What About the Amish?

I do realize I haven't talked much about the Amish here.  However, if you spent time with me daily, you'd be annoyed by my constant chatter.  Okay at least if you were in my head.  You may even go as far to say, 'Obsess Much?'  Yes, yes I do obsess.  Truth is, my fascination is growing.

Okay, so since I live no where near an Amish community, I do depend on the internet and books from my local library to fan the flame of this new found fetish.  I'm pinning on Pinterest and hearting on Etsy Amish everything.  Just to clarify, I don't want to be Amish.  I'm drawn to their simple ways that reflect a strong foundation, security, a richness in life and faith.  

I do a lot of Amish stalking.  I, like most women who get caught up in the G-rated Amish novels, who want to know more about the people and why they do the things they do?  I've read a few short novels of mystery, murder, shunning and faith building.  I loved them all!  But... this wasn't fulfilling my desire to glean from them.   How do I apply some of their simple life-style in my life? 

Honestly I struggled with this for a while.  Please, someone help me!  I want to apply my desire to be Eco-friendly, loving and caring for God's creation while spending time in it with the Creator.  I want to slow down, spend quality time with my family, resist temptaion to be hip and trendy all the time, and keep up with my wifely and motherly responsibilities?  I want to spend time making quilts for loved ones, jams, baked goods, and grow things with my own hands.  I want to have a peace that I know only comes from spending time with God.  But how?  How do I do it?  How do I slow down, and still function where I'm at?

Today I found my self caught in a pit of temptation.  I'm constantly busy outside my home or online or in a store. The more I'm out the more susceptible I am to advertisements for things I don't need.  I remember when my husband and I got married we decided not to have Cable TV.  This was mostly because we thought it wise to avoid commercials, negative news, and wasting time.  We wanted to spend time with God, each other, and create or build things.  It worked great for a few years, but then we both got our own laptops for 'research'.  Originally they had specific purpose, work.  But now its odd.  Although we are selective online it has replaced Cable TV by sneaking in advertisements and is a huge time waster!

So how to solve Lindsay's world problem?  Haha... no seriously though.  I really want to change my bad habits and move in my convictions.  I know what I want to do, but how do I start?  Where do I begin?  Well, I've found a stepping stone in my path...

Recently I was blessed to stumbled across this book called Almost Amish: One Woman's Quest for a Slower, Simpler, More Sustainable Life, by Nancy Sleeth.  

Intrigued?  I was.

I loved the title and was instantly drawn to read it.  Wow!!!  Its like she read my mail!  This is exactly what my husband and I have been talking about for years.  But here is a woman of Christian faith that I can actually relate to and who practically implements the same Amish values I so admire into her modern life as an American God Fearing Woman.  Its a must read. 

When I finish this book I'll have a practical plan of my own.  I may not go as far as Nancy Sleeth, but I'll be working towards some of my own goals and spending more time Practicing the Presence of God.  Another great read, by Brother Laurence which has hugely impacted my walk with God. 

I hope to have a good mix of Amish and quilting and cooking here in the future, but I can't make any promises what that will look like or how often I'll share.  Thanks for hanging around to read this far. 

Love,

Lindsay

Aunt Martha's Embroidery

I started my first embroidery last night. 

Its one of Aunt Martha's Iron on Transfers called, Flowers of the Month.  The transfer was easier than I thought it'd be.  I'm using a linen fabric and DMC threads.  I'll give a full listing of color #s when I'm done.  Stay tuned!

This will be for my sister, she is visiting from Oklahoma, and we are celebrating her birthday late, but together this weekend.  Can't wait to see her.  Its so perfect that purple is her favorite color and asters are violet/purple. 

By the way, I started an Aunt Marth's Embroidery Flickr Group, since surprisingly there isn't one already.  Please join the fun if you are stitching away.

Pumpkin Love

If it has the word Pumpkin on it or smell like, tastes like...I usually buy it!  Pumpkin is one of my favorite flavors!

How could I help but indulge in a few things this week.  It all started with these:

I found this sweet tutorial on Pintrest here.  I loved the idea of using velvet and doilies.  So classy and yet it interacts so well with my DS Quilt fabrics.  I totally scored on Saturday when I went to JoAnn's and they had DS fabrics for $3/yd.  Can you believe it?  I' had to get a little of everything they offered at that price. 

Are you addicted to Pintrest yet?  Come, join the fun!  If you haven't been invited yet, leave a comment and I'll send you one. 

I also purchased some super yummy Pumpkin soup from Trader Joe's.  I could basically drink it!  Its like pumpkin pie soup for the soul. 

As I was leaving Trader Joe's yesterday,  a new tea can caught my eye.  It was love at first sight!

 

Rooibos is my go to tea cause its caffeine free and well so yummy.  It doesn't help that my South African friends introduced me to it 8 years ago.  Well maybe it does help, tea is good for you, right?  But Pumpkin flavored,  Have mercy!

Work In Progress

Thought it was time to give you an update on that custom order I mentioned in my last post.  

 

I'm really enjoying working with this line of fabrics.  Probably because they are my favorite colors.  The line is called Aviary 2 and designed by Joel Dewberry.  This colorway is called Lilac.  Its no wonder these prints are so popular.  Those cute little birds, the wood grain, and the damask are all so easy to love.

Piecing has come together rather quickly.  Large pieces always do, though.  

Well the top was completed today.  So, now onto the quilting.  Hope to have this baby done next week.  I'm so thankful for the custom order.

I'm amazed at how well this picture turned out.  And I took it on my iPhone too.  If only I could take good pictures all the time.  I have a lot to learn about photo taking.  

Hope you have a good weekend!

Lindsay

Lately

This summer has been an easy one, and I've had fun with a few new projects.  Since fall has been declared, its best we recap on my end of summer sewing.

I started my first Cross Stitch pattern.  Here is my boy enjoying one of the many hot days we've had since July.

 After a two week vacation in Montana, here is it's present state:

Unfortunately my right hand now suffers a bit of an ache in it.  Needlework is a little more strenuois than I anticipated.  I must be doing something wrong.  Since I'm using a self taught method and a book, I'm sure I'm missing some good tips from a few pro Cross Stitchers out there.  Is the back supposed to be one big mess of threads?  The messy back made it very hard to get a needle through on the quilts.  

I'm not sure when I'll pick this up again.  I'm gonna stick with the machine work for a while and give my hand a rest.  It even hurts to use my computer mouse.  Ok, enough complaining, already!

On a funner note,  I also started my Churn Dash Quilt.  

These reproduction prints in purple and orange are so much fun to work with.

My blocks are all pieced, pressed, and stacked awaiting my attention.   However, they will have to wait.  They have been added to a growing pile of WIPs (works in progress).   The good news is,  this quilt is on hold for a good reason, because...well,  I've just recieved my first custom quilt order...EEEK!

I know!!!  I've been so excited...This is one of the best feelings.  When you get to do what you love and someone will pay you for it.  Remember this quilt I made for my sister?  Well I've got a customer asking for something very similar.  So all is on hold until I finish it up.  I'll share more as I work on it.  

Lindsay

Charming Chevron :: A Finished Quilt

Hi!!!  I'm back.  Well, actually I've been sewing away here, just haven't joined in blog land in a while.  Its been a nice break, but its time for some sharing...  

Here is the Charming Chevron quilt all finished up.

Its been finished for a while, but I waited to share it because I didn't want my niece to see it before I gave it to her.  Sunday was her golden birthday.  Have you ever heard of that?  Its when you turn the same age as the number of your birth-date.  In her case, she turned 23 on the 23rd.   

This quilt is just a small throw and I used 6" charms to complete it.  For the backing and binding I used the a turquoise flat sheet I had on hand and never used.  I think using flat sheets is a great way to back large quilts.  No piecing and it all one piece of cloth.  Sooo much easier.  

I created a tutorial to make this block.  You can see my tutorial here.  I opted to make all the blocks point the same direction rather than alternating them each row.  I like how it turned out.  And the recipient was in love with it.  So glad she was too!  

More sewing updates coming soon!

Lindsay

Charm-ing Chevron Tutorial

Zig Zags are so HOT right now, are they not?  I think I could go dizzy walking the aisles of Target with how much I see them.  Still, they are so fun and timeless.  Everyone needs a touch of Chevron in their home.  Even me!

Back in January I posted about going to my first Quilt Show, here.  And I picked up this lovely 6" Charm Pack of Reproduction prints with out a hint of what I would do with them.  99 prints = scrap quilt I guess, but what kind of pattern?   Then I saw the quilt pattern 40s Chevron by McCall's.  

40s Chevron by McCall's

 

I contemplated for months how to cut up the charms since they were only 6".  I knew I'd have to break a few rules.

Since I didn't have the same size fabric available for the pattern I ended up coming up with a plan of my own using what I had to make the half squared triangles.   I thoughtfully paired prints that would both compliment and contrast each other.  Its possible too much thought went into this step;-)  Running out of options, left me with a couple blocks I don't particularly like, but thats fine, its a scrap quilt, right!?!

Anyway, taking the first two blocks I layered them right sides together.  You can do this two ways.  Sew along all four outside edges, then cut from corner to corner.  And then corner to corner again.  I know this isn't the best technique in quilting.  But, again its a scrap quilt, so I said to myself, "what the hey!"  Not every block turned out super square, but I just tried to not let that bother me this time around.

Option two is to cut corner to corner first then sew your 1/4" seam along the longest edge of each triangle sandwich.  Either way you get the same result.

Next press seams open trying not to stretch the material.  Trim your dog ears, and square up the half square triangles as best you can. 

Next lay your chevron out the way you want it to appear.  Sew the top two HST together first, then the bottom two.  Press seams open for the least amount of bulk. 

Now sew the top and bottom rows together.  I pinned in this step, using the center as my guide to align the top and bottom rows.  Press seam open.  Be sure to square up, trimming off any irregularity. 

Here is my first finished block.  

Honestly, I wasn't loving the scrappy randomness of these prints at first.  The prints were a little busy for my taste, so I grabbed a few 30s Kona solids (lapis, bubblegum, canary, black, red, and turquoise) to give the eyes a bit of a rest.  It'd be too busy if not for the solids.  You'll see...

Up next I'll have my quilt top to share with you.

hugs,

lindsay