QuiltBLISS 2015

Are you as excited about QuiltBLISS as I am?? Plans for QuiltBLISS 2015 are well underway and we have some very special surprises!!  QuiltBLISS will be Thursday, February 26th through Sunday March 1st 2015. We couldn't be more excited about our teachers and guest speakers ~ but more on that later.

As the registration draws closer (July 28th, 2014) We will have more information about tickets, sponsors, pricing, teachers and the schedule of events. So visit the QuiltBLISS website starting in June. wahoo!

I just love our new logo! It couldn't have turned out better.

Please visit http://www.quilt-bliss.com for more info.

Strawberries + Summer



If you don't know by now, I have a serious slight obsession with strawberries. Really, I have several long standing obsessions, but strawberries is at the top of the list. I know it comes from growing up in Portland picking strawberries every summer with my family. Hood strawberries are small and full of the sweetest juicy flavor. Hood's make the best jam, ice cream and strawberries and cream.

Last spring when The Pattern Basket came out with the Strawberry Social quilt, I ran to my computer and ordered the pattern. For my strawberry medallion quilt I took the strawberries and made a border. Now, I am making the whole quilt. I will be tweaking it slightly (as I always have too!) but for now I am happily making my strawberries. Summer can't come soon enough.

QuiltBLISS Retreat

What an amazing weekend. I loved hosting QuiltBLISS and I am so glad I made a video of the weekend. It couldn't have turned out better and encapsulates how much fun we had. Check it out!



















QuiltBLISS 2014 from Lilly McDowell on Vimeo.

Yo-Yo's

I love handy work, I love the thimble and the needle. I love how they feel in my hands and I love the results after a few hours of just ME time.

Lately I have been crazy for yo-yo's. My dear friend was making Halloween yo-yos a few months back and explained how her sister for Christmas had made her a 100 yo-yo garland out of Christmas fabrics. Be still my beating heart. I had instantly gone yoyo for yo-yo's.

She was working with the standard "orange" yo-yo maker but after further investigation I found that there was a "jumbo version" and I was smitten.

The yo-yos end up being about 3" and a little more and I am in L-O-V-E.

My big idea was to take all my ugly, "what the heck was I thinking" fabric and make yo-yo's out of them for QuiltBLISS. Any fabric looks awesome all cinched and gathered. A yo-yo garland is pretty harmless and I knew if I decided to do something else with them, I could just take the yo-yos apart.

So began my quest to make hundreds of yo-yo's. I made a goal of 300 which would give me 6 strands of 50 yo-yo's. I have about 250 done and have started stringing them together.  All my previous hard work is starting to pay off, they look really cool.

We are Family

A few weeks back I realized almost all of my family would be in Utah. So I decided we needed to have a family photo shoot. I so appreciate my sisters making the effort to be there. These picture we will cherish forever. It was a great time to capture all of us in our different stages of life. My parents hadn't had photos taken together in 25 years! Far too long. They complained that they looked old...I said "Well,  you can't look 55 when your in your 70's" A good reminder to me...to take photos all along the way of life, and don't stop even if you think you look "old".

 Because we were all doing a session at the SLC Temple we had the pictures taken on the temple grounds. Even thought is was the last day of September the flowers were gorgeous, the sky was overcast the pictures turned out perfect. My kids really cooperated and there was little to no screaming and crying.

 

As always my friend Kimberly from Echo Photos outdid herself and waved her magic camera. She really is an outstanding family photographer!

The best homemade biscuits

After I had my last baby, my sweet neighbor brought over a bag of frozen biscuits. All the directions said was THAW and then COOK @ 400 degrees for 12-15 mins. It was already dinner time so in the freezer they went. Fast forward a few weeks and I needed dinner stat. I took out the biscuits and let them thaw. 30 mins later in the over they went. I got the jam and butter out and waited while they cooked. 

Really these biscuits are mouthwatering. I loved them. I asked my neighbor for the recipe and she happily obligued. I love when people will share their good recipes!

I made this recipe 3 times before they turned out. At some point I had switch my baking soda and baking powder GAH!!! and that is a deal breaker with this recipe. 

Here is the recipe for the best homemade biscuits:

1 pkg yeast and 2 tablespoon water ~ allow to proof

In a large bowl combine these dry ingredients:
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
3 tablespoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar

Add: 1 cup shortening and mix like pastry dough, then add 2 cups buttermilk and yeast.
Barely Mix Together.

Pour dough onto a floured surface and shape into a square. Avoid really mixing the dough too much ~ it should be just barley together. see below

Cut into squares and separate onto a cookie sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. OR place in a ziploc freezer bag for later.

* I do alittle of both cook 10-12 and freeze the rest. The smaller the squares the better because it is a yeast dough.

Eat hot with lots of butter and homemade jam!

Summer is Coming to a Close

Summer is coming to a close at our house. The kids start school next Tuesday. It's still boiling hot here and I refuse to buy skinny jeans for my kids to wear on the first day of school when it will be 99 degrees.

My baby turns ONE next Monday. Ahhhh, I just can't believe hims ONE.

I am hoping once school is back in session my life can get back to normal. Normal is a relative word, but I guess I mean a little quieter.

QuiltBLISS is coming along splendidly! There are only 7 spots left, so hurry and sign up. We have so many great things planned you'll be sad you missed it.

Enjoying the Summer

Summer has been quite the whirl wind so far. Calling June busy would be an understatement. From our vacation to CA, a mission farewell, 2 family BBQ's and a wonderful baptism I haven't had a chance to catch my breath...until now. Since July 4th things have slowed down a bit, which enabled me to make a few home cooked meals, do some sewing, get some fresh air in the mountains and catch up on my laundry (blah!) All in all, summer has been very fun. 

My strawberry medallion quilt. First border up!

me and Jeanette up in Alpine!

Tickets for QuiltBLISS are still for sale, but a lot have sold, which makes me so happy! It is going to be an incredible retreat. So don't delay... get your tickets TODAY!

QuiltBLISS Quilt Retreat

Hello All My Quilty Friends!!

I am really excited to share with you about a retreat I am helping to host through the Utah County Modern Quilt Group.  Its called QuiltBLISS and it is going to be next January 30th - February 2nd, 2014 in Heber Utah!! We have an amazing weekend planned with class, swaps, lectures and much more. Tickets for the event go on sale tomorrow: Wednesday, June 12th at 8:00am so hurry and get your ticket. Click here to register at Eventbrite.

For more information about the retreat visit: QuiltBLISS we have the weekend schedule listed, descriptions of all 7 classes and teachers and more about our special lectures with Sarah from Sarah Jane Studios and Sherri from A Quilting Life. 

I hope you all can make it. It is going to be an amazing weekend!!

Last Day of School

Last Thursday, was the last day of school. Ahhhhh!  I can breathe a sigh of relief that there is no more homework, lunches and carpool. After 9 months of school, Mom needs a break too!

We have a fun summer planned. I think the key to staying happy is staying busy. I've been pinning lots of fun kid activities on Pinterest ~ lets see how many we actually get to.

I've also been quilting up a storm. Well, what I would consider a storm... keeping my 2 yo out of trouble is a full time job and my 9 month old is extremely clinging, so quilting up a storm for me is a few hours a week. Ha!

I've been working really hard on my HST quilt form the UCMQG. The group is so inspiring and challenges me to continually quilt out of my comfort zone. I loved working on this HST quilt, I was always afraid of triangles and bias quilts, but with risk comes great reward.

I've spent  40 + hours already on this quilt and I haven't even started hand binding it yet. The bindings on, but I have yet to sit down and finish it. Once I get going, I remember how much I love to just sit with a thimble, needle and stitch. Simplicity!



I got my design idea from Katie of Sewkatiedid while seeing her progress on Instagram. She makes the loveliest quilts, her creativity is through the roof.  It was a real challenge to see a quilt and just go for it with no pattern and no tangible quilt to reference. Although the design is simple, looks were deceiving and this one and took an extreme amount of brain power. Maybe now that school is out...I can sit at the park and finish the binding. Happy Summer Vacation.

At last...its spring!

After a really cold, long winter I feel like the worst of it is over. Yay!!! My garden is showing signs of life and most days I can run to my mailbox barefooted. I have been quilting up a storm and enjoying snuggling at night under the covers.

 

 I have been most excited about learning how to paper piece. My strawberry is from Sew-Ichigo, they have great patterns and I want to make all of them. I was always so intimidated by all the "paper-ness" but it is really amazingly easy. I had a great teacher who walked my step by step through the process and I can't wait to do even more.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Sew Shabby Quilting

Right before I had Mr. A, I was contacted by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting about machine quilting. Since I had just finished a quilt for Mr. A, I was excited for the opportunity to have it quilted. Nothing brings me more pleasure than to "hand off" my quilt top, batting and back and say "Work your Magic". Melissa is a lovely quilter. We instantly clicked and she really knew her stuff. Which made it only that much easier to hand over my quilt. We discussed a few patterns and styles and she was confident the cute star pattern I chose would look great.



I love how the machine quilting turned out! Melissa did a great job and it only took about a week. I think I picked up the quilt 2 days before I went into labor. It felt so good to know I had little A's quilt back and ready for him to use and enjoy. I have been so pleased with the quilting I am anxious to finish another quilt (maybe my 30's granny squares!) and drop it off. Her pricing is affordable and her studio is clean and pet free. Subscribe to her newsletter and you'll be conected to all sales and specials.

Check out the cute little pendants I made for the center block and the star pattern machine quilting. Looks perfect! I am a firm believer that machine quilting should only enhance your quilt not distract from it.

Here is a shot of the whole quilt. I am in love with granny squares at the moment and can't get enough of them! The boarder is my favorite,  "Reunion" by Sweetwater for Moda.

Right now Sew Shabby Quilting is running a pre-Christmas special where your get 20% off OR you can tell Melissa I sent you over: "Pamela from Frenchknots" for 20% off your quilting charge. Either way, now is the time to get your quilts finished and check some Christmas presents off your list. Whatcha waiting for? Hurry up!

A Much Needed Break

(dresdens)

(baby binding)
 

My baby is a month old. How on earth? Why does a month in pregnancy seem to literally take an eternity but once the baby is here life seem to flash forward? My husband's out of town on business and he called me this morning to tell me he had a dream we had a FIFTH boy! Oi!

Because he is out of town, I got a baby sitter last night and got away with a long time friend, Kristin, and we spent the evening quilting. Kristin helps runs the Utah County Modern Quilt Guild of which I am a member.  If your local, and want to join a "quilt group" the UCMQG is fantastic and so worth it.

I didn't realize until I was sitting there sewing away on my machine how desperate I was of a much needed break, doing something I love, without the distractions of husband and kids. (Of, course I had cute little Andrew, but he just slept and was easy peasy!) It was great to just visit and work on a few projects.

Leaving my house last night I was highly ambitious on what I would get done. Ha, Ha. I thought I'd work on some 30's granny squares, put a binding on my baby's quilt and make a dent in my Dresdens. Double Ha, Ha. I got 2 out of 3 accomplished and I felt leaving so energized, I resolved to steal bit of time each day (realistic, no?)  and do something "quilty". I am sure some days it just won't be in the cards, but sometimes is better than never. Right?


Happy Friday!

The Fourth Arrival

Wow! I can't believe I've done this FOUR times now. We brought home little Andrew one week ago today. He is such a delight and everyone is enjoying him immensely included Mr. H. He loves and loves on him with an occasional jealous outburst (tantrum) but I think two older brothers really help keep him happy and busy.

Labor and delivery were (of course) in the middle of the night, but I love the still of it all and the rush of the day isn't there to distract us. Andrew was born at 6:14 AM right as the sun was coming up over the mountains and it was a great way to start the day. He weigh 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. We were a bit shocked when we first saw him. He has lots and lots of dark hair. Who knew my husband and I had the "DNA" for a little dark haired wonder, but after going back thru my baby pictures ~ yes it is possible.

me and my daddy!

The Waiting Game

Today is my "Due Date". I feel a great sense of accomplishment making it to my due date, but that is just personal. I feel like now that its been 40 weeks I'm out of the woods and can have this sweet baby. I always go a week over and if this baby doesn't come until after the 21st no one won't be more surprised them me.

A little over 20 months ago I had Mr H. and needless to say I am having a bit of dejavu this go around. When I hit my due date with him, I also wrote a blog post and I knew I would be remissed if I didn't this time as well. Since I am not a "heavy writer" in my blog posts it is really fun to go back and read my thoughts about "where my head was at" last time around.

I have loved every stage my family has been through since H. birth. I feel like as a family we have gotten into a good groove, minimal rough patches and much smoother sailing. It been so rewarding to watch my two older boys and see how they have loved and looked after Henry as he has moved thru being a baby then infant and is now a toddler. It will be even more exciting to go through those stages with this new baby.

In May, we had family pictures taken. Close friends and family thought I was crazy to take family photos 6.5 months pregnant, but our family was at such a cute stage, even if I didn't look my best I still wanted to capture how I felt.  Kimberly our photographer was amazing, if you live in Utah or ever visit look her up! You won't be sorry.



From here on out its a Waiting Game. The boys were funny this morning: "Mom, isn't today your due date?" ME: Yes. Boys: "So the baby could come any day now???" Me: Yes! Boys: Wahoo!!! You forget how long the 9 month wait really is in the lives of a 7 and 10 year old and how patiently and lovingly they wait for little brother to arrive.

Summa Time

We spent last week visiting family in California...just what the doctor order for this 32 week preggers Momma.  It was such a great trip...we loved every minute of it. In April I found an amazing steal on airfare so for the first time in about 5 years we were able to fly. I with confidence can say that it will probably never happen again. With H. turning 2 in the fall and eventually having a fourth child to buy a ticket for we won't be flying as a family anytime soon. Which just made the flights all the sweeter.

It usually takes us 11 hours to drive from my doorstep to to my sisters ~ including the time change, traffic and usual stops. It was incredible that in 1 and 22 minutes we were saying goodbye to Utah and Helllllllooooo SoCal.

As usual we are totally spoiled whenever we visit my sister. The sunny, perfect weather, the pool and spa {right in the backyard}, Magic Mountain, the beach, the home cooked food and local restaurants. Ah, heaven. Here are a few highlights from the trip.

The Getty Museum

The Original Farmers Market

Zuma Beach ~ Malibu CA

Backyard Pool Shenanigans

....more Shenanigans

The Best Strawberries evah!!!

Granny's a Go-Go!

Summer is here. Finally! The kids are out of school ~ no more lunches, homework and finding socks for school. I don't know about you, but every morning I heard "Mom,. where are some socks!" Hooray, for flip flops. Swimming lessons and soccer camps are in full swing this week and I am finishing up last minute details for our big family vacation.

Before we leave for our vacation, I have one pressing issue to finishing up: GrAnNy SqUaReS.  Some girlfriends and I are doing a granny square swap, we each have to make 24 GS, the only requirements were to use: Kona white, any 30's prints and don't trim the squares. 


I want to make 2 quilts with my GS blocks and 24 would only make 2 very small quilts...so I'm adding a few of my own blocks to the mix. I've got one of the quilts in mind for a sweet friend who just loves feed sack prints. I've been working on a few color combos that I knew the other ladies weren't using: peach, mint green, purple. I'm just infatuated with these blocks!

The block below is really special, I found the fabrics at a friends yard sale and I got some awesome "vintagey" 30's prints. I think they are from the 80's.


Happy Summer Quilting.

Busy, Busy

Happy Tuesday! I have been swamped this past week or so: end of school projects and programs, soccer, quilting getaway, swimming, gardening and vacation planning. Luckily I get to include quilting in my busy schedule. The last week or so I quilted 2 quilts on my machine (at home) Double Yikes!! It was challenging and fun. I bought my machine 6 years ago with the premise to quilt my own quilts, and finally I am just going for it. It feels great.

I tried my hand at stippling (below) on my improv quilt and straight line stitching on my 9-patch on point I had basted at the begining of the month. I had a few hiccups on my 9-patch because of a feed dog issue which I was very discouraged about....but once I figured that out it was smooth sailing.
 

I got to "escape" here and there last weekend to attending a scrapbook/quilting getaway my friend Ella hosts. I worked on BINDINGS,something I always procrastinate doing, one quilt hadn't been bound from 2 years ago! Oi!! I bound 4 quilts over the weekend. Feels like a weighs has seriously been lifted. I also started work on a block swap: Granny Squares in 30's prints. I love how they are turning out: red/yellow/peach. I am using a strip piece tutorial so things are moving along quickily. Most of the ladies at the getaway are participating so it was fun to see their fabrics and progress.

I can't wait for summer to officially start, school to be finished and to really enjoy the last 10 weeks before this baby arrives. Happy Quilting.