Coffee or Tea stained Tutorial

Hello everyone, I thought I would post a tutorial on how to get that aged look on a new quilt, item, or piece of fabric. 

Items in need:

Large bowl
Boiling water
Instant Coffee
OR
10 Tea bags
Item to be dyed.

Okay so first you take your big bowl and put it in the sink.....I like to do my dying there because if water splashes out I am not ruining anything.  Add One saucepan of boiling water (about 8-12 cups water) then drop either tea bags OR your 2 cup instant coffee ( I used this Kava I have had in the pantry for about 6 years.  We didn't like it but didn't want to throw it out for just this occasion!).

Stir well to get a rich dark color such as this:

Next take your item, I am using a small quilt I picked up second hand that was too white, and dunk it in.....USE A WOODEN SPOON AS TO NOT BURN YOUR HANDS color you would like. 

When you have reached your color, which sometimes you can leave overnite if you like,  dump out the dye bath, hold your item in the bowl then fill it up with cold water and about 1/2 cup white vinegar....this sets the color.

 Let it sit for about 30 minutes.

  Dump out the water wring out the excess and then dry it....You can iron it if you need to but you can also leave it crinkly....your preference at this point and enjoy!!!!!

A few great finds alot of photos and some babble!

Hello everyone!  Wanted to take a few minutes and write a post because life has been extra busy lately and well I wanna keep up with you all!  So one of the things my family and I love to do it go shopping at little junk shops and find some treasures, and boy did we ever the past couple of weeks!!!  Here goes some picture overload!!!

 

We love especially going to small towns in our area and so while out and about I stole a shot of a few things in Small town America!! (well Idaho to be exact!!) 

                                         Our daughter took this photo of me and hubby...I didn't notice the sign above my head until I was scroll through the photo's later on!

                                                    My handsome hubby walking down the main street.

                                         This was a cute little candy shop they still make every piece by hand!

 

And last but not least I went to a baby shower for a little girl and I love making little girl stuff so I made a few things for this baby girl a blanket, 4 burp rags, 2 head bands and one teeshirt dress I embellished.  Oh so much fun!!!  I hope she enjoys it!!!!  And since Mom to be is learning how to sew I picked up two very cute patterns and some material!

 

I had a group of ladies over and we enjoyed some tea and goodies and held a meeting for womens ministries at our church....I made this little paper tea cup using a Brenda Walton die by Sizzix.  Isn't it adorable!!!!

 I made these little heart cakes to share....it was right before valentines day.

                                             The fabulous group I work with....love them all

 

That's about it for now.....I will have more to blog about soon, just wanted to let you know I am still around and think of blogland often!!!

 

2016 Quiltalong Kickoff and a small parade!!!

Welcome and Welcome to the 2016 Quilt Along!!!  Today I am going to announce the first quilt for the 2016 Quiltalong but first I want to give you a small parade. 

If your over from The Enchanting Rose. Welcome!  Hit mr links and check out the blog, oodles of inspiration!

Last month, about 2 weeks ago I threw down a quick challenge to basically get our motors started and three of you took me up on it!!!  So I wanted to share the lovelies that Robin and Mickey and Laurie made along with my quilt as well......so with no more waiting .......The challenge was to make Sugar Maple Hearts and first up we have

 Mickey! I love the bright pinks against the white, she did make hers smaller then the pattern and that is great!  I love it and I really love that doll!!! So adorable!!!

And the next one is by Robin!! Hers is also smaller and love the warm colors.  I really like the quilting she did, I will have to use that on one of the quilts this year!!!  The lovely ladies in the photo are of her daughter and granddaughter. 

Laurie sent me hers and let me tell you it is so romantic!!!  I love the fabric especially the boarder...doesn't it feel Victorian to you???

And now mine.....I am not completely happy with it but it is fine.....I really changed it up with a few flowers, doily type things and buttons....

And now the moment your all waiting for!!!!  I have several quilts earmarked for this year and had a terrible time choosing which one to do soooooooo I had my daughter help me.....and this is what she chose!!!  Okay ladies and gents( if there are any) please turn to page 107 

Don't Play with Table Utensils, I love that one and have been wanting to make that for our eat in kitchen table.....and now I will get it done!!  woohoo!!

Okay so you have all month to make this and then send me a photo of your quilt, either completely finished or at the very least in flimsy form.  I can't wait to see the variations!!!!! Please have ALL photo's sent to my email addy Tildagirl @ msn dot com no later then February 29, its leap year, so I can get it all loaded up for the parade on the first of March.  Early is fine too!!!  Any time!!!  Just don't forget to put February Quilt along challenge in the subject line!!!

Now before I go, from time to time I am going to have one of YOU choose from one of three quilts OR either color selection for any of the upcoming challenges.  I will email you in advance so you have time to think it through....thought I would change it up a bit this year!!!  Hope your as excited as I am!!!  Here is the original post with rules for the quiltalong, join in at anytime....Http://huckleberrystitches.blogspot.com/2015/01/welcome-2015-and-small-quilt-club.html. .......okay until next time!! Happy quilting!!

Great finds!

Hey everyone!  Yesterday hubby and I went to a junk shop we go to every now and again and we found some cute stuff I thought I would share......

This strawberry purse caught my eye and thought it was sooooo cute!  A fun purse for summer and it was brand spankin new with tags...$7

The Butter Churn, my hubby loves these and we have a few...I loved the jar it's so unique and it's a Dazey...$100

Now the teabag holder I just couldn't pass up....never saw one before and it's cute! $3.00 and that cute little pitcher just cute , no real reason for it...$2.00

This crocheted tablecloth is amazing, no stains, no tears, just simply stunning....$22

I made the table runner from a picture and the white candy dish is from my neighbor Polly that passed and was a very dear friend, she gifted it to me and I will always treasure our friendship. 

These demitasse cups I found at an antique shop about a year ago but I didn't get them and when we went back in they were still there!!!  $30 for a set of six....very happy!!!

So that's about it for our fun day off!!!  Happy day everyone.

Welcome to the 2016 Quilt Along !

Hi!!! If your here from The Enchanting Rose Welcome!!!!  If you have never been to Stephanie's blog, go and check it out.  She is very sweet and inspirational and she throws a link party every Tuesday, and all the blogs are WONDERFUL!!!! Go check it out!

Okay so I heard ya!!  And so we will play.  If your new to this feel free to jump in at any time! 
Here is how we play:

On the first of the month I post a challenge either by pattern or color from the book
101 Fabulous Small Quilts by That Patchwork place.  You can find it on Amazon if you don't have it yet. Then on the by the first of the next month you get your picture uploaded to me via email at


Tildagirl at msn dot com

I will in turn make all the photos into a Cyber Parade of all the lovelies!!!  It can be a flimsy (quilt top) or it can be the finished product. And right before the parade begins I will announce the next months pattern!!  Simple!  Anyone can join at anytime.  When you submit your photo to me please include your name and where your from....its always nice to see how far away the players are!!!  Sooooooo I did pick a quilt top to play with IF you want to DUE by FEBRUARY 1st.  IF you have time......not to worry if you don't.  I just picked an easy one and thought well, lets do a practice run.  So for this quicky one I chose

MAPLE SUGAR HEARTS found on page 62.  You choose whatever color you please...I thought it would be a fun one to crank out for Valentines day coming up!!! 

Now I just so happened to find an AWESOME little quilt book by Jo  Morton and was gonna throw out some challenges from time to time for those that want to play along.  The book was Just release and I had Preordered it....it just arrived yesterday, I am feeling pretty lucky!!! The little quilts are so adorable!!!  I will definitely be making a lot if not all of them....

So for Christmas my hubby pulled a fast one on me....you see I have a black Featherweight 221 that he gifted me with the table on our 18th wedding anniversary 10 years ago and it is beautiful and purrs like a kitten.  Well for Christmas he found ANOTHER for me BUT this one is not as available....because it is Beige in color!  They are hard to find and this one is in INCREDIBLE condition......the case, attachments and original instruction book are in PERFECT condition and don't smell!!  If you have experienced one you know they tend to have an odor to them.....the machine itself doesn't have any blemishes and is just so beautiful....So I thought I would share a picture of the lovely right here. 

And lastly here is a picture of my Hubba Hubba Hubby, hehe  still giddy for him after 28 years....he was waiting for me as I browsed in one of the stores......One of us and one of the fountains here at The Village where we decided to take a stroll and enjoy the scenery....it was a lovely evening.

Okay so until next time, actually the first of February or sooner! 

A Brand New Year!

A Brand New Year kind feels like a do over but even better this time. As I look back on 2015 I find that I really had not only a lot on my plate with the big move, selling two homes, a sick child and being the Director of Womens Ministries and all the events we put on.....  But I also got a lot done!  I look at all the little quilts I finished and I have to say I am feel pretty good about 2015. 

Now I know to some with the Quilt along things were delayed but moving is big and hard when your 50 !!!   It took all that I am to get us moved.  Our girls mean well but when they pack they don't weed out they like to keep everything....part of autisum.  Hubby and I decided at our age lifting furniture is just not the risk.  And when you figure if you throw your back out the doctor bills would way surpass the cost of movers.  But there is still the little stuff....ALL the little stuff!! haha  you never know how much little stuff you have until you have to move it after 9 years in one place!  Anyway the point is now we are fully moved, all homes are closed and keys are all turned over , Praise the Lord, its now to start getting back into things!!

So I haven't heard from anyone if they were interested in continuing the Quilt Along or not so I thought I would take the rest of January for you all to speak up!!!  Leave me a message and let me know.  I understand someone told me you can't send me an email....well I am not sure how to do that but I will look around and see if I can figure it out, in the meantime leave your wish in the comments.

Sooooo, for today I wanted to show you the GREAT finds I found today at TJ Maxx and Tevana!

First up is ALL THIS TEA FOR ONLY $20!!!  Crazy I know but I was in the right place at the right time.....plus it helps if the cart is so filled with stuff people werent' digging.  But I did and look at this....loose tea and bagged tea.  Three of the tins came with 40 tea bags each along with cookies.  The two boxed sets came with loose tea , tea filter bags you fill, and a spoon!  Check this out!

 

Next is this beautiful teacup I got at Tevana for only $8.99.  It came with a lid to keep my tea warm and this infuser and a saucer.  The porcelain is so smooth....just lovely.

 

Right now I am drinking Twinings Prince of Wales Black tea, it goes down smooth and doesn't need but a tinch of sweetner.

 

 

I made that runner, I saw a picture of it in a magazine and knew I could replicate it....I cut the heart out of my sizzix dies.  Love it!!!  I will be back to see if there any comments.  Let me know if you want to continue with more challenges or just come back to see what I am doing!  hope to hear from you and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

 

Decembers Quilt along Parade

Hello everyone, I am kind of late to the game!!!  So sorry, now I remember why I don't have one in December!!! Busy , busy, Busy!!!  But let me tell you there was some creativity in the air!!!!  I am going to get right to the Parade! 

So there was a choice of three quilts from the book and the Laurie decided on making This very festive bright quilt!  And it is Lovely!!!  Great job Laurie!  Love those poinsettias!!!!

 

Next up is Gale from Nebraska!!!  Hers is upside down and I tried turning it around but I guess it just wants to be upside down....I just have to say this is GORGEOUS!!!!  I love everything about it, just absolutely beautiful!!!!!

 

Kay did this tree quilt and I love love love the fabrics...this is just so festive!!!  Super duper job Kay!

 

Mickey got REAL creative by painting hers on her barn space!!! I just love it!!!  What a great idea!!!!

 

I am so very happy with the varities this month!!  Everyone did a beautiful job!!!!

 

Now we need a break, one to take in and enjoy the Christmas Season, or Holiday of your background.  I will be back in January to announce the new quilt along!!!  I do hope you return and join in....I know it took a bit to post these but I really was on the fence about doing one for December, I thought I would give it a try and well, I blew it!!  Parties, performances, shopping, cleaning and setting things up took the front burner. 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful Holiday season!!!!  Merry Christmas!!!! Happy Holidays!!!!  And a Happy New year!!!!!