Coffee Filters

I want to avoid the use of paper coffee filters. My family and I are trying to eliminate all plastics used in storing or preparing our food.  According to social media, tea bags may contain some toxic glues, so maybe some coffee filters do too???  I sewed up a few filters using cotton fabric.  I am not sure if I should put the print on the inside or outside when I place the filter into the stainless steel filter.  Maybe I should line them.

The reason I am using filters is due to changes in our way of making coffee.  We heat water and pour over ground coffee as it sits on top of my cup.  Coffee makers and coffee pods contain plastic.

Thank you for viewing!

Dawnie

Potato Chip Blicks and Re-purposing Old Embrodery

 This week I have worked on fabric scraps and cut squares for a potato chip quilt.  These squares are 2 X3.5 inches in size.  I made 3 potatoc chip quilts in the past.  In those quilts I used a l used a larger rectangle piece of 2.5 X 4.5 inches in size.

I am trying to repurpose old linnen and cotton embrodery.  I purchased many pieces of dresser scarves, table toppers, and  doilies at an auction.  Not all pieces add are in prestine condition.  I look for smaller flowers since the center square is only 3.5 inches.  This square replaces the 2 center squares in a potato chip block.

Here are a few of my squares.  My only issue, so far, is that the vintage pieces tend to wrinkle.  I probably need to try an iron on backing for the squares.  I am trying to use all cotton, wool, silk, and linen in all my work.  I want to eliminate all plastic and man-made fibers from my bedding, so no polyester and nylon.

What do you think?

I also made a crumb square and added the red tulip center piece.  When I see that piece it makes me happy! This is a 10 inch piece. I will eventually make 20+ squares for a quilt. 

I hope you have been well!  Take care of yourself and create what you ❤️ for you.and your health!

Dawnie

This Week in Wichita

I hope you all had a great week.  I hade a very productive week.  This week I made a quilt top, a jar carrier, and two pot holders.  I am also sorting through my scrap stash which includes 1/2 yard or less fabric.  This size does not wrap around my comic boards for sorting fabrics.  I do cut strips and squares from new stash so I have more variety.  Scrappy quilts are not always made by me with scraps only.  I do use some of my stash, but I seldom buy new fabric, unless it is for the back of the quilt.  I need to iron my quilt top and drop it off at the long arm quilters.  (The Master's Quilt Shop in Downs, Kansas) 

Have you noticd that Melissa Gilbert from Little House on the Prarie has an on-line store that sells home goods and clothing.  I saw a jar carrier on that site.  I have a pattern like this for a casseroe carrier made the same way.  I don't know where it is, but I will eventually find it.  In the mean time, I made one and it turned out fine.  I may want to increase the square by another inch.  I made some apple butter and other goodies around Christmas.  It would be handy to carry a jar to someone for safe passage.  It would make a great gift, but many people do not can or place goodies in jars.  

Thank you for viewing!

Dawnie

The top is acyually here on the left.  

I had a little help with the display.  This pattern is Brick Roads.

This is the backs of the new potholders.  Don't you love this fabric!  Since these are vintage potholders depicted on the fabric, I felt the need to make potholders.

I like the freedom in crumb quilting.

This is the jar carrier.  I have a pint jar in it.  It is reversible.  I crumb quilted the exterior of this also.

Valentine's Day

It is almost Valentine's Dayl.  I haven't made any crafts for the holiday until today.  I normally do very little.  I put out a couple of heart pillows or placemats.  Recently, I saw a video where a lady made pin cushions or little pillows in heart shapes.  They were very easily made with sewing on the right side and no turning after stuffing it.  I used fabric and thread scraps for stuffing.  She used 3 layers of fabric.  I used 4 layers of fabric.  They are reversible.  Here are pictures.  I added netting on one of them.  It really didn't show up.  I also used a sponge made to remove threads off your clothes and quilts for fraying the edges.  

Thanks for viewing!

Dawnie

 

What is new with you?

 

I canned coleslaw.  It can be eaten just out of the jar, or drained and mayonnaise added.  

English paper piecing.  After making a hexagon for front and back, I blanket stitched around the outer edge.  I used the blanket stitch for crocheting a lace edging.  

Knots Quilt

I finished a small quilt top.  The quilt pattern name is knots.  I watched a a YouTube video from Brenda at Conquering Mount Scrapmore for the pattern.  I used my stash fabric for everything except the border.  The border fabric I purchased from The Sew yeah Brothers.  The design has children doing chores and playing, along with chickens.  This will be perfect for my younger grandchild.  I have a another quilt  made for her sister. I will be quilting this by tying. The border and backing will be the same fabric.  I would love for them to put back the quilts and use them for a child they may have.  The last time I gave them a quilt, I told them to save them for their children. I basically got the comment of screw them, I am using it now.  😂  I think she really liked it.

I hope you have a great day!  Cool weather is coming!!!  It is still canning season.  Preserve some good eats for later.  🍒🍅🍉🍓🍑Dawnie

Life

When you spend a lot of time out of town and you come home, you get hugs and "I missed you," from the grandkids.  Adult kids on the other hand tell me that we are out of laundry soap.  Of course, a few days before my trip back, the refrigerator went out.  This time, it was the compressor.  My dog missed me too.  

Do you remember how to turn baking soda into washing soda?  We are out of washing soda and I need it to make laundry soap (laundry butter, laundry cream, laundry whip...).   I will spread baking soda thinly onto a baking sheet and heat for about an hour at 400 degrees.  I understand that washing soda is much better to clean with than baking soda.  One reason is due to the PH level being higher.  Even if you are not a soap maker, it may be worth a try to make some.

This will be the first time in 7 years that we won't be celebrating my youngest granddaughter and my mother's birthday at the same time.  Mom passed away in April.  Their birthdays were on 9/11.  My granddaughter told me she wanted to celebrate Mom's birthday too, even though Mom won't be present.  I am not sure what her plans are.  

The older I become, the more I realize that many people out there do not have family or are estranged from them.  My brother is a senior citizen with no kids or spouse.  Since Mom passed away, the only one that will remember him on his birthday is me, unless I remind my sister. When managing property, I found many people far away from family and needing friendship.  Thanksgiving is not that far away.  Think about inviting others to your table.  My late brother invited an older single man, Fuzz,  and his male cousin to Thanksgiving dinner.  My brother was in his early teens.  I think he told my Mom the day of Thanksgiving.  This was in the 70's; the cousin even dressed up and wore hippie beads. 

Maybe Thanksgiving is on my mind because I am slowly sorting 30+ years of accumulated junk and I found a tub of Thanksgiving decorations.  You would think that all of the decorations would be stored together.  

What is on your weekend agenda?  

I hope you have a great weekend!  Dawnie