Happy Quilters

Quilters are among the happiest people I know.
And there is a reason why.

According to a story in USA today by Ken Pope:
CHARITY IS MORE ABOUT HAPPINESS THAN WEALTH
"Degree of one's charity depends on happiness more than wealth; A Gallup poll done for the Charitable Aid Foundation finds more correlation between happiness and giving than between wealth and giving."
"So it's true. Money doesn't buy happiness. Giving does."

As I associate with quilters, I see so many charitable acts of kindness being performed. And I see the happiest of women.
Now I understand more fully why.
Just one cause many quilters are involved in this year is the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge sponsored by American Patchwork & Quilting. Their theme: Make A Pillowcase/ Make a Difference.
We are asked to donate our pillowcases to local charities to "show the world how caring quilters are."
Many quilt shops are the gathering place for our donations.
Yesterday I heard the most wonderful story from Lori Pallas, manager of Quilted Works in St. George, Utah.
Lori often takes her 13 year old daughter to a local rest home as a way to teach Charity within their family. On last weeks visit, Lori presented a stack of pillowcases that had been donated by the customers of Quilted Works. Not only did the pillowcases brighten the rooms of the aged, but it also brought tears to the eyes of the staff. They thanked her sincerely, and said "that sometimes they feel forgotten".
The experience had such an impression on Lori's teenage daughter, that now her friends are asking to come along on the next visit.
I see happiness in these girls future.

9 Blocks For The 9th Month

The September blocks for Star Crazy are finally finished. I don't know what took me so long this month. I think it must be that my friend Jan wasn't able to join me in making our blocks. She is still healing from surgery on her hand, and I'm missing her enthusiasm and encouragement.

Have you noticed that you get much more done when you have a quilting friend by your side, keeping you on track?

There were 9 blocks this month, which is a very appropriate number for September, which is the 9th month.

(3) 6" Shoo Fly Stars

(3) 6" Road Star blocks

(3) 6" Double-X Stars

People e-mail me frequently asking if they can still join us in making Star Crazy.

The answer is YES!

The only requirement is that you are a member of The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. This is necessary because Star Crazy is their Block of the Month, and membership is needed to download the patterns each month.

If you are not currently a member, it's easy to join. Go to

http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/join.php

Flag Day

Yesterday I taught Flag Day as a class at Quilted Works here in St. George, Utah.

Flag Day is a pattern by Buggy Barn, and even though it's been out for a few years, it's the kind of design that seems timeless.

In this class I teach the Buggy Barn technique, which once learned can be applied to many of their other books and patterns.

I love the BB technique, where you stack fat quarters, cut out the design and then start moving certain sections to the bottom of the pile.

The instructions are clear, easy to follow, and many of the strict quilting rules go out the door.

It can be quite a freeing experience, as you chop off some pieces, and eyeball joining certain seams.

I encourage my students bring a large cardboard box to keep their stacked pieces together in a uniform sections.

Putting the blocks together can be somewhat of a mystery. Once you've done the shifting of pieces, you really don't know what fabrics will match up with what fabrics.

For me it feels like putting together a jig saw puzzle where you can hardly wait to see what the next part will look like.

The original pattern has you piece your own flags out of red, white and blue.

I opted instead to substitute flag-type fabrics, and shared some of my "stash" with the students.

One student commented that she felt a little like Betsy Ross.

Ta-dum! Chris was the first to finish a block.

Flag Day can be found in the book Gone Crazy.

Stir Me Up Potholders

I have barely started crocheting my new Sunburst Granny Squares, and I'm already looking at this Stir Me Up Potholder made by Karin aan de haak.
Not only am I a newbie at crocheting, I've decided I must be a little fickle.

Definition of Fickle: "Marked by an erratic changeableness in affections or attachments."
(hmmm... I have the same problem with making quilts, too.)
The granny squares are still #1 in my heart, and will be worked on first.
But, the potholders are right up there near the top of the list.


I have happily printed the free pattern offered by Ravelry.

Mango Black Bean and Tomato Salad

We have been blessed with children who love to cook.
Last week when we were in Phoenix our two oldest daughters treated us to the most wonderful meals.
Being able to kiss on our grandbabies and spoiled with delicious food, I'm surprised we even came home.

As a family, we love anything with a Mexican flair. Recipes with rice, beans, or avocados always gets a thumbs up.
In fact our son-in-law owns several Costa Vida Fresh Mex restaurants in the Phoenix area.
I forgot to bring out the camera during dinner, but I did get a recipe for the Mango Black Bean and Tomato Salad made as a side dish by our daughter Aubrey.
Good job Aubrey!
Recipe courtesy of the Neelys and can be found on FoodNetwork.

Look at all these beautiful colors together.
I loved the sweet of the mango mixed with the spiciness of the cilantro, jalapeno and red onion.

A big batch is now marinating in the fridge for tonight's dinner.

Mango Black Bean and Tomato Salad
1 large mango, pitted and flesh diced
2 limes juiced
1/4 C. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 (15 oz.) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1 C. long-grained rice, cooled
1 C. cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 C. chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
pinch kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions: Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and toss. Cover the bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for 1 hour for the flavors to develop or serve immediate.