summer delights, summer fresh recipe

Summer continues to bestow us with fresh delights for our table.
It's sweet corn season in Wisconsin and we are making frequent trips to our favorite farm so we can enjoy it while we can. It is absolutely heavenly!

They also had a fun variety of colorful cauliflower...I didn't know it was available in purple now.
How fun!

 and then there are the luscious tomatoes on sale.....

My sister-in-law, Lisa, shared some of her summer squash with us and we found a great recipe for a cold summer salad.

Here's the recipe:

2 cups julienned zucchini
2 cups julienned yellow summer squash
1 cups thinly sliced radishes
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
3/4 tsp. dill weed
3/4 tsp. slat
1/4 tsp. pepper

Yield 6-8 servings
In a large bowl toss together the veggies. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well. Pour over veggies and toss to coat. Cover and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
I found this in the Aug/Sept. issue of "Our Wisconsin" magazine. It's tasty and refreshing.

I actually found some remnants of one of my favorite veggie fabrics in my stash and used it up to make some veggie hot pads for the kitchen. I should have purchased more of this fabric.....drat.

I hope you are enjoying the waning days of summer. Soon, a new season will be stepping in.
After living in Florida for 40 years, we are enjoying the change of seasons. Even if it means one of them contains snow.
Though Florida has seasons, they are less distinct. One of the Florida seasons involves lots of tourists, and the other consists of lots of rain, heat and storms.

I am loving the multitude of wildflowers that grace the Wisconsin countryside and all the beautiful annuals and perennials in the garden.
The black-eyed Susan's are bursting in blossom right now. So pretty.
Try to take some time to go out and enjoy the end of summer and all it's delights. 
Plan your stitching projects for nighttime, and the cold that will be settling in eventually.

modern table runner PDF pattern - a new felted wool technique with pattern

Greetings fellow stitchaholics,

Here at last is the project I promised you.
It uses a new technique I developed for projects using woolfelt and felted wool.

I call it a making a "Wool Smoothie" The (almost) free pattern is a modern table runner pattern and you can find the link for the download below.

If you work with woolfelt or felted wool, you know that the seams can be quite bulky due to the thickness of the material. While that is not always an issue, it can be at times. 
Now there is a fun and easy way around that. 

By using my Whisperlite tracer/foundation as an ultra lightweight base you can "seam" the wool without the bulk. Whisperlite is NOT a fusible product. Ask your local quilt shop if they have it. If not, you can order it with this link, or this link. It's 42" wide and is sold by the yard. You'll love it.

This (almost) free pattern is for a modern table runner and you can go here to download the PDF pattern.

 

Here are the basics of the Wool Smoothie™ technique.

Cut a piece of Whisperlite 1" larger than the finished project size.
With a #2 pencil, draw a line 1/2" from the edge on all four sides.

Tape the Whisperlite to a flat work surface. * A cutting mat, or cardboard is great. If using a table with a finished surface protect it with cardboard first.

Cut the wool pieces as called for in the pattern.
Using quilter's basting spray (DO NOT use spray adhesive) and working in a well ventilated area with newspaper protecting your work surface, spray one side of the wool piece.

Place the spray basted wool pieces onto the Whisperlite foundation as directed in the pattern instructions. Hand press in place. Add several pieces at a time and make sure they are tight up against each other with no spacing inbetween. Make sure you have it lined up properly.

After applying about 1/3 of the pieces allow to dry about 10-15 minutes.
Now either by hand, or machine, stitch along the seams with decorative stitches, such as a fly stitch, a ladder stitch, or any bridging stitch that jumps back and forth between the two pieces. If you are stitching by hand the whisperlite is super easy to stitch through. Of course it's no problem by machine either. The Whisperlite stabilizes the seamless seams without adding bulk or stiffness.  How great is that!

Continue adding pieces and stitching them in place. TA-DA.... Now you have a nice flat, smooth woolfelt table runner, or placemat, or candle mat, etc. because you don't have lumpy, bumpy seams.


The Wool Smoothie™ technique is also great for crazy quilting, and for making miniature wool quilts too.
In fact, I'll be sharing more free projects using this technique soon.
I hope you have fun making your Wool Smoothie™ modern table runner.

Stitch on....stay happy
Linda

Felted wool vs Woolfelt® vs wool felt - what's the difference?

Oh gosh, life can sure get crazy. Last post I promised to show you a new technique, and I will share it with you very soon. I will also share a free project.

First, I thought it might be best to explain some basics about the difference between felted wool, wool felt, and Woolfelt®.  They are all very popular for making stitched projects such as mug rugs, penny rugs, table runners and all manner of cute pincushions, dolls, and adorable stuffed toys, etc.

Of course it all begins with these fuzzy sheep.....that's where wool comes from.

So, what's the difference between felted wool and woolfelt?

Felted wool is created by taking a wool fabric item such as wool yardage, a wool blanket, a wool suit, or wool skirt, and transforming it, by "felting" it. The felting process makes the wool dense, similar to felt.
The wool to be felted, must be at least 80% wool, and should not be worsted wool. Worsted wool is designed not to felt.
Once the wool is "felted" the fabric will not fray hardly at all along the edges. You may get a thread end that peeks out here and there, but only a tiny bit. It does vary with how well it was felted, and the quality of wool used. Here, you can still slightly see the weave of the fabric of these felted wool samples.

Felted wool samples

Using felted wool allows you to create raw edge appliqués. The appliques are finished with embroidery stitches such as the blanket stitch, stem stitch, feather stitch etc. The applique sample below is finished with blanket stitches.

felted wool applique

There are many fine purveyors of felted wool, so you don't have to do the felting process yourself.
Personally, I would rather shop for felted wool, than felt it myself.
Here are a few sites to help get your collection started !

Bird Brain Designs
The Woolery
Moondance Color
Week's Dye Works

Now, what about Woolfelt® or, wool felt?
Felt, regardless of fiber content, is made by pressing fibers together using a combination of pressure, moisture and heat to create a bonded felt textile. It is a not a woven fabric like felted wool is.

Woolfelt® is a brand of felt made by National Nonwovens. They make a large variety of dreamy felt with several options of fiber content. They offer 100% Woolfelt, along with blended felts containing wool, rayon, and even bamboo.
*Note.....
Full disclosure......I am a pattern partner of National Nonwovens and receive product samples from them to design with. That said, I do love their products. They have a large range of luscious colors and I love the consistent quality of their Woolfelt®. It's a real delight to work with with.

Wool felt  (not the brand) is any felt made with wool content.

Here is a closeup of Woolfelt®, you can see there is no woven characteristic to the felt and there are no stray threads along the raw edges seen at the right side of this picture below.
You can achieve a felted wool "puffy" appearance with Woolfelt® by washing it in hot water and drying it in a hot dryer. It will shrink and get a more dimensional (puffy) texture. You can also just use it as is, for a smoother, flat, felt texture.

Woolfelt® sample

 I enjoy working with both Woolfelt®, and felted wool. The texture is wonderful, the colors are divine, and it showcases hand embroidery stitches and decorative machine stitching, beautifully.

Woolfelt®

If you haven't made a project using wool, give it a try. It's very enjoyable to work with.
I have several patterns available that use wool. Jump over to my Etsy site and take a peek.

Next post will have a new technique and project for you......no really. 

Keep stitching.....

Barn quilts...

Hi.... things have been very hectic around here.
My hubby and I just finishing up a remodel on my parents bathroom. We put in a walk-in, tile shower and oh boy, do I need a manicure!

this quilter needs a manicure!

I think I'd rather deal with that than what Jeff is going through. He had hand surgery the day after we finished the tile. Now he's in recuperation mode.

At last Spring is finally springing here. We are enjoying watching the trees bud out and the early wildflowers popping up out of the now thawed soil. 

The birds are busy building their nests and I think I can put away our snow boots.
Hard to believe it's been a year since we made the big move!
took a short road trip to Sturgeon Bay and saw a few great barn quilts.

Wisconsin Barn Quilt

Wisconsin Barn quilt

Wisconsin Barn Quilt

There is a barn quilt trail map for Wisconsin, though I doubt we'll see them all, there are so many wonderful ones we have seen so far. My hubby is now trained to pull over for barn quilts, along with quilt shops of course.


We did fabulous at our booth at the Winter Quilt Show, everyone loved my demo's for using my Whisperlite tracer/foundation. 
On that note, I will be sharing a new technique with you next week. I call it Wool Smoothies.
By using Whisperlite with woolfelt or felted wool you can create pieced wool projects without the lumps and bumps.
But right now I have to go make supper for everyone.
Apricot chicken is on tap for tonight.....yummm.

Need a good dose of quilting?

If you are running low on quilt related inspiration and you're in the great state of Wisconsin.....
Save the date February 27th and take in the Winter Quilt Show .

It's been a while since I have set up as a vendor at a quilt show. In fact I think the last one was Quilt Market in Houston some years back.
My BFF Karen usually came along to shows as my helper, and I'll miss having her here at this show.
We always had so much fun, and even though it's a lot of work, it's worth it.
I'll be doing a lecture/ demo about my Whisperlite material and all of its uses, including some great stash busting string quilt ideas.

My friend Jessie's string quilt

My dear sister-in- law, Lisa has kindly agreed to be my helper this year, along with my dear husband.
I'm excited to be participating, and getting to know more quilters here in Wisconsin after being away so long.
So, show up if you can, on Saturday the 27th, and immerse yourself in all things quilty. I'm sure there will be lots and lots of lovely quilts to see, and plenty of great vendors to shop.
I know I am always creatively invigorated after a good quilt show. Hope to see you there, or if you're not in the area, I hope there is a quilt show somewhere near to you, for you to enjoy.
Get inspired and quilt!

Karen and I at Quilt Market Houston

Throw Back Thursday

I'm sharing a Throw Back Thursday stitchery. I made this hand embroidered table runner sometime in the '80's.
Wow, I had all but forgotten that I made this piece for my mom.
She pulled it out the linen closet this Thanksgiving to put on the credenza in the dining room.
I was very touched she still had it, let alone, liked it enough to keep it.

I obviously had some time on my hands. I designed the piece, and I should have counted the number of French knots. see green rings) What was I thinking? I was disappointed that it got so wrinkly in the center, of course, I've gotten more wrinkly too. LOL
I must have hooped it wrong. Oh well, I'm not about to do it over.

French Knot frenzy

I must say though, that I got pretty good at French knots by the time I was done.

 I've always enjoyed hand embroidery, and besides this piece I have done pillowcases, redwork quilts,
Crazy quilts, and of course stitching on felted wool and woolfelt in many forms.
Below is my Berry Cherry pattern.....more French knots!

I really enjoy blanket stitching by hand too, but it is also nice that a lot of sewing machines have blanket stitching as a choice.  I know not everyone enjoys hand stitching.
Question......Do you enjoy doing hand embroidery? Have you checked out Sue Spargo's work? It is wonderful. I love her designs and the great variety of stitches she uses.
Did you just start doing hand embroidery, or, have you been hand embroidering for a long time?
What's your favorite stitch?

May your threads stay untangled,
Linda

Berry Cherry Penny Rug

A new spool of thread...

You know when a spool of thread jumps off your sewing machine, or jumps of of your hand when threading a needle, and how it goes scurrying across the floor?

my spool of thread

 You figure it can't have gone very far. You look around, but it's not within view. Now you end up having to follow the trail of thread, to find out where in the world that spool ended up. If you have a wood or tile floor, it can travel pretty far. If it's a new spool and has momentum who knows where it may end up.

Well, that's been my life this past year or so.....chasing that new spool of thread and its led us miles away, back to my hometown.

the moving truck

Yes, big changes for my hubby and me. Long story short, We have lived in S. Florida for the past 40 years and then made the decision to sell our home, pack up, and head back to be near our families in the great frozen tundra a.k.a. The state of Wisconsin. Say What! yes, everyone is telling us we're doing it backwards. we are supposed to be going to Florida not leaving it.
Well, somethings are more important than weather........ Like family. That's why we made the big move.

Anyway.....needless to say I didn't have the time, nor the energy to blog while getting our house ready to go on the market, then the packing......no I didn't  have much fabric to pack HA - HA - HA

That's when your hubby realizes just how much fabric you have.

no....this isn't all fabric.....my fabric went in special bins!

My local guild benefited from my de-stashing, which put a small dent in my stash. 

On the flip side, he has quite the tool stash.

It is wonderful being near our families again, and even though we sorely miss our many dear friends in Florida, (weepy eyes) we know we made the right decision to move back to be with parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles etc. and friends from years past. (happy dance)

Great niece's 1st birthday cake experience.

My husbands dear sweet sister was quite ill, and we were able to be here for her, and spend a precious 7 months with her before she passed away just before Christmas. Those precious months with her are ones we'll never regret having. 

My loving parents are now getting up in years, and we also want to be here for them, as they need more help in their daily lives. We also have a lot of catching up to do.
Family is the thread that weaves our lives together, and following my new spool of thread led us back to them. From my sewing room floor in Florida, uphill, 1500 miles to Wisconsin.
Can you say BRRRRRRR?

afternoon drive in Wisconsin

I'm glad we followed the thread, now time to get stitching, after all, it looks like tomorrow is going to be a snow day.

See you back here soon with more quilt and life adventures.