my doorstep over the weekend, look what arrived from the longarm quilter Friday afternoon!!! The still unnamed batiks quilt I made for my stepfather who can only see blues and yellows.  The above picture is actually the back of the quilt.

Here is the front of the quilt.  Even after the creative name suggestions that some of you provided, I am still undecided.  The majority of you like the beach theme such as Sand and Sea.  I know this quilt does look beachy with the blues and yellows, but that is not what I'm feeling.  Our family used to do the beach vacations, but now we (including my parents) are all about Montana.  What about something along the lines of sunny blue skies and tie into Big Sky, Montana?  I ran the name suggestions by my "personal assistant"/10 year old daughter, my son, husband, sister, mother.  They weren't much help.  Again, Sand and Sea was popular as well as Horizon Met, but there was no consensus.  All that is left is deciding on a name so I can make and attach the label.  Don't know why I am so hung up on this name thing!

Here is a close up of the quilting.  I am really pleased with it.  Actually, I love it!!!  I took Michele's recommendation and shipped the quilt top, back, etc. to Eagle Mountain Quilting.  Thanks Michele for the great advice.  Wendy at EMQ is super nice and accommodating.  I basically left all the design/quilt decisions to her expertise.   Her selection of quilt designs was overwhelming.  I am not used to so many choices.  As a bonus, Wendy's turnaround time was quick, and her prices are reasonable.  I will definitely send my three coin/Sister quilts to her.

So what was in those boxes and packages you are wondering?  I think I will save that for a slow news day....like probably tomorrow.  My weekend was spent, rather than sewing, transferring files to/from laptops, proctoring my son's practice SAT test and entertaining in-laws.  So I will need something to share.  I actually have lots to share....like winning TWO giveaways over the weekend...drama at the LQS (well, that's a slight exaggeration)...excitement over the designers blog hop and Sew Mama Sew tutorials...thoughts about sharing my good fortune and having a giveaway of my own...the new Moments button....and, of course, the contents of those packages ;-)))

Have an amazing day!!!!

Edited to include:  Actually, I won THREE giveaways over the weekend!!!! Incredible!!!

Sew & Tell Friday #5

So glad it is Friday.  Also glad I have at least one coin quilt finished.  This is the quilt top for Coin Quilt #1.  Still not sure which sister this will go to.

The rows really aren't crooked.  The railing post prevented the quilt from hanging straight.  This quilt was made with the Sorbet fabric.  I used a Moda solid for the sashing.  My daughter had suggested using a different color and was not happy when she came home from school and saw what I had done.  I explained that I was wanting to finish ONE of these without having to go out and buy more fabric.  (Why do I even feel the need to explain my fabric decisions to a 10 year old?!)

Again, I promise the rows are straighter than they appear.  This was all I could do with the fabric I have on hand.  Of the other two coin quilts, I know one will be fine with white sashing which is in inventory, but that's the quilt that needed more strips of fabric ordered.  The other quilt will require purchasing fabric for the sashing.  All three need fabric for binding and backing.  I did try and be good and look through my stash, but nothing looked right.  I will be shopping today.  First for a new laptop, and then on to my LQS for sashing, binding and backing fabric.

Click on the Sew and Tell button to see the other Friday finishes.  Enjoy your weekend!!!

Sick Days

This is a picture of a quilt I made a few years ago for my son Eric.

I love the blue pineapple print, so I used that for the backing.

I did not do the quilting myself.  Previously, I showed a picture of my son when he was younger wrapped in the first quilt I made.  He has been home sick for two days now, and even though he is a junior in high school, all I want to do is wrap him in a quilt and take care of him.

I was also going to show you the fabric that arrived yesterday to complete one of my coin quilts.  However, I have spent the last hour trying to find all my photos.  They seem to have disappeared from my computer.  Getting a new laptop as been on my list of things to do.  I guess once Eric is better, I will head to the Apple store.  Hopefully, my pictures will miraculously reappear.

Have an amazing day!!!

Wonderful Wednesday!!!!

Here is the handmade bag I won from Uberstitch's giveaway during the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I absolutely love it.  How appropriate that it arrived in time for Wonderful Wednesday.

The back is just as cute as the front!!!  Look at all the wonderful fabric scraps and lace.

See how lovely the inside is!!!  My favorite color - blue.  Pam even tucked some extra fabric goodies inside!!!

How did she know I love batiks?!?!?!

There is so much to see that at first I did notice the cool fabric scraps on the handle.

Here is one more look.  I love the stitching across the fabric scraps as well as the buttons.  My daughter has already claimed this bag as her own.  Thanks again Pam.

Have an amazing day!!!!!

Recipe Swap and Random Things

I spent more time yesterday thinking and planning what to quilt rather than actually quilting.  I have added another gift to make for Christmas to my list.  I looked through my quilt kit inventory for some inspiration.  None was forthcoming.  I guess my tastes have changed since their purchase.

The above picture is the only one I have to share today.  I pulled out one of the kits which had some Thimbleberries charm squares (I can't remember the line) and other cuts of fabric.  I don't like the pattern that it was kitted for so I am making some changes.  I cut the charm squares into 3 inch and 2 inch pieces.  I then cut the 3 inch pieces with a template I have.  There is a vague idea forming in my head for what I'm going to do next, but in the meantime I need to pull some other fabric from my stash.  If not, I'm afraid this quilt won't be big enough.

I discovered this blog while browsing.  What perfect timing .... the new Christmas blog hop was just announced.  Head on over there and find out about the Cross Country Christmas Quilt Designer Blog Hop.  There are twelve designers participating with lots of project tutorials and giveaways.

I also found out that The Block Party is kicking off their virtual quilting bee's quilt along.  Check out all the giveaways they have planned along with the details of their quilt along and new book.  You can find out all about it here.

Amy is having a recipe swap today on her blog.  Here is my contribution:

Osso Buco-Style Chicken Thighs

Olive Oil

6 chicken thighs (I use boneless, skinless)

salt

black pepper

2 cups chopped onion

3/4 cup cubed carrot

3/4 cup chopped celery

2 minced garlic cloves

3/4 cup dry white wine

5 cups chopped tomato (If I'm feeling lazy, I'll use cans of diced tomatoes)

dried basil

dried rosemary

Heat olive oil in pan.  Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.  Brown chicken in pan.  Remove chicken..set aside.

Heat olive oil in pan.  Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic.  Cover and cook for about five minutes...stirring occasionally.  Stir in wine, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.  Stir in salt, tomato, basil and rosemary.  Bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat and cook 15 minutes.

Return chicken to pan.  Cover and simmer 35 minutes or until chicken is done.  Uncover and cook for another five minutes to thicken tomato mixture.

I serve this over cooked white rice with a salad.  My family really likes this dinner.  It isn't as complicated as it seems.  Once all the chopping is done, it is pretty easy.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think.  Head over to Park City Girl and check out the other dinner ideas.

Have an amazing day!!!!

Please Advise

Over the weekend I sewed strips together for three separate stacked coin quilts.  I also cut the strips into the segments needed for each quilt and played around with the layout.  I took pictures of each project and could use some advice
.

Above is a picture of Coin quilt #1 using Moda's Sorbet jelly rolls.  Even though I have seen various examples of these type of quilts, I have never made them myself.  I am following a pattern in Jelly Roll Quilts book by Pam and Nicky Lintott (Bars of Gold on page 10).   It seems to me that most of these quilts have white or neutral fabric for the sashing, although some do have darker sashing colors to accent the coins.

Above is a picture of Coin quilt #2 using jelly roll strips from Moda's Swanky.  My first question is (for each quilt) do you think I should use a neutral color for the sashing or another color to coordinate with the fabrics?

Above is a picture of Coin quilt #3 using a designer roll of Jenean Morrisson's Picnic Parade.  This is my favorite.  Unfortunately, I forgot that designer rolls typically have less strips than jelly rolls.  I have ordered another bundle (and some fat quarters for me!)

I took some close up pictures of the fabrics because I know the other pictures do not give a good idea of the fabrics.  (Plus, it seems I am always taking my pictures at night so I can include them in my post which means the lighting is artificial.)  This is the Sorbet fabric for the first quilt.

Here is the Swanky fabric used in the second quilt.  My second question is (for each quilt) what color/style binding and backing should I use? The last question I need answered is which quilt for which sister?  (Remember, I blogged here about making them for my sisters for Christmas.)

Here is the lovely Picnic Parade fabric.  To help YOU help ME decide which quilt for which sister, let me explain that Sister #1 is 44 years old, married with two kids, lives in south Georgia and loves the color green; Sister #2 is 28  years old, single, a free spirit that is close to her family; Sister #3 is 31 years old, single, also a free spirit (but just moved far away).  I realize this last question can probably only be answered by me....but it doesn't hurt to ask ;-)))

Have an amazing day!!!!