Hanging on by a snow chrystal!

gonna make a very loud noise when it falls!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I hate snow......

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!

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

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!

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

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

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

Keep On Stitich'n On!
(mauh) Liz