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 1-¼ 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!
Annette says
Wow, what an awesome mail you have recieved! And so many gorgeous projects to do. I like your idea of using molding. I will keep that in mind for sure.
Kaaren says
Sherri, I think you should go out and buy a lottery ticket because you certainly hit the jackpot with all those goodies you received.
Looks like everything you touch lately has turned to gold, including the quilts you've made and shared with us.
Vickie E says
You are definitely fortunate!
w&v says
V.here… You have such generous friends! the patterns are wonderful and such great fabrics & goodies from stephanie. This is the cutest lunchbox ever! I somewhere learned to use straight pins every 6-8 in. inserted right under the binding & into the wall to hang my quilts. (the drawback – it kills my fingers to push (at an upward slant) them into the wall) I never have to make a quilt sleeve or have the wrong size hanger on the wall for a smaller quilt and can put a quilt wherever I want not just where there is a hanger. v
Magnolia Bay Quilts says
I love your mail! You sure received a lot of nice things.
Thanks so much for the tip about the quilt hanger. I'm going to give it a try!
Jody says
What a great trip to the mailbox! You are one of the few people I know who knows the title of one of Eudora Welty's iconic story. Cheers, and here's to good sewing, good reading, and gratitude. What more can we ask for?
Dawn says
Lovely items!!
Dawn Heese says
You must be living right.
Kathleen says
Great idea for hanging a quilt – thanks for sharing.
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
Thanks for the great tip and boy what fun to go to your mailbox!! Such wonderful goodies. and your quilt, nothing like a quilt right out of the dryer, mmmm!!!
Lurline says
So nice to hear all about the goodies – great quilt hanger, too!
Hugs – Lurline♥
Trisha says
Great quilt hanging tip! Thanks!
Quilt Hollow says
WOW….quick tell me your favorite numbers for MY lottery ticket!
blushing rose says
May I PUL-EEZ send you some of our rain … chuckle! TTFN ~Marydon
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Stephanie, you always have such good ideas, I need to hang some quilts going up my stairway, this will work perfect.
Love polka-dots too, I can't get enough of them. That was so sweet of Stephanie.
And the patterns, my goodness I can't wait to see them stitched up.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie
CJ says
WOWEEE you get great mail! I am loving those patterns! I don't see the Figgy Pudding pattern on Mary's site. Anyway, I can't wait to see your quilts with those patterns and then I might be so inspired… Deciding which pattern I would want to start with though would be tough.
Is the Fig and Plum throw that you made using the same templates as the Glace' table runner??
CJ says
I hope to come back here and use your quilt hanging technique someday.
Material Mary says
Great tip, great quilt, great gifts, what a fun time you have been having. Enjoy.
Mary
Nedra says
I think LUCKY is your middle name! Wow, may I touch your elbow when you come into town? I may need to bask in the aura surrounding you.
sarahmurray says
Wow! To many things to comment on in this post. It's full of beautiful goodies. And isn't Stephanie the sweetest?! x
Janet says
What a lovely mail week! Thanks for the hanging Idea, I'm always trying to think of good ways to hang quilts.
Carol says
What wonderful mail! Mary's new patterns are great! Can't wait to see what you make. That lunchbox is the cutest! Nothing better than a done quilt fresh from the dryer.
Eileen says
Stephanie is one of the most generous bloggers in the world.. and always chooses just the exact things a person would love.
I saw that you won the tin from Darlene.. YAY! I was so upset that I totally missed that give-away.. but so happy you got it. Love that tin!
Can't wait to see all your new quilts from those patterns. 🙂
Terriaw says
Clouds are a great thing when you live in a place where the sun never stops shining and it's hotter than hot! Hope you get a little relief! I can't believe how many packages you got – like Christmas in June. Love your new quilt, crinkly and all! I have a quilt I need to hang, so thanks for the tip.
Colleen says
Thanks for the idea. Never heard of it before, but it sounds very affordable.
Lauren says
Thanks again for that email about hanging quilts!
I've been loving on the rain too!! Thank you clouds 🙂
maria says
Great mail to receive. Love the crinkly look of the quilt. We're pleased Not to see clouds here!
Gwendie says
Congratulations on all the P.O. goodness your got this week. It's been a good week for both of us! It's just so nice when surprises arrive.
Sinta Renee says
I had completely forgot about the Moda tin/sewing kit idea! Thanks for the reminder. I'm going to make one this weekend:) I like your post office better than mine! Lots of fun stuff… what will you do first?????
julia says
Hey you lucky girl!
I'm sure in no time you've made quilts from all 6 patterns! Am already looking forward to see them grow.
Thanks for sharing your other quilts…gorgeous!
Have a great weekend & my fingers are still crossed for some rain!
Hugs, Julia
Candace says
You must be in postal heaven, Sherri! I got a great package from Stephanie, too – what a nice suprise! I love your quilt hanging tip – perfect!
Cheers!
Carrie P. says
Wow, how much fun was that visit to the post office. Such great gifts. Lucky girl. Great tip on hanging the quilt.
jules says
you can have our rain!! it wont end here… it has rained more days over the last month than not…
jacquie says
i can send you rain too…it's so soggy here. what a wonderful package from stephanie and all these goodies. you are going to be having some sewing fun!!
Simone de Klerk says
Sherri, I can hardly believe, all the lovely work you get done and actualy finshing those gorgeous quilts! Thank you for all the inspiration (O:
dotti white says
Sherri….I absolutely love it when my mail fun stuff comes in bunches like that! congratulations on all that fun! Your quilts are beautiful and thanks for the great tip for hanging quilts. I've been shop hopping and now have tons to post but am behind on everything! I'll be catching up this week!
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
You are a winner girl! I knew you'd won a bunch but seriously you've been on a roll. It couldn't happen to a better girl!
Christine says
Thanks for the molding tip … what a great idea. You received some awesome mail … isn't blogland great. Love your Fig and Plum throw … Figtree fabrics always look glorious.