Free and so Cute...Felt Work!

There is just something fun about working with felt!  And something wonderful...lot's of somethings wonderful...about Red Brolly's blog. One of my favorite projects that she has is the Fairy Mushroom House Pincushion Project. Well worth checking this out! You'll get lost in the wonder of her blog...just glorious!

 Another great wool pattern that has caught my attention of late is this Spring Penny Rug pattern by Julie Popa. It is free over at That Patchwork Place site by Martingale Publications. You have to register/sign-in to get the free downloads...but they don't cost anything! And, there are several free patterns to choose from...quilts, purses, and this cute little penny rug! Of course, you might be tempted to purchase other patterns or books while at the site too! This little rug makes me think of Spring...and forget that the cold winter winds are getting ready to blow!

Ely's Christening Gown...Beginning

 Free Design For You!! Today I got my fabric out for Ely's gown. It is an ecru linen...and will have white/beige/tan/pink embroidery on the skirt and top. The pattern I settled on is pretty simple...so the embroidery and lace needs to be nice. My niece picked out some trim lace for the sleeves an skirt...but I found a prettier one that I'm seriously thinking of using also...or instead. We'll see how that goes.

 Spent a few hours this afternoon staring at the computer screen and drawing, re-drawing...changing my mind...deleting...drawing again...changing my mind...over and over until I got an embroidery design finished that I will like stitching. I love the dogwood flower...and it just screams out in symbolizm and has deep Southern roots...and I also adore little baby rose buds...so these are both part of the design. The bow will be stitched in shadow embroidery. And, of course...when the stitching begins...you'll get to see loads of photos.  If you would like to use this design...you may. Just remove the initials for Miss Elizabeth Jane and insert your own. If you don't have any initial designs...I would welcome you purchasing one of my Embroidery Quilt Patterns (Alphabet Soup)...and you'd get 26 letters...all can be sized to fit the oval in this design...just ignore the flowers in their quilt block design. (Sorry for the blatant advertisement ...but I worked hard on that pattern set and want you to enjoy them...they really are super cool!)

  Edited to Add: Got the design traced on to the skirt front...didn't take too long...about an hour. Thank goodness for my light table!  

Lentils and Chicken

 I actually made this a few days ago, and forgot to post about it. Found the photos still loaded on my phone...so, here they are...a little late. The plate has lentils and chicken...

  with some steamed frozen collards and a fresh orange that I've cut into slices. Half of the collards and lentils with chicken went to dinner for three days; the remainder had a quart of my canned tomatoes from the garden added and that "soup" went into the freezer for two batches to be warmed up on a cold winter night!

These are the types of lentils I used...they are also the only ones in my area. Both of the grocery stores here do not carry lentils...these were found at Walmart. And, they were the only type available...even there!

 I started by putting my frozen chicken breasts into a half-pot of water. To that, I added a medium sweet onion (chopped) and about five stalks of celery (chopped). Seasoning was a pinch of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

 I let this come to a boil and cook about 30 minutes, then I removed the chicken to cool.

 In the meantime, I looked and washed the lentils...and put them into a bowl.   Next, I added enough water to cover them about 1/2 inch. 

Within the 30 minutes the chicken was cooking...the lentils soaked up all of their water.

 I added them to the onion/celery/chicken broth to cook. I set my timer for 25 minutes...

 Next, I took the three cooked chicken breasts...cooled now...

and cut them into chunks.  The lentils cooked for about 35 minutes total. After 25 minutes, they were almost tender...and had soaked up a lot of water. So, I watched them really closely for the last 10 minutes...afraid they might burn.  I tested a spoonful to make sure that they were tender...and then added the chicken and took them off the stove.

They were oh so good!! And, made enough for 3 meals...and two half-gallon soup mixtures when I added the leftover collards and tomatoes! That's really stretching a buck!  

CQ Blank Blocks

I got my Paris Block stitched, it will mail out today...to begin it's journey to the other ladies in the CQI Round Robin "Paris". I can't wait to see what they do with it!!

While at it...I created two more blocks. The first one...different to say the least!

 Thinking that I will load it with lace and silk ribbon, and I'm already working on that! The other one?.....

 to be stitched and embellished with whatever my muse determines!  

Vintage Hummingbird

  I'm still playing around with the vintage hummingbird image from the Needle and Brush, published by Butterick in 1889. Using Illustrator, I traced the image. I included some extra little lines (-) to show the direction of the stitches within each area. This should be fun to embroider. I'm loading a pdf version in the Yahoo Group Files too.

More Reading...

Here is another interesting pattern from the book I posted about yesterday...it is a cushion with different styles of embroidery work. Of course, the stitching drew my attention...and it reminded me of crazy quilting. 

 Here is the pattern piece included in the book. While looking around, I also saw this image of a peacock feather.

 It was a little surprising, because I have seen it several times before...at various sites. It is clear to me now, that the design was not their original idea at all...but was from this book...which I do not recall ever having been mentioned.

Sachets Anyone?

Sometimes, when I don't want to stitch...I'll go over to the Archives site and just look around for interesting books. Today, I found one that I'm really enjoying called Needle and Brush, published by the Butterick Publishing Co, 1889. (same as Butterick patterns today?, I think so).  One of the many things that caught my attention was the different kinds of sachets and pin cushions discussed. The little sachets would be great I think for tucking into dresser drawers, lockers, or looping over a few coat hangers in a closet. The filling could be simple enough...a little polyfill and some bath salts...scented of course! Especially during the upcoming winter months...when everything seems to just get stale!

 And the pincushions could be made into sachets as well. Thinking that I might have to make a few of these!

 Here is even a closeup of the little bird on the pincushion above. Looks like satin stitch, fly stitch, and back stitch mostly...

Benji - Block Two

Still stitching!

Benji - Block One

Working on the redwork blocks in Benji's Pockets. Here is the first one! This is an alternate block, and I like it better than stitching a red frog...that just seems wrong some how. Hugs! Here is the quilt pattern...just as a reminder. I found some lovely red/white fabrics to use in place of these brown and cream borders however.

 

Luscious Lace!

Yesterday, there was a box waiting in the mail for me. It was just full of luscious lace, sent from a dear friend...thanks Bea! These are most all very delicate bits of lace...the kind you might find in shear feminine lingerie and fine blouses.

Some of the little motifs will most likely be used in crazy quilt projects. 

The trim lace can be used in CQ as well; but I'm thinking that quite a few pieces will be perfect for use in baby gowns and dresses for little Ely.

 This gray piece will make another wonderful piece of fabric for my "Paris" crazy quilt round robin block.

Buddy is Back Home...

...and from the looks of it..he had a good weekend while I was gone! I think he played pretty hard!

Thank You Ladies! And...a Help?

First off...I have to say right up front...that I just had the most marvelous weekend! The ladies of Meridian, Mississippi are very kind and hospitable...to a feeble minded thing like me!  Hence...my artwork above. The weekend started off...by my gracious hostess "Jacky" arriving at my home, with her equally wonderful husband "Dave" (in tow)...and we loaded all of my class materials and stuff...and headed off for a grand weekend. We stopped for lunch...and that is where the concern began...as I had left my purse on the top of the freezer in my kitchen. I LEFT MY PURSE! WHAT WOMAN DOES THAT! So, I am seriously looking for HELP...as I need a keeper. The job does not pay well, and the hours are horrible...there is bound to be loads of extra things to be done that are not in the original job description...and most of the time...the employer (me) probably will be so distracted by other things...that you will not even be noticed. But, if you are interested...please apply! Starting date is now!!! Geez! So, after Jackie and Dave both calmed me down...assuring me that I really had no need for money, my insurance card, my drivers license, my Excedrin, my toothbrush and toothpaste...and had more than enough to keep me busy so the Redwork blocks would also not even be missed...we kept on going down the interstate. And,...they were both right. Dave has stock in Colgate I think...because he was just super quick producing that toothbrush and paste...and he went to CVS the following morning...to get me some Zyrtec for my allergies that decided to get cranked up right away...he's a keeper...and Jackie knows it too! Way to go girlfriend!! Oh, and Jackie's house...you should just see it! Marvelous! Constructed in the Frank Lloyd Wright style...just a piece of art! Loads of symmetry...and balance...warm and inviting...and the craftsmanship of all that wood...just a marvel! I felt like a princess on top of that gorgeous heirloom bed...with my own bath...and being served my meals with linen napkins! I didn't ask for meals in bed...but I bet Jackie would have done it had I wanted it! So gracious! A real Southern Lady...and wonderful hostess. Of course, I would have expected no less from a gal born in the great state of Mississippi...especially in Meridian! And, I did manage to wrangle some cool pieces from her fabric collection of swatches before departing...look how great these two look with my Paris fabrics!

And...she sent me home with a beautiful piece of lace too...TO DIE FOR!

Not to be outdone...Mr Dave let me run off with several spools of delicious antique thread. Some of the cream can be used for quilt basting...but the rest will go on my display shelf in the sewing room. He also donated some spools to the ladies in the class.

But...the best part of the entire trip...was getting to teach fifteen ladies a little about silk ribbon flowers. We had a good long talk (mostly I talked...and they listened)...and I talked a lot! They worked until they looked like they were ready to drop...but each was smiling. They went home with more work to be done, but I'm confident that they will have a wonderful time creating ribbon masterpieces! After a lovely night at the Meridan Opera House...listening to stupendious jazz music, we crashed and slept Saturday...and made our way home on Sunday. We stopped off at a bookstore for coffee in Tuscaloosa...and lunch at Olive Garden in Oxford...before unloading all my suitcases and such back at the house. Then, Jackie got back underway...so she could get home before dark. I missed talking to her...as soon as she left the driveway. But, I'm pretty sure...her right ear was already bleeding from all the chatter of mine it had endured...and the quiet drive back home "hopefully" repaired any damage...geez, hoping that the damage is not permanent. "Ssssshhh....don't tell her...but I left my purchase from the bookstore in the backseat of her car..." "Did I mention....I have a job opening for a KEEPER?"..... See y'all tomorrow morning...as I'm pooped! LOVE YA LADIES OF MERIDIAN (AND MOBILE)... HAD A GREAT TIME!!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME OVER...AGAIN!!!