Sunday, October 06, 2013

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't faint..no, your eyes are not deceiving you...yes indeed this is a post from your long lost blogland friend.  I have absolutely no good reason for being absent for what a friend of mine has deemed "forever"...I haven't been doing anything exciting, earth shattering or even terribly important.  I haven't found a cure for anything, or really even looked for one...I haven't called Washington and given them a solution for all the problems there...I really haven't even been cooking anything good for Mr. Brown Quilts.  I quite honestly haven't been doing anything that was even the least bit blog worthy.  I'm hoping to make some changes and get back in the swing again...but I'm not going to make any promises, I'm not going to commit to anything...I will, however, post when I have something to post about.  I've been pretty boring lately...nothing is wrong, I haven't been sick, everyone is great...I'm just BORING!

The past few days I have gotten back into the swing of things and it feels really good...I made the grandchildren Halloween/Fall pillowcases...
Andy went up there last weekend and took them with him...the kids love them...I need to make the big kids some new ones for Christmas and make Peyton his first one.  They really are so fun to make...

I have a product to share with you...it's an oldie...I remember my mom using this when I was a kid...STA-FLO liquid starch...

I've used every starch, sizing, Best Press on the market...but this is my new favorite.  It is crazy inexpensive and leaves you with an amazing press.  It's even helping with the fraying of the fabric...that's been driving me crazy.  That big bottle costs less than $3...I fill the smaller bottle

almost to the top and add just a smidge of water.  The directions say 1/2 and 1/2 or even 1/3 starch to 2/3 water...not me, I'm lots and lots of starch and just a smidge of water.  It is wonderful.  I was sewing this section of the Country Threads with all these triangles and all the bias edges...

I sprayed them and pressed them and they went together with not a speck of trouble. 

I know there is a concern about bugs and starch and this is a lot of starch, but I wash my quilts the moment the last stitch goes in the binding...by the time it's quilted, bound and washed I don't think there are any worries.  I LOVE it!

I've also spent some time making more dog beds...the shelter is offering people that will foster dogs bedding to take home with the dogs if they have them available.  I am fortunate that my friends save scraps and quilt trimmings for me...the result 9 large dog beds that will be delivered this week.


That's what I have for today...I'll try not to be gone "forever"...

30 comments:

Kindred Quilts said...

Someone who makes Halloween pillow cases for their grandchildren, introduces bloggers to a "new" product with ideas on how to use it, and makes dog beds for the local animal shelter, IS NOT BORING!!!! Good to "see" you again!!!

sunny said...

Nice to see you! I have to agree with Kindred. You're not boring. But you can only share what you're comfortable with. Keep on stitching!

Libby said...

I LOVE real starch, just never could understand the Best Press bandwagon.

Gypsy Quilter said...

We've missed you!

Dirt Road Quilter said...

Happy to see you came out from hibernation - welcome back! I'm glad all is well. I doubt 'boring' is even on your radar. Sometimes we all need a break. Stitching up cute pillowcases is a great way to make a comeback!

Melanie said...

I'm tucking this away... one day I'll have grandkids to make those pillow cases for--- great idea!!!!

Yvette said...

Such cute pillow cases! I have never heard of Stayflo and I have never heard of bugs in starch. HUH!?!?!

Geoff's Mom said...

Welcome back..love the starch tip

Geoff's Mom said...

Welcome back..love the starch tip

Geoff's Mom said...

Welcome back..love the starch tip

Sherrill said...

Have you mentioned how you make the dog beds before on your blog? I took some pillows and have a ton of extra pillowcases so just wondering how you do yours? I'd love to make some as it's a very worthy cause. Thanks!

Amy, a redeemed sheep said...

It's good to see you!

I also love Stay-Flo starch. I use it mixed half strength, tho. =)

Jeanna said...

Now Miss Carol....I have been reading your blogs for a long time and can NEVER remember a time that you could be considered "boring"!

It is great to hear from you again and I love the starch tip. Great job on the dog beds too :)

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Glad that you are back!
Stefanie

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Welcome back! I was working on pillow cases today too. :-) Have a great week!

Darlene said...

OMG, OMG, OMG - you're back!!! Love the pillowcases for the little people in your life.

Kris said...

It's good to see you back again, Carol!! I completely understand a little hiatus!! And I love the starch tip!!

Dandelion Quilts said...

I've been absent too. Glad you are well. Cute pillowcases for grand kids. I'm sure they loved them.

Janet O. said...

Cute, cute pillowcases. I used to make them all the time for my kids. Why don't I think to make them for the grandkids? Thanks for the nudge.
By the way, I wish you would call Washington--maybe it would help! : )

Karen said...

I didn't know that the liquid starch was available. I remember looking for some one time and did not find any. I remember Debbie (can't remember her last name at the moment), a former international quilt teach, telling us that she sent all her bigger pieces of yardage to a laundry to be heavily starched and pressed before using it. Smaller pieces she did herself with heavy duty spray starch and said it did quite a number to the carpet her ironing board was on. She was a precision piecer.

Thimbleanna said...

YAY -- you're back! What a fun project to make the dog-beds -- I think I can honestly say that's the first time I've seen that for a charity project LOL! And who wouldda thought with the spray starch -- great idea! I didn't know about a bug issue, but, what you've said about washing makes sense. Thanks for the tip!

Cathy said...

A far from boring post! Thanks for reappearing in blogland.

Patti said...

I enjoyed hearing from you VERY much
! You are most definitely missed when you don't post. I can't imagine you are really boring - I've always loved reading what's up with you. Hope to "see" you again soon!

Sinta Renee said...

It seems like a lot of people are in pre-winter hibernation. Glad to see you are back and making festive pillowcases!

Abby and Stephanie said...

Well I think making anything Halloween is fun and a great way to get back into the sewing flow! And how wonderful about the doggie beds. I'm waiting to hear how my doggie donation raffle quilt did at a recent event. Our furry friends needs quilts too.

Marilyn Robertson said...

I love using "real" starch too! I don't dilute it much as I like the way it makes the fabric stiff enough to act like paper, it doesn't fray and helps it not to stretch when cut on the bias.

Sandy said...

Glad your back with cute pillowcases- lucky grandkids.

Cathy said...

Welcome back. You were missed. Thanks for the tip on starch. I will definetly try it. Hugs

sue said...

I'd love to hear how you make the dog beds. thanks

Katie said...

I tried the Sta Flo with a little water in an old best press bottle. Is there a trick to avoid the white flakes? Thanks for the idea.