Been a long time

Goodness it's been a few years since I've posted on my blog...I need to check in more often and share.  So many additional project and not a lot of postings.  So be watching for things to come.

My Nauvoo Quilt

I Can't believe I'm adding another posting in the month of February...

I just had to get this quilt, (I call it a blanket quilts because it's light weight but it's a quilt never the less)...posted

Last March my husband and I went on a Mission to Nauvoo Illinois, which is a little town of 1100 people on the East side of the Mississippi River...We were there for 6 months...My husband worked main with the horses and drove the wagon and carriage touring the town and country side, showing the visitors what Nauvoo looked like in the 1840s... I gave tours to the visitors of the different homes and businesses that were there in the 1840s and shared the stories of how the people lived and how the town grew to 20,000 during the time period they were there...A total of 7 years...

So when we were done with our day jobs...in the evening we did live performances for the visitors...We had 3 shows going on every evening accept Sunday...We as Seniors performance 4 nights a week..We had 3 different casts for the seniors...2 nights a week we performed 2 shows a night because there were so many people there visiting...Summer is a very busy time there in Nauvoo...all this is free to the public...no cost other than your lodging and food... Click on this website and check it out...it's a wonderful place to visit...www.historicnauvoo.net 

So now that you have a little history I'll move on to my quilt....We didn't have TV to watch and I like to keep my hands busy...so I when shopping (we had one day a week to shop, clean, and prepare for the next week,our day was Wednesday...)

I visited Hobby Lobby which was 45 miles from where we were living...and I found this cross stitch pattern of quilt squares...fell in love with the pattern...so I bought a set of 12 squares...and with my off time and sometimes at the homes were were showing we weren't busy so I'd work on my squares...needless to say I didn't finish the quilt squares while there.  It has taken me 5 months longer to complete all the squares and to put the quilt together...and quilt it all...

So this is the finished product...just got it completed this past week...

This quilt is a real treasure to me and I'll be hanging on to it...all is hand stitched except for sewing the seams to each square and adding the binding...I didn't use a frame to quilt it either...first time trying that...and it wasn't bad...

Another project done...I still have one more quilt like this one (different design) to put together...all hand work again...I've got all the squares done now to put it together...may wait until next winter...however, I love to see the finished product...So back to the drawing board...still have a line up of projects I'm working on and need to finish...Hope to be back on my blog in the months to come...til another time...it's good to check in once in a while....bye for now...

Card Making Makes Great Gift

It's been awhile once again since I've been on my blog...Sorry...been working on my new quilt too many hours.. But here's a project I just finished for a friend of mine....Her birthday was the 8th of February and she turned 87 years old...Now my thought was what can you get someone that pretty much has everything she wants or needs...So I came up with the idea to make her a few cards and put them into a pretty box and this way she can sent out birthday cards, notes to friends, or thank you cards...

 The first card I choose to do is more for the boys in her family..I think it's always hard to find/make the cards for the males in our family...I don't know why...but I seem to always draw a blank when it comes to these types of cards...

 Next comes what I call my 'Hello' card...this card can pretty much be used for what ever the event is...plenty of room on the inside to write a nice little note...I like using this type of card when I've hear
a talk in church or Relief Society that has touched me...I like to sent a little card to let the teacher know just
how her lesson/talk affected me....

 A Thank You card... Never have too many of these on hand...

 The last is another set of Birthday Cards...for girls this time...

And last is the box the cards will go into, and each set of card are bundled up together with their envelopes (which have been also decorated up with the same paper as their card) and a ribbon around each set.. along with a pink pen..I'm sure she will be happy to have these cards. This was a fun gift to make...Next posting I hope will be my quilt...Watch for it...just have the binding and one little session to still quilt and I'll be done with it...I'll be sure to post when it's finished...Next project...I'll surprise you...Keep watching and reading....
TaTa...

Hello all!!!!       Thought I'd check out my poor blog I've forgotten for so long (13 months, 2 days) pitiful I know...but I have good reason...I've been gone for the past 7 months....but am now home to stay and will
get  better with my blogging...Here are a few things I've done in the pasted month...sorry I put them all together but it was easier...New Year's Resolution to self: Time to improve blog!!! Please feel free to read the happenings of the past month or so...(since I've gotten home) and I'll be back!!!!

I had a few bean I needed to get canned so the last couple of days I've been busy canning  ham and beans...had to buy a new stove and a new pressure canner/cooker..and of course I needed to try them out...ended up canning ham and beans, split pea soup, bacon, chicken, chicken broth...not all with my new canner....The bacon was my down fall...oh, it turned our yummy I did bacon bits...however, the canner for some reason went dry and it warped my canner...and this is when I have to say it's great to shop Walmart...they were so good to me..they exchanged it for a new one the very same model of course...and my canner was over a year old...I explained to the customer service person what had happened. I told the truth) and he exchanged it...I love their customer service..

 These two pictures above are of a scarf I made.  I got the pattern when I was in Nauvoo Illinois for 6 months...I'll be teaching a class this next week end so others can make it...it's so easy or  4 to 6 stitches  depending on how long you want it...

 These two pictures are of my Halloween/harvest decorations....the best I could do just getting home from being gone for about 7 months....Hopefully Christmas will be more festive....

 My pretty new stove...smooth top (love, love, love it)..and my new pressure canner...the front burner is 12" which is big enough for my pressure canner...that was part of the problem with my other stove burner was only 8 1/2" which was really too small for canning...

Last but not least is my food storage room...all the above picture are of my storage room....I'm trying to get it organized....it's been a few years since I've done it...I need some order as to what all I have on hand...these pictures don't really give it a good view....Now my canning isn't completed for the year just yet....still want to can some beef....hamburger and stew meat....I love canning.....all the jars are so pretty!!!  So now you know what I've been doing with my time since I got home from my summer's vacation in Nauvoo, Illinois....Hopefully I'll do better this next year and keep onto of my blogging and keep you more up to date....However, though I left Scrap Me With Style for a little over a year I did set up another blog called Pioneerbyday.blogspot.com you can check out and it will show you what I was doing all summer....Hopefully I'll be back again before the end of the year...Until next time...have a great day!!!

Winter Project #1 Jewerly

It's been months since I've written on my blog...and lots has been going on...Now with winter on it's way......My canning coming to an end (still have chicken to put up next week, my first time using a pressure cooker!. I'll have do another posting when I get done)...anyway back to my winter projects...I was trying to be supportive of my daughter-in-law...she has some old necklaces that belonged to her mother, and she wanted to turn them into new ones! We have a friend that offered to teach us how to make jewerly...WELL, OMG, that's all I needed...An invitation to learn how to make jewerly...and I'm off and running...now the problem I have is: Jewerly -vs -quilting...hummmm!! Both are so much fun and use my creative juices...So okay, here are a few of my jewerly pieces I've made in the last week...
This necklace is dark raspberry....I'm wearing it today with a black top...

Next I completed a pink and kindof yellow necklace...don't know what I'll wear it with...oh wait, I have a pretty jacket it will go with...there you go....I knew I had something.

This is my favorite set...Necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I love the color, I have another jacket that this set will go with...

This is a little brown piece I put together in a hurry...still need to make the earrings to go with it...

This necklace is in browns and golds...very pretty and nice looking for the fall...yes, I have something to wear it with too...(brown skirt and jacket). Need earrings for this one too...

This is my last piece...black...I have plenty to wear it with...this has been so much fun....can't wait to get started on my next project...Fun project for winter!!! Ok, now to be fair to my other projects...I guess I need to go work on my quilt I have ready to sew together....catch ya later!!!

Just Thinking!

I am so sorry I haven't had much to post for awhile...but about 6 weeks ago I had hand surgery
and all my crafts (quilts etc) had to be put on hold for awhile...I have pressed my fabric and hope to start cutting out some squares for my next fat quarter quilt...So please continue to visit
me and watch for the uncoming pictures of my next project....Til then, keep your chin up and remember 'It isn't the impression you make when you enter a room or meet someone, it's the impression you leave behind that matters"

The Finished Quilt

Can you guess what I was able to put into this 12x12x6" priority Mail box? Love these boxes!! Can you say queen size quilt!! Yep, you got it right!! A Queen size quilt!!! Pretty good huh?? These are my new 2 best friends! Let me introduce them to you...Simplicity Rotary Cutting Machine and a Simplicity Bias Tape Maker...love, love, love these little machines...They too, could be yours..just hurry down to Jo-Ann Fabric between April 3 and 23. They are on sale!! (Just a note, the Rotary Cutting Machine can also be used with scrap booking! Sweet!! Another plus as to why to buy it. Never have too many tools)

In my last post I shared with you the Rotary Cutting Machine so this post I will explain the Bias Tape Maker.

This is what the machine looks like when you first open it...comes in a nice little case...packs away easily...

My bias tape is ready to go into the machine and be folder...that's what the Bias tape machine does..it presses the fabric in half...ready for you to sew to your quilt or place mat or what every you're making that needs the bias tape. Mine will be on the quilt I'm making..

Here's the first picture of my finished quilt...I really need to learn how to display my projects..these pictures really don't do it justice...(not to brag...just fact!!! If I do say so myself)

Okay, so I moved into the dining room and tried there...not so sure it is any better! however, you can see the squares better. this quilt is called 'turning twenty' using 'fat quarters pre-cut fabric' love, love, love the fat quarters....it makes the quilt go together so quickly...Back to my quilt, I quilted a flower in square. I used crochet thread #10 rather than quilting thread.

Here I am holding my finished project...Zach and Lizzy's wedding gift! (I'm only 2 months late with it) sorry not real good lighting...or maybe too much light!! Anyway this was a fun project and I see in the next ad from Jo-Ann Fabric they have some fun color fabric that I'm going to have to go buy so I can make more of these quilts....I figure if I keep working on the tops and getting them together...then when the next grandchild gets married I'll be ahead of the game...going to have to do some spring cleaning and make room for my quilts...I'm hooked on making quilts...it was so much fun...and like I said before I love, love, love the fat quarter fabric!!! Guess now it's time to make my list and check it twice for projects I've not completed and get myself busy and add a new word to my vocabulary. Can you guess what the word is??? 'COMPLETION' (of projects). So until I find the time to get back to you...have fun and I'll be as busy as a bee, working hard to complete these outstanding projects so I can make room for my quilts!!! TaTa!!until we meet again!!

Turning Twenty

Have to start at the very beginning and say "excuse the mess under my sewing table!" What I want you to look at are the colors I've picked for a new quilt top. My grandson, Zach, got married on the 9th of February to a very sweet girl, Lizzy. I've decided that as each of my grandkids get married I'll make a quilt for them. So saying this, I have now started on Zach and Lizzy's quilt. These are the colors I've chosen for their quilt. (Just a note: The title of the book I got my pattern from is called 'Turning Twenty' that's why the title of this post is Turning Twenty!!)

I layed all the colors on my queen bed and it was kind of funny cause each time I showed one of my friends, they would move one of my squares around...then I'd take a picture and send it to my daughter, Margo, and she also made her change. So 2 friends and 1 daughter later this is the layout we came up with...

This quilt is using fat qarters, and takes 20 squares. Each square measures to be 16x16". 4 squares across the top and 5 squares down, then a 3 inch border and then another 1 inch border and last is a 6 inch border. This quilt measures 90x102. (queen size).

Oh I have to share my new littl maching I just bought and boy, is it fun to operate!!! It's by Simplicity. It's called the 'Rotary Cutting Machine'. It can be used for scrapbooking, quilting, rug hooking, and more!!! It's suitable for cutting paper, felt, oilcloth, fleece, cotton, lightweight, wools and more!! the adjustable guide will cut strips from 3/8" to 2 3/4". The blades cut by pressure, not by sharpness and it has 2 blades; straight and a pinking blade. I bought it at Joann Fabric when it was on sale for half price..I believe the full price is $89.99. Anyway, I've done my commerical!! love, love, love, this little machine.(just call me Teresa) It is so easy to operate...

I'm sorry to say I had no other place to lay this quilt top out but on my living room floor...and it doesn't do it justice. Okay, so ends the first part of this post...I now need to finish putting it together and then I'll be quilting a design in each of the squares (all 20 of the squares)...So I'll come back later with more pictures...stay tuned and keep checking. Til then, I've rested long enough...back to work!!!

What the heck, where has the time gone!!

I can't believe we are already into the second half of the second month of 2011!! And even more surprising I've only posted one time in January!! What the heck!! I know I've been working on projects..but I just forget to take pictures...and sit down and get them onto my blog...soooo here's what I've done so far in 2011...(keep in mind, these are just the projects I remembered to take pictures of)...These pictures are in no special order...point being, I just stuck them in so you can see a little about my life. Two of these projects have been things I've never done before!! so lets get moving and do my show and tell!! #1 This is my first Apple Tart I've ever made and I used my home canned apple pie filling (first time to have ever canned apple for pie filling) Boy, all I can say is they were/are sure good...After serving this tart to my friends I have had a couple of requests to make it again..so guess you could say it was a hit....

#2 Double weddng ring quilt...First time to make a quilt and use my sewing maching to quilt it....now if you look closely you will see I have crochet thread..well, here's the story behind that...I was going to quilt by hand and use the crochet thread it's a little heavier thread..however, my hand freezes up making it hard to work the needle as I'm quilting making my stitches uneven...so I decided it was taking too long and I took out all my stitching (call that reverse sewing) and went to my sewing maching...Now I'm working hard to keep the circles looking like circles as I sew this quilt...


It's a challenge to sew...but it's coming along...I'll keep this quilt for myself as I have too many 'mistakes' (I'm naming it 'MY Pucker Quilt') It's good practice for me...but (and there is always a 'BUT') maybe I shouldn't have taken on a queen size quilt for my first machine quilt project....will I ever learn...it's good to practice on something smaller to get the experience first...Next time it will be better!!!

"My Van" Now this isn't my first...but just thought I'd show you how my 2011 started out...January 3, we had some icy roads and we were on the way to the doctors and stopped at a stop sign..the guy behind us forgot that he needed to apply his brakes long before he stopped when there are icy roads...Our van ended with a owie!!! I was surprised as to the amount of damage our van ended up with. They had to replace our complete tailgate door and bumper...what looks like a little owie...was expenive!!! no cost to us however, and no one was hurt...the young man felt so bad..and just kept thanking us for not yelling at him...Kindness goes

a long ways!!!

Okay, you have now been brought up to date with the happenings in the last 45 days of my life.. I sure hope to do better in the future...and keep up to date with my postings. take care and check back in maybe a week or so, I'll have more to post...I will try to do better..I promise!!!

I love themes, so my new theme for 2011 ~ 'A project is just a project until it's completed'

New Year, New Look

Phase 1: A New Year, A New Look!! Got all my Christmas decorations down. Now I've been looking at my blank walls/shelves........I decided I needed to recycle some of my decorations...So come take a walk with me as I show you the change I made on my Entry hall wall...This is where I started...I've always loved this picture I've had of Christ but I've never cared for the frame...I thought what a good time to change it....so here's where I started....

The picture I had on my wall in my kitchen/dining area was of a pretty flower arrangement, and I really loved the frame, picture not so much...so I spent the morning trying to get the picture out of the frame (and it was a task, I tell ya!!). This frame was much bigger and looked better on the entry wall...at least that was what I thought in my minds eye...Okay this is the new mat I placed over the old one...adding to the look....So far I like the look....continuing on.....

this is the finished product on my wall... What do you think?? The table I've always had in my entry...however, I changed what was on top of it...I think it looks much better and fresher...Love the picture on the wall...I think this frame is so much prettier...Now I have to rethink the kitchen/dining area wall and get rid of the floral arrangement that has been on that wall way too long!! that is still in progress..tomorrow I'll try and work on my living room shelves but I need to sit back and think about it...don't know just yet what the look is I want...but I'm sure I can once again recycle some of my decorations...I'm trying two new things this year...reminding myself to: 1. take pictures BEFORE I start my projects and 2. not spend money but instead recycle my decorations....So hang in there more pictures will be coming when phase 2 is completed.....I'll go right now and get some pictures of my living room and shelves while their empty... promise!!!! Til then...keep smiling and come back and visit anytime...

Winter Snow Storm

The weatherman said last night, we would be waking up to some white stuff....And he was sure right...all day long!! Love it!!

If you have never seen or been inside looking out at the winter wonderland and feeling the peace and quietness of a Winter Snow Storm, then you don't know what you are missing! The untouched snow..no footprints, no snowblowers clearing the snow off the driveway...just soft white flakes coming down and piling up in my yard!! It will never stay this white..as the days pass it will turn brown...and dirty...so it's important to enjoy beauty while it last...

On a snowy day when I was growing up my mother would bake bread (in fact she did that regardless of the weather). So on this snowy day I did the same...Honey Wheat Bread...Only one loaf as there is only two of us and I like to keep my bread as fresh as I can..so one loaf a time until gone before another one gets baked.

Lunch time always brought homemade soups or beans. I can still smell the bread baking and the soup/beans cooking...It is such a loving smell...I could not help myself... I had to make hot baked potato soup and had to finish up the fresh roll..this was our lunch. baked potatoes, cheese and bacon soup. My kind of love!!

This is the late afternoon still the driveway hasn't been touched...no prints, no sound, the winter snow storm still at it's best...and another memory for 2010. One of the best!

A Tile For Sydney

My granddaughter, Sydney, turned 12 in June and is now in the Young Women's Program. I thought it would be fun for her to have a tile with the Yound Women values in her room. This is what I came up with. A way for her to remember each of the values.

Guess What?

I've been featured over at Cottage instincts. If you have a chance go take a look!!!