Labels: Advice Needed

We all know we should label our quilts, but sometimes we just don't get to it.  I have used multiple ways to label quilts over the years and I want your thoughts on two of my methods.

Traditional Labels:  we have all done them and they are great when we get around to them.

 Sometimes I have stitched my name and year onto the front edge of the quilt.  These are quilts that I keep for myself.  What do you think of this method?

 Lately I have been using a pigma pen and writing the label information directly onto the back of the quilt.  I include all important information and this is my favorite type of labeling system because it is fast, easy and includes all important info.  What do you think of this method?

Awe Ha Moment!

Quilting/Piecing/Pressing Tip:  Pressing is an essential part of piecing/quilting.  About 2 weeks ago I was pressing some blocks I had pieced and I was very annoyed that my ironing board was not larger.  I realized that most of the ironing board was being used to prop my iron on when I wasn't using it.  So.....I turned my ironing board around so that I now use the largest part on the left and the smaller area is now where my iron sits when it is not being used.  This is not ideal when ironing clothes, but I don't do that very much.  I piece and quilt much more than iron clothes.

 Here is another idea... Several months ago I was very frustrated by the drawer full of thread that was always a mess.  I found this craft organizer at JoAnn's and sorted my thread in it by color.  Now this is on the back of the door and the thread is easy to find.  This also shows that I do a lot of blue and green sewing because those are the two colors I have a lot of.  Why is there red thread in the neutral pocket?  I have no idea.

 Finally, my last organizing thought for the day...I am a prolific piecer.  I can whip out a quilt top in an hour/day/or week.  Then I forget about them.  So I started hanging them up with their backing fabric; this has helped to keep them in my eyesight so that I get around to quilting them quicker.  Seeing them also helps me get inspired with how to quilt them.  Right now there are 12 waiting to be quilted.  One hanger has four table runners on it.  These are just mine.  I also have 8 customer quilts to do.  Yes, I love to piece and quilt!

Angel's Baby Quilt

My friend Angel, pieced this baby quilt and I quilted it for her.  I tried a new pattern inspired by Jenny and Kathy.  I like how it turned out even though it is different from theirs.  I also bound it for her even though she doesn't know it yet.  Angel had used some of my fabric so I used that same fabric to bind it for her.  She had a baby boy on Tuesday of this week so I am going by to see her today and bring her the blanket and a treat and of course to see the baby!

What to do? I am not a design star....

We took the furniture from our old house in Utah and put it in our Texas house and it just doesn't look right.  Something needs to change and I am not sure what.  Suggestions?  I am considering painting the coffee table and large chest an off white and then a stain over it.  Thoughts?

Weekend Fun - Amazing Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cream of Mushroom Soup and Ogallala Quilt Show

 These are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever made or had.  The recipe is from Allrecipes.com.
3/4 c melted butter
1c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
cream well, add:
1 T vanilla
1 egg
1egg yolk
cream, add:
2 c flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
mix well, then add:
2 c chocolate chips, milk or semi
spoon 1/4 c dough onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 15-17 min.  Enjoy!

I love to make soups from scratch.  Here is my version of Cream of Mushroom Soup, one of my favorites.
2-8oz packages mushrooms, rinsed and sliced
1 qt chicken broth
1 c heavy cream
4 T butter
1/3 c flour
2 garlic buds, minced
1/2 onion, minced
Saute 2/3 of mushrooms in butter with onions and garlic for 6-8 min.  Add flour, mix well.  Add broth and simmer another 15 minutes.  Use hand blender and pulse to chop up mushrooms, or cool and transfer to a blender to chop up mushrooms.  Add cream and remaining mushrooms and simmer another 20 minutes.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Enjoy!

Rachel and I went to the local quilt show and these are pics of some of our favorites.

I loved the curved cross hatching on this quilt.

Rachel's favorite!  She loves to paint eyes, faces, etc.

This quilt reminds me of my international students.  I teach English to international students at our local university and most of them are from Asia.  This quilt has a lot of personality in each block.

This last picture is my personal favorite!