Saturday, April 28, 2012
I am from Kansas and LOVE sunflowers. The sunflower is the Kansas state flower and is big, bold, sunny and bright. Recently, I saw a picture in a magazine of a yellow sunflower covering a big square yellow pillow. I fell in love with it. My bedroom is blue, white and yellow and I wanted my sunflower pillow to coordinate with my colors. This is what I came up with:
You will need: 1 yard pillow fabic, yellow fabric for petals (about 1/2 yard), thread to match and contrasting thread, binding if desired, a small square of interfacing, polyfill fiber filling and one large brown button.
I wanted a round pillow but you can make yours in any shape.
I cut two 16 inch (in diameter) circles from a piece of leftover blue/white/yellow upholstery fabric.
Digging through my box of trims, I found a cute navy blue and white striped binding and thought it would add some whimsy. (See picture B)
Pin binding to the right side of one of the round fabric pieces as shown in picture. Baste with a contrasting color of thread (to make it easier to see) and remove pins. Sew over the basting thread with sewing machine, taking care to neatly meet the pieces of binding together (as in Picture C.) Remove basting thread.
Add second circle on top of first circle, right sides together. Pin and baste with contrasting color of thread. Remove pins. Sew with sewing machine, leaving a 3 inch opening for turning. Since my pillow is round, I cut slashes all around the raw edge, every 1/2 inch, being careful not to cut through the stitches. Turn right side out. Iron if necessary and set aside.
You will need: 1 yard pillow fabic, yellow fabric for petals (about 1/2 yard), thread to match and contrasting thread, binding if desired, a small square of interfacing, polyfill fiber filling and one large brown button.
I wanted a round pillow but you can make yours in any shape.
I cut two 16 inch (in diameter) circles from a piece of leftover blue/white/yellow upholstery fabric.
Digging through my box of trims, I found a cute navy blue and white striped binding and thought it would add some whimsy. (See picture B)
Pin binding to the right side of one of the round fabric pieces as shown in picture. Baste with a contrasting color of thread (to make it easier to see) and remove pins. Sew over the basting thread with sewing machine, taking care to neatly meet the pieces of binding together (as in Picture C.) Remove basting thread.
Add second circle on top of first circle, right sides together. Pin and baste with contrasting color of thread. Remove pins. Sew with sewing machine, leaving a 3 inch opening for turning. Since my pillow is round, I cut slashes all around the raw edge, every 1/2 inch, being careful not to cut through the stitches. Turn right side out. Iron if necessary and set aside.
How To Make The Sunflower
Make a freehand paper pattern for a large petal. Mine is 2+3/4 inches wide and 4+3/4 inches long, including a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.
Make another paper pattern for the smaller petal. Mine measures 2+1/2 inches wide by 3+1/4 inches long and includes a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (See picture A.) Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.
You will need at least eight petals of each size.
With right sides together, machine stitch down the long side of petal to the point, turn and stitch down the other side, leaving the straight end open. When all the petals are sewn, trim off tip of point and cut little slashes around curved seam. Turn right side out and iron flat. #Hint: I use a bone paper folder with a point to poke into the tip of petal to make the tip as pointed as possible. Hand stitch the opening closed.
When all 16 petals are finished, place a 3-4 inch piece of interfacing on a hard surface. Place the 8 large petals on the interfacing in a circle, overlapping edges. Pin in place when the petals are evenly spaces.
Then, place the 8 smaller petals on top of the larger petals in a circle and pin. The center opening will be about 1+1/2 inches in diameter.
Stitch down the petals in the center of the interfacing with small hidden stitches, using yellow thread to match the yellow petals.
Trim the edges of the interfacing leaving about a half inch or so around stitches.
Make another paper pattern for the smaller petal. Mine measures 2+1/2 inches wide by 3+1/4 inches long and includes a 1/4 inch seam allowance. (See picture A.) Cut 16 petals from yellow fabric.
You will need at least eight petals of each size.
With right sides together, machine stitch down the long side of petal to the point, turn and stitch down the other side, leaving the straight end open. When all the petals are sewn, trim off tip of point and cut little slashes around curved seam. Turn right side out and iron flat. #Hint: I use a bone paper folder with a point to poke into the tip of petal to make the tip as pointed as possible. Hand stitch the opening closed.
When all 16 petals are finished, place a 3-4 inch piece of interfacing on a hard surface. Place the 8 large petals on the interfacing in a circle, overlapping edges. Pin in place when the petals are evenly spaces.
Then, place the 8 smaller petals on top of the larger petals in a circle and pin. The center opening will be about 1+1/2 inches in diameter.
Stitch down the petals in the center of the interfacing with small hidden stitches, using yellow thread to match the yellow petals.
Trim the edges of the interfacing leaving about a half inch or so around stitches.
How To Finish The Pillow
Place the sunflower in the center of the pillow top and tack with small stitches, keeping one hand between the two pieces of fabric to separate the two layers.
Sew a large brown button in the center of sunflower. (I used a 2 + 1/2 inch old Bakelite button.)
Stuff pillow with fiberfill, stuffing around the edges first, then the center. Stitch opening closed with a running stitch.
There you have it- a bright, cute, sunny sunflower pillow!
Sew a large brown button in the center of sunflower. (I used a 2 + 1/2 inch old Bakelite button.)
Stuff pillow with fiberfill, stuffing around the edges first, then the center. Stitch opening closed with a running stitch.
There you have it- a bright, cute, sunny sunflower pillow!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Can You Say "Treasure?"
Andy and I had nothing better to do this afternoon so we decided to take a drive on the four-wheeler. We checked our cows, made sure the automatic water-feeders were working, took some pictures and had fun racing down the roads and through the pastures. What a beautiful day! No wind, for a change. Not a cloud in the sky. Cool but not cold. The perfect day for a treasure hunt.
There is the foundation of an old tobacco barn on the property. The wooden walls either decayed or burned down long ago but you can still see the rock foundation and where the fire box once stood. We have talked about looking for old coins or bottles long buried but never have taken the time. What fun!
Well, a half hour into the "dig" I fell down and bloodied one knee, bruised the other, pulled a muscle in my back and was not in a very good mood any more. Andy was intent on finding something and we did! We filled up his empty beer can with a handful of old rusty nails. The big metal detector would buzz and beep telling us where to dig and how deep. My smaller detector would whine and yell and then I would find the prize- a nail! I broke a fingernail and thought I saw a snake. Turned out to be a root from a tree- but still!
Well, no buried treasure or even an old snuff can. Nothing. Zilch. What a waste of time.
On the way back to the barn, however, we found our treasure. A new baby calf, no more then 3 days old. I got so close I could have touched her. Mama didn't seem upset and baby was happy to pose.
Some days bring us little miracles. In this season of blooms and buds, warm spring breezes and the promise of new birth, I guess bruised knees and a broken fingernail is not such a big deal.
There is the foundation of an old tobacco barn on the property. The wooden walls either decayed or burned down long ago but you can still see the rock foundation and where the fire box once stood. We have talked about looking for old coins or bottles long buried but never have taken the time. What fun!
Well, a half hour into the "dig" I fell down and bloodied one knee, bruised the other, pulled a muscle in my back and was not in a very good mood any more. Andy was intent on finding something and we did! We filled up his empty beer can with a handful of old rusty nails. The big metal detector would buzz and beep telling us where to dig and how deep. My smaller detector would whine and yell and then I would find the prize- a nail! I broke a fingernail and thought I saw a snake. Turned out to be a root from a tree- but still!
Well, no buried treasure or even an old snuff can. Nothing. Zilch. What a waste of time.
On the way back to the barn, however, we found our treasure. A new baby calf, no more then 3 days old. I got so close I could have touched her. Mama didn't seem upset and baby was happy to pose.
New Treasures At The Cellar Chest
I try to drop in The Cellar Chest consignment/antique shop every couple of weeks. The other day, I took a few items, including several bolts of lovely designer ribbon, to put on consignment. The shop has a little of everything and there is a spot in the sunroom where you can find upholstery fabric and beautiful trim. I found some wonderful old Bakelite buttons on a recent trip.
Looking around, I noticed that the old cart from a factory in North Carolina had been sold. I really didn't have a spot for it in my house but I loved that rustic old cart. Darn it! Missed bargain. Oh well, there are many more treasures to be found. Lots of great furniture, antiques, glassware, dishes, art, collectibles and much, much more.
I spied the most wonderful outdoor chairs. Tania, the manager, told me that the six of them were from the Robert Redford Sundance Catalog. The picture above does not do them justice. They are all a rusty brown color iron. The steer skull in the center is a silver, almost pewter color. We couldn't figure out what the metal is. I am really thinking about these chairs. They are great. I can picture them with fat leather or cool western fabric cushions. I could even put two of them in my living room which is modern with a Western accessories.
If you haven't been to The Cellar Chest yet, it is a fun shopping experience. The address is: 6620 A.L. Philpott Hwy. (which is Hwy 59 just outside of Martinsville, Va) Phone: 276-632-2225.
Looking around, I noticed that the old cart from a factory in North Carolina had been sold. I really didn't have a spot for it in my house but I loved that rustic old cart. Darn it! Missed bargain. Oh well, there are many more treasures to be found. Lots of great furniture, antiques, glassware, dishes, art, collectibles and much, much more.
I spied the most wonderful outdoor chairs. Tania, the manager, told me that the six of them were from the Robert Redford Sundance Catalog. The picture above does not do them justice. They are all a rusty brown color iron. The steer skull in the center is a silver, almost pewter color. We couldn't figure out what the metal is. I am really thinking about these chairs. They are great. I can picture them with fat leather or cool western fabric cushions. I could even put two of them in my living room which is modern with a Western accessories.
If you haven't been to The Cellar Chest yet, it is a fun shopping experience. The address is: 6620 A.L. Philpott Hwy. (which is Hwy 59 just outside of Martinsville, Va) Phone: 276-632-2225.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Spring Must Be Here!
Spring arrived a couple of months early this year but we welcome it anyway. The Bradford Pear trees blossomed weeks ago, The daffodils bloomed and so have the tulips in my yard. Our cherry tree's white flowers hold the promise of a big crop of tart cherries and the peach tree is showing the new buds which will become juicy peaches this summer. WE HOPE.
This is the first day of April and we are not yet safe from a hard freeze. It could happen and our crops would fail. Simple as that. I do have lots of hope that Mother Nature will cooperate and my canning equipment will get a good workout putting up lots of fruit preserves. Cross my fingers and toes!
Virginia is glorious in the spring. The pink and white Dogwood trees dot the landscape and Azaleas in bright corals, pink and white are in almost every yard in every neighborhood. Forsythia's graceful yellow stems sway in the warm breeze. Pansies turn pretty little faces to the sun.
Our cows will calf soon and babies will be running, exploring and doing what all babies do: drink milk, sleep and get into mischief. Mama will moo and, hopefully, baby will mind her.
I hope spring is here to stay. Virginia is at her best in springtime.
This is the first day of April and we are not yet safe from a hard freeze. It could happen and our crops would fail. Simple as that. I do have lots of hope that Mother Nature will cooperate and my canning equipment will get a good workout putting up lots of fruit preserves. Cross my fingers and toes!
Virginia is glorious in the spring. The pink and white Dogwood trees dot the landscape and Azaleas in bright corals, pink and white are in almost every yard in every neighborhood. Forsythia's graceful yellow stems sway in the warm breeze. Pansies turn pretty little faces to the sun.
Our cows will calf soon and babies will be running, exploring and doing what all babies do: drink milk, sleep and get into mischief. Mama will moo and, hopefully, baby will mind her.
I hope spring is here to stay. Virginia is at her best in springtime.
My "Girl's" Weekend
Sometimes I just need a couple of days away from hubby and home. Not that I don't love them, but I just NEED some space to think and BE. If I can pair that up with girlfriends, shopping and visiting my kids- all the better.
Friday when the alarm clock sounded its obnoxious buzz, I hurried with shower and cosmetics, grabbed a piece of toast and a thermos of coffee and jumped in my car. Driving to Winston-Salem was a rare opportunity to listen to Norah Jones, the sound track from The Big Chill and even a little Micheal Buble, although as I have probably reported in an earlier post, listening to Micheal is a little bittersweet. He reminds me of a couple of lost loves. Oh well, I can now sing along (no one can hear my off-key voice) and I hardly ever think of those guys. Losers! :-)
After a visit to my son and daughter-in-law, I headed to Bleu. Bleu is one of my favorite Winston restaurants. Even a simple but good salad is better with the little square bites of bread they serve with cinnamon butter.
On to Macys for a little shopping. Got lucky with a good fitting pair of summer crop pants. On to Home Goods (note cards) then to World Market for Chinese oil and sesame salad dressing and polenta. Killing time now- stopped at Barnes and Noble to look at books and enjoy a cup of coffee.
I drove to Asheboro to meet my friend, Helen after her work day. She is a wonderful cook and prepared a "delish" meal of sauteed tilapia and spinach with onions and garlic. Dessert was so simple but tasty and only 1 or 2 points on the Weight Watchers plan.
Helen's Crustless Apple Pie:
Cut up an apple (for one serving) in small pieces, add 15 red hot candies and microwave a few minutes. Stir and microwave until apples are soft- only a few more minutes. Cool and add whipped cream. We used the kind in the can and believe it or not- there are zero points (on Weight Watchers) in 2 T. of whipped cream! What a deal. Does that mean you can squirt a whole bunch of it in your mouth for zero points? Hum? Somehow I doubt it.
We went on a little errand to pick up wine Helen had ordered at the local wine shop and had a glass while there. It is a friendly sort of neighborhood gathering place. On the way to the car, we heard music and found a troupe of Mexican dancers in costume rehearsing for a performance. We got a free show! What fun.
The next day we drove to Charlotte to meet a friend (actually she was our boss from nearly 20 years ago.) We all worked at a wonderful store in Greensboro called "Pot Pourrii Press The Company Store." I was the floral designer, Helen was office manager and Susan the president of the company. We had not been all together for all those years.
We were to meet her at IKEA in Charlotte but first we had to get there. It was raining, there was construction and hundreds of cars were going to the Charlotte Speedway to a special welcome home for American Vets. As we slowed to a crawl through miles of road construction, we were thrilled to see hundreds of veterans on motorcycles (going the other direction) with American flags waving and escorted by flashing police lights. There were miles of motorcyclists. It was something to see.
The drizzle let up and we past the construction arriving at IKEA only 10 minutes late. Met up with Susan, grabbed a shopping cart and walked, and walked and walked some more. IKEA is huge. It also has everything anyone would ever want to decorate a house, apartment, beach house or dorm room. It is amazing.
The cafe at IKEA is great too. I had panini with mozzarella cheese and roasted red pepper. Susan had a Caesar salad and Helen tried the smoked salmon and potato/broccoli/cheese cakes. So good. They serve good ol' Swedish meatballs by the way.
Very nice weekend with lots of fun people. I am so blessed to have great friends and family. I also love my little mini-vacations. And it is so nice to come home again to home and hubby.
Friday when the alarm clock sounded its obnoxious buzz, I hurried with shower and cosmetics, grabbed a piece of toast and a thermos of coffee and jumped in my car. Driving to Winston-Salem was a rare opportunity to listen to Norah Jones, the sound track from The Big Chill and even a little Micheal Buble, although as I have probably reported in an earlier post, listening to Micheal is a little bittersweet. He reminds me of a couple of lost loves. Oh well, I can now sing along (no one can hear my off-key voice) and I hardly ever think of those guys. Losers! :-)
After a visit to my son and daughter-in-law, I headed to Bleu. Bleu is one of my favorite Winston restaurants. Even a simple but good salad is better with the little square bites of bread they serve with cinnamon butter.
On to Macys for a little shopping. Got lucky with a good fitting pair of summer crop pants. On to Home Goods (note cards) then to World Market for Chinese oil and sesame salad dressing and polenta. Killing time now- stopped at Barnes and Noble to look at books and enjoy a cup of coffee.
I drove to Asheboro to meet my friend, Helen after her work day. She is a wonderful cook and prepared a "delish" meal of sauteed tilapia and spinach with onions and garlic. Dessert was so simple but tasty and only 1 or 2 points on the Weight Watchers plan.
Helen's Crustless Apple Pie:
Cut up an apple (for one serving) in small pieces, add 15 red hot candies and microwave a few minutes. Stir and microwave until apples are soft- only a few more minutes. Cool and add whipped cream. We used the kind in the can and believe it or not- there are zero points (on Weight Watchers) in 2 T. of whipped cream! What a deal. Does that mean you can squirt a whole bunch of it in your mouth for zero points? Hum? Somehow I doubt it.
We went on a little errand to pick up wine Helen had ordered at the local wine shop and had a glass while there. It is a friendly sort of neighborhood gathering place. On the way to the car, we heard music and found a troupe of Mexican dancers in costume rehearsing for a performance. We got a free show! What fun.
The next day we drove to Charlotte to meet a friend (actually she was our boss from nearly 20 years ago.) We all worked at a wonderful store in Greensboro called "Pot Pourrii Press The Company Store." I was the floral designer, Helen was office manager and Susan the president of the company. We had not been all together for all those years.
We were to meet her at IKEA in Charlotte but first we had to get there. It was raining, there was construction and hundreds of cars were going to the Charlotte Speedway to a special welcome home for American Vets. As we slowed to a crawl through miles of road construction, we were thrilled to see hundreds of veterans on motorcycles (going the other direction) with American flags waving and escorted by flashing police lights. There were miles of motorcyclists. It was something to see.
The drizzle let up and we past the construction arriving at IKEA only 10 minutes late. Met up with Susan, grabbed a shopping cart and walked, and walked and walked some more. IKEA is huge. It also has everything anyone would ever want to decorate a house, apartment, beach house or dorm room. It is amazing.
The cafe at IKEA is great too. I had panini with mozzarella cheese and roasted red pepper. Susan had a Caesar salad and Helen tried the smoked salmon and potato/broccoli/cheese cakes. So good. They serve good ol' Swedish meatballs by the way.
Very nice weekend with lots of fun people. I am so blessed to have great friends and family. I also love my little mini-vacations. And it is so nice to come home again to home and hubby.
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