Project Sent and Project Received

I purchased this pattern for the rose tryptych at the quilt show at Oaks last week.  My mother loves roses and since her birthday is today, I made it for her.  She will be receiving it a day late but my Mom is good about understanding how life gets in the way of plans.

At the quilt show I also received a lovely pin cushion from a blogger on Pat Sloan's forum.  A group of us met up at the show.

Great Quilt Show in Oaks, PA

Took a great class with a few Sloanie friends at the Oaks Quilt show this past weekend.  Laura Wasilowski was a hoot, (that is her on the end in the black and white jacket) and opened out eyes with respect to color, technique and fusing. A group of us that chat on the Pat Sloan forum met up at the show and you would never know that we hadn't known each other for years.  It was a great weekend and a fun show.

No Damage from Irene

We were fortunate once again and received no damage from the hurricane that ravaged the east coast.  We did get some rain, but nothing that caused flooding.  My heart goes out to all of those who suffered losses due to the storm.

Auntie Em, Auntie Em

We never get earthquakes.  I mean in my 56 years, I have never felt an earthquake in the Eastern US.
Today was different.  The dog started a low, deep growl and the floor started to vibrate.  At first I thought a large truck was rolling by.  But, then the floor felt wierd, almost a rolling sensation and then I saw the chandeliers start to sway.  Now I realize that the chandeliers actually did not move, just the house around them  Freaky!
It appears there are no injuries or major damage.  Thank goodness.  Let's just hope that this wasn't a precursor to future rumblings.

Have bag, must shop!

I just finished a project that has been on the cutting board for awhile now.  This quilted bag was made from a Nancy Zieman pattern and is quite roomy.  I added a couple of extra pockets on the inside and used up some remnants for the outside. 

I am heading to the quilt show at Oaks next month, and this bag will accompany me.  Lots of room for new fabrics and notions!!

New Quilting Obsessions

Well, something new has caught my fancy.  Even though I have several quilts in various stages of completion, I decided to start a new one.  http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/03/bottled-rainbows-how-to-make.html posted a tutorial on making these mosaic like blocks and they are just the most fun blocks to make.  They can even make you feel somewhat virtuous since you are using up scraps!

Butterflies and Puppies

The world's cutest dog lives with us.  This is Martha My Dear, a two and half year old Old English Sheepdog. She needs those barettes or she can't see a thing.  Of course, she isn't too good at seeing things when her eyes are completely shown either.  She has no concept of fetching or playing ball.  We will throw a ball her way and she will watch it sail by.  She will occassionaly find a ball among her things and it will become her toy of the day.  It will be carried everywhere she goes, but there is no playing or sharing allowed.  She does have her good points and she absolutely loves being with any of us.  When we come home from work or errands, (or sometimes even from upstairs) she will greet us with a warmth and a joy that is unsurpassed. 
Now you know the youngest member of the family.  Other intros to follow in the future.

Another Fun Summer Saturday

The day started early with a great tent sale on fabric at Hoover's in Mifflinburg.  There were a hundred cars already there a little after 7am.  Fabulous selection of fabrics at only $3.99 yard.  Hoover's is where I bought my Bernina and have never regretted it.  They are the nicest family and really, really believe in customer service.  My husband even got into the festive mood of the sale.  They have this sale once a year and everyone waits for it.  I was in line with a woman who drove 200 miles for it! Everything in the store was at least 20% off.  Great way to start a day.
Great end to the day with cedar planked salmon, grilled asparagus and coconut rice and grilled pineapple.
Cherries Jubilee is on the grill and will be serving momentarily. 
All in all, a good day!

To Storm or not to storm--make up your mind!

As I write this, I have no idea what to do about dinner.  Flash storms are running through the area...bright and sunny one minute and dark and stormy the next.  I know that the minute I start the grill, lightening will strike.  It's beginning to seem more like an eggplant parmesan sort of day.

No quilting today.  With all of the storms, I don't like to use my machine.  It's been a blog surfing type of day. 

More Great Meals on the Big Green Egg

Okay, I admit it.  I love the Big Green Egg.  As the weather continues to break records, I am doing all of my cooking outside.  In the past two days we have had cedar planked salmon and tuna, baked potatoes, grilled corn and pizza.

The crust was delicious and the pizza had a brick oven quality you usually only find great pizzerias.

However, man (and woman) does not live by dinner alone.  Dessert is equally important and we followed up dinner with cherries jubilee, also done on the grill.  I attempted to photograph the flambe portion of the process, but the blue flame did not photograph well.

We sat on the deck last evening, spooning our cherries jubilee over vanilla ice cream and enjoying a perfect end to a very hot day.

My Big Green Egg

My newest obsession...The Big Green Egg.
It is a grill, smoker and brick oven.  I have made everything from appetizers to desert on it and today I tried bread.
The potatoes are baking and the corn is grilling as we speak and later the tuna and salmon will go on the grill.  On a hot day like this it is nice to be able to cook without heating up the kitchen.

I found a recipe online for artisian bread and just used the BGE to bake it.  It smells wonderful and looks great.

Improv blocks....so far

Improv Blocks

Awhile back, some of the quilters on Pat Sloan's Quilt Mashup Forum decided to have an 15 minute improv block swap.  We each made 12 blocks, sent them to Hm, our coordinator, and she distributed them back to us. 
I now had 12 totally different blocks that I needed to find a way to incorporate into a quilt.  Also, since I only had 12 blocks, I needed to double the amount.  After viewing a churn dash on Bumble Beans made from 'made fabric', I decided to use that method.

My latest quilt

I just finished binding this improv block quilt It was my first attempt at a non-patterned block and I thouroughly enjoyed making it.

Summer is in full swing

Every summer it seems that one of my lovely three daughters feels the need to move.  I realize that jobs and school have necessitated these moves, but they always manage to pick the hottest day of the year to request our assistance.  Dear dauther #3 just moved to the upper West side of NYC into a 5th floor walk-up.  After the second trip, hubby and I announced new rules for anyone contemplating a move. First, there must be an elevator if you plan to live above the first floor.  Secondly, there must be a Starbucks on the block.  And third, and probably the most important, hire a mover!  It became painfully obvious that we are not getting any younger and this was confirmed the next day when we could barely get out of bed without creaking.
This however is merely a prelim to dear daughter #2 move in Alabama.  I believe they set a heat record today.  We are planning to go there next week, when hopefully the temps will fall to a moderate 90!
This is why I love central Pennsylvania.  Temperatures are always moderate, no tornados, hurricanes, and beautiful autumns.  We do get some snow, but we deal with it efficiently and quickly. 
I wonder when I will get the call from dear daughter #1 that she also wants to move???

Saturday Evening in Happy Valley

Sitting here admiring the ever changing sunset and the deck beckons.