So much to say this weekend, settle in for a long and picture heavy post. This week has been brutally hot, with highs in the 90s (which is really hot for us) and humidity at 85% first thing in the morning. Ugh, I hate this kind of heat. So, nothing for it but to hide in my cool basement and play with fabric and paper. First, I finished the Japanese prints wall hanging with the gold sashing. It is quilted and bound, and awaiting a label. I had enough jelly roll strips to make the cranes go all the way around the outer border.
Quilting was done in black thread with a water ripple pantograph that echoed some of the lines in the prints. I plan to offer it for sale for $45, if you are interested, let me know.
In the project bag for this wall hanging, I found another UFO that had been forgotten. I put this top together during a Virtual Retreat a couple of months ago. I dug out a perfect backing for it and loaded it on the longarm to quilt. Quilting went very fast with a pantograph in black thread.
Then, I trimmed it up and bound it in black by machine. It is a lap size quilt with a lovely butterfly print backing in the same colors. For sale as well, $45.
I also got started on making cards for the upcoming show booths. These are a really good seller at sewing events, and I have so much paper that I need to use. I have some fun quilting related stamps, and you all know how I love fun sentiments.
Last weekend, the MINI club had our picnic drive up to Pisgah Inn. We had 15 MINIs that day, such fun. Driving up Hwy 276 past Looking Glass Falls to the Blue Ridge Parkway was verdant green the whole way.
At the Pisgah Inn, we bought sandwiches at the little cafe inside the building, then took them outside to eat. The day was overcast, but the rain held off until after our meal.
We drove back out the way we came in, stopping at an overlook for a photo op.
Then, we drove more back roads with scenic views, ending at an ice cream shop. Fun day!
Back home, early one morning while it was still cool, I dug all the weeds and grass out of my planter box. In prior years, I’ve planted tomatoes here, but this year I just never got around to doing that. So, I took some of my pot-bound begonias, and put them in the planter instead. I haven’t ruled out tomatoes, or some herbs, but it is rapidly getting too late to do that.
Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of presenting my Scrap Dancing program to the Peach Patchers of Taylors, SC.
The program includes a trunk show, and here the ladies are holding up Quadrille.
I like to take a variety of styles with me, so Pachanga got to go this time for an example of use of bold color with black.
I took a lot of small projects as well, to illustrate the use of different techniques and ideas.
I had two full tables of samples, and invited the group to come up during the break to touch and examine more closely. Many members did come up to look, and ask questions. I love this interaction with quilters. The main takeaway, use up your scraps in new ways, try a new technique, make a small project and most of all have fun.
And speaking of using your scraps, Stashbusters will move to the first Wednesday of the month for the next few months. So, get your totals together as it is coming in just three days!
On Friday, I delivered the last of the quilts to the first responders at Fire Station #2 in Hendersonville. These quilts were provided by Nancy at Grace and Peace Quilting, Sarah Wolfe, and Debby Okeefe. Thank you, ladies. This is the last delivery, and the hurricane project is now over.
I have a great story for you on this delivery. The firefighters were not at the station when I took the quilts. So the secretary, Pam, met me to let me in. We draped the quilts over their chairs in the dayroom, placing notes that were sent along with the quilts on top of them. Pam told me that at the main fire station, she often comes to work to find the guys in their chairs with their quilts. They love them so much that the quilts don’t stay on the beds. They are used and loved, even in this heat. Pam said she fully expected these would also be used the same way. They guys really appreciated being remembered. My heart was so full that I just teared up.
I fed my little squirrel buddies this week, George and Gracie both came for a meal at the same time. Amazingly, this time they didn’t fight, both grabbing a sandwich and sprinting for the retaining wall to eat it. Gracie is on the tree.
Crazy thing! She was hanging upside down, munching on her treat.
George took his to the top of the wall, and ate in peace.
This week, I learned that Ackfeld is going to stop making the adorable mini-quilt stands. They are still available for now on Amazon – click here – but will soon be gone. They will shut down operations on July 23. My stand has several toppers that I purchased separately for the seasons. I have this scroll for everyday, pumpkins for October, and leaves for fall, evergreen trees for Christmas. They also have stars, flowers and lots more. In addition, they make wall mount hangers with both split rods and clips. I have several free mini quilt designs on the blog, click on Mini Quilts Free Patterns, or use the category Mini Quilts on the sidebar to find them.
I am still working on Koi Pond, and the beading has taken forever! But I finally finished that part on Thursday, and now just have the applique to go. This week, I hope to get it finally done, and will show you that project soon.
This week I plan to do more sewing, and stamping. I have our small Area meeting on Thursday and I cannot wait. It is going to be Christmas in July! I am looking forward to being even more inspired to sew. What are your plans for the week?
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Shop the Milk Street Warehouse Sale – new markdowns, up to 80% off on sale items. My favorite cookbook, World in a Skillet, is on sale for $19.95!! Hurry, sale ends tonight!
Sulky Threads Choose Your Thread and receive a free storage box worth up to $39!! Check out the latest spring design special and mystery box! A new summer theme mystery box, Slice of Summer, is now available, but quantities are limited and going fast. I love these boxes, like getting a present with lovely surprises. A bargain at $49.99 worth more than $85! Plus, order $11 more and get free shipping – I bought embroidery bobbin thread and a couple of dish towels to embroider. We may do a bit of a sew along with the projects in the box.
Fat Quarter Shop final days for June specials! Get 20% off the Basic of the Month, Pure Solids by Art Gallery, 30% Off the Notions of the Month by Annie, 30% off Patterns of the Month from Fig Tree paper patterns and see the Book of the Month – Summer Memories. Check out Today’s Flash Sale and see the Precuts of the Week.
Check out the new add-ons for Electric Quilt.
From My Carolina Home 
It is a blessing that we can work in the heat in a cool basement or ac (my option). You are getting a lot done, but boy that koi is gorgeous! Love hearing of your car trips and garden goings on…and most especially the delivery of the last set of quilts!
Carole, you have been busy. It has been miserably hot here and staying inside during these days is my preference. I always enjoy your mini trips, quilting projects, and gardening! Happy Sunday!
I can’t wait to see Koi Pond – that fish is beautiful with all those beads!
always nice to see people using the quilts isn’t it. Looks like you had a fun drive that day with your club
You have had a BUSY week. I need to finish up my current project today so I can include it in scrap busters. Koi Pond is looking sensational, definitely an entry for the fair I hope? We have fairly hot week ahead, but not crazy hot like it was the week we hit 105. I’m looking forward to some sewing time this week. I have nearly full days of teaching Monday and Thursday, and almost none Tuesday and Wednesday. I should have time to weed and sew! Have a great week!
Glad you have your cool sewing room to retreat to! Your Japanese prints wall-hanging is lovely – that sashing just glows. Looks like some beautiful sights and a fun drive with the mini group, too. I’m so glad I bought my Ackfield quilt stand when I did. I’ve wanted one for years, and finally bought one at the end of 2024. I’m hanging a new monthly mini on it each month this year. Have a great Sunday, Carole!
Many of my quilting friends have those mini quilts, how sad the frames won’t be available anymore. Your Koi fish is really coming along, it will be amazing to see when all finished. I’m so glad the firemen will find those quilts when they return, what a wonderful project and a way to show appreciation for what they do for our communities. Happy stitching and stamping in all this heat. We are headed to a friend home for a few days to stain her deck. We were there a few weeks ago to power wash it and do some minor repairs but the rain has made it impossible to get it stained. This week we hope to get that done. No quilting for me.
I got to the part about quilt stands and had to go buy a couple! Thank you for the recommendation before they close up shop!
The Koi fish is stunning!
Thank you for continuing to share and support the community affected by Helene ❤️
You have had a busy week! I bet you are glad the beadwork is finished. It is going to be spectacular when finished. I hope you enter into the fair. I’ve started to think that a sewing room “inside” the house for cold winter days and hot summer days is going to be something I need to do. I make such a mess in my sewing room in the garage, I’m almost afraid to bring it inside. During our sewing session last week it got up to 85 right before I gave in and went back to the house.
I love the “snarky cards” for your next sale. I’m keeping my eyes open for “snarky” embroidery designs about wine. If you trip over any let me know. :)Have a great week and stay cool.
you accomplish so much. I am constantly amazed at your generous spirit.
Dear Carole, Hello! It has been quite awhile since my last message to you as my phone has been very jacked up. So I need to catch you up to speed. First off, in KS we have had insane heat as well. Every time I go out in it the heat seems to zero in on the top of my head giving me an instant headache but as soon I go back inside the headache disappears like magic. So odd! My vegie garden this year is better than last yr in producing & the size of everything is much bigger! I have been feeding my plants the vegie water leftover from steaming my meals. Before it got insanely hot, I created a new garden & made the ring around my bird bath much larger so I could make more space for my gorgeous deep red perennial hibiscus & add more flowers. Every year my hibiscus comes back it is always bigger than the year before. But then I do use the grounded copper for bird bath area. Meanwhile inside w/the A/C & all the fans on I am designing 2 new little junk journals to be given to employees at Baskin-Robbin’s ice cream shop w/thier logo in mind. They are both high school graduates from this year & they have been exceptionally nice as well as helpful, Marcus is going to flight school & Karly is going to college to become a Dr. Oh & then there is Justin , he is Asian & also extremely nice! Have also been busy making dragonflies out of clothespins. Some get magnets & others get clips, but all can be used to add essential oils to (which I sell). Have also been collecting & drying & preserving flowers & leaves & hand dyeing papers. Well, I think that’s it for now, I’m exhausted just thinking about all the stuff I have been doing. But no rest for the weary cause I have flowers sitting next to me that I need to press & peanuts I need to shell to keep Mr Flicker happy! Bye for now, Judy
Your beading is spectacular, Carole. George & Gracie are so cute, love the monikers. Now Im humming the theme song from the George Burns Show. We had a heat wave too with 2 days in the 90s followed by a rainy day that dropped another 5″ of rain to the south of me, 2nd time in 2 weeks. The creeks run north here so our road was at least 6″ deep where the creek jumped its banks. I just finished a quilt top but it won’t be done in time for stashbusters. Two of the 3 tops I finished in June were made completely out of stash scraps, my favorite kind of quilt. Regardless, I won’t break even this month. There was lots of fabric for sale at the club picnic & I succumbed. On the plus side, I already used 5 yards that I bought for backing. Maybe by the end of July I’ll be back on the wagon.
Although you are still busy your life seems calmer. I do like that snippet of the Koi that you showed. It must look really good and I am just waiting for the reveal! It must have been a special pleasure to leave the Firemen their quilts draped over their chairs. They do such a marvellous job for the community.
Nothing much going on here. Just more rain bucketing down – growing webbed feet! Can’t go in the garden, too wet. Watching for bulbs to emerge, worried they will rot in the ground. But this morning the sun is trying to part the clouds. Crossed fingers for a sunny day.
It must have been a good feeling to get out on the road with your Car Club mates and have a fun day with some chat and lunch. With there having been so much storm damage it must add to the pleasure to have the roads opening up again and being able to purchase foodstuffs as you go around.
Off to make a coffee and see if I can soak up a bit of that sun while I drink up!!
Mary :))
Such a busy week. I’m loving how the beading is coming along on the koi fish. Sorry to hear about the frame company having to close. I have a few of those frames and love making minis and changing them out. I have been doing a little charity sewing. Small flannel hearts for NICU mamas and babies. Mommy keeps it next to her and then it is placed in the incubator for baby to have mommy’s scent. I love this idea.
I am sure that you are happy to complete the hurricane project. It is amazing how many quilts you were able to take out into the world to wrap the recipients in love.
thanks for the heads up about the miniquilt stands and hangers. I used the link to purchase a couple of them.
Squirrels are pretty funny. It is amazing the things they can do, even upside down. Sometimes I wish that I were that versatile😀
I love your raised planter. It’s so much easier to maintain when you don’t have to bend over to pull weeds. I wish I had a flat surface where I could use a table-top quilt holder. I kept one tucked away for years trying to find a good option and finally gave it away.
Loving this delightfully dishy post. So glad you got to do your Scrap Dancing — I bet the audience was super appreciative and loved seeing the variety of your quilts. You’ve been super productive. (This weather does slow us down, which has some benefits!). The mini event looked fun and I really loved hearing about the quilts at the fire station. What a gratifying feeling! I’m wondering why the usual posting notice I get from you didn’t come. Hmmm.
You have been so busy! I absolutely loved the story about the firefighter quilts.
Thank you, Carole, for getting quilts to the Hendersonville fire fighters!!!♥️
You have had a busy time.
That is a delightful story about the quilts and the fire fighters. Very special.
And the bead work on your koi pond is looking lovely.
My sister sent me one of her mini quilts recently and I was thinking I’d like to honor it with an Ackfield hanger. Just hadn’t gotten around to it. Thank you for passing the word on them stopping production … just placed my order. Looks like a lovely drive. Even if it wasn’t, ice cream at the end would’ve made the drive well-worth it! Lol!