Getting Into Summer . . .

It's been super hot here in Sacramento this past week--over 100 degrees a couple days and not much cooling down at night.  But I think we've settled back to the norm for this time of the year, which means temperatures in the 90s during the day but cooling off a bit with the Delta breeze at night (the breeze comes up the delta from the San Francisco Bay and along the rivers that lead to Sacramento).  And wouldn't you know it?  Just when we're at our hottest, golf's U.S. Senior Open tournament comes to town--welcome golfers!  I haven't been following it, but I gather the final round was today, so I guess the Goodyear Blimp will fly away now.   I just feel sorry for the golfers and spectators who had to endure this heat wave.

Hubby's 60th birthday is tomorrow, and we're having a family party at a friend's house.  I'm bringing the side dishes, so at least part of the weekend was spent at the Farmers' Market, grocery stores, and my own little kitchen.  I have a batch of beans going in the crockpot in the morning before work, and I'll bake up a pan of cornbread, but otherwise I'm ready.

On the quilting front, I've been slowly quilting a chicken quilt.  I made the quilt top several years ago from, if I remember correctly, a Buggy Barn pattern--it's one of those quilts where you stack up the fat quarters, cut, and then swap pieces around.  I made this one using red, black, yellow, and cream, and while I really like it a lot, I'm just not sure where a chicken quilt belongs in my home, so I've delayed quilting it.  But I'm sure I'll find a place for it.  I'm kind of thinking it's summery looking, so maybe I'll hang it in my entryway after the 4th of July quilt comes down--assuming I get it done by then, of course.

I thought I'd let you know that I found someone who was willing to part with their Christmas Memories booklets that I posted about last time--I'm just waiting for them to arrive in my mailbox.  Here's what the quilt looks like--the one I really want to make from the booklets:

I've seen a version posted online where the quilter didn't do the appliqued border (just used a nice striped fabric) and I think it's almost as pretty, but we'll see how it goes once I get to that point. I just love Blackbird Designs books, but for some reason, I don't seem to buy them when they first come out; it's always AFTER they're out of print that I find I need them.  I remember when Women of Grace and Charm came out, I looked at it and thought about getting it but didn't; now it's not really available anymore unless you want to pay a small fortune, and I don't, but maybe I'll come across it someday, somewhere.

I took time out from food shopping and cooking tpday to make a quick trip to a vintage/antique faire, of sorts.  There weren't too many vendors but the event was put on by an antique-mall type of shop that I hadn't been in before, so between one thing and another, I came home with a couple of finds.  Outside in the back of the store, I found a beautiful blue casserole dish made by Halls for Montgomery Wards--I've admired them for some time but I hadn't come across one in my price range until now.  I also found two "project" pieces--an old decorative wooden two shelf unit - the kind that used to be found in bathrooms or other small spaces - and a long glass-fronted cabinet door.  Yes, just the door.  No idea what I'll do with it, but it has promise.  I think I'll probably chalk paint the shelf.

Lately I've been fantasizing about re-doing older small pieces of luggage and perhaps selling some of them at some point, so I've been "collecting" train/cosmetic cases and the smallest size of suitcases.  I told myself I need to stop buying any more until I actually start doing something with them, but I came across one today that I couldn't pass up.  It looks like this one--

It still has the key, and the inside looks almost like new, with an adjustable mirror and a plastic tray that sits in the top part.  Perfect for a sewing case, right?  And just $15.  I didn't even try to negotiate a lower price!  If you look at my Pinterest board called "Train/Cosmetic Case Wizardry" you'll see I've been "collecting" ideas.

I hope you've had a good week and are looking forward to a happy 4th of July.  I'll be back again . . . hopefully soon!