Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Fall Reading List

 


It's time to begin another reading book list--I've had some of these books
for some time in my library--why I by-pass them for others, is a question
I ask my self all the time!

Starting at the top:
  • "Poison in the Pen" by Patricia Wentworth--if you haven't read any of her books, you don't know what you're missing.  This is book #29 of Miss Silver adventures.
  • "100 Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez--I've been thinking of this book alot lately--time to pull it out--I also found a free audio version that I can listen to as I read
  • "The Gates of The Alamo" by Stephen Harrigan--You can't read enough books about the Alamo!
  • Sharon Kay Penman books are outstanding--she writes about early English history--"The Reckoning" The first of three books about the Welsh Princes.  I rather enjoy her writing about historical fiction.
  • Another Sharon Kay Penman book, "Falls the Shadow"--second book about Welsh Princes
  • "Billy Boyle" written by James R. Benn--a book about WWII--history!
What will you be reading this Autumn?



Saturday, October 10, 2020

Orphan Blocks Become A Quilt

 Do you have leftover blocks from a quilt--and wonder why did I make extra blocks?  What in the world am I going to do with all these?

Let's build a quilt top with those orphans.

One of my quilter friends had seven cat blocks that were extra
and didn't know what to do with them--I said I like building orphans into
quilt tops--so here I am, several months later working on these
interesting blocks.
First off, I placed the cat blocks where I think they should rest
on the top--then I add other blocks to fill in the spaces.

Cat block at the top looks out of place so it was removed for
later placement--let's continue to build our top..
I keep moving those cat blocks around--didn't really want them stacked on top of each other,
but it just might be the only way to get this top together--
I've rearranged these cats so many times!  I think I like this setting so far--
let's see how it works out next time I'm in the sewing studio!
Finished!  I had some kitty fabrics left overs so used those strips for the borders.
I hope this will be loved by a little tyke who loves kitties. 

I'm now working on another orphan block quilt with this beginning layout
Don't usually like to work with blocks on point but this looks awesome so far!













Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Linen is My New Friend

 It seems when I shop for clothing now, I'm always looking for that label that says "100% Linen"

Yes, I've become a linen snob!  I found this interesting video on how linen is produced--since it's a manmade fiber there are many steps for plant to become fiber for use.  Maybe, you'll find this interesting as well.  But, Please, don't become a linen snob--leave that up to me!



Saturday, October 3, 2020

Let's Play................................

 


Usually Mondays are dull after a long fun weekend--here is our chance to Play
with 37 designers with a different project each Monday beginning October 5 and
running through December 14--time to make some of those Christmas gifts.

"Just Say Boo" from Fort Worth Fabric Studio has already begun  but
there is time to play catch up and complete a bat, some wonky stars and who knows
what else in this mystery Halloween adventure.

Play Along with Fat Quarter Shop in this exciting unique quilt top --
blocks are released 
Serendipity quilt benefits Make a Wish Central and South Texas,
which grants wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions,
giving them hope, strength and joy.
So, LET"S PLAY!




Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Spindles..........


During Tour de Fleece, there was discussion concerning our spinning equipment--Of course, there are a variety of spinners, foot powered; E-spinners, electrical driven; and hand powdered--spindles. This is an interesting spindle, one I've never seen.

Grab a spindle and get spinning!  These spindles are made from
various items--some are hand turned, others are made from wooden
door knobs that you find at craft stores

I have some special spindles that I keep in plastic bins--
they are so fragile, I don't want them to break while traveling--
I have several that are used with the bowls

I have fancy spindles too and hand painted ones as well
This was a complete surprise!  It arrived in my mailbox the other day!
It was a thank you gift from a friend

A lovely spindle from John Galen Designs--quite the lovely that deserves a
storage container all to its self







Sunday, September 27, 2020

Upside Down World

Let's turn the world upside down!  I love this blog-- dedicated to Early American History Lovers, Civil War Reenactors, Living Historians, and people that love the past. 



Where else are you going to find recipe for WWI pickled eggs?
Or
Civil War Era Molasses Candy? 

and Civil War Era
Lemonade Powder


Yes!  Lemonade powder existed during 1860's
Here is a pattern for Shooter's gloves!
I get lost in this blog for hours on end!  I appreciate historians that bring us
these interesting facts and answer questions like"

Why is it called Egg Roll when there is no egg involved?

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Pumpkins In The Air.....................

 Pumpkins!  The fresh air of Autumn!  And I want to harvest pumpkins!  Eat Pumpkin pie, drink pumpkin spice, anything, everything Autumn--cooler breezes, shorter days, time for a sweater--

one of my pumpkin projects is from an older BOM at Fort Worth Fabric Studio--
Fall 2020 will see another exciting Quilt along with FWFS --join the Facebook
Page to receive directions--all Free!


Diary of a Quilter has this tutorial to make one pumpkin block or a table runner--

The Little Fabric Shop has this super tutorial to make chevrons--I see these as eerie! 

How about some embroidery stitching?  I feel "Batty" a lot of times--maybe, this would be a good
one to leave up all year!  Flamingo toes has the full pattern with instructions for you.




Make a Fall Shenanigans quilt from Missouri Star Company



Leftovers

Leftovers!  What to do with leftovers?  Never know what to do with all these leftovers--hate to pitch them.  It's all good stuff and sho...