tropical fever

Moving Time

2011-05-01T11:32:00.000-04:00

I've moved my blog over to wordpress...

Please follow me over there!

Something new...

2011-04-15T12:58:00.001-04:00

With a little bit of free time, I hand dyed some fabric..my first time doing this, and something I've been wanting to try for quite some time.

These colors are a bit brighter than my norm, but I do like the way they marbled/mottled. They are fat quarters.

I had a couple small pieces of fabric leftover, so I rolled them up, wrapped them with string, and poured the leftover dyes over them, and I got these two small pieces of tie-dyed fabric to play with too!

Have fun everybody! Deb

Soldier Star

2011-03-25T15:59:00.000-04:00

I have never made a star block before. Reading about Moda's 'Just One Star' to comfort soldiers, I knew I had to give myself a shot at making a star. (You can read about their challenge here.)

Here's my block:

They are going to trim the blocks square so it looks like I am done! Maybe I'll make a few more though.

Won't you join in too?

Scare the Gators....

2011-03-15T10:18:00.000-04:00

I had some free time this past weekend to do a little bit of work on my quilt.

I managed to get the sashing around the blocks finished and everything sewn together, but only after I sewed it all together and took it all back apart THREE times! Nothing was lining up, at all, and it was bugging me. If it had been 'off' a little bit, I wouldn't have given it a second thought, but that was not the case.

I still needed to make it bigger so I made a black, red and white skinny border to go around it that you can see in the pic below.

I am currently auditioning fabric to make a wide border to go all around, but my choices are limited, and my goal has been to use only what I have on hand and not purchase any new fabric for this project. We need the finished quilt to be big enough for our bunk in our camper. (It is currently 48" x 70") My man says this quilt will scare off the gators and raccoons, it is so bright! ha ha

Quilting Fun

2011-03-04T15:19:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, I won't bore you with lots of photos of my pre-progression on this quilt, but if you missed it and want to see what I originally posted, you can find it here.

Here's what I started with recently, which was shown in my other post:

I decided to take away the cactus green and the stripey fabric and sash the blocks with a variety of solid colors, and it turned out like this:

Tried my hand at sewing lots of strips of fabric together and then cutting at a 45 degree angle. (so that the borders around the solid sashing would be diagonal.) Well, I completely failed at that, even with the help of my husband who was laughing really hard (I guess I cut them all wrong), so I cut the pointy ends off those diagonal strips and I sewed them together and added more strips of fabric so that I could cut up the strata and make the border that you see in the photos below:

I really am getting good vibes from this quilt! Here's a closeup of my stripey borders and you can see where there are a few diagonal pieces mixed in here and there. (That turned into a GOOD mistake, I think!)

Have a great weekend - Deb.

Playtime quilt

2011-02-27T14:16:00.000-05:00

I took some time to work on my playtime quilt -- this is what it looked like when I first posted about it...I have since added more blocks, and took away a few that I thought were too dark and boring...

A majority of these 9x9 blocks were originally a 20" block that I cut up. Yesterday I decided to sew them into 18x18 blocks by sewing the 24 blocks together in sets of four. Then, wanting to make it all BIGGER, I added some horizontal strips that I had pieced together.

That done, I wanted to make it WIDER and so I added a vertical strip with the same fabric as the horizontal strips, by making thicker cut strips this time...

This quilt top needs to be way bigger. I'll decide how to do that my next go around. I'm thinking it needs some more blocks, or some black and white wild borders, or maybe some red....or purple, or even orange. Maybe I'll add some borders on the individual 6 blocks...that might be cool. Yes, that might be just what I need to do. I'll have to see where my thoughts are when I get back to work on it, but it will grow! It's way too soon to start sewing it together, no matter how much I want to piece it together already!

Playtime!

2011-02-21T12:11:00.002-05:00

I've been hanging out at 15 Minutes Play for several weeks now and have been playing with my scrap bin blocks. I just love making these blocks! Here's a few that are complete. Hope to make two more rows and then it will be ready to sew together and quilt.

There is also a challenge to make up a couple of blocks using either dots, stripes or plaids. I made a dot block and a stripe block. I don't have any plaids in my stash! Sending them off to the big city of New York tomorrow...

Dot Block

Stripe Block

Quilt Story Block Party!

2011-02-09T14:31:00.001-05:00

Quilt Story is having a much fun Block Party! You can read about it here.

I decided I wanted to try out the tute for the Mile a Minute quilt from Patchwork Pie, so I took some scraps of fabrics that I had used to make cloth napkins for the family and got busy sewing. No thoughts about what I was doing, no particular color order...just pick up a piece out of my scrap bin and let 'er rip!

Here's what I ended up with...in a flash!

The party ends tonite, so hop on over there and show off your stuff......

Thrifty!

2011-02-08T17:10:00.002-05:00

Good, good day thrifting. Was in the mood to make a few changes in our yard that was hard hit by several freezes this past January. I found a couple things that I just had to have....

Check out this cool little tin planter/bucket I found. And of course, I had to stop at the local nursery and pick up this wild sweet potato plant to tuck inside of it...

I also found this cute little kitty planter with bright green eyes (on the far left, click on image to see him better)...I picked up a little zebra plant to put inside him which adds some contrast to our succulent collection....and of course I had to get a few new annuals too, just needed some good color happening...

I found this cool hippy dippy 60's flower child looking dish/bowl, which now holds our fresh oranges. I love this thing!!!!......

Red Letter Day Finished

2011-02-03T14:53:00.002-05:00

I chopped up the FQ's of the Lizzy House Red Letter Day fabric that I talked about here, and put together this super fun and (ahem) colorful quilt for my newest grandson. Backed and bound with kona cottons. This one is sure to get his eye color story happening, don't you think!

Who would have thought...

2011-01-02T12:29:00.000-05:00

That I could find this great Lizzy House 'Red Letter Day' fabric at my local JA? It was a fat quarter pack of 5 fq's. I am off to chop it up into a small quilt! The ducks are so much fun.....love them!

Fried Green Tomatoes - Enough!

2011-01-01T10:06:00.005-05:00

This is such a funny part of the movie:

Let's all have a little consideration for others this new year...

Weather Change

2010-10-11T10:08:00.001-04:00

Feeling a little crispness in the air down here in Florida. Nice to have temps in the 60's when I wake in the morning. This quiilt reminds me of late autumn in the mountains of Virginia, with nothing but earth tones in sight.

I watched the video tutorial by Victoria of Bumble Beans before whipping this together. (No, it wasn't quick, but it was fun!) She calls it the Waverunner quilt. So have a look and start one for yourself.

It is on my design wall and I hope to get the blocks stitched together sometime today. I have great plans for the back and for the actual quilting. I'll post pics when it is finished.

Gingered Pear Preserves - Yummy....

2010-10-05T15:13:00.002-04:00

I decided I needed to get a little head start on holiday gifts. Today I made Gingered Pear Preserves and can't wait to taste it. In the photo below, you'll see a jar that isn't all the way full....well, that one is OURS!

I wasn't sure exactly how long to cook the mixture down. I didn't want it to turn into cement, and I didn't want it to be runny like syrup. Next time I'll probably add a little more lemon juice and lemon zest to make it a little thicker since I didn't use pectin.

Recipe includes candied ginger, fresh grated ginger, lemon juice, lemon zest and of course, pears and sugar. I used a recipe I found online which belongs to Emeril. I used less sugar than called for (as someone else had mentioned) and when I make it again, I will use even less sugar. As it dripped and splattered all over my counters, I tasted it and it seemed way too sweet for my tastes. But, perhaps the sweetness will have mellowed out a bit after the canning process. You can find the recipe here if you are interested. I got 6 and 1/2 half pint jars. (Aren't those little squatty half pint jars just too cute?! They are Ball jars I bought at Ace Hardware.)

Kiwi

2010-10-02T10:22:00.002-04:00

I'm really loving this new quilt top I just finished. It is made with KIWI fabric by Timeless Treasures.

Can't decide whether to put sashing on the top and bottom...probably will just to round it all out better. It turned out a really nice size for snuggling on the sofa or for a toddler. Love the colors!

I didn't use a pattern, just free form design.

threadaholic????

2010-07-10T13:46:00.018-04:00

Sew Mama Sew is having a contest and someone is going to win some thread! I wanted to post a few pictures of just a 'portion' of my threadaholic stash. Looking at these (messy) pics makes me realize that perhaps *I* should NOT be the lucky winner! :)

This is just a small bit of my thread on a rack I purchased not too long ago so it has no organization yet...love my bobbin keepers!

I frequent estate sales and love to buy thread....especially thread on wooden spools!

Can't beat 5 bucks for this pile of embroidery thread....(and see, there is MORE thread in the background!)

Love these metallic threads too ~

SMS wanted us to answer a few question as well, so here goes:

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? If I see a color that I like, I tend to purchase it on the spot.

* Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? If I am working on a garment, I always purchase matching thread, but for normal quilting projects I tend to use white or off white.

* Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes I do, especially with totes and handbags.

* Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes.

* What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I usually use thread that matches the background, or if not possible to do that, I choose a neutral color.

* Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Well, I do a lot of canvas work so have to use heavy duty thread for those projects; when working with outside materials, I use a heavy clear nylon thread - so, answer is just match the weight of the thread to your project fabric.

* Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? It's a mess, but I added it anyways!

* Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Certainly do! :)

* Do you “invest” in thread? Not quite sure what this means...

* What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Quilting, all-purpose, metallics, nylon, heavy duty.

Peace, health & happiness,

finished quilt for grayden

2009-11-14T15:56:00.000-05:00

I finally finished the quilt for little Grayden.

He was due in August, but came early. I was so close to having his quilt finished, but...

Although the top was complete, I had not done the quilting.

Now, here it is, blowing in the breeze (yes, the quilt is square, it was a breezy day outside :)

I used the 'yellow brick road' pattern that I had purchased to make a king size quilt out of batiks for me and mister. I like it! It was fairly simple. Grayden's mom and grandmom picked out the fabrics.

I hope you enjoy your quilt Grayden!

Hugs and Kisses to you little man!

my new (old) machine

2009-11-13T15:09:00.001-05:00

lookie what i found. something drew me into my favorite catholic thrift store one day about a month ago and this is what was waiting for me.

an absolutely marvelous, older janome new home sewing machine!

it purrs.

don't think it was ever actually used ~ really.

not a scratch on it. original manual and accessories in perfect shape.

it is tough - sews leather, canvas, thick layers.

someone went to a lot of trouble turning an old desk into a sewing cabinet for the owner, and then it just sat, all alone.

well i have been using it almost constantly -- doing all my piecework on it as well as whipping up some holiday gifts. i don't want my 35 year old husqvarna viking 64 40 to get lonesome, so i do detailed stitching and work that needs a free arm on the viking.

i am having a bit of a time getting used to the fact that the needle isn't centered on the pressure foot -- it is offset to the left. is this typical of a janome machine?

i need one of these....

2009-11-10T10:39:00.005-05:00

i seem to struggle with bindings so this is definitely on my wish list!

Simplicity Bias Tape Maker

leading moms in business competition - please cast a vote

2009-03-13T17:19:00.006-04:00

i procrastinated long enough and finally entered startupnation's 'leading moms in business competition'. please view my profile on their website, read how i began my business, and cast a vote for me...i would certainly appreciate it! you can vote once per day through the end of March (yes, i know i should have entered much sooner!).

you can vote here

beer for dogs?

2009-03-10T18:05:00.005-04:00

i was checking out a few things on amazon today and happened across a six pack of brew for dogs. still chuckling over this one. check it out! too funny....

non-alcoholic, no hops, low cal beer for dogs.

bowser beer

100% American made ingredients
It's a party in a bottle
Includes glucosamine for healthy joints
For dogs only

last bootie posts, i promise

2009-03-01T16:00:00.004-05:00

here are a couple more pair of baby shoes i made for my future grandson.

i won't take up any more space on my blog with baby shoes, i know i have overdone it.

but they were all fun to make and i wanted to share.

;o)

sweet little kimono booties

2009-03-01T15:51:00.003-05:00

just finished this super sweet little pair of kimono style baby booties for my future granddaughter, luve (pronounced love).

made out of soft baby flannel.

i hope she has super tiny feet because they are very small. i will definitely enlarge the pattern for the next pair!

vintage dresses into a baby quilt?

2009-03-01T14:51:00.006-05:00

found these two vintage dresses at my local thrift and decided they would make a great quilt for my future granddaughter.

super psychedelic fabrics in a cotton pique waffle weave. gave them a good wash and dry, grabbed my seam ripper and started taking them apart. the darts were the hardest darned things to remove...making me remember what a perfectionist i was at sewing darts back in the 60's.

i will be posting pictures of my progress with this quilt if you are interested in following along.

chenile baby quilt - the 'real' quilt

2009-02-11T10:23:00.007-05:00

finally finished the chenile baby quilt that was supposed to be the quilt for the baby shower.

after this project, i really don't think i will ever work with chenile again. but now i have a walking foot for my old viking sewing machine, which made the task much easier.

teeny tiny peace sign baby booties

2009-02-11T09:13:00.006-05:00

new (first) grandson is coming very soon so i made him this cute pair of baby booties with peace signs and a bright orange flower power design. i am in the process of tweaking the pattern a little and preparing to make more.

learning how to quilt

2009-02-01T15:01:00.003-05:00

i am excited to have two grandbabies on the way - a boy and a girl. nope, not twins. one of each from both my son and my daughter!

yippee!

been working on making quilts since i found out that i was 'finally' going to be a grandparent. never have i made a quilt before.

this has been a real experience, but very enjoyable.

this is the first quilt: made out of fabric i had laying around. my very first quilt with many errors. unfortunately this quilt ended up being a shower gift for my future grandson because the 'real' quilt i was making for the baby shower created many headaches and wasn't ready in time.

i will blog on the 'real' quilt soon.

yummy gifts of food

2008-06-19T16:55:00.016-04:00

i have always enjoyed giving gifts of food, and this year i am semi-retiring my fabulous rum ball recipe for something a little different. friends and family, don't worry, rum balls aren't gone forever!

CHOCOLATE KAHULA TROPICAL FRUITCAKE

who really likes fruitcake? well, no one in my family does. when i was a kid, my parents gave everyone a claxton fruitcake during the holidays. while the 'cake' part itself was tasty good, i could never quite enjoy those colored fruit things that were present.

so....this year (time permitting) i have come up with a tropical version of a fruitcake that i will be making in little loafpans.

lots (and i mean LOTS) of semisweet chocolate and lots of kahula with fresh dates (from my friend 'the date people' in niland, california), dried papaya, mango and apricots along with a hefty addition of georgia pecans (savannah georgia that is).

wrapping the little loaf babies in kahlua-soaked cheesecloth, with more kahlua poured over them every week!!!

whatdoyousay? fantastic or what?

This is the Beginning - Music Flashbacks

2007-07-24T14:22:00.000-04:00

Been listening to quite a few different online streaming music selections recently and happened upon a station that was playing some tunes from the early '70's that brought on some old memories, things and folks that I haven't thought of or remembered for many blue moons.

So I decided to start a blog, which is something I have been wanting to do for a few years anyway. Maybe by keeping a blog, I can 'go back' one day and bring on old memories again. And I decided to name it This is the Beginning because one of the flashback songs I recently listened to (and quite intently I might add) was "Beginnings" by Chicago. (What a great tune still!) Pulling out the album and tossing it on the turntable this evening, for sure!

And, heck, every new day is a beginning.