Attitude of Gratitude

I've had this thought that's been constantly running through my head ever since I heard it. I'm sorry I can't remember exactly where I heard it or saw it but I do remember how it affected me.

"Blessings Come to Those that NOTICE!"

It caused me to be more mindful and reflective about my life and how blessed I feel to have a sweet and dear husband whom I love with a love that knows no end, a family that means everything to me, Children and Grandchildren who are priceless, Freedom that is a gift I cherish, a Faith that guides me, a Heavenly Father that Loves me, and a Savior that has Atoned for my sins.

I wanted to take a moment tonight to express my gratitude for each of you and for the blessings I see all around me. I have so much to be grateful for even when I feel overwhelmed by the challenges that are mine. Lately, I can't keep up with all that needs doing and I'm practicing patience and a positive attitude and trying to ignore the things that I can't get done at the moment I just want it done. I have little piles everywhere and I can't seem to take care of all of them. So, I have to remind myself. . . Just a pile at a time. It will eventually get done!

We recently had a little flood in the basement and that has set off a chain of events that requires a lot of cleaning, organizing, fixing, and painting. But out of that effort has come blessings. Like new carpet, new paint, and a fresh clean sewing/craft room.

We're still in a HUGE mess and it's just 2 days before my daughter comes home for Thanksgiving Break. I guess I better hurry and clear a space in her room since that's where I put everything from my sewing/craft room so we could paint and put in new flooring.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in and let you know that I'm still alive and doing well despite my little and big messes. I also, have some fun big news coming up that I'll be able to share the first part of December. I have been able to do a bit of sewing and designing this past fall while I wasn't blogging. I can't wait to share some of it with you.

Have a Wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving Week with your LOVED ONES! I know I will.

Quilt Lover's Heart Winner

And the Winner is. . .

Anne from Anne Writes Here said:

"What wonderful women they were. My late mother was much like yours. She was always helping people. She loved children and the elderly. My mom died in 1995 at the age of 63. I miss her every day.

I phoned my sister and my dear mother-in-law and told them how much they mean to me!

Thanks for hosting such a wonderful giveaway."

Anne just send me an email and let me know your mailing address. Congrats!!!!

I want to THANK everyone for entering the giveaway and tell you how much I enjoyed reading all of the comments about your mothers, your sisters, your aunts, your friends, and those that you love. It especially touched my heart how many of you who have lost your mother's and how much you miss your mother's. They will always have a place in our hearts and I'm grateful for the women in my life who provide a shoulder to cry on, a kind word, and a comforting hug whenever I need it. They are always there!

We as women have the privilege and capability of comforting and lifting and blessing each other's lives through serving our families and those in the circle of our day to day lives.

Since every day is Mother's Day I wanted to share this heart warming video of young people talking about their mother's and wishing them a Happy Mother's Day.

Here's another video on Marriage called:

"Expressions of Love"

I really enjoyed watching this video!

Trivet Tutorial

My friend Janet Platt is very creative and designed the popular Quick Points Ruler. The most recent ruler that she's designed is the Scallop Ruler (see picture below). If you are going to the local HMQS Show in Utah on May 5-7, 2011 you will be able to purchase the rulers at the show and even watch a demonstration. Go to the HMQS link to print a coupon. Janet and her RULERS will also be at the International Spring Quilt Market May 13-15, 2011 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It wasn't too long ago that she asked me to design a project for a kitchen trivet using the leftover mylar from making the Scallop Pushers (see picture below). That started my mind going and I told her I would take on the challenge. It was fun designing the kitchen trivet and it can also be a circular placemat to place on your side table or under a plate.

Scalloped Trivet Tutorial

Finished Size: 15" diameter Circle

Supplies:

• 1" Scallop Ruler-S1
• 1" Scallop Pusher-P1
• 12 .5" x 6.5" Creative Grid Ruler
• One 4" x 4" Fabric Square for Center Square
• Two 4" x 4" Fabric Squares for next SQS
• Two 6.5" x 6.5" Fabric Squares for next SQS
• Two Fabric strips measuring 3.5" x 7.5" for border on SQS block
• Two Fabric strips measuring 3.5" x 13.5" for border on SQS block
• Two pieces of Fabric measuring 8.5" x 9.25" for pocket on back of trivet
• One piece of Fabric measuring 4" x WOF for scallop
• One piece of Contrasting Fabric measuring 4" x 40-44" for scallop
• Insul-Bright Batting measuring 14" x 14"
• Trivet Backing Fabric measuring 14" x 14"
• Teflon Insert for Trivet available through www.quickpointsruler.com
• Freezer Paper

SQS= Square in a Square

WOF= Width of Fabric

Instructions:

Step One:

Making the Scallop

Completely read the instructions before using the Scallop Ruler.

Use the two 4” x WOF strips to make the scalloped edge for the trivet.

Lay the ruler on the wrong side of the fabric and trace around the ruler and in all of the holes.

Slide the ruler across the fabric to finish marking the strip.

Reduce your stitch length to a shorter stitch (2.0) then sew 1/4 inch in from the marked line. Stop at the dot keeping needle in down position, then pivot the fabric, take one stitch, pivot again and continue sewing the scallops.

Repeat process for each scallop.

Clip the curves and into the deep valleys. You could also use Pinking Shears.

To open the scallop for turning you will need to carefully cut down the center of one side of the scallop being careful not to cut the fabric underneath. I folded the scallop then gave it a bit of steam so that I could cut along the pressed fold (see below).

Press the scallops using the scallop pusher. The pusher is a very useful tool and will decrease your pressing time. Set Scallop aside for later.

Step Two:

Making the Square in a Square Block for Trivet

Cut fabric according to the supply list above. This is a picture of what you will need to make the Square in a Square Block (SQS).

Take your 4" x 4" center square and fold it in half then pinch the folds. Repeat for opposite side of square.

Take the (2) 4" x 4" squares for the SQS and cut them diagonally from the bottom right corner up to the top left corner. You will now have 4 triangles. Now take the two corners along the diagonally cut line and bring them together to form a fold then pinch the fold. This is a quick and easy way to match the center of the triangles to the center of the squares.

Now take two of the triangles and match the pinched centers with the center marks on the two opposite sides of the center square.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the triangle on one side of the square and then the opposite side. Press seams away from center squares. Repeat process for the two remaining sides of the square.

Take the creative grid ruler and match the 45 degree markings on the ruler and match it to one of the 4 corners of the square. The ruler is set up to leave a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the squares corner point. Trim the excess fabric. Repeat this process for the remaining 3 corners of the SQS Block.

The Square in a Square Block should now measure 5.5" x 5.5" after trimming the excess.

Now take the (2) 6.5" x 6.5" squares for the next SQS and cut them diagonally from the bottom right corner up to the top left corner. You will now have 4 triangles. Take the two corners of the triangle (along the diagonally cut line) then bring them together to form a fold then pinch the fold.

Now take two of these triangles and match the pinched centers with the corners of the center squares. Using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the triangle on one side of the square and then the opposite side. Press seams away from center squares. Repeat process for the two remaining sides of the square.

Take the creative grid ruler and lay the 45 degree markings on the ruler and match it to one of the 4 corners of the square. The ruler is set up to leave a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the squares corner point. Trim the excess fabric. Repeat this process for the remaining 3 corners of the SQS Block.

The Square in a Square Block should now measure 7.5" x 7.5" after trimming excess.

Sew on the 3.5" x 7.5" strips to each side of SQS. Press seams outward.

Sew on the 3.5" x 13.5" strips to the remaining sides of SQS. Press seams outward. Your block is now ready to cut out and quilt. Set aside. Your block is now ready to cut into a circle.

Pull out freezer paper and draw a circle using an 11.75" diameter circle (I used one of my dinner plates but, know that it’s NOT the plate you see in the pictures). Cut out the freezer paper circle and fold it in half twice. Now iron it to the right side of SQS block making sure the creased lines in the freezer paper cross over the four corners of the SQS block.

The circle should now be evenly centered in the block.

Cut off the fabric that remains outside of the freezer paper circle.

Cut out one more fabric circle for trivet backing fabric and one more circle out of the batting.

Step Three:

Quilting the SQS Trivet Top

Now place the finished Trivet on top of the batting. Pin in place and quilt as desired. I stitched in the ditch and sewed circles around the outside edge of trivet. I finished sewing four diagonal lines across the SQS block creating x’s.

Below is a view of the quilting on the back.

Step Four:

Making the Pocket for Trivet Back

For the (optional) pocket on the back of the trivet, take two pieces of fabric measuring 8.5" x 9.25" with right sides together place on top of the Insul-Bright batting. Pin.

Sew around all 4 sides leaving a 2” opening for turning the pocket right side out. Clip corners, turn, and press.

Take the pocket you just finished and center it in the middle of the fabric circle being used for the back of the trivet. Sew a seam close to the edge of 3 sides of the pocket making sure the 2” opening is sewn closed as you sew the three sides. Set Aside.

The picture shows the finished product with the heat resistant Teflon that slips into the pocket for added protection. Trim the Teflon to fit the pocket.

Step Five:

Finishing the Scalloped Trivet

Before sandwiching all of the layers you will need to take the finished scallop and sew a basting stitch along the bottom folded edge of the scallop.

Pull the thread to gather the scallop just enough to ease it around the outside edge of the trivet. Adjust the scallop then pin in place.

Sew the scallop in place. Then sandwich the two circles with right sides together. Pin. Make sure to use a walking foot on your sewing machine to sew the layers together. Make sure to leave a 2-3” opening for turning the trivet.

Clip curves around the circle starting and ending at the opening. Turn Trivet right side out. Press and sew opening closed.

Here's a video showing you how to use the Scallop Ruler.

Family Reunion

What a blast we had joining with our dear family and enjoying the afternoon with great food, great company, and lots of wonderful pictures and memories to take home with us.

My kids have never met most of my husband's extended family on his mother's side of the family so, it was especially wonderful for them to visit and get to know their aunts, uncles, and cousins. We were also lucky to have my mother-in-law Carole, my brother-in-law Mike, and my husband's cousin Kim and her husband Gary at the reunion. They all drove up from Northern California.

Warning: We are going to be picture heavy in this post and I will keep the reading to a minimum.

The Family Group Picture...

Silly Version...

Another Silly One...

The Cousins...

Uncle Mike
(husband's brother)

Uncle Dan
(husband's mother's brother)

Arriving at Uncle Dan and Pat's house...

Cousins

Uncle Bill
(husband's mother's youngest brother)

Grandma Carole
(husband's mother on the right)

Visiting and enjoying the view of the river.

Reunion Location... Front of House...

Back of House...

Aunt Pat's beautiful Gardens.

The men visiting and cooking.

Chatting by the River...How cool is that?

The following are some of my favorite pictures that I took...

:-) Kenna took this one of me...

My very most favorite picture of Kenna and her Dad.

Don't you just love Chandler's expression?
I had to convince him to let me take his picture.

Building a little Dam in the River to create a small pool.

It wouldn't be a Successful Reunion
without a Marshmallow Roast, now would it?

Oh... before I end. Here's a silly video that I couldn't resist taking. No one knew that my fancy camera also took video. It was fun to see everyone in action and no one was the wiser. lol. Therefore it was painless and totally off the cuff.

If you got to this point in my post I want to thank you for hanging in there.

I hope you enjoyed it...

I know we did!! :-)