Classic and Vintage-Log Cabin

Good morning!  It's Fat Quarter Shop's Classic and Vintage day here at PamKittyVille, and its featuring one of my favorite classic blocks, the log cabin!  There's so much history with a log cabin block, and so many styles, even logs, uneven logs, light and dark sides, scrappy, thin logs, fat logs.. and lets don't even try and get into the log cabin variations. 

 

For a long time it's been one of my favorites, and I've made quite a few log cabin quilts.  You can see the one that I made with 1 1/4 inch logs for Alex's book here.. and one I did for a blog hop here,  and one I made for a swap here.

 

There area lot of different techniques for stitching up a log cabin block.  I like to cut each log the correct size, buy you can also use strips and cut as you go. And now you can use  a hybrid method that uses oversized logs and the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim tool.   Be sure and catch Kimberly's video over at the Fat Quarter Shop YouTube Channel where she shows you how to  use it! I think it looks like the perfect marriage of methods!

I turned my log cabin block into a little mat/potholder.  Ha, like I'd ever use it on a goopy pot!

 

I know you want to get sewing so you can download the block  pattern pdf here.  Fat Quarter Shop also has a pattern for the Hope Blooms Quilt, and you can by that pattern over here, it's a bargain!

 

Ok, hope you all have a fantastic week! xo

 

Monday

Good morning! How was your weekend?  Usual fare here- doing this and that and the other thing. Getting a coffee, going for a ride.  The weather was nice and we had the windows open most of the weekend!  I believe school starts around here today, so we'll see a pick up in the traffic  on our street, and there will be a lot more kids walking  past the house. The neighborhood will seem lively again!

 

 

I managed to get cutting.. this is part of a little project I have going, not to be revealed till sometime in September.  I but some old and new Pam Kitty fabrics, they're a cheerful lot.

 

 

One thing I really love  about blogs and instagram is all the wonderful photos of fabric and stuff and colors... I know I don't do a lot of that.  So when I looked up and saw that little tea bag holder I said what the heck.  So there you go.  I've upped my game. For one day.  Maybe I'll remember I have a lot of really cute things here and there, and I'll stop thinking about that cow Lori has. Because that cow haunts me.

 

Ok, lets go forth and conquer the week! Have a good one! xo

Mail Call

Hi there and Happy Thursday!  How is the week going ?  We are in the middle of a cooling trend, which to me is anything under 90 degrees...and I'm loving it. That 10 to 15 degree drop makes all the difference in the world. And like anyone who qualifies for a senior citizens discount, I want to talk about the weather. In the summer it's all about whether or not the fog came in through the (Golden) gate, is it a spare the air day and how hot will it be tomorrow?

 

But TODAY I can talk about some other things!   I received a surprise package from Elaine.  Back in June, Elaine won a give-away I had for the Pat Sloan Applique book.  I was happy that she was excited about it, and I shipped it off to her.  This week, I received this delightful package from Elaine as a thank you.  OHMYGOSH CAN YOU STAND IT?  Totally thoughtful, she remembered that I said my mother used a coin purse.. I don't even remember where I mentioned it, and she made a little coin purse for her.  Inside are two 100Grand candy bars which I think is the cutest thing ever to put  inside a purse.  My mom has a secret sweet tooth.. so she'll love them, and of course she's going to flip over the little purse. 

 

The sewing kit is wonderful. I have seen people making these on Instagram, and always coveted them.. and now I have one, make from my own Pam Kitty Garden fabrics.  It was such and out of the blue surprise, and so very thoughtful.  So again, Elaine, thank you so very very much.

 

Also in the mail another sweet surprise!  I saw Debbie work on this runner on Instagram and over on Facebook and loved it.  It's so cheerful and I love pears, the fruit to eat and the fruit in fabric form.  When I received a package from Debbie I was thinking hmm, what's this?  Feels squishy! 

 

Holy cow, I open it up and here's the pear runner! Debbie made it for me!!!! She used a lot of my favorite Pam Kitty prints and I'm thrilled with it.  So so cute and unexpected. Debbie is on a sewing and cross-stitching frenzy now that she's retired...when she isn't busy babysitting the darling Greyson!

 

I'm overwhelmed at my good fortune.  Seriously, I love love love my runner and my sewing kit! Debbie and Elaine you've spoiled me!  Again, I cannot even believe how kind people are to me.

Ok, hope you guys have  a super weekend!  xoxo

 

 

 

 

Note: according to Debbie's post on Instagram, the pattern for the runner is "Pears & Pinwheels" by Blueberry Hill Quilt Designs

Sewing kit information here!

Monday Monday

Greetings.. did you survive the weekend?  It was a scorcher here, Bret's car told him it was 109 on the way home from some errands yesterday. Rude.

 

Livermore is quite the wine lover's paradise, and there are large and small vineyards everywhere, this one in front of my (not-so) secret Starbucks parking lot.  I have been watching these grapes mature and actually stepped out and grabbed one to taste.  Sooo sweet.  The grapes love the sun.

 

So what all did you do this past weekend?  Just a lot of organizing around here.  I'm trying to get a bit of control on my sewing table.  I have a lot of in progress things with little cut pieces just waiting to get mixed up with other things.  In the meantime I have a lot of fun ideas of new things to make.  So I need to get a move on. 

 

Any big plans this week?  I hope to keep cool, get things put away, and then concentrated on putting my Snapshots rows together.  I notice Sherri was smart and already has her rows together. I know I'll feel more in control of things if I can do this too.  Unless I get sidetracked, which always happens.  Who knows.  Whatever I do it will be inside.. till the end of the week when it cools down a bit.

 

Ok, that's my update! Happy week, keep cool! xo

Snapshots Saturday: Month 8

Happy weekend peeps!  It's a Snapshots day here in PamKittyVille, and I'm ready here with my "Like Riding a Bike" block.  How cute right? I made this block while I was on my happy-go-lucky Utah vacation with Nanette, so it will always remind me off sitting in her sewing room chatting and sewing and having fun!  Just like bike riding, it's good for you to sew with your pals when you can!

You can check out the video for this block over at the Fat Quarter Shop you tube channel  and then download the pdf pattern here. 

 

Then pedal into your sewing room and get busy!  This block has a lot of pieces, so get out those Alphabitties to help you out.

 

And while you're at it, it would be great if you considered donating to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital..it's a great cause !

 

Ok, everyone!!! We're closing in on it! Have a happy weekend! xo

 

#fqsfun #fqssnapshots

TGIFGF!

Good morning! It's my Farm Girl Friday today!!! Thanks Lori, for inviting me along on your Farm Girl Sew Along.  When I paged through my Vintage Farm Girl book I fell head over heels for this cute Pie Cherry Quilt.  I just kept wishing I could see a picture of the whole quilt. I looked around online and then lo and behold when I was visiting Nanette I saw the REAL PIE CHERRY QUILT at Thimbles and Threads in Draper.    Don't you love Lori's version? 

 

I kept to her color recipe, using aqua and white backgrounds and aqua sashings.. and I think I have a nice mix of pink and red cherries. While I was making it I thought it would be fun to have red and yellow and pink cherries, Ranier cherries are so pretty too.  My favorites are the dark Bing cherries that are grown in our area here.  On my Utah vacation I collected up a bunch of aquas to use, and some white with aqua background prints, and then of course went to my stash of Pam Kitty Fabrics for the pinks, reds and greens. 

 

I also picked up  a couple of soft browns that wouldn't be too bold for the stems.  I like how they turned out. Just the right intensity I think.

 

All my sewing without lights resulted in some mismatchiness, but you know, honestly, I don't care.  I'm in love with how it turned out.  I was planning on using Lori's patchy borders, but now I think I'll use my aqua swirl print.. I'm just not quite sure yet.  So don't worry, this won't stay a UFO for long. 

 

Ok, did you make some Pie Cherries?  I can't wait to see all your blocks on Instagram!  The tags for this block is #piecherryblock #piecherryquilt #farmgirlfriday.  

 

Thanks for following along on my farm girl adventures! Come back tomorrow.. it's time for the Snapshots block for August!!! BICYCLE TIME! xo

Bird Brain

Happy Monday my fine feathered friends!  I hope you had a lovely weekend. I have birds on my mind, Friday afternoon we had a fun visitor to the backyard. Of course I didn't see from the backyard, but from the front pulling up after dinner out.  I was happy to see this little silhouette on the (unsightly) palm tree, a woodpecker or flicker.  Probably a juvenile Downey Woodpecker.. we've had those before.  Of course I whipped out my camera just to see if I could zoom in an really identify him, but I was way too far away, and by the time I went through the house he was gone.  I had another bird surprise last week.  One afternoon I was sewing and I could hear a huge racket by the local crows.  I mean I heard it inside over the a/c, my tv, my fan  and the sewing machine.  I went out back and saw probably 25 crows circling my neighbors oak tree, totally cheesed off at some kind of owl sitting there minding his own business.  By the time I reached for my binoculars he was gone..so no idea exactly what he was.  I recognized him by his silhouette.  He was probably a medium sized owl, brown.  Super fun.  It's been a long time since I've seen an owl in the neighborhood. Back in the day we had a pair barn owls living in our palm tree, and Frankie and I would lay in the hammock at night and watch for them to fly out of the tree like ghosts.  It really was breath taking. 

 

Also, aside from all the birds, I did some sewing.  Of course you'll have to wait and see if I did get those pie cherries sewn.. but not for long, August 14 is fast upon us.  So while we wait, I'll show you some of the fussy cutting that I did recently for Holly's project.  Yummy right? The colors make me think of sorbet or cupcakes or something delicious ... macarons.. I'm not sure what exactly but something refreshing and tasty.

 

I guess I have dessert on my mind.  Hope you have a great week friends!  I can't believe we're already in the second week of August.  Time just flies by sometimes.  We should make sure we enjoy it! xo

TGIVFGF*

Happy Friday my lovely friends!  I so appreciate that you stop by and read my posts and have a coffee with me! Or tea or diet coke, or water or wine.. whichever it is, I really do thank you!   I know the posting has been few and far between lately, so I am grateful for your faithful visits!

I'll tell you , I'm more than a little surprised it's Friday already.  This week is a blur punctuated by my biannual trip to the dentist.  I have gotten a lot of sewing done, all my pie cherries are ready, this is just a small sampling.  Since it's not a secret who's doing what block.. no point in not showing a few here and there, but not so many you just say ho hum Pam, we get it, you're making cherries. Get over yourself.

They're sure cute though, right?

Today there will be more sewing.  I'm getting back in the groove, slow but sure.  When it's warm out my sewing room is extra warm, even with a/c,  all the lights and the iron heat that room up.  I've been sewing with just the light of my machine and my  blocks really reflect that.. a lot of misses in the matching, but I'm really enjoying the process, so I'm just getting over it.  Compromise.  I am not going to beat myself up over it.. FOR NOW ANYWAY.  No telling how I'll feel later. 

I hope you have a good weekend everyone!  No idea what will go down here in PamKittyVille.. but it will for sure involve some coffee, some  L&O and some sewing.  Count on it. xo


*thank goodness its farm girl Friday! 

Monday

Good morning people!  Hope you're well! We're in a bit of a cool down, they're promising high 70s tomorrow so I'm starting to perk up a bit.  I know a lot of people have the same problems, I'm grateful it hasn't been worse and super grateful for air conditioning.   

 

Over the weekend I actually got some sewing done.  I am halfway through the blocks on for my #farmgirlfriday day, which is a relief!  But today I'm pulling out a bag of Sunrise Studio fabrics to work on a magazine quilt for Holly.  Super cute, and it's a fun change to work on  something fresh and new. The prints are so adorable, and the colors so cheerful.  They go perfect with Fog City Kitty and Pam Kitty fabrics in general.    That's on my agenda this week. Fingers crossed I can get it done and get it to the quilter so I can get back to my project. 

 

I was having my coffee and I grabbed my latest copy of Quilt Now over the weekend.  I love Katy's magazine, it's a fresh format and I like even the ads. Seriously what's not to love about the UK?

 

WHAT THE WHAT??? Much to my surprise I found this Richmond Clutch made from Pam Kitty Garden!  Designed by Katy Cameron, it's adorable!  What a treat, you know corny as it sounds, I always am so excited to see projects in Pam Kitty fabrics. Seriously, it's a total daymaker when I see it, I want to carry the magazine around and point it out to people at the market, who have no idea what I'm talking about.  I hope you'll head over to Katy's blog ( or her instagram here) and check it out.  She's making the Jen Kingwell Small World quilt and it's really wonderful.  Plus other super cool things, duh! Thanks Katy, for liking my fabric and making cool things with it!

 

Ok, that's it for now.  I'm feeling cheery and want to get a jump on the day.  More coffee!! xo

Work in Progress

Good morning my farm fresh friends!  How are you?   Its cooling off here in PamKittyVille and I've been prepping for some sewing.  I've collected my stash of reds pinks and greens, added in a couple of nice soft browns and I got to cutting. 

 

I have a whole separate tray for all the background pieces.. I can't wait to get on this.   My Farm Girl Friday is coming up fast! I love seeing all the blocks you all are making, there are going to be some pretty wonderful quilts soon!

 

Ok, as soon as I'm done with this coffee I'm starting on the iced tea!  Have a good  weekend  everyone! Happy #farmgirlfriday! xo

 

 

Thursday

Hi there!  How is your week going? We're in a bit of a cool down today, expecting only 99 after a day when the temps were at least 108.  Holy Pam Kitty on a spit!  I felt like I was roasting! I know that a lot of you had it worse, I'm talking to you Arizona.. but wow, we felt it yesterday. 

 

Earlier this week Bret and I went down the central coast to San Luis Obispo to celebrate our 30th Anniversary!  We had a great time hanging out, nothing fancy, just being away from the daily business of regular life you know?   Not going to lie there was some great weather there too, which made it even better.  We spent some time driving with the top down along the coast enjoying that feeling of being almost chilly! 

 

One of the crazy things we did on the spur of the moment was grab lunch at the Madonna Inn.  Its so pretty on the outside, and pretty crazy on the inside!!!  This is the only section that's pink, the rest just has pink trim in the front buildings.

 

The exterior of the remaining buildings is so wonderful.. Honestly, I'd love a house with those kinds of arches/pillars out front with shutters, wide  eaves.  It's so California Ranch to me.  And while the days of shake roofs are over for the most part, they're still my favorite. It was super fun.  If you want to kill some time be sure and head to the website and check out the rooms. And for some fun read about it here on Wikipedia.

We stayed at the Apple Farm Inn which is our favorite.  Much tamer for sure.  It's lovely, the grounds beautifully maintained and the atmosphere tranquil.

 

It was especially charming in the evening.  It was a relaxing time and we enjoyed it.  But of course it's always nice to be back home too. 

 

Hope the week is going well for you! xop

Monday

Happy Monday peoples!!!  We had a nice weather week, culminating in the most wonderfully breezy cool Sunday night perfect for clearing out all the old air in the house and letting in fresh air.  Just in time, we're heating back up again!  Thank goodness for air conditioning.

More things to cut on my table.. lots of pretty aqua, some Pam Kitty Garden and some friends there poised to go under the blade! I won't lie, I spent quite a bit of time searching for an illusive Annie's Farm Stand print that I knew I had. 

 

 

Thank goodness I found it before I lost my mind.  It's going to be perfect for this project. I love how my aquas blend in so nicely with other fabrics out there, like Lori's ... all friends should play well together don't you think?

 

What's on your agenda this week? Fun times?  I hope so. I see already kids are going back to school.  This summer seems like it's going by fast, and I have seen that some kids are all ready back in class.  My time isn't regulated by school anymore, but I still feel the schedule, it's like it never quite leaves you.. or is it just me?

 

Ok, well enough of that. Hope things are going well for you friends! xo

TGIF

Hi there friends!  How was your week?  I hope it was way more productive than mine.  Somehow my sewing mojo  has fled the scene.  I didn't get much done on any front this week, and I have no good excuses for it.

 

Yesterday I got the last of my Snapshots blocks  cut out. You know so many of the group of bloggers listed in this post are going to have their quilts done, and I want to have mine done too!  I got off to a great start and typical PKM style I fizzled, getting distracted.  I can't be the only one this happens to right?  Well if I am the only one, don't even tell me. 

 

Ok, I'm hoping I didn't put my mojo with my sewing ham, that would be a disaster. BECAUSE I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THAT.  I don't even need it anymore.. I just want to know where it is.

 

I know, nuts.

 

Happy weekend! xop

Mingle

Good morning! It's coffee out back this morning.  I've kind of gotten out of the habit , but the weather is so pleasant today, I'm treating myself.  Yesterday Amy sent me a message that she'd seen this new copy of Mingle and I might want to grab one up.

 

After dinner Bret and I hit all the stores with magazines in Livermore, then headed out to Dublin to the Barnes and Noble!!! At night! Yes, shocker, I left my house after dinner.  I couldn't wait to see this cute party layout.

 

Trina Lucido 's Luncheon Under Construction has some very cute Pam Kitty Morning fabric banners over her table!  You can read about it on her blog here. It's so exciting to see Pam Kitty fabric out in the world, like the real world, not our cozy quilting world!!! 

 

Ok, I need a coffee refill, then I'm heading back out to finish looking at this magazine!  Happy Thursday peeps!

Hi there!

Good morning! How was your weekend?  Holy cow people, I hardly believe it myself, but we took a spontaneous trip to Los Angeles this past weekend!  I was texting with my friend Dana Thursday night and she told me she was having a Quilt Bombing Party on Saturday in Griffith Park. So I forced her to invite me,  and Bret, Frankie and I drove down Friday.  We joined her and some friends at the Music Center for Dance Downtown.. got there right before it began, such perfect timing!  It was Bollywood dance lessons sponsored by Fox Home Entertainment's The Second Very Best Marigold Hotel.   WE HAD A BLAST!  The weather was perfect, cool with a nice breeze! 

 

After dancing we went to Phillipe The Original for some famous French dip sandwiches. It was super fun.  Saturday we woke up to RAIN RAIN RAIN. Like holy crap torrential rain!  But we didn't let that stop us from driving out to Ventura for trip to Superbuzzy!  That was fun! 

 

Driving home was a bit of a challenge.  Lots of standing water places.  Half the people driving like maniacs, half driving like scardy cats. But we enjoyed it none the less.

 

The quilt bombing was called for rain, so instead we had dinner at the Burger Lounge with Dana, then met up with Jen at Salt and Straw. We had a fun crazy laughing good time.

 

 

Sunday morning we had a date with Bob!  We ate a delicious breakfast and headed home. 

 

It was so spontaneous and fun. I can't even believe we did it.  But now we're all back to work.  Hope you have a great week! xo

 

Instagram Links for more photos:

PamKittyMorning

Jen-SunnyinCal

Frankie

 

Snapshots: Up Up and Away

Good morning! It's Fat Quarter Shop Snapshots day here! We're in the second half of the quilt now, and you know it's going to go fast from here on out! This month's block is a cute hot air balloon...  quick and easy to stitch up.  So steady your Olfa cutter and get out you Alpahbitties and download that pattern!

 

As usual you can head over to the Fat Quarter Channel on you tube and get the low down on making this block from Kimberly herself. 

 

WHAT??? You haven't started yet?  No time like the present!  Just head over to this Jolly Jabber blog post for all the links to the pdfs. And as a gentle reminder, we hope you'd consider donating $5 per month to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  It's a great cause to help kids.

 

Ok, can't wait to see all your blocks. Are you sewing along with us? Have fun!

Aurifil Monday

Happy Monday peoples! I hope things are going well on your side of the screen !  Have you been enjoying your summer?  The past week or so has been so nice weather wise.. window open weather, easy  breezes to bring fresh air inside.. really it's been  a godsend.  

 

Last week also brought some delicious treats in the mail from The Fat Quarter Shop.  Kimberly and her crew sent me three  of their new Exclusive Aurifil Thread Boxes,  the floss set in Tart, as well as the Patchwork set in Tart and Scone.   I love the Tart colors... so very Pam Kitty don't you think?

 

Scone, you might think, wouldn't be me, but look at the red and gold ... pretty perfect I'd say.  I think these will be perfect for an upcoming applique project, these colors will be perfect for blanket stitching don't you think?

 

Thank you, Kimberly, for sending me these boxes to test out.  I mean seriously, even the boxes are cute and I know I'll be putting them to good use.

 

Now just a quick note.. my short interview with Cheryl Arkison is up over at The Quilt Show.  I hope you will head over .. no kidding, I'm pretty lame but it's fun and Cheryl is so cool, check it out!

 

Alrighty then!  Have a super day peeps. xo

 

Monday

Hi there Happy Monday!  How was your holiday weekend?  I had a great one! The weekend is always more fun when Bret has an extra day off.  How did we spend it?  I'M NOT EVEN SURE! I think Lowes, the grocers, some basic errand running, probably a lunch out.  Pitiful I can't remember back that many days!

 

Brunch with Pat on Saturday was super fun. The food and the company was great, and of course it's always fun to see Pat's Patriotic Décor.    The weather was kind to us, a nice breeze and not too hot, till later in the day  anyway.

 

Cups, dishes, table linens decorations, flags, plants.. she's got it all, even her ice!! Its stars!  But seriously it's been super fun to be included for a lot of the years  but it  was the last brunch, Pat's hanging up her  apron and calling  it quits.  Sob.  End of an era! Thanks Pat, you're the best!

 

Bret and I went out in the evening and found a spot to catch the Alameda County Fair fireworks.  First time in a while they've had them, it was fun.  It was good weekend overall!

 

Now is time for some detective work.  My friend Sarah found these things out flea marketing.  For some reason I'm just crazy to know what they are. I've followed Sarah for years and she's always finding cool things but  this is driving me bonkers.  Maybe someone will recognize them.  So far no one knows for sure but we've got tons of guesses. 

 

Ok, big plans for the week?  I've got stuff to do and I better get busy.  Have a good one friends. xo

 

Sewcation

Hi there, Happy Friday!  I'm home from Utah and my sewcation.  I had a blast with Nanette, we went to a lot of great shops, did  some sewing and we hung out with her family.  It was pretty fantastic.  While I'm happy to be home with my people, I sure miss hanging out with her.  We even had lunch with Lori one day, and that was fun, no photos though, just trying to live in the moment.. but it makes for boring blog posts. 

 

 

We all love fabric, and I managed to score a lot of it while we were out.  I'm in love with the cute Elea Lutz Little Joys fabric.  I'm taste testing those prints, trying to decide what to make.  For sure I know Frankie would like some Christmas pillow cases.  Now to decide which prints and then order more yardage. Until then, HoardCity.   Also I'm loving Lori's garden text print, and I'm saving that with these aquas below for a little project.  I think they'll all mix up with Pam Kitty Garden and Fog City Kitty quite nicely.  I've got some of Tasha's new fabric too, super cute..  I love her toile prints and those strawberries.. precious. If I can't sew with friends I can sew with friends fabrics, right?  It's just about the same. 

 

 

Three day weekend for my peeps, so I'm sure that we'll be busy doing something, even if it's nothing!  What about you?  My friend Pat is having her last Fourth of July Brunch, so I'm excited to be there for the event.  If you've followed along with me for a while, you know Pat what a great time it is.  Now what to make! That's always hard for me.. deciding that.

 

Ok, happy weekend people!  Be safe in your celebrations!!! xo