The Friendly Town

Recently, our home town of Downers Grove, Il, was named the 8th Friendliest Town in America.  What a distinction!  You can see the full article, from Forbes, here.

Rotary Fest, held every summer.  Pure Americana.

Commuter train station, right in our central business district.  Downtown Chicago is just a quick train ride away.

Another great view of our downtown shops.  We are lucky to live just a block away from here - we love our location!

One of Emily's friends was talking about my dh, Scott, and what a nice guy he is.  He suggested that Scott is the reason that Downers Grove is the Friendly Town!  I must say, I agree!

Dora would second that emotion - Scott is the greatest!

Birthday "Bash"

Recently celebrated my birthday - 58th, how can this be? And my darling family waited on me all day - so I could spend some quality time sewing, of course!
Started the day with homemade waffles and bacon (Scott made the waffles, on his new Christmas gift waffle iron).

I requested an easy to fix dinner:  ham, mashed potatoes, meatballs, and salad.

Now for the good stuff! Mmm, chocolate frosting, homemade by darling daughters!

Making a wish...I love this picture...Christmas lights and decorations, and sweet Scott looking on...

Did I get my wish? Of course I did - I have the best family in the world, and I got to spend my entire birthday with them.  What's better than that?

First Finish of 2013!I

I just found out that my eldest daughter's friend is having a baby - and I couldn't make her a baby quilt fast enough! She doesn't know if it's a girl or a boy - I have no idea what kind of decor she wants - she might not even know yet!
Regardless, I went to my LQS and found the perfect fabric!  It was a panel with the 8 number blocks on it...I could have just bordered it and finished it like that...nope!
I found several other fabrics to pair with it - the yellow with animal tracks on it, an aqua/white check, and an orange print - and started throwing fabric on the wall.

I wanted 9 blocks instead of 8 - nicer baby quilt size - so I found a scrap of this cute dog fabric, and bordered it with lime green (because every quilt is better with a little lime green in it, right?) - and set the 9 blocks with some checked sashing and orange print cornerstones.

Do you sew your tops together like this? Start by sewing the first  vertical column of blocks to the second vertical column; then sew to the next vertical column, until all are sewn. Don't trim threads yet.

Press all seams toward the sashing sections - don't trim threads yet! Then sew all horizontal seams, again pressing all seams toward the sashing sections. Voila - the center is all together!
Then I just added a narrow orange border, layered with batting and the cute yellow print on the back, and bound it with the aqua check.  We tied with embroidery floss.

First finish of 2013!

Color Challenge Setting Options - and Pulled Pork Sandwiches

So - I went to my LQS and bought three fabrics which I thought might, just might, work with my color study blocks.  Here is option 1:  I love this blue border print, partially because it was on the sale table (half price!), and partially because of the lime green motif (my fave color).  I won't tell you which I option I have chosen until later. :)

Option 2:  I bought this gorgeous print in two colorways, first with this ochre background...

...and then with this deep blue-purple ground.
Not sure if I will use any or all of these choices.  The jury is out!

But - the jury is IN on this recipe!  We made Victoria's rendition of Columbian Pulled Pork (find the recipe here).  It is super easy, and fills the house with a delicious aroma while cooking.  Give it a try!

Scott enjoyed his sandwich open-face style, on a toasted bun, with some potato chips (and a beer!).  Enjoy!