New Beginnings

Have you guys noticed that there seems to be a need to slow down, step back and really re-evaluate?  I've noticed it on blogs I read, in those who are my church family and personally.  I was so excited about starting a blog and hopefully helping someone out there in this big-o world we live in.  I don't know it was necessarily a need for someone out there to be reading it as much as it was a need I had to feel like I was helping in some small way.  My two lovely babies aren't really babies anymore so their needs are fewer than they had been when they relied on me for everything.  "Is dinner ready" and "Can you help me with this math" are about the extent of hands-on daily needs that they have.

But, then, everything from our master bedroom and bathroom got moved into my quilting room for a remodel that was supposed to be "quick" but which has turned into "will this ever end???"  I was forced into a "You can't quilt right now" time-out that I didn't think I had earned for bad behavior but that God must have felt was necessary.  Sometimes jumping into passions in our lives isn't what He knows is best for us, regardless of how much we think it is.

So, I've been thinking a lot about what it is that God knows is best for me.  I've prayed a lot.  I've been silent.  I came to the conclusion that the world doesn't need another "helping" blog.  All the tips and tricks are already out there somewhere, on other blogs with beautiful quilters who have so much more to offer.  I'm so totally cool with that.  God has gifted them with audiences and talents.

Bottom line.  I don't think I'm supposed to be  blogging.  I may open that "Home Ec, let's learn to make pie and quilt" classroom.  I may just continue to make quilts as donations and gifts.  I know whatever it is, I want to be used by God to help make this world a better place.

Thank you for reading my blog while I had it.  I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!!!

As for this month's give-away, comment number 1 was randomly selected BUT then I decided since this was my last give-away, why not send everyone a fabric gift?  Soooo, I'll be sending an email to everyone who left a comment since last month and be surprising everyone with something I pick out from my stash.

Many blessings on all of you.  I pray that your lives are blessed with love and kindness and that we all choose to shower those around us with love and kindness as well!

Jennifer

UPDATE:  I've tried to contact those who left comments last month.  I haven't had much luck, so please send me an email if you'd like me to have your email so I can communicate about sending you a gift!  I may be reached at:  mortyman1@earthlink.net

SuperMomNoCape - you ROCK.  I appreciate your thoughts more than you know! 

Off to QuiltCon and X blocks prepared

Anyone else out there headed to Austin this week for QuiltCon?  I'm so excited because I get to take a class with Katy Jones of I'm a Ginger Monkey.  She always makes me laugh when I read her blog so I'm hoping it'll be a fun day learning and laughing with her.  I've read she's going through a divorce so I hope to give her a big-o Oklahoma hug!

Here's the X block I'm working on for the Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long.  I gotta tell ya, I've never done a quilt-a-long before (there is SO much I haven't done before in the quilting world) and it's kinda cool to go at a slow pace.  I usually pick a quilt I'm working on and I work on it until it's done.  That can be both exciting and boring.  This is awesome because I can do little snibbits of this quilt for Beautiful Face (my nickname for my daughter) and go back to other quilt-stuff, like the swap for my guild or the black & white for my son.  See, I can work on a bit of each and mix it up enough to keep it exciting!

I loved how these looked like little sailboats before I ironed them open.  Too cute!

I have got to include just a few pics from a sunrise from late last week.  Guys, I can't begin to express how overwhelmed with love I feel when I wake to mornings like this.  God is up there making the day just so beautiful.  I try to carry that beauty with me all day.  It's too easy to get caught up in the "yucky" rather than remembering that He doesn't want us unhappy, mad, angry.  He wants us to love and to see the beauty in everyone around us.  Hard to do sometimes, but I work on it. daily.

 

Wow! You guys Rock!

You know, I think it's absolutely amazing that there are people out there that take the time to write nice things.  Like the commenters who congratulated Kathy for winning the recent give-away while leaving a comment for this month's give-away.  There's so much yucky in the world that it really brightens my day when I read such nice things :)

Here's what I've gotten done lately.  A few more blocks for my son's quilt:

Six for my guild's swap (each month six blocks are due):

This week's assignment for the Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long:

I wanted to show you something that I learned this week.  Do you see in the photo below on the left where the 2 blocks are a bit smaller than those black & white ones on the right? 

We were told to use a scant 1/4" seam on our guild swap blocks.  I was working on those blocks and got used to using the smaller seam measurement and then started working on the black & white hst blocks.  I kept using the smaller seam and got bigger blocks!  It's something to notice because putting the smaller with the bigger in a quilt would turn out to be a big old pain!  I might just re-do those two blocks but dang I hate re-do's. 

********************************************************************************

If you don't mind, I'm going to close with a prayer for the 21 Christian men who were beheaded by Muslim terrorists this weekend in Libya for no other reason than their religion.  I pray for those men, for their families, for the terrorists to seek forgiveness and turn to God and for God to help us all.

Do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

And The Winner Is....

Today is the day that all of those blogs who were offering give-aways during the 2015 Grow Your Blog event select their winner.  Since there aren't any rules to this fun event, I've entered everyone who left a comment anywhere on my blog rather than just those who left one in the posting about the event.  I was hoping to give more of you awesome commenters a chance to win :)


And the winner is #25.  Congratulations Kathy E of Sparkles, Sprinkles and Everyday Crap!  I've sent you an email asking for your details!  If you hop over to Kathy's blog, you'll note that she's new to quilting SO I pray that this fabric will be used to make an awesome quilt and help her expand her talents!!


I really enjoyed the aspect of a give-away, soooo I'm going to do it monthly!  It makes me feel good to give of what I've been blessed to have.  To that end, this month's give-away is: 2 charm packs of Moda's High Street by Lily Ashbury. 

Everyone who leaves a comment, starting with today's comments and going through the 14th of next month, will be eligible. 

Thanks again to Vicki for hosting this awesome Grow Your Blog event!  I had only just started my blog and because of Vicki's kindness in including me, I've had over 100 visits!  That's truly amazing!

Have a blessed day!

xPlus Block

I attended my first quilt guild meeting last night!  Woo hoo!  It was really fun to meet others who share my love of quilting.  We started a swap last night so I was happy to have found the group at just the right time.  It'll be an 8 month commitment, making 6 blocks each month.  I hope that my new sewing skills are up to the challenge.  It's a weird feeling, making blocks for others, and feeling the responsibility of making something that will be found acceptable.  I'm a bit nervous but I'm keeping with my attitude to push myself this year!

Here's the first block I did as a practice today.  We're supposed to use scraps but since I haven't been quilting as long as many of the others who are participating, mine may turn into less scrappy.  This one is made from scraps.  It's not really acceptable because the points all don't meet up and see how the left side of the "plus" is longer than the right side??  Um.  Not too good.  It'll be turned into a coaster or maybe I'll keep it to add to those that I receive from the swap.  What do you think?

Have a blessed day!

Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long

 

This week's assignment was to cut all of the fabric for our quilt.  Wow!  That's the first time I've cut everything in preparation for a quilt.  I'm making a 60" x 70" quilt so I had a "few" cuts to make.  It probably took me an hour and a half with a few interruptions.  I think using pre-cuts (like Charm packs or Layer Cakes), tends to make us lazy.  I'm not sure I dislike lazy :)

I'm making this quilt for my daughter so she selected the fabric.  She chose pink and grey with sashing of blue and a white background.  I think she did a good job.  I think it'll all go really well together.

There's still time to join in the fun if you're interested.  There are prizes for the weekly "assignments" (like this week is a $15 gift certificate for Green Fairy Quilts which is one of my favorite places to get pre-cuts).  Just head over to Happy Quilting to get all of the details! 

A Nametag Finish

My quilt guild meetings are on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, which means I needed to finish up my nametag.  I made a few variations and even made two lanyards before I decided to use a Marmalade mini charm to design something.  This is what I started with this afternoon.

Add a little hand embroidery...

Here's the back.  I added two mini charms to use if I'm given cards.  I'm planning on wearing my nametag when I go to QuiltCon in Austin this month so hopefully that'll come in handy:)

After quilting and binding..

And add the lanyard for a finish!

I'm really happy with the finished nametag because it really represents me and where I'm at with my quilting.  I'm doing the massive hst quilt project so doing the pinwheels will remind me of that.  And, I added my name too close to the edge so when I added the binding it almost cut off the "c" in "Ec."  BUT, that's where I'm at with my quilting.  I'm not that good yet.  That's ok.  I'm a work in progress, and I'm learning.  And, I love the learning of it all.  That's pretty much how I view life.  Once we stop learning, and wanting to try new things, what's left? 

Love..Faith..Hope

I am so excited to have finished this quilt top last night.  It started out as a quilt my daughter was going to make for me.  She abandoned it when I pointed out that she was sewing her seams at 1/2" rather than 1/4".  She gets so frustrated with me when I criticize; anyone else get that from their daughters??

Rows needing to be connected.

I added three rows of solid fabric from the Boho line.  I cut "Love," "Faith" and "Hope" from extra layer cake squares and added them to the solid rows.  It's super long at over 7 feet but it'll cover hubby and me when we actually get to snuggle together on the couch. 

I used red thread to sew the words onto the solid rows.

The words will eventually fray but that'll add to the look, I think.

I'm going to add white borders to the sides but not the top just to make it a little wider.  This quilt really will go well with our living room; we've got all of these colors represented.  I can't wait to get it finished. 

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. ~ 1 Peter 4:8

Quilt-A-Long

As if I didn't have enough going on already, I've decided I'm going to add my name to the list of participants in Melissa's Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long.  Since 2014 was my first year of quilting, I learned everything by watching videos and trial-&-error.  2015 is my year to join in and get out!  I'm joining my local guild, I'm going to QuiltCon in February and I'm going to join quilt-a-longs!  I'm determined to push myself and learn as much as I can:)

 

I'm going to do a Lap size (60"x70") in a Scrappy design.  I think my version will be made using greys, yellows and white.  I can already imagine snuggling with Hubby under the quilt while we watch some HGTV!

 

Here's her layout.  Won't it be a beautiful quilt?  

There's still time to join in if you're interested.  Jump over to Happy Quilting and get all of the details!  

A Lanyard for a Nametag

My quilt guild is having us make nametags to wear at each meeting.  I've never actually been to a meeting (yet) but I want to be ready for February's so... I started by making a lanyard.  It was pretty easy.  I used scraps that were about 2 1/2 inches wide and sewed them together in one long strip.

Then, I ironed the seams, pressing them open to create less bulk.  Isn't my ironing board cover crazy in color?  It's bright and cherry, but it does interfere with pictures :(
 

Here's a close-up of seams open

Then, I folded the whole long piece in half and finger pressed it so I could see where the half-way mark was.  I folded each side up/down to that mark and ironed.  I folded the halves together and sewed down the open side and then back up the closed/fold side.

I put my fabric through the clip and then sewed the two ends together.  The clip I selected was from Hobby Lobby and has another clasp that will allow me to add my nametag once it's quilted (that'll be another post).  This was so fun and easy.  It probably took me more time to select the fabric than to actually sew and iron it all together!  Are you that way too?  I could spend hours picking through fabric!

Here's the sunrise from this morning!  What a GREAT day it'll be:)

I will walk by faith even when I can not see.  ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

Thank You ... and progress

Let me begin by thanking all of you lovely bloggers who stopped by my blog yesterday and left such nice comments!  I know that you have lots to do in life, and thousands of other blogs to consider, so I am humbled that you stopped by during the Grow Your Blog event and took a moment to stay :)

I am making progress on my quilts.  It's slower than I'd like but that's life.

Daughter's

Son's

Another I'm working on. 

Have a blessed day!

Grow Your Blog ... And a Giveaway!

 

A warm welcome to the 3rd annual Grow Your Blog Hop!  May I start by (1) welcoming you and (2) THANKING Vicki of 2 Bags Full for organizing such an awesome event!  I can only imagine the work she put into helping bloggers connect.  While she and I have never personally met, I am quite sure she has a beautiful heart!

I'm Jennifer, and I am a complete newbie when it comes to blogging.  I only got mine up about 2 weeks ago!  I really just wanted a way to document the quilts I was making because I forget what I've made once I'm on to a new quilt.  I don't know about you, but as I age, I forget things so easily. 

I don't have some grand goal of making money from my blog or becoming the next Molly.  I've got different priorities; one awesome hubby, 2 beautiful, growing-like-weeds kiddos, 5 dogs, 60+ chickens and 20 families who rent from us who all take my time each day.

Here you'll find tips and pictures on quilting, recipes that my family enjoys and that I may have made as an aspiring pastry chef, and all those things that are being lost to young ladies nowadays.  I am the Home-Ec Mama, after all.  Why don't we still offer Home Ec in school?  We've gotten so advanced in our technology that the next generations won't know how to grill a hamburger or sew a button!  I guess if I have one "professional" goal it would be to open a little shop where I teach small groups of ladies and gents how to sew and quilt and bake bread and good food.  You never know where God will lead you, so we'll see.

What I do know, is that I want my voice to be a voice for Christ.  I want to be an example on this blog of the light that Christ is and was.  He's called us to love each other.  To help each other.  To build each other up to be better.   I want to help however many readers happen to stop by home-ec-mama to feel better that they've spent time here.  We've all got limited time to spend and I don't want one second of yours to be wasted while you're here!

I live in Oklahoma.  I grew up here, left to be an exchange student in Germany my senior year in high school, came back to attend the University of Tulsa where I met hubby.  We left for Los Angeles so he could attend law school and stayed there 12 years until baby #1 was born.  We moved to Houston during September 11th (2001).  I just remember staring at the TV thinking that our country's innocence was gone.  Horrific!  Baby #2 was born in Houston, and she still considers herself a Texan even though we returned to Oklahoma so Baby #1 could start kindergarten.

We get to travel a bit.  I'll probably blog about our trips.  We like to visit Germany (my family from when I was an exchange student) and Brugge, Belgium.  But, our favorite, is our yearly trip to New Hampshire to hike the White Mountains to see the waterfalls.  It never gets old.

Beautiful Brugge

Just one of many waterfalls we visit

I am a very blessed mama.  I've been married nearly 24 years, our family is healthy, we have time to be together daily; we get to work and play together.  Our kids school at home so I get to challenge them to think rather than memorize topics for a given test, only to have those items forgotten.  They're both politically minded and look to our leadership to change their ways to help our country.  You might find comments every now and then that show my pride in being born in America.  I do believe we are the best country EVER and that God created us to do good. 

I pray that you'll find something of value (over time) on this blog.  Something that either makes you smile, think or learn something.  If I'm able to do that, then I will have succeeded!

******************************************************************************************************

GIVEAWAY TIME

One randomly selected reader who leaves me a comment will receive a Monkey Mates fat quarter bundle + one yard of the Monkey Mates Multi in brown.  The material would make a fab-o quilt for a little boy.  It's so colorful and playful.  There are no requirements to qualify for this giveaway other than leave me a comment and include your email address so I am able to contact you on February 15th. That's when I'll notify the lucky winner!

Monkey Mates fq & 1 yard

Pattern may be provided if winner is interested - Quilt obviously not included :)

Here's a pic of a baby quilt I did not too long ago, and if the winner likes it, I'll include a copy of the pattern! Then, the winner can use the Monkey Mates fq. and yardage to make their own quilt!

******************************************************************************************************

I'll close with one of my favorite verses.  God's way is unerring, The Lord's promise is tried & true; He is a shield for all who trust in Him.  Psalm 18:31  Doesn't it give you a sense of peace to know that God doesn't make mistakes, that His promises to you He will keep and He will protect us if we trust Him? 
Thanks for visiting!  Enjoy the Hop!

Already behind

How is is already Thursday?  I had such grand plans for this week then:

• we adopted a sweet doggie from the pound
• we have 60+ chickens
• said doggie likes to kill chickens
• new fencing required to secure chickens
• hubby & I own duplexes and just closed on a new one this week.  that means painting, new flooring, buying new appliances, etc.
• my kiddos school at home.  mama needs to be available to help with things like translating German and determining what is an indirect object vs a direct object

This is how I feel

 On a lighter note, I did manage to get 1 block done from each of the versions of the hst quilts I'm working on.  I had hoped to get 4 blocks (of each version!) done each week.  One is close, right?

 

Wow! was all I could think when I woke to this spectacular sunrise today!  I went to bed with such tremendous thankfulness and then awoke to a brand new day with a painting from God.  The colors, the silhouettes of the trees and the clouds were all just amazing together.  Do you ever feel like God has created something special just for you and your eyes?  I surely do :)

The reason I went to bed with such feelings of gratitude was Vicki who blogs at 2 Bags Full.   I had prayed as I plopped myself at my computer that God tell me if I should even be starting a blog, taking the time from family for something that may never be seen.  Now, I love Pinterest but I wasn't thinking I should sit and "waste" what little time I had that evening to looking up quilts.  Still, that's what I did!  I clicked on a link to a bright scrap block by Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation.  I almost never read comments, again due to time constraints, but I found myself not only reading them but then clicking on one of the links to a lady who left a comment.  I was beginning to question my sanity as I looked over her blog!

That's when I saw a post about her participating in Vicki's Grow Your Blog event.  I followed that link to Vicki's blog and searched for the 2015 event.  Although the deadline for participation had passed, I reached out to Vicki to thank you for creating such an event.  God must have been providing me a lot of grace that night because Vicki SO nicely allowed me to join.  Please don't take this as an invitation to beg her in the future if you're late.  I wasn't expecting to be allowed to join; deadlines are deadlines, people!  I think she is such an amazing person for wanting to help those who are new to blogging.  Who does such kind things like that, anyway??

You know, well, probably you don't but a neighbor who is about 10 years younger than I am once gave me a compliment that went something like, "When I grow up, I want to be just like you." 

That's how I feel about Vicki.  When I'm an "older" blogger, I want to be able to help those who may need it. I certainly will use her as an inspiration to try and help provide useful quilting and baking tips on my blog!

The Grow Your Blog Hop will begin on January 25th.  I'll be doing a give-away but you'll have to wait until the 25th to find out what I've decided.  Since my blog is SO new, I've got some quick changes to make.  It's a little intimidating to think that there may actually be people who will read (or not) my blog soon.  I guess it's time to get real.

Fabric Selected ... Let's get going

I live in Oklahoma.  It's January.  It is usually so cold (it is winter after all) but some days we have Spring-like days.  It's a cruel joke really because the cold will return.  An ice storm may arrive next week for all the weatherman knows.  But, for a few short days, we can dream of warmer days to come.  Some people start planning their gardens.  A lot get work done outside, like raking those last leaves or fixing fences.  Our lovely piano teacher, Faye, had her hubby get her garden plowed and the ground prepared.  Such has been our existence the past few days.  We were able to deliver food for our food pantry to four need families today in flip flops.  No complaining here!

I was determined to get started on my half-square triangle quilts.  My son decided he wanted the black and white quilt.  Daughter, Emily, decided on one of my fat quarter bundles, Honeysweet from Fig Tree & Co, as her version.

These are the fabrics she selected to use in three blocks each.

These are the 31 fat quarters she chose from the line to use.

We'll have 72 blocks.  She's selected 31 fat quarters from the line so we'll use each fat quarter in two different blocks and 10 of the 31 in three blocks. 

Tomorrow, the cutting begins.  I am so excited to get started on these.

Here's my sketch of every block.  I colored them on graph paper so I can easily see the layout while at the sewing machine.  It was fun to do but took a bit of time! 

If you can believe it, my son accused me of being wasteful for not putting the last few blocks on the back of the first page.  I have reams and reams which were bought for math classes (and never used) so I don't think he should think so badly of his sweet mama.  I mean, really!

If you like banana cake, I baked a long-time family favorite yesterday.  It's got a yummy frosting which makes hubby think of carrot cake.  I like that it's an easy one-bowl cake recipe and even quicker frosting recipe.  It must be a recipe that I got off of Pinterest long ago because I've noticed it being reposted a lot lately.  Probably because it's so yummy!  Jump over to my Recipes link above if you'd like to read more.

When I pray to God tonight, I'm going to thank Him for my many blessings.  The warm weather, children who keep me challenged, money to buy groceries to make yummy food for my family and hands to do good work.  It's been an awesome day.

Worn

Are you worn out?  Or tired?  Like, the world is filled with crazy people and they're all directing their crazy at you?  I feel that way sometimes.  Then I spend an afternoon with great grandma.  Well, she's hubby's grandma but great grandma to our kiddos.  Daughter Emily is Emily Margaret named for great grandma Margaret.  It's an hour to get to her house and traffic is usually bad due to it being a path for truckers.  I'm usually stressed by the time we get there.  Then, I see their connection, Emily and Margaret.  I see the love between a 12 year-old and her 88 year-old namesake.

God has a way of calming us, if we allow Him to.  He gives us exactly what we need when we need it.  I feel so blessed that my daughter gets to grow up knowing her great grandma and that they are so important to each other.

On to quilting news since that's probably why you're here.  I saw this quilt on Pinterest a few weeks ago:

 

I'm loving that it is all half square triangles.  I haven't done any quilts yet using them, so I'm starting on two versions of this quilt.  I'm going to do the black and white like the example and I'm going to do a scrappy one.  I am following the instructions given at: http://knitnlit.blogspot.com/.  She has awesome instructions and pics, so head over there and check out her blog!  I plan on completing at least four blocks for each quilt each week.  There are 72 blocks for this baby so I'm hoping to get more done than four each week or it'll take me 18 weeks to complete.  I want to really enjoy it so if it takes me that long, that's ok too.  Posts to follow as I complete each block!