Admittedly, I’m not fond of cooking. Which is probably why my kids are so good at it: they had to learn to survive. However, come around Christmas it is here where you will most often find me. At least here, I am the queen of cookies. Read More
Christmas baking: Lebkuchen
Posted in In the kitchen
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Oh, so delicate, christmassy candle mats!
2008 certainly turned out to be a year of English Paper Piecing addiction for me! Several hexagon table runners, placemats and tons of coasters have been part of the projects accomplished (and actually finished!) this year. Read More
Posted in Christmas, Small quilted projects
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Far from the noise of the city
We have a small country property in Guayllabamba, a beautiful, and very green valley 29 km north of Quito. It’s claim to fame is that it houses the Quito ecological zoo, and on weekends the town overflows with visitors to the zoo and to the many restaurants offering typical highland food. Read More
Posted in Inspiration, Life in Ecuador
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Gift wrapping ideas
Even though I will not be teaching throughout the month of December, for some strange reason things seem to continue hectic this week. Hmmm. In any case, I am making some progress on gift wrapping ideas. Now I only need to finish the gifts that will go inside! Read More
Posted in Bags/Purses, Small quilted projects
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Nice Thanksgiving
Twelve of us altogether, half of them Jamie and her college friends. Half of us quiet and mellow, the other half quite a bit louder – you can guess which half. Good food, good conversation, nobody overate, and in general we had a really nice evening. Not too late because son #1 had to be up at 4:00 am and I was his ride to the airport. Read More
Posted in Fall
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Flower blocks
Busy week, but I still was able to finish appliquéing my hibiscus blocks last night. Yeah! These are really small blocks – but then, I really like them small. I enjoyed working on these delicate beauties. Read More
Posted in Applique
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Preparing for Thanksgiving
As you may or may not know, I come from what I describe as a “mish-mash” family: half of my family born in the U.S. and the other half in Ecuador or other Latin American countries. Read More
Posted in Fall, Small quilted projects
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Hibiscus
I should really be printing out handouts for classes and organizing samples for the rest of the week. But today I would really like to sew! So I’m making some time for a project that I started several weeks ago yet will probably not be able to finish until sometime next year. Maybe you have already seen my hibiscus design? Read More
Posted in Paper Piecing, Wall hangings
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Fabric Finds
As any other quiltmaker, I, too, LOVE fabric! I wouldn’t describe myself, however, as a fabriholic. By most quilters’ standards, I’m sure my stash is quite conservative. This is only in part because I am careful, and probably more so because I live in a country where cotton fabrics are not easily available. Read More
Posted in Yummy fabrics
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Advent Stoles
I love the Christmas season. It’s probably my favorite time of year. Not the commercial hustle-bustle and the frantic shopping usually associated with this holiday. For me, this is a time to stay home and enjoy meaningful time with the family. Read More
Posted in Christmas, Liturgical
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Christmas Tablerunner
I confess: I’ve become addicted to English Paper Piecing.
I keep a bag with 3/4″ freezer paper hexagons (my favorite size) by the iron and have now developed the habit of ironing them onto small scraps as they become available from other projects, and from there into the little sewing case I carry in my purse. Read More
Posted in Christmas, English Paper Piecing, Table toppers
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Fourteen book bags!
It’s been a while since I’ve dedicated this much time to sewing… practically a full day! Well, yes, there always are interruptions, but I was able to remain focused and finished the fourteen bags I had promised my mother in one day. Read More
Posted in Bags/Purses
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What a mess!
The last several weeks have been all about Christmas projects. Sewing up samples for four different workshops I’ll be teaching each month all the way through November. Trying to decide what to include, making the samples, printing patterns and writing instructions. Read More
Posted in Bags/Purses, Teaching
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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. 
