In Search of the Perfect Bib

My granddaughter spits up a lot and might be starting to teethe. She goes through a lot of bibs. Most bibs are too small, too thin, and the plastic backing rips and tears after multiple trips through the washing machine and dryer. Fastening a bib at the nape of the neck requires a third hand. … Continue reading In Search of the Perfect Bib

Scooter Did A Bad Thing

It's me, Scooter. I did a bad thing. I wanted to go out last night, you know, to be OUTSIDE. There are things outside that I like. One of them was furry and soft with a long tail. Mom couldn't see it, but she didn't know where to look either. I was barking at it … Continue reading Scooter Did A Bad Thing

Baby Watch

Grandmotherhood awaits! As a quilter, I think it's appropriate that I'm "on pins and needles," don't you? At this moment, we are Due Date Minus THREE Days. We're having a baby! No idea if it's a boy or a girl, we're just praying for healthy with the full complement of fingers and toes. Sweet anticipation. … Continue reading Baby Watch

Quilt Labels: Make It Personal

The tradition continues, but this time with a twist. I've shared that I make quilts for nieces and nephews. Now we're on the second generation, quilt #2. This is Lee's Quilt and I added something a little different. I "signed it" with a QR code. A what?! A QR code, or Quick Response code, is … Continue reading Quilt Labels: Make It Personal

Back to the Beginning

My quilting career began almost 40 years ago in an Amish home in northern Indiana. I thought the women gathered around the quilting frame in the living room were sewing on a trampoline. I was clueless. They asked me if I wanted to quilt too. Of course I said yes. I wanted them to like … Continue reading Back to the Beginning

Another “Opportunity”

My cousin Niki is one smart cookie. There isn't a lot that gets her down. Just look at that smile. That's us at the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative booth last year in Houston. I was thinking a lot about Niki the last few weeks. I was in need of an attitude adjustment. Way back, when … Continue reading Another “Opportunity”

The 2014 Crumb Quilt Challenge

Diana wrote in after the January 1st newsletter asking about sewing room organization and we got into a nice discussion about fabric storage. Ultimately she was looking for a way to store and USE UP tiny scraps leftover from other projects. It got me thinking. I suggested that, like some quilters, she sew two quilts … Continue reading The 2014 Crumb Quilt Challenge

5 Things Will Help You Become A Better Quilter

January is always a good time to reflect, take stock, set goals, and look forward. So is October, in case you're reading this in a month that isn't January. For traveling quilt teachers, however, January is the beginning of the new teaching season, so I'm taking advantage of the rollover to 2014 to think about … Continue reading 5 Things Will Help You Become A Better Quilter

7 Great iPhone Tricks

I'm a fan. I love my iPhone. I text, check email, take pictures, edit movies, use it to MapQuest from point A to point B, and, oh yeah, I make calls on it too. Here are my favorite tricks: 1. Flashing Light You probably know how to assign ringtones and get your phone to vibrate, … Continue reading 7 Great iPhone Tricks

Rocks and Podcasts

PUTTING TWO & TWO TOGETHER (MAYBE) On the way home from Ann Arbor where our daughter lives, we pass a small open area just after an overpass and before the train station. It's on the right hand side of the road. There's really nothing there except some busted up concrete and a bench. It may … Continue reading Rocks and Podcasts