Your Complimentary Guide to Specialty Shopping and Events in

®
July-August 2014
Available across the U.S.A. & Canada
Your Complimentary Guide to Specialty Shopping and Events in Oklahoma & Texas
2
Events
The Country Register of Oklahoma & Texas July/August 2014 Issue
The Country Register is published every other month. Copyright
©2013. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or
graphic content in any manner is prohibited. The Country Register is a
registered corporation and is registered as a trade name in the state of
Oklahoma and Texas.
P.O. Box 32581 • Oklahoma City, OK 73123 • 405-470-2597
countryregister@hotmail.com • www.countryregister.com/oklahoma
LENDA WILLIAMS
Publisher/Editor
CATHY SHOEMAKER
Graphic Designer
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Send $3 to any publisher below to receive a paper from that area.
• Indicates the State has a web-viewable version of The Country Register.
The Country Register Founder: Barbara Floyd, 602-321-6511,
info@countryregister.com, located in Phoenix, AZ
USA
• Alabama: Dana Wilburn, 6349 Knollwood Ct., Frederick, MD 21701, 301-698-2694
• Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950
• Arkansas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597
• California & N. Nevada: Betty Fassett, 26941 Cabot Rd., Suite 132, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653, 800-349-1858
Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797
• Connecticut: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760
• Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319
• Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, 706-340-1049, 678-641-7728
• Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028
• Idaho (S) WA & E. OR: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 602-942-8950
• Illinois: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, ,OK 73123, 405-470-2597
• Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319
Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, 641-751-2619
• Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, 866-966-9815
• Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243-1118
Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663
• Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• Massachusetts-RI: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760
Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211
• Minnesota: Kim and Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, 763-754-1661
• Missouri: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597
• Montana: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028
• Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ 85071, 602-942-8950
• Nevada (N): Betty Fassett, 26941 Cabot Rd., Suite 132, Laguna Hills, CA, 92653, 800-349-1858
• Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803
New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, 603-463-3703
• New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, 888-616-8319
New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797
• New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• N. Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950
• North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028
• Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, 937-652-1157
• Oklahoma: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597
• Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950
• Pennsylvania: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• Rhode Island: Michael Dempsey, 10213 Fanny Brown Road, Raleigh, NC 27603, 919-661-1760
• S. Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P.O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 85071, 602-942-8950
• South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028
• Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243-1118
• Texas: Lenda Williams, P.O. Bo 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597
• Utah: Daniel & Stacy Tueller, 153 S 2050 W, Provo UT 84601, 801-592-8498
• Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• Wash. & E. OR & S. ID: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P. O. Box 84345, Phoenix, AZ, 602-942-8950
• West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217
• Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, 715-838-9426
• Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028
CANADA
• Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0, 780-889-3776
British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0, 1-800-784-6711
• Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, 306-736-2441
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Events
July / August 2014
Just Between Us…
In this Issue
by Lenda Williams
About Our Cover Art. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
GET READY, GET SET, and LADIES START YOUR MOTORS...sewing
machine motors…I can’t believe that it’s time to get started on our holiday
projects! Have you visited you local shop lately? Most are just back from
market and the new selections are amazing. Beautiful material that you
won’t find at your Big Box Store. We all know that the material carried at
quilt shoes is a better quality and coordinates with many other fabrics in
the shop. I don’t know about you but, I am challenged with putting fabrics
together. The help I get from these wonderful and talented people at the
shops is priceless. Not to mention that any problems I might be having with
a project can be solved there. They also have projects displayed that are
already made so we can see what they are supposed to look like. How
many times have you started a project and realized how great it would
be if you could have seen it first? There are wonderful new gadgets and
widgets that you can’t or don’t want do without. For those of us that do
machine embroidery, the selection of creative new designs is at times,
overwhelming. Classes, classes, classes…I have never taken a class that I
didn’t leave thinking WOW, that was such an easy technique. Why have I
been doing it the hard ways for all these years?
Designs, Stitchery & Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 6, 14
I know we’ve talked about buying local many times. It is so important
to make sure our local stores not only survive, but also thrive.
Lenda Williams
Please see p.16 for the Top 10 reasons to
support locally owned business!
Oklahoma Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Recipes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 6,11
Texas Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9-15
Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,16
Our Search for Cover Artwork —
Across the U.S. and Canada, you can always tell The Country
Register by it’s cover. Our publishers seek to find cover art or photos
from the state the paper represents. To that end, we are seeking the
work of artists from Oklahoma & Texas to feature on our covers. The art
must be in good taste and consistent with the theme of the papers.
If you would like your work to be considered, please send an
email indicating your interest to countryregister@hotmail.com
NEEDLES-N-PINS
STITCHERIES
About Our Cover Art...
Susan Rios’ ability to evoke familiar feelings
through her paintings is the hallmark of her work.
A nationally renowned artist, Susan works with a
palette of soft, warm colors, inviting viewers to step
into a world where one tranquil moment can last an
eternity.
Largely self-taught, Susan’s artistic potential was
apparent even as a child. Her love of the outdoors
inspired her to begin drawing scenes from nature.
Today, she continues to find inspiration in the gentlehearted beauty of everyday life.
A professional artist for 30 years, Susan spent the early years of her
career working as a floral designer. She soon discovered that blending
flowers was similar to mixing colors on a palette. To this day, flowers are an
ever-present motif in many of her paintings, as are other “favorite things”
– wicker chairs, pretty tablecloths, vintage china, jolly santas, bright-eyed
children and cozy corners-the best things in life!
When not painting, Susan has always loved making handmade gifts
and jewelry. She loves creating special things for the special people in her
life, things made with her own two hands, whether it be a pendant or a
painted little quote hanging on beautiful ribbon for a friend in need of
some inspriration. More and more she would hear “where can I get one?”
You can now find many of Susan’s handmade treasures in her etsy shop. If
you want to take a peek, here’s the link to her shop: http://www.etsy.com/
shop/SusanRiosDesigns
To keep up with all that is going on, you can find Susan on facebook
at https://www.facebook.com/susanriosart.
This pattern is free for you to use. Not for commercial use. Enlarge or
reduce to your desired size. May be used for embroidery, pillows,
paintings, the uses are numerous! Please give credit to the artist.
NEEDLES-N-PINS STITCHERIES
Find more patterns at:
www.etsy.com/shop/needlesnpinsstichery
Colleen Bass
cbass@acsalaska.net
3
4
Northwest OK
Building Harmony
Summer Sweetness
Very few things in life are as satisfying
as sitting on the porch or the patio after
dinner, enjoying the company of family
and friends. As the warm days wind down and the kids
are playing in the yard, whip up a pitcher of this sweet
summery drink. It will remind you that summer is fleeting
and you should enjoy its sweet goodness now! © Susan
Tipsord 2014
Watermelon Strawberry Lemonade
4 c. cubed and seeded watermelon
3/4 c. sliced strawberries
1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. sugar
1 c. water, lemon-lime soda, or diet lemon-lime soda
Combine all ingredients in blender and mix well. Enjoy!
Fabrics & More Etc.
413 Barnes — Alva, OK 73717
580-327-0240
Store Hours
Tues-Fri 9:30- 5:30
Sat 9:30 - 2:30
We carry over 4000 bolts of fabric from your favorite mills,
books, patterns, notions, kits and more.
Be sure to like us on Facebook.
www.fabricsandmoreetc.com
A Man’s Function
by Jeff Cappis
Most married men work hard to impress their wives and prove
their worth. (I’ll take a pause here for the ladies who are laughing so
they don’t miss the story.) My wife doesn’t see it either, but it’s true.
There’s a saying amongst guys, “If the girls don’t find you
handsome, they better find you handy.” As a result, I try very hard to be
handy. Here’s a story to illustrate my point.
It was 3:00 in the afternoon. I’d finished writing a couple of stories and
drawn cartoons to go with them. Cathy was going to be home in an hour
and a half so I thought I’d finish up a little housework before she walked
in the door.
Now you have to understand, Cathy keeps a very clean and orderly
house. Dirt doesn’t live here and everything is in its place. (Except my
study, but we’ll talk about how I’m giving Cathy nightmares and shaving
years off her life some other time.) I looked around for something to do.
The floors were spotless, the laundry was done, the fireplaces were
cleaned out. All I found was six cents when I checked the cushions. Funny,
I could have sworn I lost a couple of dollars in it last week. It’s expensive to
nap on the sofa with full pockets. At least it gives change.
Finally, after a half hour of looking for dust —anywhere, I ran across
Cathy’s morning coffee cup in the sink. It needed to be washed. It wasn’t
much, but it was something I could do. Heck, it’s still worth at least 1
brownie point. Right? So, I washed it. I scrubbed the coffee stains out of it.
I polished it. I even made sure I could see my reflection in it.
Proud of myself, I put it with the other cups in my custom, home
made, hanging cabinet. I’d gotten 3 brownie points for that one and I’d
built that cabinet well. It was designed to hold up to forty cups. I know
that for a fact because Cathy’s mug was #41 and the whole thing went
crashing to the floor.
You can imagine how I was turning the air blue as I
began cleaning up. Cathy was going to be home in
less than an hour and I had to fix the cabinet and
clean up the mugs. This actually wouldn’t have been
a long job but the cabinet had also torn a chunk
out of the wall and knocked out a couple
of floor tiles. It would have knocked out
more, but luckily my foot was there to
break its fall.
You wouldn’t believe how fast I
moved. The hole was patched in 15
minutes. The tiles were repaired in 10. The
cabinet was fixed and rehung in 20. Luckily, only
one mug was broken. Unluckily, it was Cathy’s
morning mug. I re-stacked the others and got
out some special glue to put the handle back on
Cathy’s mug. The job was perfect. Only a small
hairline crack was visible and you had to hold the
mug upside down to see it.
The timing was great. Cathy walked in just as
I had put the glue away. She smiled and gave me
a hello kiss. Then came the inevitable question, “So,
what did you get done today?”
“Well, uh, I found six cents when
I was checking out the sofa.”
©Copyright by Jeff Cappis.
Email: jcappis@telus.net.
Northeast OK
July / August 2014
THE LOVE OF MY LIFE….
(is slim and colorful, and has a
heart of lead)
by Joann Klusmeyer
I’ve pretty much been in love with
the pencil from the time I first learned
not to poke myself in the eye with it.
That was back when the pencil was
sharpened with a pocket knife, or
maybe the kitchen paring knife. In
those days, it took skill to get to the
point without breaking the lead,
but we managed. Later, when I
started to school, I met that little
machine attached to the wall that
did the sharpening with the turn of a
lever. Pencil and I were both glad
of it.
It was there that Pencil and I
learned that we could copy words
on paper, and even write a few of our
Nancy’s
Trunk
www.nancystrunk.com
9211 W. Main/33 Hwy • Ripley, OK • 405-413-5037
5
Quilt Fabric & Supplies
Singer Featherweights
Classes & Machine Quilting
OPEN TUES-SAT
ROW BY ROW EXPERIENCE
JULY & AUG
(1/2 way between Perkins & Cushing on South side of Hwy 33)
own.
A fourth grade teacher tried to teach her class about a ‘fountain pen’.
No one was bold enough to ask where was the fountain. It must have been
that rubber balloon thing inside the shank. When it went dry, the pen point
was inserted into an ink bottle, and a lever was lifted. That filled the bladder,
and you were in business again. All was well until the bladder reached
the age to give out, then the writer had a handful of ink. I could almost
hear Pencil snickering in the background. He knew that contraption had no
future. Intuitive, he was.
Next step up was the typewriter and Pencil came along. He carried the
much needed eraser. The perfect love triangle… none of us could operate
without the other.
Pencil and I loved book reports, and we worked together on them. Then
we decided we could write the whole book so we swapped the typewriter
for a computer and had even more fun.
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FINISHED QUILTS FOR SALE
405-282-1144
www.extraspecialfabric.com
1-800-795-2844
Laurah Kilbourn, Owner
Our latest venture was to tackle the plight of the Oklahoma Territory
after its central part was settled in a day… at the shot of a gun… with no
thought of how the children were to be educated. Teachers on the prairie
were spread an thin as water gravy and could start ‘teaching’ at age 11 if
they could read, and if there was no one better qualified within the four mile
area.
Use Essential Oils to Control
Summer Insect Pests
We, Pencil and I, imagined how that would be, and then we thought
of a 17 year old New York girl (with an education) who became tossed into
the prairie, and what a difference one incident can make on the lives of
hundreds. We call it PRAIRIE ACADEMY and it is now published and on line
with Amazon for $2.99 an ebook copy.
Warm sunny days make me anxious to work in my flowerbeds and
garden. It does not seem like there is any better therapy for me than
digging in fresh, moist, slightly cool dirt and pulling unwanted weeds out
by the roots. Then at the end of the day, it is such a “good” tired feeling to
be able to sit down with a nice, cold glass of tea or lemonade and enjoy
observing the beauty of my labor.
Of course, when we got started writing it was impossible to stop, so we
followed on with four more books to finish telling the story. Pencil and I can
get wordy, at times, trying to get to the point, but stories are such fun to tell!
THE CHRONICLE OF CARLILE CORNERS
An overnight disaster tossed a seventeen year old girl and her young
brother from their wealthy New York home into the raw territory of
Oklahoma, not yet even a state. Despite the immense culture shock, a
particular skill the girl had acquired found a place where it was timely
and sorely needed.
“PRAIRIE ACADEMY” by Joann Ellen Sisco, is the first of the 5
book chronicle covering years 1895 to 1925, and is available in
paperback or the very affordable ebook for $2.99 from Amazon. Also
available for Kindle.
Download in minutes and come along for the adventure!
By Wanda Headricks
Because it is the gardening season, I want to share some information
on different ways to use essential oils around your home and gardens to
help you.
Peppermint essential oil is excellent to keep ants out of your home. It
is also a good deterrent for spiders. When there has not been adequate
rain fall, ants like to come into the house seeking moisture. It seems the
kitchen sink is often their favorite place to gather. To discourage them from
gathering at your kitchen sink, just place a few drops of pure peppermint
essential oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton balls around the sink and
counter top area. If you see them coming in through the window sill, drop
a few drops of pure peppermint oil in their pathway and after a few days,
(story continues on page 6)
6
Southwest OK
(Essential Oils story continued from page 5)
they will stop. The pure peppermint essential oil will not stain, discolor or
leave a residue on the wood of the window sill. It will make your home
smell wonderful and bright. To deter spiders, make a peppermint essential
oil spray and spray around the windows and doors of your home every
2-4 weeks. (see below for the recipe)
Neem oil is becoming widely known for pest control in your garden.
Neem oil is considered a (vegetable) carrier oil and is often used in skin
care and pet products. Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the India
Neem Tree (Azadirachta Seed Oil). Cold pressed neem oil contains natural
constituents that have specific benefits for skin care and has been used for
centuries in traditional Indian medicine to aid the healing of topical skin
disorders, as a natural insecticidal, anti-fruit fly agent and antiseptic. Neem
Oil contains multiple different compounds (some sources say over 100)
that work to repel some pests, disrupts growth hormones in others, and
affects fecundity (ability to reproduce) in insects like house flies.
Peppermint Spray for Repelling Spiders:
4 oz Aluminum or Glass Spray Bottle (Never use plastic)
Pure Peppermint Essential Oil...................50 drops
Distilled Water.............................................. 4 oz.
Mix all together in the empty aluminum or glass spray bottle, shake
well and spray around the window and door frames every two weeks, or
more often if you see evidence of spiders wanting to enter your home.
Peppermint Spray is also safe to use on your clothes and linens and does
not leave any stain. Always check for staining in a small hidden area
before spraying the whole item or area to be sure.
Neem Oil Spray for garden pest control
Neem Oil................................................1 ounce
Water......................................................1 gallon
Dish Soap..............................................4-6 drops
Mix neem oil, water, and dish soap together in a spray container, stir or
shake well. As a preventative, spray the Neem oil solution on the ground
after you have planted the seeds. Once the plants have emerged, you
should spray the neem oil solution on and around the plants every month.
IMPORTANT: To prevent leaf burn, do not apply the solution to plants
until after sunset or while grow lights are on.
Spray on vegetables, flowers and plants every month for insect
repellent. The dish soap helps the solution to stick to the plant. It may
require a renewed application after a rain.
Enjoy using natural plant based ingredients to control insects in your
environment.
For Pure Essential Oils and other natural products, and empty containers
go to www.flinthillsaromatherapy.com call 620-394-2250 or e-mail info@
flinthillsaromatherapy.com
Wanda Headrick, owner of Flinthills Aromatherapy, draws on her
extensive knowledge of essential oils to share non-chemical remedies to
keep readers and their homes healthy.
Beautiful Jewelry
Fossil Watches
Baby Items
Candles
Crabtree & Evelyn
Gifts & Accessories for all occassions
5300 E. Hwy 37 • Tuttle, OK 73089 • 405-381-3375 • 405-381-4559
persimmonhollowgifts.com
Don’t Touch The Quilts!
(Or How I was drafted to join the
Quilt Show Militia)
by Mari Vanderstelt
Quilts are such lovable, huggable, texture-filled soft cuddly things. Linus
and other kids had security blankets for a reason. There is a secure feeling
that comes from being wrapped up and swaddled by a homemade quilt.
I work with quilts all day yet I come home, cuddle up with a quilt and work
on my hand appliqué. So I get it, I really do.
The “don’t touch the quilts” mantra that is the standard for all Quilt
Shows is one I always struggled with. Yes, I get that we don’t want dirty
hands potentially staining our hard work. But look at all that quilting—how
could we not reach out and touch that?
Well, at least that’s how I felt until I was recruited to be the Chief/
Queen/Lead Chairperson of our local Quilt Show, held annually during the
Pioneer Picnic. Before the show, I was friendly to the non-quilters. After the
show, I was given medication and put in a Support Group for those who
have done time at their local quilt show. Let me give a quick shout out to
my Quilt Militia Sisters—I stand in solidarity with ya now, Babes.
Sure, we all start off with the best of intentions. We begin by putting
up the cute signs on the quilts reminding viewers not to touch. We post
signs at the door stating no drinks, no food, no pets. We smile and nod,
answer questions and, when we see someone reaching for the quilt, we
gently remind them not to touch, stating, “It’s so hard. I know.” We are so
nice about it.
For ten minutes. Then reality hits.
The mom with three strollers, eight kids and ten sippy cups comes
in. She is going to drive me flat out insane. Look—the eight-year-old is
playing hide and seek UNDER THE QUILTS with the five-year-old. The threeyear-old is vigorously shaking (shaking!) the red Kool-Aid in his sippy cup
while he tries to unscrew the top. Mom’s chattering with her friend who
only has five children, oblivious to the upcoming Kool Aid baptism that her
toddler is about to grace the 120-year-old quilt with.
“Ma’am, I’ll hold on to your child’s sippy cup for you until you leave. And
please remind your oldest not to touch the quilt,” I say. We are answered
with a withering stare and the statement that they are just being kids. It
was at this point a tic developed in my eye that stayed for the remainder
of the show.
Then there is the cute old man with a twinkle in his eye. He’s so
adorable and he knows it. He beams and tips his hat. We melt. Then he
reaches for the quilt and the temperature cools to below freezing. Our
breaths hang in the air and icicles form around our words.
Volunteer: “We are asking people not to touch the quilts.”
Formerly Cute Old Man: “I’m just looking at the stitching.”
Volunteer: “We will be happy to put on gloves and show you the
stitching.”
Formerly Cute Old Man: “I’m not hurting anything.”
“But,” my volunteer informs him in an even, low voice, “We will hurt
you if you don’t Put. The. Quilt. Down. Now.” (I will just say she had been
on Quilt Guard Duty for four hours straight, intercepted five hairy dogs, and
it was 101 degrees out. She’s a nice lady. Really.)
And, of course, there are the critics! How could any quilt show survive
without the critics?!
“I really wish you would not allow machine quilted quilts to be
displayed. It’s cheating; it’s not really quilting,” said the non-quilter/former
friend. I was quickly removed from her presence before I stroked out, with
my friend Sandy Sayer (former quilt show militia leader) reminding me to
(story continues on next page)
Events & Fun Stuff
July / August 2014
(Quilt Mafia story continued from previous page)
breathe into the paper bag.
“These are nothing compared to the quilts my Grandma used to
make,” sneered the crabby man in a dismissive tone as he looked at
the intricate king-sized lone star with the Baltimore Album Style Appliqué
border, hand quilted every half inch.
“That must have been what killed her then,” I flippantly remarked.
That time I was removed from the building for half an hour and given
a diet Pepsi. I was hoping they would fire me. Instead, they gave me a
lifetime appointment. I really should learn to keep my mouth shut.
There’s the guy who thinks the show should be judged by professional
judges. The woman who thinks the “made by youth” entries should not be
allowed to have the “Best in Show” ribbon because everyone will come in
and vote just because they are kids. The leader of a quilt guild in another
state who wishes we would have a juried show instead of letting anyone
enter. The local woman who wishes we could keep the show open for
more hours, but does not want to volunteer for a shift. Blah, blah, blah,
yada, yada, yada. After a while, it’s just a blur.
But, for every crabby, non quilt-educated critical viewer, there are at
least two wonderful people who value, respect and love quilting. They
admire the “Made by Youth” section and seek out the young stitchers to
give them a word of encouragement. They tell loving, wonderful stories
about how they were blessed by a quilt made for them by a dear friend.
There are the parents who troop in to look at the quilt made by the
local pre-school co-op. The blocks feature their child’s handprint. We look
the other way when the parents reach out and softly stroke their child’s
handprint. We know how short a time we have to hold our babies’ hands.
There is the young lady with Down Syndrome who worked on a quilt
with her Grandma. They pose for a picture, one on each side of the quilt,
and she proudly displays her red ribbon. We all clap. She beams.
7
THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER
MORE ABOUT CLEANING AND
PRESERVING YOUR QUILT
By Bernita Hill
Currently, most experts recommend
vacuuming your quilt. Place netting or an
old nylon stocking over the nozzle to keep it
from snagging and tearing the fabric. Work
carefully from side to side and top to bottom.
Do both the front and the back. You will be
surprised at how much brighter the fabric in
the quilt will look after a gentle vacuuming.
Please realize, though, there is a certain
risk in using any cleaning method which is why
many experts say leave it the way it is.
Believe me I hear horror stories all the time. There is that person who
used bleach on the quilt and wondered “what…happened?”And the one
who, in an attempt to get it “good and clean”, ran it through the washing
machine several times with a good dose of Tide each time. Because of
this, it’s age, and because it had been stored in a washhouse for years, it
pretty much disintegrated. (The holes the mice had chewed in it might
have added to the problem, too.) And what about adding fabric softener
to the rinse? Experts don’t recommend it.
So, my advice is first, ask yourself how precious is this quilt to me? If it
has survived several generations already, can’t it just be left as it is?
And the ten-year-old girl who proudly made a blanket for her baby
sister. The eighty-year-old man who embroiders the state flower quilt blocks
for local ladies because “he just can’t stand sitting around doing nothing.”
There’s the quilt made for a loved one dying of cancer, completed two
weeks before she died.
If you feel you must clean it, try vacuuming it first as I suggested. If
it has an odor, try putting fabric softener sheets in with it in a plastic bag
briefly. One person told me she put charcoal briquettes in cotton bags
and placed them in a large plastic bag along with the quilt. It seemed to
work but you risk having charcoal rub off on the quilt and then you have
another problem.
These are the moments that make us come back year after year,
in spite of the “no machine quilted quilts” and the Kool Aid. It’s coming
together with pride in our community and honoring the hard work of our
friends and neighbors, with no criticism—the way it should be.
Whatever you decide, remember to store it in a cotton bag that has
been washed frequently or old pillow cases, keep it out of direct sunlight
and away from extreme variations of heat and cold. In other words, not
in the attic or the basement.
Just don’t touch the quilts. Please. My doctor has stated the medication
will only help so far . . .
Mari Vanderstelt owns Yankee Dutch Quilting & Dry Goods, located
at 106 East Bishop Way, Brownsville, OR 97327. She can be reached at
yankeedutch@hotmail.com. Writing has proven to be a great way for Mari
to unwind.
The “New” Flea Market
Have you noticed the trendy new flea markets? No? Check out your
closest storage facility. I had no idea these were such a treasure trove!
Many people rent storage bins and hold a weekly tag sale for their found
treasures. There is one I go by often that has everything from old signs
to furniture to golf carts. I saw an old Marlboro sign this weekend stating
“51¢/pack.” I wouldn’t want it, but it was cool to see! Looking in different
places will allow you to find different things. You never know when you
may find something useful or unique. One man’s trash is certainly another
man’s treasure! © Susan Tipsord 2014
So, let’s recap this three-part series.
Store the quilt flat, wrapped in cotton(pillowcases are ideal) and
away from harsh light and strong odors.
Identify them by sewing on a muslin patch giving the name of the
quilt pattern, the date it was made and the maker. It is a good idea to
label the pillowcase or whatever you use so you don’t have to pull the
quilt out each time to identify it.
Consider if the quilt actually needs cleaning. Most experts are no
longer recommending washing old quilts but if you think you must, use a
mild soap, lukewarm water and keep changing the water until it runs clear.
Dry it by spreading it on clean sheets. Never hang it on the clothesline or
put it in the dryer and if you spread it outside, cover it to protect it from
the birds.
Currently, the most commonly recommended cleaning process is to
cover the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose with netting and vacuum each
side to remove debris and brighten the fabric.
Quilts are made to be used and with careful attention, should last a
long, long time.
Bernita Hill is a retired college instructor who will share her knowledge of
quilting and quilt history plus reminisce about growing up on a family farm.
8
Events & Fun Stuff
Enter to Win
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Pet Quilts,
Murder
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New ‘Loose Threads’ Mystery
In Arlene Sachitano latest book, A Quilt in Time, pet quilts are the
project of the day for Harriet Truman and her group, the Loose Threads,
when local veterinarian Aiden Jalbert decides to fund an animal kennel
for the local battered women’s shelter and asks the quilters to sew bedding
for the facility.
Harriet is soon drawn into the world of domestic violence when Loose
Thread Sarah Ness calls from the emergency room where she’s landed
as a result of a vicious beating by fiancé Seth Pratt. Harriet and several of
the Loose Threads try to convince Sarah to leave Seth, but the situation
is complicated by tangled family relationships. Sarah’s mother is married
to Seth’s father and they all work at the family business, the Foggy Point
Senior Center.
Sarah initially refuses to consider going to the shelter, but is forced to
change her mind when she wakes to find Seth dead beside her in bed.
Is Harriet’s friend a killer or did someone else want Seth dead? Will Harriet
put herself in the killer’s sights if she tries to figure it out? She asks a few
too many questions and someone blows up the Loose Threads’ cars in
Harriet’s driveway as a warning.
When Harriet and the Threads do a quilting project with the residents
at the senior center, they learn that several of the residents have concerns
of their own so Harriet and the Loose Threads work together with the
residents to figure out who killed Seth and why.
A Quilt in Time by Arlene Sachitano is the seventh book in the Harriet
Truman/Loose Threads Mystery series and is available at Amazon.com
and Barnesandnoble.com as well as many quilt stores and on Kindle and
Nook and other e-book formats.
Arlene started life as a military brat. Her dad retired and moved the
family to the Pacific Northwest where she still lives. She started knitting,
writing and sewing at a young age and still does all three. Until recently,
a thirty year diversion into the high tech industry, along with marriage
and children, had prevented her from taking action on her desire to write
novels inspired by her love of Agatha Christie.
This busy author spends her days writing her novels, babysitting
her grandchildren, quilting, knitting and promoting her books. You will
often find Arlene at a local quilt show ready to sign her books for one
of her readers. She is active in the Harriet Vane Chapter of Sisters in
Crime in Portland, Oregon. You can find more about Arlene at www.
arlenesachitano.com or at Arlene Sachitano’s page on Facebook.
TO ENTER EMAIL US AT: countryregister@hotmail.com and put
A Quilt in Time in the subject line. Be sure and give us your name
and address, or mail us your name and address. The drawing will be
held August 15th. The winner will be announced in the
Sept/Oct issue of The Country Register.
Events & Fun Stuff
July / August 2014
9
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Over the Teacup
Rituals…A Stabilizing Force
by Janet Young
The following is an excerpt from the book, Stitches: A Handbook on
Meaning, Hope, and Repair, by Ann LaMotte.
“Here is the true secret of life. We mostly do everything over and over
in the morning. We let out the dogs, and we make coffee (tea), read the
paper, help whoever is around get ready for the day. We do our work. If we
have left, we come home, put down our keys and satchels, let the dogs out,
take off constrictive clothing, make a drink or a pot of tea, toast the leftover
bit of scone. I love ritual and repetition. Without them, I would be a balloon
with a slow leak.”
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a ritual is any formal and customarily
repeated act, or series of acts. So, perhaps what Ms. LaMotte wrote, describes
your daily routine precisely, or with a few modifications. This got me to
thinking. Is there anything wrong with doing the same thing day after day?
As I pondered, the thought came to me that perhaps, it is those very rituals
that keep us grounded. For it is the repetitiveness that provides a stabilizing
force in our lives. However, there is nothing wrong with changing it from time
to time. Now that summer is here, perhaps through vacations, children being
home from school, and the opportunity for a more leisurely time, we can
change our rituals a little.
Change of routine refreshes us, renews us, it even invigorates us. A ritual
helps to bring control back into our lives. Through rituals we can strive to enrich
our lives by creating a healthier lifestyle.
For example, if you have trouble falling asleep, turn off the TV or
computer at least an hour before bedtime and instead try reading before
going to bed. Through reading, you will be able to separate this moment of
much needed rest from the activities of the day. To relieve stress, take time
for a morning stretch, or maybe an after dinner walk would work best for your
schedule. These are small rituals that can be incorporated into your life, if you
seek a healthier you.
Each of us has our own set of rituals we do every day. However, there
may be those times, when we get tired of doing the same thing over and
over again. When those thoughts begin to surface, for example the morning
rush as you and your family head out the door Monday through Friday: It is
then, that you should step back and be glad first of all that you have children,
and secondly, that you have the physical strength to care for them.
We are all caught up in this rat race called life. How we respond to it, is
up to us to control. Remember what I said in the beginning of this article…
rituals ground us, they are the stabilizing force in our lives.
If you truly believe this, the next time life spins out of control, go back to a
ritual of comfort, such as a tea break, or cuddling your child or pet…whatever
it is that comforts you, it is then that you might reclaim your life and discover
that you are indeed, in control. Life is good! Go out and enjoy it!
–Janet Young, Certified Tea and EtiquetteConsultant, is a founding
member of Mid-Atlantic Tea Business Association and freelance writer/national
tea presenter. Visit her website at www.overtheteacup.com.
Central TX
July / August 2014
“Grandma, can you make
the tea soon?” ten-year-old Clara
asked. Three of our grandkids and
their mom, Amy, had stopped by
for a short visit on Sunday afternoon.
I scurried to prepare an impromptu
tea. The dining room table beckoned
with a pastel tablecloth, pink and
blue plates, and child-sized teacups.
I added the perky pink and yellow
tulips they brought, and the setting
looked inviting.
Sweet Gathering
As we gathered around the
table, the grandkids immediately spotted the sugar cubes, lollipops, honey
straws, and crystallized sugar on sticks. Of course they were eager to sweeten
their lives, I mean tea. Which sweetener to use? It would be a difficult choice.
But with their mom present, they couldn’t talk Grandma into letting them
sample all of them. (It’s a good thing our grandkids have sensible parents
because my sensibility left when my grandkids came along.)
As they dipped strawberries into cream and spread lemon curd onto
bunny-shaped scones, I quickly brewed the tea. One small teapot held the
fragrant peach herbal blend they chose, and another held cold water. Now
they could fill their teacups half full of hot tea, stir in their favorite sweetener,
and add enough cold water to make it the perfect temperature for sipping.
Eight-year-old Owen took his first drink and proclaimed, “This tea tastes good!”
We all agreed.
Surprise Gift
Our sweet teatime was inspired weeks earlier when I received a surprise
package in the mail from a friend. The note inside said: “Because you’re my
friend, my life has been blessed! I want to bless you with a celebration kit.
It includes your favorite peach honey, scone mix, peach tea, bunny cookie
cutter, and pretty party-favor cups. I hope you and your grandkids have fun!”
Yes, we had fun! My grandkids never need instructions for that, though
their afternoon became more delightful because of our teatime. They
enjoyed filling the pastel polka-dot party cups with small candies, nibbling
scones, and sipping sweet tea.
After my Sweet-Teas ate, they ran off to play. I’m glad they feel right
at home at “Grandma Tea’s” house and enjoy the familiar toys and games.
When it was time to leave, three-year-old Anna asked to borrow a few
treasures from the toy collection. This time she chose a stuffed animal and two
videos. No doubt, next time she’ll exchange them for something else.
Spontanai-Tea
Their drop-in visit reminded me that you don’t need a special occasion
for tea. Tea makes any occasion special. Keep a scone mix, teabags, and
sugar cubes or honey on hand, and you’ll be ready to share a spontanai-TEA.
Now it’s my turn to brighten someone’s day with a tea-party kit. Won’t
you join me?
Lydia E. Harris, who holds a master of arts degree in home economics,
is blessed with five grandchildren aged preschool to high school and is the
author of the book Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting.
11
From Lydia’s Idea File:
Give a Tea-Party Kit
Possible Ingredients:
Scone or cookie mix
Small jar of honey or jam
Delicious tea (e.g., Celestial Seasonings Country Peach Passion, Republic
of Tea Strawberry Chocolate, or Apricot Decaf Scripture Tea (from www.
Scripturetea.com)
Honey straws or sugar cubes
Box of shortbread
Pretty paper napkins or doilies
Dried fruit
Small gift book
Friendship note
Directions:
1. Wrap items in colorful tissue paper and place in a sturdy box for mailing,
or place them in a basket to deliver.
2. Avoid fragrant items since they will flavor the food and change the
taste.
3. Send with love, a prayer, and perhaps a little poem, quote, or Bible
verse. Here are some ideas:
When I count my blessings, I count you twice.
“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3 niv). Or,
“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to
God!” (Philippians 1:3 msg).
The road to a friend’s house is never long. —Danish Proverb
Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. —Swedish Proverb
“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory
fails.” —Donna Roberts
“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going
down.” —Arnold Glasgow
12
Northwest TX
The Way It Was and the Way It Is!
The Nat
by James Nelson
“Hey Jim, Harry James is going to be at The Nat this weekend. Grab Lois
and we’ll dance the night away to ‘Cherry Berry Bin.’”
The voice was coming from my friend Ron. He and I had been dating
sisters for a few months. Seemed only natural that two friends since grade
school through high school would date sisters. Ron and Barb, Lois’s sister, had
introduced me to Lois and we had such fun together that the dates just kept
coming. Even though I was in college and she was in high school, the magic
seemed to be there.
I’m getting a little ahead of my story, which in reality is about Natatorium
Park or “The Nat” as it was called. An amusement park in Spokane near the
Spokane River, it was owned and operated by Lloyd Vogel and his family. It
was the place to go for years and a Mecca of entertainment for Fort Wright
soldiers and Farragut Naval Base sailors during the war years.
It had a roller coaster called the “Jack Rabbit” that, in my eyes, was
equal to any other roller coaster in the world. That first hill was a butterfly-filled
stomach-tightener. It took a lot of fun rides before I ever dared raise my hands
over my head—but I didn’t tell Lois.
The Boardwalk, with all its arcades, was not only fun but also it never
ceased to drain your pockets. You had to watch yourself so as not to spend all
your money before you got to the main rides. The long mirrors that distorted
your image and features certainly made you laugh.
My first date with Lois was down at The Nat. We had a great time and
I’m sure I never spent more than a $20 bill. I even won a kewpie doll, which
Lois immediately claimed, for knocking a stack of wooden bottles off a table.
Yes, it had a tunnel of love, and when the monster jumped out of its darkness,
your date surely couldn’t help but end up in your arms. This always called for
another ride and hopefully another chance to hold your date close and ease
her fears.
A trip to The Nat wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the carousel—
ok, the merry-go-round. I never did catch the brass ring but who cared. Its
calliope still plays “Off We Go into the Wild Blue Yonder,” the Army Air Force
theme song.
But most of all, the big bands that came through were the biggest drawing
card for young and old alike. Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Stan Kenton,
Harry James, Glen Miller’s Orchestra, Red Nichols and his Five Pennies, Kay
Kaiser and his band of Musical Knowledge—you name them and they were
at The Nat at one time or another. Their music was soft, sweet and genuine.
No amplifiers, synthesizer or sound mixer here. Only swing music as it should
be played. Horns muted on occasion could almost put you in another world
as you would swing and sway. The fast ones came occasionally just to keep
you—how does the song go—“In the Mood” to never sit one out.
Of course, the one I remember best was Harry James. It was one of
my first dates with Lois and we doubled with Ron and Barb. We entered the
door amid the whirling, swishing sound of Lois’s crinoline skirt and the strains of
Avalon. I could hardly wait to check our coats as a jitterbug favorite, “Bumble
Boogie,” sent everyone to the dance floor.
I paid a dollar for a program picturing Harry James and all the band
members along with a picture of his beautiful wife, Betty Grable. Lois had
asked me if I would get the program signed by Harry James so she could
place it among her souvenirs. As we swayed to the music near the front of
the stage, I worked my way through the crowd and headed for Mr. Trumpet
himself, Harry James. After I beat the program on the stage through a
couple of songs he finally relented, bent down and said, “I hope your date
appreciated this.” With flair, he signed the program with these words, “Make
this a night to remember.” It was and I never have forgotten that interlude
in my life. When they ended the evening with “You Made Me Love You,” I
knew I was in love. There were many dances after that moonlit evening on
the dance pavilion at The Nat for Lois and me because about three years
later we were married.
While we were separated during my service time before marriage, I
danced at many places, including the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco.
The view of San Francisco Bay from Nob Hill while dancing at the Top of the
Mark was spectacular. But this didn’t hold a candle to The Nat and the view of
the Spokane River while dancing with Lois in my arms.
I’m sure most of us have had a Natatorium Park in our life at one time
or another. I only hope it was as memorable and meaningful as mine was.
The Nat is gone now, but I will always have a key to the door of musical
memories.
Jim Nelson enjoyed a career at the Spokane Review and retired in
Spokane, WA. His writings have been widely published in nationally known
magazines, including five times in Chicken Soup of the Soul books. His book,
The Way It Was and The Way It Is, can be found in the public libraries and
school systems in Spokane. It is available for purchase through Amazon.com
and contains 46 nostalgic short stories. Jim Nelson enjoys hearing from our
readers and can be reached at 43 E. Weile, Apt. 214, Spokane, WA 99208.
Jim has been writing for over 50 years.
Too Busy
to Cook!
If actually cooking a lot is a qualification for this issue’s Cooking With
The Oldies, I have to confess. I have not cooked a full, real, honest to
goodness thing in several months. But I do have my reasons, or better put,
excuses. Top of the list of excuses is I have been too busy and somehow it
just seems wrong to mess up a beautiful all-new kitchen.
Ten years ago, I spotted a property about four blocks away from the
home I was living in—the home that was more of a busy office than a
home, some days. There was something about the cozy gated community
in North Phoenix with smaller individual homes that I knew would make
sense to live in someday. That someday seemed far off at the time.
Renting it out for ten years seemed practical. Then ten years passed in a
flash and I knew it was a window of opportunity to move while I was still
able and willing to do so.
After semi-retiring from active publishing, I enjoyed two years of
having two guest bedrooms after years of only having one. Family and
friends came and enjoyed time there and then I would lock it up for
months during the summer and head to Washington to be with family.
So, all my talk about downsizing and picturing myself in smaller quarters,
(story continues on next page)
Northeast TX
July / August 2014
(Cooking with the Oldies continued from previous page)
smaller yard, no upkeep of the front yard at all, started to take root. When
I would mention actually leaving my larger home of 15 years, I would
get one of two reactions. Either it was met with much encouragement
or dismay that I would leave my well-loved bigger home. When you go
from 2,500 sq. feet to 1,400 sq. feet, you have to start mentally preparing
for letting go of a lot of “things.” I felt like I was ready and my children
were happy that in doing it myself they would not have to plow through
so many “things” someday down the road.
Just let me tell you that moving is not for the faint of heart. It is a lot of
decision-making and a lot of physical effort. Coming to my rescue was my
21-year-old grandson, Levi Swenson. He was at the end of recovery from
some major shoulder surgery and stood by me for three weeks. When he
left, he took my old Toyota Rav 4—filled to the brim with things for three
kids and seven grandchildren—back to Walla Walla, WA, where I spend
my summers.
Doing a property renovation is not for the faint of heart, either, unless
you have a very good contractor, which I did. And it is a good thing. I was
so sick in February when I had the month-to-month current renter move
out, it all looked like a mountain. Then I just sat back and realized I was
not going to be doing the work! After ten years, it was due for a major,
and after about ten weeks, it began to look like a new home—even
better than it had looked when it was new.
My favorite change in the house was in the kitchen. We took two
cupboards that matched the kitchen cupboards out of the hallway and
incorporated them into expanding the kitchen counter space. Another went
above the microwave and was higher than the little cupboard originally
there. I was not in love with the sturdy hickory cupboards and so they got
a good paint job and new brushed stainless steel appliances were added.
The refrigerator is counter depth, saves inches of space and gives me less
room to store leftovers that will perish in the far back corners. Under counter
lights and LED lights in the ceiling along with three decorative lights over
the new counter space make for a lot of good lighting in a kitchen that
had a single 100 watt light fixture on a rather high ceiling.
Unpacking was more work than packing up and, of course, my kitchen
was my biggest concern. It is much smaller than the last one, but I must
say, I have not been inspired yet to dirty up that new stove unless you
count baking one of those cardboard like thin crusted boxed pizzas as a
cooking project. The other reason that is valid is I do not want to lay in a
lot of groceries because in just about ten days I leave for Georgia to be at
a grandchild’s high school graduation and then head to Washington. But,
as I continue to settle in, I am thinking ahead to fall Arizona days when I
can start to bake, entertain or continue to haunt my favorite go-to eateries
and keep my kitchen clean!
My one cooking tip on this “time out from cooking” for a quick meal is
the boxed pizzas are actually pretty good and even better if you cut them
into bite size pieces and scatter them on top of your favorite salad mix for
a complete meal.
Barbara Floyd, Founder of The Country Register, The Antique Register
of Arizona, and Love of Junk, Walla Walla’s Vintage Market, resides in
Phoenix, AZ, and still loves the kitchen. She can be reached at barbara@
countryregister and will soon celebrate two years of semi-retirement. 13
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Piecing Life Together
It’s Not an Alien
by Barbara Polston
Have you noticed that every industry has its
own special language? Quilting is no different.
For example, a “fat quarter” is not a body part
but a particular cut of fabric. Acronyms abound
as well. UFO does not mean “unidentified flying
object” but “unfinished project.” Some refer to
those as PHDs. No, not doctorate degrees but
“projects half done.” The term UFO has always
done it for me.
When quilters gather, talk often turns to how
many UFOs they have stashed in closets and
under beds. A recent conversation had numbers
ranging from 17 to 36 to “I’m too embarrassed
to say.” It’s not hard to accumulate them. Quilt
classes often result in a project begun that must be finished some time after
class has concluded.
There are varying stages of UFO-ness, at least for me. Some UFOs are
designs with fabrics pulled. Others are partially sewn. One UFO has been
waiting for the finishing binding for over a year. No matter what the reason,
the project awaits the right time or the right mood to “get ‘er done!”
I’m part of a group that takes an annual quilt retreat. For three days
we do nothing but sew and eat and talk and laugh. Believe it or not, lots of
progress is made on projects with that many hours to devote to them. Having
been at the retreat a number of years, I’ve gotten fairly good at knowing
how much I can get done and what to bring. This year, I decided to revisit
some of my UFOs, bringing three projects along. My goal was to come home
with two tops finished and good progress made on one.
For the fun of it, we worked to determine how old my UFOs were. We
decided that two of them were probably languishing for seven to eight years.
I still loved the fabrics I had selected for them. One enabled me to try a
reverse appliqué technique that I had wanted to experiment with. As each
top was completed, my fellow retreaters complimented me on how fresh
and modern they looked. We had a good laugh about that, knowing how
long the fabrics had been waiting to see needle and thread!
I met my goal of completing the two tops and making good progress on
the third. All three are still UFOs. The finished tops wait to be layered, quilted
and bound. The third project has a bit more work to be moved into the
“waiting to be quilted” pile. For now, I’m content with my UFO progress and
have stopped looking for the little green men!
Barbara Polston is an author, designer and award-winning quiltmaker.
You can see Barbara’s quilts, join her on Facebook or book her class and lecture
offerings at www.barbarapolston.com. She was inducted into Arizona Quilters
Hall of Fame in September 2013. Barbara, who has lived in Phoenix for over
28 years, is calmly quilting in Studio Narnia. ©Barbara Polston, Phoenix, AZ,
June 2014
14
Southwest TX
The Value in Design
by Sandie Massett
Most quilters will agree that value is the most important lightness or
darkness of a color or hue. Value can change by the color value that is
placed next to it. To understand this, look at the value scale here. The
gray vertical line is the same color or value but looks different next to the
different values from the top to the bottom of the scale. Don’t believe me?
Cover up both sides of the line with your hands. Yes, it’s value that you use
to make your quilt pop.
Serenity Quilts of Many Colors
We Carry ALL Quilting Fabric & Notions
Custom Quilts • Pieced Tops Ready to be Quilted
Longarm Quilting Service Available
Lucky Charm Shop Hop July 17, 18, 19
2018 S. Bridge Street • Brady, TX • (325) 597-3102
Open Tue-Fri from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
and on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
When choosing your fabric for your design remember to keep in
mind that the contrast of value separates objects and creates space, while
gradation of value suggests a shape of a contiguous area or shape. So
it’s value that creates and determines the design you will see in your quilt
by the contrast of the different values of fabric and how they are placed
together.
Some helpful ways to figure out the value of your fabric is to use a red
and or blue plastic viewer that you can find at your local quilt shop. The
red viewer is good for blues, greens and cool colors. The blue viewer is for
reds, oranges and yellows, and warm colors.
Another fast way that I use at home is to place swatches of my fabric
on the scanner bed next to each other and copy them off in black and
white print. Do you use a design wall? You could use a digital camera and
take a picture of your blocks and then convert your photo into black and
white on your PC to help you see its value.
If you are in a pinch at the quilt shop, lay the bolts of fabric stacked
on their sides, get back and look with squinted eyes. Some quilters use the
little peephole viewer that is meant for a front door and turn it around so
that it creates a view of distance from the fabric when they look through it.
For fun take some of your fabrics in your stash and separate them into
three different piles of light, medium and dark. Use the fabric to make
several blocks of the design below. It will be interesting to see by moving
your blocks around the different designs you will make by using value.
Using value is also a great method to use for making scrap quilts.
Cutting Directions for 6 1/2” X 6 1/2” unfinished
Med = 3 1/2”square
Light = 3 7/8”square cut in half diagonally to make two pieces
Dark = 6 7/8” square cut in half diagonal to make two pieces.
You can move the values around to your liking.
1. Sew the light triangles (B) to the med block (A).
2. Sew this section to the larger dark triangle (C).
You can make nine or so of
these blocks, turn it into a small
quilt.
Sandie Massett, Tweet Quilt
Designs, has been quilting for
about 30 years and started
creating patterns the past few
years. She’s been working on
several quilts lately for a book,
which is her next goal. Her website
at www.TweetQuiltDesigns.com
has a few things she’s done
as patterns (geared toward
teaching) and a slide show of
some of her work. She’s very
active in the Eugene, Springfield,
OR, quilting community. Appliqué
is Sandie’s favorite part of quilting
Southeast TX
July / August 2014
15
Red and White
Challenge
Inspires Charity Design
by Marlene Oddie
One of my online friends,
SewCalGal, is hosting the Year of
Red and White Quilt Challenges.
Have you seen this: http://
sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/
redwhilte-quilt-challenge.html?
Do you remember the large
exhibit of red and white quilts,
which was sponsored by the
American Folk Art Museum in
New York City in 2011?
Inspired by the exhibit,
SewCalGal is encouraging us all
to think in red and white through
a variety of challenges this year.
I was asked to participate in the
January Kick Off - Electric Quilt
Red and White Theme Blog Hop
to motivate readers to think in
red and white and get involved. When creating my design, I kept in mind
an upcoming teaching engagement for a charity group in February.
My mom, Betty Baerg, is an active member of the Apache Junction,
Arizona, chapter of “It’s My Very Own” and I wanted a simple design for
her group that could also serve my Kick Off Blog purpose. This charity
includes a quilt in each Bag of Love that they provide to children displaced
from their homes.
The organization has a recommended size of 48” x 60”, I also wanted
to keep the design to minimal seams, create interest and provide good
lines for a domestic machine quilter to follow. Chevrons or ZigZags seem
to be very popular. Many times I have seen them pieced as half-square
triangles. Simplifying this design by cutting large squares on both diagonals
provides a piecing plan that is half as many seams as other methods. The
chevron shape provides a good line for a basic domestic machine quilter
to follow and is easily extended to make much larger quilts. I named my
version “ZigZag Love.”
After teaching this to the It’s My Very Own group, they have already
created more than a dozen quilts using this design and are enjoying their
new skills and the quick piecing and quilting process that it provides.
The quilt I designed to teach the class went on to be a practice quilt
for me to try some new quilting techniques before quilting two red and
white quilts for an upcoming Red and White Quilts book published by the
American Quilter’s Society. You can read more about this project on my
blog.
This design doesn’t have to be just for red and white quilts. Have you
made a red and white quilt this year? Check out the challenges hosted by
SewCalGal and enter yours!
Marlene Oddie is an engineer by education, project manager by
profession and now a quilter by passion in Grand Coulee, WA. She enjoys
long-arm quilting on her Gammill Optimum Plus, but especially enjoys
designing quilts and assisting in the creation of a meaningful treasure for
the recipient. Follow Marlene’s adventures via her blog at http://kissedquilts.
blogspot.com or on http://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts.
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