Monday, June 30, 2014

July's Block!

Cocoa, coffee, cappuccino, cookies and cake.... all good things start with the letter 'C'.  This month's block celebrates winter and our wintertime drinks. I love to sit in my favorite comfy chair, by the  fireplace with a nice hot cup of coffee, (or hot chocolate) on those cold, snowy Minnesota nights. A good book or a project to work on is an added bonus! This month's block is called 'Toasty Mugs'. It's a bigger section of the quilt. So I have an extra special giveaway for July's block. It's an awesome prize but I won't be announcing until the 15th of the month.

You can make all the mugs with the same fabric, or mix it up and make each mug a different color. My mugs are all red but I used different fabrics for each one. In November, instead of a block, I will be giving you some embellishment ideas to sew, add or applique onto your quilt. So keep that in mind as you work on your mugs. I have also given you two 'steam' designs, you can choose to use one or both. It's up to you. I have used both. I have also decided to make the background scrappy using several blue fabrics of the same hue. I must confess, when I first started this, I bought two different blues thinking I would use a light and dark. I have decided for mine, to use only dark snowy fabrics. Well, here's the dilemma.... I don't have enough.... so I scramble to stretch what I have originally bought with fabrics from my stash. The up side, I love the results I have so far.

 The 'Toasty Mugs' pattern can be found on Craftsy. The pattern is free for the month of July 2014. If you missed Chilly Silly Snowmen, Cozy Cabin or Big Tree, Sparkling Stars, Fir Tree or Northern Hockey Skates, it's not too late to get the patterns. They can be found for a small fee on Etsy and Craftsy.
I have my pattern printed and my fabric chosen.
I have decided to make my block scrappy using fabric that
I have set aside for this quilt from my stash.
Sewing corner to corner to form my triangle blocks... 
Following the block layout for Toasty Mugs
I have one of the blocks laid out all ready to sew...
Sewing the block together using 1/4" seam. 
Tracing the steam for the mugs... 
Cutting out the mug handles...
Using dark brown thread I machine applique a buttonhole stitch
along the edge of the steam.

Toasty Mugs
July's pattern
Block layout so far!
Remember to post your finished Toasty Mugs strip onto the Flickr account for a chance to win the prize at the end of the month! If you blog about it, please email me a link so that I can attach it to the Pinterest Board I have going for the BOM 2014. I hope you have fun with this section of the mystery quilt. It can easily be done in a weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's mugs! As you can see with the quilt layout that the quilt is coming along nicely. There's still some surprises! 'll be announcing the prize for this month's block around the 15th and the winner will be announced on August 1st, when the next section is out.

Happy Quilting,
Cindy
Congratulations!
Tami Chaulk

Tami won a $20 gift certificate from The Fat Quarter Shop! 




Sunday, June 29, 2014

Spreading My Love....

I love spreading my love of quilting to others. I just love it, in my mind I would love to have a wonderful little quilt group that gathers and makes quilts and drinks sweet tea. Sorta like in the movie How to Make an American Quilt.  (Based on the novel by Whitney Otto) This week I get to spread my love of quilting onto two of my friends, Kathy and Kelly. I have been gathering some beginner five yard quilt patterns to share with them. I think a five yard quilt is a good starting point. They both want to jump in with both feet (or hands) and make a quilt. Kelly has a machine, Kathy doesn't have a 'working' machine. Kelly has sewing experience, I'm not sure if Kathy does... I have been trying to plan and anticipate everything, I got an extra machine from mom, I've gathered my cutting boards and extra rotary cutters, plan on setting my upstairs up as if for quilt retreat with tables for sewing stations, ironing board, gotta have some sweet and salty snacks. I've pulled out my 'beginning quilting' books to share. I've given them a supply list. I hope that they fall in love with quilting, I would love to add some more friends to my someday quilt group that gathers together to laugh and sew. 

But then while thinking about this, I have so many wonderful ladies that I gather and sew with. My Minnesota quilt retreat buddies, my mom, sisters, (sometime nieces) my friends that pop in and out of my house to work on projects and all of my online friends. I am very blessed as I sit here and drink my sweet tea. I am thrilled to be adding some more quilting buddies to my group, I hope they have fun and enjoy quilting. I am looking forward to seeing what they make!

Happy Quilting,

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Rhubarb Blueberry Jam

In Minnesota we love our rhubarb. I have a couple of plants but I don't like to use mine for jam since it's the 'green' variety. My mom had the pretty ruby red kind, so when she gave me some rhubarb last week I just had to make some Rhubarb Blueberry Jam. It's a quick and easy jam to make and sooooo gooooood. If you aren't a rhubarb fan, this recipe might change your mind. The blueberry pie filling gives this recipe a wonderful blueberry flavor.


My yummy jam cooking away... it smells so good.

To make my jars pretty I tied some bakers twine around
the jars. Homemade jam makes a wonderful gift to give.


I am going to enjoy my homemade jam on a toasted bagel!


Happy Quilting!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Hexie Pincushion

It's nice to have a small project to do while on vacation, or even just sitting outside enjoying the weather. This little hexie pincushion is a fun little project. I first saw it on facebook and fell in love with it. This pattern is  part of the Sew Over The Rainbow quilt along hosted by Victoriana Quilt Designs. You can check it out on her Facebook Page. The FREE pattern can be found HERE.... Benita, Thank you for the great pattern, it's adorable when finished and you can never have too many pincushions. It would also make a cute little gift for one of your quilting buddies. So here is my spin on her awesome pattern....
I printed up the pattern and traced out the hexie just as it printed up. You could make this
cute little project with just about any size hexie.
Using the hexie template I cut out several foundation
papers out of a paper bag. It's a great way to recycle an old
paper bag! 
Cut fabric a 1/4" or so bigger than the hexie shape....
Wrap your fabric around and pin using sequin pins.
(They are tiny)
My hexies are all ready to piece together. I am using three
different fabrics from the 'Gallery in Red' fabric line from Marcus Brothers. 
Sewing using tiny little stitches.... right sides together.
 
Here's the layout to form the pincushion.

Here I am sewing the 'sides' of the pincushion... remember to remove
pins and hexie papers when all sides are 'sewn'.
Continue to sew until you have all the sides sewn up, except for one. Remove
the last of the pins and paper and then turn right side out.
Then use stuffing or leftover batting and stuff. Finish sewing the last seam.
Remember to use tiny little blind stitches.
I think it's adorable with an added button!
I hope you enjoy this cute little project.
Remember this cute little hexie project from last year?
My tutorial for this project can be found
HERE.

Happy Quilting!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Garden Gnomes

I love garden gnomes. I have a 'miniature' set of them in my flower pots. It got me thinking about the history of garden gnomes. Did you know some of the first terra cotta garden gnomes were produced around 1841 in Germany. Garden gnomes, or gobbi's have been around even earlier than that, as early as the 1600's. Gnomes are a symbol of good luck. I think my love of gnomes comes from my Norwegian ancestory.  I found this folklore about the Norwegian 'gnome';

"The Norwegian "Nisse" is not like his American relative Santa Claus. The Norwegian "Nisse" differs from both Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. In modern Norway we actually have two types of "nisser".
The name  "Nisse" probably derives from St. Nicholas. But "nisser" - which are elves (or gnomes) are old figures which existed long before the birth of Christ. There are several types of "nisser" in Norway. The most known is the "Fjøsnisse" which is a "nisse" who takes care of the animals on the farms. The "Fjøsnisse" is very short and often bearded and lives in a barn or a stable. He wears clothes of wool and often has a red knitted hat. The "Fjøsnisse" often plays tricks on people. Sometimes he will scare people by blowing out the lights in the barn or he will scare the farm dog at night. You can hear the dogs bark! He can become very friendly with the people that live on the farm, but one should never forget to give him a large portion of porridge on Christmas Eve - or else he will play tricks for example move the animals around in the barn, braid the horses' mane and tail, and other tricks like that.........


(http://skygnome.blogspot.com/2012/05/norway-and-gnomes.html)


I also read about 'gnoming', where groups of people rescue garden gnomes from lawns and return them back to the wild. My dad's set of gnomes disappeared years ago, he was heartbroken over their disappearance. Maybe they were victims of a gnoming group. 

I love them so much that I've designed a sweet little gnome applique pattern this spring. It's cute on a tea towel, but it's super cute as a mug rug.

To make a mug rug, I used some leftover fabric and cut a 7 1/2" x 10 1/2" square
one for the front, one for the back and then one piece out of batting. Iron the gnome pieces onto the front and layer it all together. I like to applique thru all of the layers using a buttonhole stitch. Then add on the binding. Sew on some buttons and embroider on the eyes. It's a quick and easy project, makes a wonderful gift paired with a coffee mug.

 I hope that you enjoyed my little bit of folklore and gnome project.
Happy quilting,
Cindy


Sunday, June 15, 2014

Happy Father's Day

Dad,
I miss you. Thank you for the sweet little wren that was singing right outside my window the other morning. I was feeling blue and that little bird just sang and sang until I smiled and cheered up a bit. I am sure that you sent him just for me. I was thinking how I would love to be doing the crossword puzzle with you drinking our morning coffee. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't at some point think of you.  Love you very much and am thinking of you especially today.

With love,
your little Cindy Lou Who

Wishing you a wonderful day spent with the men in your life

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

I baked muffins this morning from scratch. Because it's Saturday, because Mark got home late last night from a business trip, because it's raining outside, it's father's day weekend and most importantly....because I'm too cheap to buy overpriced muffins at the store. I enjoy baking while my boys are still asleep. It pleases me to think that they will be waking up to the fresh smell of baked muffins and coffee. Yum! Who doesn't love that! Wilson's even excited, hoping for a scrap or two...

I have no secret family recipe, I googled Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins, (hubby's favorite) and found a recipe from Food.com  I did make a couple of changes to it. I left out the lemon zest, added vanilla yogurt in place of the plain yogurt and topped the muffins with sliced almonds before baking. Hubby has given me the thumbs up and has enjoy several of the muffins this morning. I thought I would share the recipe with you since it's father's day weekend and maybe you would like to bake something too. Now I'm off to spend time in my sewing room. I've got some projects I should be working on. Ideas floating around my head.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Quilting,

Thursday, June 12, 2014

June's Prize!!!

I have an awesome prize for this month from  The Fat Quarter Shop. The Fat Quarter shop has generously donated a $20 gift certificate for this month's winner. So how do I win do you ask? Well, it's very simple, make this month's June Block, Northern Hockey Skates and post it to the flickr group.  For an added chance to win, blog about it too! (Send me a link if you take time to blog about it!)

If you won this month's prize what would you like to get? Check out the Fat Quarter Shop's website. They have so much beautiful fabric. Are you looking for fabric for a special project (who isn't) , they are a wonderful source for quality fabric. I will be announcing a winner at the end of the month, the same time that July's block will be out.

I Love My Sponsors

Our quilts are slowly taking shape. So much fun... I have all sorts of fun goodies lined up for the rest of the BOM quilt along. All sorts of Quilt Doodle fun.

Remember to post your pictures! I love to see pictures!! Here are just a few...






Happy Quilting,

Sunday, June 1, 2014

June's Block is Here!

June is here and it's getting warm in Minnesota. I find myself complaining... "it's tooooo hot"... the air conditioning is on and I have it cranked down to a comfortable 70 degrees. (My husband is freezing) I am embarrassed to say, after the long winter we had, I wouldn't mind a cold day. So with this month's section, I am dreaming of the cold days of winter and thinking of our Minnesota boys who dream of hockey. Watching hockey, playing hockey.... be it on skates in an arena or on the lake in boots, Minnesota boys love hockey. 
I am using the same background fabrics as I did for my Cozy Cabin and Big Tree and Fir Tree block. There is some flexibility with this strip if you are making it scrappy. The background can be a little different if you choose to do that. You could use a different blue. But do keep in mind the over all color choices you have used so far on your quilt. I have also used two different grey fabrics for my block, but it's ok to use just one if you want. A fat quarter of grey is more than enough for this section. The 'Northern Hockey Skates' pattern can be found  HERE and on Craftsy. The pattern is free for the month of June. If you missed Chilly Silly Snowmen, Cozy Cabin or Big Tree, Sparkling Stars or Fir Tree, it's not too late to get the patterns. They can be found for a small fee on Etsy and Craftsy,.
I should have posted this month's ago... how many 2 1/2" squares can you cut out of a fat quarter?
This is handy to know since we are working with 2 1/2" squares.


I have my pattern printed and my fabric chosen.

I have decided to make my block scrappy using fabric that
I have set aside for this quilt from my stash.

Sewing corner to corner to form my triangle blocks...

Following the block layout for my Northern Hockey Skates
block I sew my squares together...

Here I am tracing the skate blade onto my heat n bond...

Lay your blade onto your block and center along the
bottom of the skate boot. I have sewn the 2 1/2" x 10 1/2" strip
to my block since the blade overlaps onto that area. 

Using dark brown thread I machine applique a buttonhole stitch
along the edge of the skate blade.

Northern Hockey Skates
June's block



Remember to post your finished Northern Hockey Skates strip onto the Flickr account for a chance to win the prize at the end of the month! If you blog about it, please email me a link so that I can attach it to the Pinterest Board I have going for the BOM 2014. I hope you have fun with this section of the mystery quilt. It can easily be done in a weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's skates! As you can see with the quilt layout that the quilt is coming along nicely. There's still some surprises! 'll be announcing the prize for this month's block around the 15th and the winner will be announced on July 1st, when the next section is out.

Happy Quilting,
Cindy
Congratulations!
DebraRinOhio
Debra won three half yard cuts of Tweet For Two from Marcus Brothers. 

Block layout so far.... I'm lovin' the skates!