CRAFTS to HEIRLOOMS

Time to Say Good-bye

2010-04-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

I guess it is time to close this blog and say good-bye. My husband took a job in another state and we have been in transition for ten months. I have reached the point where all my crafts and heirlooms are packed, so it impossible to continue.

I have really enjoyed meeting you in this interesting world of blogs. I have so enjoyed your blogs and have received many wonderful ideas from you.

I would love to continue to follow your blog. If you are interested, follow me from my family photo blog. It is a closed blog and you will get there only by this invitation. (My original family photo blog quit working so I am starting all over again.) My posts will contain more family pictures, but you can just ignore them! Eventually it will contain more photos of life, places we visit, and things we see. It might have a few recipes and ideas - more like a family blog. It has not been open for comments, but I will open that.

Thanks for all your visits, ideas, comments, embellishments, and chit-chat. What a great way to meet some wonderful people.

Wishing you the very best and many fun years with your own blogs.

Spring is Here

2010-03-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! I was a little camera happy last night!

I had to laugh when I read a post where one had hurriedly gone to her yard to find flowers because her sister's yard had new blooms. She could not find any and her disappointment deepened - until one day, in her garage, she found her bucket full of last year's bulbs ...

May all your buckets be empty and your flowers be growing!

Fabric Bags are the Answer

2010-03-12T07:05:00.001-08:00

t seems that everyone is making fabric purses and carry bags! They are finding out how much fun it is to have softness, wash-ability, and oodles of pockets.

Have you noticed how you can not find cosmetics bags large enough for full size containers and hair blowers? Remember the 'train' case that use to be part of your luggage set? They are hard to find!

Many travel by car and would love to find some way to quickly pack all the 'bathroom paraphernalia' without pouring all the soaps and sprays into tiny travel containers.

Here is the inside of Lois' new travel bag. The blow dryer and the curling iron were left out for the sake of the picture. She is using some of her travel size containers because she had them, but obviously she has some choices.

Can't sew? My daughter went to the baby section of the store and found a really cute diaper bag which had lots of room and large pockets. The bag was not labeled a diaper bag and she certainly could not resist lime green and brown!

St Patrick's Day Quilted Wall-hanging

2010-02-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

Time to change your theme to St. Patrick's, which of course means another month has come and gone. If you are like me, you are ready for the colors of spring, which include a lot of different shades of green.

For a moment I was ready to panic! Did I have anything in green? Then my pic file revealed this quilt made by Zella. She added a fresh touch that I see every now and then - a border of silver around the main theme. That highlights the shamrock much more than white or green would have done.

Needlework

2010-02-23T12:35:00.000-08:00

This framed needle work is quite large, probably almost 24 inches by 36 inches. Every feature and attire of the girl and her doll are done with thin yarn-like thread - very soft to sight and touch.

This is not counted cross-stitch, but a variety of stitches. The hours of work Zella put into this amazes me.

She was smart to put glass over the work as everyone wants to touch. I know they do not recommend covering your needlework with glass, but sometimes you do what you need to do. Notice that the glass is held away from the stitiches (not crushing the thread) by layered matting. The beautiful work is also hung where no direct sun light will bleach and destory the thread.

Your Socks Don't Match? No Problem!

2010-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Tina shows herself and her daughters in their socks, ready for the day. I smiled and asked to use the pic!

There was a day I would have never mixed my socks - in fact, I guess I haven't. Hallmark sells them this way! Could you do it?

Card -making and Punches

2010-02-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

You can quickly add a third dimension to your cards by using punches. Zella had an evening of fun as they made this nice variety.

Some type of embellishment over the center of the flower really increases the depth and drama of a flower. Here she used a pearl (which are craft pearl's, cut in half so they can be glued), and some colored rhinestone brads.

Using punches is much quicker than using scissors. If you want to do more faster with a detailed look and three dimensions - rely on punches, brads, and embellishments - what fun!

Valentine Quilt

2010-02-12T06:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends! I have so enjoyed your blogs, your wisdom, your photos, and all that you have shared with me. It certainly is another world.

I always enjoy your comments. Thank you for taking the time to write.

This is a seasonal wall hanging, designed especially for Valentine's Day and quilted by Zella. It takes the place of a large picture on her 'seasonal section' of a wall. Below it she displays vases or bowls, figurines and etc., always in the seasonal color. Precious Moments will be found tucked between ivy and greenery - a very fun place to stop in her home! Maybe this month she even has a velvet red heart-shaped candy box.

Blogger Troubles

2010-02-09T07:20:00.000-08:00

I have been having a lot of trouble with Blogger.

I can not leave comments on all the blogs
I can not copy and paste

Within the HTML/Java script box
Within the blog list
Maybe more, but I know for sure those two

Elaine, I have tried frequently to leave a comment on your blog and can not reach you to tell you it will not stick. I hate losing touch with you. I would love to email you, but you have not listed an email within your profile. I would love it, Elaine, if you could email me and give me an email site where I could write you.

It was recommended to me that we use yahoo email accounts for our blogs, and not our own personal/home email. For example, the email for this blog is crgifts2love@yahoo.com.

I know others are having trouble, and I know two things which affect it:

The 'full page' comment form always works.
Some of the other forms work when the blog owner does not request work verification..

Beyond that, I do not have a clue what is going on.

I do not have a clue why I can not copy and paste with certain functions.

I would love to read what you are finding out.

Cardinal Quilt

2010-01-23T08:32:00.000-08:00

This quilt is made by my sister, Leora. She has been selected to enter her winning quilts into the national competition. What an honor. When there, she said many of the winning quilts were very abstract. I prefer a quilt where I know what I am looking at!

These cardinals are tucked behind the black quilt strips which create a window pane. The cardinal outside the window pane has been hand appliqued in place.

It is wall hanging size and perfect for your January decor if you are tired of snowmen.

Addicted to Quilting

2010-01-19T21:34:00.000-08:00

Addicted to Quilting

She learned to quilt on MONDAY.

Her stitches all were fine.

She forgot to make us dinner

So we all went out to dine.

She quilted miniatures on TUESDAY.

She says they are a must -

They really were quite lovely

But she forgot to dust.

On WEDNESDAY it was a sampler.

She says stippling's fun -

What highlights, what shadows!

But the laundry wasn't done.

Nine Patches were on THURSDAY;

Green, yellow, blue and red.

I guess she really was engrossed -

She never made the Bed.

It was wall hangings on FRIDAY

In colors she adores.

It never bothered her at all

That crumbs were on the floor.

I found a maid on SATURDAY.
My week is now complete.

My wife can quilt the hours away;

The house will still be neat.

Well, now its only SUNDAY.

I think I'm about to wilt.

I cursed, I raved, I ranted

Cause the Maid has learned to QUILT !

~ Author Unknown

Thanks, Dena, for letting me share. I thought my husband was going to fall off the chair he was laughing so hard!

Bunny in Little Dress

2010-01-16T21:38:00.000-08:00

This little gal and dress made by my sister, Lois, is reminiscent of the dresses my mother use to make us girls. We nine sisters never knew what it was to own a bought dress. My Mom could look at a Sear and Roebuck catalog and make just what we wanted.

Our dresses could be this feminine or much simpler, like the straight skirts we wore as we got older. However, her baby dresses were often this lacy with oodles of ruffles.

I can remember yards and yards of fabric laying across the floor as Mom stitched in that loose stitch so she could ruffle the fabric. Lace like this was seen more often on the christening dresses, seldom on the older dresses.

It seems like I do not see lace much any more. Do you?

Snowman Quilt

2010-01-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a few snowmen to brighten up a dark winter day. These little guys hang so cheerfully with January decor.

I find that I like to use a section of wall for monthly decor, that is not a part of my regular decor. Often, monthly decor has color themes which are difficult to blend with the rest of the home. A separate niche can make it possible for you to use some trendy or treasured items.

If your make your own quilts, any color theme is possible. If you don't, create a special spot and have fun.

Finally - done making Christmas cards

2009-12-18T10:59:00.001-08:00

I am certainly behind the 8-ball this year! I am just now getting done with making my Christmas cards. I decided to go simple and easy this year.

This red card was made easy by using a die-cut to cut the snowflake. I used silver card stock to create the silver border, a silver star brad, then a strip of silver ribbon. Silver does not photo copy well, but you get the idea.

This is very unusual for me - I am not overly fond of green, but the new 'funky' green seemed kind of spunky and I just had to give it a try.

I embossed Mary and Baby Jesus with white embossing powder. My paper was too cold and warped really bad, so the card has spent more than 24 hours under a pile of books!

I decided a white ribbon would detract from the beauty simplicity of this card. What do you think?

Oh, both cards were sprayed with a special shimmer which does not show. That was fun, until I put on too much spray and ran the ink. Nothing like having to redo a couple cards. Live and learn!

Winter Quilt in the Making

2009-11-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

Red Work in blue! Am I right? Is that the correct term?

This embroidery work was lined with white cloth so the blue thread would not show in the front from the back. The two pieces of cloth were loosely based together so they would hold their shape.

This quilt has been in the making for some time. We went shopping in October for the blue border fabric. It will be fun to see how Zella is doing. Maybe I will get another photo when it becomes a wall-hanging.

New Colors Quilted

2009-11-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

Here is another new quilt in the making. My daughter is putting together quilts for her girls. She let the girls choose the colors!

The border that appears almost black is actually purple. Did you put purple and orange together when you were young? Isn't it fun!

Quilted Autumn Table Runner

2009-11-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

Time to put out some Thanksgiving decor, and thankfully, the autumn decor of October reaches out into November.

This photo shows only half the runner. You can see how this pattern could be repeated several times to make it as long as you want. Another plus - it takes only two designs of fabric!

Have fun with your Thanksgiving decor. I would like to read what you are doing ...

Quilted Handbags

2009-10-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

My sister came to visit me and look at what she is quilting! I love purple, so these were made with me in mind. Wow, do I love them. They are full of pockets and so roomy.

The fabric stores have a lot of patterns so it is easy to find 'your style'. If you do not quilt, no problem, not all the new fabric purses are quilted.

These are wonderful projects for Christmas, birthday, just because, or for yourself.

Harvest Fun

2009-10-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tired of carving pumpkins, cleaning up the mess, breaking knives, and etc.?

Here is a clever, fun idea which always brings a smile to my face. Lois and her grandsons found this clever solution.

Fall Quilt

2009-09-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

Time to share another autumn quilt. The pumpkins are on the vines, orange and red leaves are falling, the old wood buckets are grayer than in spring; everything reflects another season has passed.

This quilt amazes me because everything is cut from fabric (duh!) and has the perfect colors and perfect variations. Fabric is not what it use to be! Some people really know how to find the right pieces to bring out the right colors.

Oh, I know people are now designing their own fabric with Jell-o, crayons, shaving cream and paints, but this reflects what one can do when they carefully choose. I think this quilt captures that ability. Great job, Zella!

Items for a reunion silent auction

2009-09-15T22:23:00.000-07:00

My mother's side of the family enjoys silent auctions at their reunions. I feel this Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, and baby quilt are very special because they are made by my aunt who is 90 years old! She does not look 90, does she!

May many of you enjoy making your crafts for a very long time!

Baseball photos

2009-09-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Maybe it is time for you to start putting your baseball pictures and summer photos into albums for yourself or for gifts.

You can add immediate interest by using 'pretty paper' for a background. It is fun to co-ordinate both pages of your album - the pages that lay open at the same time. Do that by choosing the same color scheme for both pages.

The tag on this page is a fun way to give the page a title. By adding the blue strips of paper you deepen your color choice and provide a clean place to do your writing.

Have fun - keep it simple and clean! I think you will find it very attractive with less clutter - Zella certainly provides a wonderful example.

Autumn Quilt

2009-09-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

Autumn leaves and autumn colors - nothing more is needed to inspire a wall quilt.

The other beautiful thing about autumn - the colors are so varied. Choose the color you want for your home and put those colors into your borders.

Have fun decorating for autumn! Yes, it is time.

Checking your mail!

2009-08-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, I haven't quite got things ready for blogging on this site again. Still sorting through things in my life, but I finally had to check up on all of my friends.

So, I have been out checking your mail - posts! I see a lot of you have slowed down this summer as well. Some of you have stayed very busy posting and have some great ones. I will try to visit you a little more often.

Wood Rocking Horse

2009-06-16T21:49:00.000-07:00

I dare say most of us admire a handmade rocking horse. The wood on this little guy is so smooth you just have to touch! What a fun mane and big eyes.

Of course, I wanted this cousin to make some of these for my online store. Imagine my shock when I learned he was now 70. :)

Oh time gets away from us too fast. These wonderful craftsmen tire of all this work - an opportunity has come and gone.

Think twice before you walk away from an opportunity to purchase something from these wonderful people who labor with their hands. Their crafts become priceless heirlooms quicker than expected sometimes.

P.S. I am overwhelmed with everything going on in my life right now. Next week I will be without a computer. I need a couple of weeks off. I will miss reading your blogs and will get back to it as soon as I can. I also have a blog award I want to share with some of you. I will be back in a couple of weeks.

Graduation Time - the gift of a quilt

2009-06-09T06:54:00.001-07:00

This was a graduation gift to a very lucky granddaughter. Thankfully, this granddaughter appreciates all the work. If she takes really good care of this quilt, it should last her lifetime.

The pattern of each large block is totally different - like a Block of the Month Quilt.

The small blocks are identical. Some of the same fabric was always used within each main block, pulling the quilt together and coordinating the color theme.

What a gift of love!

Hand Sewn Doll and dress

2009-06-03T21:08:00.000-07:00

Who should sit on the little old school desk? A doll in her first day of school dress!

Remember how we all dressed up for the first day of school? Mom had 9 of us girls and she made all of our dresses. I wish now that I had a picture of every one of them. We would look in the Sears and Roebuck Catalog, find the dress we wanted, and she would cut it out, WITHOUT a pattern.

So, when all the girls are grown and gone, who is left to sew for? Little dolls, teddy bears, and anything else that needed clothes - never with a pattern.

What a beautiful talent she had.

Birthday Card

2009-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Zella adds flare to this card by adding silk flowers and pearls. These pearls are from the craft store and are flat on the back so they adhere well.

Another touch she remembers to add - note the edging around the tag with the words 'Happy Birthday'. It makes the tag stand out and become more noticeable. Take you tag (cut piece of paper) and just drag the edges across your ink pad - quickly without trying to hold the paper perfectly straight.

I think those touches make the card elegant.

Counted Cross-stitich

2009-05-26T23:05:00.000-07:00

I have always loved this beautiful counted cross-stitch. The colors are so soft and elegant, shaded and blended. This was matted and framed and is probably 1 1/2 feet by 2 feet - a very nice way to take your needlepoint and enlarge its impact.

One Way To Stay Young

2009-05-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Keep learning!

Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, life, friendships, whatever! Never let the brain get idle.

You know what your mother use to say, an idle mind in the devil's workshop.

Well, the devil is name is Alzheimer's! (unknown source)

Memoral Day Dishtowel

2009-05-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Suddenly Memorial day has arrived; I think this may be the earliest it can be in a month?

Lois embroidered this dishtowel and it is perfect!

May we remember all those who have given their lives that we may be free. May we remember we will not stay free if we don't continue the fight.

When we allow our government to tell us what we can or can not say, we have lost freedom. When our country no longer does what it could to provide for itself, we have given up too much; when we no longer progress technologically, we are not rising to the challenge and winning; when only one side of any issue is all you can find in the national newspapers or on main TV news, warning lights should go off in our head.

For those reasons and more, the fireworks on the dishtowel seem more like warning lights.

Embroidered Dishtowel

2009-05-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

Lois finds a more modern pattern for her dishtowels. The coffee theme is really big right now, as well as the coffee colors. Isn't it fun when you can take a wonderful hobby and update it!

"The Many Faces" of Scrapbooking

2009-05-18T07:55:00.001-07:00

Zella is capturing memories of her granddaughter. It will be a graduation gift. Thankfully, Jordan realizes all the work going into this project and knows her grandmother is giving her something very special. These are co-ordinated pages designed to catch the many fun 'faces' Jordan has made throughout the years.

By printing the photos in sepia (brown tones) she was able to take old pictures and make them look very modern with the modern color scheme of pink and brown!

Here is a closeup of one part of the first page. The scalloped circle was made with a die cut. Then she embellished the stamped floral image with a punched out flower and the pink pearls. I am impressed.

Making Freezer Jam/Jelly

2009-05-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

Time to empty the freezer of last years berries and make space for new! Besides, all the freezer jam/jelly I made last year is gone. Our only FREE berries are blackberries. I love their flavor but not the seeds. So what is a person to do? Run the berries through your Juiceman!

Yes! It is a wonderful way to cheat. That juice comes out so thick it is almost ready to set even without the pectin. NO seeds! Another hint? Microwave your berries in a glass bowl to get them at least to room temperature or warmer - you get more juice faster.

Blueberries are NOT FREE. We love blueberry jam but I will not spend what it takes to make blueberry jam. So ... I always reserve a half batch of blackberry juice, then throw in an equal amount of blueberries - immediately you have a full batch of blueberry jam that was so easy and much cheaper.

Oh yes, I leave those blueberries whole!

Off to the freezer they go.

My granddaughter is already going to the cupboard and pulling out the Tupperware bowl - she is ready to pick berries again.

Tatting on Top

2009-05-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

What an elegant way to give a tatted gift! This box is covered inside and out with fabric. Both sides of the lid and the inside bottom are padded and soft to touch. Before the days of glue guns or patterns, the box was completely designed and sewn by my mother.

Two pieces of her tatting were attached to the lid with her tiny, invisible stitches. I do not think she made many of these as this is the only I have seen. The owner of this treasure will think twice about who will become the next proud owner - a craft which is already an heirloom.

All The Things A Mother Says in 24 hours

2009-05-07T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is all sung in 2.5 minutes to the William Tell Overture. I enjoy it every time I hear it. If it doesn't remind you of yourself, it might remind you of your mother!

Maybe We Should Have Grabbed That Purple Hat Earlier

2009-05-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

We are rapidly approaching Mothers Day. Erma Bombeck left some thoughts written after she found out she was dying of cancer, which I want to leave for you today.

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

"I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

"I would have talked less and listened more.

"I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

"I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

"I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

"I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

"I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

"I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

"When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's;' more 'I'm sorry's.'

"But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it; live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!

"Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

"Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier."

Quilts

2009-05-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

There is something about a quilt that makes you stop and look. So much work! Sometimes it is hard to fathom the amount of fabric, number of cuts, the strips and squares, the sewing and the quilting that goes into each.

Each is so unique. Give the same pattern to ten different people and you will have ten different quilts that seem so unique you would have to stop to realize the pattern was the same. The quilter's personality really comes through with the colors she chooses for the fabrics. You can further sense the era it was made by the shades of those colors.

Flowering Tree

2009-04-30T22:08:00.000-07:00

How wonderful to put the camera strap around your neck, head out into the sunshine and allow the cares of the day to slowly slip away. You can not see this kind of beauty without knowing the creator was there first.

Can't Sleep?

2009-04-28T21:00:00.001-07:00

Can't sleep? Sometimes as we get older it seems like we are sleep challenged. Wasn't life suppose to get easier?

I read an article several months past that was stressing TURN OFF THE LIGHTS when you go to bed. It was saying that we were leaving the rooms too light for everyone. Babies and teenagers were not getting DEEP sleep, and that only happens in the hours before midnight when the room is really dark.

Then the May issue of the Readers Digest had more to say about the same thing, with an added twist. Light suppresses the brain's production of melatonin. That hormone may play a role in immunity or help slow the growth of cancer. People with the lowest levels of melatonin were about 60% more likely to develop breast cancer.

Your body makes melatonin at night only when the room is dark. Even yellow/blue night-lights are enough to suppress melatonin. If you need a light in your bathroom, use a red bulb.

Then eat breakfast by the window - spending 20 minutes in a good dose of sunlight, resetting your natural rhythms, letting your body really know night from day.

Several in my family made their rooms darker and found they were sleeping better. Now for the sunshine part ...

Hardanger Lace

2009-04-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hardanger lace embroidery is prized for its beauty, elegance and ability to enliven a plain piece of good quality fabric. Hardanger embroidery originated in a small town of the same name in Norway, where it continues to be made to this day. Hardanger lace spread to Italy, Germany and other European countries before being introduced to the United Stars in May 1901, according to the editor of The Lace Maker in an article in The Ladies' Home Journal.

You must work with fabric which has an even weave both directions. Using a blunt needle, you count carefully while creating the satin stitch, over-and-under bars, eyelet stitch, back stitch, lace stitch, or fagoting stitches using thread you never knot. Here you see the final project where Zella has stitched around the edge with her sewing machine so the edge never frays.

Scrapbook Page

2009-04-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

Another scrapbook page features a cowboy theme. Stamps of saddles, boots, hats, and horseshoes pull it all together without buying 'cowboy' paper.

The black circles are actually alphabet pieces, but the camera did not pick up the name. If you don't have alphabet pieces, you can glue/sew on black buttons or use black brads for accent.

This page, made by Zella, shows her use of computerized lettering for the word 'age'. You could buy the letters with a sticky back or stamp the letters on a chosen background. Gluing them on black card stock created a nice accent without cluttering the page.

Happy scrapping!

Stop Stroke in its Tracks

2009-04-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

Strokes are the third leading cause of death. Until recently everyone sat around and looked and waited - thinking there was nothing anyone could do. Now there is help, and the faster we recognize the symptoms and get help, the better chance that person has to recover.

Stroke symptoms can be vague, but these tips will help us to act FAST.

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Are the words slurred or incorrect?
Time: If you see any of these symptoms, act FAST. Call 911. Brain cells are dying.

I hope you never need to know this, but if you do, you will be so glad you did act FAST.

Sew Yourself a Bunny

2009-04-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Little, gray, real bunnies show up in my yard this time of year. I always thought they arrived when people tired of their Easter bunnies, but this year they arrived before Easter! I guess it is a natural occurrence. This year they are eating my flowers.

You can have a bunny year round by making yourself one! This little one flaunts a fancy dress and hat made by my sister Geneva. I defined its home by giving it a wicker heart. She will greet you when you enter my home, so be sure to stop in for a visit when you get in my neighborhood.

Pillowcase Doll

2009-04-17T18:31:00.000-07:00

Do you have an embroidered pillowcase you would like to show off? Why not make a doll with your pillowcase and let the beautiful embroidery live again!

I was married over 40 years ago. Most of my wedding shower gifts were hand embroidered pillowcases. Maybe it is time to go back to that drawer and see what else could be done with all that beautiful hand work.

Flowers

2009-04-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have really enjoyed my Easter tulips, so thought I would share. First they decorated the tables for the Easter Brunch at church, then they were used in the sanctuary, and finally they come home with me.

They are opening up way too fast to suit me, but they are so beautiful I have to forgive them! I have some great fake flowers, but you cannot match this!

Framed Tatted Doily

2009-04-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

This treasured piece of tatting is elegantly displayed and enhanced in a picture frame.

Tack the doily in place on fabric with a color that matches your decor but also shows off your doily. Then accent and co-ordinate further by adding two layers of mats.

Need to change your decor colors? No problem! Just change the colors of the fabric and mat. This heirloom will be a show piece for many years. What is stored in your closet that could be beautifully displayed?

Easter Wall Quilt

2009-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

This lovey Easter Quilt greets those entering Lois' home. Seasonal quilts always add a touch of warmth to our homes and can reflect the highlight of each month.

May you have a wonderful Easter this year.

Filet Crochet

2009-03-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

So fun to have my sister here from Florida. While visiting, she completed this table runner for her daughter-in-law. She can visit, watch TV, and not drop a stitch. Will be so fun for her to go back home with several requested projects competed!

Filet crochet is different than other crochet because a background is created which looks like netting. You must keep your tension pretty steady as you work, or your table runner will have extremes in width because the 'empty' squares must equal the 'solid' squares.

Scrapbook Page

2009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

The long days of winter are ending and some of you are frantically trying to update photo albums before all the spring work begins. Here a first day of school picture from 1968 finds a new home with the new fancy paper as a background.

Embellished with the use of stamps, by stamping and cutting out the image, you add a nice 3-D effect. Labels, brads, and diagonal strips of paper add further accent.

Anti-Flu Diet

2009-03-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

This should have been an early winter post. As the flu continues to hit hard, I decided to post it now and remind all of us of the foods which contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant shown to reduce the risk of flu and colds.

Fill your diets with broccoli, spinach, lettuce

and onions

(Red onions have almost 4x the amount of quercetin as other foods. While you may eat any of these raw, cooking seems to make it easier to absorb the antioxidant.)

and blueberries

(Buy a bag of frozen blueberries and put a handful on your hot cereal, pancakes, french toast or yogurt.)

and apples.

(An apple a day keeps the doctor away - and colds and the flu.)

A high consumption of these are needed - so how much is enough? I really don't know, but you can easily add these daily to your meals and snacks. Increase your odds of staying well. There is more we can do than just steer clear of those who are sick and be vigilant about hand-washing.

Reunion Quilt

2009-03-23T08:25:00.001-07:00

How appropriate to have a reunion quilt be a tree of life! Leora made this for the last family reunion. The families signed their names with permanent ink on the light green leaves, creating an heirloom filled with dates and oodles of memories. As time passes, those signatures will become priceless.

A sweet ceramic bird waits to enter the birdhouse, adding a unique and delightful touch.

I love the fact that Leora signs her quilts! The name label, to be found on the back of the quilt, may list the pattern and other pertinent information. If you are a quilter, give some serious thought to adding your name - those who own the quilt will greatly enjoy that personal touch.

You can see more of her quilts at cr Gifts 2 Love.

Window Washing

2009-03-20T22:29:00.000-07:00

It is almost time to wash windows. Today the rain is spattering against the panes, but soon the sun will show the collection of winter's gray film.

Tired of all the streaks from the typical cleaners? Tired of the cost of commercial cleaners?

I clean windows for a professional vinyl installer. When I am done, not one spot of any thing can remain on the glass. (To see some of his vinyl installations you would enjoy this page - I don't show the windows, I show the vehicles and a wall!)

So what does a pro use that would be quick and none streaking? One part isopropyl alcohol and one part water. I put the solutions and a wash cloth in a bucket, then throw dry cloths over my shoulder.

While you are at it, wet a soft link-free cloth with isoproply alcohol and wipe clean the mirrors in your home and all the glass shelves in your china hutch - you will be thrilled!

Quilted Table Runner

2009-03-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

This table runner is easier to make than some quilted items because you can easily quilt in the ditch. It would seem more natural to show it on a table top, but my dining room is too dark for good photography.

I am not sure, but this may be the last quilted item my mother ever made.

Grand-daughter

2009-03-10T18:42:00.001-07:00

I will be gone for a week. I am flying to Idaho tomorrow to care for my two oldest grandchildren while this grand-daughter and parents leave for another competition.

I love being grandma - so will see you all in another week.

Embroidered Dish Towel

2009-03-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

Will use this as my post before this photo is too 'separated' from the other dishtowel posting. You will remember the story of my Mom getting cataracts and wearing tinted glasses - thus she could not see the thread colors. This set of the "Days of The Week" included those small errors she never would have made in her younger days. They are not imperfections to me - they are part of the story of her life.

Oh how she loved the 'Days of The Week'. For a long time, a pattern had to have those words or they just were not right for dish towels. How about you? What is your favorite dish towel pattern?

Know Your Plastics

2009-03-07T16:39:00.001-08:00

Plastic containers leach cancer-causing chemicals into food. They have known it since 1987, but if you are like me, you keep forgetting which number in the bottom triangle is safe (that little recycling number on the container).

Containers with a 3, 6, or 7 on the bottom are the most dangerous. Do not store food or liquids in them.

Containers with a 4 or 5 are generally considered safe, but use sparingly. NEVER microwave in them.

Containers with a 1 or 2 are the safest. Sometimes called PETE and HDPE, they are safe for storing food and drink, but NEVER microwave in them.

No matter our age, we can remember One, Two Do!
So remember: One, Two Do!
Again: One, Two Do!

If you have a longer memory you could use: 4,5 seldom use; 1,2 always do. Please do not cover food with plastic wrap and microwave - they feel cancer-causing chemicals drip onto your food. Use a paper towel - they absorb the moisture better anyway!

Embroidered

2009-03-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

I never received dish towels from Mom when she was young. In those days the flour came in flour sacks. Well, she made a lot of bread for 10 kids so she did go through a few flour sacks! They were always bleached and made into dish towels. I remember the confusion when the flour sacks arrived printed. Why the change? Why the upset? The dish towel source was gone and she had to resort to buying fabric just for the dish towels. (Now the print flower bags did not go to waste. They became little dresses or aprons.) Eventually flour sacks became paper sacks as they are today.

As the years went on, Mom continued to embroider dish towels, but her tinted glasses and cataracts confused the colors of the thread. It took me a few months to figure out what was going on and most of the towels I own are from that era.

I don't want to use them. I want to touch them. I want to remember who made them. I smile at the mixed thread colors knowing she is in heaven looking at them with her hands on her hip just shacking her head. She's wondering how in the world did that happen. :)

Tatted Top

2009-02-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here is a pretty way to use a small tatted doily. Mom made dozens of these and I have no idea how many children or grandchildren received one as a gift. It was a wonderful way for her to give a tatted gift which did not require days of tatting. Each one knew they had received something special - a gift that would become an heirloom.

These are especially fun to make because you can change the color to suit someone else' s decor by simply changing the fabric. I've seen yellow, teal, lavender, and a printed red for Christmas.

The basis for this is a tuna can! Poly fill gives it the fluff and pads both the outside of the can and the top of the lid. It is completely lined with the same fabric - both the lid and the bottom. A little lace on the edge adds a feminine touch, then finish it with complimentary ribbon.

The tatted doily is stitched in place. The fabric covered knob? I don't know - she could work miracles. It is not wood. Maybe she took a button and added padding until it was very firm, because the bottom has a very firm base, yet the rest can be squeezed slightly.

P.S. I put 'things' inside! Safety pens, coins, ear-rings ...

Award Winning Quilt

2009-02-24T06:42:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, isn't this beautiful! Another award-winning quilt made by Leora. I wish this was a close up so you could really see all the tiny curved cuts of fabric. Slowly look at all the color changes and you will get an idea of the piecing that went into this quilt.

This quilter, Leora, makes quilts which sell in my store. Obviously, the above quilt is not for sale - just too much work. However she sells some of her work. Go to cr Gifts 2 Love and find yourself some treasures.

What do you love?

2009-02-21T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Hobbit gave me the letter D and asked me to post 10 things I love that start with this letter. If you want to play, just let me know and I'll visit your blog and give you a letter. This will be a fun way to get better acquainted, as I will come back and read what you say!

1. Daisies - will be my stand in for all flowers. I really enjoy flowers, even though my thumb is so black they sometimes have to be artificial!

2. Daughter - I have a wonderful daughter who is my best friend. Her name is Dorene! Does that count as 2 and 3?

3. Dinner out - I love it when my husband takes me out to dine. I relax and savor every bite. Ah - a delicious moment.

4. Dishes - my mother gave me a love for dishes, especially the delicate china ones, china mugs, tea cups and saucers, china teapots. Speaking of 'tea' I could list Darjeeling tea, but that is not my favorite.

5. Dainty things - I have a girlie side to me. My home is not frilly or fluffy, but I love something dainty! I love high heels and hats - oops those start with 'h'!

6. Dad - Dad is gone now, but I loved my Dad. He was a very hard working wheat farmer; had ten children and knew all about the pioneer days. He taught all of us to work hard and to be honest. At his funeral one of the grandsons said, "Grand-dad never told a lie." He lived the way he wanted us to live - he taught with his life - a dedicated, devoted, direct example.

7. Dollop of whip cream - why not! An old fashioned treat would be a dollop of whip cream on gingerbread. Does any one make gingerbread any more?

8. Deals - which save me money, or make life easier. I can dream, can't I?

9. Drama - we have had a lot of fun parties and Christmas programs. Plan a skit or drama for your next family reunion - those will be the memories you will talk about and photograph.

10. Days - I love warm, sunny days, when the sky is blue and the air is fresh; a real'country day'.

What do you love? Leave me a comment, I'll leave you a letter and we will find out!

Biscuits

2009-02-19T21:16:00.000-08:00

I am always on the look out for a tip. My mother was so busy raising 10 children that she was overwhelmed with teaching us the hows and whys of life. (You need to understand she spent years without electricity, no running water, wood stove for cooking even in the summer, outside toilets, scrub boards not wash machines - I'm not sure many of you can even comprehend.) We 9 girls had to learn to cook by just doing it.

Therefore I love tips - explanations. I subscribe to Better Homes and Gardens and was delighted with these pictures. These techniques will help you to keep biscuits light - maybe even perfect!

GO EASY ON THE ROLLING: The first picture is a reminder that you dust your rolling pin (not the dough) and roll from the center toward the edges. Don't press hard.

LET STEAM ESCAPE: Prick the dough with a floured fork every inch or so. This will allow steam to be released during baking and let the biscuits rise evenly.

DON'T TWIST: When cutting the dough with your lightly floured cutter, do not twist. That would seal the edges of the dough and hinder the rising.

KEEP IT GENTLE: The entire process is one of handling the dough as though it would burn your fingers. Slightly shake the filled cutter to free the biscuit. Don't over handle.

BARELY TOUCH: Arrange the biscuits so they barely touch. Don't re-roll the scraps. The odd bits and pieces of leftover dough should bake right along side the biscuits. They will be a treat to eat and not toughen from the second handling. Can't you just smell the butter and honey warming on the biscuit? Is this a craft or an heirloom? :)

Hat and Knit Scarf

2009-02-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

This blog is not about me. It is about the beautiful items my family makes. Throughout the years they have shared their hobbies and their talents as gifts. Here is a wonderful neck scarf my sister, Lois, knit.

When I wrap this scarf around my neck and feel the warm fuzzy fibers, I think of a lot more than just the physical warmth I receive. I always take a brief walk down memory lane and remember the giver. A handmade gift is always filled with poignant memories.

Roses for You

2009-02-14T09:43:00.000-08:00

May each of you have a wonderful Valentine's Day and feel loved!

Embroidered Pillow

2009-02-09T10:44:00.001-08:00

Embroidery has never been my thing. Somehow you have to hold the tension of the thread just right as you pull it in and out of a piece of cloth that also must be held with just the right tension. It seems to me that just too much tension regulation is involved for this to ever work correctly. The harder you try, the tighter the tension - trouble.

Some people, however, can regulate all that without any problem and embroider away as though they were not even thinking. My stress begins when I have to think about the colors - the right shade of green for the leaves when you have decided the flowers should be pink. What color family is everything? Then you need still another shade of those color for outlines. A person could have a stroke just trying to put the right colors together.

Have I mentioned yet that you need an embroidery hoop? Special embroidery thread? Needles with the correct size of eye? Patterns, material? It also helps if your know all your different stitches - running stitch, ribbon stitch, back stitch, leaf stitch, Vandyke stitch, french knots - you get the picture.

Is anyone having fun yet? LOL Once again I win! This was a gift! My mother made it almost thirty years ago. I loved it then. I love it more now.

Jewelery design

2009-01-30T12:15:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I reached into my jewelry drawer and decided to wear these ear rings and broach which Lois had made. Now, it is beyond me how these fun pieces of jewelry are made! How did she do it? Maybe you can tell me.

Pinwheel Quilt

2009-01-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

This pinwheel quilt was made by Zella. As usual her points are perfect! The variegated top-stitching was done with a long arm quilting machine by my daughter, Dorene. It was given as gift and I always have a habit of thinking, I sure hope the recipient appreciated all the work!

Tatted Hanky

2009-01-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

My mother was a beautiful tatter. She also loved hankies. Most of all, she loved a linen hankie with a tatted edge. It was very hard for her to find good linen, even in those days. Years ago she made it her personal project to make one for each of her nine daughters, tatting the edge in their favorite color. Note the finely rolled and finished edge with the small 'hole' , design above the hem - all done by hand.

I store this hanky in a small tin she gave me, because it keeps the linen away from the sunlight and keeps the threads from disintegrating. The hanky looks as new as the day she gave it to me - 23 years ago. I was overwhelmed when I did the math today. How could it be so long ago? What a treasure I have! You, too, can give gifts which become heirlooms.

Scrapbooking Makes Memories Linger

2009-01-19T21:40:00.000-08:00

Email is a wonderful thing. You see pictures of people you never see in years. You watch children grow up, and for the first time, you feel like you know them when you see them again.

You also have a bunch of new pictures. They can sit around in your computer and take up space, or you can move them off onto a thumb drive, disc, or external drive. However, you can still have them printed!

There is something wonderful about looking at pictures from a photo album. Many people are doing digital scrapbooks, but nothing is as beautiful as real paper, real matting, actual layers and touchable embellishments.

This is just one page of this heirloom album. Another page was made which compliments the color scheme, co-coordinating the two pages which lay open together.

No doubt about it. This craft becomes an heirloom. This photo album will be treasured for years.

A Quilted Gift

2009-01-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

A package arrives in the mail. You know that feeling - something from someone you love. A sister or a friend has remembered your birthday. Immediately you are awed and humbled. The return 'Thank You' will never be able to say all that is in your heart today. You have been warmed deeply and suddenly your heart is filled afresh with love for them.

Holding the package close to your heart, you hug it and smell it, then slowly let your fingers find the tape and begin unwrapping the gift. What could it be? How could she possibly know what to give - you have been apart for years because you live too far apart. Yet she cares enough to give. It will be a gift of herself - a part of her which arrived in your home today.

The brown paper now lays torn and crumpled, the card has been read with tears, the gift wrap has joined the brown paper pile, and now the hands tremble as you unwrap that final layer of tissue.

There, under the tissue lays a quilt. A work of love. Hours and hours of her time lay in your hands. How can they give so much? Her talents and abilities are presented to you. Her hobby is now your gift. It will become your heirloom. The colors and fabric of the quilt will stop the hands of time - it will always reflect this era, this day, this moment.

Your heart has been so warmed today. You will hold the quilt close today, examine the stitches and feel all the work she took forever to do; you will smell it and sense her presence. You will touch it often today and use it in various ways. Then in some tomorrow you will find a special place for it and your heart will always be warmed when you see it. Each time you walk by you will remember her.

Photography Friends

2009-01-09T09:31:00.001-08:00

friendship . . .

neglected . . .

returned . . .

Mona lives in Montana. She is from my hometown and it is so fun to stay in touch after so many years. We grew up together, went to school together, and went to church together. We said goodbye the night we graduated from High School.

Isn't it strange how each person walks away from that night and begins the journey into their own life? It seems we didn't know any better - we did not get back in touch for years.

Then one day, a thousand miles apart, we were connected again by email. What a pleasant surprise to meet my friend again! I love who she has become!

Oh, she is not a craft I can make. People are their own craftsman. Each chooses who and what molds them and makes them. Nor is she my heirloom, but she will be remembered for many things, including her photos which she was willing to share with me. So, I share a portion of another treasure money cannot buy - friendship.

Christmas Teddy and Rocker

2008-12-29T08:52:00.000-08:00

Here are two heirlooms that have warmed my Christmas decor for over twenty years.

The little rocker is now too small for my oldest son, and while the grandchildren may use it throughout the year, at Christmas time it belongs to the teddy bear which belonged to my youngest son.

This is a natural combination of heirlooms! The rocker was sanded and finished by an old friend. His expertise in wood finishing amazed me as he applied coat after coat of varnish, and sanded layer after layer to get just the sheen and finish he desired. Needless to say, it has been beautiful for almost forty years and has held up nicely to all the rough and tumble children can give.

The little teddy was made to fit into the Christmas decor when I dressed him in a Christmas outfit. The outfit was pretty much guess work as there were no patterns to fit this teddy! If you sew, give it a try - the fluffy teddy is very forgiving!

Tatting

2008-11-20T18:27:00.000-08:00

This week I will share Mom’s tatting with you. This photo is a picture of Mom’s last project – she was 88 when she slid the shuttles around the threads, creating these beautiful knots. One day this was set aside and never finished. That was a rare moment, as Mom finished everything.

I can still see my Mom, sitting quietly in a chair, the shuttles silently moving. I always wondered what Mom was thinking. She came from that era when people did not talk much and none of us children could get her to say much about her past. We were, however, very blessed with the products of her hands.

Few of the family learned how to tat. However, it is not a lost art and the shuttles can still be found if you do a search for tatting shuttles. It is difficult to find anything appropriate under a search for just 'tatting'. If you search for 'tatting instructions' you can still find a few patterns.

You can fill your home with beautiful tatting if you are willing to make the effort. While some would think only of doilies, I like them mounted in frames, or shadow boxes and used as wall decor. My favorite, however, is small designs used for Christmas tree ornaments. Anyone who has lots of her ornaments considers themselves very lucky.

Maybe it is time for you to think about a talent which has the potential for gifts which can become heirlooms - something tatted.

The Beginning

2008-11-20T18:19:00.000-08:00

Every story has to have a beginning! This family began June 30, 1931. Here you see Mom and Dad on their wedding day. Are you looking only at the car? They went on to have 10 children and I am number eight.

Today the family of ten children has all married and now exceeds 150! The most recent great grand-child was my own grandchild!

Mom and Dad both lived into their early nineties. They were pioneers on the Montana prairies. We all loved the life they provided us and the adventures of living on a wheat farm. Mom left us our biggest legacy of exceptional handmade gifts. From this legacy you will find ideas for country decor and handmade items you can give as gifts which may someday become heirlooms!