Sister's Choice Quilts

Ready To Rejoin the Living

What a week I had last week. But I got through it. Besides all my work deadlines, we had a home gardening marathon, Sara's birthday, and Mother's Day. Whew. I am sitting here bleary-eyed this morning, not sure how I will spend the day. Sewing? What's that? Not sure I remember where the sewing room is.

Sara's birthday was Friday, but we celebrated Thursday at dinner. Her menu was Shrimp and Grits and Chocolate Mousse for dessert. Everything turned out great. I hadn't made Mousse in years, but there is a great YouTube channel called Preppy Kitchen, which I tuned in to, and the host walked me through it. I definitely set aside my dieting aspirations and had a big serving, which was worth all the calories.

Spring has sprung. The temperatures have been in the high 80s, where it seems they will stay for a while. That is my new clematis blooming above. The blossoms are the size of my face!

On our big front porch,

there is a sunny section that isn't covered, so we created a little spot to sit and have morning coffee before it gets too hot. It will be so colorful once all these sun-loving flowers start to bloom.

On the back porch we planted hanging baskets and re-did our clay pots with new annuals. This is such a great spot to sit at the end of the day.

One flower that we planted everywhere does so well in our hot summer climate. It is called Calibrachoa (Million Bells) and is related to the petunia I think. The flowers look like tiny petunias anyway. It is a prolific bloomer and even comes back and does it again the following summer. Eventually, it gets root-bound and needs to be replaced, which was our situation this year. Lots of planting.

That's what I have to show for my week, plus a dozen written pieces on pool care and backyard trends for 2023. 

Hope your week was lovely and that the mom's out there had a lovely Mother's Day!

 

 

 

Lemon Crinkles: Best Cookies Ever

Well, our Tuesday baking project produced the best cookies ever.

A week ago, Eva's step-sister, who lives in Alaska, posted a photo on Instagram of some lemon cookies she made. Eva and I love all things lemon, so we decided we were going to give them a try the next time we baked. I found a recipe for Lemon Crinkle Cookies on Sally's Baking Addiction, a reliable recipe source I have used before.

These cookies came out great. They were melt-in-your-mouth soft, with loads of lemony flavor. I now have powdered sugar all over myself and the kitchen, but it was worth it. 

You do have to chill the dough for 3 hours prior to baking, which I did. I just mixed up the dough in the morning and Eva and I formed and baked the cookies when she got home from school. The recipe made three dozen or more, so we had some to share.

I am still plugging away at my writing assignments, so no sewing is happening. Hope your week got off to a great start. And here we are at Wednesday already. Where does the time go?

Summer Memories Week One Blocks

I'm kind of proud of myself for getting these blocks done last week. It was Week One of the Summer Memories sew along, from Susan Ache's book of the same name. Each week for five weeks we will be doing three or four basket blocks for a total of 16 total. Each of the 14" finished blocks is made up of four 6 1/2" small basket blocks. 

I won't lie, these blocks take time. 

Triangle papers are somewhat of a time saver. There is no drawing of diagonal lines or trimming down oversized half-square triangle units. You just sew on the paper, trim up the sections, tear off the papers, and press. Each large block has 28 2" half square triangles, so that was a total of 84 hsts for Week One's blocks.

The finished quilt should be pretty amazing. 

This week is going to be even busier for me at work, so I thought I should get myself all prepped and ready to sew. Cat's Cradle units are done and my hsts are ready to be stitched. Week Two's blocks are a different design, each with 32 half-square triangles (128 total), and I have FOUR large blocks to make rather than three.

I have ten writing assignments due by this Friday. Seriously. How in the world am I going to get that done? I will probably update you all at the end of the week that I haven't even set foot in my sewing room.  Wish me luck, won't you?

Triangle Paper

Do you use triangle papers to make your half-square triangles? I think they are great, particularly when you need to make a lot of hsts. This latest project I have embarked upon requires a slew of half-square triangles, and triangle papers have been recommended. They are a wonderful way to ensure accuracy and produce a large number of half-square triangles with a minimum of effort.

I have four varieties of half-square triangle papers that I have used over the years. All of them have umpteen size options for every size hst you could think of. The first to come to my attention, years ago, were "Thangles". These papers come in a strip that produces six half-square triangles. I like to use them when I have narrow strips of fabric because they fit nicely and use up bits that might otherwise not get used.

Kimberly Jolly of Fat Quarter Shop has her own brand of triangle paper called "Triangles On A Roll". I'm not crazy about having to cut out the amount I need from a large roll, but the quality of the paper is very good. It is thinner than other brands and tears off super easily.

Lisa Bonejean of Primitive Gatherings has her own brand of triangle paper, which comes in super tiny sizes. There is even be a 1/2" size half-square triangle paper, which is ridiculously tiny. Lisa is known for her very small blocks and these papers that produce accurate teeny tiny hsts are a real boon. These are what I reach for when the size of the hsts is less than 1 1/2 inch.

I think my favorite brand of triangle paper is the Star Singles papers by Spinning Star Designs. I've bought them for years from Shabby Fabrics. I was introduced to them by Paula Barnes of Red Crinoline Quilts. I took a class from her at a quilting retreat and she used them. I like the fact that the papers are square in shape and make good use of fabric scraps. You get 8 hsts from a square of paper. The paper is a bit thicker than Kimberly's Triangles On A Roll, but still tears off fairly well, especially if you use a small stitch length when sewing. 

In between writing assignments, I ran upstairs and sewed my triangle papers for the first three blocks of the Summer Memories sew-along. Now I just need to tear off those papers and press the units. Oh, and sew the twelve basket blocks together!

This week I have spent mostly sitting at my desk writing, with the space heater aimed at my legs. Glad I didn't pack away my cashmere sweaters yet. Our weather has turned very chilly and it has been grey and drizzly. Next week promises to be the same, so I don't know what happened to spring. I may be going back to my dad's house this coming weekend, so if you don't hear from me on Monday, that could be why.

What is your favorite method to make a lot of half-square triangles?

Have a great weekend and I hope it is Spring wherever you are! Or Fall for you gals Down Under.

 

Summer Memories SAL: Cat's Cradle Units

The Summer Memories sew-along started Monday, May 1. I have my fabric all prepped, but couldn't start until Tuesday of this week. You make the quilt top in a series of large blocks, each consisting of four basket blocks. There will be five different variations of basket blocks in the quilt top. There are a total of 20 large (14 1/2") blocks for the top. Check out the #summermemoriesqal link on Instagram to see some finished blocks.

Each basket block variation contains a Cat's Cradle unit at the base of the basket. These units are a pain to make because the traditional method requires you to use two bias triangles, which is always a challenge. I have a Creative Grids Cat's Cradle trim tool which simplifies construction and ensures accuracy. I am trimming the block up to size above. When you make the block according to the tool, you construct things very differently and end up with perfect units and no bias edges. Here's a video that shows the method.

For my Cat's Cradle unit, I had one more step. Instead of a solid red square, I needed a half-square triangle. I achieved that by the sew and flip method of adding a square and sewing on the diagonal over the red square.

I'll be making twelve basket blocks. Six red, six pink. My twelve Cat's Cradle units are all ready to go. I have a gazillion half-square triangles to make for the rest of the basket blocks. I am using triangle paper, so that should go fast.

I'll have to try and get those sewn up this week. I was away on Sunday and Monday helping my sisters sort out things at our dad's house. We emptied his closet and a big desk. You would not believe how dusty clothes get sitting year after year in a clothes closet! I also have a slew of writing deadlines this week and next. About a dozen articles to write, so I will be busy. 

Hope your week got off to a great start!

Borders Nearly Done on Opening Day

This project is very nearly complete! I am halfway finished with the border blocks. Just 12 or so more to go and this Opening Day quilt top will be DONE! The blocks look kind of haphazard on the border, keep in mind I just slapped them on the design wall, they aren't sewn together.

I will be thrilled to have finished this. Good grief I have been looking at the project box for going on 10 years I think. I think I started this quilt when I lived down in the Monterey area, and that's two houses ago. Oh well, Ben Franklin said, "Well done is better than well said". Very true. I can stop talking about this darn project and put it behind me.

More starching happened today. The weather has been glorious. I can spray starch a whole drying rack of fat quarters and they are dry and ready to go in about an hour. There is an upcoming sew-along that I have in mind and I want to be ready for the start date of May 1.

Fat Quarter Shop is hosting a sew-along called Summer Memories, based on a new book by Susan Ache. The quilt is done in red, light blue, and pink, and features a variety of basket blocks. Here is a link to the FQS intro to the project: Summer Memories Sew-Along

What do you think? Are you sewing along too? What summer sew-alongs have caught your eye this year? I do love a summer sewing project. For this one, I am sure there will be a specific FaceBook group for people to show their fabrics and blocks etc. That is always fun to see what other folks are doing.

When I was prepping my fabrics and sorting them into a project box (which I had to search for because I had none empty), I was very much agast at how many UFOs I have going on. It is rather appalling actually. When I think of all the money I spent on that fabric to make the quilts, I really need to start focusing on finishing things. Seriously, I have at least a dozen projects in the works. I know that must make some readers literally twitchy to imagine themselves in that predicament. I vow to try to be better.  

Pink and Aqua

Not much sewing happening. I did get myself out in the fresh air and starched some pretty pink and aqua fabrics. I may use them for the Vintage Kite block project. My gosh, those blocks take a ton of fabric. It says if you use one fabric for the background, you need 8 yards for a quilt that finishes at 72 inches square. That just seems wild.

The weather has suddenly turned into Spring here. I have been trying to walk several times a week, and have been enjoying seeing the lilac bushes and wisteria vines that have burst into bloom. The daffodils are done, but the dogwoods and redbud trees are putting on a show.

I've told you all that I have a job writing articles for pool and spa companies. Normally I write about pool chemicals or fiberglass vs vinyl liner pools, but lately, I have been getting more lifestyle posts, which are fun to write. My latest assignment was to write an article on throwing a great 4th of July barbecue party. I had to research grilling recipes and found one I just have to share. It's called Charred Corn Slaw, by the Memphis Wood Fire Grill Company. Oh my gosh, you grill a few ears of corn along with jalapeno peppers and mix them together with onion and some seasonings. Let the mixture cool until serving. Or serve it warm. Doesn't that sound heavenly? I'm definitely going to try that.

Hope you are all having a great week.

 

Slow But Steady

I am making slow but steady progress on the Opening Day quilt. I have finished the border of flying geese. There is one more border of pieced blocks, that should go quickly. These blocks are comprised of fairly large half-square triangles and solid squares and should be a snap to construct.

I sure would like to get this project off the design wall in order to finish up a couple of other projects!

My mind has been distracted lately with various personal issues, so my progress is comparable to the movement of a tectonic plate. I'll get through it. Everything gets resolved over time, right? And it could always be worse. 

On a good news front, I have been losing weight! Not that I needed to lose that much, but most of us would be happy to be at least 10 pounds thinner I think. I had put on a few pounds over the holidays, which seemed as if they would like to take up permanent residence. I got a super offer from Weight Watchers to join for three months for $11 per month. What the heck I thought. Well, their program is constantly changing, and seems to get more complicated every year. And I did not want to attend any meetings. I thought I could lose 15 pounds in three months doing it on my own, online, so I signed up.

The thing with Weight Watchers now, is that they use a "point" system, where you are allowed a certain number of points a day. I get 23. All foods are assigned a point value, and fruits and veggies are pretty much all zero points. In the past, I have found Weight Watchers recipes to be bland, uninspiring, and practically inedible. Nowadays, however, with their brilliant "app", many professional chefs are in putting their tasty, low-calorie, and low point recipes into the WW app system for everyone to look up, access, and make at home. We have enjoyed so many really (and I meant restaurant quality) good recipes lately that are Weight Watcher-endorsed and have an actual point value you can track. 

The down side to Weight Watchers is that they have made loads of changes lately, including closing a lot of their meet in person locations. So, if you like the experience of regular meetings with other people, you may be out of luck. That wasn't a big deal for me as I prefer going it alone.

Last night we had brown rice salmon bowls, with grilled salmon, brown rice, red onions, grated carrots, sliced cucumbers, and a dill yogurt sauce. 4 points.  Hello. Yes please. And in a month I have lost 10 pounds, even with a vacation!

Are any of you Weight Watchers out there? Are you eating well? Finding the program easy to stick to? I live for those Starkist Tuna packs with the already seasoned tuna. 0-2 points per pack, and they are good!  And only $1 at Walmart. 

Feel free to comment with your WW experiences, tips, and favorite meals!

Vintage Kite Block and Is It Time to Replace Your Sharps?

How cute is this block? It is called the Vintage Kite block and is made by foundation piecing. Fat Quarter Shop has been coming out with a series of foundation papers that are truly wonderful. They have Square in a Square block papers in several common sizes, which I love to use for that block because it is a tricky one. They also have all kinds of size options for half-square triangle blocks. Paper piecing is great for HSTs when you need to make a lot of them. But I digress.

This block was fairly time-consuming, as you must do it in four sections and then sew the quadrants together to make the block. I love how it turned out though and I will definitely make more of them. This block finishes at 6 inches.

The paper sheets come in a pad of 42. You would need at least two or three pads to make a quilt. Just try one pad and make a table runner and see how you like it!


Is it time to replace some of your "sharp" tools? We all know we need to replace our rotary cutter blades fairly often. You know it's time when your blade skips and won't cut through all your layers of fabric.

But did you know other sharp tools need to be replaced as well? Pins get dull or bent and should be replaced. I toss mine and replace with new ones once a year.

This may come as a shock, but you should be replacing your seam ripper fairly often as well. The business part of a seam ripper is a razor, and it dulls over time. I bet some of you have never replaced your seam ripper. Am I right? I have a drawer full of them that I have acquired over the past 10-15 years and have no idea which are the old ones and which are the new ones. I just dumped them all and bought three new Clover seam rippers. I have one on my cutting table, one next to my sewing machine, and a backup. If I ever went on quilting retreats or took classes anymore, I'd put one in my travel sewing kit for sure. 

I had to rip something last time I sewed and wow, the new seam ripper cut through the threads like nobody's business.

Thank you again for your kind words of comfort over losing our Ozzie. It really meant so much that he touched so many of you over the years! That dog was something else. Gosh, our house feels empty without him. My husband hardly knows what to do with himself early in the morning when he used to walk him around the neighborhood. Ozzie had an inner alarm clock I swear. He always knew when it was 5:30 and time for dinner, and he sure had us trained. Come 5:30 my husband and I are ready to go into the kitchen and fill the food bowls. I know it gets better over time, but whew, it is a sad adjustment for us.

 

Feeling Fragile

My husband and I are still feeling quite fragile over the loss of our Ozzie. He was an older dog, going on 16 years, but he was always so lively and healthy, his sudden demise took us quite by surprise. The evening before he passed away, we enjoyed a really nice family time with Sara and Eva. Ozzie had plenty of cuddles and ate a good supper. There was no sign that he was unwell.

In the morning we found him collapsed on the floor panting and in distress. We took him immediately to our veterinarian, a few minutes away. She said he was critically ill and she suspected his heart or some internal organ failure was the cause. She recommended that we put him down. 

Everywhere we look, we expect to see him. On the couch, in my favorite chair, on the porch in a patch of sunshine. And of course underfoot in the kitchen or anywhere else the family is occupied. 

This is going to be a huge adjustment for us to carry on without him. So many of you left the kindest comments and I appreciate it so very much. It is obvious that you have experienced the loss of a beloved pet yourselves and know the pain.

Please bear with me over the next little while as I find my way through this.