Mended Hearts

A couple of months ago, I told you all about my dear friend Lee who passed away after an 18-year battle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 60. The day before she passed, she called from her hospital bed to "ask me a favor". She wanted me to complete the 2 quilts she'd started for her daughter and her niece. You saw her daughter's, here's the niece's quilt, Mended Hearts, in progress to be finished for Christmas. This is a 'quilt-as-you-go' method, a little different than I'm used to. Once you applique the hearts on to the background, you stitch with different decorative stitches in varying colors then cut some of them in half and 'mend' them together. Then you butt the blocks together to finish the quilt--which is the part I have left to do. I'm sure it will be a touching moment when her husband delivers the finished quilt to her niece.

Miss you, Lee. . .

I Got the Extra Fabric!!!

I'm so happy to report that I was able to get enough of the red fabric I told you about last week to finish the binding on my red and white quilt--woo-hoo!! I called the shop, they still had some, my son picked it up for me and got it to me! Just when you think it's a lost cause, the Universe surprises you! The photo here is not the quilt, just my cute kitty Bobo with another red and white basket quilt I made a few years ago. I will post a photo of the Calendar Girls quilt on Monday, December 14th the day after the group has their 'reveal'.

Corn Pudding with Buorbon

CORN PUDDING WITH BOURBON

I cut this out of the Sunday paper in 1998 and it’s wonderful!

Just make sure your corn is thawed if it’s frozen and if using

canned kernels, drain well.

3 eggs

1 1/8 cup evaporated milk

3 cups canned cream-style corn

3 cups corn kernels

3 T butter, melted

3 T brown sugar

3 T cornstarch mixed w/3 T water

3/4 tsp ground nutmeg

4 1/2 T bourbon

3/8 tsp salt

3/8 tsp white pepper

Preheat over to 350º and butter a 2 quart baking dish

Beat eggs and evaporated milk together in large bowl. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into baking dish. Bake 45 minutes (might take a little longer) or until slightly browned and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve hot. Serves 8-10

The Case of the Too Short Binding

I am part of a wonderful group of 16 quilters who have been together for 10 years; The Calendar Girls. Every year, we pick the parameters for a block, make 16 of them, have a block exchange in June then make a quilt and have "Reveal Day" in December. Reveal Day this year is December 13th and it is my favorite day of the year. The Taj Mahal couldn't rival the splendor of the decorations of our host, Cooky. We gather around 11 am, everyone brings goodies and other edibles, we pick at them and visit, then we sit down at the magnificent dining table set with Spode Christmas china, crystal and the 'good' silver while surrounded by her Santa collection, her Christmas quilt collection (decorating every spare wall space and chair back) and the lighted village that runs all through her home.

There's show and tell, a gift exchange, then dessert and more visiting! Then we get down to business--The Reveal. Everyone's quilt is wonderful, stories are told about the sewing of them, photos are taken (to be kept in a comprehensive scrapbook, almost 3" thick now!) and at last, we choose a theme for the next year's block. (This year's was red and white baskets).

I can't show you the whole quilt, which is 98% finished, because it's a surprise and they might peek but I have a little problem: Yesterday as I was putting on the binding I cut months ago, I realized I didn't have enough and had run out of fabric! I remember where I bought it (wonder of wonders) but that's a 2 1/2 drive--each way! I've scanned the fabric and emailed it to the shop and will call them tomorrow and see if they can send it to me. (Good thing I'm one of those people who finished things early instead of waiting until the last minute. Do YOU do that?)

Tree Skirt

A completed project! F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!! I started this a couple of years ago and were it not for a UFO Challenge at our quilt guild, it would have probably been another 2 years. So, just in time for the season. . .

The Cat Wears a Different Hat!!

That Cat in the Hat fabric quilt I had on my design wall last week just wasn't working for me. I love Sandy Klop's "Triple Crown Quilt" pattern but just didn't like how it was turning out with this fabric. So I tore it all down and tried something different--and LOVE IT! Most of the left side is sewn and the right side will be added today sometime.

Unfortunately, I need to make 5 more triangles out of the light fabric--the one with all the words on it--and have run out of fabric! It means I won't be able to finish it right away--ARGH! I only need a 2 1/2" WOF piece!! I called every quilt shop within a 50 mile radius and no one has it! (I bought this online). Guess I'll have to order a whole half yard and wait for it to come in the mail. . .

Little Bags and The Cat in the Hat

I found this little pattern by Valori Wells at PIQF (Pacific International Quilt Festival) a couple of weeks ago and can stop making these cute little bags! I'll give them to my friends for Christmas . You can put a lipsitck, a tissue and a couple of cards inside. Or, better yet, all those punch cards from all your favorite quilt shops!! Snap the snap and put it in your purse or pocket. Easy-peasy!

Finally getting back to this project which will be a Christmas throw for my daughter and her wife. They're writers (creative and screen, respectively) and love all the classics--Dr. Seuss being one, of course. This quilt isn't easy to put up on the design wall, I've found. Quite confusing with all the colors but I'll get it. Need to make at least 5 times more blocks (with 6 triangles apiece!) before I can begin to put this together.

Hop on over to Judy Laquidera's blog to see what everyone else has on their design walls!