Quilt Idea

I have an idea for a quilt,  a life story quilt.

My first block can be a windmill to represent Lubbock, TX, where I was born and grew up.

A block with a ballerina or ballet shoes, since I took ballet when I was a little girl and dance in Jr. High and the first semester of high school.  No. I was not any good but it was a lot of fun!

A block with a church bus.  I started riding the church bus when I was four.

A block with a penguin.  My best friend gave me a stuffed penguin of hers when I was 16 right before I moved to AR.  I started collecting them and I still have that penguin.

A block with a razorback for AR.  I moved in with my Dad when I was 16.

The bible will be next to represent when I was saved when I was 16.

Some type of teacher block.  That is what I went to college for.  I love to teach, but only teach Sunday School now since my asthma has worsened.

A wedding ring block, to represent getting married.

A block to represent PA.  Maybe an art block with the peninsula on it, we lived in Erie for seven years.

A block with a cake, this is when learned how to decorate cakes.

A block with a long horn to represent TX again, or maybe the awful mix masters I hate in the DFW area!

A block with a sewing machine.

A block with dogwoods for MO, we'll be moving there within the next year.

and of course a block with a cat

finish it with a block with a cross, because my whole life is centered around Jesus Christ.

This quilt will take a LONG time, but it will tell my story!

Maybe embroidery the year on each block too?

Won't be able to start it until I finish the one I am making and two more I have planned.  But if I do one block at a time in between things, should have it done in a year or two.

I think this will be a fun quilt to make, and I can try all kinds of different techniques on it!
And the border will have to be a crazy quilt border, because my life is so crazy, or maybe a yellow or green gingham since those are my favorite colors!  LOL

I have to have a picture in every post so here are some of Tiger, the big orange cat, Pippi, the calico, and Squeeky. the grey cat.

Don't bother me, I'm sleeping!

My belly is hot!

We can share the rocker!

Holding Hands

If ya'll have any suggestions for blocks for my quilt, let me know!  I'll also be looking for free block patterns too.  I'm still not sure about the PA one or the TX one.  I could do a star for TX, that would be easy.

Thanks for stopping by!

Missy

We have a winner!

I let Pippi pick the winner of the book Rare Earth by Davis Bunn.  I numbered each comment and threw the pieces on the floor by Pippi and whichever one she picked up (and tried to eat) was the winner.
She picked Carol Sue!

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I follow you on Linky as Carolsue Ezovski
I have never been to Africa, but I know a friend of a friend who has. That's about it. Nobody personally.

Carol Sue has a very pretty cat as her picture!

Speaking of cats, I have a mild heart condition and asthma,  have been having some mild chest pains the past few days (which happens sometimes, but not very often), and last night I had a really bad asthma attack (I usually control both things easily with essential oils but sometimes I forget to use them) and Pippi jumped in my lap, grabbed my shirt and stared in my face,  she was laying in my lap with her paws on my chest as if she was saying "breathe!  what's wrong?  breathe!)  If I hadn't been having problems breathing I would have laughed at the look on her face.  Squeeky was beside me meowing the entire time.  Cats are so intuitive and really do care about their owners.  If ya'll will just pray for me I would appreciate it.
Thanks!

Muffin and Tiger on thier cat tree.  If Tiger keeps growing he won't fit anymore!

Here's an old picture (last year) of Muffin, Tiger and Pippi, she was so tiny!

Have a great day ya'll!
Missy

Last Day to enter my giveaway!

Today is the last day to enter my giveaway!  Be sure to go here:   http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2012/07/rare-earth-by-davis-bunn-book-review.html  if you like to read!  I'll announce the winner tomorrow.
missy

Straightening Iron Holder

I was at Joann Fabrics the other day and saw that the pot holders were on clearance.  I remembered an idea I saw somewhere (sorry, I don't remember where) for a holder for my straightening iron.  Have you ever been traveling, you fix your hair, and have to pack everything up to leave the hotel but your curling or flat iron is still hot, so you have to carry it out and just throw it in the car?  Well, I have - so I made this this!

It is the easiest project ever!
First get a cute potholder.  I bought this one, and it had a cute pocket for my comb!  It was a couple of dollars.

The reason it is sewn a little bit, is because I accidently started sewing on the thickest part, and was determined that it would sew it.  Instead, my needle broke and sewed right though my bobbin casing!

 I'm not sure you can see it, but that thread is still connected to the needle!  I had to get my friend's husband to use pliers to pull the needle out!

The moral of the story, is to make sure you find the thin part on the very edge of the potholder before you start sewing!  I went ahead and hand sewed it and it took me maybe 15 minutes.

Just fold the holder in half, and then sew it!  Put the knots on the inside if you are hand sewing it.

I did re-enforce the very top since it will get lots of wear and tear there.

The last thing you have to do is take a picture of it with your cat!

I hope you find this as easy as I did!
Don't forget that Monday is the last day to enter my giveaway here!

Martha Washington's Flower Garden

This is the quilt I got from my grandmother who passed away 20 years ago.  You can find more about that information here.   It has taken me about a month to find the name of the pattern.  I knew it was diamond set hexies, but did not know the name of the pattern.  I asked on the Mad For Treadles Facebook page.  They suggested tumbling blocks, diamond set hexies, Grandmother's Flower Garden etc.    I knew it was not Grandmother's Flower Garden.  I used all these key words and Googled it until I found the pattern name.   I found this old one from the 1800's, it is called Martha Washington's Flower Garden.  Here is a full view of my quilt.  This pattern is going to be my next hand stitched project, I may even try the English paper piecing!

From looking closely, I think Nanny did English paper piecing.  I had never seen her use this method, but the only quilts I remember were the ones from her quilting bees that were tied.  Little kids don't pay a lot of attention to those things.
In person, I can only see the cube design through the camera lens or in the mirror.  I think it is because of my glasses, I can't see this pattern.

The star is the other pattern in the quilt.  My favorite thing is to look at all of the different materials she used.  I wonder how many of mine and my sister's old dresses ended up in these quilts?  I love the yellow.

She used a lot of plaids, which I think looks really neat.  I would have never thought of doing that.  Do you see the green gingham?  I love the quilting.  She did not stitch in the ditch, but echoed along one side of the hexagons instead of both sides.  I don't think I'm making sense, so look closely at the picture.

That pink is so vintage.  There is no rhyme or reason to the colors.  Some of the diamonds are all prints and some are mixed with prints and solids.

I love the bright reds thrown into the quilt.  I love the pink ballerina material.  I loved anything ballerina when I was little.  Do you see how she finished this quilt?  She made half diamonds on the sides and some of the ends of the diamonds are white.  It looks like she just sewed a small white border and a white binding on the quilt.

For right now it is on my quilt rack.  I'll be giving my sister her quilt, the Grandmother's Flower Garden next week, and then I'll move it back to it's spot here behind my treadle.

I think this quilt proves that most of today's patterns and techniques stem from the older patterns. We have tumbling blocks, stars, diamond set hexies, and English paper piecing.    If you want to see more hexie quilts, visit my pinterest board.  I have a lot of hexie quilts on there.  I'm a little obsessed!
If you have a hexie quilt you would like to share, please leave a link in my comments!  I would love to see it!
Don't forget to enter my giveaway, it ends on Monday!
I washed it today, thinking it had been washed lots of times because it was so soft.....but the bright red that I love?  It faded onto the white.  I line dried it, is it possible to fix it?
Happy Quilting!
Missy

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn book review and giveaway

I love Davis Bunn's books.  I usually like to just read historical fiction, but Davis is such a talented writer that I get sucked right in.  Rare Earth  is a stand alone novel, but the second book to use Marc Royce as the main character.  I also enjoyed his book Lion of Babylon the first book.
Rare Earth is set in Kenya Africa, Marc Royce has worked for the state department in clandestine assignments, most recently in Iraq.  He is a Christian man who lost his wife four years ago and he uses his faith in his work, depending on God's guidance to survive.
He needs to find out what happened to the brother of Kitra, an Isreali medical administrator who has secrets of her own.  There are sparks between Kitra and Marc, but can they act on their feelings?  Can they trust each other?  Can their faith bring them together?  This part of the novel is just in the background.
The main subject is why are African tribes being pushed off their land?  Who killed Serge, Kitra's brother?  Is Lodestone, a company for hire for humanatarion resources, corrupt and behind all the killings and thievery?  It is Marc's job to find out.
I highly recommend reading this book, it is perfect for a man or a woman.  My husband would love this book.  Davis does a lot of research on his books



To read the first three chapters click here

Would you like to win a copy of Rare Earth?  It's real easy.  I would love for you to follow me, but you don't have to.  If you like baking, homemaking stuff, quilting and sewing you might enjoy my blog!  You can follow me through, Google Friend Connect, Linky Friends, Google Reader or you can even get my blog posts in your email.  Look on the left side bar for your options.
Answer this question, have you ever been to Africa or now anyone who has?  I've never been there, but I have several missionary friends there.
For a second entry, read the first chapter and tell me what you think of the book so far!
I will draw a name on July 9 and announce the winner on my blog July 10.
Good luck!
Missy

Wedding Cake

I was busy making a wedding cake on Saturday.  I just decorated the cake, the bride's mother added the real flowers.  My frosting started sagging because of the heat and made the heart lopsided, and I had to add designs to the heart to cover it up.  I also messed up on the frosting.  The recipe I always use calls for 2 lbs of powdered sugar, I use Wilton's recipe, I wasn't sure where my recipe was, so I looked online and got it from the website.  After I decorated it, getting mad at my frosting for not cooperating, fixing it and then delivering it.  I realized what the problem was.  The recipe online was halved, for 1 pound, and I put the whole bag out of habit, which was 2 pounds.  I hope the icing was not too sweet for them!
She turned the pan upside down under the board to give it some height and put greenery around it.  She also covered the board with freezer paper which looks really nice, I've always used aluminum foil but am going to start using the freezer paper.She also suggested putting a tablespoon of flour in the frosting to cut the greasiness taste.  I hope they enjoyed the cake!
Saturday night I made 66 cheesecakes in cupcake pans to sell at church.  I sold 51, gave a few away and had 7 left over for me!  The week before I sold carob cupcakes.  I'm saving up for something special I'll tell you about later.  That is all the big baking I have had planned.  I'll be taking a break from baking for about a month.  It's hot in my house!
I hope you had a great weekend!
Missy

Heating Pad Tutorial

Do you ever have a project that you want to do, is very easy, but for some reason it takes you a year to make it?  That is what happened with my heating pad!

I have been wanting a heating pad that I could heat in the microwave or oven.  This took me about 30 minutes to make!  I actually bought this material when I was a teenager and made it into culottes.  I found a picture of me wearing them from my honeymoon!

It's not the best picture in the world!  I was 21 and just had a cheap camera.  We'll be married 17 years in August.  I was very surprised when I found the material!  I still have a lot left.  I've collected penguins since I was 16, but I'm a little old for this fabric now, but I though it would be great for a heating pad!
First, you figure out how big you want it.  I measured across my stomach to figure out how big I wanted it.  I'll use it for cramps and backaches.  I doubled the material and then folded it in half.  I sewed up each side and a few inches across the top on both sides.

Be sure to leave an opening big enough to turn your material right side out.  Clip the corners before turning to make it look nicer.

Turn it right side out and iron it, folded the unsewn parts under.  This is for when you sew it after adding your rice.

Next, sew some lines in the middle of the case.  I thought I would make swirlies for fun, next time I will just sew three or four straight lines. Leave some room for the rice to move through the botttom and the top.

Next, add some rice or deer corn.  I also added eucalyptus and lavender to make it an aromatherapy pack too.

Just use cheap rice, you aren't eating it!  Don't fill it over full, you want it flexible.  I poured it in a bowl to mix in my herbs and used a pointy measuring cup to pour it in the case.  I had my husband pour while I held the case.  Pippi wanted to help.

Be careful when sew the opening closed, I poured it all over my floor which the cats thought was fun!
You're done!  You now have an easy to make heating pad!  Just pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes when you are ready to use it!  You can also  heat it slowly in the oven.  Here are directions for that, takes 15 minutes:  http://www.ehow.com/how_7795612_bake-heat-pads.html .

Enjoy!
Missy

New Skirt (UFO)

I finished one of my UFO's!  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2011/12/ufo-2012-list.html I was supposed to have it done a long time ago, I actually finished it in April.  I have been going out of town like every two weeks and have not had a chance to blog about it!

I got the pattern from the book Sew Serendipity by Kay Whitt.

http://www.sewserendipity.com/product_info.php?products_id=145
I made the tunic dress out of it last year.  You can see it here:  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2011/06/sew-serendipity-tunic-dress.html
It is very easy to understand her directions.  My favorite is the pockets!

 I did a fussy cut on the pockets.  A fussy cut is where you cut the material for a certain pattern to be "showcased".

I did mess up on the sizing, I made it too tight, so I added a blue strip to make it bigger.

Always pin your skirt on before you sew it in case you made a mistake like I did.  It still was not big enough, so I added more.  Then I added too much and had to take some off.  My problem is that my waist is smaller than my hips and backside.

It's still too big, so I am going to try adding some pleats, I think that will be cute and look better than me messing with it more.
I did a pretty good job on the zipper though!

Kay was on "Sewing With Nancy" and shared some great tips!
Here is part one:  http://video.wpt2.org/video/1700991445/
Here is part two:  http://video.wpt2.org/video/1701022470/
I did make the skirt longer, and she gives you directions on how to modify her patterns.
I love this book, I would recommend that you buy one!  I have another pattern, the Betty June dress, that is waiting to be made.
Have fun sewing!
Missy

Design Wall Monday

I finally finished all of my "flowers"!  I only had 20 to make, but it makes a 16 1/2 block and it is my first hand pieced project. I have been working on it since April.  I have noticed that my stitches are smaller and faster now than when I started.  I put a blue hexie between the flowers to get an idea of size and placement.

This is my UFO #3.  http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/2011/12/ufo-2012-list.html

I am only going to put one strip of the blue between each flower, so for now I am going to add the border around every other flower and then re-evaluate after I have laid it out and looked at it.  I think this is the order I will keep the flowers.  If you see a flower I should move around please let me know.  I just spent an hour trying to decide where to put the flowers. 

I put a note on each flower where it goes in order and whether or not it gets a border.

I then stacked the ones that get borders in one pile, and a pile for the ones that do not get borders.  I have cut enough blue hexies so far for five flowers, so I need to cut five more, although I will need more than that since I will be finishing the quilt with blue hexies all around.  I got a new "basket" to carry my quilt in as I work on it.  I still have my small pouch to carry in my purse when the basket is inconvenient though.

I wanted to share some pictures of Midnight, the kitten I was taking care of.  She has gone back to her owner now, I really miss her!  Please excuse my messy carpet, my vacuum was not working, but I found a great one at a yard sale for $10!

 Pippi not letting her get away, she needed a bath!

 What is that smell?  Is it a mouse or a new toy?  At least that is what I think he was thinking since he kept "bopping" her!

 Finally they let her take a nap!  She got lots of cat baths wile she was here!

I never did hear from the winner of the book The River Rose I sent her 2 emails and she never answered, so I drew a new winner!  Actually, Pippi did.  I put the pieces of paper on the floor and the one she tried to eat won.  

eyeballlucy said...

I love to win.....this book sounds so awrsome.......

I'll send you an email!

I hope ya'll have a great day!
Missy