American Heroes Quilts Past & Present

American Heroes Quilts Past & Present is full of history and quilts.
400 color and black and white images included along with in depth stories of quilts patterns named for, or associated with, famous Americans.  55 American heroes in all including Benjamin Franklin, Davy Crocket, George Custer, Carrie Nation, Charles Lindbergh, and Rosa Parks.   Four chapters that begin with the year 1776 and end with the year 2000.  Famous Americans from every year in between.

This is another quilt book that would have made a great addition to our history while I was homeschooling.  So much interesting history including some heroes who are all but forgotten today such as Isaac Hull, Tad Lincoln, Jacob Coxey, and Allen B. Dumont.

Did you know that the Scottie Dog quilt block is believed to have been named for Franklin D Roosevelt's Scottie, Fala?  However, the pattern became popular in the 1930's and Fala wasn't born until 1940.  Fala's popularity certainly helped the Scottie Dog block become a staple in the quilting lexicon.

Included in the back of the book is a Sampler Quilt Projects Supplement.  This includes 4 sampler quilts and the templates for making 25 blocks.  They will need to be enlarged to make 10 inch squares as they are in the sampler quilts shown.

I'm up to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in my reading and can't wait to read through the entire book.  I love the rich history, but even more with quilting involved with it.  I see lots of blocks throughout the book that I have fallen in love with and want to give a try at making. There are over 100 quilts pictured in the book and close-up photography of all 112 patterns.

About the author:
Don Beld had a passion for history, which led him to explore all facets of commemorative quilt making. He co-authored Civil War Quilts. He is the curator of the New England Quilt Museum, and founded the Home of the Brave Quilt Project. He also curated a quilt collection commemorating the events of September 11, 2001, and other terrorist attacks. His lectures have helped many people realize that quilters are the folk-art-historians of their time.

So, again, this is a book that anyone who loves history will like, and if you are a quilter, or love quilts, even more so.  I give it an A++ for sure!



Disclosure:  I rec'd this book in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way, however, this post contains affiliate links.

Frugal Friday With Marsha--Thinking of Gardening

This past week the major conversations with my middle daughter have been all about gardening.  Her asking questions, her telling me what she is learning (such as planting Marigolds around to help keep bugs away).
For 2 years she came here for a day and helped me get a garden going (never very successful).  Last year I planted NOTHING, not one thing.   Last year she ended up with a great set up that I wish I had a picture of.  She took pallets and laid them down and covered them with potted plants.

Here is a picture of her starter plants:

I have told her all week how much I really want to get some things going for a garden this year.  You know, it may be on the frugal side as far as growing your own food, but getting started is not really cheap at all.   I know one year we spent over $200 on boards to surround, dirt, plants, seeds, etc.  We had a very abundant garden that year but when I attempted to keep track of what I would have spent for the food at the store, I didn't even get up to $100.
I also know that you can find many ways to garden very frugally, and very cheaply.  (I have picked out some books from amazon to share at the end of this post that I would love to have myself and then actually learn from)

I am currently reading devotions from a book called The Power of Proverbs by John Schroeppel.  Last nights Proverb was 12:11-- He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Personally, I am taking this as a sign---a message from God, that I am indeed to get a garden going this year.

My middle daughter is here and has brought me dirt and some seeds to start.   We are about to get to work on that.  I will save out and buy at least tomato plants, bell pepper plants, and plant peas.  Off I go!

Here are the books I would like to have to learn from:

Relax Those Muscles With the Live Infinitely Massage Stick Roller

Aaaahhhhhh  is what I say every time I use the Live Infinitely Massage Stick Roller!
I couldn't wait to get mine in.   I have major trouble with sore shoulder and neck muscles when I sit here at the computer too long, or if I sit and sew for too long.

This thing does a wonderful job!  It's so easy to use too.
Of course you don't have to use it yourself, you can have someone else use it on you---if you are lucky enough to have someone who will  :)
I use mine several times a day, and not just on my shoulders.  I have found it feels oh so good on my leg muscles as well.

It comes with a pamphlet with illustrations of how to do each part of your body plus basic instructions.  That's not all though.  Each order also comes with a link to download a free 20 page ebook with illustrations and important information on muscles.

Additional information:
These 18" muscle roller sticks features a stiff stainless steel inner core and 7 independent squeak free ABS plastic rollers which are strong enough to handle any amount of pressure you want. Guaranteed to NEVER break!

Live Infinitely massage rollers incorporate soft rubber handgrips, which are contoured to fit perfectly into your hands for maximum comfort!

Use pre workout to stretch your muscles, increase flexibility, promote blood circulation and reduce post workout soreness. Proven to reduce shin splints, stretch IT bands and reduce likeliness of a pulled muscle. Enjoy post workout as a deep tissue massager that can break apart tender lactic acid build-ups (muscle knots) to provide quick and lasting relief.

Every purchase is backed with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Live Infinitely massage sticks are the highest quality muscles rollers available which are guaranteed to meet and exceed your expectations.

Get yours today!!


Disclosure:  I rec'd this product in exchange for my honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way and any opinions are my own.  Post contains affiliate links.

WIP Wednesday---Some Progress

Well, I am having trouble staying on task to keep my sewing and crafts going as they should.
My schedule is a little out of whack based on my schedule.  I did get in some work though.

I babysat out of town for the weekend with 3 grandchildren and took along the yo-yo's.  I've not shared a picture of those for awhile.  I'm sure not going to have as many as I would like at the rate I'm going to put in the boutique at the Wichita quilt show in June.

Brown is the color this month for the soscrappy blog challenge so I worked 2 days on pulling out any hexagons with brown and making some.  That's given me a bit of a jump on the hexagons, but I will want to work with the little squares too.  Isn't it too bad that we need sleep??

I finished tieing the second of my quilts for charity and have the wrap around binding pinned.  Tomorrow I will get it finished up and ready to be given to the charity at quilt guild on Monday.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
T-shirt latchhook rug
Rainbow colored locker hook rug
T-shirt toothbrush rug
Charming Stars quilt

2016 Finishes:
Smaller pink 4 patch quilt for charity


I still haven't been able to locate any other WIP Wednesday type linkies to replace Freshly Pieced, but I am linking up with the following blogs:

Quilts Patriotic and Presidential Book Review

Quilts Patriotic and Presidential is the perfect addition to your library.  With this being an election year, even more so.
If you love history, if you love quilting, or both, you will really enjoy reading and looking through this book.

Inside you will find more than 330 images of quilts made for the Presidents of the United States....every president starting with George Washington all the way to Barack Obama.

Before you get to the Presidents you will find a section called "What a History! What a People!"  This section has presidential related quilts, excerpts from newspapers and magazines about the quilt and quilt makers, and lots of images.

For each president you find a brief history.  For example, did you know that William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office?  He was only president for 31 days.  After giving his 2 hour inaugural address on a cold day, he caught pneumonia.
There are quilt related comments from newspapers of the times.

Also featured for each president is a newly made quilt.  These quilts are 24 inches square and are all made by quilt historians and enthusiasts affiliated with the American Quilt Study Group.  This also includes information from the quilt maker with some history as to why they chose the materials or design.

Close up photos of blocks with details, photos throughout history, the history itself, and the quilts themselves make this the perfect book to add to your own library.

If my children were not all grown now and I was still homeschooling, I would have loved to have added this book to our study of United States history!

The author, Sue Reich, began her love of quilting as a child with her grandmother at her farmhouse in Pennsylvania.  She expanded her interests to the historical documentation of Connecticut's quilts.  She became a certified AQS appraiser and a NQA trained quilt judge.  She lectures nationally on quilt history topics.  She is a nationally recognized author of 7 quilt history books and travels to share her quilt research and knowledge.

Again, this is truly a book for history buffs, quilters, and quilt lovers.  Highly recommended!  I showed the book to lots of my quilting friends and none of them wanted to put it down.  They wanted to keep reading, learning, and looking at all of the images.




Disclosure: I rec'd a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links.

Frugal Friday With Marsha--Income Tax Refund Time

For those of you like us who receive a refund, I'm sure it's an exciting time for you to get that chunk of money, but what do you do with it?

We usually pretty much blow it (which isn't necessarily frugal).  We treat ourselves to eating out a couple of times as well as a good stock up shopping trip to Aldi.
Then we buy something we want, but really don't need.  One year hubby bought a smoker.  One year we bought a porch swing and a patio set.  Some years ago we used it to buy a swimming pool for the back yard.

This past year hubby and I have taken on loans we shouldn't have. I hope a hard lesson learned on getting things that we didn't need--for example, new windows for the front of the house.   So, this year we are using our refund to catch the bills up to date.   Let's hope that hubby and I can KEEP the bills paid once they are paid up to date.  I will say wish us luck!

I have downloaded an ebook by Dave Ramsey and will send the file to my husband to read.  With that said, he will actually have to take the time to read it and implement the information to start working ourselves out of the debt hole we have dug.

What I would like to do from here on out for these Friday posts is to share different things we have done throughout each week that are frugal.  The motivation of knowing that I am going to be posting to you all will make me more mind conscience of what we are doing each week.  This will help us, and hopefully also give some of you some ideas of how to save and live a frugal life.

I will start this week with how I am saving money for something that I want.  The something that I want is to be able to attend the local quilt retreats.  I know this is a want and not a need to go to these.  But, at the same time, it is a need.  A need for me to get away from the chaos of our house....a need to be out socializing with others who share the same interests as me.....a need for the dedicated time to just sit and work on projects.
After each retreat I start my savings jar again.  I save all of my change.  I also save $1 from every check I might get or every time I get some babysitting money.  It works for me.  They are local in town retreats so cost from $50 to $65 to attend.
Each October I work a couple of days at the quilt shop for the shop hop.  That pays $50 of their fall retreat.

I will stop babbling now and prepare a notepad to take notes all week of what I want to share with you.  Until then, have a frugal week!

I will leave you with a link to Dave Ramsey's site for those interested in checking out what he has to offer.  I didn't pay for the ebook I downloaded, and if I can find where I was able to get it free, I will be sure to share it.  If you know where to find it free, please share it in the comments section.
http://www.daveramsey.com/home/

WIP Wednesday--Linky Suggestions Please

First off let me ask if any of you know of any WIP Wednesday linkies out there.
Freshlypieced is stopping them after 5 years.  I can understand, but the linkies are my motivation to get things done so that I have things to share.  
I tried to do a search and didn't come up with anything.  Maybe there aren't any other WIP Wednesday linkies for crafts?

Anyway, I did get some work done this week.

The color is brown with the soscrappy blog this month. (See button below).
I looked through and had more browns in the 2 1/4 in squares and found more than I thought I would.  (I also pulled out all the brown related hexagons, but they aren't in the picture)

I pulled the hexagon flower table runner out and worked on it some more.  I won't get it out this week again but hopefully the following week I will actually get it finished.

I only have until the 21st to finish this pink 4 patch for quilt guild.  The representatives from the various agencies will be at our meeting to collect our quilt donations.  I worked on it at sewing group at church yesterday and now will get it finished at home. (Hopefully tomorrow)

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
T-shirt latchhook rug
Rainbow colored locker hook rug
T-shirt toothbrush rug
Charming Stars quilt

2016 finishes:
Child's pink 4 patch quilt

I am linking up with the following blogs:

Frugal Friday with Marsha--January 2016 Online Earnings

For me to share my online earnings for the previous month is not what I normally would ever share in my Frugal Friday post, but things what they are right now, so here you go.

In January I received from:

Redstaghits--$38.87 paypal
Zubeezone--$2.80 paypal
Apptrailers--$5.72 paypal (if you sign up, bonus code predictableuranus2 for bonus points)

Swagbucks--$25 paypal and $25 amazon

Hausernet--$51.75 (back payment for 6 months of mail)
PerkTV--$5 amazon (Use my code 860efbf6 and get 50 bonus points)

My list is so short and sure feels like I surely forgot to record something, but I didn't!
My total received in January was $154.14.

I paid out $17 to TrafficBrowser ($2 monthly but then I changed and paid $15 for a year so that I can surf 12 traffic exchanges at once instead of 10), $2.99 to Orbital Traffic, $3.74 to Squirly traffic, $2.50 to Hotflashhits, $6.90 to Postmanhits, $2.50 to Zubeedownlines, $6.99 to TrafficMagician, and $5.95 to TESurfSocial for upgrades.  This come to a total of $48.57.

This brings my total to just $105.57 for the month.

I've always had a goal of taking in a total of $600 for the month and this included retail pricing of items I receive free--samples, magazine subscriptions, items I get in for review etc.
I slacked off and haven't been keeping track of those things for several months.  From this day on I am going to start keeping track of that again and adding it to my total again.
I will try to come back and edit this post once I get a list of the items I got in January as well.

WIP Wednesday--February Already

I don't have too much to report.  I'm still having a hard time getting back to my little daily schedule  after getting off of it.

Thursday is my day to work on other UFO's.  I did finish up the smaller pink 4 patch quilt for charity.

Friday I got out my coupon binder and pulled out all the expired coupons--which was all but a very few with no expiration date, instead of making yo-yo's.

Saturday I worked on cutting out coupons instead of working on my hexagon project.

Sunday I did actually work on a rug as scheduled.  I am in the process of stringing together the strips for the locker hook rug I am working on in rainbow colors.  It looks like a mess right now.  I hope to finished sewing up and get the strips cut apart this coming Sunday.

Monday is to work on the Arkansas Crossroads quilt.  I did get the fabric out and cut some more squares, but not many at all.  Some day I will have the squares cut to start making the blocks.

Tuesday is working on the doll bedding sets.  I did work some on one of the doll rugs, but mostly I worked on taking step by step pictures.  I want to try my hand at putting up a tutorial on thriftyfun on how to make them.

Here we are to Wednesday, which is my day to work on the soscrappy blog challenge color of the month.  I just looked and this month is brown.  Brown doesn't fit in my rainbow of colors, but I look forward to seeing what 4 patches and hexagons both that I can get made in brown this month.

UFO's:

Rectangle quilt
challenge wall hanging
Hexagon quilt
Emerald Island Fusique table runner
Five and Dime quilt
Brown half square triangle table runner
3 sets of doll blanket, pillows and rug--plus more to sell
Hexagon flower table runner
Wall hanging for quilt guild
yo-yo's that need to be made into projects
black and white rail fence quilt
Arkansas Crossroads scrap quilt
T-shirt latchhook rug
Rainbow colored locker hook rug
T-shirt toothbrush rug

2016 Finishes:

None yet!


I am linking up with the following blogs:

Crown Coast Umbrellas for Quality and Affordability #CrownCoastUmbrella

Crown Coast Umbrellas are heavy duty 60+MPH severe storm rated, made with flex memory frame technology.
They feature a convenient automatic open and close canopy.  This is really convenient when getting out of and into a vehicle.
It's a full size umbrella in a compact case.  Each comes with an outer carrying case.
They are backed by a life time warranty (6,000 opens).  If there are any problems with your purchase it is either replaced or a refund given.

There are several colors to choose from: blue, white, yellow, turquoise, red, pink, green, or black.
I chose yellow, as you can see in my picture below....simply because that is my favorite color.

In my video I demonstrate the push button opening and closing as I try to show the flexibility of the frame.



Crown Coast Umbrellas are currently on a great sale on amazon.  Click HERE to order yours now!