Paula Lynn's Bin

VBS Week Now Complete

2010-06-21T11:55:00.000-05:00

We attend a smaller church that my husband's family has attended for oh...

about half a century.

We finished with VBS a few weeks ago and it is always so cool to see such a large group of kids having fun.

Everybody (adults to the pre-K classes) sported staches one night.

All the giggles coming from the young children's classes was just precious.

We had 9 professions of faith and that included one adult.

Awesome!

And that is what the congregation shouts when they are presented to the church.

And...who knows...maybe that's what God's sayin' too.

It's Almost Time & I'm Ready!

2010-06-15T12:05:00.001-05:00

We are heading to Holden Beach, NC soon. Very soon.

I've never seen the ocean and neither has my Hunny or kids.

It's going to be an adventure to get there.

An 18 hour adventure.

But we're ready!

Scrappy Camera Case

2010-06-08T09:21:00.001-05:00

This is my scrappy camera case I threw together last weekend.

It needed some personalization so then I appliqued my initial on it and made it mine. All mine.

No pattern was used. I just "winged" it.

Just...uh....don't pay any attention to the weeds around our okra plants.

I'm not.

Friday Night Sew-In

2010-06-08T08:42:00.011-05:00

It's time for Friday Night Sew-In on the 18th.

This will be my first and I'm so excited!

And it's just what I needed to get my table topper ready to take with me on vacation.

I'm going to practice hand quilting it while I'm gone.

Click the button to follow its link and join us. See you there!

Special Delivery

2010-06-07T15:25:00.003-05:00

Thank you!

I received this Fairy Frost charm pack from Michael Miller Fabrics in the mail this weekend.

It's my gift from The Quilt Shoppe's drawing for their Spring Fever Bingo that is being held on their blog, In Stitches.

This is way cool! Thanks!

June Project List

2010-06-01T10:10:00.007-05:00

I have a small project list for June.

I have a home project to complete. Paint and re-wallpaper our main bathroom.

And we have a large vacation planned this month to Holden Beach, NC.

And my birthday is in June. Here comes 42!

So this is my meager list:

Finish "Old Fashioned Hospitality" a Kim Diehl quilt from her book Simple Comforts

WIP - Jaybird Quilts - Hexagon Quilt-a-Long - Moda's The Caroler

Start a lap/wall quilt that I can practice hand quilting while on vacation this summer

My Baby's 17th Birthday

2010-05-31T10:51:00.007-05:00

Today is my baby's 17th birthday.

He was born 17 years ago today and it was Memorial Day the day he was born too.

My husband's aunt and cousins, from Oklahoma, were down the street staying with my husband's grandma for the three day weekend.

I woke in the morning thinking that I was in labor but didn't have the tell tale signs.

Just a little dribbling and no contractions.

Later that morning my husband was outside mowing grass.

And his grandma called wanting to know when we would be down.

I told her during the conversation that I thought my water had broke.

She told the rest of the family that was there.

Mike, my husband's cousin, was willing to come over and help...

fix our........plumbing.

Needless to say, we did go to the hospital and at 12:05 a.m. May 31, 1993, we had a beautiful 8 lb. 10 oz. baby boy, Ryan Christopher.

I love, love, love my baby.

And he loves his Mommy.

Happy Birthday!!!

2010-05-29T08:33:00.031-05:00

Today is my dear friend's 40th birthday.

This is the Disappearing Nine Patch quilt I've been working on for her birthday gift.

It's made out of a cut up layer cake and several charm packs of the Nostalgia fabric line by Moda.

I finished it this past Monday with time to spare which is very unusual for me.

Using a monthly project list helps me stay focused on getting projects done on time.

And boy!, it's such a relief not to be in a panic to get a project done.

I love the backing fabric. It's part of the Nostalgia fabric line too.

I longarm quilted it at our local quilt shop with a meander pantograph.

Hmmm....maybe I should of chosen a simple floral pattern.

I never can decide. Choosing the quilting pattern is the hardest part for me.

I made the quilt label on my Brother 4000D embroidery machine.

I can't wait to see this quilt after she washes it a few times.

It will be a great cuddle quilt.

Happy Birthday Shaleen. Love ya!

Bra Shopping

2010-05-27T14:49:00.007-05:00

I went bra shopping today.

It was depressing.

I've lost about 15 pounds the last several months just by not eating as much, parking in the "back 40", and stepping up the speed when I walk places.

Yes, this is a good thing.

Thus the need for some new bras.

I needed some support...and now a support group.

You know how you don't really pay attention to yourself until you're starting at yourself in that mirror (you know what mirror) under that terrible lighting?

"Hi, I'm Paula and I'm 42.

I have to hike my girls up and into their place."

I'm slowly becoming....

OLD!

Feelin the "Comment Love"

2010-05-26T09:23:00.002-05:00

Wow!

My name was drawn in the daily drawing and my blog was featured on the In Stitches blog for the Spring Fever Bingo.

I'm a new blogger and pretty much have been in my own little blog world until now.

I feel the "comment love" and it feels great.

Thank you.

How About That?!?

2010-05-25T11:55:00.003-05:00

Today has started out as a good day.

My name was drawn on the first drawing for Spring Fever online BINGO game hosted by the Quilt Shoppe.

Quilt Shoppe Bingo drawing day 2

Thank you!!!

I won a Fairy Frost charm pack from Michael Miller.

Thank you again!

Spring Fever Bingo!

2010-05-19T08:35:00.027-05:00

Ooooooo! Online BINGO!

Sounds like fun.

Scoot on over to The Quilt Shoppe by May 23rd to join in.

These are my words:

~~applique~~

~~barbecue~~

blossoms

~~blueberries~~

~~breeze~~

~~daffodil~~

dogwood

~~freesia~~

~~graduation~~

grass

~~hummingbird~~

~~jelly beans~~

kid

lily

~~May~~

peony

pink lemonade

porch

quilts

seeds

sky

~~spring break~~

sweater

~~thunderstorm~~

water hose

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

BINGO! -- I'm just practicing : )

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2010-05-18T07:59:00.003-05:00

Sounds fun to me.

I'm still new to quilting and love, love, love! looking at all the different quilts.

I probably would have twice the quilts made if I spent more time quilting than looking at different quilts on the internet.

I've never been to a quilt festival. Any quilt festival, show, etc.

I have no friends that are interested in quilts.

And you know, Arkansas does not seem to be that into quilts as the other states.

What's up with that?

Memory Block--Is That It?

2010-05-17T07:53:00.009-05:00

What's up with this memory thing as I get older?

I used to think my Mom was crazy for not remembering who gave her the beautiful casserole dish she uses only for lasagna.

Not remember who gave you the casserole dish? Really?

I am slowly becoming....my Mother.

I loaned out our hedge trimmers.

I don't remember who too and they haven't returned them.

How can I not remember that?

I remember standing in our garage and looking for them while I was talking to him.

But....I don't remember who "him" is.

I've been trying to remember all weekend.

And...nothing.

And since I mentioned my Mother.

How did her hands get attached to my arms?

I Couldn't Resist

2010-05-06T08:10:00.003-05:00

Oh dear.

I'm supposed to be on a fabric buying freeze saving $$$ for our summer vacation.

I couldn't resist.

A sale AND a $10 off coupon at the Fat Quarter Shop.

I picked up a jelly roll. A Sandy Gervais jelly roll. An Essence jelly roll.

A jelly roll on S-A-L-E. Have I said that already? I'm trying to make myself feel better. Can you tell?

It's my colors and I simply couldn't resist.

A few days ago I posted about the pattern book I have from Heather Mulder Peterson.

A pattern book I bought specifically to make the Jelly Roll Junction quilt.

And...well...I don't have a jelly roll.

But now I do.

{whispering while hunching over with my finger over my lips} Don't tell my Hunny. Okay?

Disappearing Nine Patch (D9P)

2010-05-05T11:45:00.001-05:00

Disappearing Nine Patch (D9P) is a simple block to make.

1. Sew a typical 9 square block. Choose 5 darker squares for the four corners and center. Choose 4 lighter squares for the others. Press the seams well to make block lay flat.

2. Line up your ruler to cut your block in half both vertically and horizontally.

3. Rotate 180° one set of opposite blocks and sew blocks together again.

4. Press completed block again.

Sew blocks together for quilt, table topper, table runner, etc.

This is a 5" charm D9P lap quilt.

It is 4 blocks per row x 5 rows = 20 blocks

20 blocks x 9 charm squares per block = 180 charm squares

180 charm squares / 42 charm squares per pack = 4 charm packs + 12 additional charm squares

51" x 63" quilt top

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You can also make a table runner from the D9P blocks.

Add as many D9P blocks to make your table runner whatever length you would like.

This is a 3 block D9P table runner.

3 D9P blocks x 9 charm squares per block = 27 charm squares

BTW -- This is my Mom's Mother's Day gift. Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Sew 3 D9P blocks together in 3 rows to make a square table topper. You can always sew more D9P together to make a larger table topper to custom fit it to the size of your table.

Ideas for the D9P are endless.

Have fun with it!

Some Assembly Required

2010-05-04T09:32:00.006-05:00

...and only Mom's are qualified.

May To Do List

2010-05-03T14:37:00.007-05:00

~~2 Mother's Day table toppers~~ - DONE!

~~Start a quilt - pattern TBD - Nostalgia Layer Cake - May birthday present~~ - DONE

Finish "Old Fashioned Hospitality" a Kim Diehl quilt from her book Simple Comforts

WIP - Jaybird Quilts - Hexagon Quilt-a-Long - Moda's The Caroler

Start a lap/wall quilt that I can practice hand quilting while on vacation this summer

~~Quilt and bind Nostalgia Quilt - May birthday present~~ - DONE

It's May Already?

2010-05-03T13:49:00.015-05:00

Time flies when you're having fun.

Guess April was a fun month because it flew by in no time.

I was able to complete a project from my April's To Do List and a part of another project.

Two table toppers/runners for Mother's Day gifts were completed. Yea!
I think that this is the first time ever (...umm...yea, ever) that I completed a project for a gift with time to spare and I'm not working until the very last minute, sweating it out, to get it done.

It's nice not being in panic mode.

The navy topper is from Heather Mulder Peterson's On A Roll pattern book. I completed it in Moda's Flag Day Farm fabric from my stash.

The other is a table runner I completed in the disappearing nine patch pattern with the charms from Moda's Nostalgia.

The charms were leftovers from another project that was on my April's To Do List.

It's a May birthday present for a very dear and cherished friend.

I completed it with a charm cut layer cake and several charm packs of Moda's Nostalgia from my stash.

I'm using the Ecru from the Nostalgia collection for the backing of the quilt and a scrappy binding from the remaining charms.

It worked out well for me to actually make a quilting to do list. It helped me stay focused on completing a project before starting another and making another UFO.

Now off to work on a May list.

Keep your sewing pedal down!

Greasy, Grimy Buildup---No Problem!

2010-04-28T11:15:00.010-05:00

Have I got a great cleaning tip for you on cleaning up greasy, grimy buildup you get in the kitchen.

Yep, it's Spray 'n Wash.

In the middle of my spring cleaning mode I was cleaning the cabinet doors above my stove and it was getting all gummy and nasty cleaning with my rag and bucket of water and cleaner.

I started going through different cleaners I had in the house thinking that there is something better than what I was using.

Ta da! Eureka! I found it!

Spray 'n Wash. Spray it and wipe with a damp rag or sponge.

NO SCRUBBING! NO MORE TACKINESS! NO MORE GUMMY!

Easy peasy and it smells great, too!

I have stained and sealed cabinets and they cleaned up with no problems to the finish.

I also used it to clean the grime off of the top of my refrigerator.

***NOTE: Double check your cabinets first on the inside of a rarely used cabinet door to be sure.***

Fast and easy = more time for quilting!

Ahhh...Fresh Bread From the Oven

2010-04-21T08:45:00.006-05:00

This past weekend wasn't all fail. Homemade bread = WIN!

One of the best smells in life...

bread baking in the oven.

One of the best tastes in life...

hot bread just from the oven.

Butter optional.

Easy Homemade French Bread Print Recipe

Crisp crust, lightly chewy center. Makes 2 large loaves.

1/2 cup warm water
2 pkg. dry active yeast OR 4 1/2 t. dry active yeast
2 cups hot water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 T. sugar
1 T. salt
6 cups all-purpose flour

In small cup or bowl, add together warm (not hot) water and the yeast. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the hot water, oil, sugar, salt and 3 cups of the flour. Mix until combined.
Add the water and yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
Add the remaining 3 cups of flour. Stir until combined.
Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Stir for a minute with wooden spoon. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Repeat 3 times.
Divide dough in half.
Roll out one half of the divided dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle shape.
Roll up long edge of dough jelly roll style.
Place rolled dough onto a lightly greased baking sheet or on a rectangle baking stone.
Repeat for second half of dough.
Let rise in warm place for 30 minutes.
Make 3 diagonal slashes across top of each loaf.
Brush loaf tops with a beaten egg white.
Bake 400° for 30 minutes or until tops are golden brown.
Remove loaves to wire rack to cool.
Eat while warm. Yum!

NOTE: You can sprinkle herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano to top of loaves while baking. Adding some grated Parmesan would be great too.

Enjoy!

First Fail In Quilting

2010-04-19T13:58:00.003-05:00

As a newer quilter (summer/fall '09) I've been pretty much following patterns from "experienced and professional" quilters.

This past weekend I wanted to branch out and do my own pattern. It couldn't be that hard, right?

I had a Nostalgia layer cake I've had in my stash that I've been itching to make into a quilt for a birthday gift.

I wanted something kinda special and not just sashing around plain squares. And I wanted something larger than a lap sized quilt.

I searched through traditional blocks that I could make from one layer cake, add some yardage fabric for the border and backing, and ta-da, a quilt.

Ummm.....no, ta-da. : /

Yea, it didn't work quite like I had in mind.

There wasn't enough cream colored squares to match with a print square. I had the four remaining squares that I matched to make the two U-G-L-Y blocks.

The other blocks are the SO-SOs. I'm afraid the remaining squares will also result in SO-SO blocks too.

On to "Plan B". Only I don't have a "Plan B".

I do have an incomplete layer cake now. {sigh}

Please excuse me now.

I have to go figure out how to get a quilt out of a partial layer cake.

Hexies Were Happening

2010-04-15T10:39:00.003-05:00

I finally found time this morning to start cutting out my hexies for the hexagon quilt-a-long by JayBird Quilts.

Jelly roll and layer cake is Moda's, The Caroler.

Love, love the colors and the hexagon layout.

Done with step one.

Ohhh jeez, now I must wait for the next step.

I think that will be the hardest part of this quilt-a-long. : /

Bung, Bung, Bung

2010-04-12T09:38:00.004-05:00

Mr. Taxman, please go away.

WOW! Another Giveaway!

2010-04-12T08:53:00.002-05:00

Head on over to another online giveaway--JayBird Quilts.

Such generous bloggers we appreciate you!