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New things are cooking

Hey all! The last day of July is here and the second half of 2019 is underway. I thought I’d get you caught up with some new things that are cooking in my house. And I’m talking about in the sewing room, in the kitchen and in the family!

I have multiple projects going on in my sewing room, and it’s always the newest and shiniest that gets most of my attention. I just finished a new quilt block and I’m super excited about it. Now I need to decide if I want to make it into a pillow or a table runner or a quilt. And then, do I want to submit the idea to a magazine (on my bucket list), publish my own pattern or neither of those? For this project, I’ve used Merry Starts Here by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics. I especially love the plaids in this fabric line, and it would make a fabulous winter/Christmas quilt .

New quilt block made and designed by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

I love my summer vegetable garden plus all of the sweet fruit available at my local farmer’s market. Sometimes there’s more produce than I can handle, and I love a good cookbook that has recipes for all of that harvest. I recently bought the book, Bake the Seasons, by Marcella DiLonardo. OMG, if you like to bake, you will love this book. It includes sweet and savory recipes to make throughout the year.

Bake the Season Cook Book by Marcella DiLonardo - highly recommended by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

We have an abundance of sun gold cherry tomatoes. They are sweet as candy! I made focaccia bread using a recipe from this book, and it was so darn delicious. I made it the focal point of a small charcuterie and cheese board for Mr. Crafty Quilter and myself. I think this is my favorite way to eat in the summer!

New things are cooking at The Crafty Quilter's kitchen, including this focaccia bread from the book, Bake The Seasons.
New things are cooking at The Crafty Quilter's kitchen, including this focaccia bread from the book, Bake The Seasons.

Earlier this month, I made apricot and triple berry jam. Every year I make at least two batches of jam and I share it with my family. We all look forward to jam-making day. I took a picture of my jewel-toned jars of jam to show my kids. Then I used a long-forgotten app on my iPhone called Waterlogue to turn my photo into a work of art. It’s a fun app to play with. Here’s a before and after:

Homemade jam by Julie Cefalu
Using the Waterlogue app by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

Isn’t that amazing? I’m not trying to sell this app and I don’t have any affiliation with Waterlogue. It’s been around a while, and I’m just passing along my experience with it. Now, we quilters can turn our quilts into another art form using this app. Here’s my Disappearing 9-patching quilt before and after:

Disappearing 9-patch quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Using the Waterlogue App to create a work of art from a quilt by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

I saved the best news for last. My daughter and son-in-law (Kelly and Steven) are expecting baby number 3! They just found out that it’s going to be a boy and he’s due in December. Right now there’s just a little baby bump – although I took this picture 3 weeks ago. He’s probably more than just a little bump by now.

Kelly's baby bump.

Amelia just turned four in July and Clara is 16 months old. They are super excited to be big sisters.

Big sister's Amelia & Clara

You know I’m excited! I will gladly add a new baby quilt on my list of things to make by the end of the year. I’m also looking forward to keeping up with my UFO & WIP Challenge each month, and coming up with a new holiday tutorial for you guys is on the radar.

I hope you’re enjoying your summer. Thanks for spending a little of it with me here!

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44 Comments

  1. Love your new block. When will we be able to see the instructrions – hopefuly in time to make a Christmas item.

  2. I have that app also and I use it for flower pictures that I take in my yard, I love how they look after using Waterlogue,,fun, fun!! Congratulations about your new grand baby coming in December!! That kind of news is always exciting!!

  3. Thank you for this lovely summer blog. But the icing on the cake is the darling photo at the end of the two precious little ones. Love it! And congratulations to you, Grandma, on the soon arrival of their little brother.

  4. COngratulations on your impending new arrival! He’ll have two adorable big sisters to help look after him ! That’s a pretty cool app! If I had a larger iPad than the mini, I’d buy it in an instant, but these little minis don’t have a lot of storage. What a beautiful block! Your fabrics are always so gorgeous, Julie.

  5. Congratulations on the new grandson to be Julie!!! I am expecting a new Great Grandson in October. So I am making a baby size disappearing 9- patch for him using your pattern. I too love the new block And hope you will make it available. Also love the Merry Starts here fabric line!

  6. Just returned from the beach with the best vacation because it included my kids and grandson. 🙂 How exciting for you-you have ALOT going on!! I’ll need to start the wedding quilt soon for my daughter but right now I need to get with it and photo shoot my UFO’s and upload them. Looking forward to another quilt along!!

  7. Your new quilt block is lovely. Contact Lori Baker, the acquisitions editor, if you would like to submit a quilt idea to any one of six magazines (McCalls Quilting, McCalls Quick Quilts, Quiltmaker, Pre-Cut Patchwork, Easy Quilts, Love of Quilting. [email protected]

  8. Hi Julie!
    Congratulations! Won’t it be fun to make a little boy quilt. I have 3 grandsons. No girls….yet!

  9. First, congratulations granma!!!
    Then, your new block is BEAUTIFUL, great job.
    I can’t wait for the pattern, please.

  10. Hi Julie, I love looking at your jams!! Yummy! And congratulations on the new baby. I’m chomping at the bit waiting for my granddaughter in September!
    Please make a pattern from that block. I want to buy one! 🙂

  11. A new baby boy! Congratulations to all of you! How nice for you and your family Julie.
    I love your new block too. And that app is so amazing. Everything you cooked, baked, and made look great! You are surely a busy lady. Thanks for sharing with all of us those great pictures. Loved the baby bump! May he grow up to be strong and healthy, happy and loving.

  12. Congratulations on the newest grandbaby!!! How exciting!

    I love the new block; my suggestion is to submit it to a magazine. I love the design!

  13. Congratulations Grandma! I’m also expecting another grandson, but in January, AFTER the holidays! So I’ve got a bit of a breather for my baby quilt. Also, I love your block. Can’t wait until you publish it. That’s going on my to-do list for sure! Your life seems to be as busy as mine right now. Enjoy and embrace each and every moment! Hugs!

  14. Congratulations Julie, a baby boy…. we are awaiting our first grandson due in 2 weeks after having 4 granddaughters. I just love being an grandma too….. Always enjoy your posts with all your colorful photos. I, also, would love your apricot jam recipe-they all look delicious. Enjoy the rest of the summer and thank you for the inspiration in the sewing room and the kitchen

  15. So Happy for you and your family! Grandchildren are such a Precious gift from the Lord ! Btw, that quilt looks like stained glass! So pretty !

  16. Wow, Julie! Great news on being a grandma for the third time! A boy this time. Just awesome. Your new block is wonderful, beautiful. I could definitely see a lovely table runner using that block. Heck, a quilt would be fabulous in that pattern! Your post is lovely with so much eye candy. (You eat well at your house!)

  17. Congratulations on the good news, nice to here will be a Boy ( may be Sebastian, Oscar, Omar, how knows?) Did you ever imagine family was going to grow so fast? I’m a Grand to 12, my life is super hectic, my quilts are always UFO’s. Card and Quilt look fantastic

  18. Wow! Another grandbaby…that is fantastic news! Congratulations!

    That photo app looks like lots of fun to play with! And I am definitely going to check out that cookbook! Thanks!

  19. Congratulations Julie on the upcoming birth of a Grandson. Love the Waterlogue technique. They would make very pretty Thank you cards or just pretty notecards. Thank for sharing.
    Carol

  20. Just a lot of good news! I love your new quilt block. Hope you will make it available one way or another I would like to tackle a project with it.

  21. I am sure you don’t NEED an excuse to go to Texas, BUT this new little guy will just be icing on the cake. Congratulations are in order for the family!

  22. Congratulations! My first great grand child just arrived. A strong little girl. I am looking forward to all the “baby reports” to come.

  23. Beautiful little sisters! And an awesome Christmas block! I can see it as a great quilt, just hope you finish the pattern soon!

  24. Congratulations to you and your family about the news of a new addition. I love the Christmas block.

  25. Congratulations on the coming edition! I know mom and pop are excited. I love the block at the first of your post. Very pretty. Thank you for sharing with us. I always look forward to your blog. I love that picture of the granddaughters walking together. So cute!

  26. Julie, I always love reading your site. You are such an inspiration to me. You seem to love all that you do. Congratulations on going to be grandma again. Thanks

  27. So happy for you ❤️❤️. Grandchildren are the best. Already have 4 granddaughters, both son and daughter have two each. Our son is adding a grandson any day now, super excited. Just found out our daughter is having her #3 in February 2020. Life is great.

    Looking forward to a Christmas tutorial, you always do the best.

  28. Congratulations to the ‘again’ Grands! I’ve been summer swamped, (don’t you just love summer!!?) so I just sat down to catch up on posts. This was first! I do love hearing your news, and seeing your darling block! Go for it!
    -Jean ❤

  29. Congratulations on the new Grand-to-be! I love your block and fabrics. I love the Waterlogue app, I play with all the time. Hugs,

  30. Hi Julie – Congrats on the new blessing coming soon!
    Love the new block and the line of fabric 🙂

  31. Thanks for updates, really like the Christmas block as well as the fabric, will investigate. Congratulations on the new baby news. Is there a chance you could share your apricot jam recipe? Looks delicious.

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