Quilt Labels

I've always struggled with how to label my quilts.  I have been creating my own on the computer and printing onto transfer paper.  I've kept them very small with just my name and transfered them on to a cotton tape to sew diagonally across a corner.  But when you have made a very special quilt for gifting I think it really deserves to be more specific.  I've seen labels done using iron on bonding to stiffen the fabric then just writing the details with a Sharpie marker and sewing on - I like this method, too.  I was going to try this method. THEN  I discovered Think Your Archie's method on Flickr.  This one takes the cake!!!  She tells me she designs them on the computer, too, and prints to transfer paper.  I must ask her about the type of transfer paper she uses.  I've had some problems with mine peeling - may be I have ironed too much or too little - I think it can be tricky.

Sew little time...

I have been spending entirely too much time in blogland.  I think my cat has run away and my partner doesn't bother coming home for dinner - what dinner?  I barely tear myself away from here to feed myself.  I'll just share two of the million treats I've found:

One to envy: Deb's gorgeous sewing room and all the lovely items produced there.

One to emulate: Julie's extremely useful binding tutorial

Banana Bread

Rosa Lily  hadn't heard of Banana Bread so I thought there my be others who hadn't experienced this lovely, easy to make treat.  Believe me, I'm not a baker, and even I can do this one.  This is a recipe from my Book of Favorite Recipes compiled by Messiah Lutheran Church Women Galva, Illinois which I've had since 1978!  Flipping through it's pages are like re-visiting the lovely ladies at church from my childhood days. Believe it or not there are four banana bread recipes.  Of course, I choose my Aunt Ruth's.  How's that for nostalgia?  Sorry, I'm not able to include delectable Nigella Lawson photos  - you just get the recipe.

Just mix together 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter add a beaten egg, a teaspoon of vanilla flavoring and 3 medium bananas, mashed (the horrible black ones that no one wants to eat and would be at risk of getting thrown away).  Sift together 11/2 cup plain flour, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional). 

Combine the dry mix with the wet and stir only until the flour is moistened.  Pour into a loaf pan.

Bake in 190 degree oven for approximately one hour.    Lovely, moist and slightly healthy.  Well, there is fruit!

Let me know if you try it!

OK When your fruit basket looks like this it's time to make banana bread (and learn the difference between fruit and chocolate.)  Guilty.  UK folks, don't get excited, we don't have pretzel M&M's yet, my lovely sister sent them to me.  We DO HAVE Willie's Delectable Cacao which contains no soya if that's the kind of thing your after. 

Setting Up A Blog - Beware!

Just one week in and all the linking, searching, cutting, pasting, reading, thinking, wishing, that blogging involves has caused me to burn dinner and destroy my pan.  This was a lovely Tikka Massala, one of the dozen lovely meals that my best friend cooked for me to have in my freezer while recuperating from a hysterectomy (or hystericalectomy as a follower said - love it!)  It still tasted great - pity about the pan!

Also, I had a terrible case of blogsomnia last night.  Thoughts that were circulating through my fuzzy head...where was that great post on clickable comments? Can I get my blogs to automatically post on my Facebook page? I wonder where you get badges?  and on and on and on....somebody give me some sheep to count!

An invaluable source for getting my blog set up has come from the fantastic Hilary at UKCraft blog Thank you so much, Hilary.  Although I'm still trying to work out the clickable comments.

Still trying to find out how to get blogs to show on Facebook - anyone who can help?

Seaside Inspiration

I went for a walk along the beach today.  The Sandgate Sea Festival is coming up at the end of the month and I made this little guy to mark the occasion.  I was experimenting again with some free-motion quilting and applique and then stuffed it with feathers.  One thing I can tell you....NEVER open a bag of feathers in the house!  I'm afraid the cat's going to be accused of all kinds of horrors.  Sorry, Milly. (my cat - as seen in profile pic)

What is it?

Add caption

I made this last night while the football was on and sewed the binding on during golf.  A sporty little number. I just wanted to experiment with the scrappy quilting idea with some of my Aviary range scraps.  A room in my sister's new house is this beautiful fearny green color so I'll send it to her and she can decide what it will become. It's only about 16 x 11 inches so maybe just a dresser topper?  Sometimes I enjoy these quickie projects more than the big quilts.  Instant gratification.  That's me.

Windy Day Quilt

This was my first project during my recuperation. It's inspired by Sarah at http://www.sew.sarahbdesigns.net and was also featured on the Moda Bakeshop. I love the nautical colours. I regret not making the little on-point squares on the back into windmills like the front - what was I thinking? I obviously wasn't.

First ever post!

So much for 'instant blog site' - this has taken me hours!  Hours stolen from my quilting.  I'd much rather be at the FOQ this weekend, but due to recent surgery I'm trapped here at home.  I thought this 'down time' might be a good time to join the bloggers that I spend so much time reading.  I'm a bit hesitant about how much time it will consume - but that seems to be the consensus of nearly every blog I follow.  I hope to conquer technology and get some pictures posted of my current projects.  In the meantime, you can find some of my old projects at my folksy site here.