It's Done

I got Darby's Couch Quilt done yesterday. The picture is on my chair but it will work perfectly for Darby's 'side' of the couch. Kendra's excited to get rid of the big (ugly, cheap) quilt she's been using.

Lemon Drop Martinis

I had a friend over for dinner tonight and we had such a good time! She's got me hooked on Lemon Drop Martinis. She brought the vodka & I supplied the lemons and sugar (we even had one with lime...yummm). Finish that off with an arugula salad, salmon and broccoli and it was a very tasty dinner. My 3 guys all went to an out of town Masonic meeting and won't be home till late. It was nice to have the house to myself for an evening!!

Earlier in the day I did the machine quilting on the little purple quilt I put together several weeks ago. I never did get my hands on a quilt foot so I just used my walking foot (which I'm in love with by the way). I stitched almost all the binding while catching up on some dvr watching. I also got the binding on the blue Rail Fence quilt from an earler post. I'm hoping to get that binding hand stitched tomorrow, then I'll post pictures of both.

Ok...I lied

1 more post today.

I dug this fabric out, which I've had for years and have no clue when/where I bought it. I wasn't sure about the stripe while cutting and making the strips, but now I LOVE it! Split Rail is one of my favorite baby quilt patterns. The stripe gives an otherwise pastel, traditional baby quilt a little 'punch'. Still no quilt foot so planning on stitching the blocks together tomorrow.

...one more thing

I forgot to post this cute picture of Miss Darby in the pool on Saturday. Seems she doesn't really care that the water temperature is only in the mid 60's. burrrr

Had to Share

I just had to share my dearly departed Mother-in-Law's cole slaw dressing. I had to make a batch so the guys could take it to their Masonic meeting tonight (to go with the pulled pork that smoked all night...yummm) It's the best. It's rather sweet (she put sugar in everything) and does not do well to mix ahead of time.

Here it is:
Cole Slaw
2-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sour cream
green cabbage, shredded
carrots, finely shredded/chopped
onion, finely chopped
green pepper, finely chopped

Mix all ingredients well. Store in a glass jar in refrig. (keeps for a LONG time)
**This recipe does not do well to pre-mix the slaw ahead of time.

I've been busy...

It's done!!! The deck curtain is done & looks great with the new awnings & cleaned/washed deck. We can now enjoy being outside without the sun in out faces . The fabric was bought at my local Jo Ann Fabric. I must admit, it looks better than the picture. But...it's quite lovely even if I must say so myself.

After much deliberation, I went with the purple border on this baby quilt. The (stash) fabric is from some fat quarters that I picked up on my travels with my friend Olga. Yesterday I got it all sandwiched together and was ready for my first (attempt at) free motion quilting. I went to get my quilt foot for my machine...couldn't find it. Damn. Guess I packed away everything from my studio too well. Carpet's not being installed until the first week in June so it will be awhile before I can get to it. Unless. My dear sis Susie lets me borrow her quilt foot. It would mean a 2 hr. drive each way, but I'd get to see her in addition to being able to work on it quicker.

I got the blocks done for a 'swap' I'm in. All I have to do is sign my name on the white fabric on all 100 blocks! They're not due until July 1 so I'm way ahead of schedule. pats self on back

This fabric is Verno by Kate Spain for moda.

Room Update

We've decided on new carpet in all the bedrooms (hoping for living/dining room, too). Moved all my sewing paraphernalia into our guest room and painted last Sunday. Everything's on hold while we wait for the carpet. Got one estimate yesterday and other is coming in today.

So...I might have to move one of my machines onto the dining room table so I can get some things done IF I can get to it. Everything's neatly put in the guest room, but it's a matter of not killing myself on my search.

Today is deck cleaning day. First it was way too cold to do it, then the rains came. I'm willing to help get it done so I can get my curtain panel up and have the deck finished. THEN I'll post pictures.

My travel buddy & I decided we 'needed' another trip and are planning to go to Indianapolis when she's on break between quarters from school next month. This will be a mid-week trip and only 1 night. Even though we just went in March, I guess this will make up for not going last year. I've never had a 'project' in the making on any of our trips, whether it was knitting or sewing/quilting. THIS time I plan to have a specific project in mind. Last time we were there we hit some really great quilt shops and will probably focus on that rather than yarn shops.

...off to drag a sewing machine downstairs to get some sewing done before we start on the deck.

May Already?

Yes. It's May already. Woke up at 4:30 to thunderstorms and rain coming in the window. After closing the window, then a potty trip...I couldn't get back to sleep. So downstairs I went and got caught up on some dvr watching.

This week was productive. We decided to replace the awning on our deck. Bill & Parker torn apart the old one and Bill & I headed to Jo Ann Fabric for some outdoor fabric. We also have a curtain on the west side of our deck so we can actually eat dinner outside without the sun killing us. We found some really neat lime(ish) green stripe for the awning and coordinating fabric for the curtain panel. They're done, ready to put up...but it's been raining ever since! Hopefully in a couple of days we can get them up and I can get some pictures taken and posted.

This week Parker & I are starting our 'room switch'. I'm clearing out my current design studio (aka sewing room) and painting. Then we're moving all Parker's stuff in it. THEN I get to paint his old bedroom and re-organize all my sewing tables, machines, plastic containers, etc. I've pretty much decided now is the time to replace the carpet in both rooms, while they're empty...now to tell Bill about it!

Time for lunch.