Happy Mother's Day

My mom recently got an iPad and she is just  learning how to navigate her way through email and Google.  I wonder if she will see this blog posting before I have a chance to give her this table runner for Mother's Day.  I chose a favorite piece of vintage fabric that was given to my by a friend for the backing along with a few extra strips from the runner to break it up. Of course there were lots of scraps leftover  from the runner which turned into trivets and the scraps from the trivets turned into a set of coasters. Hopefully there's some wrapping paper around here!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

All Occasion Cards

Lately I've been having fun making cards. I love taking  tiny scraps otherwise designated for the waste basket to create something useful and it's nice to have a few cards on hand ready to mail or include with a gift.  So get out your scraps and make a bunch!  Here's how:

Go to the scrap bin (or wastebasket!) and select a few coordinating bits of fabrics. Apply the base fabric to a small piece of Timtex using a light weight fusible.  Then place the smaller bits of fabric ( in this case I'm using a few precious scraps left over from a table runner I made with Jennifer Sampou's line, Studio Stash) on top of the fabric covered Timtex and stitch in place.  Trim to the desired size and apply to the front of the card using a small amount of blue to the back of the Timtex. 

New Fabrics - ah, the possibilities...

Last week I went to Sew Inspired in Simsbury, Connecticut where the fabric selection is nothing short of fabulous. Armed with my list of intended projects from Interweave's Modern Patchwork magazine, I immediately found exactly what I was looking for. See the stack of light blue and brown fabrics? Those are some of my new favorites by Rosemarie Lavin Design for Windham Fabrics. They are fresh and modern and have a wonderful hand. 

The project list begins with Vivika DeNegre's "9-Patch Rearranged." The quilt top is completed and  although it's not quite as big as Vivika's and the arrangement is slightly different I am happy with the results. I will quilt it this week.


With some of the remaining fabric I made a set of placemats and a few scraps found their way into a couple of trivets. The table runner by Jacquie Gering is next and then the napkin rings and the eyeglass case. After that I will need another new stack of fabrics (oh well) and I will take on the other projects in the book.


The solids will find their way into the modern wall hanging and the red and greens are destined for holiday projects. Then there is that luscious group of Kaffe Fasset eye candy. I haven't decided what to do with that group yet so I think I'll just look at it for a while along with the blues.

 I love the sound of rain on the roof. And without any pressing obligations, it's an invitation to stay in and get cozy. And that to me means reading, cooking and sewing ( not in any particular order!). So this morning I made my favorite grains and greens breakfast of sauteed onion and kale mixed with pearl barley. It's delicious plain food that is nourishing, satisfying and vegan!   Remember: buy local and organic if you can. Every little bit helps!

1TBS olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 bunch of kale, chopped
1 cup pearl barley, rinsed
2 cups water
salt, pepper and a little agave


Heat the water to boiling. Add the pearl barley and bring to a second boil. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes until done. Meanwhile, heat a skillet and add the oil. Toss in the onions and saute until golden and caramelized. Season with a little salt and pepper and some agave if desired. Then add the chopped kale and allow to cook down. To serve, mix about 1/2 cup of the greens with about 1/2 cup of the grain. Delicious. PS: You may also add some toasted pinenuts and a few dried cranberries. Yum!

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While eating breakfast, I devoured my latest purchase from Interweave Press, Modern Patchwork. I'm not sure what took me so long to order this inspiring special issue but I'm glad I did. I just don't know which project I want to make first!
 

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After reading almost every page, taking notes and making wish lists of supplies, I decided to work on a few projects that were waiting to be finished. I've been working on a series of baby and toddler quilts in an effort to use up lots of colorful scraps which seem to be multiplying rather than diminishing. Oh well, more is more!

I hope it rains tomorrow!

 

Welcome Hugo Cabret - Popeye's New Friend

Hugo, my little rescue dog is named after the character Hugo Cabret from the movie Hugo not only because I loved the movie but because their backgrounds are quite similar. You see, in the movie, Hugo is an orphan who falls into the hands of an uncle who really doesn’t want him. Hugo, the dog was also an orphan who was left to an uncaring relative who basically left him on his own all day and all night.  I had been searching the rescue dog sites for a dog to keep my Bearded Collie, Popeye company and as the Universe would have it, Hugo (formally known as Chico) was brought into our lives.

He is certainly a welcome addition to our household but who knew that he would be such a big helper in the studio? Of course Hugo has his own little quilt to lie on but most often he likes to be in the thick of things so he decided to sit on a pile of scraps left over from frantic holiday sewing. (Yes, I know it’s March!) Anyway, spring is here and it’s a glorious time of renewal and new beginnings. Happy spring.