Duke Family....quilt

My husband's cousins are gathering this weekend for food, family & fellowship!!

Several of the first cousins have NOT seen each other in many years...some 30+ years.

So we are going to have a grand time.

Cliff asked me to make a quilt for us to sign and also to fill out family info. 

Here is my start...

And here is this quick method...you may have done this...but it sure is quick!!

Sew 1/4" around all sides and cut twice diagonally...press...

Chain piece...

Do ya'll know about this twirly thing in the middle??? 

Clip...very carefully...one or two little threads...and press on seam one way...one the other

It makes a very nice FLAT seam...on the back...

and on the front...

I have to keep a sample by the sewing machine to help me remember...how the next time!!!

More pics tomorrow...or Thursday.

Blessings all,

Kathy

Look....what came in my mailbox!!!

Aren't they just lovely!!!

Sweet Nancy at Cozy Thyme Cottage  knitted these for me and sent them to me.

I have already used the blue one as a hot pad this morning

because I do not want to get them wet yet!!!

SO special...

Thanks Nancy!!

Blessings all,

Kathy

Your Advice Needed....Growing Dill.....and Pickles

I have some lovely dill in my little garden up close to the house that is ready to use but I am NOT ready to make pickles.

 Here in Eastern North Carolina our weather has been getting pretty hot so my vines are blooming but no cucumbers as of yet.

So what do I do with the dill????

I do not want to cut it unless I have to and do not know how long it will stay fresh and pretty.

What is your advice?

How can I preserve it with it drying out to use in my pickles?

Blessings all,

Kathy

Tote Bag Handle Tip...

While sewing 6 tote bags for our Guild- Neuse Quilters- to donate to the American Red Cross,

I came up with this method to attach the handles

and thought I would share with you.

First pin in place with handle just below the second row of top stitching.

Stitch across the first row of top stitching.

then back stitch over to reinforce.

With the needle in the down position, pivot to a 45 degree angle

and stitch diagonally.

You can feel as you reach the folded edge of the handle underneath.

Again pivot with needle and

back stitch over the second row of top stitching on the bag.

Pivot with needle down and stitch another 45 degree angle diagonally

to the top corner.

Back stitch for final reinforcement.

Voil`a

Outside

Inside..

you can see here where I placed the handle just below the second top stitching row.

The handle is folded up about 1 1/2 " and place to the inside.

All four from the inside and

the outside.

Hope this is helpful.

It only takes a few minutes for all four.

6 Totes for American Red Cross

Blessings all,

Kathy

Strawberry Jam 2013....Summer Wallet Give Away WINNER !!!

The Duke's Strawberry Jam 2013

Hard....no

Easy... no

Messy...yes

Time Consuming...yes

Costly...yes

Worth It...YES !!!

In case you wondered how it got in the jars...

Blessings all,

Kathy

PS I am drawing for the wallet give away at 8:00 pm ( Saturday)...

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

I drew...and the winner is...

Nancy
over at 
Cozy Thyme Cottage

Congrats and enjoy!! ........"My Twin"

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I am hearing "pops" coming from the kitchen!!!

Downton Abby Fabric......can you believe it?????!!!!!

I was so excited today when our local quilt store showed this fabric inspired by one of my all time favorite series...DOWNTON ABBY !!!!

Take a peak...then wait for it to come in...and go buy it ALLLLLLL...

Mary Ellen McEnnis's quilt store...The Thistlebee Quilt Shoppe

Andover Fabric line- Downton Abby

My give away is ALMOST  ready to post...soon !!!

Blessings all, 

Kathy

Give Away ...coming this week...I hope !!!!

I am working on the "Give Away" and hope to have it all ready this week...hoping!!

Keep posted to see when I have it ready so you can enter to win...

any ideas on what you think it may be???

Blessings all,

Kathy

Working on UFO...leaves

Our Guild VP told us to bring something about the log cabin pattern last week and I went looking for a block of the month quilt that I won and could not find it...but look what I did find.

A UFO ...

Started several years ago when I really did not know what I was doing and I got bored.

So here I go again...and I am excited.

The vines were mostly sewn in place so I finished those up and am now appliqueing leaves...

Freezer paper applique for the hearts and leaves and for the vines I used a bias strip maker...

and heart flowers too.

You just never know when something old may become new again...

Subbing this week for my co-worker who is also a FACS teacher (Home Economics) so I can get some stitching time in and her students always love asking questions...you never know, it may inspire a future quilter!!

Think I just might put up my quilting frame and hand quilt it...somehow seems right for this pattern with hand applique.

Blessings all,

Kathy