ORANGE RUFFLE PILLOW

Check out this pillow on etsy how-to section. Wouldn't it be fun round? What color would you make?

NICE HOTELS

The bad thing about staying in a really nice hotel is you could sure get used to that.
I don't want to stay at a hotel just because of the cost, or because of it's name.....

I just like to stay because of how luxurious the rooms are, how thick the towels are, how soft and wonderful the beds and pillows are.....you get the picture. I have only stayed at a few really nice hotels, and it was worth the money! Too bad every hotel isn't like that....everyone should have a luxurious hotel room every night!

MEADOWSWEET FABRIC

This is Sandi Henderson's new line of fabric with Michael Miller called, MEADOWSWEET!

If you haven't already strolled through her blog to see all the pieces, you should! It will make you HAPPY! You know me with Pink and Red!!! Thanks Sandi for all your beautiful colors! She said fabric would be out in November!! Hooray!

MOCK STRAWBERRY JAM and A QUILT BLOCK

Mock Strawberry Jam...aka ...Zucchini Jam. Has anyone ever heard of this? My husband's grandmother used to make it. I hadn't thought about it in years, until our garden produced a lot of Zucchini...we planted 2 plants, what were we thinking? So I searched on line and found the recipe. You can add any flavor of jello and you really can't tell it isn't the real fruit. I can tell you because I have eaten it! You should try it! Here is the recipe for any brave soul. Cody's grandmother made Orange, I had never tasted Orange Jam or Marmalade before that, but she did make Strawberry too.

Mock Strawberry Jam

5 cups peeled and shredded zucchini, pack tight in measuring cup

5 cups white sugar

3 TBS. lemon juice

2-3oz. pks. strawberry jello or any other flavor

Directions:

1. Stir the zucchini and sugar together in a large pot over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to boil, about 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and gelatin, and continue simmering 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

2. Ladle the hot jam into 6 hot sterilized half-pints canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rim and jar threads with a clean, damp cloth. Center lid on jar and screw the ring down firmly. Place into a boiling water canner with 2 inches of water. Process for 10 minutes. Remove from the canner, and allow to cool to room temperature, and refrigerate any jars that do not seal. (recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com/)

Now for something sewing related. This is one block for one of the quilts for my new book, due out in April. I will show you more as I go. Just thought you might like to know I do still sew!

NEW COUCH

I said I would post a picture of my new couch and here it is! I saw on some one's blog that they scored on Craig's list...I have not ever bought anything on Craig's list but my daughter has...so I thought, "I can do Craig's list!" The gal who lives 15 miles from here had two identical couches. I called my friend who was also looking for a couch. We met and each of us bought one for $300.00 SCORE!

The end table was at a shop called, Real Deals which is only opened two days a week...It was half off. The top lifts up for storage and the basket came with it. The bottom is cast iron legs so very heavy. What do you think I paid for it? $47.00!!! Boy do I love a deal!

STASH QUILTING COMPANY

This is a new concept brought to us by Nancy and Krissy of Stash Quilting, this is a quick tutorial of how you do your blocks. You can purchase the sashing parts here. The idea is that you purchase whatever size you want your project....the sashings, borders and quilting is already finished, and you add your vintage blocks or blocks made from your stash and hand stitch them into place. No turning, no fussing, no quilting, no measuring... just quick hand stitching and you have a finished project. They will have a booth at quilt market this year so look for them there. I did some applique work for them on this model, it isn't my usual method, so I hope they like it. Also, the blocks were made by Scott Hansen. Thanks ladies, hope your business goes really well!!!

OREO RANDOMNESS

Do you like OREO cookies? Look here for a perfectly ingenious way to eat your OREO's... you will LOVE it and never eat OREO's any other way again! RANDOMNESS...check here for the history of OREOS's....sometimes I just want to know random information like this....it appeases my curious mind!

AND IT IS CREAM AND MORE CREAM

This is the true cream color of the following cabinet...but with my bad photography, the cabinet looks white

I just love how it turned out, and it shows off my grandmother's dishes, and looks very nice next to my new cream couch...yes, I did get one. I will post a picture soon!

Boy that looks white and the walls are so washed out....someone get that girl a real photographer! Now this poor little cupboard has been brown all it's life, poor thing. I wonder why I didn't notice how sad it was to be brown all these years? TA-DA! A swift swish of a paint brush and my trusty 5 gallon bucket of cream paint, (now down to about 4 gallons) and it is SO much happier...and yes, they all got a stain bath!

My husband asked where I got the little cupboard...silly him, he should have known I painted it!

AND THE WINNER IS.......

BARB!

Congratulations and I hope you like my book!

Thanks everyone for your warm and sincere comments!

I wish I could afford...even at my cost to send all of you a copy...oh to be independently wealthy....however, I am rich in blessings of family and friends...and blog friends.

(Barb, email me your mailing address and I will get this in the mail tomorrow!)

This is the back cover, it is pretty too and shows a few of the projects inside! The book includes the Ruby Red Dots quilt, which is queen size (or could be smaller, depending on how many of the 12 blocks you use) A throw size quilt, a baby quilt and pillow and a table runner....something for everyone! Thanks everyone for your support!

PEACH JAM AND BREAD

First I canned peaches...I have always loved how beautiful bottled fruit is, and how warm and satisfying it is to see them on the fruit-room/pantry shelf. (My parents had a fruit room in the basement, did any of yours?) My husband who rarely says anything, made the comment that they would sure taste good this winter!
Then I made peach jam and threw a few huckleberries in the top of each jar.

Then I had a "hanker'in" for homemade bread to go with my peach-huckleberry jam. It has been a while since I made a whole batch of homemade bread...not from the bread maker! Like your mother always said... good bread making is a skill...it turned out okay, but I am sure out of practice. It tasted so good with the jam! I thanked God today for the fruits of the season. I LOVE the fresh fruits!

UPS MAN I THINK I LOVE YOU!

Guess what was in the box from the UPS man? Yep, my very first book!

This is the title page....and table of contents!

This is the Ruby Red Dots quilt. You will have to buy the book to see the rest OR.....leave a nice message on my blog...DON'T pass the message, as I want my regular readers to have the best chance to win a signed copy of my book! You know you can order your own book from here, or tell your favorite quilt shop to order it in. Hopefully it will be at the distributors very soon! THANK-YOU Kansas City Star!

IN SEARCH OF A NEW COUCH

IKEA has several that I like.

Sorry, I couldn't get these pictures any smaller!!!!!!!!

Or any larger for that matter!

I am drawn to the rounded arms, and pillow backs.....I hope I can find something similar to one of these at a local store for less than IKEA! I have an olive green couch that I like, I wish you could just paint it...you know me and paint...I probably have enough to do the job. Okay, I won't paint it....so it's off to shopping.... Hooray, something to shop for!

SOMETIMES I SEW FOR ME

Remember sometime back I showed this quilt top before it was quilted?

I scalloped the edges and the corners to match the quilting!

I bought these awesome silk pillows at T J Maxx....does anyone else love T J Maxx? The fringe is aqua, gold and black.

Remember the cream print was the one I scored on the flat fold table for $1.99 per yard? The quilting cost more than the fabric and batting for the entire quilt...it was worth it! Hope you are sewing something for yourselves!

CREATIVE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK!

This is a little piece of vintage quilt which Cathe Holden made into something incredible...you must go check it out! (scroll to Sept. 2, 2009) It ALWAYS amazes me how creative people's minds are....great thinking Cathe!! Thanks for sharing your talent with us! Check out her other wonderful ideas!

~~I found where the book, One Yard Wonders is available. Looks so FUN!

LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!

Written By Regina Brett,
Cleveland , Ohio

~~~~

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

It has been my experience that it doesn't take looking around very far to find someone worse off than yourself. Let's not take life to seriously, and enjoy what we have!