Friday, June 18, 2010

Where's Ruthann???

If you listened to my last podcast, you'll know that I'm heading into major reconstructive surgery on June 21. I had hoped to record a mid-June podcast, but didn't get to it, and I apologize.

I'm not sure how long it will be before I feel up to recording the next podcast -- I'm hoping mid-July. I do have some project sheets written, so maybe I'll just post one or two of those without a podcast.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I haven't abandoned my podcast and blog! Nothing can stop my creativity, and I sure hope you're all being creative, too!

Here's a photo of a small portion of the mysterious quilt I've been working on. This is fused and blanket stitched, and the little images are all freehand machine embroidered. The fabric for the cat is all Ricky Tims' hand-dyed fabric (except for the black, which is Kona cotton). The sky background is my hand-dyed fabric and is English paper-pieced. The checkerboard floor is entirely hand pieced. I promise to reveal more after recovery! (Many thanks to artist Phil Lewis for permission to make a quilt of his illustration, The Joker!)

 Until then, always remember, creativity isn't a race, it's an adventure!

'thann

Friday, June 4, 2010

Podcast 017 - It's Wedding Season!

Total length of this podcast: 1:24:00

CLICK HERE to listen to Podcast 017. Right-click on the link to save it to your hard drive, or better yet, so you don't miss future podcasts, subscribe via iTunes or PodBean using one of the links on the right side of my blog.

You can skip to whatever segment interests you -- check the minute markers for each segment.

INTRODUCTION
The bumper music for this podcast is The Gift of Love, in keeping with my theme of Weddings. (Yes, this is the same melody as Podcast 002's bumper music, The Water Is Wide, or Waly, Waly -- same tune, different words!)
Here I am 31 years ago with my matron of honor, Pat, and my flower girl,
her daughter (and my Goddaughter, and my son's Godmother) Kristin.

Ted and I are leaving the church.
Links of Note:
THE FIBER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker 37:05]
 Bridal Garter

Garter Supplies
Tips:
  • Use good-quality lace, silk or cotton, or try to get late to match your wedding dress.
  • Use "plush"-back elastic (as shown above) so it is comfortable next to your skin.
  • Use blue satin ribbon to go with the "something borrowed, something blue" tradition.
  • Have a small charm engraved with your wedding date so the garter will be a nice memento of your wedding.

Click below to open the Bridal Garter project sheet. You can save or print the file from within the viewer.
THE PAPER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker 48:50]
 
 Bomboniere
The five sugared almonds in the wedding bomboniere symbolize
  • Health
  • Wealth
  • Happiness
  • Fertility
  • Long life
The white sugared almonds themselves represent purity and the bittersweet nature of life.

Click below to open the Bomboniere project sheet. You can save or print the file from within the viewer.
THE RECIPE [Podcast minute marker 54:25]
Antipasto Salad

Tips:
  • In addition to the lettuce, ham, salami, and cheese, you can also add black olives and cucumber slices. 
  • You can use brick or jack cheese instead of mozzarella.
  • Buy your meats and cheese in chunks not thin slices, then cut them in 1/2-inch cubes.
If you are in the Detroit, Michigan, area, you can go to Shield's and try the original inspiration for this salad! CLICK HERE

Click below to open the recipe for Antipasto Salad. You can save or print the file from within the viewer.

THE GRAB BAG [Podcast minute marker: 1:00:08]

 Here is my small design wall in use.
These are just a few of the blocks I've made for a Baltimore Album-style quilt,
which will eventually belong to Teddy.
Tips:
  • You can buy Styrofoam insulation sheets at most home supply stores. I bought two sheets that were 2 inches thick and measured 4 feet x 8 feet. Because our ceilings are fairly low, I had the salesman cut my sheets down to 6 feet and I made a small design wall with the leftover portions.
  • While you can buy flannel by the yard, I suggest you use flannel sheets instead. If you do that you can avoid a seam. Make sure your flannel is plain white or off white.
  • You can use quilt batting if you want, but I don't think it's as sturdy as flannel.

Click below to open the Design Wall project sheet. You can save or print the file from within the viewer.

And remember . . .
creativity isn’t a race
it’s an adventure!