Of Interest to Me...

Debra and Rian have been revealed over at Interpret This!   Who is next?

Found at Making It, Day by Day:

A Little Embroidery

I worked on one of the Easter embroideries last night.  Not the one from yesterday's post, but the other one...with raw edge machine applique and hand embroidery.

 I decided to give the little bunny a blue jacket like Peter's, but I'm keeping him out of Mr. McGregor's garden.

I'm going to think about what next with this piece, but I find the stitching calming and may begin the other one tonight.

For you grandmothers out there, I told you I would post more about Toad Cottages and Shooting Stars-- check out my review here.

Wednesday Wandering

I'm finally over the exhaustion of last week.

The Triad's collars were looking pretty rough, all frayed from the scuffling and neck biting they get up to. So I made them some new ones.

I also used part of a coloring book page for a couple of Easter blocks.  This one is traced with a water soluble pen, and I'll embroider it in the evenings.  The other one will have some raw edge machine applique and hand embroidery.  We will see how they turn out, but it gives me something to do with my hands while I watch McLeod's Daughters...I'm on season 3.

Chair Tai Chi

Yesterday, I went with my friend Thomas to his chair Tai Chi at Summerfield Estates.  There was a mix-up on the calender and less than half his class showed up, but they made me feel so welcome!  I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Thomas is an excellent and thoughtful teacher and those that came worked hard and enjoyed the session.

Not all of my pictures turned out very well, but here is one.  Mary had been to Rosary and had belated Ash Wednesday ashes marked on her forehead.  Thomas stands behind Lillian and Reese, and my pictures of the other Lillian were all blurry.  He usually has 10-15 people attend, but the calender mix-up had people showing up at 9:00 instead of 10:00.

They were all so warm and welcoming!  It was great fun to be a part of the class.

After that I did a few errands and then collapsed into a 21/2 hour nap!  I think my thyroid meds need upping.  This week has been frustrating due to my lack of energy and tendency to go to bed early, sleep late, and nap!

Forgot to mention that last weekend Fee and I watched The Hurt Locker.  Wow! 


Jeremy Renner was terrific, the movie was amazing.

Bad Bloglines

Hmmm.  My Bloglines still isn't working.  Hard to keep up with what is going on with all of you when only about 3 blogs appear to be showing up.  I'm trying to switch to Google Reader, but one blog at a time is a slow process. 

Anyway, I'm working on it!  Will be visiting again soon!

Promise Stitch

About a year and a half ago, I became curious about the Promise stitch , after finding next to nothing but "kits"-- I asked for comments.  The responses still didn't give me a clear picture, and gradually, I forgot about it. 

Tuesday, I received an email from Carol Jo with the best information I've been able to discover.  I asked if I could share, and Carol Jo graciously agreed.

  I was just looking at your blog and thought I would share some information w/ you about Promise stitch.

   First of all the reason you can't find any information about Promise stitch is because even though it is an old art handed down from woman to woman (in the beginning it was really the men that did the quilting) It was not called promise stitch, they just called it "quilting in the way". I've learned about promise stitch from a lady who really is the only lady that knows the stories, patterns etc. from way back when. She learned it as a little girl.  It became known as promise stitch when she was asked to speak at a guild and talked about the promises you have to make. One of the ladies asked her if she could learn more about promise stitch and from that time on it was referred to promise stitch. Which was in the late 80's early 90's I can't remember the exact date.

     There are hundreds of patterns that we use in Promise stitch but not every pattern is a promise stitch pattern. We have a log cabin pattern but it's nothing like the traditional log cabin.

  You probably learned what you know about promise stitch from The gals at Mountain Patchworks, or from their Pattern Line. Though they do have some very beautiful patterns they are not true promise stitch patterns.

  It did originate in the Appalachian Mtns

   A few things about promise stitch.........

   *Everything is done by hand, no machine.

  *No pins what so ever and we

  *never mark our seams.

You are supposed to learn what a quarter inch looks like and my quarter inch is mine and yours is yours. One gal has a tiny quarter inch and her name is April.........from that time on any tiny quarter inch was called an "April quarter"

  *all fabric is pre-washed and dried but NEVER ironed

  our batting is flannel (not the back of the quilt) and it is never pre-washed.  Once your quilt is quilted it's washed and when the flannel shrinks it gives everything that wonderful antique look that we call "shadow kiss" The more shadow kiss the better. Over quilting will take away the shadow kiss. We do have some quilts w/ no batting or binding. Those are called summer spreads. The double stitch or Promise Stitch is what keeps the seams from raveling.

  *Promise Stitch quilts are never bound. Each outside edge is turned under 1/4" and stitched together w/ what's called a railroad stitch. I've heard it called a ladder stitch elsewhere. We will finish our top, layer our top, batting and back and baste it in a spider web pattern in a thread that shows up well. Then we will go ahead and Railroad stitch our edges. Once the railroad stitch is finished we will quilt a running stitch 1/4" in from the outside edge. Now our quilts are very easy to take w/ us to quilt w/ out things getting messed up. They are quilted on the opposite side of the ditch from where we did the promise stitch and then the borders are either quilted in what we call "mashed potatoes" which is like a serpentine back and forth and looks like a potato masher. the other is called chicken trot and is like the machine stitched stipple.

   *When we cut our fabrics we use a rotary cutter blade w/ a pinking edge or we use pinking shears. This helps keep them from unraveling while we are working on our quilts.

  *Don't forget...........no pinning allowed, if a real promise stitcher sees you using pins she will steal them from you.

 *We use the same thread for pcing as we do quilting and we dress our thread w/ a homemade goats milk soap. Once you have used the soap to dress your thread you will never go back to things like thread heaven or use that awful coated hand quilting thread.

  Seams are not "pressed" towards the dark necessarily. (never pressed w/ an iron of course just finger pressed and then promise stitched down) Your first patch (pc of fabric) is called home. When you start stitching all seams go away from home. then next row the seams go towards home.

  example 9 patch:

  home is patch 1 in row one,

so seam goes to right as your looking at the top of your patches.

  patch one in row two the seams go towards, then in row three the seams go away.

  When you do your promise stitch you do catch the mtns of the seam on the back. But if you are doing what we call Press patching (this is where the block is pc'd on a pc of flannel like foundation pc'ing) then all blocks are pc'd togeather and no more batting is added. Instead of promise stitching through the seam you stitch just to the outside of it so it "floats" between the flannel and your top patch. So not so many layers to stitch through.

   Our quilts have lots of other hand work be it critters or applique'. We do our applique' a little bit different. It's called back steps applique' because instead of like needle turn where you go forward w/ each stitch you go back a lil then forward a lil.  After your needle comes out, you go back in a little bit behind where it came out then point it forwards and come out ahead of where it last came out. This method gives your applique' a lot more dimension and softness.

 

  Promise stitch quilts are always signed on the front in thread, Promise stitch pillows on the back w/ thread.

   Hope you've found this information helpful and interesting. let me know if you have any questions.

 

Carol Jo

 

In reply, to my asking if I could share the information on my blog and if she had a blog:

 

I don't have a blog but yes you may share the information, that's what promise stitch is all about. I can't remember if  mentioned the 3 promises as the note to you was also to someone else who has a blog and they had already posted what the three promises are.

 

1. Always use the double stitch

 

2. Everything is by hand, no machines allowed for a promise quilt

 

3. Share.......Share your knowledge, share your fabric, share your love.

 

Carol Jo

Isn't that wonderful information about a treasured tradition?  Thanks so much, Carol Jo, for sharing!  Wouldn't you love to see some of the genuine Promise patterns and how they differ from the traditional patterns with which we are familiar?

In, Out, and About

Stinker wants in...

Lucy wants out...

This is their favorite toy:

I've been so lazy lately.  Can't seem to make myself do what needs to be done, then feeling anxious and overwhelmed because I didn't do them.  

Today, I'm going to get out of this rut.  I've got to take care of those things that I've been putting off.  Today:  a dental appt. (time for bi-annual cleaning of the teeth) and two yoga classes, but I've got a list of other items to check off while I'm out...and I'm gonn'a do them: grocery store, visit Laddie, gas up the car, errands.  And before I leave, pay bills, change the sheets, and more.  Guess I'd better get busy.

Friends

Bryce Eleanor and John David enjoyed the snow day last week.  L.J. seems unusually calm as he trots along beside them. B.E. was decked out in pre-Mardi Gras beads and a pair of J.D.'s outgrown boots.

I'm feeling lazy this morning, but must get up and away from the computer and do a little yoga, then maybe a little sewing.

Hearts & Flowers

My valentines didn't get the attention they needed to be completed in time.  Only two are done.  The one below is  almost finished, but there is still one in the studio that only has the applique pinned on.

flowers...

Yesterday, Marcia and I hosted free yoga classes at Lotus Studio to celebrate Heart Month and Valentine's Day.  It was a lot of fun, but the response might have been better if we had not been competing against the Krewe of Gemini's pre-parade parties!  :)

Hope all of you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day!

K-K-K-Katie

Friday night, niece Katie had a birthday party at the cabin.  We had a wonderful time!

I love Amelia's new hat!

Snowy Blanket

It snowed!  Here in the South, snow is a rare delight.  We get excited if we see flakes, when it actually sticks, well, we become quite silly.

Studio Peeks, Happy State

 Another couple of peeks into the studio:

Photos of my grandparents (Mother's parents), a little thread drawing, and an old alarm clock from Laddie's collection. 

Amelia mentioned that in a recently released study, Louisiana ranked highest in "happiness"--  To say that I was initially surprised is an understatement.  On the other hand, this study provides some interesting correlations that have more to do with culture than with economics.

We smile a lot here in Louisiana, and we smile at strangers.  We talk to people with whom we are standing in line.  We comment on a stranger's great outfit or cute kid.  We have little reservation in this behavior. It is a typically Southern behavior that you will find in most southern states, but I'm sure it is not exclusive to the South.

Fee and I were talking the other day about how smiling lifts our spirits.  Laddie always said that a smile was a gift to be both given and received.  It works for me.  Someone smiles at me, I smile in return, I feel better, someone sees me smile, and smiles back, then someone sees that person smile...and the smiles can continue.

We have so many problems in our state, but we do have a friendly culture, great music, great food!  And evidently, in spite of everything, people here rate their quality of life pretty highly.

Love These

Over at Knit one Quilt, there is a wonderful "Love Always" Quilt! Such a happy look, such cheerful colors! A perfect way to wrap yourself in love and comfort.












And some more wonderful hearts and valentines by Between the Lines-- here and here. 

 More tutorials on valentines gifts from Sew, Mama, Sew...

I had lunch yesterday with my friend Thomas--delicious food at Cascio's Bistro and an hour and a half of talking non-stop.  Thomas is teaching chair Tai Chi at Summerfield Estates now.  I loved hearing about it...the oldest participant is 96!

BELIEVE DAT!

The Saints won!  The Super Bowl!  Bree's-ed right in and WoN!

I ended up staying home and stealing pictures of Amelia's decorations.  She printed and cut out the letters for the banner, used tissue paper for the black and gold balls, and Dollar Store purchases for the grass and the little football players on the football field.  My daughter is a party decorator extraordinaire!

Saturday Entertainment

Fee and I went to see A Single Man at the Robinson Film Center yesterday afternoon.  It was wonderful!  Colin Firth is outstanding, but the movie itself  is beautifully done.  There is love and loss and irony and humor...

Last night we went out to eat at Two John's and had the prettiest waitresses ever!  Niece Katie and her friend Jessie were absolutely gorgeous in their "little black dresses."   I want a pair of  heels like they were wearing.  I wish I'd had my camera!  (Amelia, tell Katie to send me pictures of her shoes.) Rachel and Kyle showed up to meet friends so we visited with them a bit, too.  Strange to see them without the kids!


This afternoon -- the Super Bowl -- and Who Dat?  Why... Geaux Saints! 

Bad Cat, Cowgirls, Crafty Stuff

I was busy showering, drying my hair, and getting dressed for the 10:00 yoga class yesterday morning.  Lucy was busy chewing the beads off my heart piece.  Lucy of the Terrible Triad is short for Lucifer.  Bad cat!

She had also evidently bitten the needle and gotten little drops of blood on it.  Once I made sure she hadn't swallowed the needle, I had to soak the piece in cold water.  So this morning, as I was trying to take a picture of the heart , Lucy started again!

 Look at those devil eyes!  She invited Stinker for a taste!

Yesterday was a full day with yoga, errands, some shopping, visiting Laddie (another bout with pneumonia), more errands, etc.  Last night I watched Julie & Julia, which I thoroughly enjoyed (while trying to repair the damage to the beading).

 For Cowgirl Goods , who loves all things cowgirl - some vintage images from  The Graphics Fairy    ...  The Graphics Fairy offers loads of clip art and vintage graphics.She also inspires by including all kinds of craft projects using her images.  Great place to visit--stop by, say hello, and pick up some cool graphics.

And from Sew Dream's Etsy shop, a cowboy button!

Isn't it funny the way serendipity / sychronicity works?  If you are interested in something, then suddenly the universe puts more of it there for you.
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Friday

 Back in the studio:  quilts stacked in cubby holes.

My crone doll, and an old bisquit tin, and a gift from a mail-art friend.

Yesterday morning, I did the flyers for our free yoga classes on Saturday, Feb. 13.  A perfect way to honor both Heart Month and Valentine's Day.  Delivery today.

Amelia came yesterday to pick up the papers that Katie had brought the day before.  I'm so loving this arrangement!  We ended up having lunch at a new deli -- great food.  We each had a California Club, with Cannoli for dessert.

Isn't this quilt wonderful!  Beautifully done and so true!  Found via Cactus Needle. This is only one of the blocks.

Love the simplicity of this Valentine shadowbox!  Found in Nina Glaser's Etsy shop.

Have to shower and get ready for yoga, errands, etc.  Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Keep Calm

 Close to finishing this heart piece. 

Love this!  Found in Jenniegee's Etsy Shop.
Currently sold out, darn it!

  Amelia is quite a shopper.  She loves browsing the net and buying stuff for Bryce Eleanor, and her Shop for Tots always has new sales for the two-year-old fashion diva. 

I haven't sewn for my granddaughters for quite a while, but believe it must be about time to begin a project.  The last thing I did was to embroider the little cowboy from Andrea Zuill's pattern (the only embroidery pattern I've ever used) onto a tee shirt for Max.   It turned out adorably, but it was just sewn onto a regular tee shirt.  I've done nothing for the girls for quite a while.

Yesterday was the most delightful day!

Fee called and asked me to meet him for lunch with Amelia.  For dessert I had Copeland's white chocolate bread pudding.  Mmmmm.

Visit from beautiful niece Katie, who brought some papers from the office for me to sign.  She showed me the sparkly tutus she and friend Jessie made for the big day on Sunday.  "Who Dat Breezin' to the Super Bowl?" 

Not only did I want my own sparkly tutu, but the tatooed sleeves they also purchased for the occasion!  I'm going to have to beg some pictures from her after their party on Sunday.


Amelia and Chris are also having a Super Bowl party, and I can't wait to show you pictures of Amelia's "table scape."  Amelia has such creative parties!

Great visit and yoga workout with Marcia in the afternoon (to help get rid of some of those wonderful bread pudding calories!

Oh, and I'd ordered a book by Sharon Lovejoy, Toad Cottages & Shooting Stars, that was delivered yesterday.  I adore it!  More on that later.

Last night, more of McCloud's Daughters and work on the heart piece.

Perfect day!