Break Time

Enjoying a quick break from my sewing.  Our lilies are in full bloom...

Happy Independence Day

Tasting Table Tuesday - Inspiration

Like most of you, I have more fabric in my stash than I'll ever use.  I keep telling myself that I won't buy any more until I use up more of what I already have.  But lately, every time I go into my local quilt shop, this particular collection has been whispering in my ear.  "Buy me - Buy me!".  OK - so maybe it's been just a tad louder than a whisper...  Anyway, I've been promising myself that I would resist buying it until I had a project in mind...

On Saturday, I dropped in to deliver my latest handbag sample and Tracy said "by the way - I just got in some new books on Modern Quilting!".  (Bear in mind that Needles Quilt Shop primarily caters to the traditional quilters, but a few of us have been encouraging Tracy to start stocking some modern fabrics and patterns, so she has started ordering a little bit to see how it goes.  Yeah Tracy!)

Of course, I had to look...  and a look lead to a purchase...

The book I chose is called "Modern BABY - Easy, Fresh, and Fun Quilt Designs" and it's full of great ideas and inspiration.  But when I saw this zig zag chevron quilt in gray, black & white, I knew it was time to buy these fabrics!  The pattern is called "Daddy's Little Girl" by Melissa Cory.  I don't plan on making this exact quilt, but it certainly has inspired me enough to buy these fabrics and see what I can come up with.  Now maybe they'll quit yelling at me when I walk by, and I can shop in peace.

The fabrics are from the "Modern Shadows" collection by P&B, except for the floral one in the center - it's called "Shades of Black" by Me & My Sister Designs for Moda.

And just for smiles, my neighbor had some little visitors in her backyard.  Mama was close by keeping an eye on them.

Cheers!

Petite City Bag

Another Petite City Bag, finished.

Outer fabric and lining are both from Anna Griffin's Honoka Collection.

Base and handles are chocolate brown faux leather, my favorite.

 Zippered pocket on one side...

 ...and triple compartment pockets on the other.

On display (and for sale) at Needles Quilt Shop, here in Wellsboro.

Shop Hoppin'

Are you ready for the state-wide Row-by-Row Shop Hop that's happening this summer?  Many of the shops will be selling collectible fabric "license plates".  Here's what I made with the plate you can get at my local shop...

 

 This flex-frame pouch is just the right size to hold your rotary cutter when going to a retreat or workshop!  Or sunglasses, or anything else you can think of...

So go to their Facebook page to download a list and map of participating shops in PA & NY and get hoppin!  What will you make from the plates you collect?

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday - Party Pictures

Instead of writing about what's on my Tasting Table today, this post is about what has been on my work list for the past couple of months - my parent's 60th anniversary party.  All of the preparations and work was worth it - the party was perfect in every way.  Now that it's over, I can finally share some pictures with you!

 We had about 80 people in attendance, including two of my brothers who came all the way from British Columbia, Canada, many family members from Ontario that I haven't seen in many, many years, and lots of friends from the local Erie PA area.

It was an outdoor event at my brother's home in Lake City PA, near Erie.  We rented a tent in case of rain, but the weather was perfect.  There had been thunderstorms and rain in the days prior to the party, as well as the  day after, but the day of the event couldn't have been nicer.

The tables looked so pretty!  I was so busy getting things ready that I didn't get time to take some good photos, but at least you can get the idea with these quick ones I snapped just before the guests started arriving. 

I made burlap runners to go over the white table cloths and tied a green ribbon on each end.  The ends of the tablecloths were folded in and pinned, keeping them from becoming trip hazards, as well as helping to keep them on the tables when the breeze picked up.

We rolled the silverware in white napkins and tied them with purple grosgrain ribbon, put flowers in mason jars, and put pictures from Mom & Dad's wedding on each table.

A wonderful dinner was prepared on-site by Three B Saloon of Erie.  Their Bar-B-Que is awesome!

And my parent's good friend, professional jazz pianist, Mary Alice Brown, entertained us with her music.  Mom & Dad have talked about Mary Alice for years, but I had never had the chance to meet her until now.  She is amazing.  A wonderful person, as well as a very talented jazz musician.

At dusk, we lit some Make-A-Wish Balloons and watched them soar off into the night sky.  A perfect ending to a perfect day.  Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!  Here's to many more...

Cheers!

Tasting Table Tuesday - Lanyards

Yes - I missed last week's Tasting Table Tuesday post.  Again...  But there has been SOOO much going on lately!  Some I can share - some I can't...

My parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary party is coming up on Saturday, so that has been consuming most of my time lately.  So many projects to do in order to make this party happen and my brothers and I have been working really hard to get everything done in time.  It's out-of-town for me, so we're taking our camper and using that as home-base for the few days that we'll be there.  I can't wait to share some pictures with you after the big event!

Then when we return, I'll be heading right back out for a week of babysitting my granddaughter, then the week after that we're opening up our fishing camp in Canada.  (yup - that's hubby in the front of the boat!)

 So that pretty much wipes out the entire month of June!  I have a feeling that this summer is going to fly by even faster than last year!

So - right in the middle of all of this activity, I was presented with the opportunity to enter a quilting "challenge".  The practical side of me said - "no way - are ya nuts?" - I already have more than enough going on in my life - I don't need more!  But I've always been drawn to challenges, and this one is no exception.  I just couldn't let it go.  I know - I'm crazy - but against my better judgement, I'm making a quilt.  I can't show you my progress just yet, but I can tell you that the challenge rules state that I have to use this fabric...

“Ribbit Stripe” by Alexander Henry Fabrics

...and this tool.

The Polygon2 ruler by Gyleen X. Fitzgerald.

I only have until the 1st of July to get it done, but I only have to have the top pieced by then.  I can quilt it later.  So it's an achievable deadline - I think...  Stay tuned for pictures of my quilt after all the entries are in.  I don't want to give away any secrets!

Now - for Today's Tasting Table picture.  This is the beginning of an assembly line to make a large custom order of ID Badge Lanyards for my favorite group of teachers.

Earlier in the year I made a large batch of laptop computer sleeves for this group, and now they have asked me for lanyards.  I know I won't get them done before my series of upcoming trips, but I figured I could work on them while I'm babysitting my granddaughter.  I'll be staying at my daughter's house for the week and will need something to work on during naptime.

Now to figure out what to do with all my spare time...  Ha!

With all these trips coming up, I've decided to put my Etsy Shop, Cotton Cellar, on vacation for the rest of the month, starting on Wednesday.  Hopefully, when I re-open in July, I'll have some new items to list.

Hope you're enjoying the beginning of your summer, and if you don't hear much from me in the next few weeks, now you know why.  Busy Busy Busy!!!

Cheers!