Things i like Thursday Aug 30

Greetings!

Another weird, stressful week- adding sadness to it also.  I posted comments on the very sad passing of Senator John McCain the other day so will try to focus on the things that brought me joy this week instead:

1.  Holiday decos arrived at the AT HOME store in my neighborhood;

It's August and way too early for Christmas decorations but I have to say they did make me feel good anyway.  I vaguely remember cool weather.

I did however LOVE this sign:

For some reason I think this is funny.


2. My finished Patched and Squares quilt.

This was made with 4 x 8 strips  I made from scraps every few months cleaning out the stash buckets and just saved them.  Then I added  8 inch Bella Porcelain squares.  It is so cool in person. It measures 48 x 53.  The backing is made from leftover layer cakes in the stash from many projects made in the past:

Such a cool idea if I say so myself.   The bad news is --I washed it with Color Catchers as I usually do when I finish a quilt  and some colors ran! I quickly glanced at it when I removed it from the washer, didn't see the bleed and threw  it in the dryer.  I'm gonna try and remove the spots today to see if they might come out. Ugh! It was going to be a donation quilt but if I can't remove the spots, I'll keep it for the car or park. I used leftover Grunge Jelly Roll strips for the binding.  What a cool idea that was too.  I always use Jelly Roll strips for bindings but these were really colorful.

3. Some pulled Fat Quarters for a new "purple" quilt for my daughter's retiring friend:

I've only made one purple quilt before so this will be fun since it's the recipient's favorite color.  I like purple -- I don't understand why I don't have more in stash! I pulled 10 FQ's and made (12) 9 patches from 5 inch squares  that I'll make into a Disappearing 9 Patch pattern , but I'll need to find fabric for borders cause it's not enough fabric for a "throw" size. Hmm-fabric shopping? yes.


On that happy note, I'll close for today.  Please join us at Lee Anna's post: Not Afraid of Color for more "likes" posts.  It's fun and informative.

Have a great day!
mary😍

A GOOD MAN

JOHN Mc CAIN


There are few men I have seen, heard  or read about in my own lifetime  that I can honestly say I admire.

 Senator John McCain is one of them.

I'm an Arizonan and a Democrat. This was an emotional weekend for us hearing the loss of our great statesman, but he was known for far more than that.  He was a good son, husband, father, friend and patriot.

 I 'm afraid his passing is a sign of change in our  times in this nation as if we couldn't see that already with this terrible administration and nothing Congress.
 But I digress.

Senator McCain gave all his adult life to our country.  He was a humble servant with a good sense of humor.  But, more importantly he had respect for others.

I did not always agree with his politics but admired him as a person.

He will be sorely missed.

I like Thursdays Aug 23

Greetings!

So, this has been an interesting week (politically speaking).

But, I'll try to focus on things I like in my own life instead:

1. My "Teresa" quilt.  I finished it, made hasty photos and delivered it to my lung doctor who is a qualified and cool person:

This is all green shades but the photo shows up as yellow in spots. sorry. They are really a light green shade. This quilt is stunning in real life. I made it from Island Batiks -hand dyed and so cool.

The pattern was a rail fence. I used my batik scrap quilt top as the back:

The quilt finished at 42 x 57 and my doctor loved it.

2. Cauliflower Crust Gluten Free pizza. 

I had my vegetables and they were good.  Just sayin.

3. 2018 RSC blocks on the design board.

I'm caught up for June and hope to get July and August done this week.  I lost a whole month of sewing in July, so, hopefully, I am  back on track. I like how these colors play nice together so far.

I hope everyone is enjoying this week and can find "likes" in your life.  Please join us at Lee Anna's post: Not Afraid of Color for more "likes" .
Have a great day.
mary  😍

I like Thursdays Aug 16

Greetings!

Wow- the middle of August- where did the year go? To my doctor's offices.  Gheeze- I've been to  15 doctor visits this year! I'm ready for New Year's to start over. LOL.  Anyway, due to child care 3 days a week and every other weekend, my days are pretty busy.  But, I'm still blogging a little so I'm good.

Here are my "likes" for this week :

1. Quiltfolk magazine.  It's really a book. Like a coffee table book. I SOOO splurged and subscribed.  I was not reading enough in my life and my usual reading list just didn't strike my fancy.  When I subscribed, I was able to get the previous issue free so that was a win   It cost $70 plus shipping and tax for 4 quarterly issues a year.
 So, I present to you a photo of the first issue I got:

The photos are outstanding and the writing is so relatable.  This issue was about quilters in the state of Arizona.  As usual, I had no idea there were such great happenings and people all over my state.  I lead a sheltered life. Gheeze. For once, I'm proud of my state.

Here is the current issue I received at the same time:

This issue is about Louisiana . By the way, The first issue I received is so full of information and inspiration that I took my time and read it TWICE. I just opened this second issue the other night and I'm also taking my time.

Side note- I photoed my new books on the quilted table cover of green gardens fabric. Doesn't it look like they are laying in the grass?   I need to remember this for my next "photo shoot" ( I'm using that quote liberally). HaHa..

2. My Gal Sal Bakery.  My daughter read about this award- winning specialty bakery in Phoenix and gave me a gift from there- a sample box of gluten free delicacies.

This is a photo of an empty box. Sorry, I couldn't be bothered to take photos of the cakes.

Trust me-they were really good especially for being gluten free, soy free, yellow no.5 free, and no preservatives or additives.   I decided a week later to go there myself and spent a ridiculous amount of money.  The  owner was knowledgeable and pleasant.   When I got home, about half of it was good especially since I froze them for a later date.  The other half was dried out and had nuts in them.  I wasn't smart enough to ask on that allergy. Finding any freshly baked gluten free products in this area is almost impossible, so I will go back but I'll be even more picky with my purchases. This is a real luxury.

3. Cluck Cluck Sew post on blogging :Cluck Cluck Sew.  I hope you can access this post she made about her 11 years of blogging. .  Sometimes, I need a reminder to relax and be more mindful. This fit the bill for me.

Well, this is an eclectic mix of "likes". Please join us at Lee  Anna's post:Not Afraid of Color  for lots of "likes" inspiration.

Have a great day.
mary☺

Things I like Thursdays Aug 9

Greetings!

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and keeping cool.  We are trying- but 110 degrees almost everyday is getting old fast. I was reading recently that record high temperatures are affecting Europe and Siberia. The earth is heating up everywhere.  Speaking of heat, I cannot believe the enormity of the fires in California. It's such a beautiful state and I hope they get some rain and less wind soon to help stop those devastating fires.  God bless and protect those over 14,000 firefighters!

It's been a busy week here catching up on household chores and meeting my grandson after school each day Mon-Wed now.  His dad had to change to part- time to meet him after school on Thursdays and Fridays .  Thomas loves being on a real school bus after school (even though it is a special-needs  bus- it is huge and loud which he loves).  It is so cute to watch this experience for him. In the past 8 years Thomas was picked up in a van after school and taken to United Cerebal Palsy for the rest of the day till dad got off work and took him home but that program was cancelled this summer.  We all scrambled to come up with a plan to care for him in this new school year.  It's a shame there aren't good day- care programs for these kids after school. I can't imagine how this is affecting other families.

So, on that note- here are my "likes" for this week:

1. Caring for Thomas after school. I am so grateful to be in a position-physically and mentally to take care of him at his home after school.  This way he can also receive his physical and speech therapies at the home. It's only 3 hours a day three days a week which is easily done.  I can still get my chores and appointments done while having plenty of time to sew!!

2. My new Batik 4 Square quilt top.

I cannot believe I found all these Batik fat quarters in a bag in a drawer.  They were left over from an artist project on canvas from earlier in the year. I got tired of the project and just stuck them all in a drawer.  Unbelievable. It was such a find.  I was able to cut (39) 8 1/2 inch squares and (15) 4 -squares made from 4 1/2 " squares to make a 49 x 57 top.  However, I just realized this might also make a good backing for another quilt I just started.  Here is the finished "top":

The colors are stunning in person. This was so easy to pull together in 2 afternoons.  It did take me awhile to figure out the math of a four-square block vs one square block. But it worked using four  4 1/2 " squares to make the four square block  and one 8 1/2" block for the other. I will definitely make this top again.

Speaking of which, I need to run and work on a quilt I'm making for one of my doctors that I hope to share with you next week. I have less than a week to get that done!

 Please join us at Lee Anna's post:Not Afraid of Color for more "likes". It is such fun to see everyone's positive posts.

Have a great day!
mary 😊

Things I like Thursdays Aug 2

Greetings!

Ok, this is my "likes" post for this week.  But, really, I just went shopping.  A couple a times.
That- in itself- is a "like". ...no?

I can't wait to share with you my stuff:

Missouri Star Quilt Co was having a Fat Quarter Bundle Sale and I just thought I would "look".
Ha Ha.
 I bought 3 bundles:

I have been wanting some flower fat quarters as I don't have but a few. These are so pretty:

It's interesting how the navy geometrics pop the other colors to the surface. Once again, I apologize for the poor photo from my phone. Some shots are better than others and it's too hot to take photos outside.

This  next bundle is Welcome Winter by Jennifer Pugh.

The snowmen and birds are adorable. Two  years ago, I changed my color theme in the living room for the Christmas holidays to blues so this is my new favorite.

Stonehenge Gradation by Northcott is only 8 fat quarters but quite vibrant:

I have vague plans for the first 2 bundles, but I'm not sure about this one, yet. I just know I like batiks and don't have enough. (She said).

By spending so much money (for me) I received this free stabilizer:

Hopefully, I'll find time to make stand alone stars or something.
I haven't purchased fabric like this since I retired 3 years ago so I guess, it's allowed.   I'm very happy with my purchases.

Then, I was delivering 3 quilts I've made to a local quilt shop that accepts them for the Linus Project when lo and behold, they had a Janome 128 blocking the entry, on sale.  Great marketing.

The Singer that I have been taking to quilt classes and WIP days at my favorite LQS weighs 16 pounds and has not been behaving as I wish for about a year. But, I didn't feel purchasing a new machine  was warranted or even in the budget.  However, I had to cancel my last scheduled WIP day because I could not lift that machine 6 times (transporting from the house-to the car-to the shop-to the table-back to the car-back to the house)in one day due to my breathing issues.  That is just not gonna work for me. I need that WIP day once a month. That's my big "goin out of the house day". That's my only socializing with fellow quilters time.

Anyway, this beautiful machine was $79. Score.
(I have a big Janome 6600 in my sewing area but can't even lift it to another room.  I love it and it provides all I ask of it).
I just needed something to take out of the house without passing out or tearing a rotator cuff.  I love my new Janome 128.  It has a lot of stitches, weighs 11 pounds and is so compact. Granted, I wish it had a needle threader and thread cutting feature but it came with it's own 1/4 inch foot so that's all that's necessary  for WIP days.
I had to "break it in" this last weekend in the kitchen -watching movies and putting together scraps. I love it.

So, I really should change the title this week to a "loves" post.   I hope you can join us at Lee Anna's post:Not Afraid of Color for more fun ideas and sharing.

Have a great week!
mary