Sister's Choice Quilts

There's Always Another Way To Do Things

I had a lovely telephone chat with my cousin René yesterday. She lives across the country from me, but we have so much in common! We talked for over an hour and I know if we lived closer we'd be in real-life contact constantly. She is a talented quilter and after catching up on each other's news, we got into a "quilty" conversation.

René is making a quilt using this block from the Judy Hopkins book "501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks". I have this book and use it all the time, as evidenced by all the Post-it flags marking my favorite blocks. The block she is working on is on page 66, called "Christmas Star". 

Take a look at the top row. That unit is darn tricky to make the way the instructions show. All those triangles with bias edges are such a pain. She wanted to simplify the construction and was considering drafting a paper piecing pattern and assembling that top row unit that way. Have any of you done that? Create your own paper piecing pattern?

When I looked at the block I first thought to simplify things by making the dark triangles into a half-square triangles on either side of the green flying geese unit. But of course, even better (fewer seams) would be to make two flying geese units. I really liked the look of the block and decided to see if I could redo it and simplify the construction.

Do you see what I did there? Instead of the awkward to construct top row unit as shown in the pattern diagram, I made two flying geese to achieve the same look. Of course, now I have a seam going through that center green triangle shape. It may not be quite as "clean" a look, but it sure does eliminate the construction frustration. The seam doesn't bother me, and I think once quilted, it wouldn't be very noticeable. 

I got the best results pressing seams open for a nice flat block. I was making a six-inch block and those pieces were tiny.

I think Christmas Star is my new favorite block. I will add this block to my Moda Blockheads sew-along project. It's a great choice as all the blocks in that sampler project have a star theme.

So let me know in the comments if you have ever drafted your own paper piecing pattern. Would that method be preferable to my choice to make two flying geese units for the section?  

Things I Am Loving Lately- Spring 2024

Every now and then I think it's fun to share a few things that I am loving lately. Spring has sprung, or is about to, and I am so ready to ditch the heavy sweaters and move on to lighter clothing and makeup. If this is of interest to you, pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for some of my recommendations.

For the life of me, I could not get a photo of this tee shirt from the website. It is a navy and white striped tee shirt from JCrewFactory.com. It cost less than $20 and I am wearing it on repeat with a navy cardigan. There is nothing like navy and white for spring. Right now I am wearing it with my dark wash jeans, but come warmer weather, it will be fabulous with white jeans or capris. Top it with a jean jacket, a denim shirt, a red cardigan, and you will be "stylin'". This is another similar style for $17.

I don't know about you, but I live in jeans. And if you haven't heard, skinny jeans are out. O.U.T. No more tight jeans around your calves. Girls, if we want to look current, we have to embrace a new look. Don't worry, there are a lot of slim or straight-leg jean options out there that will be flattering, and actually more comfortable than the sausage skin look that has been the style for the past few years. And if you are a bold fashion warrior, you may even dare to try out the wide-leg styles that are being seen everywhere. I bought a pair and wore them out to dinner with my husband, but I need to do some research on what shoes are best with the wider leg style. A little more heel height I am thinking.

These are Chico's Slim Leg Girlfriend jeans, which have been around for years. They are slim cut, but not tight like a jegging, and are so comfortable and flattering. They come in a variety of washes and they fit like a dream. I bought these medium wash fray hem jeans and am loving them.

Talbots Slim Leg Ankle Jeans are another favorite of mine. I haven't worn the white ones yet this season, but it is a matter of a week or so before I bring them out. These come in a variety of washes as well, so if white isn't your thing, there are other options.

On to cosmetics. I have really been enjoying lip oils lately. They are not so heavy-duty as full-on lipstick and are comfortable and hydrating. 

My favorite lip oils are the Clarins Comfort Lip Oils, which come in a variety of subtle colors (they go on far lighter than they appear in the tube). They are so emollient, and I really enjoy wearing them on a daily basis. I have Honey, Cherry, Plum, and Chocolate. They are pricey, at $30 each, but there is a drugstore dupe that is almost as good for $7. That is the Elf Lip Oil Reviver, which you can find at Walmart and CVS.

The next cosmetic I have been enjoying is the Rose, Inc. skin enhance face serum/lightweight foundation. As I have aging skin, I no longer wear heavy full-coverage foundations, as I think they emphasize lines and skin texture. I much prefer a skin tint, bb cream or lighter-weight formula. I was at Sephora a few months back and a sales associate persuaded me to try Rose Inc. skin serum/tint. I just loved it. It is super lightweight with little tinted skin care treatment beads that disperse and sink into your skin as you smooth it on.

This product is somewhat pricey at $49, but never fear, I have a drugstore dupe for you that I actually like just about as well. It is the Covergirl Simply Ageless Skin Enhance Foundation.

Same little beads, same hydration, great dupe for under $20.

As I have gotten older, my hair is starting to thin. This is a sad state of affairs, but I have found a shampoo and conditioner that has really helped put some oomph into my thinning locks. I discovered HB Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner and am really pleased with the extra volume it gives my hair. The pricing is super reasonable. The three products below are available for $23 on Amazon!

On to some non-fashion or cosmetic items.

After watching a YouTube cooking demo, where the cook recommended Badia Complete seasoning I was intrigued. The next time I was at Walmart, I looked for it in the seasonings section and found a bottle of it for around $2. And this stuff is really good! It is an all purpose seasoning that has onion powder, garlic powder, dehydrated vegetables, and other herbs. I've been sprinkling it over everything and we think it's great.

Last but not least, how about a cleaning product? Dawn Platinum Power Wash may not have changed my life, but I think it has its uses. It is a spray product that allows you to spray and clean as you go. I use it for countertops, for cutting boards, and for hard-to-reach areas of items I am trying to clean. For under $5, you should give it a try. 

These are a few of the things I am loving lately. Let me know if any of these things appeal to you, and feel free to weigh in on what products you are enjoying these days and would like to share with the rest of us!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

Nantucket Mini Bag

It was a holiday weekend here in the US, so I took a couple of days off. I did occupy myself with a useful and fun project that I'd love to share with you all today. 

This little mini bag is a free pattern from Moda that you can easily download and get to sewing on yourself. I had a ton of leftover scraps of Nantucket fabric (by Camille Rosskelley), which made me want to make it even more. To assist me in the project, I followed along with a fantastic YouTube tutorial made by Sheri of A Quilting Life. She takes you through the process every step of the way and offers loads of helpful tips. 

You can easily make this little patchwork bag using a mini-charm pack. I bet you have one of those sitting around somewhere that you never knew what to do with, right? Of course, you can use regular charm packs or any scraps you have on hand.

You will also need a piece of fabric for the lining, some fusible batting, and a zipper.

The first step is to sew forty 2 1/2 inch squares together and fuse it to the batting. Trim to the size required and continue to follow the construction directions. Sherri shows you how to do it all.

The bag is the perfect size for cosmetics, charging cords, or sewing notions. You can probably come up with loads of ideas on how to use one. 

In my case, I made the bag for a friend who is in poor health. I filled it with cozy socks, lip balm, hand lotion, face wash, and tissues. My hope is that it will be something useful that will add to her comfort.

I've made lots of zippy bags in my life, but I don't recall ever making one that was all patchwork. I love how it turned out and plan to use up those mini charm packs I have to make more! Recently my sisters reminded me that even though I made them little makeup bags some years back, they do wear out, and new ones would be appreciated. 

Spring Things

On a scale of totally crappy weeks, this one is near the top, but spring is in the air, so I am feeling hopeful for better things to come.

Sara and Eva are off to Southern California on a Spring Break adventure, and the photos they are sending me seem to indicate they are having fun.

I sure am missing them though.

I did a bit of sewing, and my husband and I took a drive to a local winery that is known for its fabulous Easter tulip and other bulb displays and we were not disappointed. The photo at the top of the post is one I took with my camera, and it looked just like that. The colors were incredible and the scent of the hyacinths was so strong! It really put me in the frame of mind to think that spring and other good things are on the way.

Those are tulips if you can believe it.

These are the last three Sewcialites blocks I have made. Only one more and we are done!

After our excursion to the winery to see the spring bulb display, we came home and made lamb chops with balsamic cherry tomatoes. That was a spring dinner for sure. What a treat.

Hope it feels like spring is finally on its way wherever you are. Be grateful for the people in your life who support you and love you.  Happy Easter and have a great weekend!

 

 

Acorn Mug Rug

I was in the mood for a new mug rug yesterday, so using one of the cute block patterns from Lori Holt's Farmhouse Vintage book, I made up this little acorn block. Now that I've made it, I think it would be cuter if I had framed it in a fabric other than that background print. It is too much light fabric and I think the acorn design would stand out more if it were framed.

I may have to try out another version of this today and see what happens.

This is where the magic happens. My little desk with my new mug rug ready for a cup of tea (or a glass of wine, depending on the time of day). My nephew works at a garden center and gave me that philodendron plant for Christmas. It was a great specimen back then and has gotten even better over time. The leaves are so green and shiny. And how cute is my lamp? I got it around 15 years ago at a little boutique shop. It is really one of a kind and I never get tired of it.

Even though it is over 90° here in Northern California where I live, I have been in a fall frame of mind. I made a great recipe for our dinner last night, from the Half Baked Harvest website. Here's a link to Cider Braised Chicken with Carmelized Onions and Mushrooms. It was truly outstanding and had all the fall vibes. I will definitely be making it again.

This is the recipe author's (Tieghan Gerard) photo, not mine. But I have to say, that looks pretty much how mine turned out. I served it on a bed of a wild rice/white rice blend. I also cut the recipe amount in half and I still have enough to feed my husband and me for two nights. Tieghan has several cookbooks out, and if you follow her on Instagram, she puts out great recipes almost daily.

I hope your week is going well.

 

January Mug Rugs

Since I was excited about the idea of the Mug Rug of the Month Club, I got cracking on the January offering. I had a tub full of Primitive Gatherings Snowman Gatherings fabrics that are perfect for that month. I had a couple of false starts, but ended up with four mug rugs that are acceptable. 

I have to say, I am done with this octagonal shape. I find it impossible to have them turn out symmetrical and even, no matter how careful I am to sew and trim. And sewing on the binding is a colossal pain.  After this month, I am going back to rectangular designs.

If anyone has a great idea for cute patterns for mug rugs, let me know.

We are gearing up for our son to arrive from Ireland on Friday. I cannot express how excited we all are. We have been decorating, and baking, and cleaning the house to get ready for his visit. I know we are going to be busy over the next couple of weeks, but I'll sure try to post as often as I can!

Best One Yet

I squeezed in an hour up in my sewing room yesterday and made the best mug rug yet. Technically anyway. It went together without any glitches or hitches and the machine binding went perfectly. What a great discovery that technique was! A timesaver for sure.

And I also got my pieces cut out for the first block in the Among the Stars Again Christmas version. 

Sorry for the poor-quality photo. It was late in the day when I took it. These are the pieces I cut out for the first two blocks.

I have to say, when you join in a Fatquartershop Block of the Month program where they supply the fabric, they are incredibly generous. This has always been the case, going back ten years or more. After cutting out the pieces for the blocks, I had enough fabric left over to repeat the process for another two more blocks!

This is what I had leftover. If you want to starch, or if you make a mistake, or just need extra, they provide it in their generous cuts. I am sure once this project is done, I will have more than enough to make a table runner or some other small project. It is a good value for the cost.

Hope everyone had a good week. I am off to take care of my dad this weekend. One of my sisters reported that Dad wanted to walk down the block for some exercise yesterday. He pushed his wheelchair and made it down three or four houses from his house. I am glad to see he had an interest in doing that. He is so frail and seems very weak and fragile to me.

I'll try to post Friday. If not, have a great weekend everyone! Bye-bye September!

 

More Fall Mug Rugs

These photos aren't the greatest, but how cute are these mug rugs? They are around 8 1/2 inches wide. I have to admit I have made six of them and only four are worthy of gifting to people. A couple of the earliest ones came out really wonky. I have improved my trimming method and am better at lining things up so it comes out symmetrical. The fabric I used above is absolutely the cutest, and I may have to stick to it for future efforts. It is Kitty Corn by Urban Chiks. It is selling out fast, so if you want any, you had better act now. Eva quickly claimed that one as hers.

I would have bet Eva would have chosen this one for herself, but nope, her tastes have evolved it seems. I could see she was hesitating over it, but in the end chose the one from the Kitty Corn collection. This one was made from bits and bobs in my scrap bin.

This last one seems a bit dull after the fun Halloween ones, but it is a nice one for fall I guess. The fabrics are from an ancient collection by Brannock and Patek called Four Seasons. I am guessing it is ten years old. Anyone know when it came out?

I have more mug rugs lined up to make, but I have the busiest week ever planned for this week. Every day I have work assignments or places to be or homeschooling projects to do with Eva. No idea how I will get it all done. Burning some midnight oil is in my future I think. Please stick with me if my posting is spotty.

Hope you all had a great weekend. My dad is doing great. I fed him fish two nights in a row over the weekend, so he was a happy camper. And best of all, my husband's oncologist called to tell him that his latest test results were excellent and he shows no sign of prostate cancer right now. Now that is a cause for celebration.

Talk soon!

Centerpiece Tablemat Pattern is a Real Winner

I've got something cute for you today. A new mug rug pattern that would be an adorable Christmas gift. I think I may make a batch of them and give them to some of my besties for Fall/Halloween season. Who wouldn't love a seasonal mug rug?

The pattern is "Centerpiece Tablemats" designed by Terri Staats for Sweet Treasures. I saw it on Instagram, and there is a whole #centerpiecetablemat link you can follow to see what others are doing. Check it out. They are so darn cute, you won't be able to resist. The small mug rug size is around 9" and the largest could be turned into a Christmas tree skirt.

It took me about an hour and a half from start to finish. I started a little after 4 PM and finished just before 6 PM. You should check out the Halloween ones made with Kitty Corn, and the Christmas ones made with Swell Christmas. So adorable!

I was really wishing for a tutorial because I am such a visual learner. If I can't find one, maybe I will dive in and try to make one!

Hope you are all having a great week.

Year of the Sew Along

2020 is turning into The Year of the Sew Along for me.  In our current lockdown situation, so many designers, quilt shops, and groups are hosting the most fun sew alongs.  If we are stuck in the house, surrounded by our fabric stashes, why not make the most of it!  I have an all-time high of five, yes FIVE sew alongs going right now (technically one is a UFO, but it WAS a sew along lol), and I am loving it.  I will share the details of them with you this week.

Let me tell you about the one pictured above.  Since we are under orders to "shelter in place" in our homes, working on some cute little house blocks seems just about perfect.  I first heard about it on Instagram #modavillage.   There is a Miss Rosie pattern called Village that features an entire neighborhood of these adorable blocks.  I happened to have the pattern, but it is FREE for downloading on the Sew Lux website.  Lots of people are posting on the Instagram site and it is so much fun to see what they are doing.  There are also helpful tips--for instance, some of the houses have little chimneys which look tricky to construct, and I noticed some kind soul had done a tutorial.

You can use charm packs or scraps to make the blocks, and I am telling you, they are absolutely addicting.  Wouldn't this be a remarkable memento of the time we were all stuck at home but found a way to connect with other quilters?

I had a box of American Jane (Sandy Klop) scraps which got me started.  I wanted the happiest, most cheerful fabric I could get my hands on and this fit the bill.  If you have leftovers from Bonnie and Camille, Fig Tree or any of your favorite designers, they will work perfectly for this quilt.  Or just use any random scraps.  Whatever you choose, it seems to work.  Thelma (Cupcakes 'n' Daisies) made one with scraps from every quilt she made in 2016.

How are you all getting along?  Every day seems to bring more bad news, doesn't it?  We will get through this eventually.  In the meantime, I will try to post positive thoughts each weekday.  If you are alone, feel free to email me or comment on my blog.  I will be happy to answer you and be at least one person you interacted with in a day!