a quick trip to Detroit

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was busy and whirlwind. Steve's sister had a baby boy last week, so we drove to Detroit Friday afternoon to see her and her husband, and meet the new baby! We left mid-afternoon on Friday, and got there around midnight, after making a few stops, of course. The hotel we stayed in was awful - they lost our reservation and were not apologetic about it in the least. They finally sorted it out, but by the time we got into the room, it was after 1am, and of course, we were exhausted, and a bit hungry. 

Luckily, Steve's favorite, White Castle, has several (24 hour!) Detroit locations, 

so off he went. 

Sheepette decided to try a few fries too.

I happen to be obsessed with Tim Hortons, a Canadian coffee chain, and they also have several Detroit locations, so I was quite pleased about that. We might have gone twice in the weekend, and I'd have been fine with going more than that  ;)

I love the iced cappuccinos, and the Timbits are just really fun. I wish they had a DC location. Maybe someday. Until then, I will dream about it! 

I promise I didn't eat all 40 on the way home...some are to bring to work with me! My co-worker's wife went to college in Canada, so some are for her too!

We also brought two dozen Georgetown Cupcakes to Heather! She loves them! 

You may know that Detroit is located just over the Canadian border from Windsor, Ontario, and I love seeing the Bridge to Canada sign! There really wasn't time for a trip over this time, but next trip for sure! 

On the way home on Sunday, we stopped by the Flight 93 9/11 Memorial in PA. I didn't take any photos there, as it felt a bit disrespectful to me (most everyone else there was, but it was just a personal decision for me). I saw this massive elephant right by where you get back on the highway, and I was wildly amused by it. 

You may notice that there are no photos here of Heather and the baby...I don't feel right about posting photos of children without their parents permission, so I always ask first. I don't think that Heather knows about my blog, so I think it's best not to post them for now. Maybe in the future! For now, you'll have to trust me when I say that he's adorable!

I think I got a bit carsick on the way home (not actually sick), as I didn't feel well for most of the ride. I woke up this morning still not feeling too well, so I am home from work today. I'm hoping I didn't pick up a bug or something there, and it was just too many timbits  ;)

How was your weekend? 

travelling stash update!

Remember when I posted about the travelling stash? 

I finally remembered to pick a winner, and it's SUE!

Sue, please email me with your mailing address so that I can get this out to you soon! 

Any fun weekend plans, friends? More soon! 

a baby quilt model?

My dear friend Christine had a baby in February, and of course, I knew that she needed a quilt. I think that Miss Ada will never be short on quilts though, as Christine's mother is also a quilter, and has done some really beautiful things! I fell in love with this fabric line, called Cape Ann, by Oliver and S, a part of Liesl and Co. It's perfect for a little girl, I think! 

I did a simple pattern, as I really wanted to show off the prints. I especially love the blocks with the little dresses on them! As usual, my binding (the grey around the edge, that holds the pieces together), is not perfect, but one of these days, I will master binding! 

I met Ada a few weeks ago, and was able to give her the quilt! Christine sent me a few photos later. Isn't she a doll? This girl could be a quilt model! (is that a thing? if not, it should be).

Of course, it's a bit sad that Ada and her mum and dad live in New York, so I don't see them as often as I'd like, but soon enough again, I hope!

Next up on the baby quilt agenda? A quilt for my godson Ethan! I have the fabric and pattern decided on, just need to get going on it! 

Are you working on anything fun right now?  

travelling fabric stash!

A few days ago, I was the recipient of the travelling stash box from Katie! This box, and several others, have been travelling around the country for some time now, passing from home to home, losing and gaining items at each stop! What fun!

The box was filled to the brim when I received it, as you can see! 

I then went through it and added a few items; mostly some mini charm packs, some FQs and a few panel pieces that I don't plan to use. 

I took a few things too - a few fats, some white thread, and a small cutting board that will be great for guild meetings! I definitely added more than I took, which is fine! 

Would you like to receive the box next? These are the rules of playing:

Rules and Guidelines 

Be an active blogger -- post about receiving the box and the giveaway in a timely manner 

Update the travel log in the box to let others know where the box has been.

There is a list of rules and guidelines in the box -- be sure to follow these to keep the box full of quality items and the experience positive for everyone. 

You may take any items from the box just be sure that you are replacing them with quality and comparable items. (Guidelines for fabric below) 

Ship box to the next person timely -- and communicate tracking information with recipient.

Shipping is within the US only  (sorry international friends!)

Fabric and other item Guidelines 

Fabric should be quilt shop quality and in new condition. 

Do not include items smaller than a fat quarter unless it falls into one of the other categories and these should be packaged together. 

Jelly Roll -- 2.5 inch strips (typically 40 strips per set)

Honey Buns -- 1.5 inch strips (typically 40 strips per set) 

Desert Roll -- 10 strips 5 inches wide cut the length of the fabric 

Turnovers -- 80 (6 inch) triangles

Candy Squares  -- 2.5 inch squares (typically 45 squares per set) 

Charms -- 5 inch squares (typically 40 squares per set)

Layer Cake -- 10 inch squares (typically 40 squares per set)

Patterns / Books should be in new or nearly new condition and should be kept to a minimum as this adds bulk and weight. 

Other items should be new or gently used condition and should be packaged as necessary to ensure that all parts remain together. 

Important Things to Remember

Please ensure that items in the box are quality. If items in the box are poor quality they should be removed. Items that are being removed can be offered for optional inclusion to the next recipient. Poor quality items can be discarded but this should be done with digression. 

Only include items that you would be proud to own -- this is not a dumping ground for outdated or worn items

Items should be free of smoke, odors  and pet hair 

You must replace all items that you take with items of equal value and replacing with more than you take is welcome. 

How to Save Money when Shipping 

You can purchase postage online from USPS at a discounted rate

When you purchase online delivery confirmation is included

You can schedule pickup from your home or office -- so no waiting in line at the post office. 

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If you'd like to perhaps receive the box next, leave me a comment here and tell me what your current project is. For a second chance, tell me what you're dying to try next! I'll randomly pick a winner next Friday (July 26), and mail the box the following Monday. How does that sound to you? Let your friends know too, so they can try to win! 

I'm a godmother again!

Last weekend (4th of July weekend), Steve and I went up to Connecticut for a baptism - Heidi and her husband Adam asked me to be godmother to their baby Ethan! The baptism was in Adam's hometown at his family church, and one of his best friends from childhood (who lives in nearby New Haven, CT) is the godfather. 

Here we are!

Afterwards, Adam's parents hosted a wonderful dinner at a nearby restaurant - the oldest inn in CT, and rumored to be haunted! 

Here's a selfie, by Steve, Ethan, and Sophie  :)

I was so thrilled that our friend Christine was able to be there! She is a good friend from DC (Heidi introduced us, actually!), who moved to New York when she was married a few years ago, as her husband is a college professor. They had a baby a few months ago, and I was so happy to meet baby Ada! Ada is just a month older than Ethan, and I've decided that they are getting married one day. Here they are meeting for the first time-

They totally dig each other  :)

I was so honored that Heidi and Adam asked me to be godmother, and I am beyond blessed to now have THREE handsome godsons! Since my three godchildren are all boys, I think that would be a hat trick, if I played hockey (am I the only one who finds this joke I came up with completely hilarious? yes? okay). I've also decided that my having three godsons is God's way of telling me that I will only have daughters one day! I'm also lucky that Heidi and Adam live in nearby Annapolis, so I will see Ethan often. My oldest godson Jackson (turned six on the 4th!) lives in my hometown in NH, and my second godson Andrew lives in New Jersey, so I don't see them as often as I'd like. 

Do you have any godchildren? How do you keep yourself involved in their lives, if you don't see them often? Do you have any special traditions with them?  What kind of godparents do you have, if you have them? 

happy happy happy!

Happy 4th of July, fellow Americans!

Also! A most very happy 6th birthday to my godson Jackson!

This photo is from my most recent trip home, in May! 

Love this boy!


Also! It's my NINE year anniversary of living in DC! Crazy. I can't believe it! 

How are you celebrating today?

Let's Get Acquainted linkup!

Happy July, friends! Happy Canada Day, my friends to the north! 

I'm doing a link-up! I love these, but don't participate often. Why? I don't know!

Just a few days ago, I posted a photo of the baby quilt that I recently finished and made for Steve's sister Heather, but here's the photo again, if you missed it. 

"Let's Get Acquainted" is being hosted this week by Heather of Quilts in the Queue. Heather is in the DC Modern Quilt Guild with me, and makes some really lovely things! 

For those of you who are finding me through this linkup, I'm Lexi and I live in Washington, DC, though I'm originally from New Hampshire. I've been quilting for just a few years now, and consider myself an advanced beginner at this point! I make mostly baby quilts, doll/mini quilts, and pillows, but have done a few other things here and there. Here are a few photos of some projects over the last two years:  

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may have seen one or two of these before, but I don't think that I have posted many of them, now that I am looking at some of these again!  Most of these were for gifts or swaps, though a few I've kept. Also, some of the doll quilts, I've sent to Majlinda and Boikokobetso, the little girls that I sponsor in Albania and South Africa with World Vision! 

Aside from quilting, I am a big reader (my mother's a librarian, and I should be one too!), and I love to cook. I'm a total magazine junkie, and have piles of mags and recipes torn from them all over my house! My boyfriend Steve and I love to travel, I am obsessed with corgis and hoping to get one soon, and I collect tea cups/pots, babushkas, and a few other little things that strike my fancy. My mother has been quilting for about 20 years now, which I think is what prompted me to try it! 

Here are the rules for the linkup, if you wish to participate!

1. Link up and recent sewing/quilting post.
2. In your post, or somewhere on your blog, include a link or button letting people know about the link-up and how they can join in the fun!
3. Visit at least two blogs that link up before yours, and everyone who visits you.
4. When the linky tool asks for your name list your favorite summer treat.

Oh, and my favorite summer treat....likely strawberry shortcake! That was also Heather's choice, but great minds think alike  :)

So, please share and link up on Heather's blog!  

another baby quilt!

A few weeks ago, Steve and I went to Iowa for his sister's Heather's baby shower! She's expecting a little boy in early August, and I made a quilt for her! I was so pleased with myself, as it was the first time I've ever finished a quilt before the baby arrives! As I explained in the last baby quilt post, I am always a few quilts behind. I still have to finish Christine's baby Ada's quilt, Heidi's baby Ethan's quilt, and, Stephanie's baby Grace's quilt! Also, I spoke to Stephanie this week, and she told me the exciting news that Grace will be a big sister in November! So, looks like I have another baby quilt to add to the list  :) 

For Heather, I selected a fabric line called One For the Boys by Zoe Pearn for Riley Blake Designs. As I often do, I ordered it from Fat Quarter Shop, which is one of my favorite online fabric shops! They are located in TX and the customer service is second to none. For the pattern, I kind of made up my own, not following anything in particular, and I am pleased with the way it turned out! 

I also made a few cloth covered burp cloths using cloth diapers and some fun fabric! 

Along with these, I gave Heather a little onesie and a copy of Peter Rabbit, one of my all-time favorites. I think she liked everything, and I hope that Baby N likes them too, when he arrives. He'll be here in a few weeks and I am looking forward to meeting him! 

The baby shower itself was very nice, and Heather received many lovely gifts. Baby N is so loved already - what a blessing! It was a short weekend in Iowa, as that was the main focus of the trip, but we did have time to see some friends of Steve's and a few other things in the area. We toured a historic home, just for fun, and I met an aunt and uncle of Steve's that were in town for the shower. I hadn't met them before, as they live in St. Louis, so that was a good thing! We'll be back in Iowa in September for a Labor Day weekend wedding! 

Tasty Tuesday! Strawberry and Creme Cupcakes!

Here's a recipe from my sister Bethany! I have it cross-posted to Scarlet Threads blog today too, so feel free to peek there if you wish! Also, we have some darling new aprons in the apron shop...have you seen them yet?? I'm loving the ruffles on Priscilla so much. Remember, if you purchase anything from Scarlet Threads, use the code lex25 at checkout for a 25% discount! We're trying to get to all 50 states this year, so please share with your friends! Any friends in Alaska? That's my goal...send an apron to Alaska  :)


Anyway! Cupcakes! My sister loves to bake, and they always look delicious, and these cupcakes were too good not to share! Of course, I just wish I lived close enough to try one...DC and MA are just too far apart! 

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Normally I like to bake from scratch, but I always keep a few boxes of brownie and cake mix in the cupboard for those "emergency moments." My husband and brother in law spent the day ripping up the carpet on the stairs in our new house and putting in new hardwood stairs- yay, they look so pretty!  I was in the mood to bake, which isn't anything new, and felt the boys deserved a treat after their hard work.

Luckily, I had all the ingredients necessary for a cupcake recipe I'd been wanting to try!

I didn't have as much time as I hoped, as I had plans for the evening and it was already 4pm, so I pulled out a box of chocolate cake mix, heavy whipping cream, and fresh strawberries.

Make the cake mix as directed on the box, and fill cute cupcake tins about three quarters full.  For maximum moistness, bake for a few minutes less than directed on the box.

While cupcakes are cooking, wash and dry strawberries.  Cut into thin slices and set aside.

Wile cupcakes are cooling, whip heavy cream with hand mixer until fluffy.

Carefully cut off tops of cupcakes.

Spread a layer of whipped cream onto each cupcake, cover with a strawberry or two, and replace cupcake top.  I also put a dollop of whipped cream on the top so it would stick to the strawberries!  Add another dollop of whipped cream to the cupcake top and cover with one more strawberry.

Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve and store extras in fridge as well.

This is a delicious, easy summery recipe that got thumbs up from all!

What's baking in your kitchen this week??


Eeeek! Just realized this was my 700th post!!! Should I do something to celebrate? A fun giveaway? What do you think??? A Scarlet Threads apron?   :)

pre-flight breakfast!

Happy Saturday! I have a  2pm flight to Iowa this afternoon for Steve's sister's baby shower tomorrow. This flight includes a four hour stopover in Chicago (UGH!), but I had time for a leisurely breakfast watching The Pioneer Woman at home before I left!

An English muffin and tea.  Perfection.

Yes, I always fly with my passport, even domestically....you never know when you'll be whisked away on a secret mission somewhere  :)

I made a baby quilt for Steve's sister Heather, so I will post photos next week!

Happy weekend, friends!

happy birthday, my Majlinda!

Yesterday was Majlinda's 10th birthday! If you've been reading for a while, you know that Majlinda is one of the children that I sponsor with World Vision. She lives in Albania, near the seacoast. I have another little boy in Albania, in the same community, called Redion, and I have a little girl in South Africa called Boikokobetso. 

I can't believe that Majlinda is now ten! TEN! I've officially been sponsoring her for more than half her life, as she was just four when she came into my life. This is the most recent photo that I have of her, which I received a few weeks ago:

She's so big, especially compared with some of her early photos! I found this post from several years ago, with a photo of the doll that I sent for her birthday. She wrote back that she named the doll Alma, the Al for my name, and the Ma for hers. Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever heard? I nearly cried when I read that. 

Majinda, I hope that you had the most wonderful day, sweet girl. 

I'm so blessed to have you in my life. 

the prettiest teacup ever

When I was home this past weekend, my grandmother gave me this teacup from her collection, and I adore it.






I collect teacups and teapots, and this is such a special one. She has a lovely little collection of teacups that she used to use to serve her lady friends when they'd come over to play bridge!


I think I need to have a tea party...

my week, currently, vol. 3

It's been such a busy few weeks here, and it doesn't look as though they're slowing down anytime soon! I mentioned that I was in Minneapolis and Chicago earlier in the month, and this past weekend, I was home in NH for my father's birthday. In two weeks, we're in Iowa for the weekend. Steve's sister is having a baby in August, and they are having the baby shower. I am so pleased with myself, as I finished a quilt for her, and the baby is not here yet! This is the first time I've ever finished a quilt before the baby arrives! Now, of course, I have three more quilts to finish. 

Reading: I mentioned the other day that I am finally reading Lean In, and I am also reading Wedding Night, the new one from Sophie Kinsella. Yes, it's fluffy, but everyone needs that once in a while. Has anyone read this yet? I also have a huge stack of magazines to get through. I am such a magazine junkie! 

Eating: I have a beef stew simmering for dinner! I know it's 75* outside, but I was having a craving for it, and it seemed like the perfect thing. I am using the recipe from the Tasha Tudor cookbook, and I just love it. Comfort food at its best.

Listening: I have a rerun of How I Met Your Mother on tv. Speaking of, what did you think of the finale? THE MOTHER!!?!?!?!

Thinking: I'm thinking about becoming a Stella and Dot consultant. I had so much fun with the party I hosted last fall, and would love to try it out. They have such gorgeous pieces. I've never done anything like this, and not sure if I'd be good at it, but am thinking about it. Maybe I should have another party first?

Laughing: While I was home this weekend, I saw my best friend's boys, Jackson and Owen. Jackson is my godson and will be six in July, and his brother Owen will be two later in the month. During desert of cupcakes, Renee pointed to me and said to Owen "who is that?" and Owen giggled and said "Auntie Wexy," which I think was two-year old speak for Auntie Lexi...to which Jackson replied, "Ow-ey! she's MY Auntie Lexi, not YOUR Auntie Lexi!" Those boys are the best.

Wondering:  Why I don't have a lilac bush in my yard. I rarely see them in DC. I picked some at my parent's house and am wishing I had some here! Likewise, they have TONS of lily of the valley in their yard, and I am dying for some of those too!

Wearing: Yoga pants. Perfection  ;)

Loving: The three day weekend coming up! I am in need of a break, and I am so happy that we have no plans for the long weekend. I need a nap.

Wanting:  A cup of tea, but I have no milk for it right now. Apparently Steve didn't do any grocery shopping while I was gone this past weekend  ;)   I did a tea tasting with Capital Teas and Living Social a few weeks ago, and I need to blog about it. I had so much fun!

Needing: To clean the house. How is it always such a disaster? 

What's your week looking like?

Leaning In

Everyone has been talking about this book, and now I am finally reading it too. I requested it from the library and was no. 287 in the queue!






I'm only a chapter in so far, so we'll see! Have you read it? What did you think?

MTM and the Bean

I spent the last week in Minneapolis and Chicago for work, and will do a better recap soon (I still have to blog about my Vegas trip in March too!) but thought I'd post a photo or two.


I had a few hours to spare in Minneapolis and found that the Mary Tyler Moore statue was just a few blocks from my hotel!







Also, we found the bean in Chicago!






How has your week been? Have I missed any big news?




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