I've been working on the Halloween book today. The title of the book is going to be Tis Halloween. The photography is half-way done. I've been trying to find some new ways to show these stockings. Something quirky and fun.

I thought this bent fork was kind of a "spooky" way to display the stockings. (With a whisp of "cobwebs") Not hard to do with a pair of pliers. Also I have to write, "No Mom....these aren't the silver forks you gave to me....they are safe in the silver chest. I bought these for $2.00 each at Curious Sofa." (I just had to reassure her because this photograph could be enough to really send her over the edge.)

On the quilt front. We will have this new pattern in our warehouse next Friday.

The title is Hallowe'en - 1904

You should find this at your local quilt shop in a couple of weeks. We will begin shipping out the pattern next Friday... I'm sorry that Barb and I can't sell it retail...we only sell wholesale to shops and distributors. Barb wanted to honor her grandmother's year of birth...so that's why the year is attached to the title. (Not to be confused with Barb's year of birth hahahaha....I must be slap happy from all of the photography and all the technical writing I have been doing. I'm beginning to lose it. (Sorry Barb!) Really Barb is a bit younger than me anyway. She just aged another year the end of July.

I will try to keep up and answer comments in the comment section...look for them there. I will try to do better....Also this is for Denise as no one should be without a banana muffin recipe: (And Debbie, we need your Banana-Pineapple Muffin recipe too. It sounds great! Send it to me at alma@blackbird-designs.com if you get a chance.)

Banana Nut Muffins

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly butter the muffin cups.
Mix all 4 of the dry ingredients in a bowl with a whisk:
2 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

In a separate bowl, whisk the following:
1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Fold the flour mixture into the "wet" ingredients. Do not overmix.
Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake until the tops are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean...(about 20-25 minutes)
Cool before removing them from the pan.

Here are a couple of great photo's that you have sent to me:

This one is from Susie. She writes, "I have been working on your little baskets quilt from When the Cold Wind Blows. I have 176 baskets hand appliqued. That is a great quilt in your book and I know a number of quilt buddies working on the baskets. I am making mine scrappy and multi-colored on shirtings background. Appliqueing the baskets is very relaxing for me and I haven't tired of them yet."



The next one is from Valérie and she writes, "

I thought you would like seeing one of your summer charts finished on the first day of my summer break. I have customized the text so that it reflects how much the pattern reminds me of previous summers spent beneath the sunlit sky of Andalucia, on the Atlantic coast, not far from the Doñana National Park, home to migratory birds. I am not going away this year, but vacationing at home and it was nice remembering summers past while stitching.
Congratulations on your work - always beautiful.
Amicalement, Valérie

Until tomorrow dear ones! Think it's time for another contest.

Alma

In Kansas, the Osage Orange tree was used as fencing. The long thorns and bushy growth on this tree kept the animals in the pasture. The trees were planted close together and cropped to fence height. Very effective and cheap. Plus the spring bloom was an added attraction.

Along the length of our property we have a thick hedge row. Animals use the hedge row as a trail. They can travel without being easily seen. Included in this hedge row are some Osage Orange trees. The wood of the tree is very strong and once you get the bark off the branch you see this lovely orange colored wood. My husband is trying to make some wooden pincushion bases with this wood....but that will have to be another posting....

But as autumn approaches we also get tons of these from the Osage Orange tree. Their color and bumpy skin makes them perfect for fall decorations.

Yesterday I spent the day shopping for fabric and looking for items that would make great props for our Hallowe'en Stocking booklet. This morning I picked the hedge apples thinking that the green would really make the colors in the stockings pop.

Also found this "wicked" guy at a local shop!

Isn't he just too cute?

It rained here this morning and the light isn't good enough to begin photography for the book. After it brightens a bit more I will get everything set up and photographed. What fun! One of my favorite parts or my job.

On another note....I wanted to thank all of you for your kind comments! You are the best. I have been surprised at how much I enjoy and look forward to reading your comments. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy writing to you and hearing from you when I first began this blog.

And one more thing today... I want to show you what I did with my 3 aging bananas!


I'm not going to give the recipe here for banana nut muffins. I know all of you already have great ones shared by your mom or grandmother or aunt or friend.....but what I want to share is the pan. I'm using this enormous (king sized) muffin pan from Wilton. It makes 6 muffins....just enough for one regular recipe. Then my husband and I split one muffin for breakfast. (or not....but wait....I have to be good and split mine because I haven't been to my reunion yet....)

And I must confess another weakness...see the napkin? I've been collecting these old linen napkins. We are using them too. I have found the linen washes up so nicely....not too bad to iron and such a pleasure to use.

Well dear friends...confessions are over for the day. "See" you tomorrow.

Alma

Every 5-10 years this woman calls me. Not only is she too cute...she is smart, talkative and very funny. You would never know by looking at her that she knows how to send me over the edge. She looks so nice and friendly you are probably thinking, "Alma, what's wrong with you?"

But after talking to her and hearing what she has to say....I put the phone back into the cradle and think "Darn it anyway....now I have to lose 30 lbs in a matter of weeks and find something fabulous to wear."

You've probably guessed why she's calling me...it's class reunion time. I don't know why I do this to myself. Last time she called me I told her...."No Theresa, I'm not going!" But each time I end up going and having a wonderful time. I've been to every reunion. Now, as the old folks get out of the car and go into the party it's agony because I know I'm one of them too. We are all getting older....and you can really tell after not seeing someone for 10 years. It's all over our faces, wiggley arms, larger clothing sizes and sagging parts (I won't go into specifics here....but you know what I mean.)

Here's my high school picture. You can tell I graduated when the flip was "in". I'm sure that hairdo took me a bit of time to get just right.

After looking through the year book I see pictures of bright and hopeful faces. Pictures of youth, promise and enthusiasm. I hope they all show up. I love hearing what they have been up to over the years.

Until later dear friends....

Alma

I'm back! My son and I got back around 10:00pm last night. We had a wonderful trip and now back to work. Today my mission is photographing a quilt.

My son mowed a small patch in the back yard adjacent to my blackberries. We positioned 4 hay bales, blow-up mattress sheets, pillows and a quilt. (Plus extras for visual interest.) Barb has finished her Halloween quilt and I'm trying to get a cover shot for the pattern. How many photographs does it take to get it right? I've taken about 30 so far....and nothing says "wow" to me. So after checking the photographs for lighting and positioning I'm going back for more. Not only do I have to get the lighting right...the angle of the shot is very important too. How long does it take to set up an outdoor shot....longer than you might think. The set-up took about 1 1/2 hours. The actual photography is the quick part.

But I thought I would take a break and write to you before running back into the heat. I can't share the entire quilt with you just yet....but I wanted to show you this sheet that Barb found at an Estate sale. Look at the crochet work! Isn't it lovely? Wish I would have found this one. The pillowcases were made from one of our first sampler print fabrics. (Click on the picture for a close up of the sheet heading.)


Do you recognize the pumpkin? I hope she doesn't get heat stroke!


Winners today:

#242 Susie from SimplyPrim
#110 Mitzie in VA Irish 46

Congratulations ladies! Send me your address and I will send you a pillow.


Until later! I'm back out for more fun.

Alma

Well....not really. But tomorrow my son and I are driving to Knoxville, TN. My sister, her family and my Mom all live there. While driving my Mom's car to Knoxville, we will stop for an overnight visit with my daughter in Nashville. Then drive on to stay and visit with my family in Knoxville and then return home on Sunday. It will feel like a jet plane trip....fast and hurried. I can't stay longer as my son has to go to Chicago to visit his girlfriend Amy....and you all know that I have work to do.

So, while I'm gone I've decided to give something away...

Leave a comment if you want one and when I return on Monday I will draw two names.
One pillow each is the prize. These were done by Moda fabrics for Blackbird Designs. They were released with our Beach House fabric line.
I should have ironed the rick rack down in place...I promise I will do that before sending these out. Each pillow could be used as a pincushion or placed on a shelf.


Don't we all need one more alphabet?

Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend...."see" you on Monday.

Alma

I should be working...but wanted to write to you today and share a couple of things with you. This project was just too fun....and I know you all like fun things too.

First you have to get these supplies:

1. Matte Spray
2. Adhesive Magnetic Sheet by Tree House Studio....or whoever....I just found this product at Hobby Lobby
3. Sponge Brush
4. Delta Ceramcoat Gloss - Exterior/Interior Varnish


While stitching this past week I lost a couple of needles....I know, you are probably saying, "How could you? You have a million pincushions all over the house!" But I have been threading several needles with different colors and slipping the needles into the linen until I'm ready to stitch with that color. Well, as I moved from place to place with the linen...some of the needles slipped out. It just wasn't the best idea. (Now I'm hoping we don't step on them....that really hurts.)

But I thought if I had a magnetic strip on my floss ring this wouldn't be a problem. After stitching Summer Iris I took the linen to Kinko's and made several color copies. The one I liked the best was reduced to 79% of the original stitched piece.
Took the copy and trimmed it down. Save a bit of extra space around the color copy for a second trim. Cut the magnetic strip the same size as the trimmed color copy with my rotary cutter. Pulled back the adhesive protector on the magnetic strip and positioned the color copy in place. I then trimmed the piece again.

Color copies smear easily...this is where the matte spray really helps. I lightly sprayed 2 coats of matte spray over the piece, allowing it to dry between coats.

Now the varnish. I used a sponge brush and gave it 3 coats. Let it dry well between each coat. Punched a hole in the top and WAHOO! A cute magnetic needle holder. The magnetic part is on the back of the piece. I wish the color side was magnetic....but it's only magnetic on the back. But still very cute. You could do this with anything you stitch....make one for each project....but I'm really fond of my Summer Iris magnetic needle holder.

Now for the results!!!

Above is the picture of the magnetic strip on the back. Look how it's holding all of my needles in place....do you ladies see all of the John James needles? (I followed your advice!)


Here is the front of the magnetic needle holder. I know I've placed the needles on the front...but it's just for the photography.

Here it is again with the Summer Iris pincushion and strawberry.

What fun, right? I know you will want to make some of these....so easy. Make several at a time. I think as much time as it takes to stitch a project, we should be able to use it in different ways. Gives it another life.

Summer Iris is going to the printer today and will be available in the shops in two weeks.

One more fun thing for you to see.

Bonnie Olson sent pictures of her Peacock pinkeep. She stitched it over one thread. Wonderful Bonnie! Thank you for sending these to me.

Oh yes...also take time to visit Rebecca. She has just started a blog and has some great Blackbird Designs projects I know you will want to see.

Until later dear friends!

Alma

I'm sorry for the lack of posting. It's project time around here though. When Barb and I get in this mode everything else comes to a screeching halt. No home cooked meals or niceties around here. We just have to hope there are some kind of left overs in the frig.

What's in the works around here? Here goes.....

Our current projects:

1. The new loose feather project has been completed...I'm doing the pattern layout now. They will go to the printer this week and ship out to the shops on August 1st. The picture below is a photograph of all the bonus sewing accessories provided in the Loose Feather patterns this year. Each Loose Feather pattern provides one of the sewing accessory patterns. The house design on the floss ring is the latest design to be added. It's a quick stitch!



2. A new Reward of Merit pattern, Summer Iris has been in the works and will be released with the next Loose Feather pattern. It will be in the shops the first week in August. This pattern also has a small strawberry pattern too. It's made from a bit of wool.













3. Barb has just completed a new Halloween quilt. Dave is going to mow the lawn today so I can get out and do photography for the quilt pattern. (He will start the mowing, just as soon as his weeding is done! I know how to torture a husband....just ask Dave!) This pattern will be out as soon as I photograph it, write the pattern and get it back from the printers. This will mean about 2-3 weeks. I know you will love this one.



4. Barb is working on a Halloween cross stitch book. I mentioned this in the blog earlier. Three projects have been stitched....but we need 10 more. They are being stitched now and won't take too much longer. Look for the book in August.

5. We are finalizing our next fabric line for Moda fabrics that will be shown at fall market. We have approved the second round of colors and did some work on the large scale print. Usually that means that more proofs will be coming soon as fall Quilt Market will be here in about 15 minutes. We are beginning our line of fabric for spring market now too.

6. Several teaching projects are in the works. Our first teaching event will be at Virginia Beach, VA. Dyeing to Stitch is hosting the retreat October 2 - 4, 2009. Click on the shop name for their site and retreat information. Should be lots of fun! Lots of teachers and projects.

Our second event is hosted by Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI. The Boxwood and Berries annual event is held Nov. 11-14. We will be teaching a small quilted project. Maggie Bonanomi and Stacy Nash will be there too. Country Sampler will be decorated for Christmas and this will be the first time we've seen it for the holiday. Not to be missed.

I might have to go and take a nap! Not really.....I've got a couple more things to tell you and then back to work.



I've been tagged by Veronique in Paris to let you know three things that make me happy.
So here goes!

1. My family. They keep me in laughter, joy, worry, tears and love. Don't families provide the best and worst in life? How can we forget the first time our kids drive down the drive-way and into the world by themselves for the first time? The agony of it all.....and the ecstasy when they make it safely back.
2. My friends....where would I be without them?
3. My stitching. Much joy comes from making quilts and samplers. I love when everything seems to come together just right.

Click on Veronique's name and check her blog out. I know you will want to see her basket of pin keeps! Wow! You can tell what makes her happy.

Thank you for all of the kind comments about the dining room. Pictures of the family room will follow ....but cleaning is called for first!

I set up all of the stockings that have been stitched so far this year on my silvered tree. This cross stitch stocking series by Barb is really sweet. I need to do this where the light is better! You can tell I took the picture in the dining room.

Until later dear friends!

Alma