Did a little thrifting today! Picked up some goodies :)
I've been plugging away on my Hope Valley Coin Quilt.
Peanut butter & banana & bagel.
George :D
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Favorites
1. kona sample squares quilt, 2. hst quilt top, 3. Mostly Solid, 4. Princess & the Pea Quilt - FINISHED, 5. Will these work partner?, 6. New Patchwork Totes!, 7. hexy bag hanging out, 8. The Beehive - Amy's Block for Amy, 9. DS Quilt
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday
Made a little mini for the shop! I love playing with fabric :)
Picked up a couple pillowcases!
George being cute.
Today I love the..
Smell of: A clean apartment
Sound of: Harry Potter 5 Audiobook
Taste of: Brio's bread
Sight of: Scraps
Feel of: Vintage sheet blanket
Good Things about Today:
- Finally picked up some sunscreen!
- Ran some errands
- Went thrifting and shopping with my Mom!
- Successfully hand-sewed the binding to a quilt!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tuesday
Whipped up some Lemon Bars today! (From a mix, but still good!)
Picked up some fabric out thrifting!
Organized all my scraps! I need to start using them!
Need I say more? Look at that face!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Lemon Bars
Sound of: Harry Potter 5 Audiobook
Taste of: Corn on the cob
Sight of: George
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- My apartment is super clean, and even vacuumed!
- Found 7 5/6 yds of Alexander Henry Fabric for $3 at the thrift!!
- Lemon Bars!
- ... LEMON BARS!
Picked up some fabric out thrifting!
Organized all my scraps! I need to start using them!
Need I say more? Look at that face!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Lemon Bars
Sound of: Harry Potter 5 Audiobook
Taste of: Corn on the cob
Sight of: George
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- My apartment is super clean, and even vacuumed!
- Found 7 5/6 yds of Alexander Henry Fabric for $3 at the thrift!!
- Lemon Bars!
- ... LEMON BARS!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Weekend
I finished up my value quilt! I'm really happy with it!
My 80 FQs arrived from the Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap!
Picked up a few things Saturday, my Dad found the Pyrex!:)
It is necessary to stretch way out when it's hot!
It was quite a busy weekend around here! I went to a sewing club at a local quilt shop. It was interesting. I was the youngest person there by approximately 30 years. So, I guess I'll try a different LQS! After that I drove home for the afternoon! I am parting with some of my Blythe collection and their boxes and clothes were at home. We went out thrifting as well. We also stopped by Hollo's Papercraft. It's a family owned paper shop. It's amazing! Brown shipping envelopes for 5 cents each? Yes please! :)
Yesterday was a marathon day of cleaning. I usually try to be pretty neat, but it always goes downhill at the end of the school year. My bedroom was especially messy. Another day or so and I should have everything put away and cleaned up. George and I have been enjoying the warm weather. I love having the windows open! thank you all for your kinds words on my quilt.
Hope everyone has a good week!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh morning air
Sound of: Harry Potter 3 Audiobook
Taste of: Corn Flakes
Sight of: George
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- I've been waking up at a decent hour for a few days now!
- It's sunny!
- I'm feeling productive today!
My 80 FQs arrived from the Vintage Sheet Patchwork Swap!
Picked up a few things Saturday, my Dad found the Pyrex!:)
It is necessary to stretch way out when it's hot!
It was quite a busy weekend around here! I went to a sewing club at a local quilt shop. It was interesting. I was the youngest person there by approximately 30 years. So, I guess I'll try a different LQS! After that I drove home for the afternoon! I am parting with some of my Blythe collection and their boxes and clothes were at home. We went out thrifting as well. We also stopped by Hollo's Papercraft. It's a family owned paper shop. It's amazing! Brown shipping envelopes for 5 cents each? Yes please! :)
Yesterday was a marathon day of cleaning. I usually try to be pretty neat, but it always goes downhill at the end of the school year. My bedroom was especially messy. Another day or so and I should have everything put away and cleaned up. George and I have been enjoying the warm weather. I love having the windows open! thank you all for your kinds words on my quilt.
Hope everyone has a good week!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh morning air
Sound of: Harry Potter 3 Audiobook
Taste of: Corn Flakes
Sight of: George
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- I've been waking up at a decent hour for a few days now!
- It's sunny!
- I'm feeling productive today!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Blogger's Quilt Festival
It is the first quilt that I made completely from start to finish. It was technically my second, but the first was quilted by someone else.
I made it to be a companion quilt to my Warm Colors Quilt. I used many different fabrics that had been sitting in my stash for ages. But the piecing for me was fun and easy. Patchwork blocks, no problem! It was the quilting!
It was my first quilting experience and I choose to go free-motion. I was learning completely over the internet and it was hard! The finished quilt is about 60x80. I quilted for almost two days straight to complete it. But it is truly a labor of love. Looking back, it was perhaps a little ambitious to start with such a large quilt and to start with free-motion! But, I finished it, and I love it.
I sleep under it almost every night. Having all that hard work and care wrapped around me feels wonderful. I can't wait to make many, many more quilts!
If you'd like to make your own Cool or Warm Colors Quilt, check out my tutorial HERE! :)
Thanks for visiting!
Favorites
1. Flying Geese, 2. Scraptastic Bee - April, 3. WIP- sneek peek..., 4. Neptune HST Quilt - closeup, 5. scrappy hex crib quilt, 6. Three by Six - for brianaarlene, 7. 'Strawberry Sundae' wall art, 8. YIP 365.150 :: windmill quilt, 9. DSCN1038
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
May Giveaway Day - Winner!
First and foremost THANK YOU so much to everyone who entered the giveaway! I had no idea that it would have this kind of response. 522 comments! Woo Hoo!
In the beginning I had grand plans to reply back to every comment, but that didn't quite happen! I read all of them and I loved hearing all the great ideas for projects! I'm definitely going to be making some of them myself :)
And now, onto the winner!
Congratulations to Nicole! I'll be sending an email your way in a bit!
Thank you again to everyone who entered. I wish I could give something to all of you! :)
In the beginning I had grand plans to reply back to every comment, but that didn't quite happen! I read all of them and I loved hearing all the great ideas for projects! I'm definitely going to be making some of them myself :)
And now, onto the winner!
Congratulations to Nicole! I'll be sending an email your way in a bit!
Thank you again to everyone who entered. I wish I could give something to all of you! :)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Thursday
Finished the value quilt top!
And my dye experiment quilt top!
Another scrap block finished :)
Made a summer blanket using two vintage sheets!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Pasta
Sound of: Harry Potter 4 Audiobook
Taste of: Pretzels
Sight of: Seedlings
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- Productive day of sewing!
- Successful Craigslist sale!
- Finally did the dishes.
- Finally posted the Pyrex post! :)
And my dye experiment quilt top!
Another scrap block finished :)
Made a summer blanket using two vintage sheets!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Pasta
Sound of: Harry Potter 4 Audiobook
Taste of: Pretzels
Sight of: Seedlings
Feel of: Vintage sheets
Good Things about Today:
- Productive day of sewing!
- Successful Craigslist sale!
- Finally did the dishes.
- Finally posted the Pyrex post! :)
The Pyrex Series: Cleaning 101
Today's Pyrex post is about cleaning! We will identify the various common stains on Pyrex and the many different cleaning products that can be used on them!
First we'll simply identify some useful cleaning tools that you may want to equip yourself with to tackle dirty Pyrex!
Pyrex Cleaning Tools:
Liquid dish soap, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Baking Soda, Bar Keeper's Friend, Corningware Cleaner, Oven Cleaner, Dawn Powder Dissolver, Goo-gone, and Scotch-brite pads.
*Before your break out all your cleaning supplies and get working, please don't forget the most important rule in Pyrex cleaning! Always test products (with the exception of regular old dish soap) on the bottom edge of a piece. Check to make sure you are not removing any color. Older pieces don't hold up well to some of these products!*
I think most Pyrex collectors will agree that aside from dish soap, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is one of the most useful cleaners for Pyrex! It is truly "magic"! :)
I have added notes to all of these images to better show the stains. To view them you will need to click on the image and be redirected to flickr.
Yellow/Brown Stains
First and arguably the most common stain on Pyrex is a yellowish stain as seen in the backstamp of this bowl. This will sometimes just be dirt, and can be removed with a little soapy water. Generally however, it needs to be removed with a Magic Eraser. Wet the eraser and the piece. Do a little scrubbing and it should be gone!
Grease Stains
One of the other very common stains on Pyrex is baked on grease. It usually appears in dots like this and is also usually found on the handles. A little scrubbing with a Magic Eraser can help, but often is not enough. I usually attack these stains by soaking the piece in hot water + baking soda. Soak for an hour or two depending on how much grease there is. Then use a Scotch-brite pad and a little soap to scrub away the grease. I have found the Corningware Cleaner and Dawn Powder Dissolver are helpful with these stains as well. Sometimes the stain will get into the grooves and can be scraped out with a toothpick or pin.
Metal Marks
One of the hardest stains to remove are these gray streaky stains. They are metal marks. The best product to remove them is Bar Keeper's Friend and Corningwear Cleaner. Generally, Bar Keeper's Friend will remove them completely, but will also remove the shine, which you don't want. I only use Bar Keeper's friend on white pieces and only leave it on for a few seconds before scrubbing and rinsing it off. Sprinkle it on your sponge or scrubber and not directly on the Pyrex. Be VERY careful while using it because it is pretty abrasive and can damage pieces. I use this as a very last resort. The Corningwear Cleaner can remove these stains but will also remove a bit of shine although not nearly as much as the Bar Keeper's Friend. Just be careful when using either product!
Oven Stains
The only stain that has completely stumped me so far are these pesky stains. I am still a little unsure what the stain is, but I have only seen it on baking dishes so far, so I must conclude that it is some kind of oven stain. I have been told that oven cleaner can be used on these but I have not had luck with that yet. The oven cleaner I have was purchased at the dollar store, so that might be why I haven't had any luck! A woman at a flea market last weekend suggested I try the cleaner for glass stovetops but I have yet to try this out!
Scratches
Another thing to look out for that is not a stain is scratches in the color. When shopping, a simple way to check for this is to hold a piece up to the light. The scratches will let light through and you can easily see them. These cannot be removed in any way.
Adhesive
Goo-gone and rubbing alcohol can be helpful when getting off pesky price stickers! Another thing you may run into while shopping for pieces is Pyrex that has had it's lid taped together with packing tape. This is especially annoying for collectors as it can take off the pattern if you aren't careful! I found this out the hard way! In order to safely remove the tape I suggest (using rubber gloves) to pull up a tiny bit of the tape, and then let very hot water run on it and slowly pull it off. The water seeps under the tape quite well and allows it to come off much easier. This method has worked very well for me since my original debacle with packing tape!
One more thing to mention is fading! Color fading and loss of shine in general cannot be fixed, although some have had luck in restoring shine using oils. I however have not! If a piece is faded from age or dishwasher use, there is pretty much nothing that you can do!
As you are out thrifting and collect more pieces, you will learn how to recognize stains and know what you can get off and what you can't.
If anyone has any other tips or tricks on cleaning Pyrex please do share in the comments and I'll add them to this post! Hope this was helpful! As always, click over to the Pyrex Love website for lots of Pyrex information! Next week's post will be about general care!
First we'll simply identify some useful cleaning tools that you may want to equip yourself with to tackle dirty Pyrex!
Pyrex Cleaning Tools:
Liquid dish soap, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, Baking Soda, Bar Keeper's Friend, Corningware Cleaner, Oven Cleaner, Dawn Powder Dissolver, Goo-gone, and Scotch-brite pads.
*Before your break out all your cleaning supplies and get working, please don't forget the most important rule in Pyrex cleaning! Always test products (with the exception of regular old dish soap) on the bottom edge of a piece. Check to make sure you are not removing any color. Older pieces don't hold up well to some of these products!*
I think most Pyrex collectors will agree that aside from dish soap, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is one of the most useful cleaners for Pyrex! It is truly "magic"! :)
I have added notes to all of these images to better show the stains. To view them you will need to click on the image and be redirected to flickr.
Yellow/Brown Stains
First and arguably the most common stain on Pyrex is a yellowish stain as seen in the backstamp of this bowl. This will sometimes just be dirt, and can be removed with a little soapy water. Generally however, it needs to be removed with a Magic Eraser. Wet the eraser and the piece. Do a little scrubbing and it should be gone!
Grease Stains
One of the other very common stains on Pyrex is baked on grease. It usually appears in dots like this and is also usually found on the handles. A little scrubbing with a Magic Eraser can help, but often is not enough. I usually attack these stains by soaking the piece in hot water + baking soda. Soak for an hour or two depending on how much grease there is. Then use a Scotch-brite pad and a little soap to scrub away the grease. I have found the Corningware Cleaner and Dawn Powder Dissolver are helpful with these stains as well. Sometimes the stain will get into the grooves and can be scraped out with a toothpick or pin.
Metal Marks
One of the hardest stains to remove are these gray streaky stains. They are metal marks. The best product to remove them is Bar Keeper's Friend and Corningwear Cleaner. Generally, Bar Keeper's Friend will remove them completely, but will also remove the shine, which you don't want. I only use Bar Keeper's friend on white pieces and only leave it on for a few seconds before scrubbing and rinsing it off. Sprinkle it on your sponge or scrubber and not directly on the Pyrex. Be VERY careful while using it because it is pretty abrasive and can damage pieces. I use this as a very last resort. The Corningwear Cleaner can remove these stains but will also remove a bit of shine although not nearly as much as the Bar Keeper's Friend. Just be careful when using either product!
Oven Stains
The only stain that has completely stumped me so far are these pesky stains. I am still a little unsure what the stain is, but I have only seen it on baking dishes so far, so I must conclude that it is some kind of oven stain. I have been told that oven cleaner can be used on these but I have not had luck with that yet. The oven cleaner I have was purchased at the dollar store, so that might be why I haven't had any luck! A woman at a flea market last weekend suggested I try the cleaner for glass stovetops but I have yet to try this out!
Scratches
Another thing to look out for that is not a stain is scratches in the color. When shopping, a simple way to check for this is to hold a piece up to the light. The scratches will let light through and you can easily see them. These cannot be removed in any way.
Adhesive
Goo-gone and rubbing alcohol can be helpful when getting off pesky price stickers! Another thing you may run into while shopping for pieces is Pyrex that has had it's lid taped together with packing tape. This is especially annoying for collectors as it can take off the pattern if you aren't careful! I found this out the hard way! In order to safely remove the tape I suggest (using rubber gloves) to pull up a tiny bit of the tape, and then let very hot water run on it and slowly pull it off. The water seeps under the tape quite well and allows it to come off much easier. This method has worked very well for me since my original debacle with packing tape!
One more thing to mention is fading! Color fading and loss of shine in general cannot be fixed, although some have had luck in restoring shine using oils. I however have not! If a piece is faded from age or dishwasher use, there is pretty much nothing that you can do!
As you are out thrifting and collect more pieces, you will learn how to recognize stains and know what you can get off and what you can't.
If anyone has any other tips or tricks on cleaning Pyrex please do share in the comments and I'll add them to this post! Hope this was helpful! As always, click over to the Pyrex Love website for lots of Pyrex information! Next week's post will be about general care!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday
*For everyone waiting for the Pyrex post, I'm actually just trying to find a piece in my collection that has a certain kind of stain. This week's post is on cleaning tips and I want very specific photos for it. Hopefully I'll find something tomorrow!*
Planted my garden this weekend. This is tea mint!
All washed and dried, the vintage quilt I found this weekend.
Finally did some sewing and updated my long empty Etsy Shop!
Received this yummy Pyrex in a trade with a friend :)
George!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Clean laundry
Sound of: Harry Potter 4 Audiobook
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: A sunny day
Feel of: Soft quilt
Good Things about Today:
- Had a very productive sewing day!
- Finally washed the new to me vintage sheets.
- It's sunny and warm and beautiful out!
Planted my garden this weekend. This is tea mint!
All washed and dried, the vintage quilt I found this weekend.
Finally did some sewing and updated my long empty Etsy Shop!
Received this yummy Pyrex in a trade with a friend :)
George!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Clean laundry
Sound of: Harry Potter 4 Audiobook
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: A sunny day
Feel of: Soft quilt
Good Things about Today:
- Had a very productive sewing day!
- Finally washed the new to me vintage sheets.
- It's sunny and warm and beautiful out!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
May Giveaway Day!
Thanks for visiting!
I am giving away a Vintage Sheet Starter Set! It includes 5 different fat quarters of vintage sheets and a healthy bundle of sheet scraps! There are a lot of great things you could whip up with these sheets! There are some great things being made here, here, and here over on flickr!
The giveaway will take place from now until 11:59pm EST Thursday, May 20th. All you have to do to enter is leave one comment on this post! If you'd like, let me know what you'd do with the vintage sheets or just what you're working on! Winner will be chosen at random! :)
Please be sure that you leave your email address in the comment or be sure that it's viewable on your profile!
International entries are welcome!
Good luck!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Lately
Finished the Vintage Zig-Zag quilt!
Cut all the triangles for my value quilt.
Made another batch of my current favorite cookies: Red Velvet Cookies.
Such a sleepy bunny :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air
Sound of: Harry Potter 6
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: A sunny day
Feel of: Comfy bed
Good Things about Today:
- Finished the vintage quilt!
- Had a kitty adoption today at animal shelter!
- Helped set up for the shelter's annual rummage sale!
- Found a full set of vintage tupperware and two sheets at said set-up :D
Cut all the triangles for my value quilt.
Made another batch of my current favorite cookies: Red Velvet Cookies.
Such a sleepy bunny :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air
Sound of: Harry Potter 6
Taste of: Cookies
Sight of: A sunny day
Feel of: Comfy bed
Good Things about Today:
- Finished the vintage quilt!
- Had a kitty adoption today at animal shelter!
- Helped set up for the shelter's annual rummage sale!
- Found a full set of vintage tupperware and two sheets at said set-up :D
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Favorites
1. Mini quick piece quilt, 2. Wagon Wheels, 3. Baby Buttons Big Bed Quilt, 4. Leoni's quilt hanging, 5. beginning again, 6. HubbaBubba Quilt, 7. yet another one for Ms. Frick, 8. 4 rows!, 9. crazy quilt with back
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Every week I go through my favorite photos on Flickr, and choose nine sewing/quilting related projects to showcase here. These photos and projects are not my own, you can find the original images and creators by clicking the coordinating links! If for any reason you do not want your project featured here, please email me and I'll remove it!
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday
Pulled fabrics for a new quilt today!
It's going to be a value quilt, cool colors and warm colors.
Finished piecing the back for my vintage zig-zag quilt.
George being a goofball, sitting on top of his box!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air after a rain
Sound of: Harry Potter 7
Taste of: Klondike bar
Sight of: Stacked fabric
Feel of: George's soft fur
Good Things about Today:
- Pulled all the fabric for the new quilt!
- George was very good today, he'll be getting a strawberry later!
- My homemade dishwasher detergent worked wonderfully!
- Finally made it to the post office!
It's going to be a value quilt, cool colors and warm colors.
Finished piecing the back for my vintage zig-zag quilt.
George being a goofball, sitting on top of his box!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air after a rain
Sound of: Harry Potter 7
Taste of: Klondike bar
Sight of: Stacked fabric
Feel of: George's soft fur
Good Things about Today:
- Pulled all the fabric for the new quilt!
- George was very good today, he'll be getting a strawberry later!
- My homemade dishwasher detergent worked wonderfully!
- Finally made it to the post office!