Home Sweet Home Sewing

 Hi friends! It's my day on Helen's Home Sweet Home Sewing book tour!!!  I'm so happy that Helen asked me to participate along with a group of really delightful makers.  So many inspiring  versions of projects from Helen's book.  I love her style, and her lovely photos on instagram are so charming, she's a happy follow. 

For my project, I chose the cherry zip pouch.  It's super cute and of course how I can I resist anything cherry?  I wanted to use my cute Atsuko Matsuyama cross stitch fabric  that I ordered from Sunny Day Supply.  (I maybe heard a rumor there could be more on order???) and I paired it with some  Amy Smart Sugarhouse Park cherries and Pat Sloan's Morrison Park for the leaves.  I topped it off with a cherry zipper pull from The Cherry Chick's etsy shop DecorativeSewingPins. 

 I was a bit worried, it's been a while since I installed a zipper in ANYTHING but it went in like a breeze.  Kristyne also made this little zip bag, making hers slightly larger to to accommodate her fancy cherry zipper from Sunny Day Supply.  I have one of those hoarded but was a little apprehensive, but now that I see how easy it is, well I'll be actually using it.  SHOCKING! 

 It was a lot of fun to make. Helen's book has great instructions and illustrations to help you through it all.  There are so many great projects, I had to give the patchwork bag a try as well.  I have a nice little collection of that pretty cording and was anxious to use it.  SO CUTE.  And even though I cheated and used my patchwork panel fabric, I think it turned out sweet.  Another great project in Helen's book.  

This new book by Helen is a great addition to my collection of Helen's books.  Thank you to Helen and Tuva Publishing for sending it to me.  I had so much fun making these two projects, and look forward to working on that cute Little Houses quilt on the cover.  So charming, and you all know how much I love machine applique.  If you want to see more of the projects you can follow the #homesweethomesewing hashtag on Instagram, lots of pretty makes there!  

Hope you are well friends! xop

Finishing

Hi there friends!  How are you?  I know some of your are having delicious fall weather (I'm talking about you Sigi.@LittleQuiltSong) , but here in PamKittyVille it's still warm.  We do have leaves falling off our fruitless mulberry, but those will continue to fall well into next year.  Our windows are still open at night and soon it will be 70s and 80s everyday well into November I'm sure.  Not a complaint, that's for sure.  Cool weather is so nice after a long hot summer.

A year or probably more ago I finished this small quilt top.  I am not even sure I posted this on Instagram, or here on the blog... but it was on a pile of small projects.  I fell in love with the quilt on the cover of Sheri's October Make it Mini quilt and pulled together some fabrics to make it.  

I broke from the pattern by adding some of my hoarded Lakehouse Sunrise Studios scallops on the border.  My corner execution is pretty bad, and I think that turned me off of finishing it, kind of disappointed in myself that I didn't pursue a more accurate finish.  I layered it and basted with the Quilter's Select Free Fuse that I've talked about before, I love that stuff.  It was still nice and basted when I picked it up again the other day.  (not sponsored I just love it)  I had set it aside at least a year ago.  One of a few small projects that was easy to pick up and finish when I had the urge to sew but didn't know what to make. 

Anyway I'll be ready when Valentine's Day comes around because I think it's a cute finish.  Sheri's patterns are nice to sew with and I enjoyed making it.  I'm not sure my dotty version is even close to as cute as her original, but its done and ready to go.  I would definitely make it again. 

Valentine's Day has some of the cutest decorations around, and I'm always happy to see the candies and cards and all the hearts pop up in stores after what seems like an endless Christmas decoration season.  I'm already seeing Christmas on IG and it's killing me. Valentine's Day is the OG palate cleanser of holidays in my (grouchy old lady) mind.  Plus who doesn't love pink and red and all those cute Valentines?  

So many of you are making things I want to tell you how much I enjoy seeing all your  projects on Instagram.  I don't always feel like sewing lately so your quilts and other projects are great to see and be inspired by.  There are other wonderful things I see, fall leaves, kids, gardens, it's all great.  I hope you're all well, staying safe and healthy!!! xop

Winner Winner

Was 'Winner Winner Chicken Dinner' a saying that you about forever?  I have to confess I had never heard it before blogging but it cracks me up each time I hear it.  (and also makes me want some kind of delicious old fashioned Sunday night chicken dinner.)  I looked it up and it originates, according to the internets, (so we know it's true!!!) from the Las Vegas Strip.  Weird! 

Anyway WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER FRIENDS!  Any excuse to use a picture of my kitchen chicken here.   I felt so clever when I thought about taking this picture.  That's what passes for entertainment these days here in PamKittyVille.

I had so many nice comments on my Morrison Park blog post, it was fun to see how many of you regularly watch Pat.  She's a positive force out in the world, I admire her attitude during her broken wrist  recovery.  I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to must that kind of positive outlook. 

Anyway you're not here for my Pamdemic Ramblings so I'll get to it.  The winner of the Morrison Park giveaway is Lana Stewart who said " I love all things Pam Kitty Morning including your Morrison Park table topper! Beautiful."

Lana, email me your address at rocketqltr@yahoo.com and your gift from Pat and Benartex will make it's way to you.  

Thanks everyone who stopped by and entered for a chance to win! 

It's that time of year.

 Hi friends! Thanks for all the comments on the Morrison Park post.  If you haven't entered, go back one post and leave a comment. I'll be picking a winner later in the week. 

Here in PamKittyVille it's been hot hot hot, only cooling down a smidge today.  It sure makes it hard to get into the whole fall sweater weather thing everyone has going.  I am not sure we'll be in  sweater weather until next month!   

Saw that fellow the other day.  Headed over to my favorite picture taking spot. Because I had Bret to help me, I was able to get a better full quilt shot.  I am pretty sure it's been just over a year since I started this quilt .  It was done for some time, but I put off having it quilted.  The quilt is by Margo at the Pattern Basket and it's called Boo!  So super cute.  I used the pastel solids because Frankie loves the pastel Halloween style.  The background and backing is the Riley Black black dot on white and the eyes and binding are their smallest black gingham on white.  I think it turned out cute and Frankie is quite happy about it.  

My fence options...at least the quilt obscures the dry grassy background.   We won't see green fields for quite a while, and only then if it's a wet winter.  (crossing my fingers for a rainy season)

The quilt was quilted by Darla from Wildflower Quilting.  She does a great job and I was lucky to get onto her schedule in time to get this back for October.  She's local to me so I dropped it off and picked it up social distance style!!  

It was very fun to sew, Margot's pattern was easy to follow and I admire all her clever design work.  The piecing isn't hard if you follow the instructions carefully.  I like that  her designs are full of cute details.  

Hope you are well friends! I'll be back later in the week to pick and announce the winner of Pat's prize.  I hope you take a moment to go check out the post and leave a comment!  xop 

Pat Sloan's Morrison Park Tour

Good morning friends! Today is my day on the Morrison Park fabric tour.  I was so exited when Pat asked me to sew along with her and a talented group of  friends online. 

!

You may remember when I posted this photo on Instagram, way back in June.  Morrison Park is such a nice collection of prints, and the colors are so vibrant. 

I took that pretty pile and turned it into this.  You may have noticed that the blue and green combos are very popular, have you seen Andy's pretty quilt?  I love it! Laura also had a wonderful quilt featuring all the prints and used a solid for a background, be sure and hop over and check out her post. 

I wanted to make something to using my Quiltmaker 100 Ties and Necklaces block from Volume 15 stitch up this 4 block quilt that's the perfect size for my dining room table.  We're here in the hot hot days of Indian summer so the blues and greens are so nice and cool.  (shh don't tell anyone I have leftovers to add to my stash!) 

Pat , Benartex and Aurifil have supplied some gifts for us, so if the winner is in the US there's a lovely layer cake and a Fat Quarterly magazine along with those cute Tropical Breeze charms.  

If the winner is outside the US there's a Perfect Little Box of Neutrals threads from Aurifil.  We all know how wonderful that thread is. 

So leave a comment friends and I'll pick a winner on October 10th!  

There's plenty of places to leave an entry, here's a list of all the participants.  You probably already are familiar with them, but maybe you'll find an inspiring new friend! 

Pat Sloan's Morrison Park Tour

September 28 - Cheryl Bricky Meadow Mist Designs

September 29 - Laura Pilan Slice of Pi Quilts

September 30 - Andy Knowlton A Bright Corner

October 1 - Amy Ellis Amy's Creative Side

October 2 - Yvonne Fuchs Quilting Jetgirl

October 3 - Pam Vieira-McGinnis Pam Kitty Morning

October 4 - Jen Shaffer Patterns by Jen

October 5 - Heather Valentine The Sewing Loft

October 6 - Annie Unrein By Annie

October 7 - Melissa Corry Happy Quilting Melissa

October 8 - Karen Pratt Cream Craft Goods

October 9 - Jane Davidson Quilt Jane

October 10 - Wendy Sheppard Ivory Springs

October 11 - Pat Sloan

Ok, that's all for me today friends. Leave a comment, and tell me if you follow Pat and any of these wonderful makers.  

Ranger Cookies

Hi friends!  The other day I posted on Instagram about the Ranger Cookies I made for Frankie.  They're one of her long time favorites.  Lots of people thought they sounded like Cowboy cookies too, same kind of thing. They both have some bit time Texas lore about them, cookies made for Texas Rangers or for Texan Cowboys.   Similar cookies really.  

My recipe was shared by Gloria Smith years ago when we worked together at Going to Pieces quilt shop.  They just seem a little better than your standard  oatmeal to me. Chewy with a bit of crunch from the corn flakes, just yummy.   So yummy I made a half a recipe for myself today because I gave all mine to Frankie to share with her friend.  Here's the recipe.  It's perfect for cutting in half if you don't want to have too many laying around to overeat, like me!  I made smaller cookies and ended up with 28 cookies. (but also maybe ate a couple of cookies worth of dough so who knows) In the past I have added chocolate chips or pecans, but today it seemed like some toffee chips would be delish. 

If you want to print this, download the pdf recipe card here!  If you print on cardstock you can cut it out, it should be a 4" x 6"  recipe card... crossing my fingers, it's been a while since I fired up photoshop for that kind of thing. 

In other exciting news I have a copy of Helen's new book Home Sweet Home Sewing from Tuva.  Helen invited me to sew along with a group of really wonderful people and I'm so honored.   

Helen's projects are always delightful  and her photography is amazing.  I love to see all the beauty of her garden.  Especially when things are so crispy hot here! 

Ok, that's it for me today!  Keep cool friends and make coffee. xop

Finally

Morning friends! How are you?  Are you doing ok?  I think about you and this space where we meet, but I just don't seem to manage to make it here.  But I do think about you and all the years we did meet regularly.  I miss it.   So I hope you are well.

I was surprised opening blogger to find a whole new interface!  Holy cow, it caught me by surprise, but I managed to figure it out.  I'm glad about it, because sometimes I feel like my figuring out days are behind me!  I haven't been sewing much and I see the last time I blogged it was about these cute little 'x' blocks from Heidi's blog. I managed to stitch them together finally and then layered and basted them over the weekend.  I love using Free Fuse, I know I've talked about it before.  I like it as an alternative to an adhesive spray.   

Anyway I even turned into a pillow and I think it turned out so cute.  It's the perfect size.. I think it's a 12" x 16" pillow form and it tucks in nice and tight which is how I like it.  

I have been spending a lot of time out back lately and I've befriended a little garden cat that comes to our backyard.  I  named him Orange Julius before I realized he's a she, so we just call her OJ.  We pretend to have tamed her, but I think she belongs to a neighbor.  Frankie took this cute picture of her.  

She comes in the morning to hang out with me when I water all my plants in pots and then comes back in the evening for a few pets before it's time to head home.  She's a fun addition to the garden, and I never know when I'll see her outback waiting for me to come out and pet her.

Not much else going on here friends.  Mostly we stay home, only heading out for groceries or necessities.  We're in a heat wave right now, so we stay inside, temps are in the 100s.. and I'm not a fan at all.  I enjoy seeing all your sewing projects on Instagram, and really love seeing all the pretty garden pictures from places with summer rain.  I hope you're doing well.  Time to go get another cup of coffee!!  xop

Cross that off my list!

How are you doing friends?  I know at this point I'm talking to myself, here in print, and in real life!  We are doing fine here in PamKittyVille, the weather is nice and we're getting a few items ticked off the list.  Restrictions are lifting bit by bit, nurseries are now open, so we took a little trip to Alden Lane Nursery They're just open a few days a week with limited hours and limited people. The first week it looked mobbed, long lines to get in, but by the second week it  calmed down so we went in and grabbed some flowers and supplies.  Nice that it's outdoors and very few people. I appreciate all the care that our local shops are taking to insure their employees and customers are safe. I see a lot of people on IG out and about, how are things in your area? Are you out and about? 

In the mean time back in April I posted an IG picture of a cute x-stitch block I made from a tutorial from Heidi over on her Fabric Mutt blog.  You should definitely check it out, you can find it here.  I really like that shape of it, and the size, it's a 2 inch finished block.  I made quite a few testing it, and the one thing that I didn't like about how my blocks turned out, was the way the corners looked.  Not all of my corners  landed in the center of the "x" and it really bugged me.  I tossed all my crappy blocks and moved on...but then Kristen posted her blocks on Instagram and hers all looked so good, so I was back on track to make some more. Do you follow Kristen and Heidi?  

Anyway I decided to order a 2 1/2" ruler.  Of course I didn't have one.  I could have made a plastic template or even a paper template but this just seemed way easier. And safer for me to trim my blocks with to be honest. And right away today I have the results I wanted.  Those points are right in the center of those pink "x"s and I'm thrilled with it.  Now I actually might make that adorable pillow.  

That's a long story about ordering a ruler.  Sorry.  That's how things are in a pandemic. Sometimes I'm excited about a little block and just have to share it. What are you excited about these days! 

Hope you're well !!!  I'll see you on Instagram!

Hidden in Plain Sight: A PamKittyMorning Story

Hi there friends, how are you?  Hangin in there?  We're still sheltering in place here in PamKittyVille, how about where you are?  I hope you're finding what you need at the store and some how getting through it all. We are doing ok, saw Frankie across her garage the other day, dropping stuff off and picking up stuff.  

When I first started this post LAST WEEK, I was about to begin searching for something in my house.  What a clever title.  I typed it in and I was feeling smug, thinking I would find it right off. I knew I had it,and double checked my blog posts to find a picture to make sure, and I was  convinced I knew right where it was. But like all smug prideful thoughts, I COULD NOT FIND IT.  I'm not going to go into the measures I went thru to find it either, as it took a while week for me to just give up (for now).  (temporarily)DEFEATED. 

But also I did manage to get some stuff done.  I made myself sit down and put these blocks together.  I really love the quilt, and while the contrast between lights and darks isn't great, I love how it turned out, even the big contrast red blocks.  I need to find a big chunk of batting around here and get it quilted.  I think I will do it myself, in a simple grid pattern.  The design lends itself to that that. No need to mark it.  

Another thing I did for fun last week was stitch up this cute teapot.  It's from Ayumi Mills Pink Penguin blog, you can find it here.  Here blog post shows how to make it with freezer paper piecing, and I tried kind of a hybrid version of that and paper piecing.  I should have taken the time to just use the freezer paper method as it would have been much easier.  I'm not getting any smarter with age I'm afraid.  I really love it though, it's quite a jaunty little block.  I was inspired by The Sunny Day Supply little tea cup cozy, you can see that on instagram here. Everything Ayumi and the SunnyDay girls make is so charming and inspiring.  I could look at their photos all day. Pretty photos really make me happy.  

While browsing around on Instagram's explore feature, I a saw the cutest cross stitch by NeedleWork Press.  You can find it on Facebook, it's a free pattern. Probably like a lot of you, I cross stitched A LOT before I got into quilting.  I loved it.  

Dug through all my old cross stitch supplies and found all the floss and and a piece of aida and started stitching today.  UGH.  MY EYES.  They just don't see like they used to.  That's how far I got before I just had to say uncle.  Even with my glasses it was a challenge and that's 14 count aida! Still it's such a charming little project, not to big, and I hope you take a peek at it over on their Facebook page or on Instagram. 

That's what I've been up to.  What about you? Hope you have some sunny weather to perk up the days.  I'm enjoying the backyard before it gets scorched by the sun.  We put the umbrellas out and cushion on the swing and it's delightful.  I'm headed out there to work on some binding.  Hope you're well.  xop

Monday

Morning friends, how are you? I think by now almost everyone is on a shelter in place protocol now right?  Are you doing ok?  I hope you have everything you need to get through it. I have lots of fabric and plenty of thread so I should be fine.  I hope you are too.  

I've managed the tiniest bit of sewing, I admire how much people are getting done.  I just don't have the attention span for it.  I finished my binding from last weeks post, just waiting for a nice day to find a place to grab a photo. 

Here are the blocks I have completed since we last met here over coffee.  Well coffee for me anyway! They're all cute blocks, trying to decide which ones to make is hard. 

One left, here's the layout of what I have made.  I love it all so far, and I'm thinking of something pink for the bottom corner.  Can't decide what, I have a wheelbarrow left, but I'm not sure if I want that to be pink.  There will be plenty of green once the 'lawn' strips go between the rows.  Oh well plenty of time to think about it.  I could move it all around and put the mole in the center!  I DON'T KNOW! Mostly I should chose something simple, because my brain and attention span aren't working at full power.  

Any plans for this week? Are you sewing a lot? Reading? Working in your yard?  We had some nice weather and I was able to go out and enjoy some sun.  I refilled my bird feeders, but I'm running  low on  seed , hoping to make it till the time I can shop again.  

All you people who are out there creating and decorating and gardening, I appreciate your Instagram photos so much.  They're so cheery.  

Stay safe friends.  I hope you are well.  xop

Monday, isn't it?

So how's it going friends? Just drinking coffee like it's any other Monday.  It's garbage day here in PamKittyVille and normally I get dressed early as my neighbor Ron and I  have a little friendly competition on who can put all the cans away first.  He used to just put my cans away before I could get to them and then it turned into a little friendly competition when I started to try and beat him to the cans.  The Garbage Games as we call it.  The past two weeks though I've just stayed in my pjs way too late to get even one can out of three.  Not intentionally, just lazy. Poor Ron must think I've given up.  

I cleared off my sewing table, not all the way but a bit, and made room to put some binding on.  I have a big bag of quilts I had quilted and I just need to get moving on it.  I have several bound and haven't even taken pictures yet.  I'm the worst.  But maybe that's a project for this week if the rain lets up.  Anyway I found this quilt that I had forgotten about at the bottom of the bag.  I made it several years ago during an American Patchwork and Quilting sew along, stitched it up at the retreat I went to. I made the mistake of looking through my flicker file and found that the top was finished in April 2016.  Its just one of a lot of finished quilt tops, I can't be the only one right?  The name of it is Easy Addition by the way.  Anyway I stitched the binding on it and I'm chugging away at the hand stitching.  It's big and seems very heavy.  I like it though even at the time I don't remember loving it.  It's got all the PKM whites in it and that's what I love the most.  

Trying to greet each day with optimism and gratitude.  I hope you are all doing well.  Keep your distance, wash your hands and be careful out there friends.  I'm thinking about you everyday. xop

More Sheltering In Place

Good morning friends, how are you?  I see so many more states joining in on the sheltering in place orders, and I hope you are doing ok with that.  I think (hope and pray) it works and we can flatten the curve.  I sometimes barely go out all week, maybe just the market, so it's not a huge change, but I do miss the smaller pleasures, like grabbing a Starbucks and going for a ride in the later afternoon on the weekend with Bret. Especially this time of year when the hills are green and there are signs of spring.  Of course I suppose we could still do that and I could make myself a cup of coffee at home, but I think you know what I mean.  

You probably follow along on IG already, so these are a rerun.  I've started working on the Ellis and Higgs Spring Garden Quilt blocks.   They're so cute.  When I was looking at the website just now to get the url for you, I saw the spring flower from last year's block and now I might have to get that too.  So cute.  

I don't know about you but lately concentrating is challenging and you can see from this  chonky red tulip I missed a step. These blocks are so easy to sew, don't get me wrong, it's all me, not the patterns.  But I have done a lot of seam ripping on almost everyone. 

I've really let my standards slip, photos from my phone.  Back in the day I would never have done that, but lately it's so easy, the path of least resistance.  Then when I come back here to my desk top they look so bleached out and over exposed.  Sorry friends.  I'm just so lazy now.  

The boot is such a cute design to me.  That little buckle detail is so clever.   Doesn't it just jazz up the boot? (Is that who  I am now? Some one who says 'jazz up'?  I guess so.)

Love the rabbit and how serendipitous the gingham placement was, looking like a little glimmer in that rabbit's eye.  

They're all so cute together don't you think?  It's such a cute group of blocks.  I was going to do the larger quilt but given my current level of concentration  I'll stick with the mini quilt.  I can quilt that myself.  More to go .... still have the garden tools and hmm, wheelbarrow, and maybe the mole.  

In other news, we started a new jigsaw puzzle.  We finished our colorful cat puzzle the other day and I had LUCKILY grabbed a couple before we were locked down so next up is a mostly brown Baby Yoda puzzle.  It's going to be a challenge even though the piece count is low.  We need the slightly larger pieces so we see them with our bifocals.  Talk about old people problems! 

Ok, time to let you go.  Thanks for stopping in for coffee with me.  The blog has always been a nice place for me, and everyone has always been so kind.  I hope you are well, keeping a good distance from others and staying safe. Thanks to all of you out there working those necessary jobs in the public, I know we all appreciate it so much.   xop

Classic & Vintage:Carolina Lily

And now for something more normal....

Hi there friends!  Today is Classic and Vintage day here on the blog.  It's one of my favorite projects to do with Fat Quarter Shop.  They take a classic block and make it in a new modern way and I am here for it!!

The Carolina Lily block is one I made when I first started quilting.  At the time I made it the classic traditional way with diamonds and set in seams. That was many many years ago, but Doris, my mother-in-law still displays it at Christmastime.  This updated version is a lot and I mean A LOT easier to make, even considering the applique.

I chose some of Amy Smart's SugarHouse Park, I wanted a nice rich red for the block, going with a traditional colorway. 

The applique on this block uses a 1/2" bias tape maker, but the strip width makes it easy to fold the raw edges to the center and press.   I used monofilament thread with the invisible machine applique technique I learned back in the day, I'm vintage like that. 

I hope you click over to the Jolly Jabber blog and read all about the Carolina Lily block.  And of course I hope you give it a try!  Thanks for checking in with me! xop

Another Shelter In Place Morning

Good morning friends, how are you? I'm up drinking coffee as usual.  Curious of your daily routines and how things are going for you.  Here in California and I know  so far in NY and IL, there are mandatory shelter in place rules.  Are you doing ok? I sure hope so. 

 

Our schedule is more relaxed these days, which is fine.  About three quarters of the time I get up at my normal time and then the oddball days I sleep in.  Weird, I always feel like I've wasted a chunk of the day even though I would have just been watching the news.

 

I haven't done a ton of sewing, I just can't seem to concentrate but hopefully this week will be better.  I went to the grocery store on Saturday and there was more on the shelf than I have seen in a couple of weeks, so I feel a little better about being able to feed Bret and acquire groceries for my mother-in-law.  Miss seeing Frankie, seems like she just got here and now we're quarantined from her, but it makes sense to keep the distance so we have another person who can find things for us if we need it. 

 

I hope you are all well and keeping a safe social distance from friends and neighbors. I'm hoping we can  keep the pace of the virus slowed with our efforts.  Love you guys. xop