Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.
~John Ruskin
The sun came out yesterday! After dense, drippy fog for three days, Mother Nature decided to be kind and let the earth bask in her warmth. The bad news is that it will probably mean heavy dense fog once again tomorrow morning. Don't get me wrong, I love the gray of winter and the coolness of the temperatures. I just don't like the dampness that permeates to your bones the way fog does. There is just no getting warm when that happens. Cold toes, cold nose, cold ears, and cold fingers. Not complaining, mind you, I much prefer it over the endless heat of summer. More cold weather please, Madame Nature!
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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY
Dominoes
Domino pieces were historically carved from ivory or animal bone with small, round pips of inset ebony. The game's name comes from the pieces' resemblance to Venetian Carnival masks known as domini, which were white with black spots. These masks were so named, in turn, because they resembled French priests' winter hoods, being black on the outside and white on the inside. The name ultimately derives from the Latin dominus, meaning "lord" or "master." Domino games have been played by kings and presidents. The oldest known domino set was found in Tutankhamen's tomb, among the ruins of Thebes. According to historians, a Chinese set with 32 pieces existed in the year 1120 AD. The standard Western set of dominoes had always consisted of 28 tiles that display all possible pairs of digits from 0 through 6. Each digit appears eight times in the set.
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APPLIQUE & A QUESTION FOR YOU APPLIQUE VETERANS
I started on my first applique project yesterday.
I traced the pieces onto Heat n Bond Lite and then cut them out.
Here is the collection of fabrics I used.
Here are all the pieces bonded together. This block will measure 12" square. It is from the book Count On It from Art To Heart. I really like how it looks. However I ran into a problem that maybe you experienced appliquers can help me with......................
Can you see the bubbling in the middle of the bird? It's right below the bottom of the wing. No matter what I did I couldn't keep the fabric in that area to stay adhered. I must admit that my Heat n Bond is probably close to three years old. Could that have something to do with it? Does Heat n Bond have a shelf life? I could use all of the help and suggestions that you might have about this problem.
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WOOL
Yesterday I received my first order of wool in the mail.
I ordered this sample pack of 5" squares from Material Evidence Shop (an Etsy store) last weekend and it arrived today. I also ordered a larger piece of a grass green piece. She shipped that piece nicely rolled in tissue paper to prevent any creasing. This sample pack will be perfect for the runner I will be working on. Now I'm just waiting for the white background wool to arrive.
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SOUP RECIPE
How about a recipe today? I haven't shared one with you for a couple of weeks so I think it's overdue. With all of the cold weather out there, would you like an easy but very tasty soup recipe? OK! This recipe comes from a long time Bakersfield basque restaurant.
Wool Growers Vegetable Soup
(Basque Soup)
INGREDIENTS
3 carrots
2 large potatoes
2 leeks (optional)
1 small cabbage
1 small can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons pepper
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon thyme
10 cups chicken broth
DIRECTIONS
Bring chicken broth to a boil. Slice carrots & dice potatoes - add to liquid. Saute onions & leeks (sliced) in a little oil. Add along with seasoning & tomato sauce to broth. Simmer 1 hour. Add the chopped cabbage the last 15 minutes to 1/2 hour. Serve with sour dough bread.
PERSONAL NOTES:
1. I used an extra carrot or two
2. I did not, nor never have, added in the leeks
3. The original recipe called for 1 Tablespoon pepper but that made it way too hot - even DH agreed and he likes things HOT
4. Reheats well as most soups do.
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TOKYO
I just had to share this picture that AccuQuilt post on Facebook today! This is the quilt show in Tokyo. And I thought there were a lot of people at The Road To California. OMG!
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TODAY'S GOAL
Today I would like to start the blanket stitching around the applique pieces. I'm a little nervous to do in on the machine but I really want to give it a try - so I will!
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GIVEAWAYS
Yellow Songbird is having a sponsor giveaway. She is giving away a $20 store credit to My Little Sunshine. Unfortunately, I'm not sure when this one will end (it wasn't posted).
Ryan over at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts is having an e-course giveaway. You could win an e-course from Amanda Jennings. This giveaway will end Wednesday, February 2nd.
Would you like to win a fat quarter bundle of Dilly Dally? Then jump on over to Me and My Sister Designs before Thursday, February 3rd.
Carolyn over at The Vegetarian Hunter is celebrating reaching 60 followers! She is giving away an assortment of darling fabrics in different sizes. Unfortunately, I do not know when this one ends either :(
Mariliz, over at Mariliz Musings, is having a CSN giveaway! She is giving away a $25 gift certificate to that wonderful online store. Mariliz will draw a winner on Tuesday, February 1st.
The end of the giveaway is getting closer! If you have yet entered my 400+ FOLLOWERS THANK YOU GIVEAWAY it's time to do that. You don't want to miss out on the chance to win 6 1/2 yards of fabric!! My giveaway ends Monday, January 31st at 7:30 AM PST.
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FINAL THOUGHT
The weekend is almost here, just a few short hours away. Mine will be busy. It will start with our run to the Farmer's Market - lots to buy as I didn't get to go last weekend (went to the quilt show instead). Then on to a family meeting that is estimated to last 6 hours (oh boy!). I think I'll take some hand sewing with me - might help calm my nerves. This won't be a pleasant meeting but maybe I will be pleasantly surprised. We will have DH's brother and SIL staying with us which is nice as we don't get to see them all that often (they live several hours away). So part of Sunday will be family oriented too but in a good way. What are your plans for the weekend? I hope your will be more relaxing than mine!
At the end of the day, a loving family should find everything forgivable.
~Mark V. Olsen and Will Sheffer, Big Love, "Easter"
It's fantastic Friday - may you find your weekend fulfilling!
18 comments:
i was told that the fusible webs did have a shelf life. I was using some and the glue was coming right off the paper.
When I get that bubbling, I try to quilt over it or if it is in the right spot, put another little applique piece over it or a button. Maybe an extra heart. It all depends on the design.
I applique by hand, so I can't help you with your problem. Sorry. It sure is cute though! Good luck with the family meeting.
Linda, I have had that happen also.. I think maybe it does have a shelf life. Your block is going to be beautiful... I have that same book and love it.
I also use Heat and Bond and I've never had a problem with bubbling. My current package is probably 2-3 years old. Also, I cut the insides out of my heat and bond before fusing it to the fabric. I'm not sure if that makes sense, I leave about 1/4 inch of fusible on either side of the traced line. That way the piece isn't too stiff. I think I learned that back when Wonder Under was the product to use and it was much stiffer. Anyway, I've never had a problem with it bubbling even though there is no fusible in the center of the piece. I'm not sure this is helping you though! Sorry! LOL
I knew only part of the domino history. Gonna try that soup, deelish!
Have a beautiful weekend ~
TTFN ~
Marydon
GIVEAWAY ends Sunday
I love the February block. That has happened to me too...don't know why tho. My weekend will be filled with some cleaning and lots of sewing. There is a big basketball game for BYU Saturday night so there will be a few people over to sceam at the TV and call the plays (better than the coaches!) It will be fun. Have a great weekend.
There is definitely a shelf life to the bonding materials. That could be the problem. I love the cute pattern for Feb.
I hope your weekend is better than you think it will be.
I too like to cut out my fusible so you only have some along the edge.
Thanks for the soup recipe!
That bonded block is CUTE!!! That's one of my favorite soup recipes. I usually add a can of diced or stewed tomatoes (I know you don't like tomatoes). I don't use leeks, but I use regular white or yellow onion instead. I always add extra carrots. Now I want this soup! Mmmm....sourdough bread.
Bondings have a shelf life and sometimes can actually yellow when heat set if real old (had some given me). Like some others have mentioned, I too like to just have a 'strip' around the edge. Especially if you have several layers, you are not forcing your needle thru so many layers of bonding. An extra applique or button - even a few stitches on the bubble should help.
Yeah soup - although I am about tired of it. I don't like leeks - takes for every to wash them to remove the sand - but I like onions in my soup so use regular white or yellow onions.
I will be thinking of you thru the weekend.
I have only tried applique once, and was not very good at it ;-( I hope you find a solution to your problem though ;-) Will follow this post with interest
That recipe is for me! I love soup and homemade is the best. Thanks. Also, your applique block is so sweet. What a nice pattern.
What's a family meeting? Like a get-together for fun, or are there serious issues to be discussed and decided upon? I hope it is something fun!
It might be the age, but I find it hard to applique with papers in it. I made more of a mess since my edges got sharp in some areas, so I prefer to do needle turn.
I love that design, it is so fun.
Debbie
I like to use steam a seam light if I am doing fusible applique. I have a book on applique if you would like me to send it to you. The vegetable soup looks yummy...
My advise for the appliqué that is bubbly....make a new one and send the bad block to one of your followers... say for instance....
me or something.
hee hee
On the bigger pieces I cut out the center of the heatnbond....it isn't as stiff and bulky then.
Linda, your applique block is going to be wonderful, I love it. I also wanted to say GOOD LUCK EVERYONE in your giveaway. I'm keepin my fingers and toes crossed...well, the ones that still work anyway, LOL. Hugs...
I love February with all it's reds and pinks. Your block is adorable. Like a few other commentors I like to "window" ( remove the center of the fusible) my appliqué pieces.
I hope your family meeting went well.
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