Life is a Stitch & random thoughts that make me smile...

yay! snow flurries

2012-01-30T09:28:00.000-05:00

The snow blew through yesterday...
and it was beautiful!

Not enough accumulated to go out and play though,

so I played inside with my snow.

I did some snowflake shaped quilting...

Don't know if you can see the "snow" quilting or not...

so here's a close-up around the "frosty" -

little snowflakes and french knot flurries:

but that's my playing in the snow today!

papers

2012-01-25T22:43:00.000-05:00

paper-piecing -
using English paper pieces, to be exact,
is fun to me...

This is the new pack that just came into the shop:

And, see that quote there in the middle of the package?
"we put the peace back into piecing"
...love it! :)

1 1/2inch, 45 degree diamonds!

Maybe something blue and white??
Ideas?

snow/weird

2012-01-19T23:48:00.000-05:00

It's finally Winter!
And I'm lovin' it!

Thanks, all, who came through town and left me some snow!!!

Or maybe you did your little snow-dance for me? :)

This was last week's Friday left-overs:

snow-capped Sedum

There has been more snow today,

and more predicted for tomorrow - Friday - YAY!!!

Being inside,

watching the snow blowing around outside,

has made my mind "swirl" with ideas about quilting...

it's been making me think about my stitching...

while I've been hand-quilting my Snowy Days wall quilt.

Some of that

snow-blowing-mind-swirling-thinking-going-on stuff

makes me question

what new something I'll work on this year

as my BIG red-work project...

you know - hand embroidery.

[I have almost all of the hand-stitching done on the Calendula Patterdrip's (CAH)]

so, it's time to get something else going!

Any suggestions?

Anything great that you have worked on?

Something you'd recommend?

I'll need something soon -

especially if I'm going to get snowed in!!!

I know,

I'm

snow/weird

compared to most people,

but I'm hoping for

~~some~~ many"Snow Days"!

p.s. I haven't found anything that Sweetie will stitch on - YET!

I know...

2012-01-18T16:08:00.000-05:00

I haven't been posting quite as much lately - sorry.
Sweetie is home with me for nine weeks.
Yep, you read that right -
nine whole weeks.

I am so blessed, aren't I?

Sweetie had a ladder, on which he was standing, fall,
as the embankment that it was on collapsed...
that was a year and a half ago.

Of course, Sweetie was checked out - and bleeding head wound bandaged.
Then, the next day, his right foot was hurting.
Another checking out .
That Doc said it looked like he had a small fracture in his foot,
SO

Doc said Sweetie had a couple of options...

1. wear a walking boot for 6 weeks.

2. stay off of it for six weeks.

(Really!!!???
Offering options to a strong-willed adult male who doesn't sit still?)

So, Sweetie chose option number 2 - stay off of it for six weeks.

He might have stayed off of it that next week.
Maybe.

So, after a year and a half, more limping around,
and more tests, there was a Doc that said:
To fix it, you'll need surgery.
And, to stay off of it (IE: no working)
for nine weeks.

See, lucky gal, aren't I?

I don't have Sweetie stitching.
YET.

On a stitching note:

I received my new Prim Quilts & Projects magazine-
there are a handful of projects that I'd like to ~~start~~ do.
Maybe I can get Sweetie onto one of these!

careful

2012-01-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

what you wish for!

I guess it just took

me working on a couple of snowy projects

to bring the snow to town.

BUT

The snow - it came!!!!
And the blowing and freezing came along with it.

Sorry if it seems to be my fault because I wished for it.

Maybe begged for it?
Anyway, sorry for the delays and closings, the slipping and sliding.

Or maybe, it's the season, and it's supposed to snow?
Yeah, that's it -
It's January in Ohio - it's supposed to snow...

So, with no guilt at all

about bringing more snow to town,

I'm going back to work on my

snowy stitching:

Happy Snowy Friday the 13th to you!

Oh, yeah,

and Happy Stitching!

rain

2012-01-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

and more rain....

Ohio has had plenty of rain last year,

and now into this year.

I would like snow, instead, please.

If anyone is traveling through or past or around Ohio,

please bring the snow with you and leave it here,

thank you very much.

Or, if you have a snow dance

that you could share, I'd appreciate that also.

I've been trying to give the hint to ole' Momma Nature

by working on my SNOW-y projects,

but that hasn't worked so far.

Here's my Walking in a Winter Wonderland (Crabapple Hill)

that I finally
(finally, as in I've been working on this one quite a while - click this link to see the whole, long story)
have quilted
and then hung it immediately in the family room:

This I machine pieced & hand-embroidered,

then did hand-guided machine quilting.

A couple more quilting pics:

snowflake quilting

mistletoe and holly quilting

The second project to try to

bring in the snow,

is part of a new wool on cotton applique class that

will take place over the next few weeks at Good Wives & Co.-
it is called

Snowy Days (by Heart to Hand):

I'm enjoying the stitching,

but, so far, only rain,

and then more rain has hit the ground around here.

Maybe an extended stitching class/time period
will help with the snow fall?

Anyone have any other suggestions for getting snow?

p.s. no freezing rain or sleet please;
just snow - the big white fluffy flakes
that accumulate quickly and make good snowmen.

a little me time

2012-01-04T23:56:00.000-05:00

Some folks like
massages & facials & manicures
for their ME time...

Not I!

And, not that I'm just being contrary...

I do like massages, facials and manicures.
(And, I wouldn't turn down any of those if my family members are reading this right now!)

But, if I have the choice between those and quilting
for ME time?

Quilting and stitching almost always wins,

~~hands~~ needle down!

So, here's a pic of some of my recent ME time:

Only the last/bottom row left to quilt!
Anytime I have a little block of time - fifteen to twenty minutes or so,
I'm turning on Big DD and meandering away-
ME time!

(as an aside on this quilt -
I hand-embroidered and pieced this quilt almost three years ago...
I made the back and the binding.
I had in my mind that I would layer it
and hand quilt it during the year,
to put it out that winter -
THREE years ago.
Then the same idea the second year.
Then the third.
I have quilted TWO of these quilts for other folks,
but mine was still sitting, awaiting hand-quilting.
This year, I decided, that was ridiculously silly,
so I FINALLY put it on the machine!)

So, here's to ME time.
Happy self-indulgence time to you also,
whatever that may be!

half-lit

2012-01-03T00:15:00.000-05:00

Yep, that's me this past Christmas!

Half-lit.

Wait, really, not me half-lit,

but my Christmas was half-lit.

That still sounds bad!

OK, here's my story

of my being

Half-lit this past Christmas....

I started my Christmas decorating...
pulled out boxes and plugged in all of the light strands.
I always start that way, plugging in all the light strands.
I like fiddling with the light strands that don't work.
It's a fun challenge to me - finding THE ONE
that will make the burnt-out strand magically come to ~~life~~ light.
And those little lights make me smile...

I started decorating with the outside light strands...
So, the lights on the outside greenery for the porch rails and front door?
Yep, more than half of it was out, and no matter how long I worked on it, no more lights would come on.
So, I pushed it all back into the box, lights, greenery and all, and added twinkle lights to my shopping list.

Moved onto the sleigh lights.
Plugged them in, and both strands worked.
Put them all onto the sleigh, and plugged them back in.
Guess what? Yep, half didn't light up.
Messed with them a little bit as it was starting to get dark,
took them all off the sleigh and put MORE lights on my shopping list.

I moved onto the grapevine tree
that sits permanently on the little table outside my front door.
The middle of it was un-lit, so Sweetie took the light strand off, as it was an old strand, at least 7 or 8 years old.
I knew this needed replaced, so I had previously purchased new lights for this.
I pre-tested the new lights, they worked, so I put them on the tree. Plugged it back in and wa-la! It looked so much better!

Next, I pulled out the box of decor for the inside tree - only an eight foot tree this year, so only used half of the lights stash...Yes, they worked!, those great little twinkle-y lights with programmed twinkles, so I climbed the ladder and decorated the tree with lights. As I was finishing the light-wrapping back down on floor level, I realized that every third light wasn't twinkling...What????!!! Really????
Contemplated adding more lights to my list.

Finally, I pulled out the little twiggy, folk-art tree (on which I leave the light strands when I pack it up).
Plugged it in, and the MIDDLE didn't light!!!

If you are keeping track, that's FIVE for FIVE!
Half-lit.

I took a deep breath,
grabbed my shopping list and my Sweetie
(grabbed: literally on the list, figuratively on Sweetie:)
and headed to town.
The first TWO stores were sold out of little twinkle lights...
Went to the mega store and found less than ten boxes of twinkle lights on the shelves.
And the boxes looked a little worse for the wear for only sitting on the shelves.
Bought lights, and headed back home in the dark.

Next day, I pre-tested all the lights while indoors,
then took them outside and started replacing...

Started with the sleigh:
got them wrapped around the sleigh, turned them on - - -
and they were the COOL LIGHTS - neon-looking...
NOT cool on an antique sleigh.
SO, remember the box was a little worn?
They were evidently returned lights!
In the wrong box!!!
Took those back off, again.
Moved on to the porch railing greenery.
Double checked the lights - they were correct/warm lights.
And yes, they worked.
Wrapped the greenery, swagged the rails and doors, cleaned up my tools, and went inside.

Sweetie came in as darkness was settling in.
He hemmed and hawed just a little, then spit it out:
A third of the porch railing greenery WAS NOT LIT!!!

I must have had a very pathetic look on my face,
as he immediately put his coat on,
grabbed my hand, put my coat across my shoulders,
and out we went with a light-tester and re-wiring supplies.
He did some snipping and wire-nutting
and all of the porch-railing lights were back on in just minutes.

SO...It was now the week of Christmas,
and I had lights everywhere....
just not all of them were lit.
And really,
a few light bulbs short of a strand?
Not a big deal.

So, here are the beautiful lights

on Christmas eve:

sleigh - notice that all the lights are burning brightly:

The little grapevine tree at the front door:

Yes, that is the new strand that was all working...

but notice that the top is not lit!

Here is the twiggy-folk-art tree:

note the middle section not lit...

Here's the inside tree:

Not as many lights as usual,

but you can't tell unless you are up close and personal...

And, finally, the porch railing garland:

Yes, there is a new section not burning!

So, it was on Christmas Eve

that I decided that

THIS was the Christmas

that ~~I would be~~ was HALF-LIT.

That's my story of my half-lit Christmas.
And I'm sticking to it.

p.s. even this little bowl of lights:

I dropped the old-fashioned bulbs

around the twinkly lights

and when I turned them on the next morning,

THEY were not working either!!!

Do you think I have some weird electrical pull thing going on this past year?

feeling Eve-y

2011-12-31T15:47:00.000-05:00

Yep- that's a word - Eve-y...
And a feeling.
I'm sure of it.
It all started when
I was planning my menu
for our New Year's Eve gathering...

this feeling hit...

that's when I decided I was feeling Eve-y.

Our friends in the Netherlands
celebrate Old Year's Eve...
I haven't been there for that celebration, but
it sounds like it is an all afternoon to midnight celebration -
mostly outside, weather permitting,
with bonfires, and food and libation.
Then, fireworks and singing at midnight.

I'm thinking that their weather
must be more moderate
than ours here in Ohio.
I surely can't see us out all afternoon and evening,
splashing in the rain/freezing rain/snow mix.
Especially this year, as we've had record rain fall,
and tonight is no exception to that record breaking event.
But, I digress...back to the Eve-y feeling:

Maybe I was really feeling reminiscent, but I don't think so.
I'm sticking with Eve-y.
Anyway, I was planning the main food dishes for New Year's Eve...

The Main-main dish is usually lasagna.
Secondary main dishes are soups,
shredded meats for sandwiches,
and heavy appetizers.
Way too much food,
because on top of all of those main- and secondary-main dishes,
there are side dishes.
Sides galore.
AND, I really don't know how and why, but
lasagna became a New Year's Eve tradition.

Really?

Lasagna equates to New Year's Eve food?

No, I think I'm feeling Eve-y!

So, I decided right then and there,
with Eve-y pushing my buttons,
that I would make a different Main main dish!

Shells stuffed with chicken, pancetta and spinach!

ready for the oven!

Yum! and, I haven't made this for awhile,
so, another reason to make it for the Eve-y dinner.

Here at the Lifey/Stitchy homestead

we are folks of tradition, I guess.

But, I'm changing it up!

My Eve-y feeling is that strong.

Just hope it doesn't cause a huge, squawking uproar - feathers a-flying type of thing!

You know how tradition can be...

Here's the recipe:

Chicken Pancetta Spinach Stuffed Shells

with Asiago cream sauce:

12 oz jumbo pasta shells, boiled (per pkg instruction) drained & set aside.
Into a large skillet:
1 Tbls. olive oil and
1/2 pound pancetta, diced small, brown about 5 minutes.
When browned, remove pancetta to a bowl and
to the skillet add:
one pound of diced chicken breast meat. (Ididn't do chicken this time)
Cook throughly.
Add the pancetta back to the skillet and stir in:

2 pounds frozen spinach, thawed & drained
(I used fresh spinach, just wilted it in with the cooked pancetta before adding the cheeses)
15 oz. ricotta cheese
1 cup asiago cheese
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg or cinnamon
Stir to combine; turn off and remove from heat.
Stuff this mixture into the cooked shells-about 2 tablespoons in each..
Place stuffed shells into an olive-oiled baking dish.

Now, the sauce...
In saucepan, melt:
1 Tablespoon butter
Add: 1 clove minced garlic and brown slightly-about a minute.
Add: 1 cup cream and bring to a simmer.
Turn down to very low and add:
2 cups grated Asiago cheese,
2 Tablespoons of dried parsley (1/4 c fresh),
and a couple of good grinds of pepper.
Continue stirring about two minutes until cheese is melted.
Pour over stuffed shells
(you can shred a little more cheese on top if you like, but it doesn't need it)
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.
Serves: 8 with chicken added, 6 with no chicken added.
Super easy-only about a half hour prep time, and so impressive!
If you want a no meat dish, this is excellent - just leave the pancetta and chicken out of the recipe. Brown onions instead.
I often make/serve the meat on the side anyway.
This is a recipe that is very similar to a "Giada" dish, but I don't think she has the chicken in her shells.

OK,
so THAT is NOT TRADITIONAL or LASAGNA -
and should shake things up a little bit!
I'm not going out and dancing in the rain at midnight
like those Dutch friends,
but I am feeling just a little Eve-y!

Hope you're feeling a little Eve-y too,
and that your celebrations are wonderful,
safe and filled with laughter!

See you next year!
(I always wanted to say that!:)

going going

2011-12-29T10:15:00.000-05:00

Almost gone...

Well, those last few weeks of the year sure flew by!

I was going to do a little year in review picture thing-y,

but realized that that would take ~~some~~ a lot of time.

And, since daughter is still in town visiting,

no offense,

but I'd rather spend more time with her

than sorting through quilt pictures.

I did find one picture,
speaking of gone...

Nap? Gifts?

Gifts? Nap?

Looks to me like this two-month-old has set his priorities.

I may have to take his lead more often.

Can napping be considered a resolution? :)

Hope the last week of this year is great for you - maybe with a little nap time included.

Deer friends

2011-12-24T23:29:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to you, also, dear friends!

I hope your holiday is everything you'd like it to be,
how ever you celebrate it.
And, I wish you a happy, healthy and abundant New Year.

p.s. the deer friends, above, are from a great cookie cutter
(and butter cookie recipe) that I got from
Cookies 3 (cookies cubed) - made in Michigan, USA.
We LOVED making them!

it's a grand time

2011-12-21T12:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got some decorating done in the house...
here's the first day of decorating:

Here's the end of the week,
another picture from the same view:

Yep, that's a different pic,
but not a thing has changed!!!
Oh, well, good intentions!

At least most of the boxes of "stuff" are out of the walking paths.
And, the ladder is against the wall, not open in front of the television.
It was so bad that it was overwhelming and I didn't want to do a thing!
Do you ever get that way?
(I even ran down to the end of the driveway to meet the mail lady,
so she wouldn't see in my house if she came to my door.:)
That's how bad it was!!!
It's better now, though, thanks for asking!

I have most of my list of chores done...but I keep adding more things.
I'm not letting it get to me though;
if it happens is happens. If not, oh, well.

The end of this week
I am going to have my Sis's four children over
and we are going to bake cookies and decorate them-
the cookies, not the children...
and make up some trays to distribute.
(this is the day that Sis finishes up whatever she has to do without the kids underfoot...
whatever that may be...I think this year it is just the wrapping.
Her children aren't really at the age anymore to be underfoot -
it's just my excuse to kidnap all of them for a day!)

Here's a pic of the new cookie cutter I got!

Looks like fun, doesn't it?
And we have a grand time,
messing in the flour and sugar and sprinkles.

Later, and happy day to you!

folded Bow Tie block projects

2011-12-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

In retrospect, I look back on that bow tie tutorial
and first I think...
wow, I can sure use some hand lotion!

Second, that was a LONG way to go
for such a quick and simple block.
So, when you see that tutorial,
don't be daunted by the fact that there are a ba-zillion pictures.
I was just trying to make it clear to you on how easy the block was to make...
clear as mud, right? :)
Really, they are simple!

So, anyway, here are a couple of pictures of finished projects.

Here's a point-y table runner - it's about 48" long.

And, here's a rectangle version for a table topper:

(They both have about the same number of squares in them, just laid out differently.

And, of course, the top pic has the muslin squares trimmed off on the ends of the runner.)

I used my home machine and stitched around each bow tie...

all down one side on the whole line of bow ties,

then back the other side of the whole line.

I started on the top-left corner,

and zig-zagged my way down and around each bow

to the bottom right-hand corner.

I used red thread on the red bow ties.

So, on the back, the quilting looks like it is rows of bows.

Then I used my Sashiko machine

and cross-hatched the alternate muslin blocks.

I've quilted a couple of these and they work up really fast!

Here is a pic of my basket of blues in progress.

I might have almost enough,
then I will start putting them together
with a muslin alternate block.
I want to make this look like an old and loved quilt,
so I'm going to make it
"be like a cookie" and
take a dunk in the coffee.
I don't drink coffee,
but my quilts do!
I love that look.

OK, that's all for now.
Let me know how your obsession is going.
I have heard from a couple of folks
that they are holding off on starting this until after the holidays.
Good luck with that! :)
I'm off to find me some good hand lotion
before I start stitching again!

fabric + folding = one bow tie = obsessed

2011-12-14T11:41:00.000-05:00

This is my ~~new~~ newest obsession in fabric

(see below * for obsession definition).

Warning: addiction ahead!

Folded fabric bow ties!

You just take a square of fabric,

do some folding

& use four applique pins.

Hand whip-stitch-

yes, this step requires the use of a hand needle and thread,

(it doesn't have to be pretty stitching,

so if this hand-stitching step freaks you out, get over it! ...

it doesn't even have to be matching thread).

After it's stitched, remove the pins,

give a slight press and trim.

Wa-laa!

Folded fabric bow tie!

From my pile of my blue fabrics.

I cut two, five inch squares of each fabric.

Took the whole stack of squares to my lazy girl chair one night
(while Sweetie was pretending to watch tv with his eyes closed).

In less than two hours I had over 50 Bow Ties!!!

that were ready to press and trim.
You just throw in some alternate squares of muslin
and you have a quilt top!

All from my blue stash fabric.

Or, they could be done all in red-
what with the red/white show in New York recently.

Or, they would be great done up in all one fabric line,
like from a pack of charm squares.

Or all scrappy as in a square swap or bow tie swap.

And, they are addictive - just you wait and see*.

As this is a project that is

hard to talk someone through over the phone,

I thought I'd give some basic instruction
and add some pics here...

Enjoy! and don't say I didn't warn you!

folded fabric bow tie
step by step (or picture by picture) instruction:
My squares are 5 inches square (& will finish at 3 1/2 inches).

for each bow tie, use
one square of fabric, right side down:

fold in half and finger press at the outside edge of the fabric block

open and fold in half the other direction, finger pressing the same as before.

Open the square of fabric, as below, and keeping fabric right-side down to the table,
take the crease on right-hand side & move it up to the right-hand corner,

keeping it square. Pin here in this corner.

Turn the square one-quarter turn clockwise.

take the new right-hand side crease up to the new right-hand corner and pin again.

Turn the square again one-quarter turn clockwise

take the new right-hand side crease up to the new right-hand corner and again, pin.

Repeat with the last corner, by again turning the square one-quarter turn clockwise.
take the last crease up to the last corner and pin.

You will have something that looks like a funky fortune cookie
- a little poofy in the middle:

Give it a little hand-pat on the "poofy-ness".

If you have folded it correctly, it will look like this:

a square in a square
on the wrong side of the fabric,

and a four patch on the right side of the fabric.

Again, working on the back or wrong side of the fabric-
the square-in-a-square side...
I drew little arrows where you will hand-stitch:

The thread is a single thread, knotted at the end.
This is a basting stitch -
it will need to be gathered later,
so DO NOT take more than one stitch in each side!

Take a small stitch into the edge of the TOP square only.

Turn the pinned piece one quarter turn clockwise
and take a small stitch into the next edge.
Repeat this one-stitch-baste around the whole top square...
Remember, there is no tacking or back-stitching.

This should bring you back to where you started to stitch.
Take one more stitch back at the beginning, right beside the beginning stitch where you have the knotted thread end. DO NOT knot or tie off yet!
If this is done correctly, you will now have a square in a square in a square - the top square being thread! see above.

Pull the basting thread that you just stitched:

It should gather the back side of the fabric into a four petal flower looking shape:

Pinch two petals to the left and two petals to the right:

(it doesn't matter which two go right or left, just pinch with your finger and thumb, as above.)

Now you will take a tacking stitch in the middle where your needle and thread are.

Since you already have you needle and thread here,
whip-stitch out to the right side, stitching through the layers of the petals.

When you get out to the end, make a small knot,
then whip-stitch back to the center.

Now whip-stitch out the the left side,
knotting when you finish.

Cut thread end,

Remove the four pins.

and you have this...

the back side

and the front side:

It's a BOW TIE!!!

I like to press from the back, using my iron to "square" the bow.

I don't press the center of the block, as that would smash the center of the tie,
and make it loose it's 3 dimensional effect.

Square the finished bow tie to 3 1/2 inches,

using the 45 degree line on your ruler against the bow's corners:

Sew into projects!

*I made so many of these blocks, I knew I really was obsessed...
But my definition of Obsessed with a capital O:

how small can I make this bow tie?

a one inch square...

It makes a trimmed 3/4 inch bow tie!

Obsessed-capital O!,

or crazy,

you choose.

And, don't forget that I warned you!!!

(: In a couple of days I'll show you a couple of my projects and how I did my quilting on these bow ties...
that will give you time to become obsessed, also :)

Happy Stitching!

drooling again

2011-12-12T08:21:00.000-05:00

I love blueberries...
blueberry muffins, blueberry pancakes,
fresh blueberries right out of the bowl.

But, especially, I love Blueberry Crumb Cake.
In little bun rolls, in layer cake form,
by the yard...we are talking fabric here...

Have you seen it?
Blueberry Crumb Cake?
The Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs (click here)?
Alma teased with a picture of Blueberry Crumb Cake this past September,
and I haven't stopped thinking blueberries since then!

At our local shop hop "Spree"
that was me -
the one with the slobber all over my face and down my clothing...
it's blueberry gorgeous!
AND, there's a new book! Just look at that applique!

Thanks, Alma and Barb!

Can't wait!

the one that flew...

2011-12-07T23:25:00.000-05:00

and flew, and then flew again...

It's a great one, isn't it?

She grew-up on a mountain in North Carolina.

Came to the flat-lands of Ohio, but only stayed a long weekend

then went back to that mountain top.

Once back home, she flew on to California

to find a new home, all warm and sunny.

Yep, she's a cross-country traveler!

wow!

2011-12-06T00:10:00.000-05:00

Well, that past week just flew by!

Don't know how I spent all of my time.

I know that I DIDN'T

clean house much

or put up any Christmas decor.

I do know that

I quilted and finished a commission project:

It belongs to Sharon,

and it's one of her first ever projects!

Great, isn't it?

She decided that I could also trim and bind it,

as she'd like to have it finished for THIS Christmas :) !

Oh, something else that took up some of my time:

this past weekend

was the end of the year finale of the local shop hop---

aka: Quilt Spree.

It was a fun time, for sure.

I got to help set up Thursday night,

and work Friday and Saturday.

It was sooo much fun!

We are so blessed here in central Ohio to have some GREAT shops!

Of course, I bought just a couple of things - imagine that!

I also know that yesterday evening

I got two gifts made from my "Spree" purchases.

Woo woo!

First,

I made a couple of quick place mats for the grand-daughter:

And, I know you can't tell from this photo,

but this black pile of "stuff"

is a neck wrap:

Only 1/3 yard of Minkie and about five minutes, and

really!, it's great and was wonderfully easy.

May have to make a few more...

[family, if you are reading this, skip that last sentence :) ]

Anyway, they are just small gifts, but, they are off the list!

Back to work tomorrow a.m.-

can't wait!

How about you?

Are you getting stuff done and saying WoW!?

the parade of homes

2011-12-01T07:24:00.001-05:00

Gingerbread Style!

Making Memories.

Sweetie called it: Making Messes - as he had clean-up duty after the fun.

And the BEST of SHOW at the Parade of Homes this year:

The log home

with the graham-shingle-shake roofing

and Christmas light decor!

So, some of the homes needed to

"spend the night" in my neighborhood

until the mortar had a chance to set.

Others moved right away.

And others, yet, seem to be staying in this neighborhood - example below...

those college kids - don't know why they couldn't take their houses back on the planes with them:

side and front views:

This one is the work of the true-life interior designer:

but, she likes cows,

so that explains why she did a

pole barn, tractor, pastures with cows and pond.

Below is one of those "work with what you have" designs...

the urban concept with the gravel roof-top:

There was also a Hansel and Gretel house:

That one, above, makes my teeth hurt, just looking at it :).

There was this cute little retirement log house:

Other Contenders:
The trailer home pulled out early, so I didn't get a pic--
but, think retro 70's/80's:
pretzel stick log fire under the front overhang
& Nilla Wafer tires and a cookie/satellite dish on the roof.

Also don't have a pic of this:
in front of one of the houses,
there was a
cute little marshmallow & pretzel deer
that was taking out his
hunting season anguish
on a marshmallow snowman.
Poor frosty guy didn't look too good.

And, like I said before, I had to work the next morning, so poor Sweetie got the clean-up duty.
I call that good planning!

It was a good Parade of Homes show, wasn't it?
Fun, laughs, and lots of creativity.
Yep, making ~~messes~~ memories!

house building, 'tis the season:

2011-11-30T11:33:00.000-05:00

Were talkin' gingerbread, here...

OK,

so when you have 22 people

who want to make gingerbread houses

all at the same time,

it isn't really, truly gingerbread.

I'd be baking gingerbread for weeeeeeks in advance.

And I'm not that crazy -

really.

Instead, we start with some type of "foundation"-

the guys/aka contractors build "houses" -

"building" = cardboard and tape guns and scissors and knives

on the butcher block in the kitchen...

Here's a peek at the back of some "construction":

The "contractors" fulfill special requests -

real architectural stuff here, don't you know.

You can request a barn and silo and you'll get a reasonable facsimile.

There are also ~~inspirational~~ questionable pieces built...

the kind where you get the basic shape given to you

and you have to come up with something...

anything

to make this ~~box~~ house foundation work.

Anyway, then there are

the "decorators" or "designers" ...

(there was a true-life

interior designer this year-more on that later)

singles and pairs...

they are given icing bags and

a plethora of construction materials

and start to shingle and side and install windows and

do some landscaping

and work in some blue sugar water features...

you know, the regular gingerbread/construction stuff.

(the crisco container is empty - it was possibly going to be a round house)

Eventually, there is a

datadaDa...

Parade of Homes.

But that is tomorrow...

Bet you can't wait, can you?

the turkeys were here!

2011-11-27T06:17:00.002-05:00

The turkeys were here!

No, not my family - the cookies!

One small gathering of family on Thursday night -

not my house & I didn't have to cook a thing!

One bigger gathering of family on Friday night -

yes, my house,

full traditional dinner

followed by gingerbread house making...

only 20 of the 27 people made gingerbread houses.

That was a whole houseful of fun :)

And a whole houseful of not just cute little houses and creativity,

but also icing and candies and sprinkles!

[Thanks, Sweetie for being on clean-up crew while I got to go to the quilt shop to teach a class :)]

This afternoon, another family gathering -

this one even more peeps, but not my house.

And not quite as much cooking.

And, there are a few of the turkeys left -

Still talking cookies here, you guys!

Thanksgiving & p.s. the recipe for mashed potato dinner rolls

2011-11-23T12:31:00.002-05:00

The turkey is thawing,

Mashed potato dinner rolls are rising,

the house is mostly cleaned...

(well, there's still some flour

floating around in the air from all the roll making,

so I may have to dust after all)

Family is heading this direction!

I can hardly wait!!!

Hope your holiday is WONDERFUL!!!

Safe and happy wishes

from me to you.

P.S. here's the requested recipe

for the

old-fashioned

Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls
(makes about 30-36)
1 cup mashed potatoes (cooled)
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
Mix the above ingredients together in large mixing bowl
(I use my stand mixer for this).
Gradually stir in:
1 cup hot water (this should make the mixture moderately warm to the touch)

In liquid measuring cup:
1/2 cup warm water
2 tsp. *yeast
Stir to dissolve.
(*I purchase bulk yeast, but I think this is one little package)
Add the dissolved yeast to the warm mixture in first bowl.
Mix in 7 to 8 cups of all purpose flour.

Mix well, then knead for 5 minutes.
Place this kneaded bread mass into a large, clean bowl,
cover with a clean tea towel &
move to a warm place to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Turn dough onto a floured surface, sprinkle top with flour and roll out to about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Cut into rounds, using an upside-down large plastic cup or a doughnut cutter:

Score** and butter the center of each round.
Fold each in half at scored mark and place on a baking sheet.

Cover again and place in a warm area,

(mine go sit by the fire)

letting the dough rise the second time - approximately 45 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes.
They will be golden brown and are very soft and moist.
When cooled, you can brush with melted butter.
You can make these ahead of time, as they freeze well and can be thawed and popped back into a warm oven right before serving time.

**to score: take a butter knife and push an indentation across the center of each round...not quite cutting through the center of each circle...
the scoring/buttering process is a family thing, as this allows them to have an "opening area" when it's time to make sandwiches, as they don't have to be sliced.

P.P.S. My sister says: if, when you make these the first time, and they are like ~~hockey pucks~~ clay pigeons, don't give up - try again and they will be great!

primitive eye candy & signs that you are a country gal

2011-11-20T14:09:00.000-05:00

First, thanks soooo much to Laura for letting us roam your home.
Wait, the real reason we were there
was to work on our Path to the Civil War quilt, wasn't it? :)
We did work,
but first and in-between and during work on our quilt blocks,

we ogled.

We oogled

We drooled.

And we dreamed.

(really, we did all of those, I wasn't the only one !!! )

Laura and her hubby have the best
THE BEST
old farm house.
Inside and out!
Here's my version of the home tour:)
As you come to the side entrance of the house,
you are greeted by the best ever sandstone, foundation-rock, sweeping, step entrance.
And a fenced, raised, herb garden.
The herb garden is being guarded by a three-seater.
Yes, a three-seater: as in out house.
(right there, you know you are going to be in for a great treat!!!
a real, old, three-seater!!!! in the garden!!!)
Well, it used to be a three-seater out house.
Now it's the garden shed.
Way too cute!
Then you step onto the little side porch - seating provided for taking off the muddy boots.
There is the greatest old wooden screen door.
(You know you are a country gal if the old wooden screen door gets you excited!
So nostalgic - the sound of a wooden screen door banging closed...)

Then inside the door...
I didn't want to move.
I just wanted to stand there and look!
I didn't even want to move to close the door!

My, oh, my!
Talk about eye candy!!!

It was like being in the
greatest antique store
slash
general store
slash
step-back-in-time EVER.
EVER!!!
But warmer. And lived in.
And I just wanted to move in.
But, Sweetie would miss me, I think...

There were old, re-claimed, wooden plank floors.

There were old, re-purposed-brick floors.

Then, everywhere you looked there were the greatest collections.

Quilts in every cupboard.

Quilts hanging and quilts on the backs of chairs and on the couches.

Little orphan quilt blocks made into pillows filled baskets.

There was Flow blue china.

There was yellow ware.

There were wooden bowls.

There where spice cupboards.

There were hanging cupboards

and floor cupboards and corner cupboards

and screened pie cupboards.

And if that wasn't enough,

each of the great cupboards

had it's own collection that lived with-in!

There were kid-sized cupboards

and a big ol' bowl of metal toy horns.

At the front entrance there were a whole bunch of little cabins.

Yes, we were there to try to get our Path to the Civil War quilt closer to completion.
But, every time I looked up from stitching, there was more eye candy!!!

And, then, to top it off:
she had a great lunch for us!
A great lunch that her hubby put out into a great spread!
(I'm gonna' have to get Sweetie going on this kind of thing!)

So, go back and peruse the pics again...
Every time you look, there's something else that you didn't see last time you looked!
The BEST primitive eye candy ever!

And, I know that I am a "country gal".
But I may have just proved it by admitting that
old, wooden screen doors and
three-seaters get me excited!

Oh, yeah,
I hand-stitched the center of this quilt block:

thimbles, super glue & duct tape

2011-11-15T07:05:00.001-05:00

the consensus is ...
yes, we thimble.
Yes, we all have favorite brands.
Yes, we have multiple thimbles, sitting everywhere and in each project bag.

Yes, we have permanent holes in our fingers from pushing a needle.
Yes, there are issues with our thimbles.
They are good until they start to wear thin.
And, as Mary on Lake Pulaski replied about her thimble:
"UNTIL it catches on lightweight applique thread
and keeps pulling the thread out of the needle -
then I throw it across the floor".
I know that feeling, exactly!!!

Someone else emailed me that you can put a dab of super glue (the gel kind works best)
on the place/hole on your finger. That way, the needle doesn't find it's way in.
I'd be concerned about super glue addiction. And, do I want those chemicals being absorbed by my skin into my body?

No, our favorite thimbles are not easy to find.
I know when I find a QS that has my favorite kind of thimble I buy a handful.
Not one for each size of my fingers on that hand!,
but five of the same size -
so that when I've pushed/needled enough that a hole is wearing through it,
I have another one ready to open and use.

It's kind of like putting on a new blade on the rotary cutter.
You hold off for so long, trying to be frugal, I guess.
And when you finally break down and open the new package,
you wonder why you waited so long!!!

So, I went to the Ohio Amish area recently -
Quilt shops galore.
Quilting friend and I didn't hit them all,
but not a single shop carried
my favorite, blue plastic, diamond back thimble...

What am I going to do?
I have projects calling my name!
I have relaxation to accomplish!

I may have to get out the duct tape as a last resort!
It does come in pretty colors now for a reason!

more meandering

2011-11-14T10:29:00.000-05:00

I finished another couple of quilts this past week -

no, not my own, but I got to meander over them for others!

I only wish they were my own!

First, Louise's magnificent star:

She is a new quilter, and so prolific.

This is the gal, who for her first class,

did the CrabappleHill Winter Wonderland.

Her first time doing red-work and first time piecing blocks.

And it was magnificent!

Not perfect, but truly magnificent!!

Anyway, back to this weeks' meanderings.

Isn't it a beaut?

She just has one or two more quilts and

she'll have made one for each of her family members.

(I wish I was on her Christmas list!!!)

And, she even pieces the backs specifically for each recipient:

Beautiful!

And, not to be outdone - Joell's work of art:

Perfect points and great color choices, as usual.

And, check out her backing - cats in the colors of the quilt top!

Almost like she had it planned :)

This is another person where I'd like to be on her gift list!!!

Great job, gals! It was a pleasure!

Tomorrow,

the thimble-ing debate!

pushing a needle aka: thimble-ing

2011-11-10T10:42:00.000-05:00

Do you use a thimble?

Embroidery,

bindings,

wool and cotton applique,

quilting,

sometimes even piecing...

Those are the times when I would put a thimble on my finger.

To push a needle.

Way too much of my time, though so enjoyable, is spent pushing a needle.
And it all falls to the
same exact point
on the same finger!

So, yes, I thimble...

as I have a

permanent hole in my finger

from stitching waaaay too much.

Yes, there is a callous there,
but there's also a little "hole" that the back end, eye of the needle ALWAYS seems to seek out and push in, making me jump and say ouch. You'd think there would be enough callous by now that my finger would be immune to the puncturing pain,
but, no, after all these years, it's still there.
Maybe it's because I'm also always cooking and washing dishes and trying to keep my hands soft.
Maybe that's the reason it's always vulnerable.
So, yes, I always wear a thimble.

I have a few thimbles- though not as many as my scissors :)!

I like the little inexpensive leather ones on the left, above...
They are made of soft leather and they have an embedded little metal plate that fits right on that vulnerable spot. But, they eventually wear thin and come apart at the top seams, then, sooner than you can guess, you have become a leather repair person! Not what I want to do in my spare time- repair leather.

Also, I like the little blue, soft, plastic ones (center, above) that have a diamond cut-out on the nail side.
Though after about a month or less of stitching, I've pushed through to my finger.
You can see on the bottom blue thimble that dark area? That's the "wear" area, right where there is now a hole - all from needle-pushing so much.

Those are my two favs.

I even purchased one of those more expensive thimbles (the gold one on the right, above)

that is

medically designed for joint protection

and fitted to your thimbling finger by

a medically licensed thimble specialist...

(really, that's what she said---medically licensed thimble specialist!!!).
It's heavy, though, and not my first choice...

I also have a few old, metal thimbles from Great Grandma B and other relatives, but they don't really fit well, though I've tried.

I have some old plastic advertising thimbles, which I have never even thought of trying.
I've tried those little sticky plastic dots.

I have a few of those collectible thimbles from different places around the globe, though I don't think that most of them are made to be worn and used- though I did find a nice Mexican-silver thimble that fits me, but is very decorative with inlaid gem-stones that is pretty, but has the gems right where I "push".

So, let me know your favorite thimble -
or even if you have some secret about stitching with or without one.

My thimble-ing finger will thank you!

Happy Stitching,
sore finger and all!

a new quilting home

2011-11-08T07:08:00.001-05:00

So, the Local Quilt Shop- Always In Stitches,
where I worked for the past few years
has closed it's doors.
Yes, I'm still sad.
I miss the folks that I worked for and with,
and all the folks that were customers of the shop that I may not see again.

But, I'm not the type to worry long over the "tangled threads", I guess.
What is meant to be will be (there is a bigger plan, I'm sure).

I do have a new place to work...
It's The Good Wives and Company.
I've written about them before:
this is where I got my little 1/4 inch hexies

and, I shared some of the goodies I've found there.

This LQS "fits" me -
I think I've told you before that when it comes to fabrics and wools
that I live a little on the dark side, haven't I? :)
Well, the gals of the GW also live a little on the fabric dark side.
They are all just as friendly and helpful as AIS was.
And, they've asked me to teach, which I love.
I think we will get along splendidly!

A few folks expressed concern that it is soooo far for me to drive,
but, really, it's the same distance north as the other shop was south.

So, anyway, I worked this past week
helping them (the GW) get ready for their Winter Open House,
then helped out Friday and Saturday
for the Open House itself and it was a blast!!!
(My normal days there will just be Tuesday and Friday,
so I can still quilt to my heart's content on the other days.)
AND, I had quilters coming in and hugging me,
saying they were "so glad I had found a great, new home".
(thank you so much, gals - it was nice to see you all, too!)

I couldn't have expressed it any better:
that's what it feels like - a new quilting home!

meandering again

2011-11-07T11:06:00.000-05:00

Here are the latest tops that I got to meander over for other folks

(aren't I lucky???!):

This was a block of the month that Bea did:

This is also Bea's - it was another almost king-sized:

It's a pretty pink and chocolate concoction, isn't it?

I only have one more of hers to meander over,

and I think she's ready for Christmas!

(wouldn't that be nice?-to be ready for Christmas?).

Next, is a very thin, woolen, whole-cloth by Margaret.

She called it a "woolen challis",

and although I hadn't heard that term -"challis"-

used in a very long time,

it is indeed a very soft, finely woven wool.

Her daughter contacted me and

asked if I could do something

more contemporary with it in the way of quilting.

So, here's a close-up right before I took it off the machine.

You can see the pattern of the fabric is a small check,

so I did a graphic-square/rectangle free-motion thing

all over it in a very soft blue/grey thread.

I'm going to have to remember this

woolen challis, whole-cloth idea for myself -

next time I need a quick but special gift - whole cloth it shall be!

Later, quilt friends!
More stitching is calling me...

Way too busy, part three

2011-11-06T10:44:00.000-05:00

Another busy part of this Autumn:

There's a new grandbaby!!!

My fav sonny and fav d-i-l had their first little one!!

I'm way too excited, and showing it, I know...

(They haven't asked me to go home yet when I'm there, so I guess I'm doing o.k. !)

Here's the quilt that I made for him before he arrived:

He sure was a "kicker" before he arrived,

so I thought this fit him :)

Back to the quilt...
I used that Minky product for the back of the quilt...
You know the stuff - It's super soft, and this was kind of long, furry stuff
so it will be a great texture thing for him.

But, boy was that a pain to use for backing!!
If you've used it yourself, you'll know what I'm talking about.
I think it stretched to twice it's width when pulled taunt on the machine!

Minky is NOT a machine-quilter's friend!!! Just saying.

I had to re-load it going the other direction, and that worked, but I sure was concerned about it being stretched too much and then making the whole quilt contract back to regular size after it was taken off the machine!

I've heard that there is now a new product that is the same softness and is Minky-like, but doesn't have the stretch...
I don't know the name, nor have I seen it, but I'll be looking for it.
Wish I would have known!

Don't forget -
today is the day to set your clocks back an hour -
I'm planning on using my extra time wisely -

off to play in the quilting studio!

Happy Stitching!

Busy, part two

2011-11-03T23:16:00.000-04:00

First, I never heard from Alecia of NY - one of the cinnamon-grunge candle winners, so I re-drew and the new winner is.....
DRUMROLL.....
Diane - the first comment left. I've emailed her and will get these gifts out ASAP!
Thanks for playing along!!!
Now, on to the busy-ness:

It's been super busy around here -
as Sunday night was The Annual Bonfire/Chili Cook-Off.
It was a great gathering!
Lots of friends/neighbors, lots of great chili,
and the weather was ~~cool~~ cold and crisp!
And of course, lots of laughs and visiting!

Someone asked how many years I have been hosting this event,
and I decided I don't know.
I'm going to have to make a sign:

*ANNUAL* CHILI COOK-OFF and bonfire
*don't know how many years, as we are all gettin' older and can't remember :)*

The chilies were all great - there were eight contenders!
I had to triple taste before I voted :).
The was even a potato ~~chili~~ soup for the non-chili eaters!

neighbor Mike on the left - he knows how to sample chilies!!

The winners this year were
Taco Chili and Male Chauvinist Chili.
Both had a great, hot bite to them,
but not so hot that you couldn't taste them.
There were also fifth-pound franks to roast over the fire.
Of course, there were breads & corn breads, corn chips, cheeses, onion cassarole, and toppings galore.
AND a big ol' chocolate cake, cookies, a couple of apple pies and ice cream in case you were still hungry.

Going to have to add another tent and more tables for next year, as it was packed full this year!

Oh, and, the things you can learn about your neighbors
as you sit around a bonfire to talk!!!

neighbor Jim counting his fingers

It's nice to laugh that hard.

Way too much going on :) [part one]

2011-10-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

and loving it!

First - the giveaway -
thanks to all who entered:

Everyone else must be as busy as I have been,
as there were only 7 entrants -
Better odds for you, huh? :)

Anyway, WINNERS of the little cinnamon-grunge candles:

Alecia from Clinton, NY & http://chickenscratchny.blogspot.com/

and

Mary from http://www.quilthollow.com/

(I've emailed Mary from Quilt Hollow,
but don't have an email for Alecia,
so if you know her, let her know she won and
needs to get me an address by Wednesday midnight.
If I don't hear back from her, I'll re-draw.)

Congratulations, gals!
Send me your mailing addresses
and I'll get these in the mail to you this week!

Busy - to be continued!

Cookin'! & Giveaway

2011-10-26T11:31:00.000-04:00

Go here to leave a comment for the giveaway!

Now, on to the important stuff: FOOD

Do you want an impressive but quick dessert?
Well, here it is...
You mix up the "stuff" like you're making a pumpkin pie
BUT - no crust to hassle with!!! (not that I ever have a hassle with crust :)!
Dump the mixture into a 9"x13" and
top with a dry cake mix (yellow is my preferred choice) and bake.
Wa-la!, spice-y, yummy, pumpkin-y goodness!
And, so impressive served with a dollop of whipping cream!
Use your "fine" china and they'll think you worked all day on this!

Pumpkin Pie Cake
1 lg. can pumpkin puree - unsweetened, unflavored, (1lb 13oz)
3 eggs
12 oz. evaporated milk
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger

Mix this all together, and pour into a greased and floured 9" x 13" pan...

one DRY boxed, yellow cake mix, sprinkled over the top.
Using a spatula, cut through the surface of the mix and into the filling.
Some dry mix will remain on the surface of the filling.

12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted and drizzled over the top.
Optional: 1 cup chopped pecans can be sprinkled over the top at this point.

Bake, 350 degrees, 50 minutes.
Makes 12 generous servings.
Serve warm with dollops of whipping cream.
Store refrigerated.
Easy and impressive!
It also makes your house smell delicious as it's baking - holiday seasons are just around the corner, ready or not!

Autumn-y GIVEAWAY & smiles

2011-10-23T06:53:00.003-04:00

See that cute little cinnamon-grungy candle?

For no reason other than because I like cinnamon-grungy candles,

I'll give a couple of them away (one each to two different people).

These grungies

have a battery operated tea light

that drops down into a grungy-wax "shell".

Too cute!

Anyway,

leave a comment on this post and

I'll do the random number thing

so you can have some cinnamon-grunge in your home, too!

I figure cinnamon-grunge is great any time of the year,

but especially for Autumn through Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Don't forget - I need to have a way to contact the winners-

if you are a no-reply blogger, leave your e-address in your comment, please.

Yes, I will ship to winners "across the pond"!

more smiles

2011-10-22T07:15:00.000-04:00

As you can see in my header picture,
I have a wardrobe cupboard in my living room

in which I have stacked my old, family quilts.
Also stacked are some newer quilts
that can be pulled out and used on cold winter nights, for couch snugglin'.
In the bottom of this wardrobe cupboard,
I have a very large, 16 inch-tall, "Ball" canning jar.
It's wired with a "candle" bulb/candlestick, and bottom-filled with rose hips and mini pine cones.
I needed a replacement bulb for this great jar...

this is exactly what I was looking for:

While shopping for said replacement bulb,

I found this:

It's in the candlestick on the front porch table vignette...

and it

makes me smile!

Happy October!

(ps...I found something else that makes me smile,

so watch for a great little autumn-y give-away

in the next couple of days)

crunchy leaves

2011-10-21T10:04:00.000-04:00

The weather has been weird this year here in Ohio,
and this fall is no exception.

The leaves are changing color and falling to the ground.

The sun is shining bright during the day and the nights are cool and crisp.

So, far, seems normal;

but, then add the rain, like it's November already...

The rain comes and goes - leaving a big, mushy mess.

The wet leaf and rain combination is making for some slick driving conditions.

I prefer the dry, cool days to the cold, wet, mushy days, don't you?

While it's been raining this week, I've meandered over a couple of quilts.

This is Mary's -

it's a king-sized beauty for a friend who had surgery complications.

It is very inspirational:

This next one is mine -

and not really a quilt,

but a wall-hanging...

Right now, it's a floor-laying :)

so I could take a pic before giving to my

favorite sonny and his family.

Then it will be a wall-hanging!

Anyway, this was a Moda panel with a free web-pattern.

The pattern told you to chop up the panel,

and use companion fabrics to make the piecing and prairie points.

It was a pretty quick project, and I think the kids will love it.

And, it's the first time that I only put prairie points on two sides of a quilt.

The prairie points kind of remind me of fall leaves....

even after you rake them into piles,

there are a few that still stick out around the edges.

So, back on that leaf-y subject...

I miss the crunchy-leaf weather.

I like to walk in them, rake them into big piles and rustle through them.

Maybe even a jump (or two) into them.

That's what crunchy leaves are for!

Since I can't go play in the crunchy leaves,

it's back to stitching and meandering for me.

Happy Stitching to you!

Are you a fall weather fan? Crunchy leaves and all?

hello around the globe!

2011-10-19T08:19:00.002-04:00

I've had a blog for a while now, and don't usually check the statistical numbers.
I just write because I love the process of writing,
NOT because I care about the "numbers"
But for some reason, today I gave a little look, and my "blogger stats" made me jump up and say WOW!!
I have folks from all around the globe visiting me right now!!!

That is just amazing to me -
from countries all around the whole world,
there are people stopping in!

Here are the countries and the numbers of the people visiting my blog:
United States-1462,
Canada-141,
Australia-35,
Germany-25,
Russia-22,
Italy-16,
Norway-12,
France-9,
Brazil-7,
and Netherlands-4.

So, just wanted to say a big hello to all of you folks from around the entire globe -
and, thanks for stopping by to visit!!!

this week

2011-10-18T13:04:00.000-04:00

Yes, this week is packed with "stuff" I need to do.

But, as I was sitting, awaiting my "time in the chair" -
dental, that is,
I decided it was time to get some things finished up...
you know, all of those little unfinished things
that need to be done that would finish a project.

Like, sewing- it just needs a border.
This piece just needs to be framed:

Or quilting-

mine and commission.
Or binding, or snipping threads, or layering.
Or, just sorting through some stacks of fabric to come up with the right one color/shade to finish a kit of my own that I wanted to put together for a magazine project that I loved.

IE: Primitive Quilts & Projects, the first issue, that I didn't ever do the FAVORITE project that I loved when that magazine came, oh, about six months ago!

What made me think of this

was this past weekend

when I stopped in a new wool shop

in Centerville Ohio-

The Wooden Acorn

(click the shop name to see some of her pics).

It's just a little place, only 288 square feet,

but so full of fun and inspiration.

There were great wools, flosses, patterns,

and finished primitive/folky items!

You could tell that Valerie, the owner,

loved every little bit of wool and space there.

What this cute little space reminded me of
was the fact that
it doesn't take a whole boatload of stuff
to finish your whatever.
You just have to jump in and do it!

So, without any kind of priority list, I'm jumpin' in!
It seems that I have stack of things
that I'd like to do, or finish, or, even start.

(: Yes, I purchased some wool

from The Wooden Acorn -

another something to add to my stack of things to do! :)

restful

2011-10-16T05:50:00.001-04:00

This past Thursday was my last day working at the closing LQS.
I thought I'd get started on some reorganization/cleaning around the house.

And I have SOOOOOO many things on my to-do list here.
I feel like I did a ba-zillion things yesterday a.m, but it sure doesn't look like it.

Then a friend stopped by in the afternoon

and we just sat and talked and hand-stitched.

(I have her doing hand-stitching - never thought I'd see the day :))

(And she's enjoying it!!!)

Anyway, I needed that break, so restful...

This afternoon, I'm heading to another friend's
to have a little retreat just for the afternoon and tomorrow.
I'm going to do some more hand-stitching (bow ties, hexies, and an applique bow on the "present" quilt) so I'm not taking my machine.

So, even though I'm not packing the whole ~~9 yards~~ machine, etc., I still have about 2 tons of stuff ready to put into the back of the vehicle. Why does that happen? Guess I'm afraid that I'll stitch so fast I'll complete EVERYTHING and not have anything to do - ha!

I'm also taking my Calendula Patterdrip's Cottage project

(I have block 5 in stitching-progress-above,

and I have block number 6 ready to trace and color).

(Below are blocks 2, 3 & 4 - all finished!)

It is going to be a great weekend...so restful...

Can't wait 'til next week, as it's:
tooth repair time, annual check-up time, colon check time, clean the windows time, call the computer guru time, clean up the garden time, and I'm sure I'm missing ~~something~~ many other things...

Yes, that last paragraph was sarcasm,
and yep, I needed this restful weekend!

Happy stitching!

the next scrap basket & many thanks

2011-10-13T06:30:00.001-04:00

My last day at
work that isn't work
is today, Thursday.

It was a tough decision when I was offered this job a handful of years ago...
A 45 minute drive each way through down-town,
three-major-highway-splits traffic,
twice a day,
a few times a week.

But, I thought, "they" were just the friendliest people and shop.
And I was right... I've met great gals who will be quilting friends for life, I'm sure.

As this beautiful shop gets ready to close, I reminisce...
As I hosted the last sit-and-stitch this past week,
it really hit home that this is it...
a time to move on,
to grow,
to jump into the next ~~opportunity~~ scrap basket...
To see what is around the next ~~corner~~ turn of the rotary cutter.

It has truly been a blessing to have had this opportunity, and I thank each and every one of you who have welcomed me into your part of the quilting world:

Thanks, Mary, for everything.
Thanks, colleagues that have become as close as family.
Thanks, for sharing my tears and laughter -
and laughter so hard that it brought tears!

Thanks for sharing fabrics, wools and flosses.

Thanks to everyone that has entrusted me with their quilt tops.. I've truly loved to meander across so many beautiful masterpieces in cloth.

Thanks to those of you who have given me the opportunity to share my love of stitching by joining me in classes and sit and stitch groups.

Thanks for letting me run my myriad of ideas past you. Thanks to everyone for sharing your knowledge and helping me grow in my textile ~~addiction~~ love.
Thanks to all of the gals on the bus trips:

Chicago, Cincinnati and places in between... - thanks, also, to Chuck for driving the bus through the Krispy Kreme when the "HOT" light was on so that I could initiate those inexperienced into the fresh, hot Donut experience :)
Thanks to each and every one of you.
It's been just a wonderful blessing.

Until we meet again,
Happy Stitching!!!
Debra

meanderings last week

2011-10-12T06:21:00.001-04:00

I had the opportunity to do some more

meanderings in thread

for a couple of gals last week.

It's so inspirational, seeing these great finishes.

Joell made this great baby gift...

a wonderful I-spy/shape/letter recognition twin sized quilt.

What a lucky little one!

And Glenna did this very large king...

Yes, I know that king-sized quilts are large -

this one just seemed larger than large :)

(I can't remember how many bobbins I filled).

It was very berry/rust/fall-ish and just beautifully made.

Today is my day "off",

so I plan on doing some more meanderings in thread.

And then, maybe, quilt a couple of my own!

Thanks for the inspiration, gals!

more meanderings

2011-10-10T13:30:00.000-04:00

A beginner quilter...
Her first class:
fabric choices, cutting, piecing, & pressing.
Squares, flying geese and half square triangles.
I'm sure she passed with flying quilt colors when I saw this.
And I got to quilt it for her!

I love to see the finishes of beginner classes.

Happy October stitching!

Things that make me smile

2011-10-07T23:56:00.000-04:00

I went to pick up a friend for lunch last week,

and when I pulled up in front of her office building,

THIS:

was ~~walking~~ strutting in!!

Boom box, bag of helium ballons and full rubber chicken-face mask!!!

Yes, the hat was covered in yellow feathers.

No way!

2011-10-03T12:51:00.000-04:00

Way!!
It's October already!!

Where has time gone?
That December holiday is now just under 3 month away!

A group of us quilty friends were talking and realized that we all had the same pattern purchased and were planning on making the "present" quilt for gifting this year.

So, next step, get together and stitch them up!!

And girl, did we.
I hosted and there were peeps coming and going all day!
I made wedding soup, a mixed green salad and blueberry-zucchini muffins and called that lunch.
And, surprise, surprise, the same leftovers were called dinner later in the day.
It was a fun, laughter-filled day.

So, yes, Way!
Just need to applique stitch that bow!
I have a gift almost ready to quilt and it's just October!!!

Cool!

2011-09-30T06:15:00.003-04:00

When the weather changes,

even early, before it's supposed to change...

When it's too cool for this time of year?

I just have to cook!
Whole wheat egg noodles almost ready to cut,

some veggies

& some of that chicken from my brother's abundance...

will fill this:

And will fill our bellies the next few meals!

Yum!

meanderings

2011-09-29T07:32:00.003-04:00

I have been busy doing some quilting for others...

a couple of them are to be surprises/gifts, so I can't share pics yet.

But, here are a few that I've done in the past couple of weeks that I can share...

Chris made a very cute wall hanging for her grand-daughter

that I got to finish up for her:

Annette used her great creativity

and used her West Virginia fabric:

She wanted the state flower stitched around and about:

Lastly, this is Joell's great, king-sized finish:

I meandered floating leaves all over it...

After quilting these beauties,
I'm trying to get myself motivated to work on my own gifting quilts...
So, I'm off!
Finding motivation!

a few autumn-y things

2011-09-28T05:05:00.001-04:00

There must be a HUGE weather system blowing in here.

Or something is going on with the barometric pressure...

My head that thinks it's a barometer

is really distressing today!

Maybe it's the changing of the seasons that's really hitting hard.

Anyway, to ~~make me forget the sinus headache~~ celebrate,

I have started to pull out a few decorations...

More importantly,

I have my Vintage Trick or Treat

hung in the living room!

The lighting is not great in this photo, but I'm still lovin' it!

And, I whipped up that little woolen table topper -

from the stuff I "had to purchase"

from the last quilt guild show that I got to visit.

It's beginning to feel Autumn-ish around here in Central Ohio.
Yep, I'm calling the headache Autumn-ish.

Come to find out, I watched the weather news,
and sure enough, there is the HUGEST storm system swirling
around the middle of the U.S. -
I knew I wasn't crazy!
Barometric Autumn-ish!

more coloring

2011-09-27T10:32:00.000-04:00

I pieced and traced and color-tinted block number five of
Calendula Patterdrip's Cottage...

This piece is 18 by 30 inches.

I haven't ironed off the excess wax/heat set it yet -

as I'm still looking at the shading.

I think it needs some more depth

in the rolled up warty looking bundle that's sticking out of the jar.
Do you think I need to add more shading???

I'm still working on stitching the section that is block two/three/four-
and it's almost done!

As a side note,

a friend is going out to Washington THIS week

to join the Crabapple Hill gals in their retreat.

Can you imagine?

Stitching with the Crabapple Hill gals?

Those stitching/designing/coloring

geniuses??

Yep, I'm just a little jealous of my friend...

I'll have to be content with living vicariously through her...

and working on my coloring here, I guess.

So, vicariously coloring here.

Welcome Autumn & Vintage Trick or Treat finish

2011-09-23T10:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome Autumn - today being the first official day!

So, here's

Crabapple Hill's version of

Vintage Trick or Treat:

Yes, I've shared before that

I live "a little on the dark side"

in the fabric/quilting world...

so here's my version of
Vintage Trick or Treat:

You'll notice right off that my version is much darker -

darker in the threads chosen for embroidery stitching

and in the fabric choices.

Also, I didn't use the rick-rack or ball fringe.

Nothing against that either, but I thought

my "darker version"

didn't need rick-rack or fringe.

I replaced the rick-rack

with a small quarter-inch finished "flange" with no cording.

That did change the perceived size of some of my nine-patches,

though that doesn't bother me.

Also, I opted NOT to scallop my borders -

just a little too "frilly" looking for my tastes.

Then, on to the quilting:

The pattern maker chose to have hers quilted

with an all-over pantograph of pumpkins and leaves.

I COULD NOT make myself

quilt over the top of

all of my hand-embroidery stitching!!!

So... I did block-specific quilting...

vines and leaves and a little "base" on each of the blocks:

Ribbons and squiggles around the center goodie bag:

And, a view of the backing and quilting:

Pumpkins and leaves and vines in the borders.

My "sample" was hanging in the local quilt shop,

since I was the "leader of the pumpkin gang" for this project.

But, now it is home,

so it's going on the wall in the family room -

I think it's about time to start decorating for Autumn!!

What are you working on,

and are you ready for autumn to arrive

and to decorate accordingly?

month five of five: Vintage Trick or Treat

2011-09-23T10:25:00.000-04:00

This marks the last month of our stitch along!!!

Vintage Trick or Treat by Crabapple Hill

The last of the hand embroidery stitching-Whoo Whoo!!

Hoot Owl and Star Eyes!

Everything should now be hand-stitched and machine-pieced.

The stitchery panels get pieced together with the hand-embroidered blocks:

Stitch the "pumpkin baskets" to the sides of the center block.

As we discussed last month,
don't forget to stitch some big, black fly stitching
on the seam lines between these two blocks
(and the other sides' Scaredy Cat/Squiggle mouth blocks)!

Then add the top and bottom finished pieces:

And now to add some borders!

Don't just stitch some long panels of fabric on each of the four sides...
take the time to do it right.
Measure across the center of the quilt, side to side,
to get the top and bottom border's cutting measurements.
Sew, press, and
now measure down through the center of the quilt,
top to bottom with those borders included
to get the measurement for the side borders.
Sew, press and

YAY!!!
A great job, well done!!!!

Thanks for following along (and joining in)!
It has been a great project the last five months, hasn't it?
AND almost everyone has a finished top to show for it!

stew's almost done!

2011-09-18T12:27:00.000-04:00

It's almost stew weather around here, and it feels kinda' good,
but I'm talking stitching...

Here's my almost finished Alphabet Stew

And I say almost,

because I thought it WAS finished and ready to frame,

but...

I still need to stitch

the tendrils on the green beans and the zucchini.

Don't know why I didn't do that already.

Well, I guess I do know why...

I was stitching with brown,

and the tendrils are supposed to be green floss.

I stitched all the wool onto the Osnaburg fabric with Aurifil's wool thread...

it's an 50/50 mix of wool & acrylic.

And I love stitching with it.

The old wool threads broke easily

and frayed at the needle eye

and were basically a pain to try to stitch with.

This is NOT. Not a pain to stitch with.

Anyway, this Aurifil Lana that I used is number 8078 -

it's kind of a heathered brown

with just a touch of dark pine-y green.

No, it's not shiny at all.

The camera flash did that 'cause I was trying to get too close.

Now, to decide if I'm really making

vegetable stew for dinner tonight...

Happy Stitching!

I'm more than a little sad

2011-09-16T08:33:00.000-04:00

I couldn't write about it right away.
I had to let it "sew" around in my brain just a little.

We in central Ohio had some bad news last week...
Not bad news as in storm and destruction, but
bad news in that...
one of our local quilt shops is going out of business...

See, I could hardly even write it...

The local quilt shop that I work for is closing.
There, I typed it out in cold, hard font.

When October closes it's door, the LQS shop doors will also close.

So sad,
not just for the owners,

but for the employees.

And for the thousands of customers.

Customers that have become friends.

Friends like family.

There is no blame to the owners,

as they tried their hardest.

I think it's the economy -

the continual rising prices

of cotton

and fabric

and labor

and fuel for manufacture and
for transportation.

Then, the rising cost of rent, utilities, taxes.

Recently, fabric came in

that was priced at over $12.00 per yard.

Really - over $12.00 a yard.

We stash builders may be sitting on

the proverbial gold mine.

Which is also a minus.

Who will buy $12.00-a-yard fabric

when you have a ba-zillion yards

of the stuff in your home already?

We are very lucky

in that we have many other quilt shops here in central Ohio.

But each had their own niche.

And now one of those niches will be missing.

It's just a sad day.
What will I do, not having my couple of times a week fix?

We may have to have a "Friends of A.I.S." support group.

I don't think that I'm the only one having a hard time dealing.