Friday, July 16, 2010

Don't Forget...

To follow me on my new blog Petit Design Co. There's a few new posts on over there.

Come on over!
Norma

Monday, July 12, 2010

I'm moving!

Thankfully this move does not require boxes, tape and muscle. Nope I did this move all by myself and it only took a few days. So head on over to my new home {assuming you find me interesting or at least awkwardly funny} Petit Design Co. and don't forget to become a follower while you're over there because I won't be posting here anymore! Let's see who becomes my first follower!

See you on the other side!

Friday, July 9, 2010

MTQB June

These are my June blocks for the Modern Tradition Quilt Bee (MTQB.) You can find the very easy tutorial for the Starflower Block on the Modify Tradition website.


These blocks were made for Noah and Lilah who just happens to have the cutest Etsy store chock full of delightful goodies! So go take a peek!

Sunday, July 4, 2010

JCQA Petals


I've made some progress on the petals for the Jacob's Coat Quilt Along. Some progress but not much, which is better than none at all. I've made 36 of 637 petals needed for the quilt top. I wasn't planning on hand stitching these to the background. I was planning to do it using Harriet Hargrave's machine applique method. Except that I just realized that my favorite stitch for that method was on the sewing machine I sold to my SIL. I guess I'll have to play around with the stitches on my Kenmore to see if I can find a substitute.

By the way I highly recommend both of Harriet's books: "Heirloom Machine Quilting," and "Mastering Machine Applique." They are my go to reference books with oodles of drool worthy pictures. I must give credit where credit is due, Harriet's books taught me about 90% of what I know about quilting. I know the books seem pricey but they are sooo worth the money many times over. They are the perfect books for beginners and intermediate quilters that take you from the very basics (what is a quilt, bias, binding, etc) to more advanced stuff (marking, free motion, etc.)

Saturday, July 3, 2010

MTQB April Blocks

These are the April blocks I made for Greta for the Modern Tradition Quilt Bee. There are 4 of the same blocks just rotated 45 degrees to make up one humongous 24" block.



Greta chose the Arkansas Crossroads block and she wanted it done all scrappy like. She sent us the white and the yellow pez fabric. Let me tell you that when I was pulling fabric scraps I did not think there was anyway that these fabrics would ever play together. Surprisingly I really like the finished product. I didn't sew the 4 blocks together so that Greta would be able to play with the placement of the blocks with the other blocks she gets from my bee sisters. I also didn't know if she would like the block in the top left. Greta specifically said she did not want, well it was more along the lines that she really did not like, novelty prints. I have not had anyone ever say they did not like that owl fabric so if Greta hates it she can reject that block. I can't wait to see her pieced top. Check out this really scrappy one here {swoon.}

As for my may blocks... I'm still missing a few, 4 to be exact. Hopefully I'll get them soon so I can piece my top together.


Friday, July 2, 2010

What's for dinner: Shirmp Gnocchi



I'm a lucky gal because Mr. PD likes to dabble in the kitchen. He loves to cook for me on special occasions such as birthday's and anniversaries. I don't recall the occasion when he first made this dish for me but it was sometime this year. It was Divine! The caramelized onions were my favorite part but it all went well together. You can find the recipe for this delicious dish here. Oh and in case you are wondering what gnocchi is they are potato dumplings and can be found at most grocery stores in the Italian section.


Thursday, July 1, 2010

Cutest Swiffer on the Block

A while ago (at least a month or two ago) I ran across this ingenious tutorial on Sew Much Ado which resulted in this overly cute Swiffer duster:



I've made 2 and have plans to make more because yes, they are easy to make, yes they work, and yes, they're cute. Plus I don't feel bad since I don't have to throw away one of the store bought replacements every few days since I can throw these in the wash. One word of caution, don't wash these in the same load as anything microfiber. I found out the hard way that said microfiber item will attract every bit of loose thread.



Back again

I had a great time during our vacation to California and Nevada. My grand plans of posting from the airport and at night quickly went out the window as fun and fatigue took center stage. I'm glad it did because there is nothing more refreshing than being unplugged for a week and a half. I've got plenty to share but first I will publish all those posts I had saved as drafts before I left {see I had good intentions!}

I hope you are all having awesome summers!