Bittersweet Needle and Thread

Bittersweet Needle and Thread

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Market Basket

ARKANSAS MARKET BASKET

I went to a yard sale many years ago and found this lovely basket.  The lady who was selling it told me that the basket was her mother's and that she had gotten it in Arkansas.  She also said that it was used when going to the market.  I loved it and didn't pay much at all for it.  


I've used it several time in the garden when picking lettuce/spinach.  You can really fill it up!




 You can see how it has a high side and tapers off.  It measures 19" around and 7" on the high side.  I usually carry it like this and not by the handles. 





I'm not sure what wood it is made from, but you can see how dark it is.   I have it hanging on my wall in the dining room.   

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Thanks for visiting,
Cinder




Friday, June 5, 2015

Quilt Blocks, Table Runner and Strawberries


OLD MAIDS PUZZLE
 I really like the name of these quilt blocks.  It does seem like some kind of puzzle as you look at them and figure out what direction they are going in.

 

The quilt blocks came from my friend Teresa, who picked them up at an auction and gave them to me.  I thought they were lovely and couldn't wait to set them.  Black and red are not the usual colors I work with, but I gave it a go. 


 The white fabric is old flower sack material.  You can see a few stains on the blocks and all were hand sewn.  Most of the blocks were not exactly square, so I did my best to center them. 

 


  
  The only problem was that one set of blocks was made from this brownish print!  What!  How did this fabric make it into the mix?  It's not red or black, it's not polka dot or checked, and it's not what I would call floral!  How about "unusual"!


 It just didn't go, so off to the fabric store I went and found this great black and red floral print.  I also pick up this lovely red fabric for the other blocks and backing.

 


 The quilt is queen size and I knew at the time I would not be able to quilt it by hand so I sent it off to be machine quilted.  Now I've been able to enjoy it for several years on my bed!

(this is not one of the quilts on my project list.  Holy Moly, I'm still working on those!)


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 TABLE RUNNER
I'm attending a wedding of my nephew this weekend and made this simple table runner for the new couple. 




 I choose cream and tan colors to make it neutral for any color scheme they have in their home.  This was make with just left over fabric in my stash.




I framed the strips with a little darker color to make them stand out more.  I hope they like it.

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 GARDEN
I'm keeping my garden simple this year.  The early cool temperature and rain limited what I planted and the weather continues to dictate what I will harvest.  Everything is so waterlogged but I have a great BUMPER crop of strawberries.  


 

 I've made jam, ice cream, desserts, fruit salad, shortcake and syrup.  I froze a lot and dried some and ate a lot.  And still so many are rotting in the patch.  Our neighbor is coming tomorrow to pick what they want.  They are good and tasty!!!

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Thanks for visiting
Cinder