Saturday, December 30, 2017

sick leave

A horrible virus struck Nov 17 and just continues to hang on and use my strength.

Hope to get back soon.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Thoughtful Thinking Thursday #129 ~ An Amaryllis' Death & Birth

While part of the flower is dying,
a new bud is giving birth.
I guess our bodies always have dying cells,
while giving birth to new cells.
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"THINK about it."
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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Scrappy Fabric Garland

     Pull out your scrap fabrics and start making a garland for your Christmas tree, fire place, front door, stair case, and why not the rear window of your car?
     This is something the whole family can work on together.











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Tuesday Tutorial 
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Decide how long you want the garland. Cut fabric strips in about 1½ inch wide strips and tie together in square knots to equal the length you need.  I used green fabric.  You could use a variety of fabrics.



Rip or tear small strips roughly 8 inches long by 1½ inches wide.  If the scrap is cross grain and can't be ripped, then cut.  Ripping adds to the effect.  Tip: Begin tear with a scissor snip.



About every 5 inches, tie one of the smaller strips on the long strip.  Use a square knot.



Pallet Christmas Tree


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 You'll find this post at several Linky Parties
Please check them out for some great ideas.
Thanks to
 Photoscape for downsizing & watermarking photo

Monday, December 18, 2017

Memory Mon 76~ Plaid Christmas

Got my "Country Living" magazine last week.
It was full of decorations and gift ideas of plaid.
Every year I pull out the same 3 pieces,
all acquired at Goodwill, that happen to be plaid too.
The scarf usually comes out right after Thanksgiving when the weather gets nippy cold.
This scarf is so warm and cozy and adds a tad of color on the hat hanger.
 This soft blanket was put on my worn ottoman last Christmas.
I enJOYed it so much and have left it there all year.
 Finally, this table cloth which feels to have some wool content,
usually goes on the table.
But, this year, it was needed to wrap a large gift.

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Sun Best~ Shawhan

Shawhan, Kentucky, USA
Bourbon County
The Shawhan family was apparently famous for their bourbon.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Quilt Shot Block #103~ Drummer Boy

Drummer Boy
13 inch block


The name of this block is befitting for the present season for some.
However, this design came from the fictional book 
Union Quilters by Jennifer Chiaverini
My first block from this book started with The Cornerstone.
Pieces for this block were not measured and cut
EXCEPT for the first block.
My notes told me to start with a 5 inch square,
but I though I should add a seam allowance
which later you'll see the block was exactly that much too large.
I thought it would be faster just to trim off pieces as I went,
but it really took longer and maybe more fabric.











 Notice below the corner blocks were trimmed leaving quarter inch for seam
and NOT cutting on the exact diagonal.

Turned out to be 13 inches instead of the usual 12½ inch square.
The half inch I added to the center square?

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Check out my other Union Quilter Blocks already posted:

Quilt Shot Block #64 ~ Cornerstone 

Quilt Shot Block #65 ~ Pennsylvania

Quilt Shot Block #66 ~ Campfire 

Quilt Shot Block #74 ~ Farm in the Valley

Quilt Shot Block #79 ~ Union



Friday, December 15, 2017

Fun or Funny Friday ~ Not So Fun Friday

Not a fun Friday when an usual healthy person has
 been ill for a month
and doesn't feel like being in the sewing room
or going anywhere.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Thoughtful Thinking Thursday #119 ~ Joy All Year

I do enJOY my name.
I get to keep Christmas gifts on display all year, because I have a good excuse.
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"THINK about it."
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