Star Quilts for Christmas

Hello Everyone,

This is my entry for SewCalGal's 2011 Christmas Quilt Show.  This quilt is from Comfort and Joy by Mary Hickey.  It was a fun and easy quilt to make. I've taught this class at In Between Stitches, and all of the quilts are just beautiful. Check them out in their beginning stage here. The combinations of color are endless. What is better for Christmas than a star quilt?

I'm also entering Country Charmer, my own design.  I taught this class at In Between Stitches just a couple of weeks ago.  Check this class out HERE.  Both classes were so much fun and the ladies were so creative.



We finally have power, Internet and phone after a harrowing windstorm in the mountains.  Even Zinnie was afraid to go outside and take care of business. I'd better get this posted before the power goes out again!

As always,

Lynn

Double Dutch Anyone?

Hello Everyone,

Well I've finally decided on a whole Dutch theme for my Winterset pattern.  Now I think I need some tulips around the windmill.  I even put a flange in the windmill to try to add some depth.

I've been moving flowers around.....they are the only things that are nailed down yet.

I'm going to have lots of space for some custom machine quilting.  I can visualize it now.  I'll think more about borders once the yardage arrives at the shop.

In honor of windmills, Mr. Joe brought this home from the bakery yesterday.  Yum!

This post is brief as I'm trying to get it completed before we loose power and our Internet connection again in this monster of a wind storm.  It has been scary listening to things going bump in the night.  When daylight comes, we'll be able to access any damage and then we get to watch the pine trees sway much farther than they should without snapping.....let's hope.

As always,

Lynn





Just A Hint Of Winterset

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick peak at the center section. What I draw and what actually makes it to the final design is a dynamic work in progress. I doubt that this center section will be completed by Sunday for the Preview Party. I have to stop changing my mind!

I've been experimenting by cutting petals out of the individual flowers in the fabric.  The left-hand look good, but I lost my way after that. 

I told you there would be a blue flange around the oval.  Luckily for me, I had this white and blue paisley in my stash that matched the rest of the fabric in the Blueberry Crumb Cake line.  The center oval is a great polka dot from Lakehouse.  I had just a fat quarter of this, so accurate cutting was essential when I cut out the oval.  Then there was the issue of finding a spool of absolute white thread in my cabin sewing supplies for the top stitching.  Do I drive 45 minutes one-way to the nearest quilt shop, or do I use an off-white that may work?  I ended up using what I had and was pleased with the off-white.  No one will notice unless you readers squeal and spill the beans!

I've been making and moving flowers around for a day.  The only component that I know is going to remain is my signature flange.  Decisions, decisions........

As always,

Lynn

Winterset from Blueberry Crumb Cake Fabric

Hello Everyone,

I should be decorating and sending out Christmas cards, instead I'm working on my new design called Winterset, made from Blackbird Designs new Blueberry Crumb Cake fabric.  The yardage isn't available at the shop yet, so I'm only working with the blues and whites from a fat quarter tower. 

I was able to squeeze out twelve blocks which was challenging.  I spent most of yesterday designing the center section for this quilt.  I'll be able to show you more tomorrow.  This has taken me out of my comfort zone colorwise.  I do not work within the confines of a limited color palette, but these blues had me from the very first time I set eyes on them.

I never planned to put an applique design in this quilt until yesterday at 4:23am.  Light bulbs started going off in my head, and no, it wasn't the paparazzi!  I jumped out of bed, made my coffee, grabbed a mechanical pencil, gridded paper, and started drawing.

I would like to get this as far along as I can before Sunday, December 4th for the shop's preview party at the Purple Orchid Inn.  What is a preview party you ask?  Well, at In Between Stitches, we have quarterly preview parties displaying the quilts, and projects being offered as classes over the next few months.  It gives everyone a heads-up for upcoming classes so you can mark your calendars, schedule time off work, and make plans for quilting over the next four months.

I will probably be the ONLY instructor holding up three flimsies.  But they are beautiful flimsies and guaranteed to be quilted by the time the classes roll around.

Today I'll be working with (not eating) Blueberry Crumb cake fabric filling the center section with absolute loveliness....well I think so.  If not, then it's back to the drawing board.  And you know there is going to be a blue flange someplace in this quilt!

As always,

Lynn

Yo-Yo Quilt

Hello Everyone,

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know we did! Now it's time to get into full Christmas mode starting today. 

While I was getting ready for the Thanksgiving company last week, I would leave the vacuum cleaner behind and sew a few blocks together for the Yo-Yo quilt.  Before I knew it, another quilt was born!  This pattern is called Welcome Wagon Yo-Yo Quilt and is in a book called Simple Graces by Kim Diehl. 

I've been making the 588 yo-yo's for months....since March 7th to be exact, but who's keeping track of time!  I became an expert making them in the car on the road to the cabin.  The only time I put my needle down was through the windy part of the trip. Wherever I went, my yo-yo making bag traveled with me. 

My granddaughter Emily, also helped me make yo-yo's. Click HERE to see the post from last March when I started this quilt with Emily.  Yesterday when she was here, she searched each and every block to find the yo-yo's she made.

I hope all of you are enjoying your turkey sandwiches.  Our turkey will be transformed into a kettle of soup today.  Enjoy your weekend everyone while decorating your home, shopping or quilting.  This is the "most wonderful time of the year."

As always,

Lynn

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Hello Everyone,

There is so much activity going on here this week with Thanksgiving preparations.  Before I get too busy, I want to wish all of you the happiest of Thanksgivings.  I am thankful for you, my dear readers. 

Your comments and emails brighten my day.  I'm especially thankful for all of the friendships I've made through the blog over the past three, almost four years.  What fun this has been!

Here is a post for a recipe from my family cookbook.  I post it every year at this time BECAUSE THE ROLLS ARE JUST SO GOOD!  I'll be making them Wednesday night so the family can enjoy them on Thanksgiving.  If you have any left, they are perfect for your turkey sandwich on Friday.  Enjoy, and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

As always,

Lynn

Today is another page from the Wilder Family Cookbook. This is probably the most requested recipe in the entire book. I have been known to "hide" a few just so we have one or two to savor the day after I've made them. Now you have to plan ahead with this recipe. Make the dough the night before the event and finish the process in the morning.

This dough is easy to work with and you will love the texture. Watch them carefully in the oven so they stay golden. Here I go with the butter again!







Here's the recipe:

• Homemade Butter Rolls
  
  2 (1/4 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  1 cup sugar, divided
  2 cups warm water (100° to 110°)
  1 cup butter or margarine, melted
  6 large eggs, lightly beaten
  1 ½ teaspoons salt
  8 ½ to 9 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  
  - Stir together yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 cups warm water in a 4-cup glass measuring cup; let mixture stand 5 minutes.
  - Stir together yeast mixture, remaining sugar, and butter in a large bowl. Stir in eggs and salt. Gradually stir in enough flour to make a soft dough. Cover and chill 8 hours.
  - Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Turn each portion out onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 12-inch circle.
  - Cut each circle into 12 wedges. Roll up each wedge, starting at wide end; place on greased baking sheets. (Rolls may be frozen at this point.)
  - Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 2 hours or until doubled in bulk.
  - Bake at 400° for 10 minutes or until golden. Yield 4 dozen.

Note: If unbaked rolls are frozen, place frozen rolls on ungreased baking sheets. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 2 hours or until doubled in bulk. Bake as directed.
(They aren't quite as good if you do this step.....we prefer them if they haven't been frozen first.)

Source: Southern Living 2001 Annual Recipes – page 21


I have made these without a mixer.....but it's so much easier if you have a mixer with a dough hook to work in the 9 cups of flour.



This is what the dough looks like before you tuck it in the fridge for the night.


This is what you will see in the morning. (I'm glad I don't double in size every night! )


Divide the dough into (4) equal sections. Pat the first section of dough into a small circle then roll into a 12" circle. I always do this on my Hoosier. The dough never sticks and I feel like a part of history when I'm using this old enamel work surface. (I'm not old enough to be considered an historic landmark just yet....but my sister is!)


Cut the circle into (12) wedges and start rolling at the widest part of the wedge.




Lightly grease a baking sheet and put the rolls in a warm spot to rise for about 2 hours.

Voila! Here are your rolls just ready to hop into the oven.


My grandson Austin, holds the record by eating SIX of the rolls at one meal. I now send him home with his own leftover bag.

Have a glorious day everyone.

As always,
Lynn

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick post this morning to show you the borders on Buttonwood.  I'll most likely quilt a feather and cable design on the tone on tone brown in the border.  I'm still trying to decide what to quilt in the baskets.  An idea will come to me when I least expect it.

For those of you that live locally, Mr. Joe and I will have a booth at Ruby Hill Winery tonight from 6:30pm to 9pm for the annual Sip and Shop.  This event kicks off the Holiday shopping season and should be lots of fun.  While I quilt, Mr. Joe is busy in his woodworking shop making items out of wine barrels.  From benches to dog beds to wine bars, he makes them out of wine barrels.  We call this dog bed a Bark-A-Lounger.  (Can you tell we have way too much time on our hands?)  We call the food bowl holder a Doggie Diner. 

The inside of the barrel was naturally stained by the red wine.  It is a beautiful shade that could never be replicated by any stain purchased at a hardware store.  Mr. Joe's workshop has a wonderful aroma of a winery.  No wonder he escapes to his shop for hours on end.  While I'm stippling....he's tippling.

As always,

Lynn 

Country Charmer Class is in Session

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday was another fabulous day in the classroom at In Between Stitches.  Creativity and laughter just bubbled out of the room while the girls worked on their Country Charmer quilts.

I'll start with Barbara's quilt.  She made this block just for me and received extra credit for using checks!

Barbara mainly used Civil War fabrics in her beautiful creation.  She took her homework assignment very seriously and completed all of her blocks and sashings!  This is a picture of her quilt at the beginning of class.

Here is her quilt complete with borders by the end of class.  The ooohing and aaahing was contagious and many shoppers poked their heads into the classroom to see what was going on!

Next is Madonna's wonderful bag of reds and greens.  I just wanted to dive in and caress each and every pieces of fabric.

She finished lots of cutting and then started playing and constructing her blocks.

We all liked the secondary pattern her blocks created without the sashing.  This is going to be very striking with or without sashing!

Then we have Penny from Oregon who joined in with us "virtually".  Penny purchased my pattern and made the quilt throughout the month.  Yesterday morning Penny sent me this picture of her completed blocks.

This morning when I opened my email, what do my wondering eyes see???  A completed Country Charmer all crosshatched, stippled and bound!  Beautiful, just beautiful!

Then we have Lisa.  Those of you that follow my blog will remember Lisa..."Stinkin' cute" Lisa and her blocks.  The motto of the shop is, "A Place Where Friendships Grow."  My friendship with Lisa has grown over the past year and a half.  She has taken every class I've taught, and finished every quilt to perfection adding her personal style to each and every one.  Lisa and her husband are moving to Colorado next month to start a new chapter in their life. I will miss her presence, smile, and laugh so much in my classes.  Look out Colorado, Lisa is coming and will brighten the snowiest of days.  I will miss you my friend.  You will have to join in my classes virtually, just like Penny so I can show your quilts to the world and spread your sunshine.

Lots of sharing took place yesterday.  We found out so much about each other.  As Lisa said in a personal email this morning, we discussed challenges, and the surviving and the sweet victories.....how inspiring is that????? 

I've said it before and I'll say it again......Quilters are the best!  Go about your day and inspire not only yourself but everyone you meet today.  Quilters can change the world.

As always,

Lynn

Minglewood Month #5

Hello Everyone,

For those of you working on the Minglewood BOM through In Between Stitches, your bundles of fabric will be shipping out today.   Click here for your fabric cutting directions.  Select Minglewood Month 5 and you will be all set to make four more blocks.

This month you will be making two Path Through The Woods blocks.

I changed the placement of the units for this block.  I just have to be different and put my own spin on everything.

You will be making two Mosaic Variation blocks.  I'm not crazy about these blocks, so I put them on the side of the quilt.  There is an error in the book on page 57 regarding the construction of the Mosaic Variation block.  Instruction #5 should read:  Cut each set of squares into 3" squares as shown above.  (Not 3-1/2" squares.)

Remember this is your final goal and keep working on the blocks and they will be finished in no time at all!  I love this quilt and I can't wait to get it home from the shop. The quilt is earning it's keep right now on display at the shop in all of her glory.

I'm off to the shop this morning to teach the second class session of Country Charmer.  I'll be anxious to see what the girls have created since our last meeting.  If anyone in Blogland is making the quilt along with us, please send pictures to patched55@comcast.net and I'll post them on the blog.

As always,

Lynn

P.S. Mr Joe and I survived the babysitting......bearly....since we saw bear tracks close to the cabin.  For some reason, the boys weren't interested in going outside at night to roast marshmallows around the campfire!

Missing in Action

Hello Everyone,

I'm here....really I am. Busy week with working at the shop on Monday, and teaching on Tuesday.  I spent my day with 11 very talented, funny and creative quilters Tuesday.  I felt like I was herding cats, trying to keep up with the questions, and oohhing and aahhhing over their beautiful creations.  The primary focus of my drop-in class, is being the head cheerleader and quilting coach to help the girls finish quilts from any of my patterns or from any class that I've taught over the past three years.  From Paula's Party in the Garden

....to Glenda's hundreds of paper pieces for Blossom of Friendship.  This got us going on the paper dolls we played with in our childhood.  We all had lots of practice cutting out small paper pieces from our Lennon Sisters to Debbie Reynolds paper doll collections.

Barbara finished quite a few blocks for Midnight Star quilt by Mary Hickey.

Kathy was working on her Party in the Garden.

Chris finished a couple of gorgeous blocks for her Scrappy Leaves quilt.

Carol made several "hexies" for Summer's Blush.....

....while Janice made a handle for her first basket for Party in the Garden using the basket tutorial.

Kaye was cutting out her pieces and putting them on her block layout sheet for Country Charmer.  The layout sheet has been a big hit to help corral the 53 pieces of fabric.

Then the real challenge began for Mr. Joe and me on Wednesday.....talk about herding cats! We started babysitting our 4-year-old grandson and our 14-year-old step-grandson for five days while Mommy and Daddy are celebrating their anniversary in Las Vegas!!! You know, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  

Carpooling, football games, pre-school, high school, storytime and Sponge Bob Square Pants just to name a few of the activities since yesterday.   How did we ever raise our own three children and keep some level of sanity?  Last night I was a bit dingy and put the 4-year-olds hair gel on his toothbrush!  Now it looked like toothpaste to me, it was blue just like Aqua Fresh and was in a tube.  Whoever heard of a little kid needing gel anyway?  Let me tell you his teeth are not going to bend in the wind.  God give me strength to make it until Sunday!

Don't plan on any quilting pictures for a few days.  I'm going to be in recovery mode.

As always,

Lynn