Buck-a-Block

Since I never have any projects started (wink, wink) thought I'd start a Block of the Month with a new quilt shop I was introduced to. The shop is called QUILT HEAVEN in Grayson, KY. www.qheaven.com/ It's a nice spacious store. They offer classes, fabric, notions, and long arm quilting to name a few. Nice store. Glad I found out about it.

They usually offer a block of the month pattern. Several actually. The one I'm signed up for is only $1 per month. Only catch is, you have to buy "thangles" to make them. But they were only $5, so I thought that was fair. I've finished February and March so far. I need to go pick up April's block. I'm not behind. It did start in February as opposed to January.

These are not colors I would pick but that's another reason I like it. Out of my norm. :-) The 2nd block is a pretty minty green. Much prettier in person.

What kinds of projects have you started lately? --Quiltpecan

I Spy Quilt

I have been saving novelty fabrics for several years.  I have lovely grandchildren that I wanted to make this for.  I cut out two pieces of every piece for a total of 200, 6 inch squares.  The way it came out, there were 196, squares to make up the quilt.  I had 4 squares left over, and I am going to sew those matching squares on the backside into a pocket.  I bordered the quilt with Dr. Seuss, ABC fabric.  Now, when the grandchildren come to stay all night, I hope to keep them guessing!  There are many games we can play with this quilt.  Matching toys, boats, fish.....everything!  We can look for fruit, vegetables, colors, numbers and I hope we can spend many hours always enjoying this quilt together.  After I pieced this quilt, I took it to my local quilt store and had it machine quilted.  I hope the grandchildren will like this.  What do you think?  Sydneykatt

Precut pleasures....

Why is it that precuts are so addicting?!?!?!? I had thought I'd post pics of my growing precut collection but then I looked around the sewing room and decided, I don't have enough time to do that! Lol. Not sure which is my favorite. I'm still in the basics, jelly rolls, charm packs and layer cakes. The Schnibbles class I started last year started this new addiction. But those have been so rewarding, I don't mind!

Here is a pic of my jelly rolls.... And I'm not sure if I should confess.... This isn't all of them ! :-)

I'm up in the sewing room today. A welcome respite from the couch as I recover from a recent surgery. Hope you are having a refreshing Saturday as well! Enjoy it doing what you love with those people you love!

Luv, Quiltpecan

Getting ready.... Strips, strips, and more strips.

My daughter wants a quilt of purple, black and white. We weren't sure what pattern to do at first so we just stocked up on fabric. We found a pattern and then I got started cutting. Strips strips and more strips. We haven't yet decided what other color we're going to add in the quilt. But as you can see from the stack of strips, we're ready. What to-do projects do you have in the line up? 😊 Quiltpecan

Goodwill Fun! Baby Quilt Find!

What a great find at Goodwill!  I loved the colors and the theme and the price was only $2.00.  I think I did pretty good with this one.  What do you think?  Get Well Soon Quiltpecan!!  I love you!  Sydneykatt

Puzzle....to picture......to..... The Beatles!

This started out as 1000 piece puzzle.  Mr. S. loves the Beatles!  So, when someone told us this puzzle was at Hobby Lobby, we went to pick it up.  We had a great time working it, and believe it or not, we worked it in two days and it was finished : )  Mr. S. loved it so much, that he wanted it displayed in his man-cave.  So, went back to Hobby Lobby, bought a sturdy piece of fiber-board and some Mod-Podge.  We slid the puzzle onto the fiber-board and coated the top with two coats of Mod-Podge.  Now we can enjoy it all the time.  This is the third puzzle we have worked this long winter : )  I'll show you the other two in another post. I think you will like them.  Have any of you ever done this?  Sydneykatt

Quick practical project

These three items look ordinary enough, right?  An old bath towel, 2/3-1 yard of any cotton fabric, and a cutting board size piece of scrap flooring board.

Take these three ordinary things and make this!  A portable ironing board.  Same size as an average cutting board.  Easy to make.  Easy to pack.  Follow the easy instructions over at Missouri Star Quilt Company!  They have great tutorials!  Check them out.  Here is link for ironing board.  Click here for video tutorial for your own ironing board.  :-)  Have an awesome day! -- Quiltpecan

Curtains?...into Quilt

My daughter-in-law re-did my granddaughter's bedroom this year.  Now, Hannah is a big fan of Dora, but, they wanted to switch things around with new bedding and curtains.  She gave me the two pair of Dora curtains and the print is adorable!  The only problem I saw, was "Boots" was cut in half when he was at the edge of the curtains and I didn't want a half of Boots in the quilt : )  So, I cut all the half of Boots out, unless he was at the edge of the quilt, and then sewed all 4 curtains together.  Took to local quilt shop for quilting, and then I sewed binding on myself.  I am very happy with the new twin-sized quilt for Hannah's new bedroom, I hope she likes it : )  What do you think?  Sydneykatt

Goodwill Fun

I stopped by Goodwill and look what I found!!  I was wanting/needing? a LARGE bowl.  You know when you make Chex Muddy Buddies, or Chex Mix, you need a really large bowl to mix your ingredients.  So, for a total of $5.50, I found this crystal punch bowl. I included a picture of a regular drinking glass to show the size.   I am very happy with it!  How do you think I did?  Sydneykatt

Love these Easter eggs!

2013 Reposting.  Still love this technique!  Happy Easter!

When you get with your kids, grandkids, or anyone who likes to color eggs this year .... try something different.  Tie Dye Easter Eggs... with real TIES!!!

Go to the thrift shops (I got the two shirts for 1 cent each!!!  normally 25 cents but got lucky one day), raid the closet, get out the silk ties your men no longer wear (they have to be silk), get out those silk boxers no one wears, the silk shirts that are not currently in style.... As long as it is real silk, it will work.

Supplies needed:

raw eggs

silk ties, shorts, shirts, etc

small squares of muslin

scissors

all purpose thread

Now take a piece of silk and cut out a piece big enough to fit around an entire egg. If using a tie, remove the lining.  My pieces are cut extra large, but that's by preference only.

Wet the silk and wrap it tightly around the egg with the right side of the fabric facing the egg.  Twist the ends tightly so the fabric is touching the entire surface of the egg. 

Wrap the eggs then in a square of muslin.  The muslin helps keep the silk next to the egg and also helps keep the colors from bleeding.  Your muslin piece will absorb some color but it minimizes the bleeding between eggs.  Secure at the top with more thread or a twist tie.

After wrapping several eggs, place them in a single layer in a large saucepan.  Be sure and use a NON-reactive pan.  (Suggest glass or enamel pan.  Mine came from a thrift store of course.)  Some instructions I've found call for adding vinegar some do not.  For this demonstration, I didn't but I think it works better when you do.  Add enough water to cover by 1 inch.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.  Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes.  If you will NOT be eating the eggs and want more vibrant colors, cook them longer. 

Now we wait.... Waiting to unwrap them is the hardest part!!  :-)  It's fun to see what you come up with.  I have re-used some of my silk for several years with success.  Some places I've found say not to reuse, but if it works, why not! 

For added pizazz, coat with a little vegetable oil to make the eggs shine and show off the colors.  Eggs in the next pic have vegetable oil on them.

My daughter is 10 and enjoys doing these.  Plus the colors don't bleed on your hands like traditional eggs.  I sometimes take some to work for a day or two also.  They get lots of comments.  I love doing them myself!!!  Hope you will give them a try.

Links to similar instructions and to see others results:

Martha Stewart Easter Crafts

poughkeepsiejournal == tie dye easter eggs

--Quiltpecan

Merry Christmas

I miss the classics like the Peanuts Christmas Pageant. 

What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Enjoy the holidays with those you love!

--Quiltpecan and Sydneykat

Schnibbles Dec 2012 Round A Bout

Hey everyone.  Hope you are getting in the holiday spirit.  Decorating, shopping, wrapping gifts, get togethers with loved ones, sewing something for a special someone, Christmas concerts at school and so much more  Even with all the holiday tasks at hand, hope you are finding time to sew for your self too!!  This picture is the latest SCHNIBBLE project I've worked on.  It's a full size throw this time instead of wall hanging size.  We are doing them quarterly.  This one is called ROUND A BOUT.  The books are great and have patterns for either size.  I love using background colors other than white or cream.  This one is a buttery yellow and the colors are from ADORN IT.  I forget the name but love the prints.  I'll have to repost when I remember.  Sorry we haven't posted more regularly.  Hope to get back in the spirit of blogging really soon.  -- Quiltpecan

Oh... if you are on Facebook, maybe you can link in to see the other girls projects too.  One classmate did Christmas colors, they look great!!!  Here's the link APRON STRINGS QUILT SHOP, FLEMINGSBURG, KY

Goodwill Fun

Hello, I have been off the blog, but living life!  I have let good ole Quiltpecan handle the whole blog by herself!  I have been busy seeing about my parents whom I am blessed to still have in my life.  They have just celebrated 64 years of marriage!  They are now living in an apartment that is "independent living", however, I am part of the independent, and blessed to be so : )  I also, go to another city close by to see and help care for my 4 grandchildren : )  One adorable 4 year old granddaughter and a set of triplet grandbabies that have just turned 15 months old,  one grandson and twin identical granddaughters.  I also have my dear husband and our household to run, which does not leave me much time for anything else.  I did go to Goodwill this week and found a bargain that I was dying to share with Quiltpecan and you!  I actually found this for $5.  I also have another Goodwill find that I will soon be sharing with you.  But, for now, this is the one I found this week.  Hope everyone is well and hope to be able to check in more often than I have.  Thanks, to my dear friend, Quiltpecan, who does EVERYTHING.  If you need anything, ask her, she can't say NO.   Sydneykatt

Daughter's New Room / Beginning OWL collection

Back in the spring, we bought new furniture for my daughter's room.  It was a birthday present.  She turned 11 and needed a change.  And also more space for growing into.  We went to IKEA.  If you've never been to an IKEA, all I can say is GO, GO, GO!!!  We can't wait to go back.  Some of the pictures I'm posting are of little decorations we've picked up.  I got her bedspread online.  It's now discontinued.  So, glad we got it while we could.  Her bed is a platform bed with storage underneat so no need for dust ruffles.  Most of the knick knacks are from the local Dollar General Store.  They have cool stuff and I get it for a great price!!  The large standup owls are for outdoor use, but we used them like greeters in her room.  They look so cute!  :-)  We've had fun working on this room.  She loves it.  Wonder when she thinks she will need to change.... I'm surprised we've lasted this long!!  :-) --QP

Schnibbles - FOUR CORNERS

I don't remember what month we finished this Schnibble but it is hanging in my daughter's room.  It is the SCHNIBBLES patterns a friend and I took classes for.  This pattern is called FOUR CORNERS.  I used a kid novelty print from MODA because it had owls in it!  10 Little Things is the title of the line. It is more of a boy print but we pulled out what we liked.  We bought an extra pack so we could use the prints we like.   :-)  My daughter's new room decorations are owls.  It looks cute in her room and adds some color. 

I hung this quilt on a curtain rod from her wall.  Mainly because she's 11 and I know her tastes will change... a lot!!!  :-)  I think when I hang one in my room, I'm going to try the same technique!  The clip hooks are going to work great!  Hope you have had some successful summer projects.  --QP

Horse Shoe ??

We found this rock while out hunting.  My daughter loves horses, as you know, so I thought it was neat to find this rock that looked like it has a horse shoe embedded in it.  When she was little she loved to pack home rocks too!  She would even bring them from school!!  LOL  --QP

Chipmunks are SO cute!

Another Summer visitor.  My dog loves to chase them.  I try to photograph them first!  :-)  --QP

Catch Up

Hi Everyone!  Haven't been on here for some time.  Seems like the summer just got so busy.  Work too.  I am glad for fall.  Even though school is in and my daughter is involved in everything too, it just seems like things slow down.  Plus we live in KY surrounded by hills and trees and the fall is beautiful!!!  I hope the dry conditions we've had don't make for a short season.

Todays post is a result of looking back on my summer photos.  I'm not particulary fond of snakes but this snake just posed for a perfect picture.  He wasn't as big as the picture makes him seem.  He was in the middle of a mill stone that we had just put in the flower beds this year.  He probably was 2 feet long and about as big around as my pinky.  I stayed far enough away though!!  LOL  Thank you zoom lens!!  Hope your summer memories are good ones too.  See you on here again soon.  And this time it will be sooner rather than later!  :-)  Have a great week!!  --Quiltpecan

March Schnibble

I don't think I posted this Schnibble from March :-)  Quiltpecan

Schnibbles / April

This was our April Schnibbles.  Can also be viewed on facebook at this link.  (the other gals quilts are shown here too.)  I don't remember the name of the pattern.. sorry.  :-)  May's should be done soon.  Will try to post.  :-)  Have a Great Day!!  Quiltpecan