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Had hoped to visit Brooklyn this summer but as of yet, I haven't gotten there. I looked at the calendar and there is not much time left. I had better start organizing myself to make visit Jessie before school starts the day after Labor Day.
One of my favorite things to do when I visit Jess is to wander around her neighborhood in Greenpoint. There are lots of great little restaurants and parks. I must make time to visit.
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This quilt marks a couple of firsts for me. It is my first ever scrap quilt. It's true! I have been quilting since '78 and never, ever attempted a scrappy project.
I must say, I am thrilled with the way it turned out! The second first, is the finishing. This quilt is bound for Utah and will be tied in an old-fashioned sort of quilting bee. The quilts will be tied by volunteers and the recipients of the donated quilts. There will be at least ten quilts tied at this event. In order to have it ready, I needed to sew the backing on like a pillowcase or an envelope and then finish the opening that I used to flip it right side out. I was a nervous wreck about attempting to finish it this way, but it is done!
When I first decided I wanted to create a quilt and donate it to my sister-in-law's cause, I searched for a pattern that I could use that would make use of my enormous collection of scraps, but that wouldn't be too difficult.
While searching I came across Bonnie Hunter and her scrap users system. She has a quilt a library of free patterns, all designed to be made with scraps. I decided on Bricks and Stepping Stones because it looked like a good first scrappy quilt project. Translated, it looked "easy". Quilting scrappy is not something I have ever been comfortable doing. It just seems a bit too random for me. But, I had some scraps that seemed masculine and appropriate for the Bricks and Stepping Stones and decided to move ahead with the project.
The 4 patch stepping stones seem to twinkle across the quilt. Some of the fabrics used have been in my stash since the early 80's. I am so glad they could be used and I am excited abou the possibility of quilting scrappy more often. Not that I need another project!
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Staying home this summer has allowed us the opportunity to eat fresh every day. We are blessed to live so close to so many farms and farmers' markets that eating fresh is really quite easy.
Often you will find Mark and I in the kitchen. Working together or separately on the same meal. My specialty is making delectable salads and vinaigrettes. Mark is the master of stir fried vegetables as well as vegan chili. Tonight there was a pot of chili on the stove and a pot of my favorite mushroom lentil soup. I couldn't be happier!
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Since the 15th of the month is coming up very quickly, I decided I had better get going on my August block. This will be block 3 of the five we are to make. I know that Julie already finished her August block, long before August started. Me, on the other hand, I like to wait til the last minute. If I stay up all night I just might get it done!
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Jason's home that is! Jason's new apartment is the second floor of an old firehouse in South Philly. It is such a neat space, lots of room and a great location! The only downside, the bright colors that the previous tenants used to paint the walls. Perhaps when he was younger the bright red and the purple might have been okay, but now my grown up son is looking for something a little more classic.
Jason and I have actually only painted together a couple of times. All of those times occurred before he was even 10 years old. So this was a new experience for us. We had a great time and accomplished quite a bit. Our first job, cutting the new paint against the ceiling line around the bedroom and two walls in the living room.
Then it was onto the walls. Jason had painted the front hall so I set about painting the doors so the room could be finished.
That was one coat on the red doors. I did one more before I left and I think that only one more will be needed to completely cover the previous color.
Three coats will be needed on the walls in the bedroom, this is after two and I think it is looking pretty good. The purple was not easy to cover!
The beadboard in the livingroom was painted a bright glossy red. After two coats it is looking pretty good. The third coat of paint should go on pretty easy, it will just take time!
Those are the colors on the walls when we started! It is looking so much better and brighter now!
It is so exciting to be able to help Jason as he sets up his first solo apartment. My little boy is definitely growing up!
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After spending a beautiful summer day out exploring the Roebling Museum and downtown Bordentown, we came home to my favorite summer meal. A fresh salad filled with lots of different greens, carrots, mushrooms and Jersey tomatoes!
There is nothing quite like fresh Jersey tomatoes. So sweet. Next up, fresh Jersey corn with just a little salt and pepper.
This is one meal I cannot get enough of! It is so easy to be vegan during the summer! I hope Mark doesn't mind, but I am planning a similar meal tomorrow evening!
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Tonight, this fabric will become a fabulous maxi skirt. I have set up my dining room and living room to welcome some industrious ladies eager to make their first maxis! It is going to be such fun!
I happen to own three machines of varying vintages so I am putting them all into active service this evening. I have removed the 1/4" feet which I use for quilting and set them all up for sewing knits.
The living room is set up with 2 tables for cutting and the ironing board for pressing seams as we sew together our skirts.
My fabric is ready to be measured and cut. I am using it as an example so that each person can experience the laying out of their own. I want each of the women to leave here tonight believing that they can replicate the process on their own.
This is such an easy skirt to make, a great first project for people who are not "sewers" or who have not sewn in a while. It is a forgiving project and a whole lot of fun!
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Have you ever been to Donkey's?
For me this was a throw back sort of adventure. I haven't been to Donkey's in at least 14 years. In fact, the last time I was at Donkey's we were still living on LBI.
Donkey's has a limited menu. Cheesesteaks and french fries. Oh, you can add extra onions, or extra cheese, but that is the extent of the menu. Fortunately they do cheesesteaks well.
The very first thing you notice about a Donkey's cheesesteak is that it is served on a round, poppy seeded, kaiser roll. YUM! The cheese is actually slices of American cheese and the steak is a little thicker than what I remember a Philly cheesesteak to be like. It has been years since I have had a cheesesteak, and years since I have been able to eat a full sized sandwich. I really thought I would not be able to finish my sandwich, but I did, and I also had a few fries1
Our reason for heading to Donkey's was simple, I just wanted Mark to experience some of the things I know to be unique about where we live. Donkey's is certainly unique!
They are open only Monday through Friday and they close every day at 4. The area is reported to be a little risky, and while I have never experienced that, there is a reason that they close at 4!
Donkey's is located at 1223 Haddon Avenue in Camden. It is not haute cuisine but it is yummy. For those of you not willing to venture into Camden, there is Donkey's Too located on Tomlinson Mill Road in Medford. I have never eaten there, but I am guessing it is worth a visit!
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Roasting vegetables a lot this summer, special thanks to my hubby for cooking!
Enjoying our subscription to the Ritz. They did a wonderful job with Young Frankenstein!
Sewing again! I feel so much better when I make time to sew!
Working quickly to finish this quilt to send to my sister-in-law for a special project! Having fun!
Perusing the fall Keepsake Quilting catalog and wishing there was a trip to New Hampshire in my future!
Looking forward to sewing a new maxi skirt and showing others how to do the same!
Planning for the future...so many opportunities makes me feel excited and a little overwhelmed!
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We really enjoy our Saturday night dates at the Ritz. We buy our season tickets early and have front row center seats to some of the best show around.
Tonight it was Young Frankenstein. It was wonderful! I didn't have my camera with me so I relied on Mark to take our traditional selfie! He did a pretty good job!
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