Strawberries...yummy!

Just a sampling of our local strawberries... And they are as good as they look!

Projects Revisited...

I've been working on some projects that have been around for awhile.

Here's one of them,  "Judie's Four Patch by Judie Rothermel, started around 2008. It's been in the closet.

I have 55 four-patch blocks out of 80 done... this is how it goes together.

This is all hand-pieced.

Hopefully, I'll get this done before the end of the year !!

Hugs,
Elaine

HUGE Waves at the Beach

Amazing day at the beach...

Just take a look!

And another...

High winds and a storm ...

Totally amazing to see the power of the sea...

What a great way to spend the morning!

Hugs,
Elaine

Another Gorgeous Day at the Beach

Latte & Quiche + Gorgeous Weather + a Little Stitching = Life Is Good

Enjoying the morning at Joe Momma's in Avila Beach...

Log Cabin IPhone!

My IPhone is now "stylin"... dressed by Case-Mate in a Log Cabin quilt design!

What could be more perfect for a quilter?

I just love it!

Hugs,

Elaine

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to .... (insert drum roll)

Caron Mosey - Michigan Quilts

 who said...

I love Jennifer Chiaverini's books and look forward to reading Sonoma Rose. Looking forward to your giveaway!

February 22, 2012 3:08 AM

You are the WINNER of my "Sonoma Rose" book give-a-way sponsored by Dutton Publishing!

***Please send me your mailing address to be forwarded to Liza Cassity, Publicist at Dutton/Penguin Group***

Congratulations Caron!!

And a HUGE thank you to Dutton Publishing for sponsoring this give-a-way!

Hugs,

Elaine

"Sonoma Rose" Review and Give-A-Way

I'm very impressed with Jennifer Chiaverini's new novel, "Sonoma Rose". It is the story of Rosa Diaz Barclay who was first introduced in " The Quilter's Homecoming".

As stated by Jennifer in her press release "SONOMA ROSE picks up at the climax of The Quilter's Homecoming (2007), when Rosa Diaz Barclay flees from her abusive husband with her four children and her childhood sweetheart, Lars Jorgensen. On the run from her husband, his mob associates, and the federal agents investigating his crimes, Rosa and Lars make their way north—first to San Francisco where they seek medical care for two of the children, who suffer from a mysterious ailment that has already claimed the lives of four of their brothers and sisters, and then on to Sonoma County, where they find sanctuary at a vineyard and winery struggling to stay afloat despite the constraints of Prohibition."

"Sonoma Rose" features two quilts , "Road to Triumph Ranch" and "Arboles Valley Star". These are included among the few belongings that Rosa takes when she flees from her husband. They are cherished by Rosa as they represent a reminder of her heritage and family.

The novel is very well written, the characters are strong and well developed. You are immediately drawn into the relationship between Rosa and her husband, so much so that you are rooting for Rosa from the very beginning as well as the welfare of her children. As I read, I could see her strength and courage develop.

"Sonoma Rose" was a very good novel, one I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy a blend of history and fiction.

I hope you all have a chance to read "Sonoma Rose"... I'm sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did!

And now for the "Sonoma Rose" Give-A-Way...

I am very excited to offer you this give-a-way, sponsored by Dutton Publishing.  If you are the winner, your e-mail and mailing address will be forwarded to Dutton as your copy of 'Sonoma Rose will be sent to you directly from the publication department!

Please leave your comment on this post to be entered in the drawing.  I have deleted the word verification to make it easier to leave comments.

Last day to enter this give-a-way will be next Tuesday, February 28th at midnight. Winner will be drawn by the Random Number Generator and posted on Leap Day, February 29th!

Good Luck... and a HUGE thank you to Dutton Publishing for making this give-a-way possible!

Hugs,

Elaine

Blogging On The Go!

This is a test post...

I just uploaded this new app on my IPhone for blogging wherever you are.

Have you tried this yet??

I'll see how it works ...

Hope you all have a great day stitching!

Hugs,
Elaine

"Sonoma Rose" Reveiw and Give-A-Way

Jennifer Chiaverini's new novel, "Sonoma Rose",  is set to be released tomorrow February 21st.

I will be posting a book review and give-a-way, sponsored by the publishers at Dutton, tomorrow as well.

Stay tuned ... you won't want to miss this one!

My Little Hexagons

Progress report on my hexagons ... a little slow but I really am enjoying the hand sewing!

I finally have enough hexagon flowers that I can now start putting a few together. And more hexagons are prepped and ready ... I just have to find the time!

Sew many projects and just not enough time in a day ... do you ever find that you are boggled down on which project to work on? Or maybe I just have way too many projects to work on at the same time! And to be perfectly honest, some days I get so overwhelmed I find that the day is gone before I really get anything accomplished. I guess I just need to buckle down, make a list and prioritize!

So today,  I'm going to make it a "over with and done" day. I'm attaching myself to my sewing machine and finishing up a quilt top that needs to be ready on Tuesday for a "Jo's Little Women's Club"  meeting at my LQS.

And then I'll work on my hexagons ... now that sounds like a great plan!

Hope you all have a great day stitching!

Hugs,
Elaine

Headed For Afghanistan - Pillowcase Prayers

Pillowcases for our servicemen...

May they rest their heads on theses pillowcases and know that our prayers for safety
and thankfulness follow them through their days..


Hugs,

Elaine

My Lovely Valentine

My DH and I went to Steamer's in Pismo Beach for lunch on Saturday to celebrate Valentine's Day!  It was a cold and overcast day at the beach but the company was perfect and the conversation delightful!

It was wonderful!
On Valentine's Day, Jim gave me a card (lovely!), flowers (tulips are my favorite!) and See's Peanut Brittle candy (love peanut brittle and since it's sugar free I can still enjoy a piece or two!)

And then Jim gave me a new Willow Tree figurine, "The Quilt"!

 I made a special dinner that included shrimp cocktail, steak and chocolate covered strawberries. Here's a photo of the remaining strawberries... Jim loves it when I make these!

It was a perfect Valentine's Day ...

Life is good!

Hugs,
Elaine

Opps I Bought Two Give-A-Way WINNER

    Time to announce the WINNER of my "Opps I Bought Two" Give-A-Way...

    **  Insert Drum Roll Please **

           And the WINNER is : Sandie @Crazy'boutquilts

                                                    

There were lots of good suggestions concerning organizing and tracking your quilt books and magazines.  Several apps were mentioned for the IPhone  ... I will be checking those out as that would be the most convenient. I "rarely" leave home without my phone!

Other great suggestions: 

Keeping an address book and listing all your books under author's name

Using a small 4 x 6 photo album and inserting index cards with author and book title/technique

Computer spread sheet 

I hope that I can start applying these suggestions and avoid buying multiple copies of books and magazines in the future!

And I have to tell you that I really appreciated hearing that I wasn't the only one in Quiltland who has trouble keeping track..

Thank you to all of you who participated in my give-a-way! And congratulations to Sandie!!!

Hugs,

Elaine

PS: Sandie - Please send me your mailing address so I can mail your "new" book and fabric!

"Sonoma Rose" Upcoming Review and Give-A-Way!

WOO HOO!
I was asked by Liza Cassity, publicist for Dutton Publishing, if I would like to write a review and host a give-a-way of Jennifer Chiaverini's new novel, "Sonoma Rose".

Of course, I said YES!

Today, I received my advanced copy.

I am very honored and excited to be asked to do a review and offer a give-a-way of Jennifer's new book on my blog.I have read all of her books and look forward to reading "Sonoma Rose".

Stay tuned...my review and give-a-way will be posted before "Sonoma Rose" is released on February 21st.

Exciting isn't it??

Hugs,
Elaine

PS: My "Opps I Bought Two Give-A-Way" ends this evening at midnight. I will announce the lucky winner on Valentine's Day, February 14th.

Opps I Bought Two Give-A-Way

Does this ever happen to you...buying another copy of a great book or magazine only to find out that you have ALREADY purchased it and it's in your sewing room??

Well, this has happened to me ( maybe more than once or twice to be perfectly honest) and instead of berating myself for the dual purchase (again) I decided to turn a negative into a positive and offer a give-a-way!

The book is Jo Morton's new "Prairie Flowers Encore"...

And to sweeten the give-a-way I'm also including in a bundle of ten fat quarters from Jo's "Carolina" collection for Andover Fabrics...blacks and cheddars.

To enter the give-a-way, PLEASE tell me how you keep from buying multiple copies. Do you have a system to remind you of the books already in your quilting library? I would love to hear from you on this topic!

The winner will be chosen by the Random Number Generator and announced on Valentine's Day, February 14th. Please include your e-mail address so I have some way of contacting you if you are the lucky recepient!

Thank you for your help...it is greatly appreciated not only by me but my DH as well!

Good Luck!

Hugs,
Elaine

Temecula Quilt Company

During the week of Road 2 California in Ontario, California I was fortunate enough to visit Temecula Quilt Company (www.temeculaquiltco.com/) not once but twice!

I was in "quilter's heaven" as they specialize in reproduction fabrics...my absolute favorite!

Every corner and nook had another "quilty" display  to capture your imagination and creativity. In fact, in going around the store several times, I would see something that I didn't see the first time around. Now that's amazing!

Here are some pictures of Temecula Quilt Company, taken with permission from the owner Sheryl Johnson.
Such a great way to display quilts!

Even a "Dear Jane"...

Cute mini quilts using Jo Morton fabrics from Andover...

Scrappy quilts and applique...

Red and White quilts...

Pillow projects with houses...

Wool appliques...

Signature quilts...

Quilts everywhere... (sorry about photo quality...I was dizzy with so many wonderful things to see)

And more Jo...!

If you are ever in or even near Temecula be sure and take a some time to visit a fabulous shop...just take the Temecula Parkway exit (CA-79) and turn left. Keep going about 4 miles...it's on the right!

You're going to have a GREAT time!

Hugs,
Elaine

PS: No afflication to Temecula Quilt Co. or staff

It's been A Long Time...

Many months have gone by without a post ... I've been dealing with some major lifestyle changes..all health related. Hopefully, with the aid of an insulin pump my "issues" with low to high blood glucose will be resolved!

In the meantime, I've been to Victoria, British Columbia for a holiday vacation during the week of Thanksgiving. We stayed at the Empress Hotel and were throughly spoiled ... in fact we could have stayed there forever! It was a truly wonderful holiday!

My birthday came and went ... I reached another milestone year! My amazing DH gave me a birthday party at one of the local Mexican restaurants and during our trip to British Columbia gave me a gorgeous stand of pearls! I am so blessed to have such a caring and thoughtful husband. Life is good even with health issues!

I also attended Road 2 California Quilt Convention this month.

I was very blessed to be able to take four days of quilt classes with Jo Morton and one with Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings. Friends from Oklahoma flew in for the quilt show and we were able to take a side trip down to Temecula to visit Temecula Quilt Company, The Wool Lady and Quilter's Coop. Good times!

My class with Lisa Bongean was a wool appliqué class, "House On A Hill" table runner.

Here are some pictures from my quilt classes with Jo...

 Rachel's Reel

 Another view of Rachel's Reel

Rebecca's Baskets

Starry Night (Log Cabin)

Sorry, I don't have a picture of "Somewhere In time"... I must have been chatting with my friends, Jane and Joan!

That's about it for now... hopefully I can be more diligent with posting.

Hugs,

Elaine

2012 Christmas Ornament Exchange

Here is my Christmas ornament that I made for the Jo Morton Stitcher's exchange.

I used 5/8 inch hexagon papers purchased from  www.paperpieces.com. The back is identical to the front. I embroidered beads to the center fabric following the printed design of the fabric. After completing all the hexagons I then whip-stitched them together to make the "flower".

I whip-stitched the back to the front, stuffed it and then attached the bells and thread for hanging.

The pincushion is made using an antique salt cellar and the decorative pin is made from assorted beads.

I sure hope my exchange partner likes it!

Hope you all have a great day stitching...

Hugs,

Elaine at the beach

Airplanes for Baby William

Brent and Tonya decorated the nursery in red, white and blue with an airplane theme. Brent's father was a pilot for American Airlines and a model plane buff. So it was to be an airplane quilt for Baby WIlliam.

I finished the quilt Thursday night, to be shipped out for machine quilting by Jo Richards of "Spotted Dog Quilting". And Baby William was born Friday morning, October 21st at 9:11, the same time I was shipping out the quilt!  A little early (6 weeks)  but weighed in at 5 pounds, 15 ounces. Great weight for a preemie and he's beautiful!

The quilt was made using Jo Morton Fabrics and the airplane block is "Lucky Lindy" created after Charles Lindbergh's nonstop solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927.

We are so happy for Brent and Tonya ... William Anthony, God's blessing to you!

Life is Good!

Hugs,

Elaine

The BIG Reveal in Tennessee

Will it be a boy or girl??

We were invited to Tennessee for a "Revealing" party for our good friends, Brent and Tonya, who are pregnant with their first child. They are a special couple to us and we decided we should be their for this monumental occasion. Both Jim and I were in their wedding 4 years ago, we consider them part of our family.

Of course, Tonya's OB doctor knew if it was a boy or girl. Then the results were given to the baker who was going to make the cupcakes, one of which would have the pink or blue filling in the center to designate boy or girl. The cupcakes were put together to make it "look" like a sheet cake. Here's a picture of Tonya getting ready to hand out the cupcakes.

We all waited until they were all given out, 42 cupcakes, and then we all bit into them at the same time. Amazingly enough Tonya got the one with the "special" center...and it was BLUE!

Brent and Tonya will be having a boy this coming December! What a wonderful blessing for them, we are so happy. And of course they would have been just as happy if they were to have a girl too!

Brent and Tonya...we were so blessed to be there with you for this special day!

Life is good!

Hugs,

Elaine

YIKES!

WOW...It's been over 3 months since I've posted! I can't believe so much time has gone by...

Anyway, lots has happened. I went on retreat in June to Nebraska City, we moved to the beach, I was diagnosed with Diabetes Combo Type I and Type II  and then we went to Nashville, Tennessee for a "revealing" party for special friends of ours who are pregnant with their first child. The "revealing" party is for everyone to find out if they are having a boy or girl...more on this later. Oh, and then there was the patriotic churn dash exchange on the Jo Morton Stitchers yahoo group! 

Yes, it's been a very busy and frantic 3 months in my life!

Thank you for staying with me over this time. I have so much to write about so please check back soon!

Hugs,

Elaine at the Beach

Liberty Quilt Retreat "Show and Tell" Part 2

As promised here is the second installment of "Show and Tell" from the Liberty Quilt Retreat this month in Nebraska City, Nebraska with Jo Morton.

The quilts shared were gorgeous...enjoy!

Courthouse Steps ... Jo's Little Women's Club Part 10

Churn Dash ... Jo Little women's Club Part 1

Autumn Cross Variation ... Jo's Little Women's CLub 9

 Churn Dash ... Jo's Little Club Part 1

The fabrics and colors were so rich!

Jane/OK used Jo's "Bird Chintz" fabric for her center...absolutely gorgeous!

Diane's version of "Wish Upon A Star"... fabulous LeMoyne stars!

Another of Diane's beautiful quilts!

Sew much creativity in these quilts ... and all so gorgeous!

I hope that you are enjoying my memories of a wonderful weekend filled with quilting, laughter, friends and good food... what could be better?

Stay tuned, I still have more to share with you from the Liberty Quilt Retreat!

Life is good...

Hugs,

Elaine
PS: Please excuse that chair in a number of my photographs ... you think I could have moved it!