Crabapple Branches Repurposed

When my husband had to cut down our flowering crabapple tree, I grabbed some branches with the dried apples still on. Added LED lights from Joann's with brown floral tape and, voila, romantic low lights. Much more natural and interesting than those found in stores today. The lights are plug in which emit a copper glow. Note the vase; I made it in a freshman ceramics seminar in 1970 at Barat College.

Quilting Cafe, where something is always brewing

PINK SLIPPED TEACHERS

For whatever reason, too many teachers are receiving pink slips. In other words, being terminated. We need to personally support these hard working souls with humor, caring, or just a quick thank you. Sometimes a teacher just likes to laugh. Here are some suggestions:

"You know how to tell if the teacher is hung over? Movie Day." Jay Mohr
"School is like a lollipop. It sucks until it is gone."

"I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom."

Gym Teacher or Coach

"As long as teachers give tests, there will always be prayer in school"

School's out for Summer!

Biology, Botany, Science, Ecology

"A gifted teacher is as rare as a gifted doctor, and makes far less money."

To buy these and other quilted items, please visit my shop: quiltingcafe.etsy.com

Quilting Cafe, where something is always brewing

ANGLERS' DELIGHT, appliqued fish quilted wallhanging

Just finished another quilted wallhanging in my Wisconsin pan fish series:

Angler's Delight


Each fish is an original design.



Using my own design, I choose a fabric for each part of the fish.


The fish is then machine appliqued leaving raw edges for extra dimension.

Each fish block is paired with a plaid flannel.Black Kona Cotton is used for the sashing.
Each fish is then thread painted with variegated metallic thread.

Each background is tea dyed and stipple quilted which makes

the fish puff out, giving it added dimension.

The back of the quilt is a golden wheat flannel.

My favorite part is adding each fish's eye.

It's when they really get their personality.

This quilt is 39 inches square. It's hanging sleeve already has a wooden lat in it with a saw toothed hanger attached: ready for immediate hanging.

Wouldn't this make the best Christmas gift for that angler on your list or maybe someone with a cabin. It will be an immediate eye catcher and conversation topic.

It is sold on quiltingcafe.etsy.com.

Quilting Cafe, where something is always brewing

JANE AUSTEN REVISITED

Isn't it just fabulous that we still can relate to Jane Austen today? Take look at my newest cards in my shop: quiltingcafe.etsy.com. Her words are still so true.

I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them."

"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of."

"One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other."

Jane Austen knew how to say it. Don't you know someone who would enjoy these gems. Mail them or keep it for yourself and frame them.

Three 4" X "6 Quilted Postcards. Raw-edge quotation is also cotton. Actual cotton batting used. I first made the mini-quilt and then attached it onto timtex stiffening and the cardstock. This process makes the card puffy and soft like an actual quilt. These mini-quilts are quilted with shiny variegated thread. Postcard is finished with fabric binding or overcasted yellow and orange thread.

Can be sent through the mail for 28 cents and arrives in perfect shape. Card Stock back for easy writing. If you have any questions, please contact me either through my shop or quilt.cafe@yahoo.com

Quilting Cafe, where something is always brewing

PRIMITIVE FOLK ART: Cabin Decor

I love to spend time up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. That wondrous place of clear blue water, heavenly pine trees, and glorious fresh air were the inspiration for these new items listed in my shop: quiltingcafe.etSy.com.

These mini quilts would compliment any decor where warmth is wanted: cabin, den, boy's room, or basement.

CABIN IN THE PINES

What a sweet little cabin nestled among the pines on a starlit night. This 18" square scrappy quilt is made from 20 different cotton flannels and evenweaves.

The trees, cabin, moon, and star are appliqued and finished with a button hole stitch. 15 buttons are hand sewn in the corners of the squares.

The branch is included.

SNOW
Who wouldn't love snow with this happy little snowman smiling back at them. This 19" X 11" scrappy quilt is made from 16 different cotton flannels and evenweaves.
The letters and snowman are appliqued and finished with a button hole stitch. French knots make up the eyes and mouth.
The Snowflakes are hand embroidered as are the snowman's arms


RUSTIC CRAZY QUILT
This richly patterned 20" X 13" wall hanging contains about 25 different cotton flannels and evenweaves. Although the quilt does not have batting, it is flannel-backed to give it stability. All the seams have been machine embroidered in different stitches with gold thread. Two large buttons set off the centers of the blocks.The wall hanging is finished in pillow case style with no binding. The branch it is hanging on is included.

BLUE ANGEL
This little darling will keep watch over home and hearth.

The angel is paper pieced in cotton evenweaves. The body is a blue batik with embroidered flowers along the bottom. The hair is jute with two french knot eyes. Two vintage buttons finish.

The 8" square mini quilt includes the birch branch hanger.

STAG IN THE NIGHT WOODS

Lots of stars at night, especially with a crescent moon, with deer rustling in the pine forest.

This 21" X 15" scrappy quilt is made from 21 different cotton flannels and evenweaves.

The trees, deer, moon, and stars are appliqued and finished with a button hole stitch.

Quilting Cafe, where something is always brewing