Coffee Cozy

Better Homes and Gardens most recent issue of "Quilts and More" (Fall 2010) had a cute little project for your coffee drinking buddy--"Perk Me Up."  Designer Veronica Koh Eischeid did a great job of writing easy to understand directions and the project came together in less than an hour.

Made this little cozy for my dear friend's Friday night coffee.  We've been meeting at a local Starbucks every week for the past five years while our kids attend youth group and found it to be a wonderfully therapeutic way to end a busy week.  Now our oldest daughters are coming with us and, in spite of sitting on the other side of the room, are continuing the tradition of making time for lifelong friends.

This Year's First Christmas Gift

My wonderful husband has been accompanying me to The Village Quilter lately to pick up my Buck-A-Block so we can spend some extra time together.  He's been great at finding projects he'd like me to make and this month's find was a Biscuit Basket by Aunties Two.

Perfect size for mega biscuits!

Bird's eye view

Using a Moda jelly roll  and a roll of 1 3/4 inch stiffy stuff, the basket came together in a day. (If you recognize the fabric, could you please post the name in the comment section?  I always try to give credit where credit is due and I can't remember the name--a suspected episode of "Sometimers.")  The directions are clear and technique is easy to follow.  Was a little nervous about the binding since the basket barely fit into my sewing machine, but it was just as easy to do as a quilt binding.

Have an idea of who in my family would appreciate this cute little basket, but since they are regular readers of my blog, I don't want to spoil the surprise.  Excited to finish a project in a day, especially with the multitude of interruptions in my day--doctors' appointments, dishes, laundry, meals, etc.

Our New Mailbox

The time had come to replace the mailbox and it's pole. We knew it was time because the pole was rotten all the way through and no amount of boards stuffed at the base would prevent it from tipping over.

Rather than bring bodily harm to the nicest mail carrier we've ever had, the decision was made to replace the entire set-up. When the new mailbox came home, it gave me an idea--have seen painted flowers, light houses and John Deere tractors, but never a quilt block. Having the nicest and most long-suffering husband in the world, asked if it would be okay for me to decorate it. Thankfully (and predictably), he agreed.


Gathered my supplies--an EQ print out of a variable star block, some paint pens, chalk and a ruler. Colored the back of the print out with chalk and then traced it onto the mailbox.


The image was a bit fuzzy, but still usable. Settled down for a relaxing coloring session.


Here are the first two colors finished....

and here is the block all done! (Before the purple was dry, it was very pink, hence the smudge in the square.) Then I got to work on the other side. When both sides had their respective blocks, sprayed it with a satin sealant.

Here is our new mailbox out on the curb, waiting the hundreds of swaps to arrive. Thinking the mail carrier won't have the heart to deliver bills to such quilty mailbox.