I seem to be having difficulties in actually sitting and posting. LOL.

I guess you could probably tell by my several years off?

Anyhow. 

I thought I would show how I have been making my binding.

Step 1 - I measure the quilt to see how much I need and then I cut strips the width of the fabric, at 2 1/2" wide. I trim off the selvages and then seam them together into 1 long piece. Then I go to the ironing board and press the seams open and then press the long strip in half. It is now ready to put on the quilt. (This is the method I use for most of my quilts - especially if I give them away to kids)

Step 2 - I sew it to the edge of the top side of the quilted quilt using my walking foot. I use a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave a piece at the beginning about 6" in length. I don't measure it. 

Step 3 - coming into the corner, I stop 1/4" from the edge of the quilt. You an mark it with a pin, or just eyeball it. I have occasionally over run the 1/4", and then I have to remove a stitch or two to make it work right. YIKES. But it works. 

step 4 - fold the binding back making a triangular looking edge, and then making it even with the edge of the side - fold it down even with the edge of the next side to be sewn. You do this a few times and it gets easier and soon you'll be a pro at it. 

step 4 - Now here's your preference. I have heard it both ways. I start at the edge of the new side and sew right on down the new side. Others will tell you to start a 1/4" down. I don't think it matters which method you prefer. They both work. Your corner will be beautiful. Repeat this on all the other corners until you get back to the start of the binding. Stop sewing about 5-6" from where you started. 

step 5 - trim off excess binding leaving lent of overlap. I think I have about 4" to 5" extra here. It doesn't have to be measured. Just be sure there's plenty for seaming this. 

step 6 - here I fold the binding back on itself and finger press. I don't overlap, and I don't try to make it match perfectly. I prefer a tiny bit of background showing. I think this is about a 1/16". It's very small. Pin it and stitch it on the machine. You can open the fabric and stitch it and press it and fold it back if you want, but you'll probably need to leave more room between the start and stop. I just stitch it while it's folded. This is a very quick method here. 

step 7 - this is something I do, I press the seam open and stitch it down along the opening, so the binding is now fully attached. Then I fold the corners down and tack it together. This will keep the corners down and enclosed in the binding and not let them poke out accidentally. Then you can fold the binding around to the back and stitch it down. I forgot to take a photo of this. WHOOPS! The binding is big enough that you can use the machine to sew in the ditch on the front side and catch the back side of the binding. I do this on most of the kids quilts I do. I will hand sew it down at other times. 

cooking and quilting

 More cooking fun here... 

Tried another new recipe-

It was super easy, open things and dump them in the crock pot... leave it alone for several hours, then eat it. 

It was so yummy, that I forgot to take a photo of how I served it up. I dished it into bowls and served it with some buttermilk biscuits. This was a big hit here, and this one I will definitely make again. My husband has requested that i pick up some tortilla chips for use with the left overs. (It made a big pot, and there's just two of us here at this time.) 

I have also been busy busy busy with quilting. I set myself a goal to get 7 done for Christmas for my son and his new wife's blended family. I have all the tops put together, and have 3 completely quilted and bound. So I thought I would show how I have been doing the quilting here at home on my domestic machine. 

step one - I spread the backing out face down on my dining room table using clamps to keep it stretched out flat and secure- 

step two - I smoothed out the batting over the backing, smoothing it out as flat as possible. both were cut a few inches larger than the top. the back being two pieces seamed across the middle. The batting somewhat sticks to the backing as it is soothed out, so the clamps are not needed to hold it down.

step three - is to lay the top on face up, and smooth it out. I have my tools ready to start pinning it. Notice that I included the tv remotes with my tools. I put a movie on and give myself the length of the movie to get the pinning done, and I usually do get it done, if I don't get too caught up in what's going on on the television. 

Step four - I know that there's a fancy tool you can buy to help you pin baste the quilt, but I found this small screw driver also works just fine. I swiped this one out of my junk drawer in the kitchen. I don't think my husbands getting this back. It really worked well. 

step five - when I got the first half all pinned I removed the clamps, and slid the quilt over to the bottom half, and re-clamped the backing to the table, then smoothed down the batting, and then the top. Very much like steps 1, 2 and 3... then I continued pinning until the top was completely pin basted. At this point I also cut some of the excess batting and backing away. It is pin basted very well and there shouldn't be too much movement in the quilt. I find the extra backing and batting get in the way on the domestic sewing machine. So I leave only about an inch and a half around the top. 

step six - this particular quilt had a pretty good grid in it already, so I chose to us it to do the quilting. I didn't mark it at all but aimed from corner to corner and went at it. It is not perfect by any means. But it's not terrible, It's a quilt for a kid, and I expect it to be used and loved, so I didn't care if the lines were perfectly straight or not. It is mostly straight. The boys will love them. At least I hope they will.

step seven - I used my ruler and rotary cutter to square up and cut the edges preparing the quilt for the binding. Again, it's for a kid. It's not getting entered in any competition, so I didn't stress too much.

and here we are, a quilted top, waiting for binding. I think I will do a step by step on that for the next one I do. But this one is done and labeled, and waiting to be gifted for Christmas. I think my grandson will love it as much as I did making it for him. 

adventures in cooking - Amish Bar-be-cue Pork Chops

 Sooooo, 

I have actually been working on quite a few things. 

Including several scrap quilts that will be gifted at Christmas.

But, today I wanted to talk about cooking.

I am not a great cook, but I collect cookbooks and recipes.

I decided I needed to start using them.

I plan to try a new recipe or two - every week from the collection. 

This came about because I bought a box full of old cookbooks and recipes and notes...

at a yard sale way out in the country side. 

The collection had come from a 90 year old neighbor of the person I bought it from.

Lot's of hand written recipes and notes in the books and magazines.

So I selected the following recipe to try out... 

It looked rather simple, and she said it came from a country magazine and is an Amish recipe.

Bar-be-cue pork chops-

mix;

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup of catsup

1 TBLSP Worchershire 

1/2 cup chopped onions. 

pour over pork chops and bake 2 hours 375

Well, like I said I' not the best cook, I didn't buy any Cream of Mushroom soup 

because I thought I had some in my pantry. Turns out I didn't. whoops...

So I substituted cream of chicken soup because I did have that.

I decided to throw it in the crock pot instead of the oven, for convenience.

this is what it looked like all in-

I let it cook all afternoon, while I worked on other things...

And then it was dinner time.

Turned out pretty good. 

They were small thin pork chops, I served them with a salad and potatoes. The salad came from a bag at the grocer, you mix and serve. Easy and about 3.50$. The potatoes, are ones I do in the microwave quite often and are favorites of ours - with out a recipe for the most part.

My son did recently ask me how to make them- so here goes.

using the smaller red skinned potatoes, 

cut them into bite sized pieces.

put in microwave safe bowl with 1 - 2 TBLSP butter (depends on how many potatoes in the bowl)

add some seasoning, this time I use Mrs. Dash garlic herb blend. other times it's paprika or other blends.

microwave 3-5 minutes stir and repeat until potatoes are soft.

makes a great easy side dish.

So what did we think of the Bar-be-cue pork chops? They were alright. My husband said they were really good. But they had more of a sweet taste than a Bar-be-cue flavor. I may make them again some time. It was rather easy. But quite frankly, if I want bar-be-cue flavored pork chops, I'd probably just smother them with a purchased bar-be-que sauce. It would cost less than this sauce did. But I am thinking it may have a smokier taste if I use the actual cream of mushroom instead of the cream of chicken. So don't base how this recipe went by my doing here. LOL, like I said - I am not the best cook, but I am trying. I like eating, so I figure this is a fun way to try new things.  

Baby quilts, and California

Lots of things going on 
the last few months...
A new grand-daughter joined 
the family...
Of course I had to make a quilt!
Finished quilt to the left.
I tried to load the photo's
in order for explanation...
Of course, they're backwards.


Why wouldn't they be?
Fourth down shows my
design sketch...

 I had found a great
microfiber piece of dark brown
at a thrift store...
I thought how perfect for
girl or boy.
My son and his partner
had opted not to find out
the gender of baby before birth.
When I found out it was a girl,
I went and picked up several pieces
of a great line of fabric...
in pinks, oranges, aqua and brown.

Then I designed a simple quilt I could add
an applique to personalize and add to.
However when I began to sew it together,
I found the designs which all looked
so great together in the store...
Were a little busy for my taste.
third picture down
So to help it out,
I added a dark frame around the applique.
second picture down.
This is how I usually work.
With a beginning design or idea...
and the freedom to allow myself to break out
of the box if I feel the need.
To help it out and tie it all together.
The center of the flower

 is the same lovely soft microfiber
used on the back of the little quilt.
The top photo is the finished product.
It was loved by the recipients.

Because the piece was found at
a thrift shop,
it really wasn't quite large enough...
So it also has a border the was pieced
from the front fabrics.
I forgot to take a photo of the back.
Typical of me...

I also finished the third square
in my traveling applique project.
(See earlier posts
for more details on the project)

I also got the 4th block ready to begin,
but as yet.
There has been no fabric cut
and no stitches taken ...

 Also during the past few months,
and probably why I've not gotten more
accomplished...
I've been on the road,

In Utah my husband and I went
over to see the new City Creek Mall
in down town Salt Lake City.
You might notice in the photo's
(this one and the next)
that there are not a lot of people around.
This is because we chose to go over
and walk around and view it on
a Sunday afternoon.
All the stores in this mall
are closed on Sunday's.
(I think some of the restaurants are open tho.)

Including Tiffany's, Michael Kors,
and Anthropologie... Yes I admit,
I'm doing a little name dropping.
The city of Salt Lake, took several block
-and closed them off to cars.
Raised the City Creek from being piped underground,
to create a waterway through the center of the mall.
There is also an awning/roof that closes
over the top of many sections during
inclement weather...
There is a fire pit at one end,
Waterfalls and fountains,
Ponds with fish, sculptures, etc.
Beautiful, a lovely place for a Sunday afternoon stroll.
I'll have to go back for a shopping day sometime.

Meanwhile,
On a quick trip back to Canada...
We found a lot of rain,
the lake was higher than we've ever seen it.
A friend said it was a fifty year high.
I think it's been amended since then to
a 100 year high.
We still saw a little beach at the
Lakeside Park in town,
but friends there shortly after we were
said the water was up on the grass in the same park.

We also went to California for a
 family reunion...
some or our activities in California,
included a trip to Columbia State Park
on July 4th.
Columbia is an old mining town
near Angels Camp where we stayed.
Right is a picture of my oldest son
and his two kids panning for gold.
They didn't find any,
but they were panning for hours.
They had fun...

Because it was the 4th,
We were treated to all kinds of sites,
The cannon was fired,
the flag was raised,
We pledged allegience,
We saw a demonstration on loading and
firing powder packed long riffles,
There was a parade as well.
We spent time wandering up the street
looking in several shops,
buying some candies, and drinks.
(Water and soda)
Great day -hot,
we were ready to hit the pool at the place
we were staying at.

Another day at the reunion,
We drove south to see Yosemite.
It's always been one of our favorite places
in California.
A little to far to go very often...
But always a treat.
Hiked in to see 2 of the many waterfalls.
(the easiest ones)
It was kind of crowded with tourists
from around the world,
and hot, very hot.
Loved it tho.

Another day we went to see the
town of Murphy's
We saw some shops,
bought some candies LOL.
Had an ice cream.
Enjoyed the company of family.

While in California we also
went to a swimming hole
near the brother in laws cabin.
Everyone who wanted to
took a dip in the river...

Others took to trying out the rope swing.
One of the nieces thought the water was Icky.
Her dad and grand-dad said it was
because of the river water,
It was natural and not full of all those
chemicals they put in the swimming pools.
She could not be convinced it was OK to get in.
Especially when she saw fish swimming around.
She was the only one having the problem 
with having live things swimming around...
The little boys were out there trying
to catch the fishies with their hands.
My grand-daughter is on the rope swing in photo.
Too much fun.

We also spent an afternoon at Calaveras Big Trees.
Another California state park.
While we do not get to Yosemite because of the distance
very often. Calaveras is closer to the family homes,
and it's also a favorite place to go when we can get to California.
I forgot to upload any pictures of the big trees. Maybe another time.

Also, you might notice that there are no pictures with the gnome,
I decided he was too hard to carry around everywhere.
I'm going to have to figure something else out.

My Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt

                                                       I am so excited to share the beginning stages
                                                       of my "Farmer's Wife" Sampler Quilt.                       
                                                       I've had the book for quite awhile...
                                                       But I had been struggling to decide what type
                                                       of colors and fabrics I wanted to use.
                                                     

 I finally decided to use the reproduction 30's-on                     Feed-sack inspired prints.                                                               (there may be others included if they fit)

Because I am having issues with my computer
right now, I drafted my own patterns on graph-paper.

The first block is called Attic Windows
So I thought of what one might see out the window,
                                                 With curtains and the walls...
                                                 However - I seem to have had some serious problems
                                                      with the first block.
                                                      Problems with accuracy.

I spent some time embroidering cute little
designs -a blue bird, and some flowers...
but the block was so off that I decided
I really had to start over again.
This time I just used what I hoped would look like
A flower garden.
I'm thinking I'll use the really bad
really inaccurate blocks for something else
where the size doesn't matter.
Maybe pockets in a tote bag or something.
The second set (the bottom of the four)
turned out much better.
The bottom picture is the second block...
Called Autumn Tints
So I selected what I hoped would give
an Autumn feel.

I'm liking what I see so far.
                                                      But I'm wondering if I made the right choice
                                                      for the color/fabrics.
                                                      I may decide to do a third quilt with another
                                                      fabric/color choice. Just to see what happens.
                                                      I mean "why not?
                                                      I'm not in a hurry to get the quilt done...
                                                      I'm doing one block at a time...
                                                      It's an exercise in improving my quilting abilities
                                                      and accuracy...
                                                     
meanwhile, I have a lot of other things on the cutting board to work on... More things to Up-cycle, more things to sew, a couple of other quilts to make... My travel applique quilt I've been working on. (I really like having multiple things going on at the same time -I think I really must have a bit of Attention Deficit Disorder.
Because I don't do so well at working on one thing from start to finish without a dead-line. Ha Ha Ha. I will post as things get done. 

Up-cycling among other things...

Last Blog had information about Chemo Caps,
I had finished some more
so I thought I'd share them...
I had been playing with different stripes.
the blue and orange are the colors
of our local College football team.
(BSU Bronco's -they're very popular here)


There has been a lot of stuff going around
on Facebook and Pinterest about Up-cycling...
It's something I've done all my life...
Taking an item no longer in style or use,
and turning it into something else you will use.
So I thought I'd share something...
This is a toddler dress I picked up at
a local thrift shop. I paid 3$ for it.
It was a size 4T.
It had a few problems,
and would probably not be purchased by someone
to actually use on a toddler.
I took some paper a bit bigger than the dress
and sketched a simple outline of the skirt
and waist area that I wanted to include in the bag;
Making a pattern for the lining.
my motto is the KISS plan...
Meaning,
Keep It Simple Stupid.
no reason to make anything harder
than it needs to be.
and besides,
I probably wouldn't finish it if it were.

I used my rotary cutter and a straight edge
to cut the top of the little dress
away from the bottom.
Leaving enough to fold over
and attaching the lining to.

Then I scrounged through my fabric
scraps and other pieces
looking for a piece the right size
that I liked with the denim skirt.

Found a lime green with white polka dots.

Used the long sleeves to cut
for the shoulder straps.
Again I used the rotary cutter
and the straight edge ruler.
I cut them 4" wide to form a tube...
I didn't think they were quite long enough,
so I added a piece from the back of the top.

I liked the little pockets on the front
of the top, so decided to use them for a
pocket on the inside of the bag.

I cut the top front into a rectangular shape,
not really measuring for a size...
but rather, to fit the pockets into it.
I used another piece of the lining fabric
to line the pocket.
Because the front had an opening,
I could sew around the entire piece
and still be able to turn it right side out.

Then I centered it on one side of the lining,
and stitched the pocket down.
I decided to top stitch down one side
of the center front, forming 2 pockets.
With the little pockets, there are now 4
to use for different items.
I believe my cell phone fits in one of the
smaller original pockets.

after sewing the lining together,
and sewing it inside the skirt.
I stitched the bottom of the skirt
along the existing hemline,
leaving the little ruffle free.
Added the shoulder strap.
And Wah Lah, I have a cute new bag.
Up-Cycling.
I have some more projects I've
picked up at the thrift store.
A striped Linen Shirt, another toddler skirt,
some vintage linens and table cloths... I will try to take photo's of before
and after to share here in the blog.
Also, I am starting the Farmer's Wife Quilt this week...
Yeah!!!
Finally!!!
So there are things to look forward to.

quilts, knitting, and traveling

Almost done with block 3 of my travel quilt...
"My whimsical Garden"
from Piece O' Cake Designs
Yes, I am using the same colors
but different fabric prints than they used.
I love their color scheme so why take the time changing
something that didn't need changing.

I have also been knitting hats...
Along with my church women's group,
for the local Cancer treatment center.
I thought I'd share the pattern we are using;
as well as some of the things we have learned about
the needs of the patients.

Our group did some research into the needs...
actually we asked a mom who is part of our group what is actually needed and wanted in a Chemo Cap...
this is what she told us. (You may want to check with people in your own area)
-the hat needs to fit somewhat snugly and not need to have the brim rolled up.
-they do not want to be uncomfortable; and they do not want to feel like they are too warm and need to remove the hat indoors. They don't want to take them off in public.
-the yarn needs to be soft.
I've included 2 photo's the first one has several finished caps,
some a little smaller than others. and the second has several unfinished caps.
I wanted to display the variety of colors and stripes and just
fun things to do with the simple pattern.

Chemo Caps
Caron Simply Soft Yarns
Sz 8 needles (5.0mm)
To start, cast on 72 stitches. and begin a rib pattern for approx. 1 1/2".
We used the k2 p2 pattern.
(If you notice the pink hat in the first picture, I did a seed stitch pattern for the rib.)
Switch to the stockinette stitch for the remainder of the hat.
-k 1 row, p 1 row...repeat.
at 5 1/2" you begin the decrease rows.
Row 1: *k4, k2 tog, repeat from * across row (should now be 60 sts)
Row 2: p 1 row
Row 3: k 1 row
Row 4: p 1 row
Row 5: *k3, k2 tog, repeat from * across row (should now be 48 sts)
Row 6: p 1 row
Row 7: *k2 tog, repeat from * across row (should now be 24 sts)
Cut off about 18"-24" and thread a yarn/tapestry needle.
Pull through the remaining stitches on the needle, and remove from the needle.
Cinch tightly (use care not to break the yarn LOL, don't ask how I know this)
Sew from the top down using the same yarn piece.
Hide all ends. You have a Chemo Cap.
Remember to have fun, play with stripes... play with colors...
Use boy colors, as well as girl colors, think of the colors of the local colleges,
high schools, sports teams, etc.

now...
I've always thought it would be fun
to have an object I take with me on my travels
that I can include in the photo's...
I have purchased this Gnome
you can see in the photo to the left...
Here he's among the Tulips coming up in front of my home.
and in the next photo...
He's on the step in front of my home.
now, I'm not positive yet,
that this is what I want to use as my travel companion,
he is about a foot tall.
Won't be easy to take some places.
Maybe I should find something more like "Flat Stanley"
Or maybe I should find something less popular,
something unique for me...
Hmmmmmmm.
The jury is still out contemplating the verdict. But I will be doing a lot more traveling now, so I need to make up my mind soon. Until I do, I will be using the Gnome... Whom I have named George.