How is everyone doing? We're good. Glad it's the weekend! : ) We've been enjoying it!
I got up early this morning. It was quiet in the house. I started a pot of coffee, threw in a load of laundry & took a steaming mug of java into the studio, where Miss Shelby Puss met me. ; ) Such a purr-fect start to my day. It doesn't get much better.
Scott & I did some errands yesterday & some more this afternoon. But, I took time to sew this morning & it felt GOOD!!! I made "Karen's Perfect Circles," & then worked on my snow man. He's turning out SO cute!!! I have my Santa prepped. Maybe after I finish this post...
Scott made salmon on the grill for dinner. I accompanied it with brown rice with vegetables, plus steamed bok choy. YUM! For the Love of Cooking blog recently had a yummy sounding Asian dish which used brown rice. I want to re-read her recipe. Do you make brown rice? I have been "baking" mine in a cake pan & ever since it's been turning out DE-lish!!!
Also this week, we came home to a crock pot of steel cut oatmeal. Has anyone else been making this? I can not find a way to decrease the sticking in my crock pot!? I've tried cooking spray, margarine, olive oil...
And, Dolores, I owe you a BIG thank you!!! I just started making my own yogurt-fruit-granola parfait this week. Thanks for introducing me to this in Houston!!! I used ingredients from Trader Joe's & it became an instant household hit! ; )
We've been getting some very yummy blackberries. : D From Market & from Trader Joe's too. I'm soon ready for cantaloupe & water melon!!! The strawberries have been pretty good too.
I hope you enjoy your weekend too. Sew if you get the chance. Make a quiet moment to sit & stitch - you are SEW worth it!
Piecefully, Pam
; )
P.S. I did some sewing...
7 comments:
Pam,
The Santa and Snowman are looking adorable.
I have gotten some really good strawberries, cantelope and watermelon at Giant. I want to try your oatmeal recipe, but I haven't tried it YET.
I have been working on my bunny table runner at baseball games and in the evening. I have 2 questions for you. What kind of needles do you use for hand applique and do you do needle turn applique? If you do needle turn, do you trace the shape on the right side of the applique piece and then just turn under to the line? I am starting to applique all of the leaves and tulips and don't feel like preparing them with the shiny side of freezer paper up and pressing the seam allowance to it, so I traced the shape using the white pecil that Karen gave us and then I'm going to try needle turning to the line. Is that right? Does that make sense to anyone??
Yep, it makes perfect sense. : ) I use a variety of techniques for hand applique. Let's "talk" about needle turn first. I trace my shape onto the RIGHT side of my fabric using a plain ol' mechanical lead pencil. I will sometimes finger press along the draw line to create a fabric "memory" thus helping the seam allowance of the applique shape to more willingly turn under. I do not use a needle to "sweep" my raw edge, I find the needle to be too thin & too sharp. I use a round tooth pick instead. The round tooth pick is kept in my mouth & the moisture helps to "grab a hold" of my raw edge seam allowance when I sweep it under. I have much greater control with the tooth pick & can achieve a much smoother turned edge. I will even "roll" the tooth pick between my fingers to "sweep" the seam allowance & create a smooth edge. The tooth pick is SO much easier for me to handle than that darn skinny, pointy needle!
If your leaves all have the same shape you may wish to consider the Templar & starch method. Do you currently have Karen's DVD? It's easy to make a bunch of leaves with a finished edge that you can simply stitch into place when you're ready. Do you have Templar? Cloth & Bobbin carries it, it can be ordered from Karen's website or I may have some.
Regardless of what kind of hand applique I'm doing, I have begun to use Elmer's School Glue & my iron to "hold" my applique shapes in place. I do NOT use pins, basting stitches nor a glue stick anymore. A simple thin bead of glue down the center or along the edge of your applique shape can be heat set to your background & will hold indefinitely. Give it a try! ; )
One more thing, Johanna is not ready for me to teach hand applique @ Cloth & Bobbin. So, I've been thinking of offering a "class" for you Quilt Mama's. Anyone interested? It would be a once monthly technique, information, help, hand applique session. We could all do the same design/pattern or each work on what interests you individually. I'm pretty flexible & would be interested in just giving it an honest try. Let me know what you think...?! ; )
Jean - I hope this info is helpful! Ask more questions if you need to. ; )
Needles - sorry I missed that first time through! I have tried MANY!!! Many brands, kinds, lengths, etc!!! My preference & favorite needle for hand applique are John James Gold'nGlide applique size 10 or 11. Again, these can be purchased through Karen's website or I know that most times the Hayloft will have these in either size 10 or 11. I do NOT like straw needles. They are WAY too long & thin for my tastes. It's like stitching with a pick-up-stick! : P
Pam - I love your santa and snowman. Hope everyone is doing well and having a nice, dry weekend. I would be interested in your class. Let me know. I'm not sure yet if Kerry has a game Wed. night - if she does not I can have bee. I'll let you know. Have a great night!!
Hello, girls....(squish, squish....)! Happy soggy Sunday. I planted three hanging baskets yesterday and I keep looking out on the porch to see if the contents have washed away! Pam - the appliques are adorable! A class sounds awesome - I'm in!!! We had track this afternoon - OY! Last weekend was ungodly hot, this weekend it was a constant downpour - this is like the track season of the Apocolypse...if locusts show up next Saturday, I'm considering not signing them up next year! Just kidding, Consuelo - you did a great job today with good humor - as did Joe DeMarco - in fact, LA and I were standing there, soaking wet, musing about Mare being home all afternoon, nice and dry and warm, sewing away - and we were jealous! All that food talk in the post was making me very hungry! Have to start thinking about dinner. Both student quilts are finished - yay! I also thought I had two weeks till Mother's Day - but, no! Yikes - have to get on those shopping bags I'm going to make for my Mom. Softball tonight was cancelled - yea - so I have time to sew....piece.
Pam, the yogurt and granola are great. I'm headed over to Trader Joe's after work today, I may pick up some incredients. I would be interested in a class. I got a lot of sewing done this weekend, for the first time in weeks, it feels good. Have a nice day.
Pam-
I already have all of the leaves cut out, so I may do needle turn. I tried 1 last night and it went pretty well. I am using the school glue and LOVE that!! I love that I don't have pins sticking me all the time. I would like to try the JJ needles, I was reading about them on Karen's website I think. I would be interested in a class as well. I am doing ok with the table runner, but could use more tips!!!
Hope everyone is doing well and trying to stay dry. It sounds like we are in for a soggy week.
Plus side--baseball, basketball cancellations!!!!
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