Dining Room Chairs

My DH finished six dining room chairs for us.  They are wonderful.  He used some poplar (aspen) wood that had been harvested by my sis-in-law's father in the 1950s. So well tempered...

The wood has such gorgeous grain that he just put a clear finish on them.

Some of the knots he left with a rustic look.  Oh, yes and I made the cushion covers from some fabric I had in my stash.

Spinning Wheels, my Aunt Maude Quilt

When my parents married, my Mom was sent a quilt top made by her Aunt Maude who lived in BC.  The top languished for a few years and then my Mom undertook to quilt it herself although she had never done such a thing.  Winters in Manitoba are long and cold. It seemed like a good idea.  I have always admired that quilt and was mesmerized by the pattern.

It has seen a lot of wear since the early 1950s.  Recently my Mom gifted it to me.  I am delighted to be the keeper of Aunt Maude's quilt.

But I had to go one better and try to make some of these blocks.  Well I found out why you don't see this block in quilting magazines.

It was a challenge just to get it drafted up.  But I think my effort was worth it.

When I finished nine blocks I called it a day.  Let me tell you though there are lots of mis-cut and wonky pieces in the bottom of the bin, sigh.

Pencil Case for my drawing pens

Pencil cases used to be something that we got new at the beginning of the school year.  Not whole wardrobes, just a pencil case...

I have been stepping up the amount of drawing I have been doing lately as well as observing the cool pencil cases I see on the internet.  I think I need one of those now.  So after a little pattern drawing, away I went.

You can see that I prequilted the sides and ends.  The side piece has stripey fabric put on to both ends like binding on a quilt.

Zipper in and ends trimmed.  I left the seams raw with zigzag overedge stitching to keep them from fraying.

Wheelchair Bag

This was a secret project so I didn't post about it sooner.  But the recipient is now in possession so here goes.

 First I chose some rainbow coloured fabric.  She loves rainbows...

Then I stitched up the bag in a simple messenger style.

As you can see the straps are loops only.  They fit over the chair pushers and keep her stuff handy.  Oh, yes and a small peek inside...

Oops apparently I made the straps a bit short.  Hopefully we will be in the same city soon and I can fix the issure...

More of Mollie's spring embroidery Hexies

These are adorable.  Wild Olive's host Mollie is stitching up a storm I mean spring shower....

So cute,  I've been doing two of each pattern and my flower petal rings of hexies are  almost done.  Hexagons are probably my favourite.

Update on the Alphabet Blocks

Just chugging along making these...

Delightful Stars Quilt-a-long

I couldn't resist this quilt-a-long with Michelle Foster over at the Quilting Gallery.  The quilt is called Delightful Stars and I got started a couple of weeks ago reading up on her suggestions and video links of ways to improve my accuracy and techniques.

Here's the first block.  I am very pleased.  Although I understand the principles and usually have no troubles with my piecing, Michelle encourages me to be more.  Accurate and precise, that is. This block is amazing if I do say so myself.  Maybe the use of spray starch (Mary Ellen's ) was the key.

I will also point out that as with all my piecing, I press my seams open.  Look at how flat the centre of the pinwheel.  I agree that there are times when pressed to the side is better but I rarely do it.  Here's an article by Marby Benson that says it all.

More Slip Cover Progress

The slip covers for my old couch are coming along.  The gold fabric is the new slip cover the plaid is the old.

Looks good, huh?  The fabric is the nicest I have used for slip covering.  Mostly I use a woven cotton but this is more than 50 percent poly and its bonded.  Super easy.  Doesn't slip around and yet it has give - so far in all the right places.  Very forgiving.  Just the way I like it.

More Couch Slip Covers

Then you need 5-6 metres of zipper...

These are much harder to do than they sound.  I had to strong arm the boys into using their, ahem, strong arms to remove enough teeth to get a zipper pull going...

But worth the effort I think.  One cushion covered = more to come.

Recovering my Couch

I bought this wonderful couch many years ago, and I still love it so I am trying to make a new slip cover (again- this will be round 4 I think)

To begin you make 30 metres of piping....

Then you start cutting up the cover fabric.  Every time I see that old sheet I used as a pattern I am taken back to the just married days.

A new row...10 I think

I have been following Bee in my Bonnet's Row Along and I am really liking it.  So this row is houses as you can see.

the instructions are very easy to follow and these little pieces soon turn into this:

or these...

so check it all out at Lori's blog or on flickr

Flowers for being

My Mister brought home flowers for me on the weekend.

Ahhh...

The Christmas Stockings fini

Wow, Caroline worked hard,
Look at these...

the one on the right is the one we/she was working on at my house.  Now they are done.  Too cute.

Look what's in my mailbox

Oh Boy, oh boy, oh boy oh boy ohboyohboyohboy !!

Those folks at Sew Sisters are pretty prompt.  I love this.  Can you tell that this is the first time I have ordered fabric on the internet.  What great results.

Amy Butler Magazine

Wow, Amy Butler has done it.  A huge ezine of pretty.  And best of all it's free.  To see this lovely thing go here.

I think she has a great idea.  I liked the format.  Just the right size for viewing on my screen.  I'm guessing it will work well on tablets to as the page size appears to be smaller.

I took this picture myself but it made me think of what Amy is doing with her new magazine

Friday baking with Meyer lemons

I purchased a bag of Meyer lemons from the local Co-op store.  They were beautifully done up in bags and came all the way from New Zealand.  How could I say no.  Then I began searching for a recipe for a cake....

Here's what I made...
Tastes as good as it looks.  It didn't stay whole long.
If you'd like the recipe leave a comment and I will email it to you.

Back Burner Babies

Here are some embroidered blocks my sister-in-law made.  When I was in the states last I saw this fabric and just KNEW it was for these blocks.  I am liking this block layout.  It seems more modern to me.