Appleton Dance

I found a hand-drawn pattern for this "Kangaroo Pocket Apron" in my files when I reorganized my  workroom. The directions were typed and signed Linda Theil, 1978. The original called for hemmed edges and ribbon ties. For this version, I made self ties and cut a full facing to finish the top of the apron. I seamed the pocket right side to wrong side and turned the pocket to the front to finish all the edges. This method left a chancy bit where the pocket and the top facing met, but not enough for me to worry about. I think if I made this again I'd just make it with a full lining and a smaller, applied pocket. The apron is generously sized, and can be adjusted to fit all sizes with an adjustable neck tie and wrap-around waist ties. You will need 2-1/4 yards of fabric and a D-ring set for the neck tie. If you want a contrasting pocket and ties, use a different fabric 3/4 yards in length for those pieces. You will also need a bodkin to turn the apron neck tie and waist ti...

I made a set of placemats using the quilt-as-you-go technique that I saw at The Quilt Patch in Tecumseh, Michigan last month. The Quilt Patch models featured a holiday print for the central medallion, but I used a 8-1/4 x 7 teacup block that I pieced using instructions from the "Crazy Little Teapot" quilt in Still Crazy by The Buggy Barn. I used all fabrics from my (recently re-organized) stash to make four 18 x 13 placemats. Materials needed to make one placemat: one central medallion 8-1/4 x 7 inches coordinating backing fabric sized 20 x 15 inches lightweight fiberfill sized 18 x 13 inches iron-on interfacing sized 18 x 13 inches Color A = two pieces 3 x 7 inches Color B = two pieces 1.5 x 7 inches, and  two pieces 15.25 x 1.5 inches Color C = two pieces 2 x 9 inches, and two pieces 18.5 x 2 inches bobbin thread to match backing fabric Recommended: walking foot for sewing machine RST means place fabric pieces with the right sides together Use 1/4-inch s...

With Mother's Day coming I thought that a Fabric Board would be a great gift for the craft room that my Mom has been setting up.  I have wanted one of these...for my many quilting projects...since I saw my friend Alisande's jumbo size one about 10 years ago!    The design board post at Oh, Fransson! was a great help.  I borrowed her idea of using quilt batting instead of flannel, but after skulking around the lumber section of Lowe's on my lunch hour I decided that I wasn't crazy about the foam insulation board as a base.  I headed over to Jo-ann to pick up the batting without a firm plan and found a 36" x 36" stretched canvas on sale and decided to use that.  I think it will be easier to hang and will be sturdier over the long run. Here's how I made mine... Supplies : Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100% Cotton Needled Batting - crib  size 45" x 60"    $9 at Jo-ann after 40% off coupon. Gallery Stretched Canvas - 36...

  A leak rendered my dilapidated kitchen a disaster area beginning the week after New Years and ending April 25. In the process of reconstruction we addressed two dozen issues including demolition of damaged cabinets, painting, patching, new overhead light, new plugs, new counters, new sink and faucet, new Elfa pantry and wall shelving, and total cleaning and reorganization. My friend Janet asked for some pictures of the result, and I hope she is pleased by my offering here. This kitchen is by no means fancy, but every bit of it makes me very happy. I thank Duane from ServPro in Brighton, MI who supervised the construction, all his helpers, and my daughter Alisa for guiding and helping every step of the way. Alisa ordered and installed all the custom Elfa shelving and she recycled and re-purposed several carloads of material from the kitchen reorganization. She made all the hard things seem easy, as always. Thank you, all. Nebby friend Drake Mallard wants to see what's go...

These paper bunnies were inspired by these adorable felt bunnies from Crate & Barrel.   The Crate bunnies have great texture, but I wanted something with pattern so I started with printed scrapbook paper that I cut down to 8.5" x 11" to fit into my printer.  You could also use colored card stock and skip pasting two printed sides together. How To: Print this template on the wrong side of the printed paper.  Try printing at 50% or 75% to make different size bunnies. Cut out the two shapes. Use a glue stick to paste wrong sides together onto the other half of the scrapbook paper. Cut the shapes out again using the original as a guide. Cut a slit in each shape as shown.  Widen the slits as necessary to accommodate the thickness of your paper. Slide the bunny base (with the tail) down over the body (with the ears) so the bunny stands on its own. If necessary, trim the bases to stand straight. Arrange & enjoy! -Alisa...