Red is a neutral . . . Right?

Years ago, I sold a quilt and used the funds to buy stained glass windows at an antique store in Georgia.

My father re-framed them in clear cedar and I finally put them up in their forever home. I love sunlight reflected through color, don't you!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

I love aprons, have I mentioned that before?

And this one is part of the one-year anniversary give away over on Gran's blog. So do stop by and give her a hi-howdy.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Yummy apricot

Fellow quilter and gardening enthusiast, K.R., shared these lovelies with me yesterday.

The awesome color (of which the photo does not do justice) inspires me to get out my Procion dyes in an attempt to match such incredible hues. Alas, other responsibilities await, so no fabric dying this week. It's nice to be inspired though . . . . Thanks K.R.!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Didn't I read somewhere . . . .

That the life span of a quilter is in direct proportion to the number of projects in the works?
If that's true, I will be inviting many of you to my 200th birthday.

(Yes, this is the baggie brigade . . . and indeed, I still refuse to count them. Notice the 2 yard sticks on the left.)

The good news is my shelves are now sanded, painted, and stacked. The cutting table is also in place. All that's left is to paint the bookcases that hold up my sewing table . . . oh yeah, and find a place to hide all of these baggies.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Sharing

Just a fun quilt . . .

put together in such a fashion . . .

to make it interesting.

Doesn't it make you wonder, "gee, now why didn't I think of that."

(Eye roll . . . just watch, someone will come out with a "kit" for this . . . sigh.)

Mom's barbecue sauce

If you're lucky enough to have a mom who loved to cook, then you have "great food memories." Mine include barbecued chicken cooked over a fire at Tobyhanna State Park. It's a lovely area and we had a lot of family picnics there.

However, it doesn't matter if you cook over a fire, a grill, or in the oven, this barbecue sauce is a winner every time.

Jiffy Barbecue Sauce

1/2 cup salad oil

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup ketchup

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup lemon juice (fresh is best)

3 Tablesp. sugar

3 Tablesp. Worcestershire sauce (or soy)

2 Tablesp. prepared mustard

2 teasp. salt

1/2 teasp. black pepper

Cook onion until soft in hot oil. Add remaining ingredients. Simmer 15 minutes.

This makes enough sauce for basting and serving 2 chickens.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

All together now

It's only taken 30 years,

But I can now say that all of my Breininger redware is finally in one place.

The sgraffito piece on the right was my first, I made that in 1980 while visiting. The remaining pieces were made by Lester or his associates.

Redware has a very long history (and you can read more about it on the internet). However, it was named after the red clay indiginous to the region of central Pennsylvania. Unlike thrown pottery, the clay is rolled out like piecrust and formed over a wooden mold. Then it is trimmed, cured, decorated, and fired. A lengthy process to be sure.

The blue/tan pieces are turned and were made by Susan Freeman Brown. I would like to purchase more for my collection. Unfortunately, I've had difficulty determining where she is now selling. If anyone sees her work or knows how I can contact her directly, please let me know.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

We have a winner . . .

Using the random number generator, the winner picked was JuJu.

JuJu, please e-mail me your snail mail address and blog address and I'll be sure to get the blocks mailed off to you in the next 50 days.

For everyone who is delving into spring cleaning, be on the lookout for extra blocks. Even the simple easy peasy ones can be assembled for a QOV top. And if you have any doubt about how soldiers feel about a quilt made just for them, pop on over to Alycia's blog to read about her recent quilt delivery adventures.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

The BIG event.

As you can see, I've been packing for the MANY PEOPLE PARTICIPATING YARD SALE!

Coming up on Saturday, April 24th in Blue Ridge, Georgia.



I'll be selling sewing machines, fabric, quilt magazines, furniture, household items, glassware and everything in between including a box of tinker toys I had bought for my nephews 20 years ago. (Do they even make toys out of wood anymore?).

After 30 years of collecting, packing, storing, and moving, it's time for the extra stuff to go!

So come on down or over or up. Sale starts at 7 a.m. (please bring cold caffeine - I'm going to need it.)

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

I was just wondering . . .

If anyone has the book Falloween Threads in their collection and would like to trade it . . . . perhaps for hand-dyed fabric or some other fabric. Heaven knows I have fabric! I've been wanting to do the pumpkin quilt pattern for awhile now. Nothing else, just the pumpkin one.

As you do your spring cleaning, please keep me in mind.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . .

Here's your chance!

If you've been holding off on making a quilt top for Quilts of Valor because it was Tuesday, or your cat had kittens, or the car needed a new battery, or your quilt shop did not have any fabric with stars . . . well now's your chance to jump in. As promised, this post features another give-away . . . .

To make this quilt or something similar.

The QUILT SEED STARTER PACK includes 42 hourglass blocks that measure 5-3/4" each. That's a nice size block to speed things along.

The blue setting strip is 2" wide cut and the pale yellow setting strip is 4" wide cut. You'll want to use the lengthwise grain and starch heavily for ease of assembly.

If you'd like to participate in creating a quilt top for Quilts of Valor, win the 42 blocks, live in the lower 48, and know you can finish it in the next 12 months, please leave a comment. The top can be donated to Alycia or your favorite QOV center.

To learn more about QOV, just visit: http://www.qovf.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=149

If you want to see other super simple quilts that were recently finished, just pop on over to Mary's page and scroll back a bit.

The contest ends next Thursday, April 15th at midnight. I'll pick a winner on Friday.

Good luck and until then, keep stitchin' . . .

(And yes, the original quilt was made for a veteran, my father.)

The excitement has been building . . .

. . . and not just because I got out the flip flops today and put away the snow boots!!! Could spring finally be here?

I know you're all waiting so without further ado . . . .

(and thank you Mary for sending me the random number generator thingie mcbobber) . . .

the 50 four-patches go to Lori (who by the way has the most darling pup).

And the lucky recipient of the angel doll pattern and all of her pieces goes to . . . Cheryl.

Congratulations gals. Please e-mail me your appropriate addresses and I promise to get them out to you in the next 50 days.

For those of you who missed this chance, don't despair. The NEXT giveaway will be announced on Friday, April 9th. This time it will revolve around Quilts of Valor so be sure to stop by.

Have a blessed Easter everyone and until then, keep stitchin' . . .