Memorial Day


Last year in honor of Memorial Day I posted this.

This year daughter and I went downtown to our small National Cemetery and then on to the N.C. State Capital Grounds to watch the Wreath Laying at the Veteran's Monument.

Yes, it brings tears. Tears of sadness and tears of gratitude for all those who have lost a loved one. Tears seeing the fresh new Jr. ROTC recruits and the Marine Corps Color Guard march in perfect step showing such respect to a country that they love dearly.

I don't know these fine gentlemen, but they paid the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to "Live in the land of the Free"

From A Little Pink In a World of Camo







Memorial Day is about honoring men and women who died in military service to our county. Take today to thank our veterans, pray for the brave men and women overseas, and remember those who fell defending the right for man to live free. Let us be strengthened by their courage. Let's make it contagious.

Still deciding on who gets this americana string quilt. To date, I've made approximately 31 quilts that have been given to babies born while their daddies are deployed. Instructions can be found here at Mary Quilts.

Bee Boppin'

I found this quilt pattern that I would like to make and share with my quilting bee.



Then I got to boppin' around the internet.

Sew and Bee Happy!


36 minute Kitchen Towel Apron Tutorial

Winner will be chosen on July 4th!!
{scroll down down down to see it!}

Diane M wins!!



I am an apron wearer. All day long. Doesn't matter what I am doing. Sewing, cooking, cleaning, watching a little telly at night after the kitchen is closed. I've got one on all day. I have even been known to go out to the grocery store only to find out that I forgot to take my apron off.

I am always looking for unique items to make them out off. I can't stay away from the vintage ones that I find in antique shops. Old linens and tableclothes are my favorite. I've even made one out of some cafe curtains that I found on clearance at K-mart.
{below}


If you have 36 minutes, you can make one too! I timed myself and that is all the time it took. Make one, You'll like it.


I got this neat towel at Pier One with the orange bird and ruffle along the bottom. Already embellished and ready to go.
The best part is that I use the finished seams that are already on the towel. Which in turn means less time spent embellishing and more bling for your buck. Find one with ruffles, rosettes, embroidery, you know, whatever you want on it.

All you need is a towel and three strips of fabric cut 2 inches wide and 42 to 44 inches long (width of fabric)

I love using a bias tape maker to make my straps.



I use my yummy spray starch recipe that I created. You can find that here.


Fold your strips in half and press.

Spritz and spray and press

I like to use my Bernina No. 10 Edgestitch foot moving my needle position so so very close to the folded edges and stitch all the way down. Do the same for the other side.

You can do a google search and find a template to cut your arm holes, or just "wing-it"


I have about a 9 1/2 inch bib across the top as shown above and below

Fold in your curves along the arm holes about 1/2 inch and press. Fold them in again about 1/2 inch and press again. Do this again with the other side.

Determine how long you want your neck strap to be and cut it maybe about 1 inch longer. Pin the neck strap in place inside the folded armhole curves along the top of bib leaving about 1/2 inch of the strap tucked inside the folds.

Got it?


{opps! I forgot to take a picture of that step. But you get the idea}


Pin the waistband strap inside the folded curves at the waistband also tucking in about 1/2 inch of the strap. Starting at the top, stitch down following the curve of the towel at one edge. Back tack a bit to give your straps some security and strength.

Stitch again. * ohh I'd say with about 1/2 inch in between the two seams* Making sure that you catch the folded edges of the armholes. It should now all be nicely sealed and you will have a neat row of double stitches finishing off one side.

Do the same for the other side. Make sure that your neck strap is not twisted. Cause you won't like it if is and you'll rip it out and start over. I did!!



Here I am in the winter checking out the snow with my apron and UGGS!


@anthropologie

@ikea




Think you'd like to make one? I am giving away this "Watermelon Spritzer" towel. Try it. Leave a comment and give it a whirl.

Diane M wins!!




Holy Smoke Batman

That is what she said!

I am a little late in posting this awesome quilt I made. Is that a bit of arrogant of myself to say that my own quilt is "awesome"? Well, I don't care. It is awesome!

See, I know this wonderfully terrific, talented, sweet, creative, caring person who does not want to make quilts anymore. Ophelia is her name. You can find her here.



Reconnecting with friends was on her mind. And, well that is just what we did. In January. At Starbucks. We caught each other up on our lives. We used to work together in a local quilt shop that has gone out of business.

Ophelia found out that the dearest thing to my heart is making quilts for babies who are born while there daddies are deployed. She decided to give me most of her fabric stash. You see, journaling is what is important to her. Documenting life's good and bad, sharing and caring and being creative in other ways besides in fabric.


This is the quilt that I made for her out of a wonderful bundle of shabby Robyn Pandolph fabrics that I found in the loads of fabric. I should have taken a picture of the back of my car. You wouldn't believe the motherload!!


When I gave Ophelia her quilt, she said "Holy Smoke Batman, Girl you are the greatest". It is hilarious getting together with her. Anytime there is something that she loves or is inspired by "Holy Smoke Batman" is her saying!! It is adorable!
{Opehlia and so are you}

Every other weekend, you find me at workshops that she leads at Jerry's Art-a-Rama. I am inspired and have started an art journal. I won't show it to you because it is sooo lousy. I know this for sure, I am not giving up quilting for journaling.


Oh one more thing, I just found a whole blog dedicated to Batman quotes!
Holy Smoke. Seriously. {here}