The Double Wedding Ring a Novel

 I recently had the opportunity to review Clare's e-novel Streak of Lightning.  This week I finished reading The Double Wedding Ring on my Nook, which will be available on September 24, 2013.  Once again Nell finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and Clare wraps her characters in a number of quilts.  Traditional, modern and art quilts are discussed and described in detail.  I love where see explains about WIP's, Work in Progress, and UFO's, Unfinished Objects to Jesse her boyfriend.  It's a quick read and very enjoyable.

 

Description

It’s murder before marriage in book five of the Someday Quilts series

Nell’s future is on her mind, and it looks as though the pieces are coming together like a perfectly made quilt. Her relationship with police chief Jesse Dewalt is heating up, she’s thinking of starting her own business, and Grandma Eleanor, is about to get hitched.  But just the future seems sewn up, Jesse’s former NYPD partner turns up—dead. Nell has to scramble to keep the wedding on track, her relationship from falling apart, and herself from being the target of a stranger with a secret. The Double Wedding Ring has romance, murder and a modern cozy feel… everything fans of the Someday Quilts series have come to love. 

Streak of Lightning an e-novel

No not real lightning! 'A Streak of Lightning is a design that can be made in a number of ways.  Some people use rectangles that are offset, some use half-square triangles, and the one Nell Fitzgerald is making in an e-novel by Clare O'Donahue, is a variation on the classic log cabin.  The main point, however it is done, is to create the sense of movement, of color that juts back and forth in a line, just how most lightning bolts are represented.'

This excerpt from Clair's book gives you an idea of her attention to detail when comes to the quilts that she uses for the titles of her books.  In Streak of Lightning a Someday Quilts Mystery, fans get a chance to check up with what is happening in the lives of quilter turned amateur sleuth Nell Fitzgerald and the other residents of the small town of Archer's Rest, New York.  Now, available STREAK OF LIGHTNING ($2.99 /August 2013), as A Penguin Special (e-book only) which went on-sale July 30th. 

 

I enjoyed making the time to read about Nell's next adventure and look forward to Claire's next book Double Wedding Ring which comes out this fall.

                                                 

                                            

Marti Michell has a couple versions in the Marti and Me class, Log Cabin Snuggler, that I missed and the Zig Zag Geese class.

 

 

 

 

Feathered Star Whole Cloth Wall Hanging is put together!!!

This weekend I was able to complete all 9 blocks necessary for my HoopSisters Feathered Star wall hanging.

 

It is far from perfect, but I'm pleased with the way it turned out!

 

  

I had to trim all the blocks according to the instructions and then sew 3 blocks each into a row.

 

Then I had to sew the rows together.

Now I have do the sashing in the back then the hanging sleeve and binding.

Feathered Star Whole Cloth Wall Hanging

This past spring I purchased a Pfaff Creative 2.0 sewing and embroidery machine so that I could quilt some of my own projects and expand my skills by learning to embroidery.

I had seen the HoopSister's Feathered Star pattern in an advertisment from Quilt Beginnings in Columbus. 

 

 

I wasn't going to be driving 3 hours for a class. Then I found out from my friend Gayle that I could purchase the entire block of the month locally.

 

So for the past few weeks I have been reading directions, purchasing embroidery thread, and fabric.  Not that I actually need fabric!!  I have a notebook that has the instructions in it so I can have that right next to my machine.

 

I did some test blocks to determine what size I could do with my machine.  Originally I thought I would be limited to 7", but now I figured out I can stitch 8" blocks.

 

When I purchased my Creative 2.0 I also purchase My Decorative Quilter by Floriani.  It's a digitizing package, but I have used it for changing thread colors and removing steps from some of my embroidery designs.

 

I have decided for my first project to make 24" Feathered Star Whole Cloth for my front door. 

 

I wanted a finished project when I was done with the learning process. It will have a Black background with Red and Silver thread.  I have completed 4 out of 9 blocks and made a few mistakes along the way.  But hey that is how I learn!! 

 

 

In my first 2 blocks I didn't use matching bobbin thread, so those backs look ugly. 

 

Man what a difference following the directions make!

 

Front

Back

Currently I'm finishing the 4th corner Block

 

Still have some learning to do!!

Maybe able to start assembling the wall hanging this weekend!!

Google Reader is going away so I have switched to Bloglovin’

 

Since Google Reader is going away on July 1st, 2013, I’ve switched to Bloglovin’ for a few reasons:

 

It gives bloggers page views, which I didn't realize I wasn't doing for the Blogs I follow!

 

It’s more aesthetically pleasing.

 

I can manage my blogs easily.

 

 

So please continue following me!

 

Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2013 - Feathered Peacock Star

I have decided to enter my Feathered Peacock Star in the Professional quilting category of the Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2013.

 

Here are myself and Rebecca Silbaugh, of Ruby Blue Quilting Studio, my quilter at the 2013 Lake Farm Parks quilt show in Northeastern Ohio.  This was my second Judy Niemeyer quilt and Becky did a great job with the quilting.  As the quilt came together, my husband mentioned that it reminded him of a Peacock, so Becky incorporated the shape of peacock feathers in the quilting.  Becky takes pictures to document her quilting and then shares them on her blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This quilt is currently touring with Beth, Becky's mom, from Cottonpickers Quilt shop.  It was recently in Michigan and will be in her shop's booth at National Quilting Association's Quilt Show in Columbus, Ohio in June.

 

"Get It Done" in March and April and May

Judy at Patchwork Times is helping us to get projects done in 2013 by sponsoring

"Get It Done".

 

We are to blog about 4 items we want to get done during the month.

During the month of February, I completed the following items:

I completed binding 2 of the Alaskan quilts.

I selected the fabric for my Mariner’s Compass Quilt
I have pasted the fabric to the color chart!

It was actually March 5th, but I did finish piecing the Baby Quilt!

 

For the month of March I need to complete the following items.

I need to make labels for the 2 Alaskan Quilts and get those shipped to their new home.
Done and the they love their new home!!

Once Becky from Ruby Blue Quilting is done quilting the Baby Quilt,
I need to bind and label it.
Done and the Mommy was really pleased!!

I still need to do a label.

Continue working on Cassie’s Judy and Brad Niemeyer Waterfall quilt
Done piecing and now at Ruby Blue Quilting to be quilted on Becky and Beth's longarm.
Done being quilted and waiting to be binded.

 

Oh and I decided to make a Shamrock Twister wall hanging, not sure that will get done by St. Patrick’s day, but it will be fun.
Center of the wall hanging is done!!

I used some of the left over fabric from Cassandra's quilt to plan another Judy and Brad Niemeyer quilt.  Tumbleweeds will have Browns, Golds and Purples.  I have pasted the fabric onto the planning guide.

I plan to be a little more productive in May and to Blog more!!

Quilts 2013 at Lake Farm Park

Last Friday was the reception for all those exhibiting over 220 quilts in this years

2013 Quilt show at Lake Farm Park in Kirtland, Ohio.

Congratulations to all those that won ribbons and

to those of us willing to share our talent with the public.

My DH Jim attended with me this year.  I think he enjoyed seeing all the

 beautiful quilts that I have mentioned recently.

I took a lot of pictures and have created a slideshow of the 1st Place winners.

I hope those of you in Northern Ohio will take the opportunity to visit this show. 

For those of you not able to attend please enjoy this slide show and the more to come.

A free slideshow by Smilebox



"Get It Done" in February 2013

Judy at Patchwork Times is helping us to get projects done in 2013

by sponsoring "Get It Done".

We are to blog about 4 items we want to get done during the month.

During the month of January, I completed the following items:

I attached the handing sleeve and binding on my Feathered Peacock Star, so it could be entered in the Lake Farm Park Quilts 2013.  Unfortunately no ribbon this year.

I prepared the backs for 3 Alaskan theme quilts and had them quilted by Becky at Ruby Blue Quilts.  This link will take you to Becky's blog so you can see the beautiful quilting that she did.

I did finalize the design and start the WaterFalls paper piecing quilt I'm making for Cassie.

And I did finalize the design for Sara's baby quilt.

I'm pretty happy with what I accomplished this month!!

For the month of February I need to complete the following items.

1

Binding the 3 Alaskan quilts.

After our trip to Alaska 5 years ago, our quilt will be done!!!

2

Complete Sara's baby quilt, which is also a pattern I'm testing for Jessie at The Whole Bolt.

This little guy will be tumbling across the baby quilt!

3

Continue working on Cassie's Waterfall quilt.  I have one of the columns done.

4

Fianlize the design and then start assigning the fabrics to my next Judy and Brad Niemeyer quilt which is a Mariner's Compass.

 

I really think if I put my mind to it I can "Get It Done" in February!!

 

Quilting Gallery's Favourite Quilts from 2012 Show and Tell

 

 

I entered my Feathered Peacock Star Wallhanging in the

Quilting Gallery's Favourite quilts from 2012 Show and Tell.

 

Please go to the site and view all the beautiful quilts and vote!!

 

I'm currently in 4th place!!