Whenever asked why I quilt, the answer that comes out right from the gut is: “Because I have to.” There are so many other activities in life that I thoroughly enjoy; quilting is something beyond even that, an expression of self… And then there are all those other many (and valid) reasons: I love fabric, I love playing with color and patterns, I absolutely thrive on drawing and designing. Read More
Is this why I quilt?
Posted in Bed quilts, Family
Comments closed
Homemade Fettuccine
Alexia and Julian will be returning to the U.S. tomorrow. It’s hard to believe the summer is practically over and everyone will be back in school next week. So to celebrate one of the most fun summers ever, and to wish our sweet kids a safe trip, we are having a family get-together today. And naturally there is food involved and a festive spirit. Read More
Posted in Family, In the kitchen
Comments closed
Win your Etsy Wish List
How often do you see a giveaway like this one? CraftGossip is giving out 3 Etsy shopping sprees (each to a maximum value of $100, + shipping). Now is that awesome or what? Left alone, I could spend a small fortune on Etsy on jewelry alone… Read More
Posted in Giveaways
Comments closed
On Sewing Machines
I started sewing (clothes) way back in 1976 on a Singer 404 (slant needle, manufactured in the U.S. 1958). It was given to me by one of the grandmothers in my husband’s family. And yes, it is older than me, but it’s joints sure act younger than mine! 🙂 And I still love it. All it has is a straight stitch, and it is a workhorse of a machine. I used to make all my clothes on this machine and am still proud of the fact that it has all its original parts. Since it is a mechanical machine, I have always been able to service it myself. Read More
Posted in Machines, Supplies, & Notions, Sewing/Quilting
Comments closed
Girls’ Beauty Day
Yesterday the five generations of “girls” in our immediate family trooped off together for a morning of primping and pruning. So here are some pics of all my pretty girls. 🙂
My mom is the only one with really short hair. So she just breezed in, had her hair cut in under 10 minutes, and breezed out again. She used her time wisely and did her grocery shopping while the rest of us beautified. Read More
Posted in Family, This and that
Comments closed
One cheesy quilt!
Well, not really. Actually, not at all. Just a little play on words to describe Alexia’s latest production. Her quilt is now finished, washed and spread out on her bed, waiting for her return from the beach. I blame her mother for her quirky sense of humor. I mean, have you ever seen a quilt before with cheese and mice falling all over it? Read More
Posted in Bed quilts, Family
Comments closed
More tie-dyeing!
All the kids – Jamie, Jono, Alexia, and Julian – have taken off for the beach again. It’s a long holiday weekend and they wanted to take advantage of this last chance before Julian and Alexia have to return home in a couple of weeks. And, of course, they wanted some more tie-dyed T-shirts to take with them. No matter what you do, they always turn out great. The kids absolutely love this activity. Read More
Posted in Fabric dyeing, Yummy fabrics
Comments closed
Orange, turquoise, and black
I’ve finished Julian’s quilt top and have to say… I am loving this quilt! Alexia has also finished her quilt top, and I have to say it’s pretty cute. There’s a twist to her design, and I’m not going to give it away until it is actually quilted and finished. So without giving too much away, here are a couple of close-ups of both quilt tops. Now, off to sandwich both and hopefully get them quilted this week! Read More
Posted in Bed quilts
Comments closed
A boy’s quilt
So this weekend has been set aside for cutting and piecing a quilt for Julian. I thought it was high time to start using those plaid fabric samples it took me so long to iron and store… So I pulled out the container and let Julian pick and choose the ones he liked best for his quilt. Read More
Posted in Bed quilts, Yummy fabrics
Comments closed
More Bangles
Building up our gift closet here… Read More
Posted in Small quilted projects
Comments closed
A Million Minutes for Peace
Odyssey Networks invites you to participate in A Million Minutes for Peace.
People of different faiths from all over the world will stop at noon and pray for peace for one minute – each in their own way on September 21st – the U.N. International Day of Peace. Read More
Posted in Inspiration, This and that
Comments closed
Fabric Bangles
Among the many reasons why it is so much fun to have the kids here this summer is because every day there is something crafty going on. These kids are good for me in that way. Yesterday was a particularly crafty day, after the shaving cream fabric dyeing and flower pounding with Julian in the morning, and then some more crafty goodness with Alexia in the afternoon. Read More
Posted in Family, Small quilted projects
Comments closed
Flower Pounding
I think I’ve already mentioned that this year Julian just has not been as interested in sewing as in earlier years. What he has been enthusiastic about has been preparing fabrics for sewing. Today we did a little more fabric dyeing with shaving cream, for a small pencil case I will be making him for school. And then we got it into our heads to do a little flower pounding. So off we went for a little walk to collect some leaves and flowers. Read More
Posted in Fabric dyeing, Family, Tutorials
Comments closed
I am a self-learner. I taught myself to sew and to quilt. And I taught myself how to draw. I love to dye my own fabrics, am a fanatic of free-motion quilting, and dabble with mixed media. I am a quilt designer and teacher, and design and publish my own line of quilt patterns. With this blog I would like to share the bits and pieces of my life. 
