Check it out

When my friend contacted me to spread the word about her friends new book, I had to jump on board.  As a new author myself, I feel the love for someone who is trying to get the word out!  Believe me....an author makes very little money. The joy of having someone enjoy your book far exceeds any monetary benefit received!

So, hopefully we can share the love, and let this new author of this cute children's book know that his work is enjoyed.  Check it out!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1408125968/serendipitys-pumpkin-pie-surprise

Work in Progress

Yep, it's been a long time since I posted.

To be honest.  Our family has been in emergency mode for a little over a month.  Luckily, everyone is well.  But, priorities have changed.  Keeping my family happy, well taken care of, and keeping me sane has been the major work that has been happening here.

I had lots of goals for this year.  They were worthy goals.  But, things happen.  And, when things happen, I get to adjust my expectations.  

Now, its summer, the kids are out of school, and there will be little down time.  So, expect more of the same.  

I will be going to the homeland while leaving my husband alone in the heat.  Hopefully, I can come back rejuvenated, ready to share ideas, recipes, and quilty things.  I also hope, I can get back to finishing a book I promised myself to have finished this year.  

I'm excited to get back to "normal."  To sew the things I have been longing to sew.  To feel fed by the touch of fabric.  To bathe in the fabric that fills my shelves! 

 I'll get there!

Happy Easter!

Yesterday we spent the day searching for Easter Eggs, coloring Easter eggs, and doing all sorts of Easter preparations. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their Easter activities and celebrations, we enjoyed spending time with friends and each other, and we especially loved the reminder of our Savior and Redeemer of all mankind, Jesus Christ.


To help us all remember our Savior this Easter, our church produced this video about the Atonement of Christ.  I hope you enjoy it this special Easter Day.

And, what would Easter be without some amazing food to share with our beloved families? 


 To help, here is one of our new favorites (courtesy of allrecipes.com)...

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, softened

Directions

1. Place water, milk, egg, 1/3 cup butter, sugar, salt, flour and yeast in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Select Dough/Knead and First Rise Cycle; press Start.
2. When cycle finishes, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12 inch circle, spread 1/4 cup softened butter over entire round. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges starting at wide end; roll gently but tightly. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in a warm place, let rise 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden.

Happy Easter from our Home to YOURS!

What is Quilting?

Someone asked me the other day about Quilting....like what is it? So, I will give you all the terms of quilting, so you can seem like a quilting genious... 

To answer...the picture above is a quilt. It has a front and a back, and in the middle is batting (the batting can be cotton, poly, wool, bamboo, etc......), and it is finished off by the binding (around the edges).

Below is a picture of the actual....QUILTING...these are the stitches.  You can quilt in whatever pattern you can draw.  Scrolls, butterflies, spaceships, planets, flowers, lines, etc....  You can do anything.  But, it is better if you can pick a pattern where the lines are continuous.

Now....if you want more info...keep reading.  If you are satisfied...STOP!    

Some people think that if you have a machine that quilts, that the machine just quilts for you.  THIS IS NOT TRUE!  I do all my own quilting, it is a challenge for me.  As much as I love quilting, this is the part where I stress out a little.  So, no...I don't push a button, and then out comes a quilt.  

AS IF....I WISH! 

 I have to roll this baby up, make it fit in the machine, and then I have to move it all around to achieve the desired result (and sometimes the result is not as I imagined).

Hopefully, you feel like you know a quilt a little better.....

Keep it Organized!

When you are sewing a quilt together, there are blocks and blocks, rows and rows.  In a quilt like I made the other weekend, where there is definitely a right and wrong order, being organized is essential.

In the past, I have used post-its to mark the blocks.  This time, I just used a pencil, and marked directly on the fabric.  I kept my rows in order, the blocks going the right way, everything turned out perfect.  THE FIRST TIME.  No unpicking necessary.  That is nice.  I am not immune to making mistakes. This time though...thinking ahead, and being organized totally payed off.

Don't fear, organize yourself, write directly on the fabric.  Then, you can stack up all your sewing at once, and get to work, and get that quilt done.

March Madness

What do you do during March Madness?  

Yesterday I spent the day in my PJ's working on this little number, while watching my bracket take a few hits.

As soon as I set foot into my sewing room (which is looking a little crazy right now...), my kiddos all promptly came in to work on their own crafts.  Noah started pulling all the pillow stuffing into small little balls, Lizzy wanted me to show her how to make her own purse, and Maddie started making doll clothes.  Then, Mitchell came in...he's too much of a boy to really want to sew something, but he wanted to be my cutter...and cut all the thread that tied my sewing together.

It's fun that my kids are with me, ALL THE TIME! 

I am blessed.

And I don't get much accomplished,(you might be able to relate).

That is...until Bj took them to fly kites.

 

Then I could pull this together for a sweet friend.  Shhhhhh....don't tell.

Sold a Bill of Goods....?

A few weeks ago when I was on Mark Lipinski's show, Creative Mojo, I was asked if we had been sellling a bill of goods to quilters.  Meaning, are we (those who write patterns) simplifying things too much, are we not providing enough opportunities for challenges and growth?  I have been pondering this question for awhile.  I totally understand his point of view, there are a lot of patterns and books out there advertising their ease and ability to finish in a timely manner (mine included).  Is that all quilting has become, a quick and fast blanket factory (you should gasp with shock and horror now...I said BLANKET and not QUILT)?

All these quick and easy quilt making books are for one purpose...to give those who might be overwhelmed by quilting, a comfortable introduction to this art.  I know when I wrote my book, many of my friends and family members wanted to learn how to quilt, but were too intimidated by it all.  The fast and easy description, is truly to let people know that they CAN DO IT.  As the quilting population dwindles, I think it is important we embrace new quilters, and arm them with the confidence they need to make more than one quilt.

Another plug for Fast and EASY quilts is, THEY GET DONE.   If you are an expectant mother, and you know you want your baby to have something you made for them, you will want this baby to love and USE this quilt,  and you will choose a pattern that you can finish in a few months.  Also, you will want to choose a pattern that will allow frequent washings, and will last.  The simple act of choosing fabric for your baby, and the pattern used, will show this child a little bit of your personality.  Little parts of YOU will shine through, and become part of the quilt you give away.  This part of quilting is HERITAGE!  No ones cares if the points match, or if the quilting is perfect.  What matters is that the quilt was made with a special purpose.  LOVE!

from my home....

But, then there is another kind of quilt.  The kind that stretches your abilities, that makes you think harder, do more math, take a long time, maybe read a book, or sew many trials blocks.  With this kind of quilt you are growing, and stretching, and increasing your ability.  This kind of quilt shows you want to learn, improve, and master the art of quilting.  As you grow in this way, the quilt becomes ART.  An artful expression of you.  And, at this point....the world gives the quilt and quilter VALUE.  These quilts are amazing!  They inspire others to work hard, to reach farther, to go out on a limb and experiment with different ideas.

from the Feb. 2012 Tucson Quilt Show

It's my hope that we stop comparing these two kinds of quilts.  They are not in competition with each other, they are not made with the same purpose.  Each kind of quilt holds immense value for the person or purpose for which it was made.   I don't think we should belittle either kind or purpose.

Each quilt can be inspirational, touching, and amazing.  Simply, make one!