September 2012

September Pillow

I've enjoyed the summer here in Seattle. My first summer in a long time in the northwest. It was/is very nice. Over 40 days without rain, then the streak was broken by just a little bit of rain. I still had to water the flower beds. I'm not ready for summer to be over, but I know the fall will be great too. I did get out my 'September' pillow.

Pillow back

The 16" pillow fits my pillow form and I rotate seasonally or monthly.

This one is done with 12- 4" log cabin blocks and four 2"X 8" plain blocks that are embroidered with grass like designs.

I used some homespuns that I had in my stash plus a few calicos. The back is pieced and uses yo-yo type covered buttons. Covered cord surrounds the edges. Of course the front is hand quilted. My favorite thing to do!

This one isn't in my book, House Party Coordinated Quilts and Pillows, but the pillow construction methods are the same as the ones in the book.

Pins & Needles Case, Pattern Available

I've written the pattern for my Pins and Needles Case. If you'd like a copy of it, please let me know and I will send you the PDF file for free. Please contact me at suquilt@hotmail.com

Spring

I'm watching my new garden to see what there is coming up. I've got a super hosta and the slugs are only partially interested. I've got another one that must be yummier, so I'm serving beer to those hungry guys.

Even the small plants are interesting.

My little hillside. My daughter and I found the moss covered hunk of concrete in the lower right when we were cleaning behind the garage. It makes a great planter for the sedum.

My favorite little concrete bunny statue sits by a bridal veil bush.

Monster Cookies a Recipe

My favorite cookies. Here's the recipe:

Monster Cookies

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

½ cup butter or margarine (softened)

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. pancake syrup or light corn syrup

1 ½ cups peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

2 tsps. Baking soda

4 ½ cups Oatmeal (not instant)

1 cup choc chips

4 oz. M&M’s (plain or peanut)

Mix in the order given. Drop by teaspoon (or larger) on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 350° for 15 minutes (or less). Makes 6-7 dozen.

Notes: no flour used. Use holiday M&M’s when possible!

Sashiko

I did a class (along with two other talented ladies) for my local quilt guild, Cedar River Quilters, Renton, WA. We had a good turn out, 15 students! I think they enjoyed it. I'm anxious to see what projects they will start with their new knowledge.

I finished a sashiko jacket that I started almost a year ago. I had gotten the pattern in Yokohama at a small sashiko shop. My Japanese friend, Akemi translated what I needed to know on the pattern. I drew the swirls and plovers myself based on traditional Japanese designs. That's about my favorite sashiko design. Love the swirls!

New Fabric Postcards

Here are a couple of fabric postcards I recently did. I mailed them from a new post office (new to me). The man who helped me was very impressed. I always have to ‘train’ the people at the post office, but once they figure out that I seriously want them to go through the mail with no envelope they’re ok with it. This guy wasn’t sure the stamps would stick; I’m hoping they will too. I’ve had some interesting experiences mailing them from Japan and China. I ended up finding one post office and usually one specific person who would mail them for me. In China I had to travel over an hour to get to this specific post office!

Well anyway I do enjoy making and receiving the fabric postcards. I guess I should start working on my Christmas ones!

I usually don’t start with any plan, I’ll just get out a collection of fabrics that mostly go together and from there ideas will come. I do always draw out the rectangle 10.5cm X 15cm (which is close to 4” X 6”), then may sketch a little to get the designs that will fit. It also works for me to make more than one at a time of the same or similar design. Goes quicker that way and I often send them to people who don’t know each other, so they don’t know they aren’t getting a one of a kind (until now).

Send me pictures of your fabric postcards.

It does feel like fall in Seattle now. Some nice sunny spots in the middle of the rainy bits, but that’s ok, it’s supposed to be that way. I’ve lived in semi-tropical southern China for the past three years, so the cool rainy weather is a welcome change.

I usually walk every morning about three miles. I found a great view spot on my new route and finally took a camera with me. Of course the view is better than my camera will take. I can see downtown Seattle in the distance (along with the space needle) and also Lake Washington closer to me. And with a US flag flying over a nearby school it all makes a terrific place to be. After living abroad for 10 years I do appreciate the USA a lot more.

I hope to start a part time job this next week. I wanted full time, but I know I can’t be too picky right now and am grateful for what I do have. It is working with fabric and crafts so that part is really good for me, I look forward to it. I have a feeling I will be constantly inspired and will probably be starting projects all the time. 

I went on a walk to a nearby public garden. Turned out to be a blue sky afternoon!