FNwF Update - Pillowcase

Is there anything as relaxing as sewing?

Especially sewing with friends?

Yikes - because I turned the fabric - so that the zebras would be running and playing horizontally across the pillow I was just a little bit short - like three inches.  So silly - but there is no way I could possibly sleep with zebras running the wrong way across my pillow!  

However, what did I have in my stash?  The perfect fabric purchased years ago.  YAY!!

I wanted to make it envelope style so that no dirt would get on my pillow.  And sometimes you can throw something inside - like a journal.

And here is my completed pillowcase.  

And I did have someone ask - why I didn't use Chinese fabric - since that's where I'm going.  It's because I saw this fabric and fell in love with it.  Hahaha

Now let's see what everyone else is up to.

Nicey Linda

Friday Night with Friends.

I don't know why I get so excited about this Friday Night with Friends, but I do. (Thanks Cheryll with Gone Stitchin")

And tonight is the night I'm sewing up my Travel Pillowcase for China.  Oops forgot to take a picture of the fabric.  Okay - well more later.

Happy Stitching,

Linda

In Other Chinese News

Here's something I've been meaning to share - but just never take the time to.

When Serena went to Missionary College - they asked her to go to China so that she could connect with and help teach an girl there named JJ that had accepted Jesus. Their culture is Buddhist.  She had very few ways to learn more about God.

So Serena did and became good friends with JJ.

When Serena came home she said she wanted to go back and see JJ again.  Well, I certainly don't have anything going on in my life - so I said I would go with her.  

In the meanwhile, JJ raised money to go to the same Missionary College, (here in San Francisco) that Serena went to.  It's a six month course. 

And guess what?  We will be in China while JJ in here in SF!  hahaha.

JJ arrived a couple months ago - and stayed a couple days with us before going up to San Francisco.  When she saw my little black sports car she went crazy.  Apparently, they don't have sports cars there.  She said it's everyone's dream to ride in a sports car.  I let Serena take her out.  This car belonged to my husband.  And we had only taken off the top once. 10 years ago.  But for JJ and her enthusiasm we did it again.  It was fun.  

It was so fun having someone that had never been to The States before staying with us.

When she walked into our hometown cafe - she gasped and said "It's just like being in the movies!"

She couldn't order from the menu as she had no idea what things like hash browns or sausage were.  Had never had pancakes.  Oh what fun!

But there's more to the travel story.

When my Middle Daughter heard Serena and I were going she jumped in with "Me too".  Her husband didn't mind so she's going also.

Then my Oldest Daughter said "Wah, Wah, I wana go!"  She just had a baby!  But she and her husband figured it out and felt the baby would be old enough and she's going too!

So my daughters and I will be making a trip this month to China.  Wow I can't believe it's almost time to go.   

We are all making bets on who will get in an argument with who first.  Angela and Rosanna? Me and Rosanna?  Angela and Me?  No one and Serena, as she doesn't fight.   Just kidding we are going to have a blast!  

More on this later,

Happy Globe Trotting Linda 

Things that happened over the Weekend.

Good News.  My quilt is complete!

I didn't think to cut my binding on the bias - hmmm... I can really tell.

It's just for me - so I think I'll leave it. 

 

My poor little puppy Marzipan has a black face - she does not photograph well.  That does not deter her.   Both those dogs like having their pictures taken.  Why?  I don't get it.  I pull out the camera and they run and sit/lay down.  Silly!

And over the weekend I sold the trailer!  

YAY!

I had a lot of calls - and a LOT of offers for less.  But with all those calls I was not coming down on my price.  It SOLD for the asking price.  

The new owner painted it black and wow - what a difference.

Now - on to the next item: my jack hammer.  SOLD!  

This is just not an ordinary household tool and I sure do not need it. 

I also sold that guy a wheel barrel and seven vinyl posts.  (I'm giggling with happiness! So happy to have it gone.)

Now I'm working on selling a two man Auger, compressor, etc, etc. 

What?? This is a sewing blog?  

Well, hopefully soon I can sew up my pillowcase and I'll show that to you.  

See you later,
Linda

The Scarred Woman - Book Review (Great Book!)

I just finished reading this book.  It is such a great story and I want to tell you because I'm sure you will enjoy it.  

It is written by Jussi Adler-Olsen.  He is a Danish author and I found out he has won the award “Favourite Author of the Danes” in 2011, 2012 and 2013.  

So in this book - which is a crime mystery, a team (Department Q which deals in cold cases) go about their business of solving crimes.  Of course that's not what makes this so interesting.  It's the characters that Jussi has created.  The book kept me entertained the whole way through. There are so many little things (little twists and then the turns that made me actually gasp out loud! Don't you just love a book that makes you gasp out loud?  And the little jokes that are so funny.)  I love that Adler-Olsen makes his characters so realistic.  I could understand why the characters did what did or reacted the way they did, even the killer.

  I especially love Rose's unique problems and her mental illness and the way Adler-Olsen had his characters react to her.  

This is one book that is worth reading!  

A side note:  it is not gory, bloody and gross.  There is murder - but not the gore that some authors describe. I was so happy not to read a book with that.

Happy Reading,

Linda

I was given the book by the publisher to give an honest review.

Selling the Business

I just put my business up for sale.  It only took me 6 months to do it!

This trailer may not look like much but she hauled miles of fencing and kept a roof over our heads, and us clothed and well fed. 

As you know, my husband and I had this fencing business and then when he passed my daughter and I ran it.

This Auger also put in miles of post holes - and many, many holes for the trees around our property and even little plants.  (Yeah, Mark was a nut like that, we would use it to dig all the plant/bush holes - fast and fun.)

At first I felt really good that I did it that I finally put it up for sale.  2 seconds later not so good.  Such is life when you have to make changes. 

I have all kinds of stuff like this chain link hanging around my house - it needs to go.

Well, lets just pray I can sell it quickly.  

Linda

Binding those Scallops

Sewing is so relaxing - but not this sewing.

It took a bit to figure out how to do the scalloped edge. 

It was just a bit more of a struggle to do all the curves and indentations for the scallops. 

Now for the more relaxing part - the hand sewing.  

I sewed it to the back of the quilt first - as the back is Minky.

I just want to sit on the couch, 

watch a good movie and sew this baby down.

Happy Stitching,

Linda

Teacup Exchange - Teacup Has Arrived

Recently I joined the Teacup exchange with
The Enchanting Rose

I picked up the package on my way to work that my exchange partner and now new friend Marilyn of Mountain Top Spice sent.  I had to wait ALL day before I could open it.  Oh it was torture!  

But well worth the wait!

Inside was this dainty antique linen.

And another one! Yay!

Marilyn make cards - look at this adorable envelope she made.  I always think to myself "I wish had that kind of talent". 

Even the back was just as cute!

I enjoyed her letter - so nice to get to know her. Don't you just love seeing someone's handwriting?

Oh - I forgot to mention everything was wrapped so pretty! 

Even in special boxes like this one.

She also sent those cute little linen that just the right size for the teacup. 

And this Raspberry Sorbet Soap.  It smells so good.

These Raspberry Chocolate - My favorite!

This cute little note pad.  And these teas.

Shortbread cookies - I've bought these for my grandkids but never me!  Yippee!

Now I get to eat some.  And some TimTams which I fail to get a picture of.  I've always wanted to try these too.

And look at this beautiful handmade linen - so pretty. 

Oh I almost forgot to show you the little journal.  
Isn't if lovely?

And best of all is the teacup!

It's perfect!  I love it.  

Such beautiful colors.

It is an antique and from Occupied Japan.

I must admit I think that is pretty cool. 

Marilyn you sent such a lovely gift

I can't thank you enough.

Linda

And a big thank you to Stephanie of The Enchanting Rose for hosting - this had to have been a lot of work.  

FNWF Update: No Quilt - New Boyfriend

Don't start looking for a picture of a completed quilt.  No - it didn't happen.

I didn't get a quilt - but I think I got a boyfriend instead.

Would you like to hear the story?

So Angie my friend from Griefshare (she lost her husband too) called me.

Angie:  "Come to the Market Place and have dinner with me." It's an outdoor place with a foundation and lots of shops. 

Me - "Ugh I don't want to (recurring theme on this blog right? lol) I want to stay home and sew".

Angie - "No you have to have fun"

So Angie arrives at the Market Place before me, calls and says "Oh Bruce from church is here".  I say - no I don't want to meet up with him. (I had only met him once - I was sure he was okay - I was just being shy).

So we decide to meet at Chili's, which is a couple miles south of the Market Place.

So I'm at Chili's waiting and here comes Angie with Michelle and Dave and BRUCE.  Angie whispers to me - that she ran into Michelle and Dave invited them to join us.  Bruce was right there so she had to invite  him too.  I just laughed - cuz that's just too funny! Right?  

 So there I was at Chili's having the best time; Angie, Dave and Bruce are so funny! Michelle and I are more quiet with our occasional funny comments.  And THAT'S why I don't have a completed quilt for Friday!

The next day I went out with Bruce for lunch - Oh he's is so very nice.  And the following day - Sunday, we went to lunch again.  

So - don't hold your breath - but I will finish the binding.  Oh and my blue fabric finally ran clear.  YAY!!  Thank goodness, as I was getting ready to toss it.

Okay - more later and more pictures. 

Happy Stitching,

Linda

  

FNWF - It's going to happen!

I've been trying to get the excess dye out of my fabric for TWO weeks now.  Grrrr

I want to use the blue to bind my turtle quilt.  

I've had my border cut and ready to go this whole time - just waiting for the fabric to stabilize.

So tonight is the NIGHT  - It's FNWF with Gone Stitchin'

and I'm going to do this binding - ready or not! 

So let's go have fun!

Happy Stitching,

Linda

I WON 1st Place

I'm in shock.

I wasn't even going to enter my quilt into the fair.  

But I did because I love to look at other people's ideas and work.

And I thought I would share mine.

I was surprised to see my quilt hanging - as most are folded. There are only a few hangers. 

This quilt was years in the making - ask Sunny - she knows all about it. 

And she kept encouraging me - THANK YOU SUNNY. 

As did many others.  All those comments were so encouraging. Thank you too!

I think this was the third quilt I started - about 20 years ago.  

It took years because it took time to learn to make some of the harder blocks, and to have the confidence to try - like the feathered star,
(which was a tutorial from Molly's Place)

and learn to do prairie points, how to do borders. and to learn to free motion quilt. 

You may not remember but I sewed these squares around the feathered star 4 times to get them on straight!  Making sure my measurements were correct. (Some of my early blocks were not quite as perfect - causing me troubles)

The quilt took a long time too because I designed it as I went.  That took me a lot of thinking and hesitation time. Believe me instructions are so much easier. lol

And when I was turning the quilt in to the fair personnel - I almost just took it right back home, thinking it wasn't good enough.  

I really can't believe that I won.

Maybe - Just Maybe I've gained some confidence from this.

And if not, I've learned to at least just keep my mouth shut about my mistakes!

hahaha

Happy Stitching,

Happy Linda

The Enchanting Rose 

is having her Annual Teacup & Mug Exchange

I'm joining and want to spread the word.

I just might need a different cup to sip from as I quilt (or in my case not quilt.)  hehehe

Would you like to join us?

The Enchanting Rose

Linda 

FNWF

I have the quilt top ready for borders. 

  

Of course two seconds later Marzipan was in the center of it. 

It's almost impossible to get anything done with her!

I'm working on doing a scalloped border. I did one before and have a ruler for it. But that was 10 years ago. I can't find the ruler nor do I remember the name of it. So I'm doing some paper and pen drafting. 

I hope it works. 😜

Nice to work with all of you on Friday Night. 

Linda 

New Quilt-a-long with Melissa of Happy Quilting

There's a new Quilt-a-long starting soon with Melissa at Happy Quilting

I'm going to go see what fabrics I have.
Because we all love a Quilt-a-long Right?
And if not that, we all love new projects Right?

In the meanwhile, I have to groceries, return library books, get my watch repaired.
Then start sewing again.

Happy Stitching,
Linda