Happy Valentine's Day

Snuggled up with someone special today?  Going out on the town?  Give or receive chocolates or strawberries?  I received a fancy box of chocolate from a dear friend who wanted me to feel special on my first Valentine’s Day alone.  So very thoughtful!  

While nibbling on my first chocolate, it occurred to me the thought of a Valentine’s Day alone didn’t make me feel blue, I didn’t have any sentimental thoughts, nor did I feel like crying….. I actually felt pretty damn good!  In fact, I might even have a spring in my step.  I realized my self-worth is much better than being married to someone who didn’t respect or value the relationship.   The light is on, I’m walking tall, and I’m feeling good!  

Check out my chocolates…..the box is from Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates.  Not only are they gorgeous, but down-right the best chocolates I’ve ever had.   Not that I’m knocking my other local favorite Russell Stover (as they have a mean peanut butter tree at Christmas), but Elbow is in a totally different league. 

Several Fussy Stars in progress….but only one complete this week.  Maybe I should lay off the scrumptious candy…

February First Friday

Seems like a lot of cities host some kind of “First Friday”.  It’s normally located in the revitalized part of their Downtown area.  Kansas City has an artsy area in their Crossroads district which hosts First Friday.  It’s quite an event, lots of galleries, eateries, etc.   However, I’ve yet to make it downtown to one First Friday.  I’m all for supporting local businesses, artists and eating establishments, so I made a vow this summer I would make great attempts to attend.

 

So that got me thinking……While I’m not one of those cool hipsters who have a gallery, I’ve decided to have my own “Quilt Dish” First Friday.  Each First Friday of the month I’ll dish about one of my favorite cyber spots I enjoy frequenting. 

The first is Temecula QuiltBlog.  They follow what's going on in the Temecula Quilt shop, in Southern California.  I enjoy just about everything in this blog.  Deep down I carry a love/hate relationship with Temecula QuiltBlog.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot keep up with the fabulous projects they host.  Just too many sweet projects and just not enough time.  Should you choose to travel to the blog, on the right hand side margin is a list called - Quilt With Us.  Within each project most have complimentary directions or the pattern.  And, most also have the option to purchase the fabric kitted up as well.  

My Fussy Cut Friday (6pt Fussy Stars) originated from the Temecula Blog.  They've since moved on to another English paper pieced project but I'm still lagging behind with my 6 pointers.  

Instead of purchasing the English Paper Pieces for the 6pt Star, I've been able to make my own. A website called Incompetech has graph designs to create different sizes of diamonds/trapezoids, hexies, etc.  I printed on cardstock and cut with a to-dull-for-fabric rotary blade.

Don’t forget, Shop-Local-Saturday always follow First Fridays.  Show your local quilt shop some love tomorrow.

Disclaimer:  Any views or opinions presented in this Blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company.  This Midwest chick is in no way involved with the Temecula Quilt Shop or Blog.  I’m not on their payroll, In fact I’m sure they don’t even know I exist.  I’m sharing because I appreciate complimentary directions, patterns and quilt a-longs like any other budgeted quilter would.  

  

Ol' !Man Winter

 Gettin’ my fussy on…. 

No, the snow in Kansas isn’t blue, I’m just a poor photographer. 

It's a hard choice but I think the Blue and Cream (right above) is my new favorite Fussy Star.  Everything matches up so nice.

Cock-A-Doodle-What?

Lots of thoughts swirl around when you’re thinking of making a hand-made gift for someone.  For me, it has to be a very good (tettering on great) friend or a family member.  After all, it’s hard work thinking up a special project, hours of meticulously cutting fabric, when piecing - demanding of yourself the sharpest of points, then bursting with pride at the completed project.  Hmm.  It wasn’t quite the ending I had envisioned.

My niece (Em) is turning 12, through 4-H she’s began to sew and would like to learn to quilt.  I'll get you my pretty!  Auntie Tina is more than willing to get her started!  Because she raised chickens this summer I decided to make her a chicken pin cushion.  Em loves Vera Bradley bags, so I tried to find fabric which resembled VB.  (Much like she did with her apron and pot holders she made for 4-H)  I’m thinking….what a cool Aunt I am!  Em opens her gift, holds up by the tail…..and asks….what it is?  Argh.  I explain she’s holding it wrong and to flip it up.  Still…nothing.   It’s a chicken Em, a chicken pin cushion.  Ooohh, thanks.  To think I worked so hard on that perfect beak!

By the end of lunch, Em said “oh, I see it now, that’s cool”

Maybe a little too abstract for the Tween crowd….

Still seeing stars

I’m feeling the itch, getting anxious to nail down a lay-out for my 6-point hexies.  With 25 hexies complete and 12 more stars waiting, I need to decide where I’m going with this.  There are several ideas I’ve seen on Pinterest, but just when I think I’ve decided - I see something else.  One pattern sticks out a little more than others so I ordered the back ground fabric today.  No longer on the fence, my hexies now have purpose.  Can’t wait to share once I receive the fabric – a gold Civil War repro!  This is a true leap of faith, I’ve never used gold anything before. Until then, I’ll keep cranking out the 6 pointers.

One of my all-time favorite movies is the Wizard of Oz.  During the winter, Cinemark Theaters run a series of movie Classics which are shown on Sundays and Wednesdays.  Last night a handful of my family members went to check out the Wizard on the big screen.  If you’ve never had the chance, and it comes to town – It. Is. A. Must. See!  The detail you see on the big screen is phenomenal.  Now I’ve seen this movie – dozens of times.  But, I saw detail on the munchkins, flowers and scenery I had never seen before.  Completely amazing – and not just to me, but a gathering of viewers stood outside the theater after just to talk about it.   I assumed there would be a flood of kids, but not at all.  Besides 2 of my grands, my daughter looked to be the youngest adult in attendance.

I had chills! 

Before and after the movie a commentary was shown about the costumes, make-up, etc.  

Did you know the cowardly lion suit is a Real Lion pelt?  

Poor Bert Lahr, having to wear a real animal pelt - can you imagine how hot it must have been?  I don't even want to think about the smell...  Yikes!  

Brr.....Baby it's cold outside!

Bring it on Ol’Man Winter!  It’s a bitter 6 degrees this morning and dropping to Zero by noon today.  Sporting flannel “loungewear”, I treated myself to a grilled cheese and cuppa soup for dinner last night then snuggled up on the couch to work on Fussy Stars. 

Since we had a dusting of snow I thought it would look nice to use as the background, but o.m.g. we were close to freezing our points off trying to get a good shot!  When back inside I heard the weather man say it was -14 with wind chill.  What a dumb idea I had……

This one could be my favorite one so far….well it was this morning, but now I’m not so sure – the lavender and cream star is warming up to me…… 

And so it begins...2015!

 During the holidays, I’d put home remodeling on hold.  Since I’m a DIY’er, it’s taking much longer than I had anticipated.  The only room left to paint is my sewing area.  I’ve unpacked the bare minimal of sewing gadgets so I can (at least) work on something.  But since I hosted Christmas Eve, I didn’t want to muck up the place before guests arrived and did the full home tour.  I mean I’ve removed popcorn ceilings, sanded, painted and hung dry wall….this chick needed some ooohs and ahhhs before I slid into the “lived-in” look.  

Needing a sewing project, I pulled out my Fussy Friday Stars.  Temecula Quilt Blog started the project January 2014 and posted a new star each week.  Well, sometimes life gets in the way and I’d fallen behind.  So until I can start jazzing up the sewing area I’ll be working on these.

A coincidental snowflake perched on my scrawny tree.  Instead of filling my living room with the 7 footer (then moving my couch in the dining room), my new primitive tree fit perfect.

Ok, a little Charlie Brownish, but it was a breeze to put away!