Quilted To A Tea

I love a good mystery. I’m not aways good at solving them but I love the challenge. One of my favorite mystery authors is Diane Mott Davidson. (http://www.dianemottdavidson.com/) She writes the most the most delicious mysteries about a feisty little caterer named Goldy. One of the highlights of the books, at least for me anyway, is that she includes many of the recipes! So, after you finish reading about all these wonderful dishes, and of course solve the mystery, you can head to your own kitchen to whip up one of Goldy’s signature dishes. Yumm!

I also love to quilt. So how can I combine quilting and mysteries? Easy, a Mystery Quilt ! So what is a Mystery Quilt? Simply a quilt that is planned, cut, stitched and assembled without knowing what the finished quilt will look like. Of course as you go along you can start to tell but the fun is letting yourself go and choose fabrics with no preconceived idea of the finished project. For some that is easier said than done. After all planning and designing the quilt is part of the fun. There is a barrel full of great mystery quilt sites on the web. Some are from quilt groups, or from quilt shops or just quilters who love to design quilts and share with others either free or for sale. One of the sites I found that offers patterns and a freebie (and who doesn’t love a freebie) is Ms. Mystery Quilt - Mystery Quilts With A Twist. (http://www.msmysteryquilts.com/free.php) I tried her freebie with Twist A and Twist B. It was fun and fairly easy so I think beginners could enjoy it and more seasoned quilters can challenge themselves with their fabric choices. ( I would post pictures of my blocks but I don’t want to spoil it for you.) Another site with lots of Mystery Quilts to try is http://quiltingpassion.com/mystery.html. There’s a great description of mystery quilting and you can sign up to be notified when new mysteries are posted.

Mysteries and quilting, fun ways to spend a winter afternoon.

Pretty vintage hankies can evoke such lovely memories. Currently I am working on 4 (yes 4) beautiful hankie quilts for a very dear friend and her sisters-in-law. It is such an honor to be entrusted with these tokens of a loved one now gone and to be able to create a very special one of a kind rememberances. There are so many more projects I want to do with vintage hankies so I am scouring thrift shops and estate sales. E-bay has been another great source for hankies, I just have to control myself! What am I planning for these hankies? Well, more quilts of course, but also I want to try making tea cozies with them, adding them to a denim jacket, a pillow or two, and aprons. I am crazy about the renewed interest in aprons, both vintage style and more modern styles. Check back, I’ll post pictures. So, hold on to grandma’s hankies, they can be turned into beautiful accessories for you and your home.

Did you know that every month there is an online quilt auction and EVERY penny raised goes directly to Alzheimer’s research? All the quilts are donated by caring quilters from around the world and are beautiful to see and read all the dedications on each of the quilts. If you have never visited this quilt site it is worth a look. There is a great deal of information about Alzheimer’s plus great quilting info and Ami Simms is a delight. A great use of even a few minutes of your time.