Picture This! Sunday

Living in Iowa, snow is a given.

The first snow is always so sweet. At least to me.

Ask me again about snow's sweetness in February.

Or March.

Sometimes even in April!

These photos were taken overlooking our back yard from the deck.

We got about 4 inches of the fluffy stuff.

All of these photos are in color, even though they look like black and white.

It put me in the perfect mood for singing in the local choir

for our annual concert with the symphony.

Yep, I'm still dreaming of a white Christmas!

*Day 4 of the 31 Day Blogging Challenge

Books on My Wish List

I usually have a hard time coming up with ideas for my wish list each Christmas.

I'd be completely happy if everyone just showed up on time and got along for a few hours! Unfortunately, no one in my family wants to shop for that or even give it a whirl.

So I am offering a few ideas from the book store this year.

Not in any particular order:

A New Spin on Drunkards Path by John Kubinec

I followed the blog hop when this book came out and fell in love with the Bowtie Quilt pictured below. This would be such a fun project using up my scraps.

Did I say "fun" sewing up a project full of curves?

Pat Sloan's Teach Me to Machine Quilt

I followed this blog tour also just this past month and think Pat could help me with my machine quilting skills. I could use help, Pat!!

One of the projects in this book that I'd like to make is her star mini quilt.

I think I'd make mine in purple, but I love her colors too!

Another book on my list is Intentional Piecing by Amy Friend

I am a pushover for fussy cutting and keep my eye out for fabric to fuss over.

I asked my library to order the book, so they did. I've made a few blocks using one of Amy's paper-piecing projects in the book. Now I want my own personal copy!

Here is one block I've made from the book.
I plan to make several more to make a small project.

Do you have recommendations for any other sewing or quilting books

I should add to my list this year?

*Day 3 of the 31 Day Blogging Challenge!

My Favorite Podcasts

Sometime during the summer of 2015, I learned that there were podcasts about sewing and quilting. Up til this time, I had always listened to Pandora streamed through my iPad while plugged into speakers in my sewing room. I liked being able to choose different stations depending on my mood.

I found that my mood changed often and since sewing is such a solitary activity, I found myself almost "blue" when sewing even if I loved the music!

When I started listening to podcasts, this hasn't happened even once.

I think it's the feeling that I have someone else in the room with me while I sew.

 Isn't that strange?

Below, I've listed my favorite podcasts that I am subscribed to through iTunes. All are free!

Listed in no particular order...cuz I love them all!

Modern Sewciety 

Stephanie is the hostess with the mostest and she chats with many of the big names in the quilting world. The interviews are open, fun and comfortable conversations.

 

While She Naps

Abby Glasssenberg is another great hostess and scouts out other designers and

creative business owners in the sewing industry. Her chats are always interesting and provide so much information that I'd never thought of from the designing aspect.

Crafty Planner

This is a rather new one to me, but I've really enjoyed a few episodes.

Each episode focuses on one creative personality and shares his/her story.

American Patchwork and Quilting

Who doesn't love Pat Sloan? Pat always keeps me smiling and listening with her informal conversations with great minds in the sewing world.

I listen to a few more podcasts, but these are my favorites.

Time seems to fly when I listen and sew along.

No more "blues" for me!

Do you listen to any others that I should check out?

*Day 2 of the 31 Day Blog Challenge!

My Scrappy Picnic Plaid Quilt (in progress)

Give me a good challenge, and I'm in! As long as it doesn't involve running or burpees, it's good.

When I saw that there was a quilt-along on Instagram to make the Scrappy Picnic Plaid Quilt that's found in the 2016 Quilter's Planner, I jumped on the wagon!

Prizes were/are involved to sweeten the deal.

You might remember the CrossCut Quilt I made this past summer that will be given to one of my children for Christmas this year. This Scrappy Picnic Plaid quilt would be perfect for my other kiddo!

 

I raided my stash for scraps that would match the living quarters of this child.

(Note how I'm avoiding the his/her terms in the event one of my off-spring is reading!)

I came up with this.

I picked up more fabric as we traveled in October, stopping in Missouri, Texas, New Mexico and a few other places. (That trip will surely be a post coming up this month.)

I am falling a bit behind on the challenge process because of working, but there have been some long binges of sewing going on just in hopes of getting this baby done for Christmas!

I am linking up with two other challenges...

Fingers crossed that I can do this!

The 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge! 

hosted by Muppin / Cheryl Sleboda

and

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts

What have you been sewing lately? Any good books being read?

Mindfulness: a Journal by Catherine Price

I have always enjoyed writing. As a teacher, I found writing to be such a joy to teach to my students. Those that groaned and moaned when it was time to put the pencil to paper, often were the ones who produced the most creative, thought-provoking stories. Inspiring those kids was the key. Cracking open a hard shell into their imaginations and experiences was all it took. I loved every minute and I always shared some of my own writing with them as we worked through the process of making it to the end.

Mindfulness: a Journal is one of those books that is full of ideas and inspiration to get one writing. Even if you already enjoy writing, the quotes and prompts among these pages may offer something you hadn't thought about before.

A few examples of the inspirational prompts:

• Write a list of things in your life that you're grateful for right now.
• If you could do anything, right now, in this present moment, what would it be? If at all possible, go do it!
• "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Edith Wharton
• "Be happy in the moment. That's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." Mother Teresa
• Spend five minutes writing about your present experience--the sounds, the sights, the thoughts, and anything else that is happening right now.

I've really enjoyed this book and recording my thoughts that were ignited by the prompts. The book itself is so calming and pretty with thick pages and nicely spaced lines to write on. It's also a great size to slip into a purse or tote bag to keep nearby when the time to write opens up.

Penguin Random House offers more information on this book here: Mindfulness: a Journal

You can read more about the author of this book here: Catherine Price

FTC disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Oh, how I've always wanted to write that! Ha!

We have a chicken dinner winner tonight!

Under the close supervision of Miss Sophie, my husband pulled a name from the John Deere hat.

 The lucky winner of the Jordan Fabrics table runner is.....

Sew Much For Free Time said...

"Your runner looks fabulous! I bet it was fun, too! I'd pick either the Christmas runner

or the one called Paper Bandana. Great Giveaway! Thanks. "

I have sent you an email and you can decide which runner you would like!

I know you will love either one!

jordanfabrics.com



Have a great weekend, my friends!
Kathy

Autmum is here and so is my FIRST GIVEAWAY!

Autumn arrived last week, but someone forgot to inform Mother Nature to dial down the temperature and humidity levels in the Midwest. It was warm, rainy, and terribly humid all last week. Ugh.

I couldn't get outside to do much in the evenings, so I looked through my projects to find something seasonal and fun to work on. Here is where I found a Jordan Fabrics table runner kit...the perfect project! This kit is the Jo Morton Spice Market Patchwork Table Runner Kit.

Upon opening the kit, I found very clear directions and photos, along with precision-cut pieces already laid out according to size. This was going to be fun and easy!

I wish I'd taken a photo of the kit as it was set up in the wrapper, but I didn't. I was too excited to get started and stitching!

You can see the precut strips and with the pictorial instructions, it's super easy to line them up and stitch together. This was my first ever Log Cabin block. Yep, I can't believe it either.

My first Log Cabin block:

It wasn't long before I had all 4 blocks completed and sewn together!

The next step was to make a sandwich with my own batting and the backing that was included in the kit. A simple stitch was sewn all around the edges, leaving a 4 inch opening to flip.

I used a variegated King Tut thread I had in my collection for the quilting. I like the idea of a binding on the edges, so I made a "faux" one by stitching 1/2' around the edges.

I planned on a simple cross-hatch quilting in a diamond shape. I used a white pencil to draw my lines on the back. In a "highly technical" method, the width of my clear ruler became the width of the spaces. Whatever works, right?

 

Don't worry, those white lines are NOT visible after stitching!

Even if they were, they're on the back and can be removed.

The finished Jordan Fabrics table runner! It was quick, fun and so lovely!

Doesn't it look great on my hutch cabinet?

Jordan Fabrics has many other items on their website, including quilt kits, patterns and quilting fabric. Check them out here: Jordan Fabrics

jordanfabrics.com

Here's the best part!

Jordan Fabrics is generously offering one Log Cabin table runner kit to one of my readers!

If you'd like to win a Log Cabin Table Runner kit from Jordan Fabrics, click HERE to choose your favorite. Then, in a comment below, include the name of your favorite Log Cabin table runner kit.

Want a second chance to win? Tell me how you follow my blog.

A random winner will be chosen on Friday, September 30th and notified by email.

My newly retired husband will do the pickin' from a hat!

Be sure to include your email if you are concerned about me finding you!