Heart Images

Posted on February 14, 2013 by debmoyes

These leaves are all over the sidewalk; such a pretty heart shape.

This wonderful piece is a gridiron from the 18th century, that I photographed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Although I enjoy piecing tiny quilts, this is not my work! This eeny beeny heart shaped log cabin has strips that are 1/4″ finished!

I love this cover on the February 1938 issue of Household magazine. My mother was a senior in high school when this magazine was published. I wonder if her mother subscribed to it.

But flip the magazine over and check out this ad showing Myrna Loy encouraging women to smoke!

Have a sweet Valentine’s Day!

Welcome 2013!

Posted on January 1, 2013 by debmoyes

Merry Christmas 2012

Posted on December 24, 2012 by debmoyes

12.12.12 {gift ideas}

Posted on December 12, 2012 by debmoyes

Who could resist posting today? I usually miss these interesting calendar numbers since I rarely write checks anymore, but 12.12.12 is all the buzz today.

The real topic of today’s post is gift ideas. I’ve just been out shopping and was thinking about this in the car.

Look at these cute wafer papers for cookies! I have never used them but I really like the look of them. What a great gift this would be for a quilter on your list. Fancy Flours has a huge selection, if these don’t appeal. If you like to bake, you need to take a look at their website. They have amazing products and lots and lots of great ideas. (And – gasp – they actually use the word Christmas!!!)

I found these kooky Christmas tree ornaments at Michael’s. We have a passel of great nephews and though I doubt they enjoy it, I usually include some decorations in their gift boxes. These would be a great start to an outer space tree…..

Do you have a hard to shop for man on your list? I gave Peter a gift certificate to The Art of Shaving a few years ago and he loved it! He is a man who would not be caught dead at a salon and so the (very private) Shaving Spa that they have in their stores was perfect. They actually use a straight razor and so the shave is extra close. Their lotions and potions for shaving are really nice too. And speaking of straight razors, Peter had a collection from his father and grandfather that I had framed a few years ago. They are so beautiful and I love this picture of Peter’s father in high school! Framing keepsakes is always a special gift.

If you need to buy lots of little gifts or need to fill stockings, here is my favorite online place, The Spoon Sisters. They have lots and lots of quirky and fun items. The Container Store has good stocking stuffers this year too, not to mention a super collection of wrapping paper.

Of course the best gifts are home-made ones….. The first years of our marriage, we were low on gift giving funds so I made a lot of gifts. Nowadays, I am less apt to do that – the recipient has to be someone who will love it, not the person who would rather have a gift card. Peter often gets an IOU for Christmas since it’s hard to work on something for him when he’s sitting nearby!

What are you all finding this year for your friends and relatives?

New Christmas Decorations!

Posted on December 10, 2012 by debmoyes

It’s hard to return from a cruise in the Caribbean and immediately feel Christmas-y. However, I have been digging out decorations and here’s what’s new this year. I was happy to hang this new cross stitch piece! I used to do a lot of cross stitch, but that was before I started quilting and rug hooking. I still enjoy doing it, but I am slow to complete projects. This is an old pattern from Birds of a Feather who do not make cross stitch patterns anymore. I did not pay attention to the color of fabric the directions suggested and now I am sorry that I chose a lighter one. Santa’s beard is hard to see and there is supposed to be a snowman between the trees. I started to stitch him and he was invisible. Next time perhaps I should lay the threads on the fabric before I start. Because I was sorry about the snowman, I stitched some beads to look like snow.

Many of you may think it’s stupid to buy Christmas sheets, but then again you may have never gone to all the trouble of piecing a Christmas quilt. ;-D I am quite fond of dots and these flannel sheets from Garnet Hill look wonderful with the quilt.

I have NO business buying any more Santa’s, but I cannot resist. I have only bought one this year…. I like this rocking, plane flying guy. Peter loves to fly radio controlled airplanes, so this is for him. {ha!}

For those of you who may be keeping track of my unfinished projects, I did finish one that I thought I would save. In the Summer, I put a warp on my loom for Christmas rag runners and here are three of them! I was experimenting with the width and I think they may be too wide for a regular runner as we have a narrow table.

However, for the snowman, who like to spend December in the dining room, the width is quite good. There is lots of room for them to cavort and entertain us while we eat.

Here is an unexpected decoration this year – the Christmas Cactus is blooming! I can’t even remember when I bought this plant; it may be 5 years old. Of course it was blooming when I brought it home – it has been growing and I have transplanted it several times. Who knows why it decided to perform this year and at the proper time. One of my favorite Santa sits in front of it.

Outdoor Winter containers are very popular in Chicagoland and I took a class several years ago to learn how to put one together. Here is this year’s effort. I change out the decorations and usually, the greens look good well into March.

Hmmmmmmm…it’s beginning to feel festive around our house. Now if it would snow…..

A Raft of Turkeys!

Posted on November 19, 2012 by debmoyes

When the realtor and I drove up to a home in Hendersonville, SC this was the sight that greeted us! There were two dozen or more turkeys. I wish this photo were better – the turkeys were so brilliantly colored – but it was pouring rain and they were hurrying into the shelter of the woods. I was delighted and said “What is a group of turkeys called?” and she said a flock. I doubted that and checked when I got back to my room. How could such beautiful turkeys be simply a flock? They are called a raft or a gang! Of course once you get going on this idea, you have to read on. Here is a website for the curious, about group names.

A group of monkeys is – - – a barrel !!! Yes, it is actually their group name. They are also a troop, but I bet that’s only when they are behaving. ;-D

Did you know that cats have a group name? How did I not know this?!?! They are a clowder or a pounce. And kittens are a litter, a kindle or an intrigue. This particular kindle includes Big Boy, Little Boy and Caraway, whom we kept.

The classic book on this topic, which I used to have and seems to be gone, is An Exaltation of Larks. It is beautifully illustrated and would make a great gift. The one I have linked to seems to be an updated version of my book, which includes fascinating group names such as a pocket of quarterbacks and a shrivel of critics

I was just at the grocery store, picking out a turkey for Thanksgiving. I wonder what a group of frozen turkeys is called….

Hearts abound…

Posted on February 14, 2012 by debmoyes

… in my house!

Here’s an unfinished quilt idea from a class with Philippa Naylor.

And the mug rugs I hooked with one of my many heart themed mugs.

This quilt pattern was hand appliquéd and is called star of hearts.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

The Year of the Dragon!!!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by debmoyes

2012 is the Asian year of the Dragon.

If you were born in 1940,1952,1964,1976,1988…etc..this is your year to celebrate! Did you know – when you have celebrated 5 cycles of the 12 animals, then you are old and should be respected. I think I need to print up a bumper sticker or a button for my lapel so that people understand that they need treat me properly after my birthday this year…

As well as an animal, each year has an earth element associated with it. This year it’s a water related one – 2012 and the year I was born are called Dragon in the Rain. My dragon book tells me that the fiery dragon is flying in the moist clouds and rain and is a “perfect” yin and yang. I was supposed to have some difficulties in my youth and I wish I had known back then. Perhaps my parents would have been less worried about how many times I was in the principal’s office, and my teachers would have written nicer comments on my report cards!

After reading the predictions online, 2012 is supposed to be a “stable” year and a good time for new beginnings and self-improvement. I like the sound of that! Another astrologer says that world economies are going to be unstable again, but I’m not sure you need to be an astrologer to figure that out!

The cut paper zodiacs above were created by a wonderful third generation paper-cutter that I knew in Shanghai. The sweet stuffed animals below are from Japan. The fabric is screen printed and then cut and sewn.