Gratitudes and a Tip at the End!

I'm grateful that we have clouds! We haven't had measureable rain in a very long time, and so clouds always make me happy. Hoping, just hoping that some nice rain is on it's way.

I thought about naming this post "Why I Live at the P.O." after a Eudora Welty short story that I read several times in college--but really gratitudes seemed more appropriate. It's just that many wonderful things have come this week by way of the post office! Today I received six, yes six, brand new patterns from Mary of Mary's Cottage Quilts. I recently won them on her blog, and I can hardly wait to get started sewing! I'll probably make Figgy Pudding first, followed by Spare Charms and Crossroads. These patterns all use Layer Cakes and Charm Packs with small amounts of additional yardage...perfect for scraps too! Thanks so much Mary!

Yesterday I also received a wonderful package from Stephanie of Loft Creations. I recently had a wonderful time pattern testing her new West Linn Bag pattern; I knew she was going to send me a pattern but was completely surprised by the many other wonderful things she sent: charm squares from Superbuzzy (look at all of those polka dots...I love polka dots), two fat quarters of Wildwood by Erin McMorris, Laura Ashley page markers, and two patterns! I'm really feeling like this is Christmas in June...or my birthday a month early...or both! Thank you Stephanie!

Another package came yesterday too...from Darlene at Quilting Daze. Darlene and I had both oohed and aahed over the lunchbox sewing kits made from tins on this post over at the blog of Minick and Simpson. Darlene ended up making one for her 3rd blogiversary, and used a wonderful tin by Moda. She sent me a Moda lunchbox, and has already put a pincushion inside the lid (see the fabric at the top in the photo on the right)! I was so excited...I'd been wanting to make one of these, but hadn't yet! Thanks again, Darlene!

Had to sneak this quilt in one more time...yesterday I finished the binding on my Fig & Plum throw. I promptly washed and dried it so it has that crinkly-soft quilty goodness...it's always such a good feeling when a quilt is completely finished.

Okay, finally--here's my tip for the day! I finally hung my "Hope" quilt. I've used many methods to hang my quilts including special quilt holders, racks, and dowels resting on nails. This quilt is 67 inches wide, though, and our local hardware store didn't have a dowel that big. I purchased a large piece of a simple molding about 1-1/4 inches wide, and then my husband cut it to size. He then drilled a hole at each end big enough for a nail to go through. I slipped the molding through the hanging sleeve I'd made on the back of the quilt, positioned it on the wall, and then inserted nails. It hangs perfectly flat and straight, and this quilt won't fall off the wall since the nail goes through the molding (the quilt sleeve is a few inches shorter than the molding, leaving room for the nails). I hope that made sense...I thought it was a pretty nifty and inexpensive (less than $5) way to hang a wide quilt.

Hope you have a wonderful day!