Beaded Birdie Stitches Quilt

OK ... so ... I've been extremely under the weather with

asthmatic bronchitis ... cough, cough, cough!

Going on 3 weeks...UGH!

Making productive use of this down time

 I have been able to 

replace the binding, piping and

bead my "Birdie Stitches" Quilt 

all from the comforts of my sofa!!!

Sadly, the photo just doesn't show it off very well.

Block 1

Started in January of 2011

Block 2

February - Valentines Day

Block 3

March - cold & snowy

Block 4

April - Easter

Block 5

May - Flowers

Block 6

June - Rainbows

Block 7

July - Fireworks

Block 8

August - Hot Summer Sun Flowers

Block 9

September - Fall Leaves

My Favorite!

Just love the way the leaves came out!

Block 10

October - Pumpkins

Block 11

November - Thanksgiving

Block 12

December - Christmas

Originally there was a purple piping,

but it just didn't come out even.

Found this great blue iridescent cording

that blends in perfectly!

I stitched it on by hand so it looks like piping!

Let's not forget the label!
Just had to add a few embroiderd bluebirds!

If your loving the "Birdie Stitches" pattern you can find it here.

SO that's what days and weeks coughing on the sofa will get ya!

Now I really need to vacuum ...

coughing and beading are just NOT a good combination!

Stray beads everywhere!!

eBook Review: Modern Quilt Patterns by McCalls Quilting

The Modern Age of Quilting is upon us!

It features bright bold colors, asymmetrical designs, free-form piecing 

all adding up to fun easy energetic quilts!

Modern Quilt Patterns feature three easy patterns great

for the beginner, a quick gift or charity quilt.

The first quilt Baubles and Beads combines 6 inch blocks with large dash sashings. 

Rainbow Rhythm is all about the half square triangle.

Lemon Squeezy uses a flip and stitch quilt-as-you-go method.

All three quilts are quick and easy, and the patterns are clear and well written.

To receive your FREE copy of Modern Quilt Patterns

click here

You'll LOVE them!

Book Review: Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Back in the beginning of January, Dutton Books contacted me ... 

would I be interested in reading and reviewing 

Jennifer Chiaverini's latest book?

"Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker"

 ... Well ... 

YES! 

Boy was that a silly question!

Having been an avid fan of Jennifer's Elm Creek novels (all 20 of them!), 

I jumped at the chance to read and review her latest book -

which happens to be a historical novel. 

In "Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker" Jennifer departs from the cozy town of 

Waterford and goes beyond the walls of Elm Creek Quilt Camp 

into the war torn world of the Civil War. 

Just like all of her other novels, Jennifer draws you deep into the story 

of friendship between the main characters in the book. 

The narrative is powerful and allows readers to view the tense and troubled 

life of Mary Todd Lincoln from the eyes of  one of her closest confidants, 

Elizabeth Keckley her dressmaker. 

The story grips the reader as it explores the relationship and 

personal interactions of Elizabeth Keckley and Mrs. Lincoln.  

"Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker," quilts a compelling story wrapped in history, 

making readers feel as though they are walking among the Lincoln family 

during and after their brief time at the White House. 

For all of those Elm Creek fans out there, 

this book will not let you down, 

it offers a look at life, love, friendships and hardships 

from the eyes of Elizabeth Keckley - 

freed slave, talented dressmaker and 

friend to Mrs. Lincoln.

It is a must read!

What I'm watching ...

Having spent the past week home sick with the 

worst case of asthmatic bronchitis in 10 years ...

I am thankful for a few (well more than a few) things:

Sick days, antibiotics, 

a loving husband, 

a caring mom, helpful children 

and...

I have spent the week watching all 3 seasons

AGAIN and AGAIN!

YUP twice ...

I had a lot of time.

Felt so miserable - couldn't even hardly applique!

Can you believe it!

Just can not seem to get enough of 

the sofa and this show!

Ebook Review of "Build Your Best Log Cabin"

Back in December I was contacted by the Online Media Coordinator 

for Fons and Porter and asked to review the eBook 

"Build Your Best Log Cabin"

After picking my self up off the floor!

a resounding "YES" was my reply.

Now realizing two whole months have slipped by .... 

 Blizzard 2013 is ready to hit Boston any minute

I find this is the perfect time to sit with a nice iced coffee 

(Yes we drink iced coffee in the winter in New England!)

cuddled under a quilt, watch the snow fly 

and write about building a log cabin!

Admittedly, having never been a fan of log cabin quilts,

I've never made one! BUT ... after reading this eBook

my creative juices are flowing!

This book is filled with log cabin history, pictures, patterns,

tips, sewing instructions, block sizing and a review 

of the types of log cabin blocks 

(traditional, courthouse step and chevron style).

My favorite of which is "Bear Paw"

an updated traditional version

of the log cabin quilt by Ricky Tims

This book also includes a few special bonus items...

trapunto and bobbin quilting, lump-free bindings and piped bindings.

All this information is available to you as

a FREE download!

It is definitely worth downloading and saving.

Hoping you enjoy your copy as much as I have!

Now I'm off to select the fabrics needed

to build my log cabin ... I better hurry

Nemo is supposed to dump 2+ feet of snow today!

Another Quilt Retreat!

Just back from another quilt retreat

This was a very low keyed relaxing retreat.

It's held at a Salvation Army Retreat Center...
Very calming and relaxing!

Here is my room...
Yup a little twin size bed, which was
actually pretty comfortable.
Had the room all to myself - that was a treat!
First time in 25 years I've been by myself!!

This is my favorite room,

a beautiful sitting room with gas fire places.

Just a wonderfully cozy room....

with a beautiful view of the frozen lake!

Saturday afternoon it was so sunny and beautiful,
made myself a huge cup of tea, gathered my applique,
and stitched for over an hour...
LOVED every tranquil minute of it!

 Here is the sewing room filled with 30 quilters, machines and Quilty Stuff!,
except me - no machine - just my sewing basket!

This weekend I worked on the  right border and was able to finish 

five flower sets and baste the last three in place.

 It's getting there!!!

Red Applique Quilt - Left Border on!

I brought my Red Applique quilt out of the UFO pile 

to start working on the vine and flower applique boarders during my last retreat ....

Well I finished the left border and stitched it in place over the weekend ...

LOVE it!!! 

Very Happy with how it's turning out.

Can't wait for my next retreat (this weekend!!) 

to finish the right boarder!

Wonderful time at the SCQG Retreat

Just back from a laugh riot of a time 

at the SCQG Quilting Retreat held on the Cape.

Here is my view of the quilting room.

We had 30 Quilty Gals ... lots of fun & laughs.

We had a SAFARI theme this year
every one was given a hat to decorate!

Here is my hat decorated with wild animal stickers!

And the Prize Winning Hat...

Sue "borrowed" her grand kids stuffed animals!!
The only animal she didn't have was a monkey.
Her prize for the best hat ....
Yup - you guessed it...
a stuffed Sock Monkey!!


And here are the ring leaders of the SAFARI
Carolyn ans the Witch Doctor and
Donna as the Hunter

They always do a fabulous job every year putting together
the retreat ...Three days of  fun, food and friends!


Worked on my appliqué border

Yup didn't even bring a machine!
Very liberating ... all though I seemed
to have to carry in just as much quilty stuff!

Finished a Winter Taupe block and started the
McKenna Ryan "Beach Walk" fusible applique quilt!
More on those two later.
Now back to reality...
time to take down the Christmas decorations!!!

Only 365 more days until the next retreat....
I wonder what the next theme will be?!

Happy 2013 and my 100th Blog Entry!

HAPPY 2013!!

Can not believe this is Blog Entry # 100!!

Watched the ball drop in New York City ... on the TV!!

Went to bed and couldn't sleep!!

Up until 4:30 am!

Working on a UFO!

Remember this one

Started in on the appliqué boarder

Already had the vine appliquéd

worked on selecting fabrics for the petals!

Think I'm off to a good ... re-start!

My New Years Resolutions...

#1 - Become Healthier! 

(No more eating junk includes cookies and candy!)

#2 -  Spend more quality time with Hubby!

(That should be an easy one!)

#3 - Walk / Workout and loose 20 pounds by JUNE

(Oh My!)

#4 - Be the best Wife, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Friend I can be

(only measured by the smile I see!)

HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year to Everyone!

Wrapping up 2012

Christmas 2012 was wonderful ...

 The kids were home and no one had any place to rush off to. We spend the day all together!

Matthew took this panoramic picture with his iPhone!

Stephen was watching me use my new mini iPad, 

Nana is getting her picture taken and 

Victoria is hiding in the corner buried under presents!

In the afternoon we celebrated my birthday!

With a special gift from Nana ....

a new sewing machine!

WOW! a Janome Memory Craft 6600!

I am on lucky Quilty Gal!

Spent the rest of my school vacation rearranging 

my sewing room .... AGAIN!

New Janome Front and Center!!!

With a few added organization moduales from

a local shop - the room is ready for my

2013 Quilty Projects!!

Christmas Cookies

At Christmas time we have a tradition ....

Santa cookies!

We make Santa cookies

and lots of them!

This year my son's friends actually started acting about them

in September ... making sure they were on the cookie list!

It all started when the kids were little

The sugar cookies were made while they were at school

and on a special evening all of the frosting components were set up

the center of confectionery frosting is surrounded by
chocolate chips, coconut, red sugar,
mini marshmallows and a cinnamon candy

and let the frosting begin....

even at 25 Matthew still loves this tradition

 Ta-Dah! Santa Cookie

 Love lining them all up!

This year there were two cookie nights

so Victoria wouldn't miss out!

So glad she's home from college! 

It looks like Christmas!!

 All boxed and ready to go!

We figured we made 25 DOZEN of these

cute little Santa Cookies this year!!

Growing up my mom started her cookie tradition

Press Cookies...

We made 24 dozen of the Press Cookies

(TWO at a time! it took awhile!)

All in all December was spent making over 50 dozen cookies!

It was such fun ... 

and all were given to Family and Friends.

We did manage to save ONE box for

our Christmas dessert!