For my Friend, Miura-san

This is a photo of my daughter, McKenna, in the kimono given to her by my very dear friend, Emiko Miura, in Japan. Next to McKenna you will see an authentic kokeshi doll that belonged to Miura-san and her mother. McKenna does not actually get to play with the kokeshi doll, but she does come out for photo opportunities like this one, otherwise, she and her sister kokeshi grace the entry of our home. They were wedding gifts and truly one of my families most cherished possessions. Hello Miura-san! I hope you have a chance to see this!!! I miss you!

Mother's Day Flowers

Renea's Photo Quilt of Love

This quilt is the first quilt made by my daughter's nanny, Renea. I am SO proud of her! The great thing about this quilt is that it is so personal and tells a story. I have to tell you a secret about the photos. They look GREAT! This is not your typical HP Photo Transfer Paper. She had this done at a screen printer, but it's not screen printing - it's a high end heat transfer. The difference in what you get from your home printer and this is remarkable! What i love best about this is that this lap quilt was made for her invalid aunt so she can look down and see her loved ones all the time. Isn't that the best kind of quilt!!! Renea, good going! Hope to see more from you my friend, my sister!

This is What I Have Been Working On!

Yes, I am still alive and quilting! I just took a short "vacation" to buy a boat. This is a picture of OUTBANK, our new toy. We got a commercial tuna license and I plan to tag dolphin (the fish) for a research project. She has a little galley, bathroom (with door!), and places for my husband, daughter and I to sleep.

I am ALMOST done with my big Kaffe Fassett "Simply Fun" design. We have our retreat reunion coming up in about 2 weeks, so be sure to check back and see all the variations of this great quilt. I will be back soon with a picture of the completed quilt top. My next project is the Kaffe Fassett Handkerchief corners on the cover of his book "Passionate Patchwork" that I promised my Dad for Christmas (and will not even start sewing before Father's Day!). If you have made this quilt or have recommendations on how to avoid Y-Seams, please email me!!!!

Inspiring Quilt Day

I am SO lucky! I received an email from some one that had been giving me some advise on quilting after reading my blog. We became fast friends via email. She offered me some quilting books that she was no longer using. All she wanted was a scrap bag in return!!! I am so happy I am dancing a jig and cannot wait to see what my friend makes with the Kaffe scraps. On top of that my quilt retreat buddy called to tell me shad had FINISHED our mammoth project. The call inspired me to GET BUSY! I have 4000 quilt project I want to do and the only thing getting in my way is sewing rows together on the Kaffe-themed Simply Fun quilt. Will post a picture as soon as I am done.

Simple Spanish Dinner

I made this meal last night for my DH and daughter. We all loved it. This will be my next "go to" meal for company when we plan to eat outside. Menu: Grilled chicken, stuffed roasted red peppers, rice, salad. Start by getting a tall jar of roasted red peppers and gently take them out of the jar. Stuff with any kind of cheese. I have had this recipe with a spreadable feta but cannot find that in Zebulon so I did a combo of light green onion cream cheese, mozzarella and feta. Grill the stuffed peppers. Top with toasted pine nuts and a reduction of balsamic vinegar with a spoonful of honey. I also made grilled chicken tenders that I pounded inside of a ziplock that had been marinated in a William-Sonoma Spanish paste of katamala olives, capers and some other good stuff. Serve with W-S drizzle oil. We also had sticky rice with golden raisins and parsley and lemon zest. The green salad had a grilled burgandy heirloom tomato with home made vinegarette that had smoked paprika and Dijon.

5-Minute Indian Inspired Soup

I made this recipe up yesterday and liked it so much I made it again for breakfast! Hope you enjoy it too.
1 can coconut milk (regular or lite)
1 can organic green beans (regular work fine too) - drained
1/3 jar roasted bed bell pepper
1 teaspoon curry paste (I like green but you can use red)
1 tablespoon garlic
2 tablespoons sun dried tomato paste (or 2 sun dried toms)
1 1/2 teaspoon grill seasoning
salt to taste
Heat. Blend with immersion blender. I tried this with green peas but did not like it as well. Could also try with mixed vegetables or carrots.

Simple Graphic Quilts

In my blog review today I found a couple of quilts are not only outstanding, but pretty darn easy to make. I have included the links to give credit to the quilters/designers. On the XO quilt below, check out her instructions for "asterisks" on her blog to see instructions on how to make the Xs. I wish I had time to stop what I am doing right this minute and make these 2 cool quilts!


http://alwayswantstobequilting.blogspot.com/

http://lazygalquilting.blogspot.com/

Fix these Common Problems?

Thanks to my fellow blog readers for your comments on my last post. Here is another question for you. Should I fix these problems or move on? I have some folds that fold the wrong way on the back of my quilt and I had a little pucker. Should I get the pucker out and if I do the seams will not line up?

Mirror, Mirror, Am I the Sloppiest of them All?

Am I the sloppiest quilter out there? I am stuck sewing my rows together because everything is not lining up perfectly. You can see from these log cabin blocks that there are straglers. Should I have trimmed all the blocks to size before sewing them? Even though I am so careful, I keep having problems like this.

Capital Quilters Guild Show

My daughter and I went to the Raleigh-based guild show on March 12. There were so many great quilts! I am posting as many photos as I could take before my camera ran out of batteries. I am sorry I am unable to give credit to all the wonderful quilters, but you can check the guild site if you care to investigate. Mary Cochran, my wonderful and inspirational instructor, has 2 award quilts on the blog: Ursala Minor and the daisy quilt.

Capital Quilter's Guild Show Photos

Capital Quilters Guild Show Photos

Capital Quilters Guild Show Photos

Capital Quilter's Guild Show Photos

A Night Out

This photo of my husband and I was take on March 10, 2007. We went to Second Empire for his 44th birthday.

Olvia's Bears Quilted

Olivia's Bears has been quilted since before her birth. The day her father called with the birth announcement and name I began the embroidery. My heart sunk when I received the beautiful announcement to see that I spelled Michele with 2 "L"s. Will need to take out the Michelle completely and redo it then rewash it so the stitch marks come out. Asking the spelling of a babies name = a valuable lesson.

Thanks for the Clothes GranAnn!

"Simply Fun" Ready to Put Together

Here's how my latest project is looking. I am sewing the rows together now. This quilt is HUGE. You cannot see the bottom because it is laying on the floor. If you are interested in making this quilt, give the Whistle Stop Quilt Shop a call (see link on left nav bar). They can set you up with the pattern and maybe even a kit.

My Funny Valentines

Here are the 2 sweetest Valentines in the world. McKenna's Dad got her a candy necklace. Two of her favorite things: jewerly and "tay" as she refers to candy. We had "tay" all over the floor for days.

Mulligatawny Soup Recipe

This Indian-themed delight is packed with protein. The texture is creamy even without the coconut milk and light yogurt. You can make this as a vegetarian dish by omitting the chicken and using chicken stock. I can find almost all organic ingredients to make this in the Raleigh-area. The recipe is very forgiving and flexible, so feel free to experiment. If you are tired of cabbage soup, consider this recipe as your new go-to “diet” soup. (If Mulligatawny soup doesn't ring a bell, think Seinfeld's Soup Nazi episode. )

2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small package (or ½ cup) unsweetened shredded coconut (this can be found near the frozen strawberries in your supermarket)
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 ½ tablespoons sea salt (may be omitted)
4 medium cloves of garlic minced (or equivalent pre-chopped garlic)
1 ½ grated ginger (can use pre-chopped jarred or ginger paste in a tube)
1/3 cup water
1 package (about 1.5 pounds) all natural ground chicken breast (optional for veg version)
7 cups organic chicken or vegetable broth
1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes soften in microwave or precooked, fork mashed (also can use a small can or organic sweet potato puree)
1 large ripe banana, fork mashed mashed
1 can lite coconut milk
8 ounces low fat plain yogurt or sour cream
Handful cilantro leaves
Minced cilantro leaves for garnish

Heat butter and olive oil until bubbly in a large Dutch oven. Add chopped onions and tomato paste. Sauté until onions are transparent. Add coconut and dry spices. Cook for 4 minutes while scraping bottom of the pan. Add onions, ginger and water. Mix. Add chicken and cook to opaque. Add broth stirring after each cup. Add mashed sweet potato, banana, coconut milk and cilantro. Process with an emulsion blender, food processor or regular blender. Add in yogurt or sour cream and pulse to desired consistency. Consider cilantro, yogurt and crushed peanuts as a garnish.

Kaffe Fasset 9-Patch

I am progressing with the mystery qult. Here is how the 9-patches look on there on.

Making Quilt Labels with A Laser Printer

The ideas are endless for creating a quilt label using your laser printer. The technique is simple. First cut a 8-1/2 x 11 piece of freezer paper. You can measure it or trace around a piece of your regular printer paper and cut it out. Next, iron the freezer paper on muslin. Cut the muslin to the exact size of the freezer paper. Get your label design ready to print and simply feed the fabric with backing through the printer as you would a regular piece of paper. And, there you have it!

There are many ideas for the label design. First, you don't have to make the label the full size of the freezer paper. You can cut it down to make several labels or any shape, like a flower. By scanning in pictures of the quilt recipient or the quilt artist, you can really get a custom look by having a photo on the label. Get creative by using different fonts, clip art and on line photos.

You can use this technique to create picture blocks, too!

Can't Help But Get A Little High Tech in Here

Web 2.0
Here's something worth watching ... describes quickly and creatively the development of some aspects of the web and where things seem to be going.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

Second Life
If you want to have some fun, be creative and do a little "gaming", check out Second Life. It's a virtual reality world where you can meet like-minded individuals and participate in some interesting group of activities with folks from around the world. My take on this new world is that is it Warcraft come to the office. There is no cost to participate (unless you want to dress up -- you'll understand what I mean later). This is suppose to be the way of the future so pick your avatar's name and identity carefully. I did not see a quilting interest group in Second Life yet, but I plan to be the first! If you are looking for me in Second Life, just ask Anjolie Raymaker.
http://www.secondlife.com

Recipe for a Tote Bag from Super Eggplant

This is a simple set of instructions with lots of pictures for a reversible tote bag to hold all your quilting supplies.
http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/000216.html

Favorite "Simply Quilts" Episodes

I hate to admit it, but I have become addicted to Simply Quilts. I record episodes on my DVR and have a good time forwarding through commercials and stuff I am not interested in. There have been several projects I would enjoy working on and thought you might too.

Gaggle of Geese
For any beginner quilter, you might find a lot of neat lessons from Linda Ballard's "Gaggle of Geese" quilt show on Simply Quilts. Check out the episode if you can. (The Simply Quilts website provides streaming video so you can watch from your PC now!) It makes this quilt seem simple and do-able -- even for a novice.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,1789,HGTV_3352_1396322,00.html

Really Fine Curved Piecing

Barbara Barber demonstrated a curved piecing technique on Simply Quilts that I thought was do-able for an advanced beginner. Take a look at the sharp corners and other instructions on the link below. The finished quilt is a true work of art.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,1789,HGTV_3352_1393944,00.html
(Photos courtesy of Simply Quilts website.)

Scrappy Flag
I really liked this American Flag quilt from designer Gloria Smith. The project appears to be simple and we can all use a quilted flag! The gold fabrics really added a nice aged character. The instructions for this project can be found at http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_quilting_occasions/article/0,1789,HGTV_3304_1389747,00.html

How to Make A Design Wall

All you need is a flannel backed plastic picnic tablecloth. Simply tack next to the wall by your sewing machine and grab your blocks as needed. All the lay outs you see on my blog are from taken from photo on my own "desgin wall" made from a new flannel backed tablecloth.

Kaffe Fassett Log Cabin

I am still working on the Mystery Quilt. I've just finished up 48 log cabins which I laid out on my design wall as if it were a quilt. What do you think? I would like to see more variety of values to give it interest. I have a lot of left over fabrics and I have note decided what I want to do with it yet. I don't think I will be making this. Check out Kaffe Fassett's Red Courthouse Stairs. Now that is worth making!

I just asked my dad if he could dig up an old velvet crazy qult my grandmothers made for my parents. I would like to rework it and add some damask, silk, satin and beads. Put it on the list of things to do!

CURRENT LIST OF QUILTS I PLAN TO MAKE
1. Must make dad's Christmas Quilt (hopefully can deliver by father's day). This is Kaffe Fassett's handkerchief squares pattern -- all stripes. Well it should be an experience. I am using the very last of the now discountinued fabrics as seen in the book which I purchased from Glorious Color. If they are out, I am really going to be in trouble if I cut something wrong. I have decided to totally go in another direction from the instructions in the book and do it my own way. I will let you know how it goes. I will soon be searching for some chartruese thread as that is the key color doe the center of the block -- how fun!
2. Kaffee Fasset Rice Bowls - Mindy and I plan to make this as a project. Hoping we can knock it out in a day if we get organized and precut.
3. Kung Poa Sue - I cannot wait to get back to some nice, fun applique!!!
4. Deena's Wish - This may be my new master bedroom spread. Looking forward to work on a traditional Aunt Grace.
5. Finish my sampler from my beginning quilt class.
6. Roses patten I bought over a year ago at the Whistle Stop after seeing the sample on the wall.
7. Wedding Ring with posy applique. I think this pattern and the one above and below are out of the same quilt boot from Black Mountain Quilts. I'll try to post a picture some time.
8. Serendipity Charm pack quilt -- already have the fabric for the one.
9. State Flowers Quilt - the entire reason I started quilting in the first place!
10. Jesse' Wedding Quilt - thank God I have an entire year to work on it! I cannot wait to get started on this one! Joe and I agree the quilt I selected for her, looks just like her. It's so pretty and I am excited to make it for her!
11. Funky quilt for the beach house.
12. Bunnies Love Chocolate
13. Baltimore Bunnies Album Quilt
14. Nathan's College Quilt - I promised Virginia I would make Nathan a quilt for when he leaves for college. By the time I finish all of the above, I might be ready to start this one. I hope I keep my interest in quilting up to get all this done!

Clue 4 of Mystery Quilt Complete

This post is for Claudia. I am ready for the next step but taking a brief hiatus to work on the living room curtains, which I hope to have done by next week.

McKenna's Wardrobe

Wanted to show the Grandma how much McKenna has enjoyed some of her Christmas clothes. We all say THANKS for making me the most stylish kid in pre-school.

Blue Eyes

McKenna & Mom

Check out the big girl's purse. She is ready to shop!

"MaMa's Quilt"

I made this quilt for my wonderful grandmother, Lillian. Here is the unquilted version. It looks even better quilted.







The pattern name: Polka Dots
The pattern source: Summertime, By Black Mountain Quilts
The NAME of your quilt: A quilt for Ma-ma
When I found the stack of fat quarters more than 6 months before I started this quilt, they reminded my of my grandmother some how. I can’t say specifically what it was but I think it was the pink and brown combo. I also thought the pattern looked like something I would have found in her closet. The modern nature of the design looked like her style too.
Date you started the quilt: August 2006
Date you finished the top: August 2006
Date you finished the quilt: January 2007
Who pieced it: Rhonda Weaver Warren
Who quilted it: Rhonda Weaver Warren
Is there a label or identifying mark? Yes. Bottom “For Ma-ma, With Love, Rhonda, 2006”
Where was it made? Zebulon, NC, Franklin County
Who/what was it made for: Lillian Edna Scruggs Collie, my maternal grandmother, always “Ma-ma” to me. My bestest friend through my entire life.
Was there anything special going on in your life at the time you were working on it? My grandmother has been in and out of the hospital and nursing home over the last year. I wanted to give her something she could wrap around herself like a warm hug from me. One day my friend will no longer be with me, but I can keep this quilt that I made for her and think of her arms around me and her always encouraging words and never ending support. She and Pa-pa have made so many hand made items for me, I am glad I can give her something I put my heart in making. This was my favorite set of fabics.
How was it constructed: Machine pieced, appliquéd and quilted.
Size of quilt: Double, 56” x 86”
Main colors: pink, brown, aqua, pea green, yellow (love these colors!) on white-on-white
Fabric Information: The fabric is from the “Charm” collection by Amy Butler. It was purchased in January 2006 at the Whistle Stop as a fat quarter bundle. I had no idea what I was going to do with the fabrics. It made me happy to take them out from time to time and look at them. The always made me think of Ma-ma. One day I went into the Whistle Stop and saw that Connie had made this same quilt and had it hanging the window. I knew right then that is what I was going to do. I think the circles showcase the fabric, and I prefer this for such pretty designs. looked long and hard for the white background. I found 2 new quilt shops along the way. I ended up with a dot sunflower white-on-white and I could not be happier. I used about 3 yards of heat and bond for the appliqué. It was simple and fast, clean and bright. I like it!
Batting information: 100% cotton.