What Kind Of Winter We Will Have

According to folklore the Woolly Bear Caterpillar can predict the upcoming winter weather. 😉 😉

Found on walk to the school bus

It says you can know what weather to expect by their color. When they are all black, it is believed the winter will be colder with more snow.

Stock Photo

A wider rusty-brown middle band is said to predict a milder winter. Wider black bands on either end is said to predict colder beginning and ending winter months.

While there is no scientific basis for this, it was fun watching these caterpillars when our kids were little.

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A Repost from the Past

Yesterday I was reminded of this post from 10 years ago and thought I’d share it again.

Note: This post is 10 years old and I discovered several links are no longer available. I’ve deleted the broken links.


Tuesday Tips – 10/18/2016

This week I did a little bit of Raw Edge Fusible Appliqué and I want to share a couple of Tips.
First, when using Fusible for either large pieces or for pieces that will result in multiple layers, trim the inner Fusible before applying it to the wrong side of the fabric. This will eliminate some excess layers which can cause the appliqué to result in thick layers. Sorry, I didn’t take any pictures. Envision, a large circle with the middle cut out making it look like a donut.

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Second tip, I use a blanket stitch to finish the raw edges of my appliqué pieces. I adjust my stitch to be a small left stitch. To help guide your stitching, if your sewing machine has the capability, move your needle to the far right. Using an open-toe foot, I can then guide the raw edge along the inner right side of the foot to keep the straight part of the stitch along the raw edge. (OK, clear as mud, right?)

Open-Toe Pressure Foot

Do you ever come across something on the Internet and just want to remember where you found it for later reference? This happened to me yesterday. While waiting for a repairman, I came across these webpages with some tips. Hope you find something helpful to you.

1. Eight Quilting Tips: These tips are geared toward the beginning quilter. Fabrics, Accurate 1/4” Seams, Rotary Cutters, Strip & Chain Piecing, Pressing, Mitered Binding/Beautiful Finishing Touch, Color Wheel and Quilting Lingo.
2. 67 Quilt Tips for Quilters: Ok, to be honest, some of these are more fun than tips. Even as an experienced quilter you may find something new. Number 64 – Translation – “Wadding” is another term for Batting!
3. 10 Quilting Techniques Every Quilter Should Master: This has some repeats, but it’s always good to hear it again from another point of view. It includes links for further information. Check out the link – “How to Fix Problem Quilt Blocks” for 3 techniques to deal with blocks that aren’t quite right.
4. Five Favorite Quilting Tips & Tricks: Check out what is said about winding multiple bobbins, chain piecing, testing your 1/4” seam, prepare & stack pieces, and maintaining your machine. Do you give your machine a regular Spa Day?
5. How to Press Quilts to Improve Quilting Skills: Do you know the difference between Pressing & Ironing?

Last Saturday, we got Clue #6 for the Project Linus Mystery Quilt Challenge. The quilt is called “Gracie’s Get Well Garden,” and you’ve seen the earlier blocks of Butterflies, Flowers, Watering Cans, Sun and Hearts. So now we have Gracie!

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Now we have to wait until Saturday to see how her garden will be arranged. I’ve been playing “Solitaire” with the blocks to check out possible layouts.

Gracie's Garden

Well, we’ll just have to wait to see how Gracie will arrange her garden.
Happy Stitching!
Quilt Mouse

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Cooler Weather Means Kitchen Time

In my early years I would often browse cookbooks or magazines for new recipes to make. I really like family recipes and those cookbooks created by church ladies or home-ec groups. (Not sure they teach Home Economics in high school anymore, that’s sad!) I have shelves & boxes full of cookbooks.

Some of my cookbooks, basket of clipped recipes & Mom’s Recipe Box

Now, with the internet, I often do my browsing online. I’ve become one of “those” cooks. I don’t follow a recipe. I browse a number of recipes for the same dish and pick and choose ingredients from several. I may add or delete ingredients or change amounts and make it my own.

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This and That Saturday

Here comes the Fall Swing! On Wednesday we had a high of 90° and Sunday the low may be in the 30°s. Friday we were under a thunderstorm watch/warning for the evening, but the day was mostly sunny & comfortable.

In the evening, after less than an hour of heavy rain and wind, a cold front came through and temperatures started dropping from to 80°s earlier in the day to the low 60°s.

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New Release from Fabric Cafe

It’s time to unveil a new Fabric Cafe book with 8 new patterns for 5-yard quilts.

Tuesday Fran and Donna introduced the newest 5-yard quilt book, Go Big with 5-Yard Quilts.

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