Cottage Garden Quilter

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

I love Christmas baking, but this year I didn't get too much done in the kitchen. At a friend's house we made a double batch of pecan and shortbread cookies that were rolled in powdered sugar. They were quite delicous and disappeared mysteriously. There are other favorites I'd like to bake, but I'll probably get around to it the week before New Year's.

Here is how the tree turned out this time. I like it a lot, but haven't used this one for 3 years in a row. It was a little more work setting this one up, but the full shape is so beautiful.

This is the tree skirt that I made many years ago, but it still serves its purpose well. It can open out a little wider to show all 6 points . I have one section overlapping another in this photo.

Hope you enjoyed the holiday look around. Enjoy your Holiday Season!

Time to go and wrap a few gifts that we will take to my sister's tomorrow.

Rotary Lights Exhibit 2011

2011-12-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

The beauty of the lights display has been a tradition in town for many year now. Each year the display has grown. This year we took in the opening parade and the party that was held on the Century Tel deck. It was overlooking the park, so we had a wonderful view.

Rotary Lights Party

Next Rainbow Scrap Challenge

2011-12-23T08:53:00.002-06:00

The Rainbow Scrap Challenge will continue for the new year. Angela of So Scrappy has designed a new button for our blogs. I want to participate as much as possible, and I look forward to following along to see what other sewers are doing each month. I loved the color suggestions that Angela chose for last year. I think this challenge will keep me motivated once again.

Inside Out Raggy Jacket Finish

2011-12-18T17:39:00.001-06:00

With the Friday night sew in and some extra work all weekend, I have finished up the flannel jacket!

Love It so much and it is very cozy!

Jacket - after clipping, but before washing

The day was just beautiful and I couldn't help but hang it on a tree by our back door for a photo.

By the time the jacket was washed and dried and I collected the lint 3 times, it was dark. I had to take the next photos by the laundry cabinets.

Completed jacket with raggy seams washed

Back view of jacket

Reverse side of jacket (inside out)

Love the floral back (inside out)

My own jacket (Laurel Burch design fabric)

I'm sure I'll want to wear this tomorrow. It is one of the most comfortable things in my wardrobe.

Next up, one of those jelly roll race quilts. I may try to get that one done for a gift too, but we'll see.

Results of Friday Night Sew In

2011-12-17T19:13:00.002-06:00

The quilting on the sleeve takes the most involvement. Here was one of the sleeves under the machine and I was doing a simple meander with some copper metalic thread made by Sulky. It went along very well. This metalic thread is a dream to work with as it doesn't shred in my machine.

Meander quilting on the sleeve

Seams go on the outside

Seams are clipped so that they fray softly

One of the yoke seams was giving me lots of grief. I always took the seam to the incorrect side. I know I had to sew it more than once to make it turn out on the right side of the garment. I just couldn't seem to get it in the right place.

I think it's fun to get to the part where you clip the seams with the Fiskars spring loaded clipper. I'm pretty close to the washing and drying part and then the jacket will be done.

Preparations for the Friday Night Sew In

2011-12-16T18:21:00.000-06:00

I am nearly ready to begin my Friday Night Sew In for this evening! I have been cutting out some jacket parts and plan to get more accomplished on one or both flannel jackets. They are to be Christmas gifts, so I need to stay focused!

Quilt Display

2011-12-12T06:58:00.000-06:00

In preparation for putting up the Christmas tree this year, some furniture had to be moved around. I had an idea to push the 2 end tables together as one and place them in front of the couch where a coffee table might go. It seemed OK, so I added a runner on top.

Normally, I have a pair of large baskets with handles and I used one for old newspapers and the other for magazines.

The new look will be for folded quilt display!

The left side has an embroidered crazy quilt, a sunbonnet sew quilt top, and a spiderweb string quilt is on the bottom. The top crazy quilt could use a little repair on some of the yellow fabric. It seems to be the only fabric that is denigrating. The sunbonnet Sew could be bordered around the final edge and then finished someday. That string quilt on the bottom has a modern quilt design that was done on the long arm. That one is in very excellent shape and I would not be afraid to use that on a bed once in a while.

On the right hand side there is a Grandmothers Fan done in dark colors and it includes red velvet for each of the fan centers. That quilt is only a topper, but it is very cool to see how the blocks are put together by hand. The middle quilt is a new one to me and it is in very pale colors. I believe the pattern is called Broken Dishes. I may redo the binding on that one. The bottom is a quilt topper given to me from my mother-in-law. It is a quilt I take in the car and I quilt it by hand. It is almost done! It represents nearly 20 years of car trips!

Flannel Jacket Production

2011-12-11T11:16:00.000-06:00

fabric stash from an After Thanksgiving sale

kit cut to made a jacket

piece layout

Tracing a new size

Hancock's had flannel 50% off, so naturally I have to plan another jacket.

Layout for next jacket in a different size

I am preping for a big sewing day to make several jackets. The pattern I am using is from Four Corners and it is called the "Inside Out Jacket". I have made two before, and once the pieces are cut, the sewing goes rather quickly.

It appeals to me, because it is so easy to wear and makes a plain shirt and pants look great. It is also cozy on cool winter days. Mine is made from Laurel Burch fabrics and I like wearing it at school because it's very colorful!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T06:47:00.000-05:00

Weather is to be sunny, mild, and beautiful today for the trick-or-treating.

Wanted to share a few Halloweenish photos with you today.

And Scaredy Cat Charlie is hanging by the front door. I finished him just in time for the last minute decorating yesterday. I was even able to do a bit of hand stitching on it too.

Have a Spooky Good Halloween!

Blogger's Quilt Festival ~ Autumn 2011

2011-10-28T13:03:00.002-05:00

Fall is here and its time to take a wonderful blog tour and see the many quilts of Blogger's Quilt Festival. Thanks to Amy of Amy's Creative Side, twice a year we are able to be inspired by great photos and stories of a wide array of quilterly goodness. This festival is one of my favorite blogging activities each time it comes around. I usually spend those weekends tied to the computer, with a mug of coffee or tea in my hand as I jump to so many quilter's blogs.

This fall, I am sharing my Village Green Quilt. It was designed by Thimbleberries and I love the combination of warm fabrics in the kit.

Pine Tree Block

Piecing some floral and fence blocks

This was a block of the month club for 2010. I was pretty happy with my progress each of the months. By December, I was even sewing the sawtooth border. So this quilt went together faster than last year's Three's Company quilt. I had it quilted by my neighbor on a long arm and I got the binding stitched down very recently.

The quilt that I chose to make was described as a "generous queen sized throw". It works perfectly on a double bed as a coverlet and hangs down the side by a few inches. I love it on the living room sofa as it's quite a lot bigger than the quilt I usually curl up with for TV. I love how the colors coordinate with other quilts I already made and use in our home.

Applying the Binding

Quilting by Carol's Corner (my neighbor)

Thimbleberries quilts often have multiple borders and this is no acception. Some are a bit too much framing, but with the cute sawtooth border on this one, I think it's the perfect finish for the edge! This has now won a special place in my heart as a favorite quilted finish.

Pumpkin and Herbs

Happy Fall Everyone. Be sure to check out the other quilts in the listing over at Amy's Creative Side. You'll be glad you did. And if you are on the fence about writing a post about a quilt, you should just jump off and do it! The more, the merrier! Just read her suggestions in her post and you'll be well on your way to participation.

Friday Night Sew-In Results

2011-10-23T11:59:00.000-05:00

Primative and Cute, it'll be great for my Halloween decorating. I think I'll use it near a rickety skeleton.
Just a few more finishing touches to add.

Friday Night Sew In Weekend

2011-10-21T17:34:00.000-05:00

I have signed up for Heidi and Bobbi's Friday Night Sew-In for the very first time. It sounded like a perfect way to get some of my projects a little further and have fun reporting on the progress along the way.

I must do a little tidying up in the kitchen and then organize my sewing space in the living room. After those 2 tasks, I should be all set to do some fun stitching and quilting .

If you're interested too, then sign up with Bobbi on her Crafty Vegas blog. There are quite a few participants this month. It'll be fun checking the progress of the other sewers.
See you soon...

Creative Snipping

2011-10-15T09:40:00.000-05:00

I made a really awesome virtual papercutting on line the other day and here are the results:

Jan, of Snippety Gibbet, suggested visiting the victorinox webpage. Once there you'll be able to see Rob Ryan and his work. He has made several videos on creative paper cutting. If you go to the tab that says, "create your own" you'll be able to save an image for yourself! Hope you try it.

Singer 160th Anniversary

2011-10-14T05:23:00.001-05:00

On the Singer 160th Anniversary webpage sewing machine owners may submit a story about a singer sewing machine to win a special, limited edition sewing machine which they will give away in a contest in January 2012. You may tell about any kind of Singer machine and include a photo if you'd like. I do love my vintage Singers, so I have already entered.

Another fun thing to do while you visit this webpage is to make a certificate for any Singer machine that was made on or before 1970. All you need is your serial number and basic personal information.

It makes a nice keepsake to go with your vintage machine!

Clips vs. Glue When Sewing Down Binding

2011-10-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

How do you prefer to prepare your double fold binding when getting ready to sew it to the back?

I generally have used the metal hair clips and have liked that better than sewing pins.

Have you ever tried Elmer's wash out school glue? I have been doing it this way for more than a year and I love it.

Shows amount and placement of glue before ironing down to fasten in place.

I first heard about it from posts on The Quilt Show website. Quilters there were creating links to Sharon Schamberg's video about binding the Angel Quilt. There she showed her method with the same washable school glue, but with a much smaller applicator tip.

Watch the video if you are interested. I picked up a lot of hints and tips from seeing it more than once. It is in three parts and takes about a half and hour to watch.

I get by just fine by doing these steps:

Sew binding to the front
Miter corners while sewing
Trim edge of quilt with about 3/8 in overhang
Press binding out on front side of quilt, use lots of steam and some spray starch
Flip quilt to back and iron binding into folded position
Work with binding edge to have it just cover stitching
Apply Elmer's Washable glue just inside stitching line
Iron and steam binding to dry the glue
Sew with an invisible ladder stitch by hand
Wash and dry quilt

Advantages or disadvantages either way???

Favorite Color Combo

2011-09-28T06:14:00.016-05:00

Sweet Quilt Show from Door County

2011-09-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

There was a cute log cabin gift shop that we saw on a brochure, so my husband kindly drove me to it when we were vacationing in Door County. All the Amish quilts were on the bed in the shop and I was able to put a pair of white gloves on to turn the quilts back on the bed! Several other ladies were standing by to help out too!

I liked this one with the French Blues and Yellows. It was set together like a trip around the world and it looked fabulous on the bed.

This one was in my single favorite color and it had a large price tag to go with it. The hand quilting was beautifully stitched.

I like the traditional colors of this Dresden Plate quilt.

This star was very dramatic and would look equally great in either a traditional or a modern home. The neutrals have enough contrast against the plain muslin.

This cute cottage block and log cabin border was hung above the bed display and even though it was small, it was one of my favorites at the shop.

Checking Out the Renaissance Fair

2011-09-21T06:09:00.013-05:00

I'm taking good notes about the Rennaissance Fair this year. We will hold a simple one this year at school in late January. Our class needs to work on designing a shield with some symbols that represent the fifth graders in my homeroom. We want it to have a family crest shape.

Binding Tip

2011-09-17T21:03:00.000-05:00

This morning I was sewing a binding on the edge of my quilt. I am anxious to get it done and start using this beauty as the weather has turned a bit chilly. My binding was neatly rolled, but it dangled onto the floor and was developing lots of twists from flopping around as I sewed. I had to stop after turning the first corner and get to the Saturday meeting. So I left the quilt under my machine.

At today's meeting, it was suggested that when you are sewing the double fold binding to the front of the quilt you could roll it and place it on an accessory spool pin and let it slowly unwind as you sew it to the quilt edge.

The binding naturally unrolls as you sew it! A magical tip worth knowing.

I got home and put it right into place and I love this tip!!! Now I'm wondering how come I couldn't have learned of this sooner!

Beauty of My Stargazer Lily

2011-09-14T04:54:00.004-05:00

This is one plant of several in my garden that did well this summer. This lily is a Stargazer in red and white and it grows from a bulb I planted 6 or 7 years ago. I have three areas where these bulbs grow. I try to keep the area by the dirt shaded, but the flower rises up above the other shrubs and plants, because the blossom likes the sun.

The stargazer is a favorite of mine because it was in my wedding bouquet.

Hanging Basket

2011-09-07T06:47:00.004-05:00

Lately, my hanging baskets have been filling in very nicely. That purple and leaf plant has really taken off and it has been growing like crazy. I am have clipped off some starters and plan to grow it over the winter so that I can use it in baskets again next season.

The purple plant seems to look equally nice with both pink and red flowers and so I think it is worth trying to overwinter a few pieces of it. In addition, it seems to love the high humidity, because that's when it started growing like crazy!

Collecting Some of my Favorite Red, White, and Blue Fabrics

2011-08-29T19:49:00.000-05:00

I've been collecting these charm packs in this patriotic color scheme for quite some time. Now I'm pondering as to what I might make that would show off this different assortment and styles of prints.

Thinking...thinking...thinking...

Of course a simple square pattern would be quite traditional. Most of these patterns would probably be set off by a classic natural muslin. I could certainly cut 5 inch solids to sew a checkerboard pattern. But before I do that, I want to consider some other options.

I do love this classic color combination of fabrics in red, white, and blue. Seen here in this photo I have enough to do something interesting with all these charm packs. I'd like to discover a quick and easy pattern so that I could sew these up without to much thinking. I need something that I can work on while I try to wind down after a day at school. It would be nice to have something in this color scheme that I could give as a gift or use on the guest bed.

Maybe I should look into getting one of those twister templates where you sew the squares together in sets of 4 and then set the template on the center seam according to the marked lines and re-cut a new square that has angled pieces. I do love that look of movement that seems to be created by the pinwheel like shape. I wonder if that company makes one that works with 5 inch charm squares?

Dragonfly Magic

2011-08-25T15:26:00.003-05:00

first attempt at a photo

I was opening the back door to go outside on the patio and I happened to notice a beautiful full sized dragonfly parked on the white stucco siding of our house. I didn't want to startle it, so I carefully shut the door and went to get my camera.

I hoped that I could get out the front door and walk around to see it better from the sidewalk. It worked!

I took a couple of shots and it didn't even seem to mind. I went in closer and it still wasn't alarmed.

photo from this source

This is my best shot and I was delighted to get in so close!

Magical Dragonfly

I've always loved dragonflies, but I love them even more now that I found out how much they like to eat mosquitoes. This one was a true beauty and it's wings just sparkled with a golden iridescence .

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T06:02:00.006-05:00

Summer Sewing and Reading

2011-08-21T22:34:00.000-05:00

As an insentive for my young reading student, her mom and I planned to let her make a pillow this year. In past summers she has made several creative wallhangings with patchwork and then I helped her quilt them.

This time we went by a purchased pattern and Anna may enter it in the fair next year for her 4H group.

Navigating the Curves

Fringing the Petal Edges

The pillow turned out so cute! It was super easy to make. Now that Anna has hers done, I want to make one to coordinate with a cute strawberry pillow I received in a swap last summer.

We usually put sewing the pillow as the last item on the schedule. A few times Anna moved the schedule cards around and had us doing the sewing before the reading!

Displaying the pillow while we relax on the bench in the school garden.

A Very Cute Pillow!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-17T05:25:00.002-05:00

Fairy Garden Experiments

2011-08-16T11:27:00.000-05:00

I became interested in making fairy gardens after a visit to my friends house that lives near Minneapolis. She had the sweetest little fairy garden that was planted up in a wicker window box. It had a stone path, a diamond dust plant, some Irish moss, and other little attractions. We admired it while we were relaxing on the deck. I had to make one when I got home! And of course, I have more that one and have encouraged other people in my life to make them too! This gardening hobby can be very contagious.

Starting to assemble First Fairy Garden

My mom and I got a lot of our materials at the local greenhouse, La Crosse Floral. Two of our fairies were purchased there at very reasonable prices and so were the trellises and the planting urn. They are really into promoting fairy garden planting and have scheduled some classes on the topic. They have made a place on their Facebook page to submit photos of individual fairy gardens as well.

I am in the process of looking for more small items and I noticed Hobby Lobby had some cute picket fences that I may get and then handpaint myself. They also had some cute wooden doors that could be added to tree trunks if a person wanted to make one right on the ground in the garden landscape.

My First Fairy Garden

The cute little gingerbread style house is really a tealight candle holder and I picked it up for a very reasonable amount at the Goodwill store. Isn't it great that someone else's junk can be a treasure to another???

My Mom's Fairy Garden with a Creek and Bridge

Her garden was placed into a coco mulch liner for a hanging basket and it is held in place by a metal basket she found at Goodwill.

The little turtle climbing out from under the bridge is a perfect little touch! The little maple leaf fairy is resting on a flat rock. I think that icicle plant in the background is a lovely texture!

My Friend, Debbie's Fairy Garden with a Raccoon

Debbie's garden has a really neat idea for a container. This was planted up in a upturned glass lamp shade. It already came with the perfect hole in the bottom for great drainage. She has a blue fairy, a trellis, and a cute little raccoon in the scene. Be sure to notice her unique floorcloth. She made it after she visited a quilt shop in New York. She met the author of the book, "Floorquilts" and took a class from her. After her return home she made this unique home decorator mat.

My Second Fairy Garden

This little scene is planted up in a white wicker basket and I have been enjoying it out on the patio. Notice the mossy covered rocks in the foreground. I picked those up quite inexpensively at Walmart in the floral dept. So far they look decent and only one was bitten into by our pesky squirrel.

Abundant Blooms on the Rain Lily

2011-08-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

What an amazing plant !

All it takes is a bit of a good hard rain, and my favorite potted lily blooms like crazy. Zephyrhantes grows along all summer with it's healthy looking leaves and you can count on a flush of blossoms 2 or 3 days after a soaking rain storm.

Someday I'd like to collect the rainwater in a sealed container and trick it into blooming when the weather is really dry!

Zephyranthes aka Rain Lily = one of my all time favorite tropical plants!

Read more about this cool plant at the following websites.

Wikipedia
additional images
excellent photo guide showing other colors

See what I had to say about zephyr lilies last year.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-10T06:00:00.005-05:00

Apple Core Fun

2011-08-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

Perfect Cutting with the apple core block

Ready to Sew

Lucky me! My friend has gifted me two of the larger cutting dies for the AccuQuilt that fit on the Mark IV tray. I am so happy that they work so well to cut through 8 - 10 layers of fabric. One trick that I learned this week is to lay one sheet of scrap paper over the top fabric layer. This works somewhat like the template plastic that is used with the AccuQuilt cutter. Only that thickness of plastic would not go through this smaller Mark IV cutter because the roller is set closer to the tray.

This simple addition of the paper prevents the top layer from sticking to the roller. It is such a simple fix for an annoying problem when cut on the older style machine.

Placemats Ready for Bias Binding

This project was a wonderful opportuntity to brush up on some free motion quilting. Shown in the photo below I was using a design marked with sharpie on some golden threads paper.

I find that I can do a more complicated design with this easy to remove paper. I like the fact that I am not marking on the fabric.

Design marked on Golden Threads paper. Follow the line with the feed dogs lowered.

Using Red, White, and Blue Scraps

2011-08-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

I've got to get back in the swing of things with the Colorful Scrappy monthly challenge. I need to sew a couple of my string blocks to catch up on several months of color. Summer vacation days are dwindling away and I want to get a few finishes within the next 2 weeks.

I totally missed out on making blocks in pink, purple and yellow, but if I put it on the very BIG

To Do List, I think I can get something done before the end of August.

My mom pieced this pretty table topper and I did the quilting on it last week. I did meandering in the background and over the center motif I did a combination of diagonal lines and curves from corner to corner. It got the binding on pretty quickly because I used a machine button hole stitch to stitch it down.

I've been at school running the smaller tumbler cutter through the accucut machine. I decided my throw for the white wicker sofa must be increased by several rows. I want it to be nice and cozy and cover my toes when I use it. I cut quite an assortment of red and white fabrics and a Bliss charm pack was used already. Now I'll be adding a Strawberry Fields charm pack and I was lucky to find an early released pack of Ruby Charms, so they will be mixed in among those that are in my charm basket.

Strawberries All the Way

2011-07-16T13:05:00.001-05:00

Stawberry Preserves Cooking on the Stovetop

I made another batch of my most favorite berry preserves. It is quick and easy to do on the stove top and this recipe does not need any boxed pectin.

Just Enough Strawberry Preserves

1 pound fresh strawberries

2 1/2 cups white sugar

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

less than a pinch of salt

Hull, then slice or chop the strawberries. In a saucepot, combine the strawberries, sugar, vinegar, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil and cook, stirring frequently for 15 - 20 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Keeps 1 week in the refrigerator, if it lasts that long! I like to spread it on one side of a bagel and put cream cheese on the other, then sandwich it together for a breakfast treat. It is also delicious when served over vanilla ice cream.

I worked on making a set of freezer jams too. That recipe is just about as easy as this, but I don't know if it set up as well. It seemed a little thin when I poured it into the freezer jars.

Growing Lemons in Wisconsin

2011-07-13T07:25:00.000-05:00

Meyer Lemon in Summer 2010

My little lemon tree put out a lot of growth since last spring.

This summer, it bloomed out with tons of surprisingly scented white blossoms. However, that many lemons will not be developing. Shortly after this time of beautiful blossoming many of the older leaves became netted with yellow and it dropped nearly all of those stressed leaves within a week. After some research on the internet, I learned that I should be feeding my little lemon some acidic fertilizer and some diluted epsom salts for the magnesium content. Apparently lemons are very heavy feeders during bloom time and need to put all their nutrients into formation of fruit. It looks like I'll be getting 2 lemons if the last two little green lemon buds can hang on!

Same Meyer Lemon in June 2011

Meyer Lemons harvested from my Friend's Tree in Spring 2011

Rainbow Scrap Challenge ~ 3 months ~ 3 Blocks Done

2011-03-06T23:20:00.000-06:00

Blue was sewn in January. Green was made most recently in March. I made the red one in February.

It sure would be nice if the snow would melt. I am anxious to see my tulips go into bloom. I planted a few new groupings of them last fall.

Green Fabric for This Garden Loving Quilter

2011-03-05T11:26:00.000-06:00

Green has to be important to a quilting gardener!

Since that is what I proclaim to be I have plenty of green in my scrap box and stash that I'm all set for the month of March in soscrappy's challenge. Pay a visit to her blog to see how other quilters have unique ideas to eat up their fabric scraps.

So far I've located my smallest and most forgotten about green scraps, ironed them, and organized them for a photo.

Now I need to get some plans in place. I know I will make a set of 4 string pieced blocks. I love doing it on recycled computer paper so that they finish at 8 inches. I am on a roll with those fun to make string blocks for each monthly color so I must get sewing with my green bits.

Red Scrap Sewing

2011-03-01T22:01:00.000-06:00

Trimming Up String Blocks

This is technically not scrappy, but it was the block for February and I forgot to take a photo of it when I finished it. We have 10 more to go for the center of the Thimbleberries Club quilt. These finish at 14 inches and they are quite easy to piece this year.

It was easy enough to make a second one so I may do it yet in assorted reds, whites, and creams. It is a nice size for a pillow front.

This little red spool of thread made as an art trading card is on its way over the ocean to AngelCat. She and I have arranged a little trade of sorts. She has been working with the red theme too and had 2 very cool woven fabric cards.

Set of 4 Red String Blocks

I love, love, love these red strings together! It is a fun way to piece. I really feel like I'm using up scraps, rather than creating new scraps with this method! I am sticking with this for all the months in SoScrappy's challenge this whole year! I want these to be assembled to each other and represent all 12 colors.

Red Scrappy Tumblers

This quilt doesn't know what size it wants to be! When sewing with these a quilter really needs to pick a size and determine that choice by the time the first row is sewn. It was much smaller last week, but I have cut some more tumblers and now it's telling me to make it larger. With the angled seam on the left and right side of the block, that is the best way of doing the quilt. I guess it will be about 50 or 60 inches square so that it works as a throw for a white wicker settee.

Mug Rugs are Delightful

2011-02-26T17:48:00.002-06:00

Mug Rugs are Delightful
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

A package has arrived at my house today! It contained the mug rugs for the Quilting Gallery swap. These were made by Lyn S. and they came all the way from Australia! She included a cute koala bear kitchen towel and a wonderful tall mug. The mug has cute little cake slices on it! Many thanks the mug rugs are just perfectly designed for me! I love them so much.

Lovely, aren't they!!

Red Scrappy Report

2011-02-19T11:07:00.005-06:00

Cutting up a red charm pack

This week was my first chance to try a new die for the Accu-Cut machine. It happens to be the machine that is made to cut paper, but I am giving it a trial run with fabric today. It worked pretty well. The only difference being that I don't use the template plastic over the fabric. So sometimes the top layer of the fabric traveled with the roller. For the smaller dies I don't think this is a problem, only an annoyance. However, it might be a problem if the die was bigger and it could miss-cut the fabric that got stuck to the roller. I am giving it the thumbs up because it worked well for what I needed cut today!

When I got home from school I whacked apart the trimmings from the tumbler block and used them to piece these crazy wedged style pieces. I am using them for a pair of mug rugs.

Box of trimmed red pieces that I have to work with this weekend.

This little white basket contains my die cut pieces for a little tumbler pattern. I really don't know what kind of quilterly project it will turn into, but I do know that I like to keep the edges untrimmed and then add a bias binding to gently accomodate the rippled edge.

The tumbler charms that I cut on the school accu-cut machine

I was looking for something to back these cute little red mug rugs and realized that I was ready to trim up a backing for my Hazel Ilene Diary quilt and the left over edge just happened to be the correct size.

A bit of stitching with some red embroidery thead has added the perfect finish.

Mug Rugs Ready for Service

It has been a fun Scrappy Saturday. I'm off to check out the other participants blogs to see what they've sewn up with their RED scraps. If you'd enjoy seeing some creative solutions for bits and pieces of red jump on over to the So Scrappy blog and start clicking on the links. There is so much creativity to see.

Sneak Peek at the Mug Rug Swap

2011-02-15T16:15:00.000-06:00

It was really fun to use some on line photo editing tools. Photofunia and Big Huge Labs are two of my favorite websites where I look for my ideas. Aren't these nifty little pictures!!!

These are some edited photos of the mug rugs that I made and sent in the Quilting Gallery's recent mug rug swap. They were so much fun to create. I loved them so much I am recreating the thimble one right now and I have the pieces cut to make a second log cabin.

I just adore the old fashioned appeal of the sepia tone. I should take some photos of my Singer Featherweight and the little singer sewhandy machines. They would look very vintage with this browntone look.

One can hardly go wrong with the graphic quality of the black and white patterns and textures on this edit. It reminds me of artistic zentangles.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T07:27:00.000-06:00

Enjoy a lovely Valentine's Day

I wanted to show you what arrived in my mailbox this weekend with the Saturday mail. It was a lovely 3-D valentine shaped like a slipper with a vintage style heart tucked into it. Isn't it sweet. It was made by Cathy of Hazelruthes's blog. This is the second year that I have swaped homemade Valentine's with her and it is so much fun! There were wonderful chocolates too, but those are mostly gone. I did however, save the truffle and I am going to have that later this afternoon.

Beautiful Victorian Slipper Valentine by Cathy J

14 inch block

I've been up to a lot of sewing over the weekend. Some of it cannot be shown all the way because it was for the mug rug swap. I'll try to get a little sneak peak post about it later this week. But I won't show the entire finished pieces until they are received by the new owner. They need to get popped into the mail today, since they are leaving the country!

The block above is block one in my next Thimbleberries quilt. It was really fun to put together. I'll be making another one in a reddish pink fabric over the next few days.

Red Scraps for February Sewing

2011-02-05T09:54:00.000-06:00

This week hasn't had too much free time in it, so I have only located and started to iron my red scraps. I'll be getting ready for a new month of scrap sewing and I'll be trying to use up my red leftovers.

For some reason, I feel very well prepared for a scrappy month of RED projects!!!

I think it is because I have been collecting red fabrics for a long, long time. I've always liked red and white quilts, especially redwork embroidery ones. When we are on a trip I usually bring back a shopping bag of red and white prints. Some day I hope to make a redwork quilt.

For almost a year now, I've had a plan to get a white wicker patio set and it just happens to come with red and white cushions. I think this spring I should actually purchase it instead of dream about it. I am sure I will need some table pieces and a throw or two to go with the settee. Perhaps I should even get the rocking chair and that might need a throw pillow!

Getting back to the ironing. Many of these scraps came from my biggest box of oddly shaped scraps. You know, the one where you throw any old pieces that you cannot seem to throw out. These kinds make the best crazy patches, because they are already so chopped up. I like using any of the strip ones for the string quilting and the bits and pieces for crumb style blocks.

I must get busy sewing now. To check out what other sewers are doing with their red scraps hop on over to Soscrapy's "Scrap Happy" blog and visit the other blogs to see what they have already done with the red theme.

Hazel Ilene Quilt Along: A Small Quilt Top Finish

2011-01-22T12:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Shelly Pagliai 's excellent directions in her quilt along, I am ready to reveal my smaller quilt top.

My small version of the Hazel Ilene Diary quilt along is complete as a quilt top!

Now I'm dreaming of how I'd like to quilt it. I am leaning toward using the golden threads paper and a sharpie and sewing through the marked paper then ripping off the tissue as the quilt images are stitched.

Of course it would be nice to take it to my neighbor with the long arm business, but I already have my large Thimbleberries quilt over there and the bill for that is only a week away. Besides, this quilt is such a cute size at 33" x 42". There will be very little scrunching or bunching to get it under my regular machine.

I just love the soft blended look of the blocks. Most of the fabrics were purchased while on vacation at the various fabric shops near Superior and Duluth. They were in my stash for 3 years or so and when I signed up to do the Diary Quilt along they came out of storage.

Stay tuned for the updates on putting my larger version together. That one is getting closer as all the blocks are ready and the setting triangles have their borders. I should have a photo to share within the next month.

Blue Scrappy Challenge

2011-01-22T11:21:00.000-06:00

Basket of Blue Fat Quarters

sewing seams on crazy patch with the flip and sew method

I just love the random and carefree way of piecing crazy patch blocks. I haven't done it for many years and I am realizing that I miss doing this style of work. As of this week I now have 3 blue crazy blocks. I think I'd like to do something special in a crazy block for each color of the month in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a set of blocks at the end of the year in a dozen different color ways?

Squares and bricks in blue dishes & Testing out snowflakes

I've been gathering up any Accu-Cut snowflake dies I can find around my school and at my friends home and school. Next I will check with my quilting neighbor. Yes, two lucky people I know happen to have the studio cutter by Accu-Quilt. I also have access to the smaller model at my school. I have cut about 7 wool snowflakes using 3 different dies. I don't think I'm done yet! Every place I look they have a slightly different cutter, so I'm getting plenty of variety.

I've got a busy weekend of sewing planned. I will also sew during the Packers - Bears game on Sunday. GO PACKERS!

I will make posts to update you on my blue scrap progress.

The Mug Rug Swap on Quilting Gallery

2011-01-12T17:41:00.000-06:00

I have just registered for the Quilting Gallery's Mug Rug Swap.

Perhaps some of you may want to consider doing this fun exchange also.

It was only just last month that I made my first set of 4 mug rugs and it sure has been a nice size to have around for the occasional snack and always for my morning coffee by the computer. I think I need a couple more, just for the variety.

I will be making 2 mug rugs to send out to another participant while another quilter will be making 2 mug rugs for me. We will find out our partner after January 21st. I noticed on the registration form that there was a place to request colors or themes, so the maker has some ideas of what the recipient might like. That is a nice idea!

I am providing a link to the registration page in case you are interested.

This will be the third swap I've done with the Quilting Gallery, so I'm really looking forward to it.

My Mom's Blocks

2011-01-10T20:10:00.001-06:00

My Mom's Blocks
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

My mom has been working on the Diary Quilt Along blocks that go with Hazel Ilene's Diary just like me. She is closing in on having the quilt top done and is now lining up her blocks. It is going to be a very dramatic quilt with the bright cheery yellow and the blue accents. She likes reading the entries of the diary because she was in high school the same years as Hazel. Many thanks to Shelly of Prairie Moon Quilts for publishing her mom's diary and making such great quilt directions! We're having a great time with our projects.

Scrappy Challenge in Blue

2011-01-08T22:00:00.000-06:00

Un-Embellished Crazy Patch Block in Blue

I am participating in Andrea's Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Blue scraps have been designated for the month of January and here is what I've been developing.

I've been wanting to get back into crazy quilting. So the blue scrap challenge came along and this block is the first thing I pieced.

I have some ideas of a direction I'd like to go and hope to extend the block into a longer rectangle. Perhaps it will develop into some kind of winter wall hanging.

Ready to sort one box!

Choice Blue Pieces for the Challenge this Month

The string blocks I made so far are a fine start, but I think I'll make another set and join them up into a larger shape. It was a good way to recycle some of our old computer paper.

papers trimmed to square for the string blocks

Working at ripping out foundation paper.

I may try phone book papers next and see if the paper rips away a little easier. It really is not my favorite part of the process. I did not want to piece on muslin and leave it in, because that gets to be too heavy to quilt through.

Completing the crossing seams for joining 4 string blocks

More to Do!

I'm glad it's only the second weekend in January, because now I have more ideas to keep going for the rest of the month. This is going to be a fun challenge.

Hazel Ilene Quilt Along Blocks

2011-01-04T21:30:00.002-06:00

Hazel Ilene Quilt Along Blocks
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

I busily sewed during my Christmas vacation. As a result, I now have a photo to document my progress with the Hazel Ilene quilt along blocks in both the large and small size. I've been following Shelly's directions on her blog as she revealed her mom's high school diary. It was great fun peeking into the life of a high school girl in the 1950''s. It was wonderful also to have the directions available throughout the year of 2009. Now I am excited about using the setting triangles to get both the small and the large quilt put together. I hope to make ongoing progress with these 2 very special quilts! A big thank you goes out to Shelly!!!

Final Count Down to 2011

2010-12-31T12:56:00.000-06:00

Happiness is completing a task, or two, or three!

Shelly of Prairie Moon Quilts has made a 3 day challenge for us quilters. Each day before New Year's Day she has published a task for us to complete to get ready to begin the New Year. To read more about Shelly's final countdown visit her post for today and look back at the ones she wrote on Thursday and Wednesday.

Since I am starting late I will have to divide it up differently. There are three tasks so I will need to do one this morning, the second at lunch time, and the final this afternoon. Then I should be ready to celebrate 2011 by this evening!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

Have a peaceful and joyous Christmas today.

vintage image from http://cathyscrazybydesign.blogspot.com/

Here's a bit of what it is like here in Wisconsin. See how the shrubs are nearly burried in the drifts. We will take off for Rochester Minnesota for the day. Good thing it is only 1 hour away.

Our little cottage home... while it was snowing ...December 2010

Have a blessed Christmas one and all!

that artist woman: Snowy Owl Ornaments

2010-12-23T08:14:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to a very cute tutorial for making the most wonderful mixed media snowy owl ornaments. I know that I will be making these in the very near future and you can be sure that they will look super cute on my white wintery tree.

that artist woman: Snowy Owl Ornaments

I love everything about the details on this little bird. I am pretty sure I will be able to locate all the supplies for this treasure. I even have a bag of the black and white guinea hen feathers on hand. Don't you just love the page of text from an old library book used as the center body with the gold sequins catching the light?

I may not even wait until next year. This particular ornament may even become real for this Christmas. Thank you kindly, Gail aka That Artist Woman!

Mug Rug Set

2010-12-22T13:59:00.000-06:00

About a month ago these rolls of fabric were passed out at a Thimbleberries meeting. The shop was calling them Cinnamon Sticks. Rolled up inside were 2 layers of fabric, a light and a dark, as well as some half square triangle paper. We were to sew them up and trim them for an exchange.

Ironing the seams and ripping the paper

Playing around with the pieces

4 mug rugs are in the works today

Four mug rugs are now quilted. Now all that's left to do is the bindings on the las two. But first, I have to have a little break with the coffee and cookies!

Snowman Angel Ornament

2010-12-16T15:21:00.000-06:00

SnowAngel Ornament made with AccuCut

I trimmed off the edges of the foam tray before sending it thru the Accu Cut machine.

They popped out very easily.

Snowman Line Up

Cemter one has the hat trimmed off.

I trimmed off the hats, because we were planning to create a halo effect above the head with a button attached by a twisted wire.

The next step was to paint the top with a dark acrylic paint. We tried them in coffee brown, teal blue, violet, black, and forest green. Once that was dry, we brushed on the clear gel medium that would produce a crackle effect. Finally, when the crackle medium had dried, it was time to over paint with the white acrylic and then the crackle effect happened. I think the trick to using that successfully is to apply it quite heavily. We had such a variety of crackle effects. Some of the crazing was minimal and you could hardly notice it and others got a nice deep crackle effect. I think if the medium was spread too thinly, it wasn't as effective.

Then we used a variety of buttons to decorate the snowmen's fronts. A large white button was threaded with white wire and twisted tightly to hold the button above the head as a halo. A bit of Tacky Glue (PVC) anchored it into the small hole we poked in the top of the head.

The faces were drawn with orange paint pens and black sharpie markers.

Lastly, the stick arms, wings, and the string hangers were glued to the back. We sandwiched them all and hid the hot glue under the wings on the back of the ornament.

After Thanksgiving Sale at the Quilt Corner

2010-12-12T08:00:00.005-06:00

My mom, a friend and I went on a special outing to the Quilt Corner, a cute shop in Sparta, Wisconsin.

Here we are in our special pajama outfits that were required for the sale shopping. My mom snapped the picture. We didn't purchase too much, but had a good time wandering around the shop in our jammies and robes.

Our crazy outfits for the discount

Here is a list of what was required to reach the full discount:

arrive between 6-6:30
food item for donation
children's mittens
P.J.s
slippers
robe
at least 3 curlers
join Thimbleberries Club for next year

Thinking through her purchases

Waiting at the cutting table

I was lucky to be able to get 2 pieces of extra wide backing fabric for my 2 most recent Thimbleberries quilts. The soft beige one with the floral print will be for my 3's Company back and the tan plaid print will be for the back of the Village Green quilt that is nearing completion.

Recently Completed Thimbleberries Tops

My Haul for This Year

Love the Bliss charms by Moda. I want to make them into one of the Schnibbles quilts. I've got this pattern and 2 others waiting to be used.
Isn't the vintage machine fabric cute? Deb and I were thinking it might make some cute pincushions.

After our shopping was complete, we went out for pizza, minus the robes and the curlers; but still in our jammies. We were all pretty hungry and our pizza was delicious. But of course no one would eat the last piece, so I took it home for Steve.

Next weekend, on Saturday we will be going to the Christmas Party. We're hoping for clear roads, as these last 2 weekends have been nothing but snow storms. It's getting to be a bit too much snow for us teachers. If these same snows had come on a week day, it would have cancelled the schools around here.

Farewell to Fall

2010-12-11T11:52:00.000-06:00

It seems only just a few short weeks ago that we were enjoying our last days of beautiful autumn weather. Only at the end of November did I cut down these lovely mums and put them in the yard waste bin. It turned out that the city was done picking up yard waste, so on Saturday December 6th, the day of the big snow, I took them to my friends compost bin. All winter we plan to dump our pulp from juicing and we have high hopes of getting some rich compost for our spring gardens from our efforts. Having all these mum blossoms in the bin, really filled up the bin.

We had a nice time in the Oktoberfest Torchlight Parade this year.

Here I am with my father-in-law, Norbert. We are fastening on the maple leaf garland to the Dive Rescue rig. The lights on the boat were already put on earlier in the week.

Steve in the Dive Team vehicle (photo by GP)

Dive Team Boat decorated in lights

We had a nice Thanksgiving and some good cheer with homemade cranberry wine from Norbert, my father-in-law. The pumpkin was still in good shape from Halloween, so I poked in my wooden set of feathers and turned it in to a turkey. Our real turkey was wonderful and so were all the side dishes. For a while the lid was askew on the Nesco roaster and all the steam was escaping. After we got it adjusted, the turkey browned up nicely.

To see my post about fall artwork please visit my other blog, Gallery 2404 and read about how we've been creating some fine projects at school.

Upcycled Vintage Block Runner

2010-12-09T03:34:00.000-06:00

Here's a little thing I've been working on lately. I put it together with 3 vintage blocks that I purchased at the antique store for only 3 bucks each. I used Moda petite 4's and other 2.5 inch squares to border the edge. Many of them were pieces of the Prairie Paisley line that was a favorite of mine.

This little runner is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I was planning to just machine quilt it and be done with it soon. But plans changed and somehow I am now hand quilting it. I had it along on a bus trip to Minneapolis for a play and shopping. I got the center image quilted on 2 of the vintage blocks.

I'm hooked on doing this type of upcycling project! I purchased another set of blocks at the same antique store to do it all again in a blue and white color scheme next!

Little Doll Quilts

2010-12-04T08:53:00.000-06:00

This little gem has been made with a tumbler block and I really like the fancy edge of the untrimmed blocks. I don't use it as a doll quilt, but do like displaying it in my kitchen. It is a nice contrast for the dark paneling that is on the walls.

THIMBLE CHARM QUILT

ANOTHER TUMBLER QUILT

. It is the second mini quilt I made with the tumbler block and I really like the old fashioned charm of this classic single block quilt. It is the right proportions for many doll beds and would fit an 18 inch doll very nicely. I put corner triangles in the back to catch a hanging rod, but lately I've been using it as a sewing machine placemat.

WENDY'S DOLL QUILT

Collections for a Cause a Moda fabric was used as a starting point for this little gift quilt. It is actually used as a doll quilt for my teacher friend. She recently retired and I presented her this quilt to use for her cute little doll collection. She saved her own favorite doll and the doll bed given to her as a little girl and she let me know how perfectly this quilt looks for her display.

A DOLL QUILT FOR MORGAN

I made this reversible doll quilt for my niece, Morgan. I gave it to her for her 2nd birthday this year and she started using it right away. The binding went on quickly because I put it on with a machine embroidery stitch. I figured that way it would stand up to lots of machine washing.

Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2010

2010-10-29T02:03:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my Gardening and Quilting blog. Today it is all about quilting, since it is the beginning of Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival. Amy writes the blog "Amy's Creative Side" and she has been doing a bloggers quilt festival since the spring of 2009. My post for today will tell you more about one of my treasured quilts.

My entry for this season's Blogger's Quilt Festival is one which I made for Thimbleberries Club. Once it was finished, it became one of my favorite quilts. I have not always been drawn to such a traditional and dark color scheme since I usually favor brighter hues. However, once I saw how nice the throw looked in my living room, I was hooked! I am on my third quilt now with this same dark palette.

A little work once a month is an excellent way to make the dozen blocks over the period of the entire year. Each of the blocks was fun to put together. However, if the directions suggested using paper piecing I would have skipped that and found a way to make templates or remeasured and cut the small pieces with a rotary cutter. I never can seem to get the hang of how to paper piece correctly. It seems I don't know what side of the paper to sew on and which way to place the fabric. I really have to get better at that technique.

corner view showing quilting close up

DOUBLE THE QUILT... DOUBLE THE FUN

My sewing friend made this quilt too and we had a great time with the photo shoot last week.

When Margaret of Sewing and Quilt Gallery was getting started in her quilting business called Mainely Quilts of Love, my friend and I got in on a special offer as she was building her clients. We got a very good deal on pantograph quilting. She even offered to do custom quilting on it, but we both liked the stitch pattern called popcorn, so that is what we asked her to stitch. We just loved how they looked when we opened the package that came in the mail just a few short weeks later. If you ever need something quilted by a long arm artist, she's your gal.

The only thing better than seeing the quilt just out of the mailing box, was when we took it out of the dryer after the first washing. Unless of course, you count taking a nap with it!

I hope you will be able to enjoy the quilts of the season by visiting the many blogs over the next week or so. The entire list will be archived by Amy at her blog, enabling you to go back and check them out even after this event ends. She has a list of great sponsors that are offering many wonderful prizes so check them out too.

Look up quilts of past festivals by clicking on these links: Spring of 2009, Fall of 2009, Spring 2010.

link for My entry from Fall 2009

link for My entry from Spring 2010

Coming Soon: Blogger's Quilt Festival

2010-10-21T06:06:00.001-05:00

Amy will soon be hosting her now famous Festival for Quilt Blogger's. It will be taking place about a week from today. Be sure to join in by visiting as many festival posts as you are able. Or better yet, jump in by making your own post about a quilt and its story or history. Be prepared for plenty of visual stimulation as you move from blog to blog. There are sure to be many spectacular quilts to be admired.

Once again, I am reminded that I really got my start with this whole blogging thing because of how impressed I was as I visited so many postings the very first season that Amy began having Blogger's Quilt Festival. It was after seeing so many wonderful blogs, I decided that I must have one of my own so that I could participated more fully when the next season's Quilt Blog Fest came around. Perhaps you'd be interested in taking a look at some of the previous Festival Posts. The Spring of 2009, Fall of 2009 and the Spring of 2010 are still listed at Amy's blog. Have a great time exploring and meeting new quilt bloggers.

I have chosen my quilt and am in the process of writing up some details. This coming weekend I will be doing a photo shoot. I have something a little different planned. You see, my sewing buddy has agreed to join me in the fun of making the post for Amy's special event. I am looking forward to getting together with her to do the writing. She will be involved in some of the photography as well.

A big thank you goes out to Amy. She is amazing for getting the idea together in the first place and continuing to host this virtual quilt show.

Wool Applique and Embellishment Class with Sue Spargo

2010-10-19T21:53:00.001-05:00

class sample by Sue Spargo

Using lightbox to trace applique on freezer wrap

wool pieced background with aqua dot cotton print

part of our class taking notes

another cute example by Sue

Quilt from Sue's trunk show

a different view of quilting class

luncheon table setting ~ simply beautiful

A very big thank you to Diane and Monica for the most delicious lunch. It included fresh salads with many toppings and the piping hot wild rice soup served in bread bowls. What a creative way to serve up the salads ingredients and the tea. Did you see the crocks? Those crocks held the salad. The mason and jelly jars were used for all the fun toppings of the salad. Everyone appreciated the beautiful runner down the center of the table. Lunch was a special treat!

awesome leaf sampler

2nd leaf sampler

detail of leaf sampler

After lunch the focus was on more embellishing and stitching. Sue demonstrated stitches to small groups upon request. I believe she did the bullion stitch several times. It was a popular one.

note the pebble stitch quilting on the wool background

work by classmate, Diane of La Crescent, MN

berry sampler details

berry sampler

handwritten label using pigment pen

Sue spoke about the importance of having a label on each quilt. She feels very strongly about this. She has been providing labeling suggestions with all of her patterns.

Sue and me near the end of class

my layered and stitched leaf

As Sue suggests, " This type of hand work is very enjoyable and it is meant to be a journey." It will take many hours to work on all the components of this quilt. I will take my time and enjoy the process!

Versatile Blogger Award

2010-10-18T23:51:00.001-05:00

Thank you to Heather for this great blogger's award. She writes a very nice blog about her book reviews, knitting, and quilting. She was so kind to nominate me for my award. Her blog is called Books and Quilts and you may want to check it out sometime soon.

Here is a top7 things about me list:

7. As you can probably tell from my blog, I like quilting, gardening, and cooking. Probably in that order too! Shortly after starting this blog, I got into it so much that I actually started a second blog to connect with artists and art educators. It is called Gallery2404.

6. I am interested in bike riding, reading, and lots of different crafts. I often make my own notecards.

5. When I travel, I like to visit the historical homes in the area and shop for antiques.   I adore old Singer sewing machines and also collect toy hand crank machines.

4. I am married to a mopar guy and while he hangs out in the garage, I make my quilts.

3. I am a coffee, wine, and tea drinker, it just depends on what time of day it happens to be at the moment.

2. I love SPRING the best of all the seasons. Tulips are my favorite flower. I also love the bright yellowish greens of the newly opened leaves and grasses.

1. I teach full time at a wonderful Catholic grade school. The subjects I teach are: Art for grades 3 - 6 and reading - language arts for special needs students. I wouldn't change a thing about my job or the students. The only thing I'd request is less playground duties! That really cuts into art prep time!!!

Now I'd like to nominate some of my favorite bloggers and followers for this same award:

Julie's Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss                 lovely topiary tutorials

Phyl @ There's a Dragon in My Art Room            great classroom advice, scenic photos

Susan's Blackberry Creek Home Arts                    great decorating advice many different topics

Heather's Heckety Beck                                           funny and very versatile! great photos of Ireland too

Genie @ Buttons for Baga                                                crafty tips and many mimes

Nikki of NikkiLee RavioLee Dreams                                  wonderful stitcher of Crazy quilts

Vivian's Whistle Stop Quilting                         long arm quilting and cute schnauzer doggie

Leslie @ Pea Soup Designs                             cool jewelry designs

Barb of A Corgi to Quilt By                            quilting inspiration

ArtMuse67                                            art teacher advice

Sandi of A Legacy of Stitches              prolific posts! great Monday feature of quilts on the line!

Julia's Green Quilts                               artistic quilt creations

Patty @ Attic Clutter                               paintings and decorating tips Garden inspiration too!

Melissa - MamaBug's Musings              Crafting and mom's tips

Alyson's Petals                                          beautiful photography

April of April's Art and April's Things    inspiring artistic posts and creative gatherings

If you happen to visit these bloggers, leave them a comment and let them know that "Kathy the Cottage Garden Quilter sent you".
The conditions of this award are that all recipients must:

1. Thank and link back to the person that gave this award

2. Write 7 things about yourself

3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked to let them know about the award

Quilt Show and Special Class

2010-10-16T23:39:00.000-05:00

I attended the Quilt Fest on the Mississippi today at the Omni Center in Onalaska. Forgot the camera, and was disappointed by that, because there were many beautiful quilts. Perhaps if there is time, I may run back tomorrow.

A friend's daughters (twins) even had their special 30's print raw edge bulls eye quilts in the show. Of course, their experienced quilter Grammy and Mom assisted them in the construction! The quilts were just beautiful and Abby and Emma made many of the fabric selections themselves. Since the 30's prints are layered and loosely appliqued they have such an antique look already! Both quilts looked like they came right out of a great grandma's trunk! I loved the worn look.

It will be a busy day however, because I have signed up to take an Altered Texture class with Sue Spargo! Yes, she is in town and teaching at Olive Juice Quilt shop all day tomorrow. A friend and I attended the meet and greet party this evening over at the shop. We loved her beautiful wool quilts, so we went ahead and signed up this evening and took our sweet little kits home. Now, I have homework to get done before the class starts Sunday morning at 9AM.

Here's part of what was in my kit. I am now stitching the aqua dotted fabric to some wool to get the pieced background together. I'd like to make the blue wools in a crazy patch, but I hate to run out of time. It is getting late, so I'll most likely piece it in rectangles as it shows in the pattern.

sample block

Notebook with design photo

Once the wool applique pieces are attached we will be learning to layer other cotton fabrics on top of the leaves, flowers, and birds to add more pattern and depth. Sue will be showing us some decorative embroidery as well. I know I like the techniques already, because it reminds me of crazy quilting! I have been wanting to know more about working with wool and now is my chance to learn from one of the very best stitchers, Sue Spargo!

Topiary Fun

2010-10-07T06:09:00.001-05:00

My garden fun and whimsy happens to be my topiary collection. I grew two this year and they are both animals. The giraffe stands about 36 inches high and the alligator is a generous 29 inches long.

additional trimming after it was cut loose from the groundcover

The one that turned out best is my alligator. I have the wire form stuffed with green moss and he is planted up with a variety of succulents. Usually he resides by the walkway that leads to our side door.

alligator on the walkway

However, this summer I was experimenting at growing a ground cover on his body as a filler between the hens and chicks (sempervivum). So he needed to grow under the maple tree for about 5 weeks until the sedum took root. I set him free tonight when I trimmed him loose and moved him to my favorite sunning spot.

This is not the best photo of the giraffe, so I'll have to get a better viewpoint. But it is growing directly in the garden and the ivy came back from last season. I was surprised about that. It may be due to the early and heavy snow cover we got so early in the season. The snow probably acted as an insulator.

Umbrella Topiary (grown in 2008 and 2009)

Blocks for Soot and Ashes

2010-10-06T06:54:00.001-05:00

This idea for the 5 inch block quilt along is by Cheri. Her blog is a fairly new blog. You may want to stop by and see for yourself. If you like the country and primatives look, this quilt along may be something you'd like to do too. Cheri's blocks now are numbered in the order she is presenting them. She is making them in cream and black, but suggests that you may do any color scheme.
I need to get back to these cute 5 inch blocks really soon. I have about 8 to get caught up on that I know of and I need to read about the suggested way they will be set together. I saw the idea on Jo's Country Junction and Pauline's Sweet P Quilting and Creations.

Hanging Baskets

2010-10-05T19:47:00.000-05:00

I wanted to share a few photos around my yard and garden, before the cold weather kicks into full force.

My hanging basket plan worked out quite well for the 2010 gardening season. I started with 2 scented geraniums and used cuttings to get 3 more plants in spare baskets. I used various petunias trying to get some reddish flowers in one basket, pink ones in another, and some purple and orange flowers in another. Each basket had either a plug or a cutting from the sweet potato vine, as well.

I gave each of the baskets a good dose of Miracle Grow for the last time and I had a pretty good bloom for the beginning of October in our zone 4 area! These are somewhat protected by the patio roof and we haven't had a frost yet. My plan is to see how long I can make them last!

I guess this one needs a liitle water !

Making Juice

2010-09-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

My friend has purchase a powerful juicer and we are really getting into making our own recipes for mixed fruit and vegetable juices. It has been fun with all the experimental proportions we have put together.

We have come to the conclusion that we really love the apple, carrot, grapes, cucumber, tomato, and a variety of citrus fruits in our mixture. Additionally, we have always thrown a hunk of ginger into each batch and we wouldn't be without that either.

We have realized that it can be a messy process and we no longer do it on this counter near the white wall. We have moved the operation to the center island. We also preloaded some of the small fruits like grapes and berries and then put the motor on after the plunger tool is in the tube. That has really cut down on the spattering.

One book belongs to my friend and the other I have had on my bookshelf for a few years. We are enjoying browsing through both books. So far our batches of juice have been a mixture of whatever we think will taste good. We haven't actually followed any recipes yet.

This particular batch was particularly delicious. It had quite a lot of beets in it and several different citrus fruits as well as tomatoes. It was the first time we had included fresh ginger. After that we have always made sure ginger root was thrown into the juicer.

Bottoms UP!

Vacation Inspires Art!

2010-09-07T18:04:00.002-05:00

I am working on developing some new art lessons based on the tall ships I saw in Duluth.

My husband and I happened to be staying in the canal park area, so we were able to walk right out of the hotel and save our spot for the afternoon viewing time.

Tall Ship Sailing into Duluth Harbor

The ships were scheduled to sail into the harbor right after lunch. It was exciting, and as you can see by the crowds of tourists; it was a very big event for the city of Duluth.

To get this shot I stood on a very large iron ship anchor in the park. For some of my other photos, I wandered down onto the rocks for a more unobstructed view.

The special cruiser bike belonged to the hotel. I was able to ride it along the bike path for several miles on Lake Superior.

Wouldn't it be fun to have a bike that looked like this !!???

A Cute Star Block

2010-08-28T15:21:00.002-05:00

Setting Block 5
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

I worked this afternoon to get this cute little block done for Shelly's quilt along. I really like the way the center square is highlighed inside the star. Once I got the pieces cut it was easy sewing!

Zephyranthes is a Unique Plant

2010-08-26T15:15:00.045-05:00

Here's what's in bloom at the home garden today:

Rain Lilies, Zephyr Lilies, Amaryllis, Zephyranthes, or Surprise lilies; what every you may call them, they are beautiful in my garden journal. I have been growing the same bulbs for more that 20 years and they never give up! It is a plant that looks good all summer long.

A fresh, tight bud = a flower for tomorrow

As I understand it, this plant belongs to the amaryllis family. It is related to the same amaryllis that some gardeners bring into bloom at Christmas time. Now that I think about it, the bulb resembles the amarylis bulb more than a lily bulb. The bulb is very round and the leaf growth is flat and long like a blade of grass. The plant is very unique in that just a few days after rain it will send up a number of buds that blossom the following day. Water from the garden hose just does not produce the same result, it really needs to be natural rain. Many people refer to this plant as the Rain Lily for this reason.

Beautiful Rewards After a Rain

My mom has a nice pot of the bulbs too. I was over to her place this week and her pot happened to have four blossoms on it when I took the photo and 3 buds for the next day. She calls hers the "Surprise Lilies".

I received my bulbs from my grandma after she passed away. My mom had all of them while I was attending college, but when I moved out on my own she gave me half of what came from my grandma's house. I remember seeing them where she kept them in a pot next to her hostas. She also grew oxalis in a pot, but I don't always grow those. They have increased in number about 3 or 4 times over since I've had them in my pot. I've gotten a bigger pot twice in 20 or so years. Next year I could probably go with 2 pots by dividing the bulbs.

To take care of my bulbs I only grow them outside in my yard during the summer season. Around October 15th I will bring in the pot and allow the bulbs to dry out right in the dirt. I then cut down all the dried foliage to about 2 inches and carry the pot to the basement for the entire winter. On about May 7th I will bring up the pot and set it outside and water it well the first day. Then I will water it about once a week and within a few days it comes to life with lots of growth. The leaves look like large blades of grass. I have noticed that mine usually blossom about 4 days after the first spring rain. There may be as many as 7 or 8 flowers at first. I then enjoy the plant every day of the summer. Sometimes it is in bloom, sometimes not. I can always count on good looking green grassy foliage. It reminds me of mondo grass that grows in clumps. To maintain the good looks all summer, all I need to do is pull out old blossoms and once in a while a dried leaf or two. It is an extra easy plant to keep.

A Single Blossom for Today

Enjoying a Spectacular Bloom

2010-08-21T09:45:00.001-05:00

Stargazer blossom - end of July

Just before leaving on vacation, I snapped this photo. I am so glad I did, because I just love the way the sun was shining through the wild sunflowers. It frames up the stargazer lily so perfectly. I have 3 of these bulbs and this year the main stalk grew to be 5 1/2 feet tall. This one was about 2 weeks slower to bloom than the others, but just as tall. The others are planted among the peonies and bloomed just after the peonies finished.

Quilting Fun

2010-08-18T22:22:00.030-05:00

Cutting the batting a bit larger than the quilt top.

Quilting Fun
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

Anna is concentrating on cutting the cotton batting to match the shape of her special quilt. This is the second summer she has quilted with me. Last week, she started out making a strip quilted piece. However, with her very creative spirit; the idea evolved into a house shaped piece. Because of her choices of jungle prints and animal skin print in the fabrics, she has appropriately entitled it the "Jungle House Quilt". I think it turned out to be an awesome piece!

Anna gained proficiency with ironing this summer!

Anna's completed quilt, "Jungle House"

Ornament for Bev

2010-08-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

Ornament for Bev
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

I heard from Bev that she received the package and was very pleased. So I wanted to go ahead and share the details of what I made for Terri's Ornament Swap this summer. Here's a front view of the ornament. I liked the way it tuned out and want to make a few more soft ones like this for my own collection.

Flip Side of the Bell Ornament

2010-08-07T11:02:00.001-05:00

Flip Side of the Bell Ornament
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

I was just finishing up on the ornament and decided to snap a picture. This is the first soft version of the crazy quilt ornament that I've made following the instructions in Judith Baker Montano's book "Crazy Quilt Odessy", page 104 - 106. In the past I have usually stretched the crazy patched piece over a shaped piece of mattboard. In this case I sewed the front to the back and turned it inside out. I was very fortunate to be in two of her classes at a Minnesota Quilt Show a few years ago. I picked up so many tips from her that weekend.

Rooster Party with A Cottage Garden Quilter

2010-08-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

Welcome fellow Rooster lovers. I am glad you dropped by for a visit to the wonderful Rooster Party put on by Barb at Bella Vista.

Rooster Table Setting

No Hen Pecking Allowed Here

Warm Glow from the 3 wick candle

Zooming In

Protector of the Eggs

I am pleased that you were able to drop by and have a look around. Hope you liked the photos of my simple table setting. I am looking forward to visiting many of the blogs with other Roosters in the very near future.

Rousing Up the Roosters

2010-07-27T06:00:00.006-05:00

Wycinanki - Polish Paper Cutting

Calling all rooster objects, art, statues, drawings, paintings, tablescapes, decor, plates, cups, whatever you have that depicts ROOSTERS.

If you have something that you'd like to share, then start planning your post now and have fun with your photos.

Then sign up with Barb at Bella Vista and join in her fun party for August 6th.

I am getting my post ready and thinking about my items with interest. I am coming up on my 1 year blogging anniversary and it also may be my hundredth post. It may mean that I need to do my first give away, so stay tuned. By next week I can give some more details.

Sneak Peek of Ornament

2010-07-26T13:02:00.002-05:00

Sneak Peek of Ornament
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

My Christmas in July ornament is on it's way to where it needs to go! I am very pleased with how it has turned out. I will share more photos of it later but I'll wait to find out that the recipient gets it first.

I had it in the works since just after July 4th, but did all the finishing touches on it this last weekend. I noticed so many stores having Christmas in July promotions and was much more aware of all the crafty supplies and fabrics at my fabric store when I went to pick up the cording. I am in the mood and motivated to make a couple more ornaments before I put away my supplies.

I also became aware of a very cute blog site written specifically about Christmas all year round! I'd like to share it with you with this link: Terri loves Christmas and has frequent posts about Christmas topics frequently on her blog called Christmas Tree Lane.

Wyoming Valley Blocks for Diary Quilt Along

2010-07-13T17:05:00.002-05:00

I've been sewing along for the Diary Quilt Along, just not at the same pace as the directions! I'm now done with my small and large block 8. I can happily move along to block 9 and be current with the posts. I do really love the way these blocks are coming together and am very happy to be using fabrics in reds and tans that I've been collecting for awhile. I am thinking that maybe the blocks will be set on the diagonal and that the setting blocks may have some darker sashing.

The blocks name happens to be called Wyoming Valley, which is easy to remember because of the "V" that was formed when sewing the flying geese units together.

I notice that in the smaller block the "V" shapes do not have that much contrast. What I'd like to do is get started on block 9 and if time allows, perhaps I will remake this block with a substitute for the light tan fabric.

Mosaic of Strawberry Gifts

2010-07-13T12:16:00.001-05:00

Strawberrry Gifts from Michele to Kathy
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

I thought it might be nice to gather all the photos of my gifts from Michele into a mosaic collage. So after they were loaded on Flickr, I made this at the bighugelab's website.

I did plant the seeds in the strawberry grow kit and they are just starting to sprout. The have the tiniest little leaves and stems right now! I plan to put them into the pockets of my herb jar when they get a bit bigger.

All Things Strawberry

2010-07-02T14:54:00.011-05:00

Personalize a photo album

I have wonderful goodies to share with you today. Here are some items that I received in the strawberry swap.

Look at the DARLING pillow created especially for me by Michele of MamaBug's Musings .

Update: This crafty trim does unpin from the pillow and it does double duty as a pin for a sweater, hat, or in this case my purse! Thank you Michele.

I really love how she embellished it in the center with the loose and layered flower petals.

There were many fine items in the package. I love the fact that Michele included vintage items like a cute juice glass with red green and white painted strawberries. The tall mug will be great for my coffee and tea that I like to drink everyday!

The pillow looks right at home in my kitchen sitting on a fruity chair that I painted a while ago.

2010-06-30T18:48:00.002-05:00

My blogging friend Terri of Terri's Notebook has decided to run a swap in the month of July. In her recent post she has described many fun ways of crafting some wonderful ornaments. I have signed up and am looking forward to making an ornament for a partner. We will mail them off by the end of July. If you're thinking of doing this swap, please check Terri's blog for the details. She was hoping to take signups only until July 4th, so time is ticking away quickly.

Calling All Roosters for the Party at Bella Vista

2010-06-27T21:09:00.006-05:00

I am having some trouble making the link work in my side bar. So I am going to go ahead and make a post about a fun blog party. Barb of BellaVista will be having her second annual Rooster Party. I plan on signing up and will enjoy browsing many blogs to see the fine birds!

She has announced that it will be taking place on Friday August 6th. So if you have rooster art, decor, or sculptures, you may want share these delightful objects during her blog party. Last year I participated and was amazed by all the unique pieces! I had to photograph my mom's collection, because I didn't really have any of my own. This year is different. I have been keeping my eyes open for some fabulous birds when I am in gift shops and antique malls. I have 2 treasures to share so far this year!

I hope you'll be able to join up with the Rooster Party this year.

Mosaic Pottery

2010-06-26T16:57:00.003-05:00

This is an older garden pot which I covered with pieces of mosaic glass, flat marbles, broken dishes and then grouted. It has worked out well for the aloe vera plant, since I don't need to water it that often.

I am wondering about making a special pot for my lemon and bay trees. I've been thinking about making a clay emblem with earth clay and stamping in the name of the plant and letting the clay take the curved shape of the side of the pot. Then I'd glaze and fire the clay emblem. Once out of the kiln, I was thinking it could be used as a feature piece in the mosaic work.

Does anyone have more experience at doing this sort of thing?

Rising Star Block

2010-06-21T15:42:00.002-05:00

I have completed block 6 for the Hazel Ilene Diary Quilt Along. The title of the block is called "Rising Star". I very much like the look of the block and the way that the star is inside a star! So far it's my favorite block!

Now, I have to keep going to get caught up with the directions. I'll need to do another setting block and also complete block #7.

If you are interested, the entries from Hazel's diary are posted on the site by her daughter Shelly. There is also a flicker site where we share photos. I love how everyone's blocks are coming together.

Hollyhocks

2010-06-20T20:02:00.001-05:00

Hollyhocks
Originally uploaded by quilterinagarden

The hollyhocks are better than ever this season. We've been getting lots of rain and the plants are large and sturdy.

Crazy Quilt Trims: Thank You to Nicki

2010-06-13T19:03:00.006-05:00

I am so very pleased with my lovely trims sent to me by Nicki of NickiLee Ravioli Dreams. I was a winner of these crazy quilt embellishments during her 100th blog post. Do you notice how nicely the laces have been dyed the most beautiful blues and greens? And how about that cute daisy motif? I want to have that in just the right place! It will be a joy to work with these lovelies as I intend to do some crazy quilt blocks this summer.

Thank you so much NickiLee, I appreciate your generosity in sharing your wonderful dyed laces. I'll be sure to clue you in when I have a block ready for you to see.

Delicious Strawberries and the Strawberry Swap

2010-06-10T19:52:00.004-05:00

I've been collecting some things Pixie Dust's upcoming strawberry swap. But I can't show them yet. I have been matched up with a very nice blogger in a North Eastern state. I've been busy stalking her blog and trying to understand what she may like! I already picked out a few strawberry items and have a few things set aside for a project which I will reveal later. Perhaps she may like some recipes that call for strawberries.

This photo is just a shot I took this afternoon after my trip to the Food CoOp. The berries are freshly picked from the area. They are the juiciest and sweetest I've had in a long time.

Now, to decide what I need to make with these... I've been thinking of either a frozen ice cream style torte, or some meringues with a strawberry sauce.

My Meyer Lemon Tree

2010-06-05T10:29:00.004-05:00

A few months ago I was at my friends house working on our sewing and making tote bags. We had the tv on the home shopping channel and we were both drawn it when they began talking about the Meyer Lemon plants they had for sale.

We quickly dialed up the number and had 2 plants on order.

It took a while for the mini tree to arrive, because they ship them after the danger of frost has passed. When it arrived we were pleasantly

surprised by both the height and healthiness of the plant. We potted them up in some nice patio pots for it's summer outdoors. We plan to bring them in to survive the harsh Wisconsin winter. Perhaps the bay tree will be a good companion for the lemon this winter. It has always done well indoors for 5 months. The rosemary plant seldom ever survives a winter in the house.

It is very happy in the pot that I put it in and it seems to love the glass marbles I added to the top of the soil. I was reading the care pamphlet and it said to make a special spray in a water bottle with mostly water, a drop of liquid soap, and a drop of vegetable oil. I have been spraying it almost daily.

Amy's Creative Side: Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2010

2010-05-23T12:27:00.004-05:00

So here I am, sitting back and relaxing while I check out all the beautiful quilts and stories on line at the new Blogger's Quilt Fest. I like to get comfortable and have a snack nearby while I am browsing.

I've visited close to 90 blogs so far this weekend, but the viewing will continue on for a long time. Currently there are over 450 quilts and stories to check out at the Spring Blogger's Quilt Festival. Amy's Creative Side: Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2010

Amy of Park City, Utah has organized such a wonderful showing of quilts. Join up if you have something to share and have fun browsing to so many delightful blogs. I can guess you'll be at it all week. I know I will be tied to the computer for quite some time in the coming days.

If you'd have a quilt and a story to share about it, I hope you will link up. Just follow the directions on Amy's blog. For those readers that have a flickr account, you may also go to the group pool of Blogger's Quilt Festival to preview some of the photos.

Blogger's Quilt Festival ~ Spring 2010

2010-05-21T04:00:00.005-05:00

Peacock Sampler Quilt

Some time ago I designed and sewed this sampler quilt for a college course. The purpose was to learn many different techniques in dyeing fabrics and piecing. It was the first time that I had done the quilting in panels and then joined the sections as they were finished. It turned out to be a generous twin sized quilt that is usable on a bed, couch or as a wall hanging. For many years it sat in a box rolled up on a curtain rod over at my Mom's house. That preserved its condition and the colors are as bright and strong as they were when I last displayed it.

It's interesting that I did keep all of my notes and drawings for the planning of my project and I ran across them the other day when I needed to look up notes on doing tie-dye. I'm happy to say we learned about Seminole patchwork, trapunto, applique, batik, and lots of other quilting techniques. It was a wonderful class and so full of information.

To see other quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival jump on over to Amy's Creative Side and start clicking on the links. The quilt photos and stories will keep you hooked up to your computer for hours!

National Wear Your Apron Day

2010-05-10T21:14:00.010-05:00

A post this morning by Sandi at Legacy of Stitches reminded me about National Wear Your Apron Day on Monday May 10th.

Each Monday Sandi has some quilterly piece hanging on her clothesline and writes a wonderful memory about the quilt or stitchery. Because it happens to be National Apron Day the post today was about her mother's aprons.

Sandi's post prompted me to want to make a post of my own. I have made 6 aprons in a patchwork style or with the "4 corners" pattern. I have 2 of my own and I gifted the others to my mom, sister, friend, aunt, and my school principal. Each apron, except for my sister's was also quilted with a meandering machine quilt stitch.

Shown here in my photos are the 2 aprons that I call my own. I usually do wear them when I am cooking or baking. I like to keep a second one available for when friends or family cook with me.