Quilts and Thoughts... » General

Thanks for watching our videos!

margaret — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:00:45 +0000

for watching our videos!

Here are a few comments (posted elsewhere) about the video titled,
“Songs, Quilts, & Remembrances”

“Loved this, thanks for posting it”
“Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing the link!”
“Thanks for sharing. This was really enjoyable”
“Thanks for sharing. Loved John Denver”
“Quilts & John Denver…two of my favorites…”

If you haven’t seen it, scroll down a bit on this blog.
It’s also on our YouTube Channel.

It hasn’t gone viral, but has had quite a few hits in a short time
and we thing you will love it.

It’s another Muffy, Fluffy & Puffy adventure. This time
it includes a tribute to John Denver and the connection between
scraps of fabric and a quilter’s family ties.

We have a second YouTube Channel, which has different videos
produced by Vaca Vista Video, which we
also think you will love.

Vaca Vista Video is an in-house production service of
chiseledincloth.com and patterns2quilt.com
established to promote, entertain, inform, and enhance
the viewer’s experiences while visiting our websites and blogs.

We always appreciate your comments and kudos…

Learn to change your photos into quilt patterns…

margaret — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:36:54 +0000

The holidays are behind us and the kids are back in school,
now is the time to treat yourself to an online class!

This class was developed because so many of you wanted to learn
the technique used to create super realistic portrait quilts.

The nice thing about this technique is you don’t have to know how to draw.
The computer does the work for you!

This is a sample video of what to expect in the class.
Three sets of videos are available (and you can watch any/all of them)
to accommodate your software.
Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, & the free software Gimp.

The image on the left is the original photo, at right is the quilt.

This is a 4 week online class – work at your convenience!

Videos to pause and work along, tips and extra software instruction,
recess, handouts, and homework.

Next class begins Feb. 11, 2012

We’ve saved a seat in class just for you!

More information begins at:
http://www.chiseledincloth.com/onlineclasses.html
Registration is now open!

Quilters sew more than fabric into our quilts.

margaret — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:45:29 +0000

You’re invited to watch!

Muffy, Puffy & Fluffy’s tribute to John Denver
and personal remembrances.

As quilters, we sew more than fabric into our quilts.

Wind Energy Beauty

margaret — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:50:18 +0000

If you haven’t seen a wind turbine farm in action you’re in for a treat. Actually, watching them in person is really awesome. I suppose some people don’t think they add to the ambiance of the landscape, but I disagree.

They are beautiful and majestic; however, I don’t live by one and have no idea if they are noisy!

We were passing through Sweetwater, Texas and came upon hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines as far as they eye could see. This short video was taken from a cell phone as we passed along one area of “The Wind Energy Capital of Texas”.

Sweetwater is in Nolan County, and boasts the largest wind farms in America. Imagine our surprise in driving along and encountering them on both sides of the road. We saw remnants of cotton fields at the base of the turbines, so I’m guessing they enjoy the view as they plant the crops.

Sweetwater began as a railroad town and has grown into a wind-generating area, like no other. And, by the way, they host the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup each year.

In researching Sweetwater, I came across this from Wikipedia:

At Sweetwater during World War II, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were trained under the direction of the famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran at Sweetwater’s Avenger Field. These WASP’s were the first women to fly America’s military aircraft. The military airstrip closed abruptly at the end of the war, but pilots flying over Sweetwater can still land at Avenger Field – the Sweetwater Airport (SWW). The National WASP WWII Museum is located at Avenger Field in Sweetwater.[6] The WASP women were not recognized for having served in the armed forces until 1977, when U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona and Colonel Bruce Arnold, late son of General Hap Arnold, persisted in obtaining their official recognition as military veterans.

“Move over oil, there’s money in Texas wind”
NY Times

Need a New Year Resolution?

margaret — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:14:36 +0000

How about

These opportunities are self explanatory; however if you want an
exceptional New Year resolution and suggestions on how
to get involved,
visit each of their websites!

http://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/

And by the way, even Benjamin Franklin participated!

The concept was rediscovered and described by Benjamin Franklin,
in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 25, 1784:

“I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you.
When you [...] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress,
you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him
to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able,
and shall meet with another opportunity.
I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands, before it meets with
a Knave that will stop its Progress.
This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_act_of_kindness

And don’t forget:

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Mark 12:30-31

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Candy

margaret — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:16:51 +0000

I only make this candy once a year, on Dec. 24 with the help of grandchildren.

It is our tradition on the day before the big day.

Skillet Balls
(have no idea why they are named Skillet Balls)

2 sticks margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 lb. pitted dates
2 eggs
2 tbs. cream or half & half (I use milk)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
1 cup puffed rice cereal
1 cup pecans
16 oz. shredded coconut

In a large pan, melt margarine, sugar and dates. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes and cool.

Beat eggs, add cream, vanilla, and salt.

Add 2 tbs. of the egg mixture to the cooled date mixture, beat well.
Add it slowly so you don’t end up with scrambled eggs.
Add remaining egg mixture a little at a time and bring to boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and add rice cereal
and pecans. Cool. Drop by teaspoon into shredded coconut.
Roll in coconut to cover all areas.

We make about 15 minutes worth and take a “testo” break.
Just to be certain they taste wonderful! Then back to work to
complete the task. They will quickly disappear!

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Wish…

margaret — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:08:55 +0000

Our Christmas Wish

for you!

Merry Christmas

Still time to make these for Christmas!

margaret — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:02:31 +0000

Yep, you still have time to make each of these for Christmas!

Oldest granddaughter (whose birthday is today) asked me to crochet
Alice in Wonderland and the white rabbit for her Christmas Gift.
I had not picked up a crochet hook in quite some time, but
you know what happens when a grandchild requests!

She found the pattern at www.kandjdolls.etsy.com and I
surprised her by making them for her birthday. They were both easy to make,
and you still have time to make and give them!
By the way, the mad hatter and the cheshire cat are also in the pattern.

Above are two easy to complete Christmas quilts.
Both patterns are at www.patterns2quilt.com

This is the fourth season we have offered fun patterns
for the children to make ornaments for the Christmas tree.
Lower right is the new one for this season. All are free.
They can be printed on card stock or on fabric.
Ready for the children to color and decorate.
Find them under free patterns at:
www.patterns2quilt.com