A Redneck Dingbat Quilter

I HEART Swaps

2012-02-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

hiyall!

just a quick note that I am still around and very much alive. Ever do a online swap? I have done several and I have enjoyed each one. I joined a online swap of accessory bags this past Xmas and I got to swap with Kim Sherrod. She sent me this wonderful bag and all these goodies. She is a very generous person! Plus she knew I love RED!

This is what I sent her. I have been doing alot of Black and White with a hit of bright things. I sent a Bag, Cell Phone pouch and a Keyfob. I hope she likes them as much as adore hers! I designed this bag! Fused and machine stitched down with a bright button for the center of the flower.

this is a kindle cover I made for a friend. Again my own design, the swatch next to it is the fabric I used for the inside pocket. Pocket can hold alot of stuff.

I made all 4 pieces from a 2 fat quarters and a chunk of batting. I layered the FQS with the batting and did a over all meander, then sub cut into the pieces I needed.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Merry Merry Everything yall!

2011-12-25T08:10:00.000-05:00

Hope yall gave a nice layed back holiday today! 2012 is gonna be a great year for all of us!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

I love my hugs!~

2011-11-02T00:01:00.002-04:00

November is Native American Hertiage Month

Have you hugged your favorite Injun today yet?

Keep On Stitch'n On,

(mauh) Liz

Weekend Projects

2011-10-09T20:22:00.001-04:00

hiyall,

I gotz skillz!

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

Rez Truck one, Bambi zero

2011-09-07T17:12:00.002-04:00

hiyall,
me and bambi had a run in early this am. I am ok, no injuries, truck is repairable but Bambi lost. If my nephew has lived near by, I would have called him to come get and dress the 4pt buck that I hit. Who needs a compound bow to hunt deer with when I have a truck!

major part of the damage, smashed headlight and frame and crushed grill. Hood opened but now wont closed properly. hood will need to be replaced.
Bambi hit the hood HARD. send plastic shards from the grill into the radiator and punched holes. now radiator will need to be replaced.

those spots you see on the hood edge are bambi's blood and brain matter. parts of his scalp is embedded in the turn signal lense. bumper is smooshed but its ok.

gotta love living in the city but have to go thru country side to get to work.
how was YOUR day?

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

its a miniature world

2011-07-31T21:24:00.006-04:00

punkin wall hanging swap from last year

monocrome swap, each block measured 3 inch

lunch time mini. all done by hand. each block 1.5 inch

shawl dancer susie, my own design. won a blue ribbon at the local country fair.

recent swap, made from left over snippets from another full size quilt

disappearing nine patch made with kona black and batiks

another online swap.

Keep On Stitch'n On

(mauh) Liz

Happy Fourth Of July!

2011-07-04T14:16:00.003-04:00

Hiyall,
Have a safe and fun 4th of July!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

long time no post

2011-06-27T20:45:00.007-04:00

hiyall,

I know its been a while since my last blog post and I have no excuses. I have kinda lost my mojo. It comes in spurts and leaves just a quickly as it gets to me. I was hoping with the work slow down at the Q, reduced hours, I could get alot of sewing done but noooooooo. I have enjoyed reading others blogs and having been getting a some great inspiration from yall. Just havent had the energy to get more sewing done. I have decided to start a tiny little at home cottage industy with my quilts and crafts. from time to time I will be posting of some things I have designed and made for sale. I will be posting on my facebook page too. Like I said before I have done a little sewing but I hope to get more done this summer. KEYWORD: Hope.......

Meet Pricillia, Queen of the Unfinished! Prissie for short. Prissie was gifted to me by a quilting buddy named Connie (no blog). She decided to downsize and knew I would give her a good home and get good use out of her. Prissie is a Pfaff Hobby 1200/Grand Quilter. She came with a inspira frame for which I am waiting for Beloved Monkey Boy to come over and put together. He has his own things he is doing lately so I may have to do it myself. No worries, I have been using her on the dining room table and getting some good results. I am loving the huge extended table and speed I get from her.

I still working on my meandering and wavey stuff, but I think I got the spirals nailed. This is a BOM from several years ago that I gifted to my Nephew's wife Michelle. Should have seen the big ass grin on her face when I presented it to her.

As I read blogs I find alot of crafty goodness there. I found this quick and easy cell phone pouch and was inspired to make a few. I gave them to friends to product test for me to make inprovements. They all suggested a small pocket on the inside and a secure loop. Even though the pouch is tight and secure to hold a Iphone, they still like the idea the extra security. I will tweek it some more and will be selling these. I gave one to a guy and he really like the idea of tucking it into his back pocket and it does protects the screen on his phone. Feed back is a good thing! Im thinking about making some out of NFL and AFL fabric for the sports fans.

This is my new purse. I put together the best parts of 3 different purse patterns I got free off the net. I used cut off legs of a pair of jeans I had and some sturdy canvas material. I like this purse, lots of pockets and small.

Inside of purse. 2 more pockets on the inside, great for keeping my work id safe and a pen.

For my local quilting buddies (southeast Virginia/northeast North Carolina) who read my blog. I have started a Quilt Binding Service. I have always said that the binding on a quilt is a necessary evil. If you have a Quilt that you would like me to finish the binding on, please contact me at Erzebatbat@aol.com. Please put in the subject line, Quilt Binding Service so I dont automatically delete ya.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and the blog.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

another finish!

2011-05-09T07:00:00.003-04:00

hiyall,
doll quilt for online swap finished! approx 14 in by 17 in. each block is 1 1/2 in . I used left over HSTs from another quilt I made for the shop. mock binding was used, made from scraps. machine quilted using the stitch in the ditch technique. its called, flying geese, east meets west. it is being sent to texas from virginia!
not sure what mocking binding is? here is a tutorial that I did back in December:
http://erzebat.blogspot.com/2010/12/mock-binding-tutorial.html

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Happy Mothers Day yall!

2011-05-08T12:21:00.002-04:00

hiyall,
Wishing everyone a Happy Mothers Day and some words of inspiration:

25 things my mother/dad/grandma taught me:

1. My grandma taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .

"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.

"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My grandma taught me about TIME TRAVEL.

"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of
next week!"

4. My dad taught me LOGIC.

"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My dad taught me MORE LOGIC .

"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going
to the store with
me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.

"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My grandma taught me IRONY.

"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.

"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My grandma taught me about CONTORTIONISM.

"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My grandma taught me about STAMINA.

"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My dad taught me about WEATHER.

"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My dad taught me about HYPOCRISY.

"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My dad taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.

"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.

"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't
have wonderful parents
like you do."

16. My grandma taught me about ANTICIPATION.

"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My grandma taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.

"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.

"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My dad taught me HUMOR.

"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My grandma taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.

"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.

"You're just like your father."

23. My dad taught me about my ROOTS.

"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My grandma taught me WISDOM.

"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. My dad taught me about JUSTICE.

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

mail call!

2011-04-27T19:12:00.008-04:00

my prize from aurifil thread arrived today! since blogger is not being nice tonight I won't be able to caption each pictures. love the collection. only disppointment was that the spools are small. 200 meters. in the last picture is the size spool (on the right) I though I was getting, 1300 meters. no worries, I love this collection and I will put it to good use! I am saving the spool that I named shamrock spring for a special quilter I know. she has been busy dealing with a sick granchild and this spool just might perk her up since she loves the name I gave it but lost the contest. the spool that I named that won this collection for me is called storm at sea. a wonderful deep blue varigate. that one I am keeping! there will be a blog giveaway coming this weekend. stay tuned for details!

to all my quilting buddies in the midwest and deep south who are having to deal with tornado warnings just about every day, my good thoughts and the grannies are thinking about you! be safe and head to the basement!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

hoppy easter yall!

2011-04-23T21:53:00.003-04:00

squishies and recycling

2011-04-03T16:57:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

this week has been a jackpot in the squishie mail! first, my local blogger buddy Lola

http://ansewon.blogspot.com/

sent a wonderful giftie of a side purse made from the selvages just like the one she wore at the Quilt show in Feb. I admired and drooled over it and she said she was making me one. I kinda forgot about it til I saw it one her blog. Next thing I know, I have one in my mail box! She also sent a stinkin' adorable wall hanging of CAMELS pattern!! I love and collect camels (mainly cause I was born in Morocco, former Navy brat here) and she saw it at the quilt show and bought it. Funny thing is, I was standing right there when she did it! Had no clue that she had done that! She is so generous and sneaky that way. If you like to see more details, go to her blog and check it out. She posted a lot of pictures with details. This woman is very creative! Love, Love, Love it!

Another friend Melissa with the Quiltville Yahoo group I am in, had a bunch of cuff and collars left over form cutting up a couple of dozen shirts she got from the thrift shop. Bonnie Hunter has a couple of books out on how to make quilts from thrift shop 100% cotton shirts.

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/

She said she had no use for the cuff and collars after she gleaned the buttons and usable material. She offered them to anyone who would pay for the postage. I resisted at first but then I said, what the heck I asked for them. She sent them this week. Look at all the wonderful pieces she sent me! I wasn't sure what the heck I was going to do with them. I do enjoy a challenge when it comes to recycling unusual cloth items. Then I had a light bulb moment. This pieces are long and wide enough for pouches! Take a collar and matching cuffs and make a coin purse!

I had a template I made from my favorite coin purse that had seen better days. I played with the template to fit the collar. Cut out 2 pieces. then I use template again and use it to make the cuffs as side pockets in the coin purse. use a coated elastic piece and a button for the side pockets closure and a zipper closure for the main body. made a tab from the left over welt on the collar and keyring. I am very pleased withe results.

The purse is about 5 1/2 inches long, I plan on shortening that just a tad. 3 inches tall and 1/2 wide. side pockets will hold credit, loyalty, business cards. zipper will keep what little cash you may have secure. Ribbon on the zipper fob to easy opening.

Didn't take long to make but there are a lot of details in making it. I may do a tutorial on how to make it as soon as I learn how to incorporate into a PDF file. Since the collars already have facing and interface there is no need for lining or enforcing the walls. My plan is to make up all the collars and cuffs into some kind of pouches and sell them thru my facebook page. If they dont sell, I will have xmas gifties for later this year.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

shameless plug

2011-03-30T09:54:00.003-04:00

hiyall, I was on face book and befriended Aurifil Threads. they are running a contest sort of called 'name that variegated thread'. I named (among hundreds of other people) a spool variegated green "Shamrock Spring'. I was of three chosen for the name. Shamrock Spring is up for voting. If and when I win I will win a collection of variegated threads for my stash. Please vote for me, you will be my bestest friend! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/aurifil.quilt.thread Keep On Stitch'n On! (mauh) Liz Editors note! I didnt win :( Shamrock Spring lost by 2 friggin'votes! 2 votes! yeeesshhhhh.......good news is, unbeknownst to me, another varigated thread that I submitted a name to was also put up for a vote AND I WON!!!!!!!!! I won 36 spools of varigated thread from Aurifil!!! woohoooo! this thread is 50 wt and Im told it great for machine quilting. what color was the winning name? a spool of varigated blue, I called it Storm at Sea. it reminded me of the imfamous quilt pattern in blue and white that was all the rage several years ago. When I get my hot, sweaty dingbat hands on those spools, there will be a giveaway on this blog! Thanks to all who voted for shamrock springs! (mauh) Liz

quickie tutorial

2011-03-27T10:10:00.009-04:00

hiyall, How is the weather in your neck of the woods today? Mine is cold wet and nasty! A little further north there is SNOW! Snow? in late March??? Oh yeah, the Circus is coming to town, of course there is snow (snicker-snort). Never fails.....Circus = Snow...... My bones are aching with all this dampness. Time to drag out the ol' heating pad. Of course I have lost the heating pad cover somewhere. I think I went to wash it and it poofed. No worries, I will make a new cover. My tutorial today is about how to make a quick and easy, cheap cover for your heating pad.

This is heating pad, nekked as a jay bird. It has a plastic cover and

could make me sweat if I use it without a cloth cover.

Off to the dollar store to get a nice 100% cotton

tea towel. This one is in my favorite color, RED,

with pretty color threads running thru it. Its

approx. 20'' x 28'' Perfect size to cover the heating pad.

Looked into my stash of notions and found some Velcro.

Fold towel in half, place heating pad on top.

Trim to fit your pad. Make the cover oversize so when

you go to wash it, it wont shrink too small.

Of course you can prewash it to preshrink too.

Hem the top of the towel if you need too. I didn't have to on

this one because it was just the right size with a little

shrinking room. One less step for me to do.

Evenly space your Velcro and stitch in place.

Stitch up the sides with a 1/4 in seam allowance and zig zag

to finish off the seams. If you have a serger this step will go

faster. Turn inside out and slip over the heating pad.

taaadaaaaa! A new heating pad cover and it cost you less

than a $1.50 to make! Of course you can make a fancy one

by making a mini quilt and do some fancy machine

quilting on it. For me it would make it too thick

and I would not feel the heat. This one is thick enough to

protect my skin, but thin enough for me to enjoy

the heat. I like it! Took less than 20 mins to make

it and get it on the heating pad! I am thinking this

would make cute little sneaky gift. You know, go to a friends house

and leave a little gift without their knowledge and they

find it and wonder where it came from........

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

One Star Challenge

2011-03-20T20:04:00.002-04:00

hiyall,

I actually got to sew this weekend! I am partipating in the Just One Star Challenge being promoted by United Notions/Moda Fabrics. I made 3, one for granpa(army), one for dad (navy)

and one for the unknown solider. I got the info and instructions from here:

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-one-star-tutorial.html

I encourage all of yall to join this challenge, let show our military folks we appreciate their service and honor our wounded men and women!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

give away at Barbs!

2011-03-19T19:00:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

I was doing some blog surfing and was reading one of my favorite blogs http://bejeweledquilts.blogspot.com/

Barb is having a give away on some iddy biddy bird buttons from South Africa that are so stinkin' cute! Please go to her blog and read all about it!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

P.S. The Sarcastic Quilter is having a giveaway too! please go to her blog and check it out too!
http://sarcasticquilter.blogspot.com/

its yummy turnover, cute cute cute!

dont pay the ransome! I have escaped!

2011-02-27T22:48:00.006-05:00

hiyall,

I know it been almost 2 months since my last post but stinkin' life got into my way.

First thing that happen was a dead battery. During the snow storm right after xmas, I was kinda house bound and didnt run the car. the day I can go back to work I have a dead battery. Nephew and beloved monkey boy came to my rescue. Nephew bought the new battery and BMB and I changed it out. I printed out the instuction off the net and it wasnt that hard to do. As we were changing out the battery I discovered that I had a bad tire! Apprently when the car manufacturer tell you fill your tires according to the sticker on the door and not the tire they mean it! I was putting way to much air in them and ruined one of them. since they are fancy smancy low profile, it cost me big time.

The day I plan on doing a post about the battery and tire, a water pipe busted in my house. It was a mess, took almost 4 weeks for my house to get back in order. Good news is, I got new carpet! I chose a med to light gray. As you know gray is a hot neutral! I am please with my choice of color.

During the restoration, Abby the wonder dog found not one but 2 rats! She caught one in the house and right outside the door. grrrrrr. as we were packing up the house, she found a couple of dead country field mice near the fireplace. You figure that with all the ferral cats in my hood we would have the rodent problems!

The Mid Atlantic quilt festival was this weekend and I went 2 days out of the 4. we had a little bit of an controversy at this show. Apprently a few quilters were offended bu a wall quilt. Made the local news and went viral on the internet!

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/sexually-explicit-quilt-on-display

I saw this quilt, its not porn, its one of those high end artsy fartsy type of wall hanging. It textile art, I have seen worse. The construction was not the best, although I think it was meant to be that way. I took alot of pictures and posted them on my FaceBook page. here is a link, non facebook people can see them too by following this link.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=368548&id=758713081

I didnt buy much, a few fat quarters, a graphite pencil for stenciling machine quilting patterns. There were more vendors this year but alot of the sme ol' stuff. I talked to some of the vendors and they did well. better than last year which is encouraging. many vendors dropped out because of the soft sales. which is a shame, they could have lasted one more year.

I made a cute little side purse to wear and use at the show. I like it so much I will make it out of different fabric for the occasions. I made this out of a jeans leg I had lying around. I put a long strap on it to wear across the body. I got alot of compliments on it.

I met 2 AOL quilting chatroomies! The ladies are a hoot. Its always nice to put faces to the screen names.

me, helen, carol

I also met up with a couple of blogging buddies, Lola and Alice.

http://ansewon.blogspot.com/

http://aliceinquilterland.blogspot.com/

Those 2 can pack a mean picnic. They invited me to join them along with Lola's niece. We had bagel samwiches, deli meat kabobs, devil eggs, and smack yo granma delish brownies and pecan bars. We sat there in the lobby and eat til we wanted to bust. We were laughing so hard people were staring....

yummy food!

I do declare Ms Lola, you are lookin' finer than frogs hair!

Ms Alice and Lola's Niece (who name escapes me) lickin' their fingers it was so good!

I will try to be a better blogger!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Hanging on by a snow chrystal!

2010-12-27T12:43:00.003-05:00

gonna make a very loud noise when it falls!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I hate snow......

2010-12-26T16:27:00.004-05:00

the old rez truck, the bed is full of snow......bed is 12 inches deep. 8 inches on the hood

my little car.....will take a long time to dig this out tomarrow am. I maybe calling out, I aint risking life and car to get to work. notice that its dry underneath the car and truck. early this am I went to bed at 2am, woke up at 830am to this.......

view out the front door. the mound you see at the window is accumulation of the door wreath.

we still have power for now. some areas have power failures. maybe a couple of days before it comes back on.

my back yard. it is very deep, right up to abbys butt. she doesnt have to cop a squat. she just had to stand there and let it rip. backyard faces north. it will be a LONG time before all the snow will melt.

we are near blizzard conditions. I havent seen it this bad since the blizzard of '80. state patrol is closing roads and is close to calling marshal law. good thing I have plenty of sewing to do!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Merry Merry and Quilty New Year!

2010-12-24T09:33:00.004-05:00

hiyall,

I hope this has been a nice layed back Holiday Season for yall. Mine has had some up and downs, I am looking forward to the New Year. Job security is wavering right now but there is a glimmer of hope with a possible new opportunity for 2011. I didn't get alot of quilting done this year as I had hope but (in a Scarlett O'Hara voice) tomorrow will be another year.......

Beloved Monkey Boy got into a minor and I do mean MINOR accident earlier this week. He is ok, people in the other car are ok. Both cars are ok. He was following too close and did a little bump. The passenger in the other car said his back hurt, but moments later he was on his hands and knees checking to see if there was any damage to the bumper of the 2008 Mercedes. BMB took pictures with his Blackberry Phone of the man in that position and then asked him if he needed a ambulance *snicker* Upon seeing BMB and his phone camera, the man replied ' I don't think so now'. Ain't modern technology wonderful! Police came and took a report, no ticket was issued.

Speaking of BMB, I will be going to Manland to cook Xmas dinner. Not sure how many will be there, the menu will be very simple but very filling. Spiral cut, sugar cured Smithfield Ham, mac and cheese, green bean casserole and potato rolls and deviled eggs....YUM! Dessert will be chocolate chip cookies with ice cream. Sometimes simple is bestest!

Have a great day tomarrow, have fun, be safe and I will see yall after the new year! BMB's birthday is on the 29th of this month. He will be 29 years old. I am feeling very old right now. Before I go, I have a few words of wisdom about growing old:

Truths for us Old Farts

~I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

~Nothing is worse than the moment in an argument when you realize you're wrong.

~I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

~There is great need for a sarcasm font.

~How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

~Was learning cursive really necessary?

~Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

~Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

~I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

~Bad decisions make good stories.

~You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

~Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

~I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to the ten-page technical report I swear I did not make any changes to.

~I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

~I think the freezer deserves a light, as well.

~I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

~I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Construction" routing option.

~I have a hard time discerning the fine line between boredom and hunger.

~How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

~I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

~Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

~Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

~Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in less than 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

~The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Author Unknown

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

My article for NPN

2010-12-13T09:02:00.002-05:00

hiyall!

Just finished my article for this months issue of NinePatch News. Enjoy!

Recycle and Re Purpose
Hiyall!
Can you feel it? You know it coming. Time for Christmas! Time to get those last mintue gifties made and delivered! But wait, you cash poor, what to do, what to do? Take a few mintues (or hours) to dive into your stash and decide what you want to make for whom. Today we have provided some links for some quick and easy gifties. One or two links have a slighty time comsuming projects but worth it.

Have some old linens sitting in the closet or drawer? This little project is prefect for them! Six pieces is all it takes to make this adorable roll holder.
http://gingercake.typepad.com/files/vintage-inspired-dinner-roll-holder.pdf

Have a stash of heavy duty canvas or duck?
This is a great pattern for making grocery bag tote. Nice and roomy and will hold alot!

http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/atkinsondesigns/2008/11/fat-sack.html

How cool is this?? Take the cuffs of an old shirt you have cut up for recycling and turn it into a wallet! Do not need a wallet? Sew the cuff up each side and it can be a cell phone , iPod or Loyality Card Pouch. Bling it up with beads and stuff and it will be conversational piece!

http://replayground.blogspot.com/2010/02/shirt-cuff-wallet.html

Great way to gather things up for a snowman and keeping it in one place. Grab an old shoe box, decorate it up and keep Frosty's gear in it. Kids will love it!

http://www.make-it-do.com/make-it/make-it-a-snowman-kit/

Do you have a seamstress in your circle? This tutorial will show you haow to make a 'Ham'. An item that lets you press seams on a garment with ease. http://mymeasuringtape.blogspot.com/2008/08/make-your-own-ham-yums.html#comment-form

This is a stinkin' cute little purse decorated with rickrack! Great for a tween or an adult. Make the straps long enough to wear it across the body. This will make you hands free for shopping!

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/rickrack-mini-purse_1.html

Quick and easy little chicky that will hold your cook book open while you are making all those goodys in the kitchen! These little Chooks (in Australia they call chickens Chooks) can also keep your arts and crafts books open too!
http://jjsgiftsandcrafts.com/tutorials/cook-book-chook-tutorial

Who doesn't need a oven mitt? I highly recommend using the insul-brite to keep the heat off your fingers and hand.
http://www.skiptomylou.org/tag/free-oven-mitt-pattern/

Got some left over Tule from make bride head pieces or ballerinas outfits? Not sure what to do with it? Make scubbies! This is a great tutorial for make them! Scrubbies are not just for cleaning pot and pans and kitchen counters. You can use them for cleaning your cutting matts too!

http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/sewtakeahike/2007/08/kitchen-scrubby.html

Need a really quick and easy sewing notion for your bestest quilting buddy? Try this magnetic pin holder! (shameless plug here)
http://erzebat.blogspot.com/2010/12/save-your-money-honey-have-i-got.html

Have fun deciding what you want to make. Feel free to send us picture of your work! We would love to see what our readers are making!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

save your money honey, have I got a magnetic pin holder for YOU!

2010-12-05T19:11:00.003-05:00

hiyall,
I love getting sewing supply catalogs at home. I get to browse thru them in my PJs and get great ideas on what is new in sewing notions. I saw this picture in a catalog and said ' hot damn! what a great way to hold straight pins and needles while you sewing!' It a simple metal circle painted in pretty colors with a strong magnet on the back. You place the circle on your shirt, slip the magnet inside the shirt to attach it to the circle. Magnet holds the circle in place but doesn't hurt your shirt!

The item does have a disclaimer; Caution: Do not place on electronic equipment, cell phone, computers (this means sewing machine with computer chips too), TV, credit cards, etc. Not for use by people with pacemakers. Keep away from children, yada yada yada.

Then I saw the price. $9.95???? what the hell??? For a piece of metal and a magnet??? I took a closer look at the Holder. Its a friggin' mason jar lid all painted up purty!

Off to the hardware store I go! Found some strong magnets. 6 for $1.97. More than I wanted to pay but I had a point to prove so I bought them. Couldn't find canning jar lids at the hardware store or at Walmart. I did find them at a local grocery store and on sale! 12 lids for $1.50! Once you do the math, it comes up to less than 50 cents apiece! Of course you can dress them up by spray painting them, decoupaging your favorite fabric on or just leave them plain (redneck style). They are cute and quick gifty item for quilting retreats or a stocking stuffer.
I'm thinkin' you could paint the names of the quilter in the label right under the BALL.

The holder I made will hold about 12 pins and needles. The magnet used is about one inch in diameter, 1/8 inch thick. If you get a larger magnet it will hold more pins and maybe a small pair of scissors. The possibilities are endless! A word of advice, be sure you remove all pin and needles off the holder before you remove the magnet. Otherwise the pins will fall on the floor and you may step on them....ask me how I know this *snarf*

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

hexagon mugrug with mock binding tutorial

2010-12-04T14:09:00.002-05:00

hiyall,
Seems I am doing alot of tutorials lately. Please indulge with me for this one. I was surfing thru blogs (yes I am addicted) and was looking at these fabulous mug rugs here:
http://rebeccasrags.blogspot.com/ scroll 1/2 down the page
I shared this link with my chat room friends. One of them couldn't figure out how to make the hexagon so I did a tutorial for her. After she saw it, the light went on....duhhhh (her words not mine). This was easy peasy to do so I will share with you what I shared with her. enjoy! the mug rugs come out approx 9 inches across, room for a mug and a snack.

~you will need 2 strips from a fat quarter of 2 1/4 inch fabric.
~2 strips of one inch fabric for the mock binding.
~a 60 degree ruler. the one I use is a 60 degree diamond ruler by Darlene Zimmerman.
I got it a Joann's, it made by EZ quilting
~sew the 2 fat strips together and press to the dark side
~using the ruler, sub cut 6 triangles

~attach the narrow strip to the bottom of the triangles as this is your mock binding
~leave at least 1 1/2 between each one for re cutting
~using the diamond ruler again, re cut the narrow strip to make a complete triangle

~sew together 3 of the triangles to make 1/2 of the hexagon.
~repeat for the other 3

~sew the 2 halves together and you have the top of the mug rug
easy peasy! Finish the mug rug like I showed you in the last blog
entry.

Clear as mud? great!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

mock binding tutorial

2010-12-03T16:39:00.004-05:00

Hiyall,
Today's post is about Mock Binding. When I mentioned this technique to my quilting buddies they wanted to know more. When I described it, they couldn't get a true visual of it. So I decided to do a tutorial with picture. I use this binding style in small projects and baby quilts.
If you have been reading other blogs you know that mug rugs are all the rage. I adore these tiny quilts. That is what they are, tiny little quilts. My samples are approx 5 x 9 inches. Perfect for a mug and a snack! Here goes the instructions:

Once your have designed and constructed your mini quilt top, you are going to add a 1 inch wide border all around the edges.

Pick a pretty backing that compliments your top. As you can see I chose a pretty little floral print that matches the top fairly well. Cut your backing approx 1/2 inch wider than the top.

Cut your batting one inch wider than the backing. Layer the 3 layers in this order:
Batting
Backing (right side up)
Top ( right side down)

Stitch a 3/8'' seam all around the block leaving a small opening. Trim and cut corners. Turn inside out, this is also known as pillow case or 'birthing' I prefer birthing cause its
a labor of loooooooove *grin* Carefully poke the corners out nice and sharp. You can use a chop stick or a long handle artist's brush. Slip stitch opening, iron flat.

Stitch in the ditch all around the edge of the mug rug. This will give the edge some depth and gives the illusion of binding, hence the term 'mock' binding! Clear as mud? good!

As I said earlier, I use mock binding for smaller projects and baby quilts. Using this technique holds up better on baby quilts, especially when they washed a lot. You don't have to worry about little fingers working their way under the tradish binding and getting their fingers tangled up.

Feel free to email me with any questions: Erzebatbat@aol.com

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

wordless wednsday a day late

2010-12-02T22:28:00.001-05:00

Keep On Stitich'n On!
(mauh) Liz

christmas is coming in less than 4 weeks!! ack ack!!

2010-11-30T22:21:00.005-05:00

hiyall,

It just dawned on me it will be Christmas in less than 4 weeks! ack ack!!!! Where in the hell did the time go? It was just Halloween! As I have written before, I write articles for an online quilting newsletter called NinePatchNews. A group thru Yahoo. I do a series called recycle and re purpose.

I am home tonight cause they are cutting hours at the Q again (sigh). So I have been planning what my xmas gifts will be to some of the family. While surfing the net I came across a few sites that would work for the gifts AND Decembers article!

Since I am poor again this Xmas *snarf* I have to be 'creative' as to what I am giving. Between mug rugs and grocery bags I will be all set for gift giving! Thank goodness for my stash. I am one of those pack rats that will take unwanted material from friends that are ' too busy' to sew anymore or have taken up another hobby.

Enjoy these links, I sent them out via email to my quilting buddies and they loved them!

http://gingercake.typepad.com/files/vintage-inspired-dinner-roll-holder.pdf

love this one, got any vintage linens? this would be a great hostess gift!

http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/atkinsondesigns/2008/11/fat-sack.html

I love this pattern, quick to make and you can adjust the measurements to make a small sack

http://replayground.blogspot.com/2010/02/shirt-cuff-wallet.html
Take the collar, square it up. add a zipper and you have a long pouch to store knitting or crochet hooks in. perfect for that knitter in your life!

http://www.make-it-do.com/make-it/make-it-a-snowman-kit/

recycle a shoe box (decorate it) to store the kit in. kids will love this!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

2010-11-25T06:00:00.006-05:00

hiyall,
have a great holiday! be safe, eat alot and please be kind to others by farting downwind!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

P.S. I stole this picture from Pat Sloan, aint it a hoot?

wordless wednesday a day late

2010-11-18T20:37:00.002-05:00

keep on stitch'n on!

(mauh) Liz

Resistance Is futile.....

2010-11-16T09:11:00.007-05:00

Hiyall,

Its true, Resistance is futile! My birthday was last month and decided to treat myself to

some goodies from Connecting Threads http://www.connectingthreads.com/Quilting.cfm They were having a sale on Charms from their own lines of fabric. Got some cute xmas and repro charms. I ordered just a little bit of yardage too. I have seen 2 colors popping up all over the blogs. Aqua and Gray. Sometimes in the same quilt. Gray is a hot hot hot new neutral. I like it!

When I do baby quilts I don't like using white. The Moms are afraid to use the quilt in fear of stains. Most of my quilts end up on the wall of the Nursery. I'm going to try Gray and see if the Quilts are used for the what they are intended for. Those 2 big spools of thread is from their own line of threads. I really like using that thread. My cheapie little work horse sewing machine loves the thread. Yes there is lint but nearly as bad as some threads. The 5000 yards spools of thread cost $9.99! good deal! I ordered black and natural. I will be set on thread for a LONG time.

All this quilty goodness for about $50 AND free shipping!

These are my rug mug samples. Not finished yet. instead of using binding I am using mocking binding. same effect. I used left over HSTs and strips from a BOM I made. I have a plastic shoe box full of scraps and HST. Im liking these little mug rugs. See my last post for how-to links.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

P.S. new redneck quilters joke......If your measuring tape is a long piece of string with knots every inch or so....you might be a redneck quilter.....

my article for NinePatchNews~a Yahoo group

2010-11-13T08:40:00.005-05:00

Recycle and Re purpose

Hiyall!

Its that time of year again! Time to get going on those Christmas gifts! I traditionally get started on my gifts on Thanksgiving weekend but now I get started right after Halloween!

Head to the thrift shops. Dig thru your linen closets, your clothes closets. Get to your local Dollar Tree Store and check out the kitchen section. My local Dollar Store has remodeled and revamped their store and there is now a HUGE selection of inexpensive kitchen towels, potholder and oven mitts. Jump into your scrap pile and start sorting!

One of the hottest crafts to make on the Internet is a Mug Rug. This craft is HUGE! They are bigger than the usual mug coaster. They rectangle rather than square. The general size is 6in by 9 in. Big enough for your mug and a snack! There is a Flickr group loaded with lots of pictures. http://contented.typepad.co.uk/contented/2010/10/mug-rug-tutorial-part-one.htmlThis tutorial will get you started, let your imagination run wild with color schemes and materials. A great giftie would be a new mug with a mug rug rolled up inside with a packet of the receivers favorite tea/cocoa/coffee. This link will give idea with designs and colors. Pleasant Home: Sew Picture Perfect ~ Mug Rugshttp://www.pleasant-home.com/2010/11/sew-picture-perfect-mug-rugs.html

Grab a cup of coffee/tea/soda and a snack and check out these links! Many of these links will show you how to recycle old clothes and linens into usable items good enough to gift! When you check out the websites take close at look at the sidebars for more links to other websites. Warning: These links will take up a huge chunk of computer time! Be sure you have the kids/hubby/pets fed, your in your comfty clothes and that you have alot of alone time. Have fun!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

http://www.sewabration.com/htm/article.thth.html

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/mcshelpsite/sewingstuff/freepatterns.html

http://funwithbarbandmary.blogspot.com/2010/10/witch-crafting.html

http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2010/04/double-apron-day-easy-t-shirt-aprons.html

http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2007/02/valentine_tree__1.html

http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/03/cottage-chic-apron-tutorial.html

http://www.make-it-do.com/sew-it/garden-apron-tutorial/

http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/2010/06/apron-tutorial.html

http://www.craftynest.com/2009/10/tank-top-totes-six-pockets-or-gathered/

http://www.parasolco.com/project-oversized-ruffle-tote/

http://soozs.blogspot.com/2009/10/reversible-beach-bag-tutorial.html

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/07/17/how-to-make-a-simple-reversible-totebag/

http://thinkliz.com/2009/02/20/diana-hobo-free-pattern/

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2010/08/free-bag-purse-pattern-for-pleats-sake-tote.html

2010-11-11T09:04:00.002-05:00

hiyall,

To all those who have served, to all those who are serving. A heart felt thanks from myself and my family for protecting us and the homeland. Be strong, be safe. We will keep the light glowing in the window until your return. Thank you for all you do!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

wordless wednsday

2010-11-10T23:47:00.001-05:00

keep on stitch'n on!

(mauh) Liz

more baby quilts

2010-11-07T13:44:00.004-05:00

hiyall,

quick post today. went to the LQS where I teach and picked up some fabric for a shop sample. I was so please with the results of the baby quilt I made (see last post) that I decided this would be a great class to teach. Marybeth (the owner) is very flexible and lets me get creative with her materials . She has a bunch of the pamper pooch charms that weren't selling and I thought I could help that along.

I picked up a charm pack and some yardage and will be assembling soon. Haven't decided if I'm gonna do mock binding on this one yet. Some quilters do not like mock binding, I disagree. This type of binding is great for quick quilts. It still has the look of REAL binding and just as functional.

Baby Emma's momma received the quilt I made and is very pleased with it. Now Im told that Emma's auntie is pregnant too! Looks like I will be putting that Sock Monkey charm pack to good use!

Im not sure sure if I will be using the same yardage as the pampered pooch charm pack but they do look good together!

My next article for NinePatchNews will be on last minute xmas gifties. I will have lots of links and instructions. I will repost to my blog once I get it done. It will be a great way to recycle linens, scraps, clothes into useful items around the house.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

One of my babies is having a baby!

2010-11-04T21:36:00.005-04:00

hiyall,

I just finished a baby quilt for a friend whom I met when she was a newborn. now the newborn is all grown up and having babies of her own.
This first quilt is a quilt she tells me I made for her when she was a itty bitty. I dont remember making it for her but I do recognize the fabric. In fact I still have some of that fabric in my stash!
simple patchwork, layered, birthed and tied at the corners. no binding! this was made over 22 years ago. I was in the early stages of my quilt making :

the 2nd quilt is the one I am giving to her for HER baby! dang I feel old!

this quilt was easy to make. The pattern is a version of Bonnie Hunters Sticks and Stones. I took a charm pack and some yardage. The charm pack I used is call Peas and Carrots. Lots of orange and green, hence the name of the charm pack. I split each charm in 1/2 and added a 2 1/2 block to each rectangle. I 'stacked' the columns and added a narrow border (one inch finished) in yellow for friendship and a 2nd border 2 1/2 inch finished). I used mocked binding (1/2 inch finished)that matched the colors of the charms. quick and easy. Quilt is approx 32 in square.

I found my sock moneky charm pack! I will be making another baby quilt using that. The way my friends are reproducing, it wont be long before I find a home for it *snarf*

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I told ya I would.....

2010-11-02T14:29:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

as promised a picture of the blue ribbon winning loom beaded bracelet my son Daniel aka Beloved Monkey boy won!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I am back for a long time!

2010-11-01T09:59:00.005-04:00

hiyall!

Finally, after months of no Internet, I have INTERNET! The Dingbat is BACK! Thank to Cox's cable and Beloved Monkey Boy! Since I missed Blogtoberfest I decided I will make it up by posting just about everyday in November. During my absent I did get some quilting done. I joined a swap last summer in one of the quilty groups in Yahoo. We swapped mini wall hanging with just a simple pumpkin design. The swap mom got permission from the designer
Amy of Citypark Girl fame had design. you can get the pattern here: http://amyscreativeside.com/ Super simple and was fast to make. The one of the top is what I received and the one on the bottom is what I sent out. The only requirement was we had to use a border with pumpkins in it. I was temped to bling my up a little bit but didnt.
I really like this design because it can be used for October and November! I encourage everyone to join a quilty swap every now and again. The challenge will get your creative juices flowing and hone your skills. I just joined yet another online swap, this one is for a mini quilt no bigger than a sheet of notebook paper, think of all the possibilties!

Thanks to all my internet buddies and bloggers I have more than enough owl fabric for Grandma's Hooters project. Later this week there will be a vote for which block to use and a winner for the one who voted for the winning block. I cant decide on a block, I have 3 to chose from. See ya later this week!

Keep on Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

damn...has it been THAT long???

2010-10-13T13:43:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

Yes I still alive! sorry for the no blog in so long. July we had a bad storm and my phone lines went out AGAIN. Verizon has been a prick about coming out and fixing them. Beloved Monkey Boy told me about a special that Cox cable is having on internet service. Im making arrangement with them. I will dump Verizon after 20 plus years and stick with my cell phone and internet. It will be cheaper in the long run.

Meanwhile.....alot of sewing has been going on. I won a blue ribbon at the peanut fest for my recyled jean leg country apron! BMB got a blue ribbon too for his loom beading! He has parted ways with his girlfriend and started doing the loom beading again. He made this beautiful braclet with several shades of blues and white. Kinda look like Bargello. It impressed the judges into a blue ribbon. Makes a Dingbat Momma PROUD! As soon as I get a picture I will post it.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

my weekend project, tutorial coming soon!

2010-07-19T11:52:00.002-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Beloved Monkey Boy and his Boo Sugah

2010-07-17T21:16:00.003-04:00

hiyall,
this has been a rough week. monday I locked the keys in my car. I never do that......with the exception waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1990 but that is another story. Of course I was working 2nd shift at QVC in Va and I didnt get off shift til midnight! I called POPALOCK which should be called popajoke wouldnt come out to rescue me.....gggrrrrrrr........... I called my son Daniel AKA Beloved Monkey Boy. I told him what I had done and could he come get me. He said he would but he was bringing his girlfriend which he refers to his Boo Sugah. I will Refer to her as MsBOO.
She is a pretty girl and has been very good for BMB.
Daniel and Jenn. they make a cute couple!

They come out to the warehouse and bring with them a hammer and coat hanger. IM thinking...oh hell no....you aint breaking the window to the Plum! He said no, he was gonna try to pry open the door frame,then push the coat hanger in the door and pull up the lock stem. I have the old fashion lock stems so it easier to unlock. The coat hanger was too thick so I went to security and got a thinner hanger. good news! it worked! bad news! there is surface damage in the roof and on the door frame. At MsBoo's suggestion I layered some topcoat finger nail polish on the effected parts to keep the rusting out. evenually I will get the Plum a new paint job. Of course the alarm went off and I couldnt get it to turn off. there were a few people in the parking lot and they were staring at us. I finally got the alarm off, gave MsBoo and BMB my heart felt thanks and hugs. BMB demanded a large pan of my infamous tuna fish casserole that I will gladly make.they saved me alot of money and aggravation. In middle of all this a thunderstorm was coming thru. lightening and thunder and rain and it was 1am before we were able to leave. This was one of my proudest MOM moments. I raised him on my own and I know I did a good job when I could call him after midnight to come to my place of work, in the rain and help his stranded momma! many thanks to Beloved Monkey Boy and his Boo Sugah!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

just under the wire!

2010-07-05T11:30:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

got this purty done just under the due date wire! I did this mini for an online swap. its approx 23 x27. I used batik and kona 6 1/2 in 9 patch blocks that I made for a another online swap. I used the infamous disappearing 9 patch block design. I call it....the amish go to bali. I hope the person who receives it, likes it.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Have a safe 4th yall!

2010-07-04T06:00:00.004-04:00

Have a safe and terrific 4th of July and remember to thank a service person for their service to our wonderful country!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

the owls have landed!

2010-07-03T19:33:00.006-04:00

hiyall,

a couple of post back I had asked for owl fabric. boy howdy did yall come thru! owls flew in from all parts of the united states as well as europe! look at all the purty birds! love love love all of them. this will jump start my tribute to my grandmother!

I recieved a wonderful eclectic bunch of owls. I will cherish all of them!

for those who sent owl fabric, I in return send them this cute little snap pouch with a matchbook needle keeper tucked inside.

thank you ladies for your contribution to Grandma's Hooters project!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

my Dad

2010-06-20T07:53:00.001-04:00

hiyall,

this hansome devil is my Dad. the picture was taken in the early 60s. gotta love that tweed jacket! he had that twinkle in his skye blue eyes right up til the day he passed. Dad is my hero, he raised me and my 2 sisters by himself for many years. He also help raised his then only granson for a short period of time. Dad always stepped up when he was needed. He taught me how to raise a child the good way. I think about my hero everyday and I still miss him. Happy Fathers day to all the Dads, Single Moms, Granparents and to those who stepped up when other would not.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

silent saturday

2010-06-13T19:45:00.002-04:00

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

A request

2010-06-05T17:32:00.001-04:00

hiyall,
ever been doing something not quilt related and a brilliant quilt plan pops into your head??? I had one of those moments recently. I want to design a quilt in honor of my grandmother. While in the shower, I had this quilt idea popped right into my head! I get a lot of great ideas while in the shower, most of my best Redneck Quilter Jokes came about in there. Feel free to stop snickering now...... anyhoooooo........Grandma was Cherokee and Chippewa. Her spirit totem was the Owl. Mine is the Bat, loooooong story behind it .She had Owls of all sorts all over the house. Real stuffed ones, metal, chystal, glass etc. I have seen some stinkin' cute Owl fabrics on the blogs and in the catalogs lately and I thought that would be the perfect material for a quilt! Problem is, none of my local quilt shops carry that kind of novelty fabric. I dont need much, 5 in charm square, fat eights, scraps.... I have a ton of tone on tone, poka dot that look like owl eyes, feathers, and gemometric designs to co ordinate with the Owl fabric. sooooo this is my request..... can yall spare a little bit of your owls fabric stash (if'n you happened to have some)? In return I will send you a cute little item hand crafted by moi! not gonna tell you what it is, it will a surprize. The working title of this quilt is GrandMa's Hooters! She would love the double meaning of that title . Please email privately Erzebatbat@aol.com for my snail mail addy if you are interested in this exchange. thanks in advance!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

silent saturday

2010-06-05T10:33:00.001-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

thank you Dad

2010-05-30T13:23:00.003-04:00

hiyall
as you know, tomarrow is Memorial Day in the United States. My post today is about my Dad. RM1 James E McClure. He went into the Navy in 1948 and stayed til 1968. He was a man of Honor and raised 3 daughters. He was very proud of his daughters and gransons. He passed in 95 and is greatly missed by all of us. Thank you Dad for your years of service in the Navy and stepping up to raise your daughters when another wouldnt. This picture is of Dad when he went to Great Lakes Training Center. I got it out of his memory album from that year. A special thanks and prayers to our Service People where ever they are across the world. Come home safe, you are very much loved and missed!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

Silent Saturday

2010-05-29T22:57:00.001-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(amuh) Liz

Dennis Sean, my hero!

2010-05-16T21:15:00.006-04:00

Hiyall

yes! 2 post in one day! this picture you see is my nephew, Dennis Sean McClure, who graduated from Liberty University yesterday. In the picture is his daughter Summer, my grand niece. I am so friggin' proud of my nephew I can burst! He works a full time job, is a full time daddy and went to college!

It has been a long 2 years and he can finally relax! He got his B.S. in Management Information Systems. Big ass title for computer geek Dennis, I am proud of you! I cant say this enough!!

Not only can you breed stink'n cute kid, but you are hansome and smart to boot! To see a better view of him and summer, double click on the picture! A special thanks for Michelle who supported Dennis while he was in college and working and who is a great Mom to Summer!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

editors note: clicking on the picture will not enlarge it. phooey! trust me, he is hansome and she is adorable. only suggestion I can make, save pic and enlarge thru your photo editor

silent saturday one day late,this picture just cracks me up!

2010-05-16T18:47:00.002-04:00

Keep On Stitch'in On!

(mauh) Liz

Silent Saturday

2010-05-01T20:25:00.002-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

silent saturday

2010-04-24T09:32:00.001-04:00

Silent Saturday

2010-04-17T21:04:00.001-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Silent Saturday

2010-04-10T22:58:00.002-04:00

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

shop samples

2010-03-28T20:21:00.002-04:00

hiyall,
been busy the last few weeks with my 3 jobs. I have made these cute ass pouches for shop samples. I made these to promote a class I am to teach at the Quilt shop. Once you get the first one done, the rest are easy peasy. These are called Snap Bags, called that cause the rim has metal pieces from a carpenters measuring tape! I didnt have a tape so I went to my friendly neighborhood Dolla store and bought one! I also got a roll of painters tape to seal off the ends to prevent the edges from poking thru. When I made these bags I found that one piece for the smaller bags were enough, but the big bags needed 2 pieces. The pairie points are the tabs that pop it open. I will also recommend that my students use a top stitch needle because it has a larger eye, large bore to the shaft and it will make it easier to go thru all those layers. I first saw this pattern at the Mid Atlantic Quilt show as a sew and go treat at the Brother Booth. At the same time, Mary Beth had gotten the pattern for the shop. I told her about the sew and take and we decided to do a class on them. We picked out the fabric, I took the pattern and fabric home and did the shop samples. Today she was having an event at the shop and I dropped off the samples. There was a good response to the samples. She had several patterns in the shop and they have already sold. She will have to order more patterns (they will be required to take the class) and we will make up 'kits' of the hardware for the bags. This is the pattern upclose and personal http://www.threesistersfabric.com/patterns-7/all-patterns-26/snap-happy-by-stitchin-sisters-1529.html

here is a great online tutorial for those who cant get to your local quilt shop to purchase the pattern.http://tatteredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/01/snappy-bag-tutorial.html

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

Pictures from the Mid Atlantic Quilt show

2010-02-28T19:06:00.006-05:00

third day purchases. a couple of FQs, charm pack from bonnie blue and a metal purse handle. this handle has a rod on it so you can swap out your purse body when you want to change purses. I make purses from tea towels and this will be perfect, no need to use many handles, just switch purse bodys!

second day purchases, a few FQs and some clear templates which you cant see. they are mini templates for my infamous mini quilts.

this is one of the entrys to the wearable art division. it is heavily beaded and has a tiny little beaded coin purse hanging off the side. how cute is that?

I found this quilt to be interesting. a view of the well from the inside and from the bottom looking up. love the rainbow colors

this is one of my favorite quilts. this is a master piece of fabric art. this is all fabric with embellishments of beading and leather. this was hanging in instructors row. didnt get the name of the instructor but Im sure most of yall reconize the artist.

this is another amazing full size wall hanging. this one had 3D flowers and ferns. the mushroons on the trunk were 3D as well.

this was another favorite. the horses have amazing details to them

being a military brat, this one tugged at my heart. this quilt is a tribute to a fallen soldier who passed overseas a couple of years ago. it should have gotten at least an honorable mention

this beauty won a blue ribbon for inovation. yall should have seen the details on this quilt. this is one of those 'you aint sitting on my bed' quilts. extremely detailed. each piece was fused and machined stitched down!

this is a cute sew and take project that was offered by Brother sewing machines. Its a snap purse and the snappy part is made from cut up pieces of metal measuring tape! Since all the classes were full for all 4 days I didnt get to make one :( A friend found this tutorial online that is the next best thing. I went to Dollar tree and got the metal measuring tape and painters tape.

http://tatteredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/01/snappy-bag-tutorial.html

this one was made with 2 rows of metal measuring tape. easy enough to adapt to the tutorial.

first day at MAQF purchases. didnt get much but I found the much needed hand supports. I use the handsupports at my jobs with QVC and HArris Teeter where I am a cashier. large spool of 40wt glazed egyptian cotton thread. mainly used for hand quilting, but I will use it for machine quilting since its 40 wt and thinner than regular hand quilting thread. the little suction cup thingies are the newest thing for holding down rulers while you rotary cut. I will post a demo on how to use them later.

these pins are what I wore to MAQF. the churn dash on the left is what the AOL quilting chatroom people wear to ID ourselves. I made this pin on a beading loom. back with leather and has a tie tac pin. the Pin on the left is the pickle pin to let people know I am part of the pickle posse with mark lipinski. we tryed to schedule a pickle posse gathering friday night but I was the only one to show. oh well.....

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

2010-02-13T19:20:00.002-05:00

I hate valentines day, doesnt mean yall cant have a good one! may yall get a ton of chocolate and purty flowers for Vday.
Keep On Stitchin' On!
(mauh) Liz

calling all quilters who love kids!

2010-02-11T11:50:00.004-05:00

Hiyall~

I have to tell you about a wonderful program that is going on right now sponsored by Downy Fabric Softener. Its called Downy Touch Of Comfort.
http://quiltsforkids.org/
Downy wants to help collect and donate 10,000 quilts to sick kids in the hospital. They have a pattern to download,in PDF form, if you want to make one from your stash or you can send off for a FREE kit. I sent off for one on a Sunday and by Tuesday it was at my door step. Everything you need is included in the kit except for batting. Kit includes pattern, materials for the top, backing and blinding! They will pay to send the kit to you, you pay to send the finished quilts to them. I think its a very fair deal!
Go to the web site, click on the Volunteer button and sign up for the kit. I did have a problem with sending the info they requested and was advised by a fellow quilter participant to email directly and request a kit. Go to the Contact button and email your info. This is a legit program and I encourage all my fellow Quilters out there to join the fun! There are some guide lines in the making of the quilt, but its all common sense stuff. If you don't have time, the website will take donations. Remember, for every bottle of Downy sold, P&G will donate to the Quilts for Kids organization to help pay for the kits and postage to send them out to us Quilters who want to help. How cute is this kit I received!! The material is all precut and ready to sew together. This quilt top will be a simple 4 patch and solid block style with 2 borders. You also get a Label to sign your name and title of the Quilt. I'm thinking 'Bunnys among the Patches' what do yall think? of course I will post pics when I am done! I have this weekend off and will be working on it.
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz
P.S. 2 weeks til MAQF!!

I will be glad when you are gone gone gone!

2010-02-04T18:10:00.001-05:00

hiyall!
Here in the big city, the snow is almost gone. I am sooooooo glad that it is going away, but guess what? the weatherman is predicting more snow! hopefully it will be alot of rain instead. I can handle driving in nasty rain, I did during hurricane isabel. I hate driving in the snow and ice, people go nuts around here when it does. I am not a big fan of snow. I worry about my son when he drives in it to get to work. I worry about my friend lola who live waaayyy out in bumhump virginia where they dont plow the roads. I worry that one of my three jobs will call me in and hold it against me for refusing to drive. I am a good driver, I got proof from the DMV (snarfy grin) its the other asswipes out there that will kill me! I live in a huge military area. we have all the branches here. I dont give a fatrats ass that you drive tanks and humbees as part of your job in the military, many of yall couldnt drive if'n your life depended on it! When the state police tell you to stay home and stay off the roads, what part of that statement do you NOT understand??? but enough of my bitching....

woohooo! 3 more weeks til MAQF!! looks like I will be going thursday and friday. MAYBE sunday. still up in the air. I filed my fed taxes today, I will be getting a nice refund. I will use part of that for my retail therapy that I desperately need! I have my wish list started and I hope I will find at least 2 items on it. Cant go to a big quilt show and come out empty handed.....it just not done!

as you can see I am back online for the moment. last day of the snow storm I lost my phone line right in the middle of doing my taxes online. not a good thing! I was able to get back online today and with this rain/snow storm coming tomarrow I may not be online this weekend. when I got my phone line back last weekend I literally sat at my puter for 4 hours plus straight catching up on my blogs. I found a couple of cute cute cute crafty pattern links I would like to share. enjoy!

http://shirleymac2.blogspot.com/2009/10/microwave-mitt-pattern.html
http://wwwdawnies.blogspot.com/2009/12/dawnies-christmas-themed-apron-tutorial.html
http://noodleheads.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorial-messenger-bag-from-cargo-pants.html
http://emilys-little-world.blogspot.com/2009/12/handmade-flowers-tutorial-week-day-5.html

Keep On Stitchin' On!
(mauh) Liz

yes Virginia, it does snow in Chesapeake, Va!

2010-01-30T12:23:00.006-05:00

hiyall,

We rarely get snow here in my neck of the woods in Virginia, but this time we got hit big time! I went out today to take a few pic to record this momentous occasion! Enjoy the view!

The Plum (Pt Cruiser) under 5 inches of snow. It may end up

sitting there til Monday. People can't drive in this crap and I refuse

to be a target! I took these pictures approx 930am this morning.

Within an hour, all of Abby tracks were covered with fresh snowfall.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce by my door way. Its 5 ft tall

and is about 12 years old.

Abby the wondermutt looking for a place to make yeller

snow. She not real fond of snow, but she tolerates it. She

rather stay indoors and be my 4 legged quilt tester.

Abby on guard duty, she spies the hoodies playing in the

snow. She thinking.....go ahead...make my day, step on

MY driveway!

My messy back yard looks very charming in the deep

snow. May have been only 5 inches, but that is alot for us!

Even the trash cans look purty in the snow!

Ok mom! I have had enough, I dont care if

I have fur between my toes, I want back in!

You know its cold outside when your 70 lb bordercollie/

rottie/malamute mix mutt goes outside to pee and is

back inside in less than 2 mins. Gives new meaning to

'splash and dash'!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Got Pin Cushions?

2010-01-28T15:51:00.008-05:00

Hi yall!

As I promised, here is the tutorial for the pin cushion that I gave my students in the last class that I taught. these little pretties were very well recieved!

you will need the following supplies:

~one wooden candle holder cup (bought at any craft supply store)
~3 flat floral marbles (to weight down the cup)

~couple of scraps of felt, at least 3 in ~4 to 4 1/2 in scrap of your favorite material

~chunk of polyeaster fluff

~ 3 1/5 to 4 in round template of your chosing

~hot glue gun ot thick tacky glue

~high gloss paint (opt)

~ paint your candle cup the color of your choice, I painted mine a neutral cement color. apply 2 coats, let dry completely between each coat. if you want a real high gloss, apply more coats.

~once the cup has dried, place the flat marbles in the cup. I used the flat marbles cause I didnt want the pin cushion to be top heavy.

~take your felt scraps and free hand cut daisey like flowers. cut at least 2 flowers.

~ hot glue the flowers, one on top of the other.

~using the template, draw a circle on the material and cut out. using a running stitch, make a yo-yo and stuff with the fluff firmly. draw the thread tight and tie off.

~hot glue the ball on top of the petals, hold in place til the glue hardens.

tadaaaaaaaaa, you have a cute little pin cushion to keep or give away. I have given pin cushions to many of my quilting buddies and students and they are always welcomed! you can make a 1/2 doz of these little charmer in about 2 hours or less! enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

post script

2010-01-25T10:36:00.004-05:00

hiyall,

quick post script to yesterdays entry. I did not design this quilt. my friend and boss at the Quilting Bee in Chesapeake Va. did. although there are variations of the block all over the net, Mary Beth was the one came up with specific instructions on the construction and assemble, then taught me so I could teach the class for our sunday quilt class regulars. Special thanks to Mary Beth for her details and work! I made a boo-boo on the measurements of the top, it should have read....56x 70. I had 80 blocks on my brain when I typed 56x80...oppppsss! I also forgot to show you the giftie I gave to my students. Since my students pay good money to take classes at the shop, I feel they should get a little sum-sum back. I generally come up with a new pincushion design and gift it.
.
this is what I came up with for this class. I will do a tutorial later.
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

Ya gotta love sundays!

2010-01-24T18:32:00.005-05:00

hiyall,

ya gott love sundays! I like teaching quilt classes at the local quilt shop on sundays. today was one of those days. I taught a class called ' stack the deck'. It use to be called mousetrap. we called it that cause of the triangle shaped middle block that reminded you of a piece of cheese in a trap.

these lovely ladies are my students. AJ, Jan and Seanea. They had a good time and loved the challenge of slice and dicing the blocks, shuffling the layers, and sewing it back together.

these are the finished blocks, you have to be careful when you shuffle the deck or you end up with 2 of the same pieces of material in your block. the formula goes as follows: select 5 ~ one yard cuts of fabric. cut 4~8 1/2 strip from each yard. then subcut into 8 1/2 in block. each yard will yield 16~ 8 1/2 in blocks. you will have a total of 80 blocks.

~take one of each block, 5 total and stack together.

~make 3 slices into the stack of blocks, see pictures for guide lines

~number each stack and shuffle in this order. #1 block take the top piece and place on the bottom of the stack. #2 take 2 top 2 pieces and put in the bottom of the stack. #3 take the top 3 pieces and place of the bottom of the stack. #4 take the BOTTOM piece and place on the TOP of the stack.

~ now your ready to sew. for this you work backwards. sew #3 and #4 together, press and trim off excess of the MIDDLE. dont worry about the edges, you will square up after the block is complete

~take the #3/4 unit and sew it to #2. press and trim off excess on the middle.

~take #1 and sew to the #2/3/4 unit. now you can square up the block. it should square up to 7 1/4 to 7 1/2 inch

stack and cut your blocks 5 pieces at a time. you will end up with 80 blocks total. make your rows 8 across and 10 down. this will make your top before borders 56 x 80.

the block has the appearance of the crazy quilt block. you can use your fancy stitches on your sewing machine to do mock crazy quilt. thank you for taking the time to read this blog entry and take a chance and try this block!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Im back!! I think....maybe....kinda.....sorta.....

2010-01-21T13:58:00.004-05:00

hiyall!
like the bad seed that I be, I am back....I think....still having problems with phone lines but I can get online more often lately. Verizon and I are not seeing eye to eye. I may end up switching providers before this is all over. I thought it was a shorted out jack in my wall. Nope, that isnt the problem, its that damn FIOS line they put in last summer. Th cold wet weather hasnt helped either. I have missed reading and posting blogs so much!! I have been able to get online thru library puter (which limits your time on the puter to one hour) and sons house. I get to read mail and pay bills but that is all. I have missed 2 deadlines with NPN and I am not happy about that! I am working on a couple of articles for next month.

now for the latest updates on moi!

I'm still working at QVC. They did hire me on for a permanent slot. my new title is Variable Labor. This means that I work on my own schedule and hours. I can work as little as I want or up to 40 hours. I do have to work at least 32 hours a month, 16 hours of those hours to be worked on weekends. I try to work second shift cause it pays a 10% shift upgrade. Right now Im still in QA, they have a couple of huge promotions for the next couple of months and they will need extra help with inspections. Since I am crossed trained in 5 different departments I can get plenty of work most of the time. only bad thing about working so many different departments is that each one has a different pay grade. QA and IC (inventory control) the highest is where I will try to work the most. Its a pain to do the paperwork for payroll but it is a steady job! Im still at Harris Teeter, they have cut hours and since Im not a regular of course my hours really got cut. I was hoping to quit them when I got the perm contract with the Q but until I get use to the hours there, I will stay at HT as well.

not much sewing going on, since I didn't have easy access to the internet, I couldnt surf for ideas. I am still teaching at the Quilting Bee and I have a couple of cute ideas for classes there. I am counting down the weeks til the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival! 5 weeks and counting! I generally dont spend a lot of money at the show, just drool at the wonderful work and get inspired. I have my wish list and pretty much stick to that. I try to support my local quilt shops as much as possible.

I hope yall are doing well and had a good holiday. I know I did, went to my nephews for xmas in north carolina and had a very nice laided back time. something I needed for a long time!

See yall in blogger land! maybe...kinda....praying....

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

Im still here!

2009-12-10T20:24:00.003-05:00

hiyall,
Im still here! Having alot of problems with my phone lines. apprently the gutters are backed up, forcing the rain water to seep into eaves, which run down the wall that has the shorted the phone jack and now I have no phone service. everytime it rains I have this problem. once I locate a 15 ft ladder, beloved monkey boy (aka son) can climb and clean out the gutters. then I can get the phone jack replace and get back online. I dont have internet access at home but I do have BMB's puter and access at the library. no pictures for a while, so I hope I dont bore ya with my chit chat. thanks for understanding!
Keep On Stitchn' On!
(mauh) Liz

my next article for NPN~

2009-11-11T10:44:00.002-05:00

Recycle and Re purpose

Hiyall!

Its that time of year, time to be thinking about what you can give to love ones for Christmas. If you are like me, your budget is stretched to the limit and you have no or very little cash for presents. Well, don't you worry Virginia! There is a Santa Claus and its YOU!

You have skills! You are good with needle and thread! You can make all your gifts this year! Check around the house, do you have a set of vintage sheets you can part with? Go look for that stash of tea towels you bought along time ago and hid from hubby, get that embroidery machine out and find that perfect logo or design for gifts! I know you have a big bucket of scraps that need to be cut and organized and made into something useful and practical!

Have some old dresses that you made eons ago and they are either to small or outdated? Cut them up to make shopping totes or table runners or coasters. Do the same with old cotton blend shirts that are hanging in the closet! Now is the time to hit the thrift stores. They will be trying to clean out their inventory to make room for the December donations people make for that last minute tax credit. For very little money you can get a lot of material for making those gifts! You have done duo duty! Your helping your local charity with your purchases, you are recycling and re purposing the things you have bought! I have bought name brands items for a fraction of the cost in the department stores.

I have included in this article some of my favorite links to gifties I have made in the past. Have fun surfing and let us know which ones are your favorite! All the links are active as of 11-07-09.

wristlet ~ great for using old sweaters that you have shrink in the wash!
http://www.artful-offerings.com/images/FREE%20Mini%20Wristlet%20Pattern%20&%20Directions.pdf

Pincushion~ experiment with different size circle
http://www.cddesigns.com/AfternoonProj/YoYo/PDFs/yy004b.PDF

fabric covered thumbtacks~ cute for a kids room or sewing room
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/03/thumb-tack-tutorial.html

thread catcher~ arm chair sewers love these!
http://www.kquilts-studio.com/pincushionthread_catcher_tutori.htm

heat therapy rice bag ~ great for the weekend warrior!
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=280

flat round pin cushion ~ nice gift for the beginner quitter
http://whipup.net/2006/03/01/stickin-it-to-the-pincushion/

my favorite hobo bag pattern! love this pattern! made it several times
you can get your hardware at home depot or lowes. magnet snaps at Joann fabrics
http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=HOBO_BAG

baby booties! cute cute cute! I make a pair for my friend's baby's first Christmas in colorful Christmas fabrics. they end up in baby books after they are out grown!
http://www.poopockets.com/free/footies/footies.htm

key fobs~great for those key ring size loyalty cards that most retail stores have now
http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/keyfobinstructions.html

pincushion and thread holder
http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2007/01/tutorial.html

site with hundreds of links for sewing accessory ideas
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.net/VictorianSewingAccessories.htm

another key fob
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2008/10/scrapbusters-long-strips-wristlet.html

a zippered lunch bag! a few alterations and it can be a tween purse!
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2008/09/tutorial-zippered-top-lunch-bags.html

snap wallet~ great for business cards or larger loyalty cards
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2006/10/whiplash-accessories-entry-mini-wallet.html

pincushion cuff~ love this pin cushion you can use all sorts of fabrics with this included felted wool
http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/pincushion-cuff-tutorial.html

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ninepatchnews/?yguid=7402355 to subscribe go to this link, but you need a yahoo addy, quick, easy FREE to sign up for one

for those of yall into civil war reproduction things.....

2009-10-18T20:45:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

recently I sent out a link to a website to my online quilting buddys that had a pattern for a pin cushion fashioned after a Civil War Reproduction. My friend Ramona made one and it came out very cute! This is the link to the website, just download the fre PDF file:

http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit/projects/eight-pointed_civil_war_buckshot_pincushion/civil_war_buckshot_pincushion.pdf

Ramona said she used fluff to stuff, but you can use those plastic pellets or the ever popular crush walnuts shell availible at your pet supply place. I have a friend who gets the crush walnuts for her son's lizard cage so in a sense...its lizard litter!

Remember those adorable Poochie bags I posted about earlier this month? Wellllllll, Ms Monica has done it again! She designed a itty bitty poochie bag! they are so stinkin' adorable! She uses a moda layer cake slice for hers, but you can also use 5 inch charms!

http://www.unitednotions.com/MBS-itty-bitty-poochie-bag.pdf

they come out approx 4 inches, you can fill it with candy and stuff the pockets with a gift card for a present! cute cute cute!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

woohooo! Sparkly Pumpkins are done!

2009-10-15T23:49:00.004-04:00

hiyall,
the sparkly pumpkins are finally done! yea!!! they were due Oct 1 but I have been very busy with working a full time job and 2 part time jobs. Things have eased up a little and I got to work on these all day today. great rainy day project! I will get them out to the new owners on Monday. had a blast making these. the pumpkin and crow pattern came out of an old McCalls Quick quilts mag. I zig zagged the edges, use gold glittery tulip paint for sparkle and silk leaves for a 3-D look. Click on picture to see better details. The jack-o pattern is out of the lastest Fons and Porter magazine. I used 2 different size buttons for the eyes. pieces were fused and zig-zagged. I added a ceramic fall color leaf to each style. in my online exchange group of 12 (there are now more in the group, all from the pickle posse) 1/2 wanted fall, other half, included myself wanted halloween. this group is park of the sparkly chicken group from last summer.

I have recieved 5 blocks so far in the exchange, I will post pics when I get more. I had fun making these blocks, great diversion from training on new job and working other jobs inbetween. I wanted to stamp a dingbat on them as well but I couldnt find my stamp or the stamp pad....grrrrr dont you hate that?

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Let the Blogger Quilt Festival begin!

2009-10-12T08:49:00.001-04:00

Hiyall!

I know I am late! the festival started a few days ago but I be a very busy busy dingbat! This is my latest 'favorite' quilt (sheepish grin). I adore 30's repros. Dont ask me why, but I do. In August my LQS where I sometime work and teach at had a Murder Mystery. It was set in at 30's nipjoint in Chicago. It was a hoot and a blast. We were given clues as how to construct the quilt and had to find out who 'murdered' one of the characters. mine was named Sly Sleeze and I was *wiggling eyebrows*. The name of this Quilt is called Twisted Cables. I dont rember who the designer is but they did a good job. lots of 4 patches, flying geese and elongated snowballs. I entered this quilt into the local county fair for judging. the judges were BLIND! I was robbed, robbed I tell ya! no ribbon but there is always next year! The picture shows 1/4 of the quilt, it is approx 52 by 76. Perfect for this fluffy bat! thanks for dropping by, have fun visiting all the hundreds of talented quilters who happen to blog too! Keep On Stitch'n On! (mauh) Liz

A Fall Festival of Quilts!

2009-10-11T11:38:00.002-04:00

hiyall! Amy of Parkcitygal fame http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/ is sponsoring another Online Quilt Festival like she did last Spring. Since most Quilters are not gonna be at the huge Houston Quilt Festival this year, this is a great way to see what other quilters are making and designing on their blogs. See that button on the right side of the my blog? just click on it and it will take you to list of Quilters! I have seen a few and it has inspired me to work on my quilts even more! Later today or early tomarrow I will post my latest Quilt. First I have to go pick it up from the local county fair. No ribbon this year, but there is always next year! Keep On Stitchin' On! (mauh) Liz

new job and busy sewing!

2009-09-27T10:10:00.006-04:00

hiyall,

Quick hit and run post. I have a new job, its temporary but it pays well and I really like it. I am a Quality Assurance Product Inspector at QVC! big ass title! My number is 75, the year I graduated from high school (snicker).I work 10 hr shifts, 4 days a week. that give me a extra day off for sewing! yea! I have sundays off again so now I can teach at the shop! Last weekend I had 3 days off so I caught up on some much needed sewing therapy.

I found this tutorial at Happy Zombie This is a sweet little tote to make! takes 3 fat quarters! Once I figured out what to do, it went very fast! its lined with pockets on each side. I will be making a bunch of these for gran nieces for xmas! its approx 9 x 11. good size to tote portable sewing projects too!

I got the top done on the mystery quilt! The LQS where I sometimes work and teach at had a murder mystery weekend. This picture shows half the quilt, I dont have much wall space in my tiny Townhouse. I played a character names Sly Sleaze. Murder took place in a 30's speak easy. We had a blast. I have layer and basted this top and its ready to be machine quilted on my machine. I hope to get it done sometime this week. I really like this one. I do believe this one will be a keeper!

my plans today are to work on my sparkly pumpkins and get them ready for snail mail. I will be late sending them out but my sparkly friends will understand! I will post pictures when I get them done.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Sorry if you have received any SPAM mail from a Spammer BITCH DISA !!!in a cryptic computer fonts.

It has been reported and hopefully will be dealt with.

another baby quilt and shop samples!

2009-08-28T17:25:00.004-04:00

hiyall!

I have been busy, busy, very busy lately with baby quilts, grocery bags and shop samples!

this is the quilt that I presented to the mommy last week. simple little

5 rail fence pattern. instead of my usual stitch in the ditch I tryed doing a wavy line

between the rows. it came out ok, afterwards I figured out that I could have

covered the feed dawgs and used a stippling foot to get a better wave.

mommy loves it. the pink bag you see is my latest trend. instead of using

paper gift bags from the dollar store, I will make the gift bag out of fabric!

butterwick has a pattern B5338 that has several options to making grocery

bags like the plastic ones in the stores. I made one according to the pattern

and I decided I needed to do some tweeking to it. these bags are very roomy

and will hold 2 gals of milk! I have made a bunch of them and I will be selling

them online soon!

this is one of the shop samples I made this week. there is a line of mini quilt kits called Snap Sack, small quilt kits. go to this website for more info http://www.hummingbird-highway.com/

each sack comes with all materials needed for the top, backing and binding. you provide the

batting. cute cute cute kits. this one is called 'summer bloom' approx 15 in sqaure. I made it in semi-

christmas fabrics. click on the picture to get a better view of the pattern and my machine

quilting.

when I was cutting this kit, I was asked to make a sample of it. I asked

if I could cut enough for 2 so I could keep one for myself. Mary Beth

said sure. MB is the shop owner and is very generous to us sample makers

and kit cutters. I decided to make the kit with mock binding and birth each

one instead of the usual layering and binding. to mock bind, you cut a strip of

fabric 1 inch wide and add it to the outer border of the quilt. put the front to back with right

sides together, lay on top of a piece of batting and stitch all around leaving

a opening big enough to turn inside out. I like to call this method,

birthing a quilt, cause its a labor of love! I know....bad pun....bad pun!

Blind stitch opening closed, then stitch in the ditch all around the edge.

this will give the illusion of regualr binding but its not, its MOCK BINDING.

on the second sample I used a different binding and it gave the little quilt a whole

other look about it. made it lighter.

this snap sack sample is called Liberty Belle, approx 10 x 28. this is perfect for a narrow space on the wall or a door charm. both kits were very quick to make and there are generous cuts of fabric in each one. ask your local quilt shop about them.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

she likes it! she really likes it!

2009-08-18T22:22:00.003-04:00

hiyall!

the little mommy loves her quilt! I used a simple disappearing ninepatch design and 2 borders. all pinks, whites and a little bit of yellow....very girl girl! she is due the second week of september, but we think she will deliver long before then. I thinking the full moon of the 4th

keep on stitch'n on!

(mauh) Liz

A tutorial for NinePatch News!

2009-08-05T10:35:00.009-04:00

hiyall,

long time no post! ack ack, real life got into the way! today's post is a long over due tutorial for the online newsletter Nine Patch News that I write for. last months article was on how to re purpose your stash. if your not gonna make quilts, make grocery bags! this tutorial is about make grocery bags. although the pics are going to be on a lunch bag ( my own design of course!) I will be giving 2 sets of measurements. one for lunch bag, the other for grocery bag (will be in parenthesise). both these bags are DEEP. will hold alot of lunch and grocery's! lets get started!

you will need the following supplies:

*1/2 yard of all cotton (one yard all cotton)

*size 14 needle for top stitching (larger eye and better to go thru many layers)

*matching thread

*cardboard template 2 1/2 in sq (3 1/2 in sq)

@cut 2 pieces 12x16 (21x24)

@cut 4 pieces 1 1/2 x20 (3 strips wof x 2 1/2)

@cut 2 pieces for pockets 6 x 8 1/2 (9x9)

~take corner templates, mark fabric, and cut out corners. hem the top of the bag body. fold over raw edge 3/8 of an inch, fold down again and stitch in place

~take pocket pieces, right sides together, fold in half, sew along the raw edge. turn inside out so right side is showing. place pockets where ever you want to place them, sew along the edge to the body of the bag

~take 2 of the long strips and sew together along the ends. with wrong side together sew along the sides to make a long handle. do not turn inside out, just press flat. see picture

~pin handle to the body. the end of the handle should start right about the corner cutout, along the edge of the pocket, to the top of the bag,loop around and come down the other side. do this for both bag body pieces

~zig zag along the handle to secure raw edge.

~this is where a serger would come in handy, but since I don't have one, I just sewed along the sides and bottom. I went back and zig zaged the raw edges to keep the material from shredding.

~Match your corners and sew edges plus zig zag

~turn inside out and there you have it! a nice tall lunch bag! The size width wise is like a regular brown paper bag. it is TALL but it will accommodate bottles of water and bread sticks *grin*

Sorry this isnt a nice clean polished tutorials like the ones I read on other blogs, but Im working on it! Next on is how to make a apron out of recycled jean legs!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

12 Steps for Quilters

2009-07-10T21:26:00.003-04:00

hiyall,
I have a little poem for yall. This poem was written by my blogger friend Sara, she a good writer and an excellent sparkly chicken maker. She gave me permission to post it on my blog. I really like it and find it very befitting a Quilter. Check out her blog when you have a chance. http://universeaccordingtosara.blogspot.com/

12 Steps for Quilters
by Sara Sparkly Chicken Maker

1. Admit you are weak - perhaps even addicted, obsessive, compulsive, and anal-retentive - when it comes to quilting, quilting attitudes and ideas, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns.

2. Accept that a Power greater than yourself has put quilting, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns into your life for a reason.

3. Decide to turn your quilting will and life over to this greater Power.

4. Make a thorough, fearless inventory of your fabric, notions, tools, books, patterns, WIPs, and UFOs.

5. Admit to the greater Power, yourself, and your quilting friends that you have wronged others in your neglect of them due to quilting and that you have wronged yourself in your neglect of quilting to fulfill the needs of others.

6. Ask the Power to remove any character defects that lead to a lack of productivity, unfinished projects, impulse and/or binge purchases that you won't use in this lifetime, and guilt that arises from preferring to participate in quilt-related activities instead of family, friends, and work activities.

7. Humbly ask the Power to remove any shortcomings - poor organizational skills, lust for more quilting supplies that you truly don't need and won't use, inability to sew 1/4" seams, fear of quiltzillas, a perfectionist nature, terror of new techniques, and so on - from your heart and head.

8. Make a list of all people you have truly harmed through your quilting and be willing to make amends.

9. Make direct amends to those you have harmed, whenever possible, by gifting them with at least one quilted object that is larger than a potholder; make amends to the Universe by gifting at least one charity with a quilt each year.

10. Continuously take inventory of your , quilting attitudes and ideas, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns, admitting when you've overspent, purchased unwisely, have no intention of completing a project, or have neglected loved ones in order to pursue quilting-related activities and so that you might remember that quilting is a gift that serves many purposes and meets many needs in your life.

11. Through your version of prayer and meditation, establish conscious contact with your greater Power so that you might fully understand and fulfill your quilting purposes.

12. Having had an awakening of understanding, spirit, and consciousness as a result of these steps, carry this message to both other quilters and the loved ones of quilters, so that they, too, might come to the understanding that quilting is more than just a hobby but that it is a way of life.

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

apron finished! and a couple more chickies!

2009-07-05T13:26:00.006-04:00

hiyall!
apron is finished! please note the towel loop at the waist band. even thought I like wearing aprons, I do like having a towel at my hip! I use the welt from another pant leg to make the loop. I made the straps extra long so I can wrap them around my waist. despite being a fluffy bat, this does fits me well!

2 more chickies arrived in the mail weds! our everso loverly mail lady took a 4 days weekend and I have no mail til monday. grrrrrr......I am loving these chickens. I now have 7 in the roost!
We have decided to do a sparkly halloween swap. I have dug out my pumpkin and cat templates! cant wait to get started!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

happy 4th of july!

2009-07-04T11:04:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

have a safe and happy 4th of july. when yall are out there flipping burgers and watching the fireworks tonight, think of me. I will be working til 11pm, ahhh, the joys of retail!

here is waht I am working on, I am doing an article on 'going green' with making tote bags out of recycled vintage sheets and jeans. I was playing with some cut off legs that came from some jeans I had turned into shorts for beloved monkey boy. I saw a article on another blog on how the back side of a pair of jeans turned into a apron. I thought I could do the same with a jean leg. what ya think? I still have the waist band (I found some turquiose materials in my stash), ties and towel loop to put on. enjoy! stay tune for my double giveaway coming up soon!

I plan on doing a tutorial in how to make this.

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

here chickie, chickie part 2

2009-06-30T20:57:00.005-04:00

hiyall,

these are the sparkly chickens I have received so far. there are 12 of us in the group. the blocks are 10 1/2 in unfinished and will make a interesting wall hanging! I havent forgotten to add the eye to foghorn leghorn, I will do that when I finish the mini quilt. this was a fun swap, we are already tlaking about another one for the fall and xmas.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

here chickie, chickie......

2009-06-30T20:05:00.008-04:00

hiyall,

just a sneak peek of the sparkly chickens I have made for a online group. I had packed up most of them to be mailed out tomarrow when I relized I hadnt taken any pictures.

I love wild and crazy colors. your really cant see the beading but its there. I put large beeds in the head piece to be 'curlers' and a pearl necklace and tiny beads on the wings and tail feathers. this is my own design and I kinda proud of it. I added a ladybug for poops and giggles. as a added surprize I added a key fob made with chicken fabric. hope everyone likes them. I have receive several so far and I adore them!
Keep On Stitchin' On!
(mauh) Liz

mail call agin!

2009-06-19T09:42:00.004-04:00

hiyall,
I love mail call! getting squishies in the mail are so much better than the usuall bills and junk mail! in the last couple of weeks I have gotten ninepatches from an online exchange I am in, 30s repro strips that I am trading with a chatroom friend. we both lost our jobs about the same time and wanted and need to fix our addiction for 30s repros. we both have large stashes so we agreed to send some to each other. Its amazing how different our collections are. I sent her about 20 pieces of various sizes (she is making a catheral window quilt) and she send me 30plus strips out of her stash (Im making a summer quilt for memememe!). we had about 4 pieces the same. Thank you Doreen! you have made my stash very happy!

the next pakage is a blog give away from JulieK http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com/
she had a give away during memorial day. she was cleaning out her sewing room and was giving away on a first come first serve basis. I saw these precut hexagons and I had been encouraged by local quilters 'to join the fold' of the hexagon makers. I have seen this growing popular trend in the blogs as well. I asked for them and I recieved! interesting thing however......when I got the box, I looked at the floral pieces and said to myself, that material sure does looke familiar. then I remembered.....I have sheets made from the same stuff! vintage sheets at that! they are at least 30 years old! Im a pack rat, can throw away nuffin.....I did throw away the bottom sheet cause it was pretty much thread bare but keep the top sheet. I will use that as the backing whenever I get the top part done. Julie said she may have to do that again. pop on over to her blog and see whats she does....

ok...alittle announcement......some how I missed my first year blogaversary. with all the crazyness of last spring, getting fired from old job, picking up a new job and training for weeks, looking for another job to supplement the income cause this one aint covering the bills, it somehow snuck passed me. now I see on the blog list that I am close to 100 posts! this called for a double giveaway!! stay tuned for more info in the coming days (wicked evil batgrin)......
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

great googly moggly!!

2009-06-18T10:11:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

holy crap batbroad! its been over a month since my last post! what the heck???? I have been busy with the new job and job search, have done very little sewing. this will be a quick post then I will post agin later tonight or tomarrow am. One thing I did get done recently is my prototype of a denium bag I am designing. I have a dozen denium pant legs I cut off beloved monkey boys pants that I had laying around the sewing room. I created a paper pattern, use the hem of the legs as the top of the purse. I used 2 legs and a fat quarter of material to create side pouches and inside pockets. I did create a gore to widen the purse which I got from the left over scraps of the legs. of course I used a magnetic snap for a closure and a cute daisy button to hide the snaps

I then took 3~2inch strips of fabric, tubed them and braided them for the handle. I use exta large key rings on the handle so I can clip my keys and wont have to digg for them. this purse is ok for light duty (quilt shows, craft shows, yard saleing) but not as a everyday sling this puppy around heavy duty purse. I plan on making another one with some changes. First, make it bigger, almost hobo style. then line it and put more inside pockets. make the darts smaller. this time I will wrap the longer strips in batting to make the handle stronger. enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

can't stop makin' cuteass minatures!

2009-05-14T19:14:00.002-04:00

hiyall,

Im telling yall, I can not stop making these cuteass minatures! This one is a shop sample. My boss at 'The Quilting Bee' in Chesapeake Va, Mary Beth asked if I would make a sample of one of the kits in a sack. The kit contains all the materials you need to make a cute mini wall hanging with the exception of the batting. This was a quick and easy kit to make. I got to practice my curly cues in the machine quilting. Im finally getting the hang of it! The mini is approx 18 in square.

makes a nice little wall hanging for valentine's day, eh?

curly cues are still a little tight but it looks good on the front and back! no loopies!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

mail call agin and some news!

2009-05-11T21:26:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

major mail call agin this week! I love my quilting buddies!

first pakage came from my pirate booty partner. I love this little quilt, done is 30's repros and in the campbell soup colors of my kitchen! charm packs and 30s repos in blues! kitchen towel will look great too! love love love it!

second pakage come from my truck driving quilt buddy Nancy! Nancy has this embroidery machine and can stitch out the cutest sayings. she stitch me up some stinkin' cute patches. I plan on making patch pockets on some tote bags . Nancy went to her first major quilt show in Lancaster! she bought me some GIANT RIC RAC!!! gotta love those colors! I see some retro tote bags made with the ric rac!

Good News! the online newsletter Nine Patch News is coming back online! I am a contributing writer to the newsletter. The original Editor had to drop out and for about a year there was no letter publish but now we are back in action!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ninepatchnews/?yguid=7402355

If you are interested in receiving the newletter go to this website and sign up! Right now it will be a once a month and it will be jammed pack with alot of info!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

last swap quilt is in the mail!~

2009-05-02T19:48:00.002-04:00

hiyall,

its been a crazy april for me. I get fired from the orange box, details on my evil blog. then I get a new job, the one I really wanted for a long time. been training for the last couple of weeks. trying to get all my swaps done too! this is the last mini quilt swap. I joined the Doll Quilt Swap 6 a couple of months ago. I knew what I wanted to do, just trying to find the time. I recieved mine last week, which I ADORE! I finally got this one done and got it into the mail. not telling yall where its going.....dont want to spoil the surprize for my swap partner. I added a couple of goodies to the pakage. I hope my person likes them

I call this one, 'butterflys are free' its about 16x18.

close up of the butterflys.....fuse and blanket stitched by hand. quilting is by hand except borders with was machine stitch in the ditch. I may have to develope a pattern for this one too!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

have you seen this man?

2009-04-28T20:47:00.002-04:00

hiyall,
is it a bird? a plane? a nutjob? nooooooooooooooo its QUILT MAN ON A SEGWAY!
http://www.segwayonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3108
read the comments at the bottom.....they are a hoot!

new job is going well, it amzing how after 2 weeks out of a job, you get soooooo tired without that afternoon nap!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

mail call!

2009-04-24T18:34:00.004-04:00

hiyall!

The maillady was very good to me today! first I got more potlid knob covers! first one is from Kay, the second one is from my friend BB. both women are very talented. Love the colors of Kay, but the ribbon on BB's makes it look like an adorable sunbonnet! thanks ladies!

I am part of a online doll swap, my partner Molly sent me this adorable 30's repros mini quilt! I am sooooooo loving this quilt. not only did molly send me the mini quilt, she send daisy buttons, button head straight pins and much needed note pads. I love to know how she knew I love Dove chocolate!?!?! I need to hussle on my partners quilt. I will post picture when I am almost done .

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

swap pakage is in the mail!

2009-04-21T18:47:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

remember this sneak peek?

this peek turned into this:

which turned into this:

this is an orginal design by MOI and I hope to make it into a pattern. This mini (approx 18 in sq) is going to my swap partner in the 'minature booty swap' . I almost didnt send it out (grin). I will make another one in really bright colors! enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

this is my challenge and I sticking' to it!

2009-04-17T17:26:00.003-04:00

Hiyall,

I am participating in Amy of cityparkgirl's virual http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/ This is my story on my favorite quilt. Actually it a quilt and a mini. This is the story of 'the challenge'

A few years ago, when I was a member of the local Guild, we were given a challenge. Purchase a piece of fabric (in this case an awful lime green batik), make a piece of art along the lines of the theme. This theme was Romantic Nights in Margaritaville, hence the green batik. Always up for a challenge I took this one on! Whatever we came up with would be put into the Guilds quilt show in the fall and be voted on for a prize.

After much searching and fretting over color schemes, I finally decided to do a double Ohio star in colorful batiks with a black tone on tone background. I cut a test block out and assembled it. I really liked how it looked and went forth with the cutting. Each block is 12" sq. finished with a 2" sashing, 1-1/2" border and 3-1/2" second border. Using the challenge fabric as the focal, I pull from my stash 11 other different batiks. Once I figured which colors to pair up, I started the cutting of the pieces. When I finished cutting each block, I carefully put each in its own baggy.

Now for the fun part, sewing the blocks together! Since each block was in its own bag, I didn't have to worry about losing any pieces as I went to assemble. After putting the second block together, I'm thinking to myself why is it taking me so long to put these blocks together?? I counted the pieces and discovered 53 PIECES!! 53 pieces??? what was I thinking??? So each night for almost 2 weeks, I would grab a baggy and sew one block. Each block took 2 HOURS to put together. Once I got the blocks done, I cut sashing and borders (the narrow border is made of left over batiks, cut into 2 inch random length strips and sewn together) and finished the top, which took another 6 hours. All together the top alone took 30 hours of work!

I was so proud of myself! I was strutting around my tiny sewing room chanting '"I got a winner, I got a winner!' Then (hanging head in shame) I read the rules........The challenge piece could not be more than 140" AROUND. Mine was 55" x 66". AHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!!! After all my work! Its too big!!! I went to Guild and saw the coordinator of the challenge and tried to sweet talk him into letting me enter my quilt. He stood firm and said no. Great.... I worked hard on this and now I cant put it into the challenge. Then I remembered the snippets!

As I was putting the blocks together, there were several snippets left over. 20 to be exact from each of the 12 blocks. I ended up with 240 snippets! For those of you who do not know what a snippet is, its the corner you trim off a block. Very common with flying geese and snowball. Both of these blocks are in the Double Ohio Star. You sew the snippet along the long edge of the tiny triangle and press open. You end up with a small half square triangle . I saw on the cover of a Fons and Porter magazine the perfect pattern. It had single Ohio stars on point, with prairie points. I thinking, I can do that! I played with the HSTs and discovered I could make Ohio Stars out of them! Played some more and was able to create mock prairie points! Yes! I will be able to enter the challenge after all!

I did finish the big quilt (titled 'Stars over Margaritaville') had it machine quilted in a medium stipple with jewel tone variegated thread. It came out WONDERFUL! With the mini quilt (titled 'Getting snippy in Margaritaville') I hand quilted with the same variegated thread inside each star. It is eye catching and very bright.

Since I could not enter the big quilt into the challenge, I did put it into the local county fair and won a BLUE RIBBON! The big quilt is one of my favorite quilts I have made. The mini did go into the Guild Challenge. Even though it didn't win a ribbon, I am told many were oooooooooing and ahhhhhhing over it. The following fall I did entered the Mini into the local county fair and that too won a BLUE RIBBON! The moral of the story is: Sometimes it does pay not to read the rules!

I hope yall liked my story (even though it was a tad long) about my favorite Quilt(s). I have made many full size and mini quilts since these two and they remain my favorite after all these years. Please excuse the fuzzy pictures, I wrote about the challenge in a online newletter called Nine Patch News and was able to retrieve these pictures. Yes, that is me hold them up. Enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I have some of the bestest friends!

2009-04-14T17:03:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

Im telling yall, I have some of the bestest friends! I love my quilting buds! I recently sent out a email and included this picture that I stole off a blog:

The blogger had bought this jewel at a seniors craft show in Fla. I told my friends that I would trade a little sum-sum for one of these. I dont knit or crochet (I have to assume this was crocheted) and I would be more than willing to barder. well.......several of my online friends said they would make me a set with no trade. hot damn! Arlene send me this set. She made up her own pattern and used all cotton. all cotton will not conduct heat so it is a perfect thread to use. this is what she sent me:

they fit perfectly and they stretch to fit. I will be getting good use out of these. She sent me instructions on how she made these, she winged it as she went along. If you would like these instructions (they look like gibberish to me but to a crocheter they would make sense) just email me at Erzebatbat@aol.com Arlene said I could share the instuctions with yall. Cant wait to see what my other friends are doing! These lid knob covers would make a great craft show item to sell.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I have been inspired!

2009-04-13T13:19:00.001-04:00

hiyall,
I have a HUGE list of blogs I visit at least once a week. One of which is this one.
http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/
Karen has a wonderful feature each week on Tuesday called 'Tool Time Tuesday'. Karen finds things in various places that quilters can use in their sewing rooms. She has come up with some excellent items. Last year I use to write articles along the same line for an online Quilting Newsletter called Nine patch News. This was a newsletter group with Yahoo Groups. My articles were on items that you could use in your sewing room that came from Home Improvement Stores. At the time I worked at the Big Orange Box (I was recently fired, I talk about that on my other blog) and had a wealth of info for the readers. Due to family obligations, the Editor of the New patch News had stopped the online publication. There is talk among the old staff about bring it back. If they do I will be writing for it again with a different twist. I went digging thru my old files to bring up some of the old articles, I found a few but my pictures are long gone. I hope to repost them here from time to time. I had some great info and they were very well recieved.
this is just an example of what I use to write:

Hello! My name is Liz and I am a Quiltaholic…..This weeks article is on Quilter's Toolbox Basics. When I talk of toolboxes, I mean the container that you can store your sewing supplies. The toolbox doesn't have to be a real toolbox, although it is a nice way to organize your sewing items. It can be a shoe box (plastic or paper), small bucket, zippered bag, sewing box or whatever container is handy. I have to admit that my toolbox consists of three units. One is a tiny metal box that I keep the smaller items, bigger items are in a small plastic tote and the larger items are in an empty plastic ice cream tub. After doing the research for this article, I will be getting a regular toolbox. Of course you can purchase a toolbox at your local Home Improvement Store (cheesy grin) HIS. Toolboxes come in assorted sizes, colors and materials. Toolboxes are nice because they have all your sewing supplies in one place that you can grab and use. In this article there is a list of Toolbox Basic that Quilters of all levels should have.Sewing Machine Oil ~ this is a must have. You want to keep your sewing machine running smoothly. Nothing is worse that a dry sounding machine clanking along. The oil recommended by your sewing machine manufacturer should be the only oil in your toolbox. There is a difference in grades of sewing machine oil! Remember; clean out the dust bunnies first! Oil in the parts that the owner's manual shows. Scissors ~ several pairs, several sizes. I have 12 pairs of scissors and each one has its own purpose. I get mine sharpened at the local grocery store in the meat department. They offer this service for FREE! Call your local store and see if they have this service. Measuring Tape ~ you really need a Quilters Measuring Tape that is 120 inches long. A small retractable, 60 inches long on a key chain is another one to have. There are lots of novelty ones out there that would look adorable in your toolbox! Another handy measuring item is a small ruler, one inch by six inches.Quilt Tools - FabriCalc, Binding Miter, Block Tool, Kwick Klip, Tack Basting Tool and others EMT Sale and Clearance Corner Calculator ~ Large or small, this item will help you calculate backing measurements and bindings. Formula for binding is as follows: height and length X 2 plus 16 inches divided by 42 = the number of strips needed to cut for the binding. Ex. Lap quilt, 60 x 60 60 x 60 x 2 = 240 240 + 16 = 256256 divided by 42 = 6.09 strips, round up to 7 Clear as mud for ya?Stitch Ripper ~ you can never have enough of these! As soon as you find one, you lose one! As soon as you lose one, buy another to replace it, you find the original one! Kind of like the sock in the washing machine theory.Get several of each, small and large, in case the ripper fairy steals one……Needles ~ you need a small stash of needles for your sewing machine and hand sewing. For sewing machines I recommend Size 11 and 14 for piecing. Size 16 and 18 for machine quilting. For hand sewing and quilting, It what ever you are comfortable with. I personally like size 12 sharps. Pin Cushions ~ whatever you are comfy with. I have a finger ring pincushion made with a soda bottle cap, mini pincushion on top of a golf tee (great to slide in the top of a spool of thread) and an old-fashioned tomato pincushion with a strawberry attached. I prefer using the extra long quilters pins with the large beaded heads. They are a lot easier to handle with my aging fingers. Pens and Pencils ~ Say it with me…..mechanical pencils are our friends! They are cheap and easy to find in the stores. Keep plenty in your toolbox. High Lighters for your quilt instructions. Fine point black ball-point pens to write side notes on instructions. Glue Stick ~ this little item is a wonder in the toolbox. Good for fabric and paper. Great for people who love to appliqué! Staples.com®. that was easy®. Miscellaneous Items:Bees wax~ great on needles and pinsWD40 pen~ lubricate scissors and small partsExtra Bobbins~ minimum 12, loaded with thread and ready to use Plastic bags~ many, many usesBlue Painters Tape~ great for picking up stray threads and won't leave a residue.Paper Clips~ to keep papers together, coupons, to do list, magazines pages, etc.Scotch Tape~ to repair patterns and pages in magazinesLong handle, small headed Paint Brushes~ to get the dust bunnies out!Scraps of Fabrics~ 2 x 4 pieces to test drive your machine after you clean out the dust bunnies and oiled it. Helps remove excess oil. Stiletto~ helps to push the fabric over the feed dogsRubberized Gloves~ knit gloves dipped in neoprene, these are great for the machine Quilter. Grips the fabric wellSmall set of Screwdrivers~ everyone needs a set in their toolboxMini Clamps~ will hold many layers of fabric togetherI hope this gives you a good idea what all Quilter's really need to have in their toolboxes. I know I have left a few items off. Do you have anything unusual in your tool/sewing box?

Keep on Stitchin' On!(mauh) Liz

happy easter!

2009-04-11T17:00:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

another hit and run post tonight, just wishing yall a happy easter and may you get your fill of candy! This week has sucked and I hoping monday will bring a better week. one good thing that did happen this week, I got back together with an old friend I hadnt seen in years. she invited beloved monkey boy and I over for dinner the other night. it was wonderful to see her and her kids with new hubby. I plan on keeping this refriendship forever!

I plan on going over BMB's house and cook easter dinner and veg out. please have me in your good thoughts in searching for a new job.

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

loving the mail!

2009-04-09T12:05:00.002-04:00

hiyall~
today was a yucky day til the mail lady came to my door! she delivered my goodie box that that was part of a blog giveaway on http://justtickety-boo.blogspot.com/
Ms Julie made a trip across the border and brought back these gifties in which I had won! thanks Julie! loving that tote and that man in uniform. the maple candy is most excellent!

hop on over to this blog (sorry, just a little easter humor)
http://www.pigtalesandquilts.com/2009/04/give-away-time.html
its her daughters 30th (oh to be 30 again.....) birthday and she is giving away 30 FQS!!! leave a comment on her blog and tell her 'the dingbat' sent me!

yesterday was a bad day too, not going into details but it was. I was reading my email and I was informed I had won another blog giveaway! this time from http://greenmare-maresnest.blogspot.com/
I won a beeeeeeeeeautiful tote bag! Mare has a boo-boo on her shoulder and we readers were asked to come up with a creative story to tell how she did it. I wrote:

hmmmm.....rotary cuff injury,eh? how many little old ladies went DOWN as you shouldered your way thru a crowd of bargain hunters at your local quilt shop? how many bolts of fabric did your super human strength allow you to carry to the cutting counter? I think you did your damage as you were lifting a unsuspecting nonquilter, who was blocking you from getting to that $1 fat quarter bin,out of the way! and thats my story and Im sticking to it! becareful of painkillers and alchol, they lead to more babys being conceived! dont ask me how I know....

her friend trudy was asked to pick a winner. Trudy really liked mine and I won!! woohooo!
and they say that being addicted to blogs is very very very bad......

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

It was a good day to be sewing!

2009-04-06T18:21:00.003-04:00

hiyall!

I had a great day today! I went over to my blogger buddy Lola's house.http://ansewon.blogspot.com/ Lola lives 'up the road' from me. up the road is about 40 mins. I had a wonderful time! Her house is the cutest! It a picture of country prim. She is very talented and a gracious hostess. I wanted to learn how to make these adorable kitchen towel dresses that I saw in her blog. She said sure, come on over and we will have a sewing and gab fest. This was something I really needed since it has gotten very stressful at work and I rely on sewing and quilting as my stress relief and basket weaving therapy. Her hubby BBQ ed a pork butt and man was it excellent! It was 'slap your blue tick hound' delicious! She sent me home with a good size bowl and I will be having it for my lunches. I will have to stop by food dawg for buns and cole slaw It was a very relaxing day except for the thunderstorms that rolled thru. When I got home I was watching the news and discovered the storms may have produced a couple twisters!!!!! It touched down 'up the road' north of us. Did some major damage here and north carolina. We have decided that we will get together at least once a month and I will be looking forward to it! Lola is an excellent teacher and the towel dress lesson went fast and easy.

I liked it so much, I went to the dollor store to get a couple more towels to get a jump start for xmas! The one I made today is going to my pirate booty swap partner! I sure hope she likes it.

Keep On Stitich'n On!

(mauh) Liz

a day of no sew

2009-04-02T19:13:00.005-04:00

hiyall,

Had a very lazy day today. Just about no sewing was done except for some hand applique on the pirates mini booty quilt I am making. Did laundry, went grocery shopping (Abby insist that I feed at least once a day)and paid some bills online. Speaking of online....have I told yall I am seriously addicted to blogs? I have spent most of the day reading blogs and entering the giveaways. I did win a giveaway last week! from http://justtickety-boo.blogspot.com/

I stole this pic off her blog to show yall what I have won. she is sending out this weekend to me and I cant wait for that maple candy. you can not find it here in Va.

here is a small list of the giveaway sites that I visited today, yall go visit them as well and tell them the dingbat sent ya!

http://coffeetimestitches.blogspot.com/

http://quilthollow.blogspot.com/

http://justanotherhangup.blogspot.com/

http://welovequilting.com/blog/

http://kimsbigquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/

is there a 12 step programs for addicted blog readers????

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

4 seasons monchromatic mini quilt swap

2009-03-30T16:57:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

by now my swap partner should have gotten her mini quilt. I HAVE to show you pics, I cant wait til I get confirmation. I am proud of this mini. I made a couple of mistakes but you cant tell *g*. I also sent one of my mini pin cushions. I call the piece, Twisted Autumn. enjoy!

I wanted to do Bonnie K Hunter's new years twist this year but I was still dealing with that xmas flu crap that went around. I used one inch strips, inner border is one inch, outer border is 2 1/2 inch. approx 17 square. I use 3/16 in seam allowance. I would like to work on my labels better. I dont have an embrodiery machine and I would like to download a software program for quilt label, free of course....anyone have a link? I also kept the machine quilting to a minium. I just stitched in the ditch around the blocks and borders. each block was approx 3 1/2 in.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

quick gifties

2009-03-29T21:36:00.003-04:00

hiyall,

hit and run post today, need a quick giftie? try this! http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2008/10/scrapbusters-long-strips-wristlet.html

very quick and easy gift! I used 32mm key rings from Micheals arts and crafts, instead of pellon interface (since I didnt have any in the house, grrrrr) I used some med and jumbo ric rac! I made all of these in about an hour. custom make to your key fob to that person whom you are giving them too. for the guys, their favorite sports team! most chain fabric stores now have team fabrics. for the girls, anything goes! enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

what I have been working on today

2009-03-28T15:51:00.004-04:00

hiyall,

I know, I know.......2 posts in 2 days? wha? we dont hear from the dingbat in 3 weeks, then boom! 2 posts in 2 days......amazing!!

This is a picture of the goodies I got in the Vintage Valentines Swap I was in. There WAS a bag of chocolate BLISS. that was gone in no time (grin)!
staionary, journal book, luggage tag, big suckers, all sorts of goodies! I adore the heart garland, I was thinking I could do the same thing in pastels and egg shapes for easter! and every girl needs some bling bling LOVE on Valentines. Missing from the picture: a campbell soup mug, I collect campbells memorbilia and Desiree remembered! It has been used ALOT! thank you Ms Boyett, yall Texans sure know how to do Valentines right! the little quilt in the background is one I made a couple of years ago. I like using it as a backdrop in my pictures.

just a sneak peak at the minature booty swap I am in for spring of '09. http://miniaturebootyswap.wordpress.com/ I am having fun designing this one! hint: 4 inch squares, fuse and blanket stitch.....aint saying no mo'!

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

bits and pieces....

2009-03-27T19:11:00.007-04:00

hiyall!

I don't know about yall, but this winter has dragged on waaaaay too long. I have had the drolldums ever since the MAQF. You think after seeing all those beautiful quilts and visiting the new vendors I would have been inspired to sew my little (haha) battbutt off, but nooooooo....I have been sewing and designing new purses but my heart really wasn't in it. however......me thinks my mojo is BACK! several things have happened in the last couple of weeks.

First! I started another blog, I refer to it as my evil side blog. Its called, Rants and Raves of Elizabitch! It does have an 'adult content' warning to it. I talk very blunt and there is a bit of potty fingers involved (evil grin). http://erzebat2.blogspot.com/

I am involved in several online swaps. I have 3 mini quilts to make, I have finished one and got it into the mail. I have already received mine from my partner in the 4 seasons monochromatic mini quilt challenge swap. its in my favorite colors! I will start swap number 2 tomorrow, its due very soon. I did receive my valentine package from the very vintage valentines swap weeks ago, alsorts of goodies were in it! I will post a pics on Tuesday when I post the pics on the mini quilt I just sent out today. I love doing swaps, it costs me very little, I shop my stash for the materials that I need for the mini quilts and the postage is not that much!

the mini quilt I received from my 4sqs partner
love the colors! its a disappearing nine patch!

a little tease of what I sent my partner today (g)

Recycle and re purpose is hot with the economy being in the toilets right now. Personally? I have always R&R since I was in my 20s and living on my own. I still have my orginal cinder block and boards bookcase! it holds my quilting books and printer! I have some jean legs that I wanted to design into simple side pouch to use while going to craft,quilt and gun (thats right, I typed GUN) shows. not quite finished, and I have some tweeking to do on the pattern, but I am liking it!

I plan on useing narrow braided fabric for the extra long handle. I want it to drape across my chest and side like a bandolier. lots of pockets inside and out.

Speaking of guns.......I know some of yall dont like the talk of guns but this will be the last time I type anything about them on this blog, I will save that talk for my other blog. My hoodies have been quiet after the incident of the knucklehead who shot off a .380 in front of my building Valentines Night. now that the ATF agents are involved, things have gotten alot better. the police sit in the cul-de-sac just about everyday. after that incident, beloved monkey boy strongly encouraged me to get my concealed carry weapons permit. He has had his for a few years now and with the hoodies being buttwipes, he wanted me to have mine. I took the class recently and I passed! BMB takes me to the range and I get to shoot with his guns to get a feel of what is comfortable to me. I find I am happy with the .22 and my 'gun fairy' plans on getting me a gun for my birthday in oct. I am looking at a very pretty compact .380. ok.....enough of gun chat!

Keep On Stitchin' On!
(mauh) Liz

MAQF pics3

2009-03-03T18:56:00.003-05:00

This is one of may favorites. This wall hanging is of the local native american tribes who attend powwows. the dresses represent the dance style. first and second one is traditional or shawl dancers. the third one is jingle dancer. embellishments included cowery shells, beading and tobacco tin top twisted into bells. stunning work, should have gotten a ribbon!
My friend Klonda's teacher Jane Kennedy won a blue ribbon for innovation. This picture does not do the wonderful machine quilting justice. Jane has a book coming out soon on this technique. Klonda won a blue ribbon for her piece using the same technique last year! wtg ladies!
Is it my imagination, or is that Cher?

This quilt is amazing, it has 3D Celtic work and alot of embellishments, it deserved the blue ribbon! Done in chocolate and teals.

I have more pics but they are on a disposable camera, when I use up the roll I will get them developed on a disk.
Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz