Joe and I are grandparents for the third time. Our younger daughter Lisa has given birth to her first child, a gorgeous little boy. It's amazing the feelings that come from holding him. There's absolutely nothing better! Lisa and Jeremy will be wonderful parents.
The day after his birth, I attended a previously committed to banquet for the Heart of Ohio Quilters Guild. The speaker was Carol Doak and excellent; the food was great; and it was announced that the new Featured Artist for 2010-2011 was me. I knew ahead of time only because they wanted to be sure I would attend. When I was told, I was shocked, and I am still very honored to follow those who were chosen before me.
I have to admit that one of my first thoughts was how am I going to get a bunch of new quilts finished for the 2011 show as there will be a section of my quilts hanging.
An update on my 15 seconds of fame, I have been called the Quilt Police in the newest edition of Quilter's Home -- all because I noticed some dropped stitches on the front of the magazine. I just thought the photographer should have noticed and taken another picture of a part of the quilt that was quilted better. I cetainly am not the Quilt Police and rarely point out flaws, but when it's on the cover of a national magazine, I notice.
So the excitement is back! The birth of Jack William Davis is the best news. But it's nice to be recognized by my peers. And it's ok to be responded to in a national magazine.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Don't ask me.
Don't ask me if it's ok to cook a single hamburger in an 18" cast iron skillet when you've already started. Don't ask me if you can write a check for $20 when you already have and cashed it at the local store with lightning connections to the bank. Don't ask me if I can fix the hot water heater, the sump pump, the toilet, etc. Don't ask me what I'm cooking for breakfast when I never cook breakfast during the week. Don't ask me where I'm going when I leave for work everyday. Don't ask me if I am going to be late and mean any time after 7 pm. Don't ask me the hundred things that drive me crazy.
Don't ask me if it's ok to cook a single hamburger in an 18" cast iron skillet when you've already started. Don't ask me if you can write a check for $20 when you already have and cashed it at the local store with lightning connections to the bank. Don't ask me if I can fix the hot water heater, the sump pump, the toilet, etc. Don't ask me what I'm cooking for breakfast when I never cook breakfast during the week. Don't ask me where I'm going when I leave for work everyday. Don't ask me if I am going to be late and mean any time after 7 pm. Don't ask me the hundred things that drive me crazy.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I needed to make a couple pillows this month and stopped into JoAnne's to check on pillow forms which I discovered are shockingly expensive. I think I knew that but I haven't made any pillows for some time. I decided to make my own forms which I think worked well and thought I'd share the method with you.
I cut the outer shell of the form from leftover Hobbs 80/20 batting for one and from leftover fleece backing for another. I decided on my size and cut the pieces 1 inch bigger than I wanted. so for a 20 inch square pillow, I cut the batting/fleece 21 inches square. Using a half inch seam allowance, I sewed around three sides plus a bit of the fourth side, leaving an open slit in the middle of the fourth side. Then I turned the pillow form, pushing out the corners. Both fabrics worked well as outer shells and I am sure that leftover pieces of muslin and other fabrics would do as well.
Now for the stuffing-- I always have pieces of leftover polyester batting. I attacked it with my rotary cutter, being careful not to cut myself, until I had strips about one inch wide. Then I attacked it again until I had pieces about one inch by three inches. There was no measuring to this; I just chopped at it until it was usable as stuffing.
I stuffed my pillow form until it was the firmness I wanted, being sure to shove the stuffing into the corners. I folded the open slit edges in and pinned them. Since no one is really going to look at these seams, I finished the form by machine; sewing all around about a quarter inch in so that I could close the open slit and also reinforce the other seams.
These forms are totally washable and can be made to any size and firmness! The process took me about a half hour for one and it was free! Just wanted to share.
I cut the outer shell of the form from leftover Hobbs 80/20 batting for one and from leftover fleece backing for another. I decided on my size and cut the pieces 1 inch bigger than I wanted. so for a 20 inch square pillow, I cut the batting/fleece 21 inches square. Using a half inch seam allowance, I sewed around three sides plus a bit of the fourth side, leaving an open slit in the middle of the fourth side. Then I turned the pillow form, pushing out the corners. Both fabrics worked well as outer shells and I am sure that leftover pieces of muslin and other fabrics would do as well.
Now for the stuffing-- I always have pieces of leftover polyester batting. I attacked it with my rotary cutter, being careful not to cut myself, until I had strips about one inch wide. Then I attacked it again until I had pieces about one inch by three inches. There was no measuring to this; I just chopped at it until it was usable as stuffing.
I stuffed my pillow form until it was the firmness I wanted, being sure to shove the stuffing into the corners. I folded the open slit edges in and pinned them. Since no one is really going to look at these seams, I finished the form by machine; sewing all around about a quarter inch in so that I could close the open slit and also reinforce the other seams.
These forms are totally washable and can be made to any size and firmness! The process took me about a half hour for one and it was free! Just wanted to share.
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