24 March 2010

Spring Has Sprung!

I know they are weeds, but I was SO excited to see little green things peaking out of the dirt.  I couldn't believe it...in March!

This wonderful place I call home is known for it's crazy weather.  Let me paint a picture...two days ago, in the space of about five hours, the sun was shining, birds were singing and the last remnants of winter were melting.  Soon we waved goodbye to the sun as it hid behind the approaching ominous cloud cover.  The wind began blowing and the rains came sprinkling down.  Before long, as if in perfect harmony, the rain was driven out by a fierce onslaught of hail and roaring thunder which laid siege on all below.   It looked as if the hail was intent on penetrating the earth, hoping to weaken its defenses.  Almost as if the ground put up a shield and began to defend itself, the hail fell helpless into a benign layer of white.  This war only lasted a few minutes.  It was soon taken over by the healing powers of the quiet and peaceful snow as it fell dreamily to the ground where it stayed under the protection of the clouds for the remainder of the day.

15 March 2010

Basic Pinwheel Tutorial

It is no secret, I LOVE pinwheel quilts.  I made one for my baby, but have it hanging on his bedroom wall because I don't want it to get ruined.  I know, not very nice of me, but he doesn't know the difference.  I recently made another and wanted to share a "How To Make A Pinwheel" tutorial.  These are instructions for a basic pinwheel.


What you'll need...
2- 5" squares of the same print
2- 5" squares neutral fabric
sewing supplies


How you'll make it...
1.  Using a fabric pen or chalk, draw a line diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of both neutral squares, as shown below.



2.  Place a neutral square and a printed square right-sides-together.  Sew 1/4" along each side of the line as shown below.



3.  Cut along pen line.  Press seams toward the dark side.



4.  Cut off the nubs.  Sew two together to make half a pinwheel.  Press seam open to reduce bulk.

  

5.  Then sew both halves together as shown below.  Press seam open to reduce bulk.  



5.  Trim your pinwheel.  I like the final size of my pinwheels to be 8" square, so I trim them down to 8 1/2" square. 


Here is the final product.  LOVE IT!




(ignore the shadow)

Not much...

to report on.  We have been sick around these parts lately.   Sick big brother, sick babies and I think I am getting a little sick now.

Mr. Knickers had a nose job a couple weeks ago.  Not really.  It was a whole bunch of fancy worded procedures that basically translate into helping reduce sinus infections, sleep apnea and snoring (crossing my fingers on that one).  Hope it worked!

Until next time...