Grandbabies and quilting

Grandbabies first.....Oh, how I love these two.  The pictures were taken at the beach in North Berwick, outside of Edinburgh, Scotland, where they currently live.

So, so thankful my daughter in law sends me pictures of them.

The hubby and I just got back from a short two day trip to the spring Paducah quilt show. Talk about crowded!  The inspiration was incredible.  We were excited to see my quilt.

If you'd like to see more about the show, head on over to my website and click on the latest blog post.  www.rachelmhayes.com

Life is Good

Just a note to status what is going on around here.  This morning I made one of my favorite, easy, gluten free breakfast items.

 Breakfast muffins.  Gluten free and so yummy.  I usually make some of these on the weekend for us to eat in the coming week. I will use 5-6 eggs, 5-6 pieces of bacon (Costco pre-cooked in their freezer section), a handful of fresh spinach, a handful of chopped mushrooms, a handful of shredded mozzarella, a little milk splashed in, salt and pepper.  Bake in muffin tins for 20 minutes at 350.  Then store in fridge.  Microwave for 20 seconds when ready to eat.  These last all week.

You can pair them with some fresh fruit or a piece of gluten free toast with butter and honey.  We like blueberries or a cutie orange. Makes a healthy, quick, gluten free breakfast.

My son and his family are in Paris this week.  Although they had a rough first night (the landlord of the Airbnb didn't leave the key where it was supposed to be and they had to go searching for a hotel at midnight with two crying children!), they are happily enjoying a mini-holiday.  My son had an appointment to see "his" manuscript the first day of their arrival, but after that -- fun. Oh, and they did get into the Airbnb the next day.

My granddaughter's favorite book is Madeline, and she was SO EXCITED to be in Paris. I am anxiously awaiting the adventures they are having and so happy they are getting to experience Paris.  They walked about 11 miles their first adventure day, seeing the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Julia Child's Paris home, and other sites.

On the quilting front, I finished my king sized Christmas quilt.

This pattern is called Felicity by Kate Spain.  I changed it up some to make it king size, and arranged the ornaments a little differently.  I should have mitered the borders, but was determined to not buy any more fabric, so I didn't have enough.  I think it will be fine for our bed.  It won't go in any shows. :)  I plan to custom quilt it, when I receive the backing.  I ordered some 2-ply red flannel.  It is supposed to be super soft.  The hubby loves a thick, warm quilt.

The next adventure for the hubby and I will be to go to the Paducah Quilt show in a little less than two weeks.  My Corona quilt is in the show and we are going to meet up with some friends for a day. Looking forward to that.

Thanks for stopping by to visit!

Spring Zipper Quilts

I posted about these two quilts on the website, www.rachelmhayes.com, if you want to see and learn more.

Hope you have a wonderful Easter!

Remembrance Quilt Status

I am making a remembrance quilt for a friend who lost her husband a few months ago.  Wonderful couple who were married around 50 years.  I wanted something really special for her. I hope she likes it. I think it is coming along nicely.  I found the pattern in a book I owned.

She gave me 12 shirts.  Four were what I'd consider lights, and the rest I used for darks.

I have plans to put a couple of 2" borders using the leftover dark shirt pieces.
                

Stay tuned for the finish, hopefully next weekend.

Awfully busy around here.....

Yes, busy.  We've been deciding on things for the new house.  I finished up a quilt for a late fall magazine, and now have a memory quilt to make. After that, I will focus on the house and probably not do much more quilting this year.  I am definitely looking forward to the new quilt studio in the new place.  Right now my quilting space is less than ideal.

 This shot pulled from Instagram is my inspiration for the kitchen.  This is called The Hot Sauce house from an episode of Fixer Upper.

I've picked the countertop, which is Minuet from LY Hausys, a marble look quartz.

I'll probably use white subway tile for the backsplash.  Decided on oil rubbed bronze for the kitchen sink, which will be in the island.  The island will be stained, and the perimeter cabinets will be white shaker style.  Below are some of the lights I like. Some are pricey but I have a few discount places to look for similar styles.

 The paint will be White Dove by Benjamin Moore for the walls, and Simply White for the trim.  Love white walls.....better to showcase all the quilts.

Many folks hate the process of building a house, but I'm odd I suppose.  I love the process.  I am a planner/researcher by nature and I love reading about new styles, new products, and planning out what I think will be the perfect arrangement for our new living space.

Love, love, love our new flooring.  5" Planks, hand scraped, medium stained white oak.  Didn't think we'd be able to get this beautiful floor but found it in Dalton, Ga.  They are going to hold it for us until we need it and that will be several months.  I plan to make the island a shade lighter.

The hubby wanted a craftsman style door for his boat garage.

 We finally settled on the brick and stone.  The brick is called Brompton and the stone is handcrafted Hermitage.

The front of the house will look like this.....

Funny, in my life I've built two other so-called dream homes.  You never know what is going to happen to change your life plans.  We are just so very thankful that we are able to do this at this point in our lives and hope to live the remaining years of our lives in this home.

I think my word for 2018 is going to be "THANKFUL."  I truly am.  No matter what tomorrow holds, I know who holds my tomorrows, and I am so very thankful for the blessings I've been given.

So.....another sneak peak of the quilting project.....I found this pantograph in my stash and have never used it.  It was a little big, but still appropriate for a Christmas quilt.

 This fabric is just so cute.  It is by Stacy les Htu for Moda, called The North Pole.

This is supposed to come out in October.

Thanks for stopping by my neighborhood!

Rachel

She met PRINCE HARRY!

Yes, she did!  We heard that Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan were going to be meeting the public at Edinburgh castle today.  Since it is only about a 15 minute walk from their flat, we decided to go.  We waited over an hour along the road leading to the castle.  Emma was yelling, "PRINCE HAAARRRY!" when he came by. He came over to her and she stuck out her hand to shake his.

Waiting on him to arrive.

 Edinburgh Castle

PRINCE HARRY!!

 One of the news photographers took this picture (below)

He was so kind and sweet to all the people, especially the kids.

 The photo below was on the kensington royal twitter account (there I am in the white hat)

I even got a great photo of his fiancé, Meghan Markle.

Little brother was awake for a bit while we were waiting but fell asleep and missed all the real fun.

What an exciting day!

Edinburgh

I FaceTime with the grandkids regularly as well as sending/receiving videos and pictures, but there is nothing like holding them in my lap or my arms, getting and giving real hugs and cuddles.

They are so good with each other.  Emma really cares about her little brother and often says things like, "he is just so cute!"  Haddon wants to do whatever she is doing.

 Although it was really cold yesterday, we stopped by the park on our way home from getting lunch.  The kids don't mind the cold.

 But as you can see, Mamaw was all bundled up.

This fella doesn't go far without his paci.  Emma was in the floor, and here he came....

My little loves.....

Traveling Abroad

Time for another visit across the pond to see the grands.  So, I'm off to Scotland!  It's been a great week.  My son finished all his work, defended his dissertation, and has achieved the status of Dr.  I am so proud of him my heart wants to burst.  Evidently he did outstanding on the defense.  He has some strong job leads, which I know relieves a lot of his stress.  Emma, my granddaughter was in nursery, when her Momma and brother met Daddy for lunch to celebrate.

 Another celebration will be held tomorrow for this little beauty.....she turns 4.  Hard to believe.  She had a little party with friends today.

It included playing on the playground, watching trains go by, and a hike to the castle.

We will celebrate her a actual birthday tomorrow.  Mamaw has some presents in her luggage!  She told her momma she wanted haggis for her birthday meal.  Seriously?  She is a true Scottish lass.  Actually, all the family love it.  My son is so picky, if he likes it, I'm sure I will.  I'm excited about trying it.  She told me she would share her birthday cake with me, too.  I'm sitting in Newark as I type, awaiting the last long leg of this trip.  I hope to make it in time to wake her and brother up in the morning......

On the quilting front, I am working on a pretty unique quilt for a magazine.  They sent me the fabric and I think I've got the layout about as good as I can make it. Tentatively it is set to be published in a late fall issue.  I'll wait until I know for sure they like it before I say too much.  Like I said it is rather unique.

Here's a sneak peak.....