Welcome, How Would You Like Your Coffee?

We have been in the process of remodeling our kitchen. 

Here are a few photos of the process.

Hard to believe that ALL our cabinets are in those boxes.

Our kitchen came from Ikea.

The dining room was in need of a new color.
 And the kitchen needed new cabinets.

We also replaced the island.

It was bitter sweet to see it go.

One day, many years ago, Jim and I tiled the top,

while Nathan was napping. 

Many celebrations and smorgasbord style gatherings had

 been served around that island.

What the kitchen looked like when the cabinets had been removed.
They were installed in 1985.

Behind the cabinets was some old wallpaper.

The color was mauve (not pink) and gray.

Our boys kept commenting on the Pink wallpaper,
 and kept saying
WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!
You can also see the original linoleum floor!

And the Redo!

 The cabinets now go up to the ceiling.
Love the under cabinet lighting.

The TV is now a flat screen up on right wall.

Repainted the chairs and added fabric.

You can see a tutorial here.

Ikea has so many incredible storage systems.

 The white cabinet to the left, is the concealed dishwasher front.

 Jim and the boys installed the subway tile.

Under the counters there are metal bars to either hang

utensils or little pots.

Now that the holidays are over, I plan to alcohol paint them and/or even cover with fabric for the spring and summer.

I picked up several pots to change for the seasons.

Here is a photo during the day.

 Was lucky to get a farmers' sink too.
I had sewn a curtain and rug.

And had seen on the internet how to turn
your cloth into a wipeable floor cloth.

I will be doing this again!

Click Here to be linked to the site that has
at tutorial.

This photo was taken at night.
Has a yellow glow--but it is white and black.

The counters and island are now granite.

What a GREAT spot to cut fabric and make some delicious pie crusts.

The photo above is of a challenge project our guild had at a retreat.

 We were given--ok, forgive me-UGLY FABRIC!

I know for some of you, this is very hard to hear. 

I just love how it turned out!

The kitchen remodel only took a few weeks, however I just never

 seemed to have the time to blog. And recently I was reading

Karen's post "Why We Pick A Blog Name" .
And this is what I wrote on her blog:

Helen said...

"Till We Quilt Again" is the name of my blog. I hope when you visit, you feel a Warm Hug at the door, smell of coffee brewing and something just coming out of the oven. We get lost in time, chatting about quilting, family and food. And because you are so incredibly creative--we share so... many great ideas. And as the time comes to a end, we are both a bit bummed. But we keep in mind that we will do this Very Soon and say our good-byes.... while thinking of "Till We Quilt Again". That is what I hope to convey in my blog name. I Loved this post so much Karen, that I am inviting you to my house.

HOW DO YOU LIKE YOU COFFEE?

I realized while remodeling, Christmas, New Years and everyday life,

that I will be putting final touches on for a long time.

 So if I wait till I am done--

I would not be blogging for a VERY long time.

*So as Friends Do*

I am pushing aside my piles of mess, 

opening my door and want to say 

"Welcome, How Would You Like Your Coffee?

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

My Favorite Holiday

SO THANKFUL AND GRATEFUL!

A little Housewarming gift.

 

Cardamon Honey & Raspberry Butter

The only fabric in this post is the cute acorn

 fabric that is on top of the jars.

 Take room temperature butter and blend with either

raspberry jelly or cardamon spice and honey.

I add to taste.

 Put in a basket.

I added Peach and Pepper Jelly

that I canned this past summer.

The Flock That is Flying to Mom's Today

Homemade
 Almond Apple Pie and Almond Vanilla Ice Cream
Will also be apart of Celebrating!


Happy Thanksgiving!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

You Can Call Me A Knitter Now-And Look What I Won!

When you first look at this little sock.

There is nothing unusual about it.

 At the time I thought it was PERFECT for our soon to be born son.

How the socks came to be,

My grandmother was visiting from Sweden in 1990.

I was 6 months pregnant.

She was a excellent knitter and I wanted to learn.

We made the socks you see above (other one is packed till December).

I was so proud and was hoping to continue being a Knitter.

I brought the socks to the hospital, since my son would come home in them.

So I Thought!

He arrived at 9lbs 8oz.

The socks were1/2 the size of his foot.

They Became His 1st Tree Ornament!

I did not touch a knitting needle for 21 years.

My grandmother died several years ago and left me, her

knitting case, needles and cable pins.

I was honored that she left to me, knowing what

 beautiful sweaters, socks and hats that she made with these needles.

I always wanted to knit and over the years family, work and quilting

 took over any free time.

So the needles have looked so... pretty in a vase. 

Which brings me to the present. This past March several of us went to the

 Williamsburg, Virginia Quilt Show. Every person that went was a knitter.

I could not control myself any longer.

I CAME HOME AS ONE TOO!

I ended up with needles, yarn and 1 and 1/2 scarfs done

before I pulled in the driveway.

Met up with these girls a few weeks later and made this

 Knitting Bag!

Which I think Made It Official.

 So I am all set!

 I have the needles, yarn and patterns (can't read to well yet).

And even have yarn that is sold by the pound.

And here is a tip that I stumbled on. 

If I roll the yarn into a ball, I could never find the ends tucked

 in somewhere. So I had some hair clips that I use on quilt binding.

Needed more, so I got 12 on a card at the Dollar Store. 

I know where the ends are now.

Few things I have made. Some have been given away too. 

 Since starting this new adventure. 

I have found another fiber addict friend (sorry to rat you out Denise)

 who is starting out like me.

We have gotten together and she has taught me this pretty leaf pattern. 

 

So I still collect fabric!

Enjoy a glass of wine!

And took my mother's advice!

To use Wine Bottle Corks to keep my stitches on!

Elena came back from Spain with this little Jem!

This is the one I made.

It is crocheted.

 If you put this....

 or this....

 In a Waffle Iron

You get This!!

In about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes! 

 Gingerbread Cookies

 Cinnabon Waffle Rolls

Look What I Won!

The bag matches my sewing chair perfectly!

 I entered a Give Away at

Billie Jo's blog spot.

Take a look she has a great blog.

Click Here

She has another Give Away till

12/15.

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

Love Autumn Days!

Here is little something to whip up today!

 My house was taken over by leaf's!

So what is one to do?

Make them for everyone else!

Here is a little tutorial.

 Started with a placement from Walmart.

 Trace the leaf onto scrap batting, using a sharpie marker.

 I did not want to add a binding later.

So after it was traced on one side,

I held it up (towards the light), aligned the leaf to

 trace it on the reverse side.

(there is a reason for this--you will see later)

Gather fall scraps. Cut into strips.

Most of mine are 1-1/2 inches.

But you can have up to 2-1/2 if you want. 

 Lay 2 strips facing each other, somewhere

around the center. Sew 1/4 inch down one side. 

 I like mine to be slanted on the leaf.

Make sure the black marker is covered with fabric at both ends

 and also that it will be covered when you open

at the seam.

 Keep sewing your way out (flip and stitch technique)

 till you go off the leaf and then start back in the middle and work your way out to the other side.

Make sure whole leaf is cover with fabric. 

Turn leaf over and trim about 1/4 inch

from the black line. 

Should look like this.

 Up Close.

 Lay right sides together with backing fabric.

Sew around the leaf on black line,

leaving about a 2 inch opening to turn.

right sides out.

After turning, whip stitch opening closed.

I finish it off with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam around the 

whole edge. 

Here are some gifts that will be going to

friends and family!

But I can't stop there.

I wrap a sewn leaf or two around

 a bottle of

Turning Leaf Wine.

What a great Hostess Gift!

Till We Quilt Again,

Helen

Fall Flock

The Flock That Stayed Together!

 We are in the process of doing a kitchen redo

 (allot of the work ourselves) and college touring.

 So that has not left much time to

sew, quilt, knit, cook, exercise or clean.

Well, I stumbled onto this free pattern a few days ago

and my mind has been spinning ever since! 

So 2 nights ago this is what I did:

 We go to my mothers for Thanksgiving and always bring a gift.

You guessed it.

She is getting her own flock!

 Now let me ask you!

Can't you see a Holiday, Winter, Spring and Summer flock?

I just recently made curtains for the new kitchen.

Yes they are going to be a birds too.

 Here is the icing on the cake

(why is it always about food!)

 Micheal's fall items are 70% Off.

 I will be making a smaller version for my mom.

(And yes, Nancy & Joyce you will be getting flocked as well!)

Free Bird Pattern Here From Spoolsewing.com

 LOVE A BARGAIN?

The runner squares were from another project.

 Laid down the leaves from the Dollar Store

(how much did they cost?).

At the time I was learning how to free motion.

Thought it would be perfect for me to play with.

I really liked how it came out.

 It has a classy look about it.

 Even with my beginner free motion stitches!

WHO KNEW!

And last, but not least.

Apple Dip!

Our oldest son will be home this weekend from college.

For the past 3 years in the fall I send him back to school with Apple Dip and a bag of apples. His friends and roommates have put in a request for it again.

And this I can do while under construction!

Recipe:

2-8 oz. Cream Cheese-Room Temp. 

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1-1/2 Cup of Light Brown Sugar

Mix good to dissolve sugar

That Easy!!!!

Stay Tuned In--There Will Be More Flock Sightings In The Future.

If you have any Flocking ideas, please send them my way.

Till We Quilt Again!

Helen