Japan star is finished

I started this in May of this year...
and then went on to other projects...

this is No. 15 Japan from the Carol Doak Mariner's Compass Stars book....

The book has a CD and it is easy to print the patterns onto paper...
I used Carol Doak's foundation paper this time...
I listened to Carol on TQS to review her tips....

trim---sew---press---and repeat...
paper piecing is fun once you get in the rhythm of it!!!...
I used clear thread to quilt and did stitch in the ditch...
I used Holly Holderman antique dots for the binding...
any questions? I would be glad to answer...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

polka dot table topper

this is a table topper I made for a gift for a party at work....
I used ME Isn't Christmas Jolly jelly roll for top...

I used a length of white with red dots and sewed 1/2 of a red print...
and 1/2 of another red print to it...
then I did the same for the white with green dots...
length of white with green and 1/2 of two greens...

I cut the pairs 2 1/2" and placed as shown on the photos....
I used 2 strips of red with white dots for the borders...
the back is the same as one of the red prints....
I quilted with loops and added our work initials and year...
I brought the back fabric to the front for a self binding...
and used a decorative stitch (332 on Bernina)...

I found a red with white casserole dish at Home Goods...
and red placemats and Christmas spreaders...

it was a fun present to give and was popular at the party!!!
Merry Christmas to everyone....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

tiny tree with tiny stamps

this tree is barely 11" tall and packed with ornaments and ribbons....
AND 15 tiny stamps!!!
an early present to me...

here is another photo of it sitting on the crumb catcher....
I made that cute little table mat from last year's blog hop...
it was a free pattern with lots of pieces...
I think I will keep this tree out year round...
it is too precious to put away and not enjoy...
I have a spot in front of a mirror in my craft area...
and that is where it will be....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

stencil flower mug rug

my first mug rug....
Hero Arts stencil flower CG194...
fabric ink stamped on white dotted fabric...
Smooch grape soda....
Superior Rainbow #838 thread..purple, fuscia, teal, blue...
I used the thread outlining the flower, petals and center...
and stitching the self binding with #332 stitch on my Bernina...
I love these jewel colors....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

peachy pink quilt for baby Georgia

I have blogged about this quilt before...

I started with deciding the size to fussy cut Beatrix Potter images...
I varied the type of blocks...

since the baby was born as I was making this...
I asked the mother to write down words that described her daughter...
I quilted these words into this quilt for Georgia...

some blocks have 3 1/2" fussy cut with borders...

some were 6 1/2" fussy cut...

I made blocks with strips...
and 4 patch blocks...
and log cabin blocks...

I added her name and birth date into the quilting...
a really fun quilt to make...
I sure hope she likes it..
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

December

Since it is December...
it was time to change the header...
these photos are from last year...
the village was in my kitchen last year...

this photo is inside the front door...
you can see the tree lights outside...
the quilted Sweet Trimmings tree on the wall...
this was from the blog hop last year...
free pattern by Gudrun of GE Designs...
and the kitchen is in the background...
on the other side of the kitchen...
is the buffet with village and lights...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

4 patch charms tutorial

on flickr I called this fall essence charms tabletopper...
I used essence fabric by Sandy Gervais....

I used 8 light charms and 8 dark charms...
and matching essence fabric for borders and binding...

on the back of 8 light charms draw lines down the centers each way...
put right sides together of a light with a dark....
sew 1/4" on each side of one the drawn lines...

cut on the drawn lines...
you now have 32 pairs....

press to the dark fabric...
lay out pairs ready to 4 patches...

sew into 4 patches and you now have 16 4 patches...

place in a desirable arrangement...
I started with the middle four blocks to decide on the positions...
sew blocks together in rows....

add 2" borders....

sandwich the backing, batting and top and quilt as desired...
add the binding....and enjoy...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving greetings to everyone!!

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

kitty envy no more!!

We haven't had any animals at our house for 8 1/2 years....
I love seeing pets on other blogs I visit...

She was pet of the week several weeks ago...
and we couldn't resist and brought her home...
one of her very favorite places to nap is my chair by my sewing machine...

her eyes are so pretty...light green with a tint of blue..
and she is so sweet and soft and cuddly...

the name they gave her at the Helen Woodward Animal Center was Clove...
I previously posted her photo and writeup about her on FB..
we are going to change her name but not sure what it will be...
I think we might settle on PC....for purrrrfect cat...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

road trip to Oak Glen

Oak Glen is a place I always enjoy visiting...
and we go there at least every fall...
Law's Coffee Shop is a great place to eat...
if you go there plan on a long wait...but very worth it...

The Apple Tree Gift Shop has lots of Beatrix Potter...
one of my favorite gift shops and had to get some more BP fabric....

Five Seasons is another favorite shop I really enjoy...

we must not forget the mini apple cider donuts at Snow-Line...
it is fun to watch them (see video below) as you wait in line...

gorgeous fall colors and temps in the 60s....
I got the following from the Snow-Line website:

Smiles and hugs....Caryl

apples and pears

We received a Harry and David basket of goodies....
I have a favorite recipe for salad using apples and pears....
I add romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, craisins and cashews...
this makes a very yummy salad...

I also made 1 point chili...
You can see I have already messed the bowl by having some as I was cooking...
there are 10 things in this including:
ground turkey, onion, zucchini, tomatoes...
yellow squash, black beans, FF beef broth...
celery, chili seasoning packet and green pepper...

It was a warm evening and we ate outside...
the reason I took the picture?...to document the moment!!!
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

block exchange

on Sunday I finished the two blocks for my guild block exchange....
I put them on flickr and forgot to post them here....

these are the french roses blocks and they are fun to make...
the templates are easy to make using freezer paper...
and very forgiving if you don't cut exactly on the lines...
I just used the fabrics that were in the bag and none of my own...
and used my decorative stitches with threads with color changes...
I wonder how the blocks I chose for others to do are coming?...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

guild block exchange and UFOs

this is UFO started 2007 and got to this point in 2007...
from Fons & Porter Love of Quilting mag Sept/Oct 2005...
I got the kit in MT in 2007 for $14....
didn't have the right color thread to quilt...
soooo it has been sitting ready to finish..

the french roses blocks are samples blocks for my guild block exchange...
from magazine BH&G Quilt Pink 2007...
every month we get a different bag of directions and blocks to make...
I am working on mine and will post when done....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

nice ride in the country and UFO Buster

what a glorious day for a motorcycle ride to the mountains...
perfect fall day in southern California...

we rode to Julian and to Lake Cuyamaca...

California turkey burger and fries for lunch....yumm...

I decided to join in Pat Sloan's UFO Buster group...
even though they started this several weeks ago!!
got started with several photos on flickr...will add more to the list!!
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

saying goodbye to my sister

On 10-10-10 my sister was riding her motorcycle to Pilot Mountain in North Carolina and was in a tragic accident that took her life. She was going to retire next year. I had many plans of spending more time with her when we both weren't working...time to remember growing up together and just having fun together!!!

Now I am trying to get back to normal...but I know that life has changed forever. Here is one of the sayings she had in her home:
"Do not put off till tomorrow what can be enjoyed today."

For those reading my blog...I wanted you to know...and I will get caught up on reading all the blogs I follow as I can...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

guild block exchange

yesterday I made these two blocks...
the top photo is Nikki fabric by Pat Sloan...
the other photo is yellow Moda marble swirl and black Laurel Burch fabric...
last month I received the directions and sample blocks...
wacky tic tac toe featured in Quilters Newsletter Apr/May 09 by Pam Rocco..
following are the 3 sample blocks...



every month we get a different bag of directions and blocks to make...
another time I will show what I put in my bag for people to make for me!!
Smiles and hugs....Caryl