Another great book

Seems the glare on this book is something awful.  I should have resolved to take better blog pictures -- don't know if I have that in me!  Anyways, the title is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.  It's a great book about 12 year old CeeCee who has had an absolutely dreadful life up til now caring for her mentally ill mother while her father is mostly drunk, traveling or with his girlfriend.  Her mother dies and she goes to live with her great aunt in Savannah, Georgia.  This is a fabulous book, more sweet and funny than depressing.  This is Beth Hoffman's first book and I can't wait for her to publish another novel.

Road to California

My sewing group went to the Road to California Quilt Show in Ontario, CA this past weekend.  It was a super road trip and we did it all in a day.  We met bright and early at 6 a.m. and made the 3 1/2 hour drive easily.  Of course, we had plenty of snacks, coffee, water and reading materials (quilt magazines) to keep us focused and able to assist our driver!  We found a parking space easily and wandered across the street in a light rain.  We spent about 4 hours there looking at fabulous quilts and vendors.  The lunch lines were unbelievably long so we walked across the street to Marie Callendar's.  I can honestly say it's been years since I've eaten there.  Then it was back to the show to see the last big room of vendors.  I found several patterns and treasures.  Our friend found herself a Koala sewing cabinet at 20% off, free delivery and free chair!  We can't wait to see it in her sewing room.  I can say this was the best $10 ticket I've bought in ages.  This show is highly recommended. I took my selvage purse so I would look like a quilter.  Our next planned road trip is to the Houston Quilt Show in early November.

A Great book -- deep though

This was a really GREAT book, but definitely not a light read.  It's nonfiction and there's lots of science and DNA in it.  It's about Henrietta Lacks who was treated at John Hopkins Hospital for cervical cancer in the 1950's.  Her cells were grown in culture, multiplied by billions, sold, given away and used to develop the polio vaccine among many cutting edge discoveries in the world of medicine.  The HeLa cells are still alive today.  They were used without Henrietta's or her families' knowledge.  I have truly loved this book.  It would be a great book club selections.

Cuddle Blanket

This is a cuddle blanket I made my daughter, Laurie for Christmas. She has been a blanket lover since birth and now she loves quilts too. This was made with a kit I bought in Montana this summer. It's all Minky fabric with a light batting. It's not a technically difficult quilt but working with this fabric and the spray adhesive is enough to send you into the kitchen for a drink! It's shown here draped across her bed. My other daughter is not a blanket lover and said I don't have to suffer through making another one for her!

These kits are adorable and come in baby blanket sizes too.

Another good "listen"

This book was titled Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews.  Seems I just couldn't get to it this summer so I checked it out again for a winter "listen".  It's a great story about a group of friends spending August together in a summer cottage on the beach.  They have lots of adventures, life changes and a little suspense too.  You could read it now or wait for summer.  It's a winner anytime.

My New York Beauty

A New York Beauty quilt is a classic design that was a must have in my repertoire of completed quilts.  I started this during our summer retreat in Brianhead, Utah.  It's a Sharon Stone pattern and was paper pieced.  It hangs by my petite desk and I just love to look at it while I pay bills, sort mail, etc.  It is a "crowning" achievement for me and will bring me many years of pleasure seeing it hung in my living room.  Here's a close look at part of the quilt.

I encourage anyone to take on this challenge.  Isn't she lovely?

Another good "listen"

My good friend, Rachel, gave this to me.  She just sent her youngest daughter to college in August and read the book then.  It was a fun book to read, easy plot and nice style of writing.  The book is about a mom taking her daughter to college and trying to finish her crazy quilt during the ride across the country -- can't we all relate to waiting until the last minute!  Or wait, it's the project just became so complicated.  Anyway, it's a fun book and will warm your heart.

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year!

 I resolve to keep my neglected blog updated twice a week.  It seems we have been so busy this fall with many home projects which included new paint, cabinets, countertops, furniture, lighting, accessories, etc.  It's almost finished!  It's been lots of fun and the house is looking spectacular.  It really needed updating after 15 years.  I will devote some posts to the new look eventually.  Some finish work (like backsplash, ceiling patches, pictures) needs to get done before the rooms are really photo ready.

This is my first official finish of 2012.  It's Bloomin' Steps from the Scrap Therapy line of patterns.  I just love this quilt, especially the border.  My husband, Don, is already in love with this and can't wait to use it to keep him warm while watching TV in the family room.  We have a leather sectional so a quilt really helps during the winter == although it was 63 here today.

I have spent some time today on my resolutions and have a good plan in place for a new me in 2012.  I'll share throughout the year.