SUMMER IN THE GROVE

The Orange Grove Quilters Guild "Summer in the Grove" starts Friday, July 29, 2016 at Noon.

The last of the preparations are underway. Today we are pulling the signs and cash boxes out of storage along with a few more last minute items. It has been a lot of work; but, we are convinced it will all be worth it.  Here are some of the opportunity baskets that will be available for raffle.

Wine, Cheese and More Basket

Patriotic Basket

Pet Basket

In the Good Old Summertime Basket

Spa Basket

We have eleven in all. And, each one is wonderful!  

Hope to see some of you there on Friday or Saturday.

Have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

NEW FLIMSY AND MORE

I managed to get a flimsy out this week.  This UFO is from a couple of on-line swaps. One was a Row by Row.  And, the other was a nine-patch swap. Both from the same group of wonderful quilters.

Everyone selected what theme they wanted and sent along fabric with the first row completed. My theme was "Out of Africa" and my row is the top row of girls.  How fortunate the colors work so perfectly with the "Fall" nine-patch swap from the same year. 

This cute little patriotic wall hanging or table topper will be included in an opportunity basket that will be at the July 29-30, 2016 Orange Grove Quilters Guild Quilt Show. 

These baskets that the various friendship group have been bringing in are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.  

And lastly, another item you will find at the "Summer in the Grove" Quilt Show on July 29-30, 2016.

Have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

BEING OH SO DOMESTIC

The backyard needed a bit of sprucing up. So yesterday was the day. All the herbs are planted, as well as a heirloom tomato, and an Anaheim Chili. Yay, salsa on the way.  Plus the table is ready for a nice relaxing morning coffee.

This almost finished quilt,  was from a block swap with my friendship group, the Wednesday Wackos. I had collected fabric when I went to Australia and sent a pile of fabric on for my friends to use. Ten months later I received these wonderful blocks. I had to make a couple more to come up with twelve. But, I love how using them in the BQ2 quilt is the perfect way to use these blocks.

One of our Wacko sisters' father-in-law (a WWII veteran) recently passed. Her husband was very close to his father, as was our friend. And, true to the quilting spirit, we made her husband a healing quilt. I understand he loves it.

Oh, and my new appliance (3 squares) won. I used the quinoa button to make delicious quinoa (it toasts it first). Then used it in this yummy Quinoa, mushroom, and spinach side dish.

Wishing you a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

NEW THINGS

I'm about  to sound like a commercial and they don't even know who I am. I was browsing in Costco last week and found this handy, dandy small appliance "3 Squares TIM Machine".

I had been looking to replace my very old rice cooker that seemed to leave at least 1/2 cup of rice stuck to the bottom of the cooker no matter what I did. This one is non-stick and as you can see it does just about everything but serve the food.

The first day I made fluffy rice and not one grain stuck to the bottom of my new non-stick 3 Squares. 

So, you know I have to try all those buttons don't you. The next day I made Greek yogurt. While this is an all-day process, it is a set it and forget it process.

Then I had to try the slow cooker. The great thing is that you can sauté it right in the cooker and then set the slow cooker and walk away. I know, how cool is that?

So, what to steam? Potatoes for a small 4th of July potato salad. Another set it up and it rings you that it's done then keeps warm until you get there. No guessing here. I know none of this is hard; but, really how simple is this?

Oh, but with so much going on, there is so much to go wrong you say. Probably; but, the whole thing cost less than $30 at Costco. So I put my old rice maker and my old slow cooker in the Goodwill pile and put my new friendly appliance away in the cupboard. It's calling me to make quinoa though. Okay, commercial over.

I did get a little sewing done in between playing with my new "time machine".

I finished my "What's in my Garden" quilt top. This was a group quilt from my friendship group (Talking Threads) where on your birthday month, the members presented the birthday girl with a quilt block per her selected theme.  Now to figure out the quilting on it.

Oh look at those dogs; they snuck in the picture again. 

I also made a sheet blanket for the guild's boutique.

When my daughter was living in Hawaii, she found these in a boutique shop. She asked if I would make her some as it is the perfect warm-weather blanket. It is also a good napping blanket in the summer. Just a little something to cover up with. Even at the grocery store where they can blast your little one with the air con.

Have a good week and

Quilt happy,

Marilyn