Mummified remains

August 6, 2018August 6, 201818 Comments

As I look at the calendar I realize that fall is starting to stalk the summer season in Western New York.

The hay fields at the farm are turning golden and if I look out my bedroom window I can pick out the leaves that have started to fade from their deep emerald glory into something paler, less flexible, and more fragile.

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We’ve purchased my high school senior son’s last pair of soccer cleats <sob> and that means that September will fly by and in a flash it will be Halloween. (Have I justified my indulgence in Halloween mug rug designs enough yet???)

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I’ve been thinking about a mummified mug rug for a couple of Halloweens now. I wanted to add a little cutie to make Frank and Vlad into a trio, but for some reason, this simple idea stumped me — that is until I received a Bernina tutorial for zigzag stitching in my email inbox this week! It’s just what I needed to bring my mummy to life!

Love me some googly eyes!

Check back here for a pattern later this week — I’m scrambling to get ready for vacation/sewing/shopping in Ohio!

It’s officially fall — bring on the Halloween decor

September 21, 2017October 10, 20176 Comments

Last night was open house at school for my teenager. To state that he wasn’t into it is an understatement. He likes school a lot this year (as a junior, they are moving into a more interactive model of instruction — more like college than simple rote learning). This makes me happy. But anyway, his best friend (the Boy scout who came to rescue Boots, if you recall) came to the house while his mom went to open house alone (better mom than me — but I love her just the same).

I love to hear those boys discuss their day when they forget that I am around. They are good kids and I’m trying not to focus on how quiet it will be when they are both at college.

Meanwhile, Cindy is posting the Vlad Vampire Mug run on Fave Quilts today. I love their website and the emails that arrive every day in my inbox. It is a bright spot in my day, full of inspiration and fun. Fave Quilts has lots of patterns for all skill levels and every reason and occasion. The generosity of other quilters is amazing. I’ve found tons of new blogs to follow because of Fave Quilt’s curated content.

And we’re preparing Frank’s pattern to join Vlad in the Halloween line-up. You can download Frank’s pattern by clicking on the link below:

Frank N. Stein Sept 2017

I love the expression on Frank’s face!

Happy first day of fall!

My old boyfriend Vlad

September 18, 2017September 21, 201711 Comments

We are just days away from the end of summer, so I thought I’d dust off one of my old quilted boyfriends and give him a little sunlight. I designed Vlad the mug rug last fall.

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Vlad 2.0 (pattern here) has a new look because I finally, finally bought a new-to-me Bernina and I am venturing into the world of true quilting, not just piecing. To be sure, I’m no Lori Kennedy nor am I a Tim Latimer, but the meandering stitch on Vlad makes me somewhat hopeful that I will be able to <eventually> become self-sufficient throughout the entire quilting process.

I snagged the new machine off a Facebook garage sale. I got lucky and the machine only needed a regular tuneup. The ~~steal~~ deal also included lots of extra feet, including a walking foot, an embroidery foot and quilting foot. I think I’m going to love my little Bernie — maybe I’ve acquired another boyfriend?

Life in a Twizzle

September 12, 2016September 13, 20161 Comment

Since my brand new sophomore returned to school, it seems that time has sped up. There is so much happening, it’s a good thing that I have my planner, because I’d never keep all of this straight!

He wasn’t completely thrilled to return to routine, but I do believe that he was ready for a change.

As my son is tackling trig, the bathroom renovation that I’ve been dreaming about has finally begun. Seriously, this project has been 1+ years in the making, but I still haven’t finalized all of the details. I think I am one of “those” customers

Demolition nearly complete

And then there is soccer or soccer practice every night. Meanwhile the lawns needed to be mowed, I’m starting to think about winterizing the house and for goodness sake, who’s making dinner? Don’t get me started on the holiday planning….

Just when you think you might have a lazy afternoon at the farm, a first cousin arrives for a visit for the first time in 5 years.

Since my grandmother died long before I was born, it was nice to hear my father’s cousin speak about her “Aunt Jessie”.

I’m not complaining about any of this activity — I love the early fall and the promise of things to come and time with family. But it certainly has curtailed time in the studio. It’s a good thing that I worked a little ahead.

Several months ago I developed a little Frank N. Stein mug rug to match Count Dracula. Cindy sewed and quilted Frank. Isn’t he the original patchwork man?