Lately we’ve been making a lot of our meals in the crock pot. This one is the little one called “Crockette.” We’ve put a small pot roast in it with an onion, some carrots, a bay leaf or two and cabbage if we have it. We fill it up to the top, put the lid on and walk away. It does a nice job in about 8 hours, but sometimes … 
My friend Cece redecorated her sewing room and had to get rid of this darling little platform rocking chair. It was her grandmother’s, who was under 5′ tall. It is exceptionally comfortable for a short person (like me) because my feet touch the ground without strain! You can see the chair has a fancy side/upper back and a pleated skirt and buttons on the back. They don’t really suit my …
I was fortunate to be able to take a class on gentle curved piecing with Karla Alexander a couple weeks ago. She has a great method using a “stack the deck” technique. She offered a wealth of information and tips for success. Check out her website for great books and tools http://www.saginawstreetquilts.com/ Here is a close up of the crow I added with a string of buttons in its mouth. …
I decided to treat myself to a new cutting mat. I stumbled upon a website: http://www.cutting-mats.net/ I checked out all the various cutting mats and discovered that what I had been using was considered a “hobby” mat. Well, I’m here to tell you that what I do is no hobby. It’s a full time profession, so I thought I’d step up and get what the big guns use. It’s …
Today was baby quilt day! Next Sunday our Church is having a baby shower for Pro-Life. I got my “baby” bin off the shelf and found these panels (on the left and right) so I thought I might as well practice my quilting. The one on the left is custom quilted, the one on the right is pantograph quilted. The item in the middle is a receiving blanket. My best …
What do you do with a wool blanket that has been washed incorrectly, leading to a mis-shapen mess?Put two layers together and quilt through them. Cut out slippers from Martha Stewart pattern http://www.marthastewart.com/864540/stephanies-sewn-felt-slippers Hers were made from a single layer of felt. WAAAAY too whimpy! I sewed a star on the top for cuteness, and two leather dots on the bottom to cut the slipperyness. I don’t want anyone falling!! …
I have been very busy working on Christmas projects, but I don’t want to spoil it for the recipients, so instead I’ll show a few areas of Christmas decorations in the house. This first one is Santa Claus Lane, all Santas grouped together. The one in the green box on the bar is over 25 years old! It’s actually a finger puppet, so cute! The kids played with it constantly …
The lavender was harvested in July, but was put aside in the box to dry. That happened pretty quickly (let’s say in about 2 weeks) and I’ve been kicking the box around for 3 months. Yesterday I decided that was enough of that and I stripped all the flower buds off the stalks. OH MY GOODNESS!! You should smell my studio now, it is like walking in a field in …
I simply LOVE the way this antique log cabin quilt turned out. My friend bought this “rag” to rescue it. It had multiple holes, split seams, worn out edges and in generally really sad shape. It was foundation pieced on old towels, sheets, anything cotton. The back was in pretty poor condition. It was used as a summer quilt (no batting or backing) and had seen better days. I repaired …
I call this one “Christmas in July” even though I did the blocks in June. I just had to show that I’ve been working on something! I was in Minnesota for 10 days in June, so progress on projects slowed down a little. The pattern is so simple. It’s from the October 10, 2011 Fons & Porter’s Love of Quilting. They call theirs “Christmas Grinch” because of the Dr. Seuss …