We sang one of my favorite praise songs in church this morning; How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise. The first line, "There is an endless song, echoes in my soul, I hear the music ring," completely captures it for me. Our worship team sang it as the special, and I know that the depth of the meaning of the words I sang were reflected by the smile on my face. :)
I finally found out who my Secret Pal had been . . . April! She gave me a really cute Vera Bradley set with a note pad/mouse, note cards, and a purse photo album (perfect for grandbaby photos), a gift card to Hancock's (!!!!!) and four baby-blue print fat quarters! Yay! She was a good secret pal and I enjoyed the round. I really enjoyed being a secret pal, and was happy Wanda (my recipient), was happy. *sigh* Happiness abounds!
Todd and I got home this afternoon and had leftover Minestrone soup that I made for dinner last night. I made it from a recipe out of a new magazine I found, Clean Eating. It was super good last night, and even better this afternoon; especially since it meant I didn't have to do any cooking. I popped it in the microwave for a simple reheat and lunch was served!
We then did something we've not done since we moved out here in early November. We took the coveted Sunday afternoon nap. I didn't realize how long it had been. In fact, I think this was the first time we've had an afternoon nap since we've been here! It would have been even better if poor Todd had not had to drive all the way back to church for a late afternoon meeting, but c'est la vie. It was a productive meeting, so I am not going to complain (especially since I'm not even the one who had to go)!
After dinner I worked one more strip of the baby quilt I'm working on. Tomorrow (Sew Freely Monday -- because I don't have to go to work) I'll finish that one up and start piecing the other baby quilt I'm working on. So many young women having babies in my life! It makes me smile.
The only detriment to a Sunday afternoon nap is that I'm not always really sleepy when it's time for bed. But Todd has already headed back, and he's on shift tomorrow, so I need to make the most of my cuddle time!
Buenos noches!
:)
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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Star Flower Quilt Block Tutorial
Star Flower Quilt Block 14.5"x14.5"
I made this block using turnover triangles.
Start by taking 8 turnover triangles for the star and 1/4 yard neutral for background print.
Cut all of your turnover triangles in 1/2 as shown in the image above.
From your background print you will need to cut 2 - 6" squares. Cut them in 1/2 as show in the image above, twice to get 8 triangles.
You will also cut from your background material 4 - 4" squares for the corners.
Lay your block out like the image above.
Now sew all of the triangles to get 1/2 square triangles.
Press.
Sew your blocks together in strips.
Press.
Sew the strips together.
Walla!
I love this block, it's super simple and perfect use of a turnover.
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~Natalia
What a Lovely Saturday!
Hello all!
It has been a lovely day. I did a bit of being a taxi driver, this morning..., which was fine as that was for my grandson JJ. He has started playing Basketball. He is so cute. Today they won 18-10. He was thrilled.
Then this afternoon... after getting the taxes set up... I finally had the day to myself. I worked on a block from a group I am on... you can come check it out at any time. There are about 14,000 quilters on this site. Quilt with Us I love it there. Working on Sylvia's Bridal Sampler......great book.
I love too this other place of which is where I do my Quilted Diamonds and Quilted Diamonds 2.... They also have tons of other great ideas going on there too. Linda Franz is working away with all of these new great collections. I just love all of them. It would be so nice, if we had hours of time to just worked on our quilting projects. I do not work, and I still wonder how I did more when I worked?
Anyway, I had a wonderful day, and I do hope all of you had time to quilt or sew, or do something you love. Have a great evening. Hugs Morgan
Visit Quilt With Us
Free table runner kit with any fabric kit from KoolKat
February Frolics - This month if you buy any KoolKat fabric + pattern kit, we will give you a Honey Bee Table Runner kit free (worth $35). Limited stock of table runner kits, so get in quick for this offer. Click on the link below to see the fabulous KoolKat range of kits.
another *sweet* surprise!
Have you ever just randomly googled your name? I do, just every so often, not out of any sort of vanity or anything, but just to make sure my name isn't being used--or rather, misused--in some bizarre fashion. I did that earlier in the week; Tuesday, I think it was. The search results come back fairly lickety-split, because there aren't that many of them out there to find! One or two in connection with the blog; a couple from back in the day when i was posting on newsgroups, like rec.gardens, one from some Rugrats page where the list owner included (by permission) a comment I'd make on alt.books.stephen-king (ages ago) about cartoons pandering to adults as much as children, and one hit came back from the list of participants in the Quilt Gallery's fall-inspired mini-quilt swap. A few are offerings with variations of my name, so they're not really me, and some have nothing to do with me or my name at all. It's not, by any means, a wowzer set of results; like I said, I do it as housekeeping, more than anything else!
But . . . this time . . . about halfway down the page one of the items caught my eye. I knew it was recent because it said Denise Panter of New Market, AL, and I've only lived here since November. Intrigued, I clicked on the entry, and guess what?!?!
I. won. again.
I didn't even know it! I'd entered my name for random drawings Planet Patchwork was doing on New Year's Day, and evidently, I won in the third hour of their drawings, a copy of Make Your First Quilt with M'Liss Rae Hawley courtesy of C&T Publishing. LOL! I don't know what it is with me and winning things. Anyway, Planet Patchwork's website said winners would get their prizes within 30 days, and that no other communication would be forthcoming. I'm glad I found that--I'd forgotten I'd even entered; that book would have come in the mail and I'd have had no *clue* why!!
So, I share all that to say that today, I think it came!!! How's that for definitive? We checked our po box after hours today, and in the box was a slip that said, "You have a mail item too large for your box." Which means I have to wait until Monday to find out for sure, but I think it is . . . I hope it is . . . I'm *sure* it has to be! Yay!
In other news, our snow turned to rain by yesterday afternoon, but temps have dropped today and it's snowing again. It's snowing HARD! I don't think we're going to get five or six (or even two) inches, but it's sure pretty coming down, especially with all the woodland creatures flitting in and out of the trees. My favorites are the cardinals and the blue jays; such pretty splashes of vivid color amidst the snowy white backdrop. I'm sure the deer will move in soon.
I got to Hobby Lobby this morning and got the remainder of the fabric I need for Sawyer's quilt; I got the orange for the borders and sashing, a lovely brown flannel for the back, and a really dark brown for the binding. It's all in the washer/dryer (I think it's moved to the dry cycle--the RV has stopped shaking) so I'll be able to press and cut it tonight/tomorrow.
I also finished cutting all the strips for another baby quilt I'm making for Kim's friend, Kim, who's having a little girl in February.
Julia e-mailed me a picture of the Rooster, hanging on her wall. Yay! It's nice to see him finally at home.
Todd's working on his Sunday School lesson for tomorrow, I'm quilting and puttering, the coffee pot is on, and nature is -- surrounding us! I'll put a pot of minestrone on for dinner tonight, and we'll just be cozy, warm, and happy.
I do count it all joy.
:)
But . . . this time . . . about halfway down the page one of the items caught my eye. I knew it was recent because it said Denise Panter of New Market, AL, and I've only lived here since November. Intrigued, I clicked on the entry, and guess what?!?!
I. won. again.
I didn't even know it! I'd entered my name for random drawings Planet Patchwork was doing on New Year's Day, and evidently, I won in the third hour of their drawings, a copy of Make Your First Quilt with M'Liss Rae Hawley courtesy of C&T Publishing. LOL! I don't know what it is with me and winning things. Anyway, Planet Patchwork's website said winners would get their prizes within 30 days, and that no other communication would be forthcoming. I'm glad I found that--I'd forgotten I'd even entered; that book would have come in the mail and I'd have had no *clue* why!!
So, I share all that to say that today, I think it came!!! How's that for definitive? We checked our po box after hours today, and in the box was a slip that said, "You have a mail item too large for your box." Which means I have to wait until Monday to find out for sure, but I think it is . . . I hope it is . . . I'm *sure* it has to be! Yay!
In other news, our snow turned to rain by yesterday afternoon, but temps have dropped today and it's snowing again. It's snowing HARD! I don't think we're going to get five or six (or even two) inches, but it's sure pretty coming down, especially with all the woodland creatures flitting in and out of the trees. My favorites are the cardinals and the blue jays; such pretty splashes of vivid color amidst the snowy white backdrop. I'm sure the deer will move in soon.
I got to Hobby Lobby this morning and got the remainder of the fabric I need for Sawyer's quilt; I got the orange for the borders and sashing, a lovely brown flannel for the back, and a really dark brown for the binding. It's all in the washer/dryer (I think it's moved to the dry cycle--the RV has stopped shaking) so I'll be able to press and cut it tonight/tomorrow.
I also finished cutting all the strips for another baby quilt I'm making for Kim's friend, Kim, who's having a little girl in February.
Julia e-mailed me a picture of the Rooster, hanging on her wall. Yay! It's nice to see him finally at home.
Todd's working on his Sunday School lesson for tomorrow, I'm quilting and puttering, the coffee pot is on, and nature is -- surrounding us! I'll put a pot of minestrone on for dinner tonight, and we'll just be cozy, warm, and happy.
I do count it all joy.
:)
Learning A New Applique Techinque
Kathleen and I are always up for learning something new!
This time we've decided to learn Sharon Schambers' tuned under applique techinque. So, we purchased all of the supplies that she recommends including that cute little Rowenta iron. I am really excited to learn this technique and use that iron. This is the first iron that cost me more than $5.00 at Wal-Mart so if you can't tell I'm really exited to try it out!!
Have you ever tried Sharon Schambers' technique?
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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
Friday, January 29, 2010
What's New ~Verna by Kate Spain for Moda fabrics~
I think this Verna fabric is so darling!
It makes me so excited and refreshed that spring is coming!
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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
Finally Saw The Puppy Again...and my Daughter
Well I finally had my first day out since Christmas Day. I finally got to see the Puppy...Cheri and my daughter after a year of not seeing her and her husband. In addition, I got to see my parents too.
A wonderful, fun day! Filled with playing with Cheri. Out to lunch... and many good stories too. Oh yeah...she remembered me... and I was licked all over my face. I loved it.
My gosh, she has grown in this month so much. She has altered my parent’s life too. I see them acting 10 years younger. It felt wonderful too to get out of the house.
As for my sweet daughter. She looked wonderful... happy... and she too fell in love with Cheri.
My husband Denny and I will be going down in two weeks to spend the day with my parents... and Denny is so anxious to see Cheri. How one sweet puppy can bring so much joy to everyone.
My parents are in total love with her. She minds my dad... not listening to my mom. She unties my mom’s shoelaces all day long... and my mom tells me she bites me... not your dad. My mom is afraid if she scolds her, she won’t like her. Lol I told mom she would still love you.
I am grateful, too for the weather too as my daughter lives in MD... and she was hoping to see the sun, and warm weather. It was a perfect day yesterday! Before I close, I want to add that I see and hear so many of our quilting friends are having some difficult times. I do pray for all of you that all goes smoothly and better. Some big prayers are with my dear friend Barb...she is having a lot of scary times right now with her grandbaby who is due in April. Just know Barb many prayers are being sent your way.
Have a wonderful day, and weakened. Hugs Morgan
you know what this is good for?
Ummm....what are these spots all over my picture? Is my camera lens dirty? Gross!
Wait . . . what is this I see out my window?!?!?!
Could it be??
It is!
SNOW!!!!
The perfect quilting weather. I think I need to go home now.
*grin*
:)
Wait . . . what is this I see out my window?!?!?!
Could it be??
It is!
SNOW!!!!
The perfect quilting weather. I think I need to go home now.
*grin*
:)
{Creative Guest} Kim
When Natalia first asked me to be a guest blogger at Piece N Quilt, my initial reaction was “Me?! Really??” But here I am, flattered beyond belief!
I wish I had some grand history of learning to stitch on my mother’s lap or watching my grandmother piece quilts in my childhood. But how I came to stitching and sewing is much less romantic, and only a recent development at that.
As a new mom staying at home full time with a fussy baby, I found myself feeling very isolated. Not long after my son’s birth in 2006, DH picked us up and moved us from my roots in Arizona to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. I have never felt so alone or so out of my element! Realizing I was on the brink of an emotional breakdown, I made a special trip to the craft store in search of something creative to occupy my time. I stumbled upon a “Learn to Cross Stitch” kit. I was immediately bitten! That was a little over 2 years ago and I’ve been stitching ever since. It’s relaxing, it’s portable, and it’s something I can pick up or put down at a moment’s notice.
I wish I had some grand history of learning to stitch on my mother’s lap or watching my grandmother piece quilts in my childhood. But how I came to stitching and sewing is much less romantic, and only a recent development at that.
As a new mom staying at home full time with a fussy baby, I found myself feeling very isolated. Not long after my son’s birth in 2006, DH picked us up and moved us from my roots in Arizona to his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. I have never felt so alone or so out of my element! Realizing I was on the brink of an emotional breakdown, I made a special trip to the craft store in search of something creative to occupy my time. I stumbled upon a “Learn to Cross Stitch” kit. I was immediately bitten! That was a little over 2 years ago and I’ve been stitching ever since. It’s relaxing, it’s portable, and it’s something I can pick up or put down at a moment’s notice.
"Poinsettia House" designed by Littlehouse Needleworks, stitched on 28 count linen using Crescent Colours floss and DMC floss
My husband frequently makes comments that he loves my stitching as much as I do. Having a creative outlet and something “just for me” makes me a better wife and a better mother – some I’m sure most moms out there can understand.
I only took up sewing this past summer. Using my mother’s old Kenmore sewing machine, I started with a dress for my baby girl. It’s hopelessly flawed, but looks okay at first glance and I was very proud of it. Since then, I’ve continued to practice, learning new techniques and gaining confidence. In December, I made DD’s dress for her first Christmas and I must say it is a huge improvement from that first dress this summer. It was first time sewing in a zipper, and I even improvised the ruffles on the diaper cover!
LadyBug's Christmas dress and diaper cover - Butterick 3782 in red corduroy
Building a relationship with my sewing machine, I signed up for a beginner’s quilting class in the fall. I only made a small table topper, but I think most quilters will understand when I say that was all it took! I knew I needed to do more quilting! Just a few weeks ago I started work on my first lap quilt. I finished the topper and backing last week and am working up the courage to attempt quilting it. Assuming this turns out as I envision, it will be DD’s birthday gift when she turns 1 on February 10th. It seems fitting - her first birthday, my first actual quilt. I am thankful for all the quilting blogs out there that offer so many amazing tutorials and tips, including Natalia’s! They make learning this new craft not only easier, but also more enjoyable!
Building a relationship with my sewing machine, I signed up for a beginner’s quilting class in the fall. I only made a small table topper, but I think most quilters will understand when I say that was all it took! I knew I needed to do more quilting! Just a few weeks ago I started work on my first lap quilt. I finished the topper and backing last week and am working up the courage to attempt quilting it. Assuming this turns out as I envision, it will be DD’s birthday gift when she turns 1 on February 10th. It seems fitting - her first birthday, my first actual quilt. I am thankful for all the quilting blogs out there that offer so many amazing tutorials and tips, including Natalia’s! They make learning this new craft not only easier, but also more enjoyable!
My first lap quilt topper - Wild Thing pattern by Thimble Blossoms using fabrics from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom line
Craft time is what keeps me sane in between changing diapers, tantrums, and teething. I get to focus on something just for me every time I pick up a needle to stitch or lower the presser foot on my sewing machine. I exhale, shut the world out, and have a little “mommy time.” And I know from reading so many amazing craft blogs out there, I’m not the only!
Thank you Natalia for inviting me to be a guest blogger, and for all your help and tutorials. And thank you to all the crafty bloggers out there from whom I have learned so much and been so inspired! Happy stitching to all!
-Kim
Craft time is what keeps me sane in between changing diapers, tantrums, and teething. I get to focus on something just for me every time I pick up a needle to stitch or lower the presser foot on my sewing machine. I exhale, shut the world out, and have a little “mommy time.” And I know from reading so many amazing craft blogs out there, I’m not the only!
Thank you Natalia for inviting me to be a guest blogger, and for all your help and tutorials. And thank you to all the crafty bloggers out there from whom I have learned so much and been so inspired! Happy stitching to all!
-Kim
~Thank you Kim, I really enjoyed reading about you! I love all of your stitching projects and your fist quilt is darling!!
You can read more about Kim on her blog Stitchful Thinking.
FYI... I get to be a guest blogger today over @ Sew Inspired. Head over to Vicki's blog and you can read a little bit about me! Thanks Vicki!
FYI... I get to be a guest blogger today over @ Sew Inspired. Head over to Vicki's blog and you can read a little bit about me! Thanks Vicki!
For more fun updates sign up for Piece N Quilts newsletter.
Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Favorite Part in the Quilt Making Process
Yesterday Marty asked me on Facebook, "What is your favorite part of making a quilt? Choosing fabric, cutting, sewing, applique, borders, machine quilting or binding?
This is a great question, it really made me take a step back and think about it. My response to her was, "Oh, really I don't know if I can choose! I love it all! I probably don't enjoy putting on borders the most but other than that I love it all!"
Later in the day I spent some time doing a little bit of applique by machine, which I really enjoy, it's my time to think, and I really started to think about her question. I thought about how borders are my one of my least favorites. Then I also thought about the fact that I've never actually bound one of my quilts. Kathleen has an industrial machine and she (lucky for me) attaches all of my bindings.
So here is my question to you, I think it'd be really fun to hear, what is your favorite part of making a quilt? Choosing fabric,
cutting,
sewing,
applique,
borders,
machine quilting
or binding?
Also, which of those is your least favorite?
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Leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you.
~Natalia
cat's in the house (or, in the office . . .)
This is Reese. She's the shop cat where I work. Or rather, the office cat. She tries to be a shop cat--and sometimes she escapes and is successful--but that is not our preference for her.
She's a big help. Uh, yeah. She's big, anyway. She came to us as a stray; and the guys in the shop fed her bean burritos and she went from being a tiny stray baby, to a HUGE cat. But then she went to the vet and the doc told us she needed to diet extreme. So.
But she looks pretty! (Pretty greasy.) She has lots of nicknames . . . Reesey-peasey-butterball-obesey. . . Greasy Reesey . . . Stinkin' Cat . . . oh wait. That was Merlin's nickname.
If nothing else, she's good for our entertainment.
See how wide & wild her whiskers are? Did you know a cat's whiskers grow as wide as the cat's girth, to help them know if they'll be able to fit into small spaces?? Okay, do you *see* how wide her whiskers are?!?!
This is her "hen-pecked" look.
She wasn't pleased.
She knows how to get away from the torture....ummm, I mean, playing. (See the sag in that in-box?)
She *loves* a good cuddle. Yeah, I know, she doesn't look very happy in the above shot, but I *did* say a _good_ cuddle. That was an aggravating cuddle. Just ask her.
She really is a sweet-tempered cat, who puts up with about anything. She's very chatty and loves people; not a stranger ever walks into our showroom! If you don't pet her, she'll put her head under your hand, to give you inspiration. She's the only cat in my life on a daily basis now. I think she understands the responsibility; she's become my best buddy since we moved and my darling Merlin went to stay with James & Kim & Belle.
The only thing she lacks is a quilt to lay on while it's being worked on. She settles for payroll.
Droll.
:)
She's a big help. Uh, yeah. She's big, anyway. She came to us as a stray; and the guys in the shop fed her bean burritos and she went from being a tiny stray baby, to a HUGE cat. But then she went to the vet and the doc told us she needed to diet extreme. So.
But she looks pretty! (Pretty greasy.) She has lots of nicknames . . . Reesey-peasey-butterball-obesey. . . Greasy Reesey . . . Stinkin' Cat . . . oh wait. That was Merlin's nickname.
If nothing else, she's good for our entertainment.
See how wide & wild her whiskers are? Did you know a cat's whiskers grow as wide as the cat's girth, to help them know if they'll be able to fit into small spaces?? Okay, do you *see* how wide her whiskers are?!?!
This is her "hen-pecked" look.
She wasn't pleased.
She knows how to get away from the torture....ummm, I mean, playing. (See the sag in that in-box?)
She *loves* a good cuddle. Yeah, I know, she doesn't look very happy in the above shot, but I *did* say a _good_ cuddle. That was an aggravating cuddle. Just ask her.
She really is a sweet-tempered cat, who puts up with about anything. She's very chatty and loves people; not a stranger ever walks into our showroom! If you don't pet her, she'll put her head under your hand, to give you inspiration. She's the only cat in my life on a daily basis now. I think she understands the responsibility; she's become my best buddy since we moved and my darling Merlin went to stay with James & Kim & Belle.
The only thing she lacks is a quilt to lay on while it's being worked on. She settles for payroll.
Droll.
:)
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