Cancer Quilt, Stockings and Lunch with Mama

 Here are pictures of the cancer quilt my BFF and I made for my MIL.

The fabrics are from a breast cancer kit but we changed the color of the ribbon to represent lung cancer.

We found this fun heart swirly backing fabric at our local Joann’s store.

We machine embroidered the label.

I also finished the Fat Quarter Shop’s Deck-Ade the Halls stockings block.  This project is just a ton of fun.

Yesterday was the only real nice weather day we’ve had in months…at least it feels like months.  I had lunch with my Mom at this cute restaurant “Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station.”

The servers have car related names.  Jaguar usually waits on Mom but that day we had Dipstick.  The flatware is wrapped in oil rags and when you squeeze a lemon and wipe your hands, the oil rag turns black… like oil.  Inside of the place is so adorable with license plates and vintage garage signs everywhere.  Of course, I didn’t have a camera (other than my phone).  I promise to go back and take lots of pictures…you are going to LOVE this place.

Oh and the food was good too! (BONUS)

We stopped at a quilt shop where I purchased a little something to make a Halloween quilt for my small hanger and a magnetic pin holder.

 

 Then, wouldn’t you know, there was a yarn store right next door!  My sweet Mama bought me a set of my favorite knitting needles.  For some reason, I absolutely canNOT knit with straight needles.  I do everything on circulars.  The Knitter’s Pride Dreamz needles are great.  You can attach them to different lengths of cable…whatever your project requires. 

 

 
She also purchased some yarn so that I can make her a scarf.

Today I worked on my next block pattern from the FQS, I’ll share those pictures next time.

Have a wonderful week my friends J

The Iron (Part 2) and Hitting the Curve Ball

Thank you for your feedback regarding your iron and steam preferences.  The best part about blogging is LEARNING J

The Iron

After my research, I decided to purchase this…

The Oliso quilter’s iron sounded impressive but my very dear blogging friend Candace has already owned TWO of them and prefers her Oliso household model much better.  So…. I compared her ‘blue’ version to a few Rowentas. 

Bottom line is that I love all the features of the Oliso blue iron but was able to find those in a less expensive and heavier Rowenta.  It’s just out of the box…haven’t even plugged it in yet.  Of course, I will follow up with feedback because I will either love it or not.

The Curve Ball

A very close and dear family member has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Lung Cancer. I’ll share more about her later.

So…what do we do? 

Well, I’ve been instructed to keep a stiff upper lip and my best friend showed up at my door with cancer fabric.  This is how I spent my weekend…
 

Pearl is the ribbon color for lung cancer.

 I have to finish the quilting, binding, add the label, launder and it will be shipped off on Thursday.

I’ll have pictures of the finish this weekend as well as the Fat Quarter Shop’s Deck-Ade the Halls block.

I hope You have a wonderful week J

Stitch Therapy and The Iron

Happy Sunday after the 4^th of July!

I hope you have had a wonderful weekend, including those celebrating the American 4^th of July.

When things do not always go as we plan or when life throws that nasty curve ball…it’s good to know that we have something to help us through those challenges…

Stitch Therapy!

 

I’m going to skip the boring details of my challenges and show you the results of my therapy…

 

I completed helmet liner #4 for the Operation: Warm & Fuzzy campaign at work.  (I told you I had gotten better J )
 

I caught up on the Fat Quarter Shop’s Deck-Ade the Halls quilt.

Stars…

 

Ornaments…

 

 

 

Can’t wait for tomorrow’s new pattern!

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I also finished my blocks for Aunt Reen’s June Sew-A-Long… still behind but making progress none-the-less.  There are some blocks that I really love and some that …well, not so much but they are still going into this quilt!

(These are lined up on my buffet which is against a mirrored wall)

All of this progress in spite of a big UH OH! 

The Iron…… 

This iron belonged to my grandmother and I have been using it for all of my quilting projects.  Why?  Because it is a REAL iron…a HEAVY iron.  For some odd reason, it started leaving rust marks on my fabric.  The sole plate looks fine, I haven’t put water in it at all and I’ve had it for many many years. So my friend let me borrow her extra iron until I can get a new one…

 Now that I am in the market for a new iron, I am looking for recommendations.  I don’t like a ‘wimpy’ iron, I need something that will do the job on quilting projects as well as household ironing.  I’ve owned a Rowenta (loved that iron) and I’ve heard a little bit about Oliso’s.  Do you have a suggestion or recommendation?

Also, do you use steam or a dry iron when pressing blocks for a quilt?

I look forward to learning from you!

Hope your screen door is slammin' this week my Friends!

 

Happy 4th of July

To everyone on my side of the pond…I wish you a very Happy and Safe 4^th!