Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Let's Make a Dog Bed

A couple of weeks ago I posted a picture of the pile of dog beds that I put together and took to the shelter...

I got quite a few e-mails asking how I make them...I decided that would make a good post so here I am.  This is the greatest form of recycling...no scraps in the landfill...and shelter dogs get soft cushy beds to rest on...it's a Win, Win!  So here we go...it's just like making a simple pillowcase and closing up the top...easy peasy!

I cut a yard of fabric...

anything works...a friend gave me this piece of fabric...I've used flannel, corduroy, upholstery...whatever I get.  If you don't have a yard, use what you have...the yard makes a pretty big bed for the larger dogs.

With right sides together, fold so the selvedges are together...

sew bottom and selvedge side using at least a 1/2" seam.

Turn it right side out and fill it about 3/4 of the way...

I use scraps and trimmings off quilts that have machine quilted. 

And I'm always getting stuff from friends...it's always fun to see what they've been up to...LOL!

Fold over about an inch or so...


Fold over again, all the raw edges will be inside now.


Top stitch all the way around...
I just put pins to show you where to sew because mine wasn't full enough to close...but you get the idea.

Have fun...the dogs and cats at the shelter will be so happy!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

From My Front Porch

...I get to enjoy this beautiful bougainvillaea...

I have seen a lot of these in my years, in Florida and in different parts of the country and I've never seen one as beautiful as this one is.

The flowers are huge hot pink with a touch of orange
...absolutely breathtaking.  I thanked my neighbors for planting this just for me...LOL!

I've had a crazy week...laptop went in for dejunking, it had slowed way down and they got it all cleaned up and it's running like a dream again...I sure did miss it...I love my IPad, but it sure is easier typing on my laptop...been doing some cleaning, the heavy stuff that I've ignored for way too long...we have some friends coming for a visit in November so I have to get this place in order...isn't that what we do...

But in the craziness I did get the binding on this fun little Boo Crew quilt for my kitchen table...
...and yes that's Mr. Brown Quilts basket of "after lunch treats"...The pattern is California Dreaming by Little Louise Designs...it's a great pattern, quick and easy, you can really see the fabrics

and she gives cutting directions from crib/throw to king...this one is the crib/throw and is 48" square...perfect for my kitchen table.

Off to finish something before this day disappears...Happy Sunday!

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"...