DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD . . . 

to Fontana Village we go! 

There is no need for pics or any descriptions on this one folks!  The link below carries you to a wonderful website where you can explore cabins to stay in on Fontana Lake and Dam near Bryson City, NC.   My husband and I were fortunate enough to travel to Bryson City, NC a year ago and ride the train through the Fontana Dam and lake area.  It is incredibly beautiful and worth a visit at least once in your life.  Check out this website and see for yourself how easy it is to plan a trip there and by the way - do not forget to ride the train!  Have fun exploring another wonder of our great state of North Carolina.  

http://www.fontanavillage.com/accommodations/cabins.html

DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD 

Cute quilt block with a Carolina Farm theme! 

For those of you interested in an upcoming quilting class - take a look at what you can do!  This half square triangle is super easy and fast!  You can easily do a quilt top in a weekend and the pattern is versatile - you can use it to make a chevron design, triangles all one way or a pinwheel like you will see demonstrated here in this mini tutorial.  I have studied many ways to accomplish this quilt block design and this is by far the easiest one to do - take a look . . . 


Step 1. 

Cut your fabric squares 8 x 8 inches - Use two fabrics of contrasting colors - this is easy to do with a cutting mat and guide, and a rotary cutter (most often sold in kits at the fabric store) 
You can actually cut them any size you want but I do not recommend any smaller than 5x5 because it gets a little bit difficult to work with sometimes.  I have seen them 12x12 and that works well for a fast and easy quilt top in no time at all!  


I apologize for the poor quality of pics - Do not have professional photography skills!

Put them together right sides facing.  You want to line them up exactly on top of each other - this pic just shows them slightly separated so that you can see that they are right sides facing.   Then you will sew a 1/4 inch seam all around the edges . . . 

Step 2. 

Set your needle for 1/4 inch - use the outside of your pressure foot as your guide - like shown above.  sew a seam all the way around - if you look close in this picture you can see the seam already done at the top and now I have turned it to go down the other side.  Continue all the way around the square.

Step 3. 

Use your cutting guide to cut a diagonal line across 
and then again . . . 

 You will have four triangles - how cool is that!

Step 4.

Now open them - 

turn them into position
and begin to see the wonder ---of your pinwheel beginning to appear!

Press these pieces so they are nice and flat and the next step you will sew these four pieces to make one quilt block

Step 5.

Begin to sew the top two squares right sides facing and then do the same with the bottom two squares -

Above picture shows Top two squares have been sewed together - now I sew the bottom two together . . .
then . . . you get two halves and you sew those two together.

Remember right sides facing like shown above . . . then
whoo hoo!  You have a pinwheel!

It is quick and easy - you will soon begin to see an awesome pattern appear

This fabric of cows and chickens is so cute and reminds me of a North Carolina Farm. . . but check out some of the other fabrics that will be made into pinwheels too!

Check out the other side of this quilt 

Chickens, horses, cows, dogs, ducks and tractors!  Now THAT is a Carolina Farm for sure!

Contact me at liscaarol99@gmail.com if you are interested in an upcoming quilting class in February - I promise you that you CAN do this!  I would love the opportunity to show you how.  

More quilt ideas . . . 

Adorable easy three pattern block - Monkey theme for a sweet baby boy getting ready to make an entrance to the world.

Cheerful patterns on the work board for a Chevron quilt for a sweet baby girl! Will posts final pics when done. 

DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD 

lisacarol99.blogspot.com

New quilt on the works . . . 

I know what you are thinking . . . Christmas is over!  But when Christmas fabric goes on sale for 70% off - you have got to take advantage of that price!  It also is a great opportunity for me to experiment with my new sewing machine that my husband gave me for Christmas.   I ordered a Christmas tree pattern that I really liked, but when it arrived I was extremely challenged in attempting to do the "paper piecing".  I like a pattern to just give me measurements, then I cut them on my cutting mat with a rotary cutter.  This pattern wanted you to pin the paper piece to fabric and cut - ugh!  That was so time demanding.  So I took some of the same ideas from the pattern and created my own templates . . . then decided to see how many of the computerized stitches I could incorporate in the quilt . . . which became more of an applique process.  So I cut the rectangle pieces and began to sew them together.  Then appliqued each tree on the rectangles using a different stitch.  What you see below is several of the rows in process right now and once I finish I will try to remember to post the finished pictures.  It is very colorful and so cheerful.  It is a great practice piece for me to get acquainted with all the different stitching this new machine can do!  

You cannot really see it well in the pics but the red and green fabric for the trees has a metallic polka dot - looks like Christmas Ornaments or snow!   Above picture shows several rows that will be sewn together but will include a coordinating row of fabric between each row . . .maybe a solid since there is so much background pattern behind the trees. Of course the blocks will be lined up to meet - this is just the rows hanging on my work wall right now to place the rows and check the patterns to be sure one is not beside another one.   Below is an example of how each tree is trimmed out with a different stitch.  Still have to trim the excess fabric from around this tree - but I thought it was so cute I just had to share it!  

Cannot wait to finish it and tuck it away for next year . . . it sure is cheerful and so cute!  Will be a neat gift or something to keep - have not decided yet.

DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD 

This past weekend we enjoyed the opportunity to snow ski, snow board and snow tubing at Sugar Mountain . . . located near Banner Elk, NC.  What fun we had in a winter wonderland with six inches of new snow fall while we were visiting this beautiful part of North Carolina.   Even if it does not snow,  Sugar Mountain blows snow all the time when temps are below 32 degrees . . . so they have a good base.  One major bonus to Sugar Mountain . . . the DRIVE!  Not too many winding roads - very easy to get to and your are only a mile away from a grocery store - now that is worth something right there!  Be sure and check the weather before you go - if they have snowfall or ice you will need 4 wheel drive, all wheel drive or snow chains.  They check your car to be sure you are safe before you make the short drive up to the mountain.

Just in case you might be planning a trip, I have a few things you might want to read . . . 

Where to get rental equipment? 

1-800-854-6532

3150 Tynecastle Hwy

Banner Elk NC 

We were lucky enough to get coupons from Sugar Mountain Lodging.  They are also on Tynecastle Hwy.  Just stop in and tell them you read about here at DOWN A CAROLINA ROAD. . . lisacarol99.blogspot.com and they will be happy to share coupons with you.   Why rent from here?  Better equipment, faster service and from what we were told and learned - better service.  

1-800-858-9663

3150 Tynecastle Hwy. 

Banner Elk, NC 

Where to stay . . . check out this condo that is a ski in and ski out . . . three bedrooms, located on the EASY STREET slope so it is great for those beginner skiers.

http://www.sugarmountainlodging.com/bee-branch-13.html

or this one located at the entrance of the Ski Lodge parking lot!  Super close too! 4 bedrooms

check out the website for more details . . . located at Snow Lake - beautiful golf course and lake view!  Walk to Ski Lodge!  

http://www.sugarmountainlodging.com/snow_lake_c17.html

Here are some Sugar Mountain pics for you . . . visit them at http://www.skisugar.com/