TA-DA!

Remember the pile of copper from Friday's post? I had some interesting guesses as to what it would become, but now you can see what we actually created.

It's a copper quilt/blanket ladder! As we say in first grade, it was easy peasy to make. The only necessary tools were a measuring tape and a pipe cutter (thankfully my dad had the latter for us to borrow so we did not have to purchase one). I found cutting pipe to be a lot of fun and it all went pretty quickly. The ladder sides are constructed of short pieces which fit into a copper pipe tee at each rung. Then the rungs, of course,  also feed into the tee so the assembly is a cinch. The ends at the top and bottom are finished with copper caps. I will gladly provide exact directions/dimensions to anyone. I can't take credit for this idea as you can find quilt and blanket ladders (both wooden and copper) all over the internet.

The ladder won't really go in this spot, but I rested it here for pictures and tossed on a few quilts to show how it will be used.

I think it will be the perfect way to display special pieces like these. The cute little blue and white quilt was my dad's when he was a baby and the lovely white afghan was especially made for us by Aunt Esther. I had the nine patch on the bottom made from my childhood school dresses (primary years) by a woman from church.

The ladder needs to be clear-coated yet and then I will move it to its place upstairs. Sometime soon I hope to hang my own quilted creation on a rung. My friend, Lu, has been patiently guiding me through my first small quilt and it's been so much fun! I believe it should be finished in the very near future, so I will share photos when it's ready.

Ta-da!

What's THAT?

I have a project planned, which we'll begin this weekend (as time permits). My materials have been purchased and it's ready to go. I have two 10 foot copper pipes and...

a bag of copper tees and caps.

I'll show you when I am finished in the next week, or so. I assure you that we are not working on plumbing!

Have a great weekend!!

Score!

As you know, the Super Bowl is three days away. As you also know, I love appetizers! If you're hosting a team-gathering or watching the game solo, you may be looking for a little something for your food lineup. Maybe you'll want to tackle this easy recipe.

Artichoke Dip

1 (14 ounce) can quartered artichokes, drained

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp. hot sauce (like Tabasco)

Blend all ingredients in a shallow baking dish and

bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until

hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers.

Have you tried these? If not, I highly recommend you make

it a goal! They go well with this dip, but any cracker will work.

Score!

Happy Hearts

Last weekend I began tucking in a few hearts, here and there, in honor of Valentine's Day.

I also reassembled a project that one of my sisters-in-law made for me a few years back. Rather than storing the vase intact, I always bag-up the candy hearts in a quart bag and pluck out the flowers and put all of it in my tub of February decorations. You just need a clear vase with a wide mouth, a bag of conversation hearts and some flower stems of your choice.

Whatever you're doing today, I hope your heart is happy!

Tuesday's Tablescape

Happy Groundhog Day! Whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, this tablescape covers it with snowflakes to represent winter and paperwhites for spring.

I used to read this story to my classes on Groundhog Day in previous years, so I had to tuck it in the centerpiece.

Will it be an early spring or not? Which do you prefer?

Happy February!

I put out a few Valentine touches today and I began with the butler's pantry.

I enjoy displaying and using this cup and saucer which was a gift from a sweet little student and her family years and years ago.

This vintage Hershey's Cocoa tin has been around forever and I just put some greenery in it.

I put some faux chocolate "pastries" on the clear cake plate and added this pretty Lucite server. It's tough to see, but just the handle is red and the rest is clear.  Randy made it as a 7th grade shop project!

It's the time of year for hearts and chocolates!

Ten Minute (or so) Table Runner

I am probably the last person to know about these quick and easy table runners since I have no sewing experience! However, I am learning to quilt (with my new quilting sewing machine I received for Christmas) and I'm broadening my fabric horizons!

Back in November, I saw the directions to this table runner. It sounded relatively easy and I thought that maybe I could handle it. I began imagining how I could use seasonal fabrics and promised myself I would give it a try for Valentine's Day. Guess what I tackled today?

You will need 1/2 yard of one fabric (your main which will become the back and edge) and 1/3 yard of the other (which will be your accent fabric).

I love the little heart ladybugs!

Turn the fabrics print-side to print-side and sew along the edge with a quarter inch seam. Turn over and repeat along the other edge, so that you end-up with a long tube with the pretty sides inside.

Now you can turn the tube inside out so that your printed sides are showing. Carefully press the fabric flat so that the backside which comes around forms an edge (of equal width) on either side of your accent fabric. Measure several times to be sure it's even because once you stitch in the next step, it will be too late to correct any error.

Fold the tube in half, lengthwise, and sew along one of the short  ends with a quarter inch seam. Repeat at the other end.

"Open" and pull the backside fabric forward, forming a point of the main fabric. 

Repeat the process with other end and you'll have your table runner. It's recommended that you use a decorative stitch or add a button (or other accent) along the line where the triangle ends and meets the accent fabric. I have to decide what I will do to finish mine.

If you are a visual learner, just do a search for "ten minute table runner" and watch a YouTube. Ironically, I even found one highlighting a Valentine table runner last night. This project is touted to take just ten minutes. Due to my lack of experience and weak sewing confidence, it took me a bit longer. Even for me, though, it was quick and enjoyable!

Maybe you'd like to try making one.

Have a wonderful weekend!