Steps and Stars

Thus beginneth another quilt. I had some pieces cut out for this quilt, Steps and Stars, and just had to sew a few blocks together to see how it would look for real (as compared to the magazine picture). I've been saving this pattern for years and years. It is pinned on top of an I Spy my daughter pieced on my design wall. I was sorting through scraps and cutting some pieces for this...won't be long before I have another quilt top to quilt!! The blocks are 12" finished.

~Joan

First Top to Quilt

This is a gorgeous quilt top my sister made (a *cough, cough* REALLY long time ago) for her 2nd daughter. It is an Irish Chain with a Star thrown in for more beauty. I am going to load it onto my quilt fram today. I planned to start it yesterday, but realized I was nearly out of the thread I am going to use to quilt it. The colors and workmanship are beautiful. It is a twin-sized quilt.

How many large quilt tops do I have of my own to quilt? TWENTY!! I, myself, would have guessed 5 or 6. Someone has been busy!! I thought I should maybe give some of them away, but I like them all enough to keep. What is a girl to do?

Enjoy!

~Joan

Quilty Update

This quilt is a surprise for someone, so I won't say too much. It's going in the mail tomorrow. If it doesn't turn up in your mail box within a week, chances are that is wasn't for YOU.

I don't even remember the name of this quilt. I DO recall thinking it was a really cool design and ended up being much easier to make than I thought it would be.

**I found the book that the pattern is in, and the quilt is named Another Mosaic.**

Here's a closeup of one block. All the cream in the background is the same print, and each pinwheel is made of 4 matching blades. The rest is scrappy. If you are new to the quilting world, scrappy = fun. Scrappy means using that one last 2" strip of your favorite fabric. Scrappy means being able to look at your quilt with interest for longer than ten seconds. Scrappy means losing count of the different fabrics once you reach 60 or so.

Here is the progress on my Christmas quilt. I have the original quilt size made. I laid it on my bed and realized I need to make at least 3 more pieced blocks. I can do that! Right? Soon? Probably not.

I'll let you in on a little secret...

We had friends over for supper last night. I was showing the wife (hi, Marti!) my quilts in progress. That is, all the quilts that are not completely finished. While I had that short stack out, I thought it would be a good idea to inventory the little whippersnappers just so I could keep track. I am also considering buying a quilting machine to replace my relic. How many completed except for quilting tops do you think I have? These are all at least twin-sized quilts. Several are queen size.

I'll tell you tomorrow! Until then, I'm going to hang my head in shame and get QUILTING!! My sister's daughter's quilt is first. I'm just generous like that...putting her quilt ahead of all mine. Just ask her...I'm her favorite sister. And there are good reasons for that:

1. I'm her only sister.

2. Her quilt has been pieced even longer than any of mine.

3. I'm her only sister.

4. I machine quilt large quilt tops.

5. I'm her only sister.

Until tomorrow...keep on stitching!

~Joan

Grits are Great!

We're having beef roll ups, grits, and brown gravy for breakfast. Give grits a chance!!

All the schoolwork is up-to-date, and I have a date with my husband tonight. Yippee for both.

Have a great day!

~Joan

Pizzelle Participation, Please

What do you mean, you don't know what a pizzelle is? Well, first of all, you're pronouncing it wrong. Pizzelle rhymes with gazelle. Just starts with a "p"!! There you go.

These are one of our family traditions. We ONLY make them at Christmas. Four of my bunch left this AM to visit family in GA, and I sent a batch of these beauties for them to enjoy. Whilst I was makin', I did some picture takin'.

After mixing the heavily butter- and egg-laden batter, you

1. PLOP (the dough into the pizzelle iron, that is)...

2. FLOP (the lid closed; set the timer...these babies burn in a heartbeat)...

3. POP (the lid back open...the one on the left always sticks to the lid...silly pizzelle iron!)...



4. DROP (them gently onto a cooling rack)...



5. STOP eating them! These are going to Georgia. Haven't you already had 3 or 12?? Oops. Sorry. Thought you were one of my childen.

Christmas on a cooling rack!! The iron is similar to a waffle iron. The pizzelles are traditionally anise (black licorice flavor--blech!), but we make them vanilla. We've used that pizzelle iron for more than 20 years. It is well seasoned, but has never been cleaned (per manufacturer's instructions). Still works perfectly every year. There is a different design on each side, resembling a snowflake or doily.

Enjoy!

~Joan

Finished Memory Quilt

Here is James with his memory quilt. What a blessing to have him home for a couple weeks. The quilt will go back with him for his second semester of college. Blankets warm the body, but quilts warm the heart. I hope he enjoys reading the blessings others wrote for him on this new quilt.

~Joan

You'll Know Why No Picture

I have the flu. I have never been as miserable as I was all last night, and I've given birth nine times! Gut-clenching pain that went on and on and on...then the stomach emptying . I've been in bed since bedtime last night, except, of course, the multitude of bathroom trips. This came completely out of the blue. I am so tired of being in bed, but here I am. Would appreciate your prayers for a speedy recovery.

~Joan