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Another Funky Bouquet

Another Funky Bouquet

Another Funky Bouquet Every once in a while, especially after having done a lot of precision sewing, I crave the freedom to simply create without a plan. And this is what results! The lace tablecloth was a throwaway, had some tears and probably some stains 

New pattern available

New pattern available

Gingerbread Friends is my newest pattern now available at Hickory Stick Quilt Shop. Get yours and use your favorite winter wonderland fabrics or make it scrappy using leftovers from winter/Christmas past.

The Penny Dreadfuls!!

The Penny Dreadfuls!!

 

 

As part of my decluttering goal I was reviewing my stack of vintage magazines from the early 1900’s. There was such informative value in them that it became very time consuming. I had to read the ads as well as the articles. I bought them for the fashions and quilt patterns so tried to remain focused on that. I found it interesting how very direct the articles were in expressing thoughts. It seems to me that today we might be a little more subtle in our psychological persuasion tactics to sell a fashion. Case in point was an article titled “The Penny Dreadfuls in Dress” by Mrs. Clara E. Simcox with a subtitle of “A word of Warning to the Uninitiated on the “What-Nots” of the Wardrobe”.

The year was 1909. The magazine was The Delineator. Mrs. Simcox starts with “Last summer I was unfortunate enough to be kept in town through an oppressively sultry July”…..”everyone who could, fled to the seashore or the mountains, and only those of us who belonged to the working classes were left like stokers in the heat-ridden city.” I guess that lets you know this is not going to be a pleasant article about the current fashion trends!

She goes on to talk about the sheep and goats of the social world and their choice of dress but how interesting it is for her as she comes in contact with “women who make a profession—perhaps it would be fairer to say a graceful accomplishment—of dressing exceptionally well.” Then she adds that she takes pride in knowing “that I have had some hand in it all and that my work has not been illy done.” 

And in the next paragraph: “you can wear a six-cent calico and appear well dressed, where you would instantly become cheap and third-class looking in a shoddy imitation of a thing you patently couldn’t afford. A color or material that not only attracts attention but demands it, should never be worn outside of one’s own intimate circle.. You can see why , of course. It is simply a question of good taste.”

And there you have it, the penny dreadfuls in dress !! (I still don’t know what that means)

Well, it was entertaining but I preferred the article on the next page with the title, “Pretty Gowns and Attractive Women at the First Garden Parties of the Season.”

By the way, my “garden party dress” is cut-off blue jeans, denim shirt and gardening gloves. Effective, if not impressive, Mrs. Simcox.

three, TWO, one

three, TWO, one

Needless to say I am proud of having my quilt selected for the cover of Quick and Easy Quilts, June/ July issue. It became real when I saw my name in print. I wish my quilting grandmother “could see me now”.

THREE, two, one

THREE, two, one

Great quilting!! Wait til you see the whole quilt, Quick and Easy Quilts, June/July issue.

Spring Tulips

Spring Tulips

Tulip Bouquet

I was sidetracked on finishing this project because of another project that had a publication deadline. So here it is a week later, completed except for the beading I want to do. Of course, the beads I want to use are not available right now (need a shopping trip to the local bead store). If you compare the design with the finish you’ll see I have added some vintage artisan dyed crochet edging. I think it helped ground the vase of tulips and the side piece toned down the bright yellow-green fabrics in addition to enhancing the texture. Note the finished measurements are included in each section so you can start from there to design your own spring bouquet.

Note the closeup of the sashiko machine stitching and then the backside which looks like a regular stitch. Love that machine!!

     

February/March Inspiration

February/March Inspiration

What a difference a week makes! Living in south Texas during the winter makes one reasonably think of mild temps and sunny days. By now we all know there was a major deviation from that assumption. We were one of the lucky ones who never 

Easy, almost healthy dessert

Easy, almost healthy dessert

Easy, almost healthy dessert When you dont want a heavy dessert but need that “something sweet” try this. Works for a snack as well. Heat 8 oz.. cream cheese and 3/4 cup of brown sugar in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir after heating 

Valentine Love Muffins

Valentine Love Muffins

Love Muffins

Did you exchange valentines when you were in grade school.? Do you prepare a special meal for the special person in your life on Valentine’s Day? Combine your cooking skills and your quilting skills for a special Valentine’s Day 2021. I made this quick little wall hanging with leftovers from a marbling project and other scraps. Stir up the muffins as a special way to start a special day. Here’s brief instructions for a valentine wall hanging but take the idea and do your own thing. For the Valentine Love Muffins you’ll want to follow directions carefully.

 

Love Muffin Wall Hanging

To make the letters:

Choose a font , enlarge to 6-6 ½” in height and print on freezer paper in outline format. Apply a paper backed fusible to the wrong side of the fabric you have chosen for the letters. Iron the freezer paper letters to the right side of the fabric. Cut out letter shapes.

Cut (4) 8 ½” background squares.

Cut (4) heart shapes and fuse to background squares. Use a decorative machine stitch to secure the raw edges.

Fuse the letters on top of the heart shape and machine applique using a buttonhole or other decorative stitch.

Join blocks with sashing strips cut 1 ¼” x 8 ½”.

Cut and sew two inner border strips 1 ¼” x 34 ¾” (sides) and two 1 ¼” x 10” (top and bottom).

Cut and sew two outer border strips 3 ½” x 36 ¾” (sides) and two 3 ½” x 16” (top and bottom).

Layer backing, batting and top and quilt as desired. Finish with binding in width of your choice ( I use 2” strips).

Valentine Love Muffins (makes 12) 18-20 min 400 degrees

Topping:

2 T. flour

5 T. sugar

½ t. cinnamon

½ t. raspberry extract

2 T. butter, soft but not melted

Mix first four topping ingredients together and cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or fork to resemble coarse crumbles. Set aside.

Muffins:

2 c. flour

1/3 c. sugar

1 T. baking powder

pinch of salt

¾ c. + 2 T. milk

1 egg

1/4c. melted butter

½ t. vanilla

1 c. fresh red raspberries

1/2c. white chocolate chips

Combine dry ingredients in medium sized bowl. Whisk egg, milk and vanilla together. Add liquid ingredients and melted butter to dry ingredients.   Stir just until moistened, batter will be lumpy. Gently fold in raspberries and chips. Spoon into greased muffin tin and sprinkle top of each muffin with the topping mixture. Bake.

Reflecting Around the Block

Reflecting Around the Block

From September of 2018 to March 2020 I offered a mystery quilt workshop called Around the Block. Visiting a friend today I noticed her finished quilt from that workshop hanging in her entry way and was reminded about the variety of looks that are generated