Old Fashioned Scrap Quilts

I love scrap quilts, especially those with an old fashioned look to them.

I have a hard time throwing anything away. Sometimes I go through the scrap bin and cut squares for nine patch blocks. These three inch nine patch blocks are made from 1 1/2 inch squares.

I am working on a second baby quilt out of these old style blocks. The blue one was was set on point. This second one is set square with a border of the burgundy fabric. With scrap quilts, I have learned that more is better. More different fabrics gives them more interest. Even within each nine patch they don't have to coordinate.

This block has five different green fabrics that read the same color from a distance. I think this adds interest in the quilt. And I got to be thrifty and use all of those little scraps even though there were not five of any of them.

The blue quilt is already sold.

Homegrown dinner

During dinner last night, D. made the observation that except for the dairy products our dinner was all home grown!

Green peas, potatoes, onions, chicken, and applesauce.

We had a little taste of summer on a snow day and I didn't have to go to the store!

There is not much better than that. 

Big snow

We had snow that started Saturday night and lasted most of yesterday. These are some photos taken in the evening after the snow stopped and the sun was low.

It was still very windy.

Peaceful.

I really like the drifts we get around the buildings. This cliff edge was made by the wind blowing by the barn. It scrubbed the ground clear just to the right and made the big drift you can see here. This drift is in a large arc around the corner of the barn.

Barn roof

The path to get eggs.

Teen Designer

A few weeks ago M. announced that he would like a new hat. He has been using the same hat for about 5 years. It was made out of some of my first hand spun yarn. A bright orange that he chose. It is quite small on him now.

First he said he wanted a hat with ear flaps. I told him I could do that. He looked through a book of hat patterns and picked a shape that he liked. Then he said he just wanted it one color. We went down to the freezer, where I store my wool, and he chose Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Wonderfully soft stuff.

He chose a few colors that he liked and then said that instead of ear flaps he would like braids with tassels on the top like his cousin C. Sure. I can do that. He then added that he would like a little color work around the bottom. Yeah, I can do that too. He looked through my books and found a design on the cover of Latvian Mittens by Lizbeth Upitis.

He liked most of it but the repeat of the design didn't suit him so he charted out the design he wanted on graph paper and I have started the project.

Lucky for me he used that quarter inch graph paper!

I enjoyed the rhythm of knitting with a yarn in each hand and weaving the colors as I went. This hat design has a hem so that it will be double thick around the ears. I knit the hem and then a purl row for an even turn and then knit the color pattern. I joined hem to the front when they were the same length. I discovered that when I hemmed it you would no longer see the back of the color pattern. I like the way that you can see a pattern on the back side too.

Here is the front. It would make a nice ear muff as it is now but I will keep going with just the black and then put those braids on the top. Unless he changes his mind about that.

It has been fun to see him involved in the design of this project. Now I just hope it fits.

My family does not understand

For some reason my family cannot understand my level of excitement when I brought these home yesterday!!! That is one big roll of rick rack!

Needle book swap

Inspired by this little Sun Bonnet Sue needle book that my Grandmother gave me when I was little, I made some of my own for a flickr swap.

I used a 100% wool Pendleton suit that my mother bought me when I graduated college. It had a jacket and two skirts, one plaid and the other plain like the jacket. I could no longer fit into it so I cut it apart and threw it in the washer and dryer. I was left with a "felted" wool fabric that will not ravel.

I added lace and some odd bits of embroidery floss. Inside are two "pages" of wool to hold needles. I used the coordinating solid fabric for that.

The bonnet is a thimble holder!

Handmade Christmas Cards

Today's featured artist is my sister. For the last fifteen years we have been graced with one of her lovely handmade Christmas cards.

They are truly unique works of art. I have to say I love that little gingerbread man. If P. could reach it, I am sure she would kiss it like she does the little felt bears on the tree.

We grew up in Virginia but G. now lives with her family in New Mexico. I am guessing that is what inspired the cactus card. It was the first one of this style card that she made. Each year we eagerly await the new design. Sometimes we also get handmade cards for other holidays. The pressure is on now, dear sister.

She also made the dove ornament featured here and many other ornaments on our tree.

Decorated

This was our weekend of decorating and getting in the holiday mood. We don't do much for outdoor decorating just a string of old colored lights on the chicken barn. These are the lights that my husband's family had when he was growing up.

This is the beginning of the darkest month of the year here. I like that these lights come on at dusk and are on before anyone gets up in the morning. Usually, we like the dark so that we can see the night sky but winter is cloudy most of the time. I like lights on our tree too. I have them on whenever I am home. Sometimes I just sit by the tree at night and enjoy the glow.

P likes the tree decorations. Most of the decorations went on during her nap yesterday. D. did help her with a few of the last ornaments.  He is a good brother. We still have to put on the icicles (one strand at a time) to add that extra bit of sparkle that moves with the air currents.

P. really likes that little embroidered felt bear made by her aunt. She has also found that if she stretches her arms out she can touch two of those bears! I know she would love to have one of her very own! I wonder if she would let it be packed away with the decorations.  You see that she has put her chair very close so that she can gaze at all the ornaments.

We also did some baking this weekend. In addition to the Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies that ALWAYS have to be in a bin in the refrigerator we made Amy's Pumpkin Muffins found at angry chicken. We also got out the cookie cutters and made some shortbread cookies!

Add a little Christmas music and we are feeling the spirit now.

Getting the tree

We go to a tree farm every year to get our tree.

It is a local farm with no frills. No petting farm, no hayrides, no cider, or hot chocolate- just fields of trees.

We cut it ourselves

and carry it to the car.

Very impressive.

Family time

I have been thinking about what is important to me around the holidays. I try to remember family holidays when I was growing up. I remember making Christmas decorations for gifts for my grandparents, decorating our tree,  visiting my grandparents, lots of people in one room, everyone talking to each other, big meals with the grown up table and the kids table, getting stuck in a snow drift on the way to my grandmother's house and my uncle coming with a tractor to pull us out, hitting a deer on the way to my grandmother's house, a crisp new dollar bill from my great uncle, my grandmother's fudge and corn pudding, cousins, and cedar Christmas trees that grew on my grandparents' farms. The things I remember are the things that don't happen every day. They are the things that are different; they are also memories of the people. My holiday memories are not centered around presents I have gotten. I think I remember more the gifts that I give. I enjoy thinking about each person and making something for them. I hope that they will see in it why I chose and or made it for them. This brings me joy.I am trying to keep all this in mind with my own family. I do not like how commercial our society has made this holiday season. I have avoided stores and shopping this year and we are focusing on doing things together. We had a wonderful visit with family the week of Thanksgiving. We will not travel over winter break but will try to do some special, memorable, family things so that my children will have memories of family togetherness too.

Snowmen

One thing I like about getting out the handmade Christmas decorations is the memories associated with them.

These snowmen always make me smile. The one on the left was made by M. when he was in the third grade. The one on the right was made by B. the same year with left over plaster from wall repairs on our house. I love how much each expresses the personality of its maker.

Rudolph

Last night we watched our first Christmas special of the season. Rudolph. There are really only a few shows that we like to watch each year. Our family favorites are Rudolph, The Grinch, Charlie Brown Christmas, and "It's a Wonderful Life." They have become traditions here.

It is interesting what each person remembers from the movies. I remember being terrified of the Abominable Snow Monster in Rudolph when I was little. M. likes Hermey who wants to be a dentist! P. likes the doll on the island of misfit toys.

This is my favorite version of the book. It is a 1950 Pop-up!

The story was changed a lot when they made the movie.

There is a line in the movie that gets repeated around here a lot."

What do you say we be independent together?" The boys can say it just like Hermey. It is a good thing to know--how to be "independent together."

Secret Sewing

We have been cleaning up in anticipation of getting our tree this weekend. We have moved some furniture, which, in a round about way ended up leaving the sewing room less cluttered. And, now I am energized for new projects.

I have to finish up a few secret projects and then I'll start something new.

In the meantime, I'll ask if anyone knows the intended use for this rayon yarn. I found it while thrifting years ago and never knew how to use it. It is packaged in small hanks. Any ideas? 

First Snow

Yesterday was a very soggy, foggy day and not advantageous for taking photos indoors or out, so I'll share some shots from earlier last week. Here are some pictures of our first snow this year.

The highlight of my weekend was sitting in the old train depot listening to the  Chelsea Chamber Players along with the Chelsea High School Chamber group perform their holiday concert.

As I sat there listening to them perform Telemann's Concerto for Viola, Greensleeves, and Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 I was struck by how lucky I am. I live in a small town in Michigan with a high school of less than 1000 students, yet, our town is rich in music, art, and theater opportunities for everyone in the community.

I am sure that my son does not realize how unusual his situation is, that as a high school student he can perform in a chamber group with professional musicians and also to be a part of a high school celtic music group that travels and performs at festivals across the midwest - to him it is normal.

My little bit of holiday sparkle that is shining through the gloom today.

Handmade Holiday

I have been sewing and crafting for many years, but I won't scare anyone with an exact figure. Yesterday, I had my first ever booth at an art show. I thought I would share photos of my booth.

This was a fun little show. I had great sales and also did a bit of  shopping. I am doing well with my "handmade holiday" pledge. Not all of it handmade by me but so far all handmade!

Thanks to all of you who stopped by to say hi!

Advent Calendars

Today is the day. December 1. Do you have your advent calender out?

About 15 years ago I  made four of these. Now, my kids and all their cousins count down to Christmas on these trees. That was a lot of buttons to sew on. I especially like that giant vintage button at the top of the tree.

My husband had the clever idea to use a current coin as one of the ornaments. He drilled a hole in a penny for the ribbon. Now, we always know what year we started this tradition.

Count down the days with delight!

The Ugly Fabric Quilt

This piece is another that I found in the unfinished projects bin. I do think I will make a doll quilt or little quilt for table top out of this.

It is made from the left over blocks from this quilt.

We call this the ugly fabric quilt. My quilt group exchanged 4.5 and 2.5 strips of ugly fabrics. We challenged each other to make a quilt that included all of the fabrics from the exchange. We could add fabrics but could not eliminate any.

I added some tan and cream color prints along with some of my other scraps.

My son, M, sleeps under this quilt every night. He is the only one who had anything positive to say about this quilt while I was making it. Isn't he the lucky one!

Unfinished Applique

Yesterday, I dug around through my bin of unfinished projects. I pulled out these long forgotten pieces.

I remember choosing the fabrics and hand stitching them.

But, I never made them into anything.

They are still just blocks.

These blocks are made from patterns in Elly Sienkiewicz's book, Baltimore Beauties and Beyond: Studies in Classic Album Quilt Applique, Vol. 1. There was no plan for them when I started.  I just wanted to do the appliqué part. Often I  don't work with a plan. Sometimes it turns out and sometimes I end up with a pile of unfinished stuff. I have thought of putting one in the center for a medallion quilt but am not really happy with that idea. I have also thought of making pillows from them. Now, I am thinking I should just finish them off as little quilts and call it a day.

It's the Process

Years of crafting and needlework projects have taught me things about myself. I enjoy the process of making something. For me the fun is in the making more than the finished product.

When I started making greeting cards to sell, I decided that I would put my shop web address on the back of each card. I could have ordered a stamp that would make the process very quick. Instead, I searched until I found this little gem.

I really enjoy using this old Royal typewriter at my Steelcase desk. I feel like a kid playing office when I type out my mailing labels and make greeting cards. I like the clickety clack sound and the feel of the glass keys under my fingertips. It is not about speed and production. It is about enjoying the process.

Hoping you enjoy the process of all that you do today.

Brown

As we were walking off our extra caloric intake last week, I noticed a lot of brown outdoors.

Browns can be cool or warm.

I am inspired by it all.