Word-less Wednesday

Why so sad, sweater?

In which I review an ebook about quilting

Today I give you my very first book review. The good folks at Fons and Porter contacted me to see if I would be interested in sharing my thoughts about their free ebook “Build Your Best Log Cabin.”

I said, “Sure!”

First of all, this book is 24 pages of nothing but the good stuff. No filler here. Lots of great pictures and clear instructions. Starting off with a bit of history, they move into basic construction techniques for three popular types of log cabin blocks: traditional, courthouse steps, and chevron.

I’m all about a good chart, and this book has no shortage. Charts for how wide to cut strips for different size blocks give the reader options. Cutting charts for the various patterns help eliminate the stress of wondering if you have what you need.

But that’s not all! Included are four great patterns from quilters you know like Ricky Tims and Marti Michel. They even throw in instructions for trapunto work and binding with piping.

And just when you thought that’s all there was, when you download this free ebook, you also get:

• A free e-newsletter highlighting the latest quilting news, including trends and styles
• Insider details on upcoming features in Love of Quilting, Easy Quilts, Quilting Celebrations, and more
• Special Deal of the Week offers just for e-newsletter subscribers

So, I highly recommended that you run, not walk, to your nearest computer and hit this link to get this most informative book. 

Did I mention that it’s free?!

write.here.write.now

So, I have to tell you about my lunch today

Two blocks from my house, the Desert Island Supply Company (DISCO) is having their big grand opening event for their offices in Woodlawn. Here’s more about them and what they do. 

Part of the celebration includes an all-day read-a-thon of The Hobbit. People take 5 minute time slots and read aloud to whoever happens to wander in. When I arrived, a young lady was already in the middle of her reading. Then a grade school lad picked up where she left off. He did a fine job, even pushing through a tough word like “appreciatively.” After him, a gentleman with a wonderfully rich voice took over. He didn’t even need the microphone. I regret now not taking a slot when it was offered.

But I spent my time watching a young man from the local high school drawing the most amazing portraits with a Pigma pen. Such a talent. And he was quick, too!

Then it was outside to spend some time visiting with guild friend Lillis and her group of Inglenook sewing ladies. I bought some tickets for their donation quilt and promised to work up a pattern for my diminutive over-the-shoulder purse that they admired. They are now holding their meetings at the DISCO offices. I think I’ll look into a way to spend a little time with them.

To cap it all off, I ordered an amazing burger from the Shindigs food truck and brought it home to enjoy.

How cool is that!?

Sweet Boo!

And yet another baby...

As I said earlier, it's been raining babies around  here. One of our former students came back to us after college and she has taught for us for a couple of years now. It's always such fun when they come home.
This one is Susie and she had baby Quinten back in July. I have wanted to do one of the zigzag quilts and I found this pattern on Pinterest from the Bee Square Blog .

I like the idea that this is made with strips. I chose bright boyish novelty prints and tone on tones to alternate. Since this ends up with bias edges, I recommend staystitching the edge before trying to baste it for quilting. It will keep it from stretching out of whack.

 

I've had this fun Hawaiian shirt and swim trunk print for a long time with no plan for it. I just thought it complimented all the bright colors. The yellow and white Hawaiian print fabric came from the thrift store. It had been hemmed as a tablecloth. 

 

Baby Bunny

It's been a busy baby year every where I turn. One of our teachers at work had her first child back in March - a sweet little girl.

I thought I would try a project that would take less time than a quilt since it was the busy time of year for us. So I chose this cute yo-yo bunny pattern by Indygo Junction thinking it would work up quick. I love their stuff.

I used sweet 30's prints for the yo-yo's and I particularly like the pink plaid for the paws and inner ears. The large and extra large Clover "Quick" Yo-Yo Makers were the perfect sizes for this project and I made a few every night while watching television.

 

I did begin to wonder if this was going to be quicker than a quilt, but I eventually got it finished.

Instead of buttons for eyes, I cut some small pieces of black felt and stitched them in the same way I would have sewn in the buttons.

A final plaid puff made for a fluffy bunny tail.

I hate to say that she didn't receive the gift until July, but it was just in time for sweet baby girl to enjoy.

Dear Mr. Woods -

I just want you to know how much I appreciate your considerable efforts to return my purse to me. It was stolen from me at Wal-Mart two weeks ago and I felt so stupid for having turned my back on it even for just a few seconds. I was mostly upset that night because my dog was in the car and I was afraid someone might drive off with her. But thankfully that did not happen.

The stolen credit cards, driver’s license, phone, and checks have all been replaced. I have changed the locks on my house and had my car ignition reprogrammed. While time consuming and costly, it was not that difficult to do.

Often it is the loss of the little things, the more personal things, that make us feel most violated: the little pocket knife given to me by my mother who is no longer with us, my one-of-a-kind key chain, a favorite wallet that suited my needs perfectly. You have allowed these things to come back to me.

The return of all of my keys reassures me that no one will be taking my car in the middle of the night or be coming to my house when I’m away.

The return of my Social Security card (that I didn’t even know was in the purse and made me both horrified and relieved to see was still there) gives me hope that my identity is intact and safe.

The return of my jump drive that had work files on it relieves any anxiety that I am missing important information.

Having these things in my possession again has restored some peace of mind and for that I am grateful. You are an honorable man, sir. May God abundantly bless you because of your kindness.

Mr. Woods retrieved my purse from the side of the highway today while picking up cans. He found my business card inside and called my work. He then drove my purse to the police station for me to pick up later in the day.