New Bags

Sorry I'm late today. I've been finishing up a new bag.

I've had this upholstery fabric for a couple of months and am just now getting to it. I bought it with the intention of make it into bags and this is my first. I tried really hard not to butch the fabric, but I wanted some of the flowers to be whole. I have another pattern up my sleeve for a tote.
I am in kind of a rush because I have an appointment with a local shop to sell my wares. I had taken in my leftover diaper bags and have sold some. So I wanted to bring in something different.

At the same time I bought the other fabric, I bought this one too. I had already made myself a bag out of this fabric because the colors are so me and go with almost all my clothes. But that other bag is looking good too!
I finished up the little girl quilt and because I had a bigger border, I quilted "What are girls made of?" Then I had a fancy heart stencil and used that on two sides.
The scrap quilt is just quilted in a grid. Nothing fancy, but I love the simple look of this one.
Ok, I'm off. I need to get ready and calm my nerves. These things get me all in a tizzy.

So take care and I'll be back tomorrow.

Brandie

Quilters Block

I think I've beat quilters block. For the past month or so, I've felt like all sewing has been a chore and I've fought going to the machine. But I think I have it beat! Yesterday I started cutting up more scraps. I put them together last night and I even started quilting them. Don't get excited, I just quilted in a grind.

I get a great sense of accomplishment using scraps. It's almost the same feeling I get when I get a really dirty pan clean or finish all the house work. A sense of pride and accomplishment, nothing beats it!
Yesterday I also meet up with my friend Gail and we spent hours sewing and talking. It has been awhile since I went to sew with her as I was without wheels. She was ever brave enough to seat in my car and take a ride to one of the quilt shops. She's still breathing and didn't get whiplash, so all is well!

She has been working on these applique, sashiko blocks. She was prepping a new block. The next block is a lily. Last year we both took a class from the author. Gail has done half of her blocks and I haven't even finished my one. What was I saying about quilters block?
Gail also showed up with some scraps (that I "borrowed") and a charm pack. I quickly whipped that pack into a small quilt and added borders.
Tomorrow you'll see how I quilted this one. It's too cute! Hopefully some little girl will love it.

That's all for now, I need to get back to that machine!

Take care, Brandie

Just a silly post

A couple of years ago I came across these cute little guys on line. At that time, my Son and I were taking a ceramics class and I was doing research. They are Carlton Walking Ware. I thought they were too cute and tried to make some of my own. As you can see, these are not them.
So I happened to be on Ebay and I found these little guys. So I bid and I won! The larger mugs I found on Etsy of all place. The big mugs are not Carlton, but I think they are just as cute!
So I have officially started my collection and hopefully I can add to this small family over time. They are a little expensive as they are an English china and most of them come from the UK. They are just so whimsical and cute, I smile every time I see them.

So have a laugh and put a smile on your face!

Take care, Brandie

A Normal Day, Hurray

Did everyone have a Wonderful weekend? Did you overeat? I know I did! But That's OK, because the sun is out and I'm going on a walk, very soon. Of course I should be walking to Arizona to walk off that Christmas dinner. I can honestly say that I've had my fill of ham. I'm now looking for that perfect combo of meat and veggies, again. I love hamburgers. I'm really not a steak kind of a girl, but grind it up and shape it into a patty, Yum!

One of our local bars, yes I said bar, they have an old-fashioned kind of burger. Everything about it is homemade and delicious. After a weekend of ham, ham sandwiches, ham soup, this was extra delicious.
I didn't even know that this place served food till my Son told me. I guess this is were he and his friends go for lunch. I'm just glad he found it, because it's a great substitute for dinner!

I'm so glad the Christmas is over. Now I feel like I can get back on track and back to a regular everyday routine. And maybe now I will not feel pressured to finish up my village quilt. Or not.

Back to the grind stone, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully my sewing block has been lifted. Now I can focus on just my goals. Like that list of UFO's still waiting to be finished.

Have a happy day and I hope you have sun where ever you are!

Take care, Brandie

Christmas colors

I slaved over a hot stove yesterday. I was trying to capture the feel, look and smell of Christmas. I started off with a batch of Jalapeno Jelly. I just love the color! The way the light from the window hit the jars, Fabulous!
Next I brewed up a batch of Spiced Peaches. Just a little Holiday flavoring. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, allspice and a little red pepper flakes, Yummy!
What do you do with too many lemons? Why make Lemon Curd of course!
Beautiful yellow curd that just puckers the month and makes your taste buds sing.

Back to the stove again this morning. I have visions of gingerbread and sticky toffee pudding dancing in my head.

Have a Wonderful Christmas Eve, and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

Merry Christmas to everyone, see you next week.

Take care, Brandie

Home and Hearth

There is something so beautiful about just baked bread. The smell that radiates around the room, oh so yummy! It's so hard not to cut into that loaf while it's hot.
We all know that patience is a virtue.

I'm still using up those leftover mashed potatoes, but just so you know, they have been frozen! I have to tell you that they are the best leftovers! How many times have you had leftover and they totally change their look? Last month they were mashed potatoes and now they are turned in it lovely loafs of bread.
Each slice is soft and smooth. Makes perfect sandwiches and toast. I think this has become my favorite bread recipe, I've more or less given up on the others. I tried a sourdough starter, and well, the flavor is good but the bread was too dry. All around this recipe fits our household better.

This time of year there are very few outdoor pics that are worth taking. In our neck of the woods, there are no flowers and there are very few leaves. So not much to take a pic of. But if you get up early enough, you just might see...
My view across the street into my neighbors yard (he likes a very manicured look).

His view into my yard ( I LOVE the overgrown look). He must hate to look this way!
No really, this is my yard. My house would be to the right of this pic, but you still wouldn't be able to see it. The is a row of cedar trees the grow along the road and offer us some privacy. The ivy as you can see, has taken over. The ivy is on the fence and growing up the tree trunks.

I know many of you are probably groaning about that ivy, but I love the forest look. Have I mentioned before that I live in a very rural area? Now do you believe me?

Still working on gifts, either at the machine or the stove. I love making gifts for the people I love. I just hope they like them as much as I love to make them.

2 more days to complete our projects. Are you done? Or are you like me and procrastinating till the last moment?

Take care, Brandie

Small Projects

Last week I did actually sit down at the sewing machine and accomplish something. Nothing fancy, just another way to use up scraps. I had these leftover yellow blocks already pre-cut so all I had to do was pair up some reds and greens. I needed a small quilt to cover my messy area. All my threads and extra bundles of fat-quarters, live behind this quilt. If you look closely you can see how messy it really is (I only seems to clean this area when I can't find the right thread).
I used yet another yard stick to hang it and I made ribbon loops to hang it from the stick.

I also made up a few place mats. One of my Aunts works for a local organization that provides meals to the elderly, kind of like "Meals on Wheels".
She had a donation of 13 place mats and needed 18 more for the home deliveries. Again, another great way to use up scraps and fabric you no longer like.

Of course after I made up those rooster mats, I thought, "I like this fabric". But it will have a better home than sitting in a box waiting for the perfect project, this was the prefect project.

I ventured out on my own yesterday (so far I've always had a co-pilot). I needed to go to my local quilt shop (Hello Girls!). The only problem was that the shop is in the low point between 2 hills. I was a little nervous but I really needed some fabric! Long story short, it was no problem. But still, give me a little room if you come up behind me.

Take care, Brandie