Friday Faves

A couple of my favorite bloggers out there do a post once a week or so with favorite things they have seen recently and since I really enjoy those posts, I thought I'd give it a try. Some will be quilting (or quilt adjacent) and some will be other interests. I'm curious to know if you enjoy this type of post, let me know in the comments!

I am also going to add a list of upcoming projects at the bottom of the post. Several years ago I made regular WIP Wednesday posts where I talked about current and upcoming projects. I haven't done this for years, but it was fun (and useful!) so I thought I'd make it a part of this post.

But first, today is my birthday! To celebrate, I am having a 20% off sale in the shop - use code HAPPYBDAY for 20% off your purchase. The coupon is good through Sunday 2/2/2020 at midnight PST.

• This week has been overwhelmingly filled with news, thoughts, emotions, etc. regarding the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and 8 others. I found out about the crash from a news notification just as I was sitting down at church on Sunday. I am not a big basketball fan, but it has still really shaken me. I enjoyed this clip by Ellen and this one by Elle Duncan. 
• If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen posts about the different audiobooks I listen to while I am quilting. I recently listened to The Dutch House by Ann Patchett and The Secrets We Keep by Lara Prescott and really enjoyed both of them.
• I loved this story about a Nebraska teacher whose basketball shoes were stolen - don't watch it unless you want to cry!
  
  
• New fabric: I have been on the lookout for a project with greens, blues, and maroon and Mayfair by Amy Sinibaldi is just what I needed. I will be picking up some yardage one it is available. 
• I loved this article about Brad Pitt wearing a name tag. 
• Last week I asked the great people of Instagram for recommendations on their favorite cookie recipe. I went pretty traditional and tried this chocolate chip cookie recipe this week. I am usually more of an oatmeal chocolate chip fan, but these were fantastic. So chewy and buttery!
• I have been a little obsessed with sweatshirts lately and splurged (!) on this red one for my birthday. I like to wear the sherpa on the inside and it is absolutely the coziest, warmest, softest thing I have ever worn. 

• If you are looking for a fun Valentine's project, this Scrappy Hearts pattern by Emily at Quilty Love is adorable. I have a free heart quilt tutorial available here. 
• Last year I lost some weight and now my wedding ring is too big. Instead of re-sizing it, I have been thinking about picking up a really simple band to wear in it's place until I know for sure what size I need. This one and the stacking rings here are at the top of my list. 
• Fabric Shack (one of my favorite quilt shops) has several of the gingham prints from Heather Ross' Trixie collection on sale. I love these prints!
• I made this cinnamon sugar apple cake for a potluck this week, it was so good!
• This was a fun article about the Texas Quilt Museum. As a native Texan and a quilter, visiting this museum is on my bucket list!

On the to do list:

• Finish scrappy Ella Quilt
• Start solid Birdie Quilt
• Photograph 2 quilts - hopefully it will stop raining soon!
• Start a new quilt for a new pattern - this pattern will be available March or April and is going to be very beginner friendly. Stay tuned!