ALL IN THE FAMILY

Java

Luke

Krawl (The Warrior King! LOL)

AND, of course, Chloe

HAPPY LABOR DAY

BURLAP & LACE TABLE RUNNER TUTORIAL

Supplies: (for a finished size of 16" x 48")

1 1/2 yards burlap, cut to 16" x length of table plus six inches  (I made my table runner for my dining room table which measured 16" wide by 48" long).
3 1/2 yards white lace
2 pkgs (3 yds. each) of 1/2 inch white double folded bias tape

Zigzag stitch, or serge all sides of the burlap runner.  This will stop any fraying and unraveling.   

 Lay the burlap runner on a flat surface.  Align lace to one side of the length of the runner. 

Position the edge of the burlap and lace into the fold of the bias tape, and pin in place.  Sew bias tape (with the burlap and lace sandwiched in place) approximately 1/8" from the inside edge of the bias tape.  Repeat process for other side (length) of the burlap runner.  

Please note that there is no lace placed on either ends of the runner.

 Trim the lace and bias tape to be flush with the end of the burlap runner.  Your done!

Its a simple, quick and cheap table runner perfect for any table top.

BUGGY BARN OUTDOOR QUILT SHOW 2013

One of my favorite quilt shops is just a short drive from my front door.  The Buggy Barn in Reardan, Washington.  It's a must see for any quilter.  They have a large variety of fabrics, samples and patterns. The Buggy Barn also designs fabric for Henry Glass Fabrics.  

Once a year, the Buggy Barn hosts an outdoor quilt show. This year it took place on August 24th & 25th, and I thought I would share a few of my photos from this year's extravaganza. Unfortunately, a big rain storm was in the forecast for Saturday evening, so they limited the amount of quilts on display. I wasn't disappointed, as there was still much to see!  

One corner from inside their main shop.

In order to handle the volume of customers, they set up a "temporary" shop to sell patterns, various bolts of fabric, quilt kits, and wool.

I was there on Sunday morning right after they opened and before the charter buses started arriving.  They also had several vendors set up in their large barn with various hand crafted goods for sale.

Even if you are unable to experience this unique quilt show, 

you can always take part in the action

by checking out their website (www.buggybarnquilts.com)

DILL PICKLE RELISH RECIPE

Take advantage of this years harvest.

Some of these...

...makes a batch of this.   Dill Pickle Relish

DILL PICKLE RELISH    (Makes 12 pints)

6 cups cucumbers (chopped)
2 cups red bell peppers (seeded and chopped)
2 cups onions (chopped)
2/3 cup pickling salt
6 cups water
4 cups cider vinegar
1 cup sugar (optional)
2 Tablespoons mustard seeds
1 teaspoon celery seeds
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 chili peppers (minced) (optional)
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill weed (or 1/3 cup dried dill weed)

Wash and chop (I pulsate mine in small batches in a food processor) the cucumbers, red bell peppers, onions and celery and place a extra large bowl.  Add pickling salt and water and let soak 3 hours. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water and drain well again (I squeeze out most of the remaining water with my hands).

Bring vinegar, sugar and remaining ingredients to a boil in a large pan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add drained, chopped vegetables, and return to a boil.  Reduce to simmer and continue (stirring occasionally) until the relish reaches the desired consistency -- about 15-30 minutes (this also depends on how much liquid you personally like in your relish).

Ladle into clean pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch head space.  Wipe jar lip clean. Close with hot caps (prepared per manufacturer recommendation), and process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Store in cool dry place.

NEWEST SIDE PROJECTS

I'm still plugging away on a quilt top I started earlier this year.  I've finished 34 blocks, and I have been contemplating on whether or not to make it bigger. The pattern I am following is for a lap quilt. However, one of the outer borders is made entirely out of flying geese.  There are all sewn and ready to assemble. If I make the quilt top bigger, I am going to have to make MORE flying geese.  I am NOT excited about making more flying geese. Here is a sneak peek...

I've lost my interest on working on this quilt top several times; and recently, I have thrown it aside and ventured into some smaller side projects.

With fall just around the corner, I have cut out and hand appliqueing a pumpkin table mat.  I've been working on this project while sitting on the couch watch television. (Sorry for the poor picture quality...I need to stop taking pictures with my phone).

Recently, while wasting valuable time searching Pinterest (which I absolutely love!!), I stumbled across a rustic (but pretty) table runner that I thought was really cute.  Of course, I pinned it and posted a "Like" on Facebook, for which my sister commented "This is cute, you can make me one, thankyouverymuch!"  Why not, I asked myself. Sew, I made my sister one, myself one, and I am making each of my children one.  What do you think?

EUROPEAN HIGHLIGHTS: Monte Carlo, Monaco

MONTE CARLO, MONACO

I was totally amazed by the beauty and cleanliness of this city.

View from the palace grounds

View from the palace grounds

Our ship:  Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam

Changing of the Guards @ the Prince's palace

Outside St. Nicholas Cathedral where Princess Grace was married and is buried.

Shopping the streets of Monte Carlo 

It was a common sight in Monte Carlo:  Luxury cars

And this would be my car if I lived in Monaco!

PERSONAL QUILT SHOP HOP

This past weekend, my little cousin Colleen got married to her best friend, Ian.  It was a beautiful outdoor vintage wedding.  I loved witnessing this joyous event, and I got to spend time with family who I haven't seen in years.  The wedding was held in northwestern Washington, and it is normally a six hour drive across the state (without hitting any of that retched Seattle traffic).

So, while on the west side, I decided to take advantage of stopping at a few quilt shops.

FIRST STOP:  Aunt Mary's Quilt Shop in Smokey Point, WA.

I arrived here shortly after they opened.  This is a really cute shop with lots of fabric choices, great displays, lots of quilt samples, and a large open class room. The owner was extremely friendly, and helpful. When I told her I was on my own mini-shop hop, she drug out a map and directed me to other neighboring shops that were open on a Sunday.

 NEXT STOP:  The Quiltmaker's Shoppe in Arlington, WA.

A quaint shop divided by several themed related rooms. At the entrance (besides the cash register and cutting table) you will find all their notions, embroidery kits, and the newest arrival of fabric. Through a doorway to the right, you will find the holiday themed fabric, racks of quilt books, an array of solid fabrics, and pre-cuts. In a small middle section of the shop, you would find a large selection of batiks (which I believe is their specialty). There were two back rooms. One room was devoted to novelty and children fabrics, and the very last room was devoted to their classroom.  The shop was alive with anxious customers purchasing their newest block-of-the-month.  It was a fun place to visit.

LAST STOP: Keepsake Cottage Fabrics in Bothell, WA.  I drove into the little village shopping area, and was pleased I choose this shop as my last stop.  This place was absolutely adorable and inviting.  Outside was all their sale fabric, and a sitting area to rest your tired feet (or patient men waiting on their female companions). Inside the shop were rows and rows of fabric --- almost overwhelming. The bolts of fabric were divided by designers and color themes. My brain was in overdrive that I forgot to take a picture of the inside of the store.

I spent at least a hour browsing the shelves and stacks of fabric bolts trying to find that "perfect" fabric. I took some time to look at most of their quilting books in hopes of finding a new project.  In the end, I only purchased a few yards of Moda's Glamping fabric (as I loved the line when I first saw it at Market).

As I left, I bid a farewell to the "Welcome Committee" outside their shop, and started driving back over the mountains towards home.  It was a very GREAT (world-wind) weekend full of Family, Fabric and Fun!!  

Here is a picture of my finished pillow case that I made out of fabric I purchased during my own personal quilt shop hop.