Time Well Spent in the Sewing Room

Though a thing of beauty was not created, I did learn something and that is the most important thing.

I have been floundering (floundering? flopping? flipping?) trying to figure out how to properly join binding. My face burns with shame that some of you have items from my sewing room where this joining has been improperly done. Please don't hate me! I'll do better next time.

~Lesson 16 Craftsy Block of the Month 2012~

It has certainly helped to have the iPad, which goes with me all over the house. It used to be that working on something in the sewing room that I had seen once was a real challenge because I don't learn well seeing it once. I need to see it over and over and over again before it gets knocked into my crowded brain. And those up and down trips on the stairs got annoying...very.

~2~

2. So here I have some green polka-dotted binding that I have made the easy way...no more binding tutes for me thank you very much.

~3~

3. Oh-oh. The connections are going to be way too close! Better try to slide the left one down a bit.

~4~

4. Here I am finding what Amy Gibson told me is the "critical point." After all the nasty joins I've done, I think critical point is a good term.

~5~

5. I used a straight join as all other connections are also straight. Diagonal joins are also an option, but who cares? Not I!

~6~

6. Okay, that's better...not great, but better. This post should not be considered a tutorial because many important things have been left out. I gave you all the important info in the caption on the first picture.

~7~

7. What is it? Hmmm...good question. It's a sample something or other. I've worked on piecing, machine quilting, and binding. 

~8. blanket backing instead of batting~

8. It's made on a washable blanket rather than a piece of batting. I was able to purchase this blanket for a mere $10 so it's much more economical than purchasing quality batting (especially when practicing). This idea comes from a quilter from way back, a family friend who has made hundreds of quilts over a lifetime. I have not included a fabric backing because this blanket fabric is grabby and so works well as an ironing pad.

Oh. There I go! It's become a mini ironing pad for use on my work table so I don't have to go back and forth to the ironing board. 

Gosh, just stick with me here. You never know what you're going to get. Tomorrow, I may show my experiments in food photography. This blog is nothing if not eclectic.

Have a wonderful weekend and, if I don't see you before then, a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Green "Monet"~Inspiration Thursday

When I first learned about today's inspiration, I wasn't sure that I had any "green" inspirations. I could show a leaf or something and, in a way, that is what I'm doing. I found this dish in the depths of the china cupboard. Like yesterday's lamb, it belonged to my grandmother; it looks like majolica to me, though it has no markings.

While it looks okay from a distance, on closer inspection —

it's a real mess! All those apricot colored bits on the tips of the leaves are where the paint has worn off. There are many problems with this dish. I think I'll tag it with a "do not use for food" note.

Yes, it's a monet all right

Wasn't this inspiring? Well don't you worry, there'll be some inspiring offerings at Mary's Little Red House later today all featuring green.

Do you own any less than perfect by a lot pieces that you are unwilling to part with?

Another Odds and Ends Post

Thanks for all your comments on True Grit. It was interesting to read them. I'd just like to add that the scenery from the 1969 version was beautiful as it was filmed in the Colorado Rockies in autumn. The 2010 version was filmed in Texas in winter. (It was supposed to look more like the Arkansas setting of the book and was not quite as stunning with all due apologies to my Arkie and Texan friends.) And I'd like to say that John Wayne made me love Rooster Cogburn while Jeff Bridges did not, though I could admire his true grit.

We've moved on to another movie with incredible scenery and that is Owd Bob (movie clip here) about an orphan sent to live with his maternal grandfather on the Isle of Man, an island between Ireland and Great Britain. It was filmed on location and I'd say that the scenery is one of the greatest delights of this film. Exquisite! So if you're needing to see some green this week...

***

Tossing in some photos taken after our errand running yesterday...

Bundles of colorful, good and fresh Alstroemeria are in the market with all different hues available and the price at $5 was right. The bundles of tulips were very tempting, but they've gone over $5 and that's my limit.  This little lamb belonged to my grandmother. I just found him in the basement recently (I think he was heading to Goodwill—I've changed my mind.) Gave him a good wash and dry and he's as fresh as ever and looks very darling beneath the flowers.

These yogurt covered pretzels were in the bakery.  They are orange-flavored and there were also strawberry, blueberry, lemon, among other flavors available. I do love a sweet and salty combination. I hope not to purchase them again — too good!

Someone had a birthday quite awhile ago now and his fondest wish was to have strawberry shortcake. This was finally accomplished. It's not easy finding good strawberries just now. He looked through multiple packages to find one where most of the strawberries were ripe. So it was a strawberry shortcake supper last night...those are always wonderful.

Turning the floor over to you...

True Grit

Ever watch it them? I'm not much of a Westerns kind of gal nor a reader of Westerns. Once read a Louis L'Amour book and truly enjoyed it and it scared me so much for having liked it that I never read another. Go ahead, call me a hoity-toity snob. ☺

Over the past two days, John and I watched first the 1969 version with John Wayne, Glen Campbell, and Kim Darby followed by the 2010 version with Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld.

John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn

Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn

It has been very interesting to compare and contrast the versions. And to further compare and contrast, one should probably read the book True Grit by Charles Portis. I've read that the second version of the movie is a truer representation of the book, though since I have never read the novel, I couldn't say.

Do you ever get the sense that a movie can tell the story even better than the book? I got that distinct sense from the endings of both movies that veer away from the novel's ending.

Okay, enough of that, I won't spoil it for any who'd like to watch, read, and analyze for themselves.

Just suggesting that if the man of the house is weary of Downton Abbey and girly flicks, he might be open to watching this one or two and you'll have plenty to ponder yourself.

As one who is going to need some true grit this week herself, I'll catch you later.

Indoors~Outdoors

Amber daffodils drying—any normal person would have already tossed them into the trash.

Hardy outdoor daffodils coming along...

Oh yes, and there is the matter of this nasty old snowbank.

The Week that Was~Mosaic Monday

What an unusual assortment of posts last week. Two of them involved events at Mary's: Mosaic Monday and Thursday Inspirations. One involved a photo challenge at Donna's. And coming full circle to join in with Mary once again *here.*

Three parties in a week? No wonder I'm exhausted!

A pleasant day and week to you.

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  ~Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Blessings today and all week through...

Simple as Black and White

Right. Nothing could be further from the truth. Black and white photography is complicated.

I began this process by wondering about whether to take a color photograph and make it black and white with photo editing or to use a black and white photograph from the git-go. I did both. Let's compare, shall we?

I borrowed an idea of my own that some may remember from the earlier days of this blog — stacked stove grates. Exciting, right?

~1~

1. Setting the Scene: kitchen sink

in color

 side lamp on

ISO 400

I have no idea of distance

using A (aperture priority) setting with an Aperture of 2.7

macro setting

~2~

2. The same photo with color removed in photo editing

~3~

 3. taken using the Black and White setting under "scene"

(not sure that I see much difference between taking a black and white photo and removing color)

~4~

4. Black and white subjects, but taken in color mode

Dial on A

+0 Exposure Compensation

ISO 400

Macro setting

~5~

5. Ditto on all except this was taken on black and white setting in Scene

Contrast  bumped to +10

Edited to Add: Per Auntie's Suggestion

~6~

6. All of #5's info plus brightened in photo editing — it blew out the details a little too much.

(I don't like any of them. I do like the first photo of the woman floating in water here, though I didn't have a likely subject.)

~Give me a little color please~

Thanks to Donna at Cottage Days and Journeys for stretching my thinking. I'm going to let it snap back now. After all, my world is already pretty black and white.☺ Please find more black and white photography *here.*

Fake Ballerinas

We have a line in our house that goes like this: It's a fake plum. We say this in a monotone much as my son did when he was teaching Sam about the difference between real plums and the wax ones gracing my mother's coffee table. Apparently, my son's still at it if Jake's comment about my "fake blanket" is any indication. It's amazing how often our family "line" comes in handy and it sends us into peals of laughter.

Found this idea while visiting *Aunt Ruthie's* *Easter Sweetness* Board on Pinterest. Hers are so much cuter because they're real! And check out those darling lambs.

With late winter hanging on so tight, I have needed to see cheerful reminders of better days coming.

Wouldn't you just know that John arrived home an hour early and found me making these tutus for my little chickies. I felt so ridiculous!  I may be entering my second childhood or perhaps I miss the frou-frou stuff that one does with little girls.

Have a super day and check back tomorrow when I participate in a photography prompt at Donna's: black and white. Black and white? Eeekkk! I don't even know if I've ever posted a black and white photo. ; > 

(see sidebar button for more details)

Books~Thursday Inspiration

Like so many of us in Blogdom, I enjoy decorating with books as well as reading them. The older and shabbier the better. I've never read Poppy, but I love the graphics and that pop of blue.

Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, though not considered politcally correct these days, is a favorite both to read and decorate with. The food descriptions are terrific! Shall I share just one? Okay, talked me into it:

To make the sweet potato orange baskets, I mash peeled boiled sweet potatoes, add beaten eggs, butter, cream, salt, and few spoonfuls of orange blossom honey and a little grated orange peel. I cut oranges in half, scoop out the contents, serrate the edges so that the half-shells look as though a large and accurate fox had bitten them; fill the shells with the potato mixture, dot with butter, and place in a hot oven to brown. A handle of orange peel may be added, but this is only elegance and gets in the way. 

Is it just me or does that sound great for Easter Dinner?

Next up is my grandmother's childhood book of Andersen's Fairy Tales followed by Blake's Poetical Works purchased for me by my nieces knowing how much I love Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright Blake. Then Esther in Maine written by Flora Longfellow Turknett (good Maine name, say what?) And on the bottom of the pile is a biography of Dwight L. Moody in that elegant deep emerald green. The little leatherbound gospels sits just beside Poppy. All these books reflect my life, values, and history. That's what all books do. It's why we're so eager to read the titles on another's shelves. And, life, values, and history are what home is all about, after all.

Linking to Thursday Inspiration at Mary's Little Red House.

Mary's prompts for March:

March 7   ~ books
March 14 ~ green
March 21 ~ round
March 28 ~ fence

Won't you join in, too?

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

~Jean Hersholt and Shirley Temple in Heidi 1937~

Then he went up to the hearth, pushed the big kettle aside, and drew forward the little one that was hanging on the chain, and seating himself on the round-topped, three-legged stool before the fire, blew it up into a clear bright flame. The kettle soon began to boil, and meanwhile the old man held a large piece of cheese on a long iron fork over the fire, turning it round and round till it was toasted a nice golden yellow color on each side. Heidi watched all that was going on with eager curiosity. Suddenly some new idea seemed to come into her head, for she turned and ran to the cupboard, and then began going busily backwards and forwards. Presently the grandfather got up and came to the table with a jug and the cheese, and there he saw it already tidily laid with the round loaf and two plates and two knives each in its right place; for Heidi had taken exact note that morning of all that there was in the cupboard, and she knew which things would be wanted for their meal.

"Ah, that's right," said the grandfather, "I am glad to see that you have some ideas of your own," and as he spoke he laid the toasted cheese on a layer of bread, "but there is still something missing."

Heidi looked at the jug that was steaming away invitingly, and ran quickly back to the cupboard. At first she could only see a small bowl left on the shelf, but she was not long in perplexity, for a moment later she caught sight of two glasses further back, and without an instant's loss of time she returned with these and the bowl and put them down on the table.

"Good, I see you know how to set about things; but what will you do for a seat?" The grandfather himself was sitting on the only chair in the room. Heidi flew to the hearth, and dragging the three-legged stool up to the table, sat herself down upon it.

"Well, you have managed to find a seat for yourself, I see, only rather a low one I am afraid," said the grandfather, "but you would not be tall enough to reach the table even if you sat in my chair; the first thing now, however, is to have something to eat, so come along."

With that he stood up, filled the bowl with milk, and placing it on the chair, pushed it in front of Heidi on her little three- legged stool, so that she now had a table to herself. Then he brought her a large slice of bread and a piece of the golden cheese, and told her to eat. After which he went and sat down on the corner of the table and began his own meal. Heidi lifted the bowl with both hands and drank without pause till it was empty, for the thirst of all her long hot journey had returned upon her. Then she drew a deep breath--in the eagerness of her thirst she had not stopped to breathe--and put down the bowl.

"Was the milk nice?" asked her grandfather.

"I never drank any so good before," answered Heidi.

"Then you must have some more," and the old man filled her bowl again to the brim and set it before the child, who was now hungrily beginning her bread having first spread it with the cheese, which after being toasted was soft as butter; the two together tasted deliciously, and the child looked the picture of content as she sat eating, and at intervals taking further draughts of milk.

~excerpt from Chapter 2 "At Home with Grandfather" Heidi by Johanna Spyri

Some passages of books stay with me. Not verbatim, but the essence of the scene does. I always think of this one when I'm making grilled cheese sandwiches and I wonder how cheese would taste toasted over the fire. It all sounds so very cozy.

Now John and I seldom have differences of opinion or points of contention; however, one of them concerns the making of grilled cheese sandwiches. Seems that I have not been doing it quite up to his standards. Seems he grills all sides of the bread.  I decided to try it his way for my lunch yesterday.

My well seasoned griddle works great for grilling. Yes, the clock says three...a rather late lunch. I thought I could get away with a little bowl of tomato soup at noon, but by afternoon I was famished.

You can't tell from this photo, but both sides of the bread are buttered and the future inside is being grilled while the outside waits.

Oh, I forgot this other difference of opinion: I like American cheese and John prefers sharp, seriously sharp, cheddar.

I was being a good girl by having only half a sandwich, though I didn't skimp on the sharp, seriously sharp, cheddar.

Finished...it only took twice as long...

Hmmmm...he may have a point. The cheddar was delicious and the bread was so nicely grilled on all four sides. Well shoot! I hate learning new things. ☺

Do you like grilled cheese sandwiches? Do they have to be made a special way? What's your favorite cheese?

Sounds as if it would be a good day for grilled cheese in many parts of the country. Stay safe and warm and cozy.

Fun App

~bottom center~

So last week I was shopping in the App Store where I found this one called Craftsy. It is free and I'm all about "free." (Mostly free...there are things for purchase.) The premise is that one can take classes so I signed right up for "Craftsy Block of the Month" with Amy. She also blogs at Stitchery Dickory Dock. Isn't that a cute blog name? Anyway, imagine my surprise to visit there today to find that Mr. Stichery Dickory Dock was working on a quilt! Kinda fun.

What I have really appreciated about Amy is that her methods are simpler than some others. She showed me how to join binding in an easy way. I mean, I was getting ready to spend $10 on a binding tool and now I don't have to. Yay!

November was an ambitious month!

The finished project was a sampler of sorts...many different blocks and many techniques taught. It really was a lot of fun!

Of course, much of the joy of all this is so I don't have to actually make a quilt. Don't gasp. I have discovered that, simply by watching, I don't have to do a thing. I warned you that I was in slug mode.

It works for other things, too: I pin, therefore, I am. 

Hopefully, I'll return to the land of doing soon. You know, beyond making meals, doing laundry, etc. I used to think that because my home was neat and tidy that I had "done" something. Now I realize that there's a big divide between really doing something and thinking that one has.

Oh! Wait! I did make my own quilt block in Photoscape.

~the grands~

Nah, that doesn't count.

I watched the snowball fight.

Son and Grandsons

Am I going to have to learn how to make mittens?

Corrie ten Boom Quote

Once had the privilege of hearing Corrie ten Boom speak. I remember reading The Hiding Place for the first time at the lake one summer. Sometimes, I would read aloud to my family and we'd all be struck by her words and often her father's gentle wisdom. I have used those thoughts many times in my life.

This is one that floated to me on a Pinterest wave and then promptly became corrupted. This is my attempt to replace it with something that won't be destroyed.

Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength — carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.

Springifying~Mosaic Monday

Our local weatherman informed us that March 1 signaled the beginning of "meteorological" spring. I'm taking him at his word no matter what it's doing outside.

Do you suppose that it means anything if I am still happy to use Photoscape for my mosaics? I think it does, but we won't delve into that today. I just had to spring up the top of the china cabinet this weekend. A little cheer never hurts. I used as much shiny stuff as I could find and though the daffodils dried up I decided to use them anyway — they're still yellow!

Perhaps a less busy mosaic is better. I couldn't decide so you see both. Thanks for visiting and please join our hostess Mary at Little Red House to see what she and all the others have been doing.

Seems as if there's an impromptu party planned at my haven today and I'm hosting. I promise to catch up!

Blessings this week...

Getting Restless

For whatever reason, when the weather has been unpleasant, I find it a challenge to do anything productive. I don't sew. I don't organize. I don't clean. I don't accomplish things. I don't read. I don't talk on the phone. I don't go anywhere or do anything. I become a total slug. And you know how disgusting slugs are!

Soooo, even though this is day eight or nine (I lose track) of foul weather, I am going to DO SOMETHING today. I think I'll take a quick refresher course with FlyLady. I'll run around the basics and perhaps even do a 27-fling boogie. Wheeeee...

This is one of the the many things that needs doing:

These photos were borrowed from Barn Homes and Beyond, an amazing place to spend some time browsing. Lots of wonderful photos of interiors and exteriors and a great resource of ideas and advice. Please do not pin these photos from this post. Go directly to the source. Thank you!

So my humble haven is never going to look like any of these photos, but I would like to pickle my wood plank walls and ceilings. They grow darker by the day and I have always wanted to paint them from the beginning. This would be a nice compromise with my darling who worked hard to put that wood up and rather likes it as it is. What is it with men and natural wood?!

Any projects you're thinking about as spring starts to turn the corner?

The Borrowed Landscape

Well you've done it again with the comments and something in Kristi's comment totally grabbed my attention. She mentioned *the borrowed landscape* and immediately my mind went leaping and skipping all over the place, much in the way we use our neighbors' lawn as our own, with permission, of course.

A Reminder of Summertime

How often commenters have exclaimed over "my" beautiful lawn!

I am reposting something from several years back (January 17, 2009)  because it perfectly complements this concept of "borrowed landscape."

My question for the day: Do you knowingly incorporate your neighbor's landscape?




My Neighbor's Roses

The roses upon my neighbor's vine
Are owned by him, but they are also mine;
His was the cost, and his the labor, too,
But mine as well as his the joy, their loveliness to view.

They bloom for me, and are for me as fair
As for the man who gives them all his care.
Thus I am rich, because a good man grew
A rose-clad vine for all his neighbors' view.

I know from this that others plant for me,
And what they own, my joy may also be;
So why be selfish, when so much that's fine
Is grown for you, upon your neighbor's vine?

~Abraham Gruber

This little poem comes from this book discovered by John at the local flea market for a pittance. The book is loaded with wisdom and I've enjoyed every page.



I find My Neighbor's Roses so meaningful because it very nearly perfectly explains how I feel about so many blogs...each one a life shared. I don't own the beautiful homes nor the rooms that fill them; no, nor the treasures that fill the rooms, but they are still somehow mine because they have been shared. Makes me feel like sharing, too.

Can you believe that another week has passed and that the weekend is here? Enjoy this day and your weekend...