Tuesday

Today is such a gorgeous day. The weather is cool and crisp with not a touch of humidity! Perfect.

I should be outside working in the yard, and planting unplanted plants, but if you live in northeast Ohio and within a mile of Lake Erie, you are cursed with swarms of insects known as muffleheads aka canadian soldiers aka midges. They are everywhere.

So while deciding how to spend this gorgeous day, I put on a pot of coffee and finished cleaning the kitchen. I thought I heard water dripping, but thought maybe the neighbors were watering their plants. Until I felt water under my feet. A burst pipe. Clean up on aisle 4.

Not to be deterred by insects or burst pipes I decided to head to the craft room and work on my quilt.

Can I just say I am really loving this whole patchwork process. The hum of the machine. The steam from the iron. Cutting strips and squares of gorgeous fabric. Watching as the squares become a gorgeous quilt top.
I finished the quilt top this afternoon and now have to make some floor room so I can lay out the backing and get everything put together.

Daydream

I have spent the past few weeks dreaming about making a quilt, and the fabric that I am going to use arrived in the mail today. It is called Daydream. Perfect!

As much as I adore my beloved aqua, red and white color scheme, I am over the moon with these colors. Yummy blues, and corals, and chocolate brown and spring green! I am going to pair all of the color with white. I can hardly wait to get started.

This is the first time I have used precut fabric. I love the name of these precuts. Jelly Roll. ♥  I want to leave this on my sewing table for awhile so I can enjoy the adorableness!!

all photos courtesy of hard days knit (my sweet daughter)

Polka Dots and Patchwork Squares

 

In an attempt to pretty up the craft room, I decided my sewing machine cover was in dire need of replacing. So I decided to make a new one.  I knew that I wanted to add some patchwork, and I wanted to practice making binding in anticipation of making another quilt.

I read a few tutorials online about making a sewing machine cover, and then came up with my own design. Basically all you have to do is measure the width of your machine (mine was 16") and then measure from the bottom of the front to the bottom of the back (mine was 27"). Basically you will be making a rectangle of that size, adding whatever details you would like. I used cute ribbon as ties on the side. The picture above is the front of my cover.

 

And this is the back.  I used leftover fabric from other projects. I am so loving this combo of red, green, aqua and white.  I may not sew with any other colors from now on. :)

My Best Recipes

Can the cover of this cookbook be any cuter? I adore it's kitcshy vintage vibe, but what I love even more are the memories that this book holds. This cookbook was published in 1969 as a fundraiser for the Central Baptist Church in Jamestown, Rhode Island. I spent the first 9 years of my life there, and this cookbook holds memories of so many people who were a part of my childhood.

There are recipes contributed by my grandfather (who is no longer with us and who taught me to tie my shoes), my mom's aunt (one of my most favorite people ever), my 3rd grade teacher (who I adored) and several members of the small island community whose recipes have become favorites.

I have made this banana bread since I was 12 years old and my Mom first let me have free reign in the kitchen. It is so delicious, freezes well and it is a great way to use up those over ripe bananas that are lingering on your counter. Make sure you preheat your oven, and grease and flour your loaf pan (or use baking spray).

Your family will thank you.

Memorial Day Weekend Table Runner

  

This is my Memorial Day Weekend runner. I am not sure where the sudden desire to quilt came from, but once it started I headed to blogland and flickr for inspiration.

 I headed to the craftroom, and dug through my fabric and set to work. I am not sure if there is anything more satisfying than cutting lots of happy little squares of fabric. I love squares.
♥ Especially red, aqua and white squares.

 

I spent pleasurable afternoon making the quilt top. The next day I made the quilt sandwich, and started quilting.  I bought a walking foot for my sewing machine earlier in the week, and it made the quilting so much easier. I quilted over the next few days, and then set to work making the binding strip and sewing it on. I hand stitched the back of the binding, which I found strangely satisfying.

 

I am really happy with the finished runner.  I love my table. Flowers in a mason jar, and candle holders from Ikea. It makes me smile every time I walk into my dining room. I love when a project turns out exactly as you pictured it in your mind.

In the Summertime

 It's Memorial Day. I know it is Memorial Day, because along with flags flying, 

my peonies are in bloom!

This weekend has been totally laid back and relaxing. I spent time doing things I enjoyed, like

Planting.

The zinnia seeds have sprouted, and are ready to be planted.

 These still need to be planted. My pots are washed and ready to go,

but I need more potting soil :)

 Grilling.

Nothing better than burgers and hot dogs on the grill. YUM!

I have to admit that I cooked ribs in the crockpot today. Much easier.

One of the best parts of the weekend is hanging out with this cute little puppy ♥. 

I also spent some time this weekend quilting! Will share more later this week.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and thanks to all of the 

men and women who serve and protect our country, 

and to Becky, who provided all of the photos in today's post!

Rain Delay

These are the only things that are in bloom in my yard right now. My lilacs have come and gone, and I loved picking bunches of them to bring in the house. They smell divine! I was able to sneak outside to take a few pictures during the few minutes of sunshine we have experienced in northeast Ohio during the past few months. I have flats of flowers patiently waiting to be planted, and I can hardly wait to spend a day in the yard. I cannot wait for the "rain delay" to be over!

This the progress of my peony plants. They are usually spectacular over Memorial Day weekend, and I look forward to their blooms all winter long. BUT! What's with the ants? They are covered with them every year. I would love to bring some of the blooms indoors but that means that the ants come along with them. Are any of you peony experts? Is there anything I can do about the ants? Please help! :)