Sunday, August 31, 2014

White Peacock







Have a wonderful day!

Friday, August 29, 2014

Leftovers for a Second Quilt


This one was finished last fall. It's made from the leftovers of the quilt I made for Jared.  You can see Jared's quilt HERE

For Jared's quilt, I sewed together lots of 2 1/2 inch- strips to then cut them to make 36-patch blocks. But I wasn't using a pattern, and Jared's quilt just got too big. So I wound up with lots of leftovers. Enough for another quilt.

This quilt went together quickly from the scraps and without much of a plan. Okay, no plan really.

58 x70 inches

The backing is fabric from Ikea. Inexpensive, but with a graphic feel that I think works well with the grays and charcoals on the front. I pieced the back, using up more of the leftovers. (Hard to see the dark gray fabric on the right side!) The binding is also scrappy.



Terry did the long arm quilting, straight lines edge to edge- far enough apart to keep the quilt soft.





It's almost time for the leaves to start falling again. And that means this quilt will be put to good use on the cooler nights headed our way.  Today's rainy weather feels like fall's already here.

PS. I started this blog with a quilt made from quilt leftovers….hmm, I think I see a pattern here…..




Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Friday, August 22, 2014

Cowboy Quilt


I've been busy with so much this summer, but I've had time to finish up a few quilts that have been sitting in the closest WAY too long! This one is made from a thrifted cowboy fabric, a few homespuns, and a couple of other stash fabrics.

The top has been finished for a few years. And I had the backing ready, along with the binding. Thank you to Terry for the long-arm quilting.



I made it with the plan of donating it, so now to find it a good home….



Make it a Wonderful Day!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Quickest Peach Cookie Crisp


 Anyone who knows me well has heard me tell about my Nana's Peach Cobbler. It's the best- a deep dish pie really, with only the top crust. She made it in a small dishpan, the fruit-to-piecrust ratio seriously favoring the fruit. It was my favorite dessert growing up.  I've posted my version of her "recipe" HERE.




I've had conversations with friends over the years about what constitutes a cobbler, a crisp, or a crumble. Generally, cobbler is sweet-biscuit topped. A crisp has a coarse topping that include oats, while a crumble is oat-free. My Nana's didn't really fit any of the definitions, with her single pie crust topping.  But she called it a cobbler, and so that's what I call it too.

A few nights ago, I was in the mood for peach cobbler, but didn't want to take the time to make it.
So I came up with a quick version of a crisp using what I had on hand. No, it wasn't just like Nana used to make. But it was pretty delicious. And quick enough to satisfy my late-night sweet tooth without staying up till two.


Quickest Peach Cookie Crisp (Serves 2) 

2 large, ripe, juicy, organic peaches
2 large, soft, oatmeal-raisin cookies
Optional: 
3 Tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon brown sugar

Peel and slice peaches into 2 microwavable bowls. Crumble one oatmeal cookie over each peach. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Gently stir brown sugar into sour cream. Spoon a dollop onto the warm cobbler and enjoy.


Make it a Wonderful Day!



Sunday, August 17, 2014

Friday, August 15, 2014

Clay Stamp Cards



Okay, so I know it's August, not December. But maybe this is just the right time to share these with you so you'll be ready for next year! (I, on the other hand, usually wait until the cards should be in the mail to start making them…) 


I used plasticine clay to make the stamps for these. I loved using this technique with my Art Club for a collage piece they made, and decided to try it out for last year's Christmas card.


The neat thing about the clay stamps is that you can just reshape the clay as you go. For this design, I made the branch stamp (inked in dark green)  and a single leaf shape (inked in light green). I just used a pencil eraser for the red berries.

I could stamp a couple of cards before reshaping the clay a bit, but it was super easy to do. Now if I just had a plan for this year's cards….


Make it a wonderful day!



Wednesday, August 13, 2014

36-Block 4 Patch, Times Two


It's been a busy few months! My daughter and her husband had twins. I spent 3 weeks with them and their big brother in NYC. And then they all came home with us for a month. And then we went back to NYC for a week.

Can I just tell you, in case you were wondering, twins are awesome!! Oh, and a ton of work. Add a just-turned-two-year-old to the mix and you know we were kept entertained.  I loved being with them.

I made the babies quilts that coordinated- two color ways of a Kaffe print and solids I had on hand.




Baby Girl's quilt is backed with the big floral, Baby Boy got polka dots.


Just wish they didn't live so far away. They're already 11 weeks old today. Time flies. Really!



Make it a Wonderful Day!