Family Christian Bookstore

I would like to tell you that I am now a review blogger for Family Christian Bookstore. I am considering starting a new blog for reviews. What do you think? Many of the reviews I will do will be put on their page as a review of a book I read that they send me. Others may need to be on my blog. What would I name such a blog? Any ideas? I am open to suggestions. 

They are looking for some more bloggers, so they are asking us to share this link with you: http://on.fb.me/1tvDKeT If you are interested, please let Kristen know that I sent you. If you are interested in review books for children, teens or adults; fiction and non-fiction; and any other items they desire to be reviewed, please go to the link above and sign up. Let me know if you get accepted to review products for them. I would love to know who jumps in. 

So, what do you think of me starting a blog just for reviews to go along with this blog? Let me know what you think and give me suggestions for names, too. I just may send someone a surprise if I choose his/her name.

On the quilting front, I pinned the princess quilt I'm making for a client. I also have 2/3 of the Day and Night quilt I'm making for our son and DIL pinned. I was going to finish it today, but....... It will get done. 

I have also been hired to quilt a top for a FB friend of mine when we can get together to swap the items from her to me. 

I am also getting back on my Wheat Belly way of eating. My goal is to get completely off anything with wheat in it. I have been suffering too much since I fell off the wagon. Keep me in your prayers as I do this. 

My great-niece was born on Wednesday, July 30th. She is gorgeous! I will be happy when I can hold her and give her some kisses and loving. I have also been sharing the story of a precious baby girl of two of my former students. Lakyn was born last week with some major heart problems. She had her first surgery yesterday, and did very well. Please keep her and her parents in your prayers. They are both school teachers, and school is starting very soon. I am not sure what they will do about this time in their lives and getting to work, but God is in control and will take care of everything. 

Thanks for stopping by! Let me know you did

What will your answer be?

Good wet, cold Monday morning! How any of you are ready for spring to come and the cold, snow, sleet, ice to go away? I know I am. I live in Alabama, but we've had snow three times this year so far. We were in the 70s yesterday and the 50s this morning and the temps will drop as the day goes by. Thankfully, we don't have coming what my friends in the north, west and east of us do. I enjoyed the weather yesterday so much, and I'm ready for more of that type. Sunny, temperatures mild, breeze blowing. Uh huh. LOL

I don't have anything new to share today. That is one reason why I've not posted lately. I feel like I don't have anything anyone will be interested in reading about. Ever feel that way? I do. I have started the quilting process on the Carpenter's Star quilt I made, but haven't gotten past the center star where I did my first "real" hand quilting. It doesn't look great, the stitches are way too big, but I'm learning. I will try to continue the quilting using my machine though. I plan to work on that some today. As far as any other sewing goes, nothing. Not that I didn't want to, but just either have not felt like it due to my arthritis having flared its ugly head, or I was prepping for a colonoscopy and having it done. All news was good from that! Praise the Lord. I had polyps last year, so I had to have another one done this year. Now I have the pleasure of waiting five years! Wahoo!!! 

Another reason that I have not had a lot to say lately, is that I'm researching embroidery machines. I don't really have room for two machines, so hubby gave me these options: get a stand alone embroidery machine and supplies for less than $1000. I want at least a 5 x 7" hoop. Or, I can trade in my Janome for a combinations sewing/quilting/embroidery machine. I found out that the Janome I was sent from the company to repair my relationship with them after the fiasco over my Horizon MC 7700 QCP not getting repaired and having problems getting anything from Janome headquarters is not the machine I was led to believe. It is a New Home 7700 QCP. Did not cost as much new as my Horizon did. I was concerned about this, but I blame myself for falling for it. I want to be about to quilt/ sew and embroider. I want to be able to add monogramming or flowers or whatever to my quilts, handbags, shirts, etc. Does that make sense? I am looking at a Janome that has the above included. Costs much more than ever imagined I would be able to pay, but hubby is willing. I've looked at Brother machines. Not sure they would take my New Home in as a trade-in though. I do not want to buy online. I want to buy from a dealer who will service it and repair it if needed, plus be able to teach me how to use it. I have read online and have friends who have BabyLock machines. I have friends who have Pfaff's and Husquavarna? machines. 

I would like for you to tell me what your favorite machine is and your feedback on combo embroidery/quilting machines. Will you do that for me? Thank you so much for your input. I value your input, but reserve the right to make my own decision. I will let you know what I decide after more research and trying out some machines.

Have a blessed day! Be Creative!!
Teresa

Guest Post: Jane at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Today I have a guest post form Jane over at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts. Thank you for sharing and I hope you all enjoy!!!

Hi Everyone, My name is Jane and I blog over at Jane's Fabrics and Quilts.

I was thrilled when Teresa asked me if I would like to guest post on her blog. Of course I said yes!

I would like to share with you today the way I make the Disappearing Nine Patch Block. You may have seen this abbreviation DP9P.

Here we go...

I started by choosing two colors. Pink and Green. They do not have to be the same pattern. This is where your scraps come in handy!

I choose a nice fun variety. I like scrappy but you could use just two fabrics if you wished.The squares are cut at 4 1/2 inch square. This will give you a finished 12 1/2 inch block. 

Lay 9 squares any way you wish in a 3 X 3 pattern.

Take the first two squares of each row and sew them together ( using a 1/4 inch seam) and then iron to the darker fabric.  At this point it will look like this...

Now go back and add the third fabric to each row. You will now have 3 rows of 3 squares each......

Sew the first row to the second, matching seams. I like to use pins here. Iron. Then sew the first and second row to the third. Iron.

When they are all sewn together they will make one 12 1/2 by 12 1/2 inch square.  At this point I use my 12 1/2 inch square ruler to check the size and trim if necessary. 

Now for the Disappearing Nine Patch Fun!

Take your block and cut it into four squares. One cut vertical, and one cut horizontal.  At this point they will measure 6 1/4 by 6 1/4.

I love how the middle block becomes so tiny. I love to use a large print in the center as it will be cut and showcase many of the fabrics elements.  

Your DP9P is done!

But what do you do with it?

There are so many layouts for this block.

Here are some examples.

In 2009 I hosted a disappearing 9 patch swap. I asked each member to make 25 12 1/2 inch blocks cut them into 4 for a total of 100 -- 6 1/4 blocks. They could only use red and aqua. We had 100 members! They sent me the blocks, I mixed them up and sent back 100 blocks. 

Here is the quilt I made.........

Thank you for allowing me to share this fun block with you, I hope you give it a try. If you have any questions feel free to email me at

pnkcndy@sbcglobal.net.