The Natural Home

In our small vacation home town, we have an eatery that also

is a 'natural home' shop.  When we stop in for lunch, I will

browse through the displays.  Being a weaver, I'm fascinated by

the cloths that are accent pieces.

This is a linen piece that has creped--interesting texture

"The Natural Home" by  Hans Blomquist  is on display.

It features simple tastes for the home.

Linen rugs adorn the floors

Plain woven textiles are throws over chairs

Cotton towels--all simply woven 

There is some twill work in this linen length of cloth

And this added color in a monochromatic world 

Simple but elegant in its own way--plain wove with

handspun cotton

Add two lengths together with  baseball stitch in a different color

In my world of colors, this is an eye opener!  Could you decorate

with simple joys and pleasures or do you, like myself, need a little

color?  This shop has no color, except for a few accent stitches--

none the less, it's still fabulous as it features the simpler things in life.

fidget quilt

Lately, there has been much talk about the "Fidget' Spinners that kids

are collecting.  Some schools allow them to be in the classrooms in order

to hold the child's attention.  There are some good things to be said and

there are some bad things, but right now, the topic is "Fidgets"

Fidgets can be a very effective and helpful self-regulation tool! Use fidgets and sensory balls for calming and alerting, to promote focusing and concentration, decrease stress, increase tactile awareness of fingers/hands (through proprioceptive input), and as a way to keep fidgeting fingers busy! Fidget toys can also provide a fun way to strengthen hands and "warm-up" fingers before handwriting activities and fine motor skill tasks. Sensory balls are a favorite OT sensory diet tool, make a fun gift, and are one of many fidget toys that can help relieve stress! We also have silent fidgets for the classroom, quiet fidget toys, and fidgets for feet that can help improve concentration and focus, and lots of great office and desk toys that relieve stress and keep minds alert at work.

And if you thought that "Fidgets" were only for children and teens, think again!

Fidget, Fiddle or Busy quilts 

 or Activity blanket is a lap quilt, mat or blanket that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for restless or fidgety hands of someone with Alzheimer's or related Dementias.

Patchwork Posse Nancy Zieman and Pinterest have some

ideas and suggestions on how to make one of these touchy quilts.

Locally, you might find that your quilt shop has a Fidget group.

Summer Stitch Along!

I'm always happy to find a stitch along that gives me a reason

to enjoy the hot humid days of summer.

Bee In My Bonnet has the perfect solution!

I enjoy these patterns--And the best part--

there will be fabrics to go along with this.

Just take a look at this!  Now, why isn't this the greatest

sew along quilt!--Summer, here I come!

Wooool Work!

I'm ready!  our local quilt shop has wool--lots of wool and

even the floss colors needed for the May pattern.

I've signed up to do Rebekah L Smith's year long project.

This will be fun--something I've not done.

I know the colors are hard to see--and I'm not too sure I like the 

light wool, so I might add some color to it at a later date.

Okay, I looked at this for the longest time and decided I really

did NOT like that light green!  What to do?  Well, dye the wool,

of course!

There are no acid dyes in my pantry but I do have food coloring!

That works brilliantly on wool--just heat the wool in water with

small splash of vinegar, drop in a few drops of blue dye, simmer

and it's done--color has been added!

Now, look at this compared to the other piece--much better!

As the wool absorbs all the food coloring (dye), the water

runs clear--so much happier now!

This is a closed list on Facebook--but, you can go to her website

to purchase the pattern ($35) and then you'll be asked to

join Facebook page.

Weighted Blanket

I'm sorry I didn't find this video about weighted blankets during the month of April--as April is National Autism Month.  We have learned so much about autism in the past few years--Sesame Street has a new character that is Autistic, which will help youngsters in their daily lives.  How weighted blankets help  DIY Weighted Blanket

Sweet! Something For Mother!

Mother's Day is creeping up on me--no gift for mother yet!  Then this little stitching pattern caught my eye.

Lacey! Dainty!  Just Sweet!  I'm thinking that some vintage lace would

make a nice addition to a pillow case.  Mother could use something to

brighten her assisted living room.

Elefantz has the tutorial that makes it easy to stitch.  

May Brings Challenges

May brings a challenge--

Luckily, I have the yarn for this project--

that doesn't happen too often either!

I bought this sock yarn several months ago--really liked the

look of the 'double dip' effect.

And this yarn has been in my stash forever!!

Here is the pattern--designed by Mary-Ann Lammers

It's a rocky start since the cotton is thick and thin,

but this one challenge that I can overcome!

Yesterday i  cast on and knitted several rows while

binge watching 'Supernatural'--still in the first

season--there is plenty to knit to! 

It's Derby Time!

What an Adventure!  Derby time is the fastest 2 minute sport in history!  

The pom and circumstances for days before hand and then it's all over

and you wonder WHAT? happen!

We were at the Kentucky Derby several years ago--a bucket list ticked off!

we reserved our lodging months in advance; even planned our

dinner reservations then as well.

We attended the Oaks the day before the big day; We were ready for the BIG

day--sat through several smaller races and THEN, it was time

we had our big hats and

special dresses, guys in their cool shirts; 

we had seats right at the finish line--Whoa!  could't be any better than

that!

And here they came to the finish line and

everyone stood up!  I couldn't see--

what horse came in first?  I missed it!

Oh, well! I was there!  I experienced the excitement of

the time!  Even if I didn't see the winner cross the finish line!

Here is the post for today's race--

have you picked your favorite?

We are headed to a Derby party and it's for sure

I'll see the finish at this one!

Good luck with your pick!!

Cinco de Mayo!

Let's Celebrate!!

Give me a Margarita-- 

Some Guacamole 

Fresh tortilla chips

and throw in some chile con queso

 Add

And We have a Party!

No Scrap Left Behind.................

No Scrap Left behind could mean couple of things--you are a member of the 'clean plate club' or you are a quilter that wants to use up every little bite of scrap fabric.  I think I could be a member of both of these clubs, but I'm thinking the scrap fabric club has less calories and takes some energy to accomplish.  There has been a blog hop  that features a new book by Amanda Jean "No Scrap Left Behind".

As usual, I'm days behind the official beginning of the hop and playing catch up is fun!  There are so many wonderful ideas.....................like

featured on Needle and Foot blog--She took the idea from another free pattern

and ran with her idea!

Little nine patches!  what a great idea from Why Not Sew--

This is what friend Annette did with her small nine patch blocks--just

perfect scrap usage--in fact, she took all the birthday fat quarters we

had given her and made this lovely quilt!

Sew Something Good created this

Now, how could you not want to purchase this book?!! 

PLARN Anyone?

You can find Plarn anywhere!  I have several in my house; am sure you do too.  In some countries Plarn is banned!  Some grocery stores don't even offer Plarn anymore.  What is one to do without Plarn?!

Oh, you're asking--what is Plarn?  Plastic bag yarn--here you go--a tutorial!  and a video to assist
with the madness of creating Plarn!




Okay, you have your Plarn, what to do with it?  There are many suggestions--take a quick look
at Pinterst.  Here is a group that is turning Plarn into sleeping mats.
The next time I bring home one of those colorful plastic bags, it will become Plarn!!

Two--Two--For You On Tuesday!

Come Quilt Along with Joanne!

You can make two quilts at the same time?  What?

I'm all for that--when you are sewing why not be productive

with your squares.  While sewing this one, you can also

make this one--Here are the detailed directions--

sew on!  

Tangles, more tangles........................

Okay, so I'm working on my Intarsia Brawling Shawl pattern from April's

(yes, I know it's May, but I'm still stuck in April!) 'Year of Techniques'

projects.

I'm over half way finished--I'm on the down hill side of the pattern--decreases--

but as usual--with Intarsia there are tangles

and with this yarn, there are more tangles than I enjoy!  With Intarsia,

you twist the threads around each other as you meet--which means

every time you twist to seal the joint, you are create a tangle down the line.

I did have a problem with this yarn becoming untwisted in skein,

so I took the advice of someone smarter than me to place the yarn

in plastic bags--that problem was solved!  But, the twisting

and tangles---there is no way, there will be a quick solution.

Just finish........................

EPP!

Don't ever think you can't make something beautiful with a small piece of paper and fabric.  That's where EPP comes into play--That's English Paper Piecing!  Why is it called English Paper Piecing?

 Hexagon-based patterns became popular in England in the 1830s when Godey’s Lady’s Book published the first hexagon quilt pattern in 1835, it became very popular in “the Colonies”.  It was often called “English Paper Piecing” because anything British was deemed very elegant.

EPP or paper piecing doesn't necessary mean you have to use hexagons either--just search the internet and you will find all sorts of patterns that use squares, rectangles,etc. 

Here is an example of a 'smashing' look for EPP--this comes from my friend

Annette who has been working on this design for some time--she brings her

little scraps of fabric and paper to our gatherings and stitches away--

we finally saw the fruits of her labor when she threw out this

lovely garden of colors!!

We all admired the way she used the greens around her

flowers--not completely surrounded

You can see she still have some papers in the small hexagons--

time to lift them out now that she has completed the look

of walking through flowers

Another one of our gals, Judy, has been

working on her Grandmother's Flower Garden

EPP quilt for 12 years--much smaller squares though

But lovely all the same!  Here she is lifting out the paper

from her finished project--she will soon be working on the

borders--we are anxious to see the results.

Want to learn how to use this technique for your quilts--here is a tutorial.  This is definitely a
carry long project--

Holy SMokes!! Spindle CRANE??

Sheila Dixon of Hand Spinning News always has the neatest articles in her monthly newsletter!  There was this article in her March issue about Spindle Crane!  I'm like--What??  Holy Smokes!
This is something I need to investigate!  Taking a journey through the great world of the internet--I found interesting information about this innovative idea for spindle spinning from the hands of Adan Aikerman, who I found on Instagram.





Here is video of how this works!  I also found a group on Ravelry--Akerworks!  Man, the world of spindle spinning just got more creative and relaxing! This 'crane' is in testing phase now.

 "Adan got the idea to help allow spindle spinning while watching shows on the couch more relaxing. You simply place the AkerKate the edge of your coffee table or whatever is in front of you, place the spindle at the back of the pulley with the single going over the top of the pulley, give it a twirl, and draft in a position that would be similar to drafting at a wheel. The set up allows you to pull back your single and easily reach for the spindle when you need to give it another twirl or to wind on. As you spin the twist goes up and around the pulley. You can also pull the single towards you to help transition the twist if you aren’t getting the twist fast enough."  This quote from Evanita, moderator of the Ravelry.

Thanks Sheila for keeping us updated on timely matters!

Free Row By Row Quilt Pattern

Love To Make Quilts (Pat Sloan!) along with

American Patchwork and Quilting are offering

this free pattern.  This is just perfect!  I don't take

a subscription to the magazine anymore but

I did buy one issue with the beginning of the pattern

and then forgot to purchase the other issues.

Here is the solution!

The whole pattern right at their website for you

to sew!

Love the look of this quilt too!!  Nice Spring

or Summer quilt!

Are You Downloading?

Today begins 16 weeks of free--YES--FREE downloads of great audio books!

These are geared to young adults 13 + but I'm set to download them as well.

SYNC for all the details

First up is book by Oscar Wilde--what a read--

or in this instance--a listen!

Dawn Kurtagich 

presents "The Dead House"

Some of the books I'm familiar with but

others not.  

Well---BOO--To You!

Here's my latest stitching project..................

wondering what it will be?

Stay tuned to see how

Boo the Cat becomes a whole!

An Amy Bradley Design--

a project that has been years long in production

why?

Because--I'm not a purple person and

don't buy purple fabric; so I requested

purple fat quarters for my birthday exchange

awhile ago.

Onward to a finish now!!

Wool Applique

I joined a couple Wool groups--but, frankly, I don't know what I'm doing

with wool.  I'm following along with experienced folks who

give me hints on how to handle these patterns.

This one is from Buttermilk Basin's Mystery  

Live Each Season Block of the Month--it's block 4 already and

I'm just now getting to block one! I like the theme

seasons of the year, but I've really got to get more knowledge

how to get these pieces to work on my fabric

So, what is the best way to learn?  Go to Youtube

Here are instructions on using fusible web--but that didn't really work for me?  This is putting
wool to fabric, but I want to put wool to wool.
Here is one that uses freezer paper for applique--now, this might work for my projects.

This is baskets Quilts by Cheri ~ Friendship Group

on Facebook--just search for this group if you are

interested.  I tried to do this basket with paper piecing--

sort of worked--I was lazy and didn't draw off the

pattern with seam allowance.  Next basket block

I'll be not so lazy!!

Here is a free wool project from Primitive Gatherings--

very patriotic--monthly work along.

Off I go to work on my wool applique!

Place, Fuse, Flip, Sew.........................

Okay, this is Trip Around the World and all those

little pieces of squares look daunting, but

here is a cool and I do mean cool way to

save time and some frustration

when you need to piece small squares together.

Confessions of a Fabric Addict shows a perfect

way to get perfect seams without all that matching

and piecing.

Place your squares, Fuse to the background, Flip

and sew....

and there you have it!

Are You Sewing Along?

Every Wednesday through August a new block will be released

for your sewing pleasure--are you sewing along?  I'm saving

the patterns, although they are still on the website to

download anytime.

 Sewcial Bee Sampler Page

will take you to the information you will need to begin

This is the twelfth block of the series and is called

Right Angle!  This is an interesting way to use those

half square triangles--

Tiny Treasure

The other day I was straightening up my closet--it's amazing what I can

find in the dark recesses of that place.  Years ago, we were fortunate

enough to take a journey to China--an enlightening adventure to

say the least.  We picked up some interesting textiles on that trip-

like this 

tiny shoe from a generation of bound feet!

We visited a museum in this Shangani gentlemen's home

He had made it his life mission to visit Chinese ladies who

live in outlying regions to see if they had shoes from

this era of bound feet.  He had a massive collection--

it was a sight to see!  So many different little shoes--

hard to imagine they came from those who did

the unthinkable--but it was the custom to have tiny 

feet--to be waited upon by the family members.

Most of his collection were pairs, but he did have some

singles.  Of these he allowed me to buy this one.

I chose this tiny one because of the indigo features in the details.

Someone in the family, maybe even the wearer, had

used indigo bath to dye the fabric and threads used to

decorate this ornate footwear.

It is a treasure--just wish I knew more about the person

who this foot adorned.