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HELP Connecting Threads Quilting Fabric Question

Has anyone ever used Connecting Threads.com? I received a catalog and the fabric is pretty and prices are good. Any comments are helpful-

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Connecting Threads

Big Choices!

Like every quilter I am already planning my next project before I even have all the fabric cut for my current one-or finished the actual quilting for the pieced project I just finished (LOL). I have BIG Choices now, although I know which way I am leaning.

I will be making the smaller quilt with the pinwheels but not in the polka dot fabric. I have a bunch of 1930s fat quarters so I picked five in blue, red and a splash of yellow. You can see there is no border between the pinwheels and the center full piece so I went on a fabric search.

I have my choice of this 1930s fabric with the fruit that would be perfect for the colors and the style. The drawback is that it is as bold as the pinwheels. Is it too much? I have many other projects I can use this for in case it doesn't work out here.

Or, I have this fabric that fits the quilt pattern suggestions of a larger print; however, it is a lighter blue with flowers. It's not from the same 1930s line. A couple of people at the store liked it but I'm on the fence. Again, I can use this with lots of other things if not used here.

I'm not sure which one would look better. I think I'll make the pinwheels and then line them up on the different fabrics to see what works better. Then choose the borders.

If anyone has suggestions, let me know!

Did You Ever Make A Dumb Cut?

Did you ever do this? Line up your fabric on the ONE INCH line rather than ZERO? Then cut an eight inch piece only to discover it's really 7 inches? I KNOW I might do this and I usually have a small ruler handy just to double check- but I didn't double check this time.

Do I buy three more fat quarters and start over? Maybe. Can I patch the same material together? No, it would be obvious if i did this. So what do I do?

It's a patchwork quilt, a smaller one where you can select either lights and darks of the same color family or six different fat quarters. I just might get by with piecing contrasting fabric from the other rectangles that are scrap within the fabric selection. I'll have to see how the pattern plays out before I start sewing.

The body of this pattern uses six fat quarters. You then take a layer of three fat quarters and cut two pieces, both 8 X 22. Do this to the other three fat Qs and you then have four strips. You take each of those layered strips and cut three 8 X 5 1/2 rectangles, leaving a little scrap. I cut one of the (8 X 22) strips (7 X 22) in error but this results in 9 rectangles that need to be pieced.

The worst thing that happens is I replace the three fat quarters, not such a big deal but I hope they still have them. The best thing is that I give this quilt my own little twist. Let's hope it works out ok!

A Year of Skies

The last skies of 2011. It's December in the Midwest, typically a time for sweaters and caps, boot and gloves; however, we've been given a reprieve, a day or two where we can get by with a sweatshirt or light jacket.

The sun peeks out from behind the clouds highlighting tree tops amid a darkened sky. It's a good day for stray cats who will relax on front porch chairs waiting for someone to give their chins a scratch. Like us, do they remember the warm days of summer?

Perhaps floating the river on cloudless summer days?

Or the stormy spring clouds ushering in lightening and strong winds.

Perhaps the dark green tumbling clouds disguising rain encased tornados- Robertsville one year ago- New Year's Eve 2010.

December 30: The sun sets, silhouetting the trees that overlook the valley

and rises on the last day of 2011.

May 2012 be happy and prosperous for you and yours.

About the Hand Washer Plunger

I received a comment asking about the hand washer plunger I received for Christmas from my daughter. I had directed her to a fellow blogger's site Live Ready Now where they discussed the benefits of the washer. Please follow the link to see the article. There is a hyperlink in her blog that will take you to the Amazon site where you can purchase them. That site will link you to the product information (return to product information) it will then direct you to the Emergency Essentials website.

I know that seems like a lot of links but while the blogger does not directly sell the product, I believe they receive some sort of credit for it coming through their blog. I'm a great believer of helping each other so please take the time to view this. If they really don't receive anything from it then you receive the benefit of being introduced to a nice blog and can follow this family through their transition to a tiny, off grid home.

Although we are not off grid and have a nice washing machine in the basement, this will be a wonderful tool for those things you might not want to put in your washer (think of muddy jeans or animal blankets). Maybe you would take it camping or to use during a power outage. I can't wait for Taylor to try it out, the kids will think it's quite a game! I'll actually post some photos when we can try it out after company leaves.

Please take a look around her blog and check out the plunger and other products they have purchased to be more self sufficient.

Christmas Purchases- Quilt Stuff

I had a big decision yesterday, what should I do? I had a coupon for 10 fat quarters for $15 but it was good only for a couple of days, and my quilt shop is open late only on Wednesdays. I can't get there before they close on any other day, even if I go directly there without passing Go and collecting $200. Now, my son just arrived in town and I hadn't seen him yet. He's waiting at our house.

Do I take 10 minutes to stop or go home? Which one? Will I miss the sale? But I haven't seen my son . . .

I am pleased to tell you that, being a loving mother. . . I drove directly to the quilt shop. Yes, I did. I had pre-selected my fat quarters so I was able to park immediately in front of the door, ran in, picked my fabric and had to wait for her to cut someone's fabric. But just one, so only an extra five minutes - max. Then I drove home and left the package in the car so he didn't notice I made a stop along the way.

Here is a photo of my purchases for the last two days using the cash I received for Christmas. You will see 10 fat quarters that will join the other 1930s fabric in my stash. A Twelve Days of Christmas panel, three yards of brown fabric for all my cream, tan and brown patterned fabric and a set of quick quilt patterns.

I guess I won't win Mom of the Year, but I am really developing a nice fabric stash. That must count for something! At least I had homemade cookies all ready for him and they are disappearing fast so they must be yummy.

The Pie Recipes - Mom's Traditional Pumpkin and Pecan Fillings

Here they are, the Christmas pies that Mom makes every year. There is nothing unusual about them, they are just very good traditional pies that never fail. I will say that she makes her own crust but you can use the Pillsbury ready made crusts if you don't have a good crust recipe. She makes hers from memory so I don't have it.

THE PUMPKIN

Pumpkin Pie – Bake 450 degrees for 10 minutes then turn down the heat to 350 degrees for 30 minutes

1 15 oz can pumpkin (not pie mix)
1 TBS flour
2 eggs beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1 2/3 cup milk (part evaporated)
Mix pumpkin and dry ingredients, add eggs and milk, mix well and add to unbaked crust

THE PECAN
Lots of pecans floating in a sea of sugary goodness, unfortunately one I can no longer eat since I suffer from diverticulitis. It is heavenly. I'll admit that I sometimes take a small slice and pick out the nuts. I think you might be able to make it and leave the nuts out- sort of like chess pie but better.

Pecan Pie – Bake 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup karo – light or dark
1 cup sugar
2 TBS melted butter
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all and add 1 ½ cup pecan halves and pour
into unbaked pie shell

Bake until center almost set

I am so sorry for the photos but we just couldn't keep ourselves from digging into the pies.

The Day After Christmas

It's the day after Christmas in our ridge top home,
and for a couple of hours we're all alone.
There is ribbon and wrapping floating around,
A broom and a mop will have to be found.

Mom's gone to meet someone in the Valley below,
And chat over lunch about old friends they know.
We'll be off in search of a heated water dish,
the strays are not pleased, a drink is their wish.

We went to church Christmas Day morn,
then back to the house to cook up a storm,
I then covered up, since I was wearing white,
Before making the dinner we'd all eat that night.

I had opened my gift as Pops tended the bird.
I was still in my duster, no one spoke-not a word!
But washing I'll do when all else fails,
As longs as I save up the buckets and pails.

We had pretty girls: little T and her mom,
Bangles and baubles,toys and Pops Tom.
There were cookies and candies, all so sweet,
It's all Taylor could do to not eat every treat.

We had Christmas Eve next door at my husband's parents' house, a wonderful brisket, rosemary potatoes, appetizers and pies for dessert. The next day was celebrated at our home with the traditional turkey dinner and pies by my mom. The day was a little odd since Becky had to take Taylor around to her Dad's side of the family in the morning but in the afternoon she made her way back here to open gifts, and gifts there were! Santa left her a sled filled with small packages, each one holding her explorer gear. She and Pops are going to work on how to use a compass, how to find your direction in the woods (our back yard) so she can follow the directions to find something he has hidden away.

I completely forgot that I threw a duster over my white sweater while I helped my husband load the turkey into the oven and here I am with it on in the Christmas photos. My daughter got me the hand washing tool that was recommended by our fellow blogger. I'm not sure Mom understood why I wanted it, but it will surely come in very handy.

Taylor; however, was more on the fashionable side with her new pink feather from Great Grandma Ann and sparkly hat from Linda, a friend from work. All in all it was a busy day and we were totally exhausted by the time the sun set.

Mom is here for a couple more days and Wednesday our son arrives to visit. We'll be busy for the next few days so posting will be minimal. I can't wait to see how others spent their holiday. Take care- I'll be reading when I can.

Merry Christmas All

We're on the right track for a very merry Christmas! Posting might be limited for a few days as relatives visit so stay tuned. I'll be reading as I can.

Taylor is playing with her train, a blending of hers and my husband's old train set. Notice she is in a coat but bare footed! Funny girl. Mom is in for a visit and my daughter is expected later this evening. She is local but we have little T for the day. My son is arriving from Seattle next week so the party continues through the new year.

I made Mom stop by the quilt shop today, just because I can't have a day off without stopping by there. It was lunch at St Louis Bread Co (Panera Bread for some of you). Their french onion soup bowl is awfully good.

Tomorrow we bake the pies and prep anything else we can do in advance. We'll join family for a Christmas Eve celebration and then have a more traditional meal on Christmas Day. I hope everyone will have a Merry Christmas!