First Quilt Santa Doll Ready to Travel

The first handmade quilt Santa doll getting ready to travel to his new home.

First Quilt Santa Doll Ready to Travel

It may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas but our first quilt Santa doll is getting ready to travel.

These charming handmade Santa Claus dolls are made out of repurposed vintage handmade quilts with muslin details. The soft bodies are squeezable and easily posable since the arms and legs are made out of fabric and easily move.

I confess I enjoy posing the doll it its box as I sew on the label. I like to imagine where Santa doll will spend his holidays amidst other holiday decor, maybe sitting on presents under a Christmas tree or lounging on a fireplace mantel.

To maximize posing options, each Santa doll is shipped with a collapsible doll stand so that once the holidays are over, the stand is easy to store.

No two Santa dolls are the same, each is unique and gives old handmade quilts a new life, such as this Colorful Santa doll.

Our handmade Santa dolls repurpose old handmade quilts as Santa's holiday clothing.

In honor of one of our first customers, some of our Santa dolls have a blue theme for the snowy winter wonderland home decor theme some people keep up through the end of January.

One of the prettier themes is the blue holiday theme with silver accents, perfect to set off this  Blue Flower Garden Santa Claus doll. The pieces of this traditional patchwork flower garden quilt are about an inch wide.

Each handmade Santa doll is shipped with a collapsible stand for easy posing.

The final step in Santa's departure from our house at least is to temporarily protect the handmade quilt Santa doll during shipping. This pose looks odd but then Santa does go up and down chimneys so he must be quite flexible, don't you think?

Santa doll folded and heading to his new home with a collapsible doll stand.

Even though leaves have just starting turning colors in mid-Missouri to mark the beginning of fall, I know the holiday season can't be far behind.

Charlotte

Alan's Memory Quilt Wall Hanging

Alan's Memory Quilt Wall Hanging

It's easy to think handmade quilts are only for beds but one of the best ways to use them in home decor is on a wall. Especially quilts that are made as quilted wall hangings to begin with, they can retain and reflect wonderful memories and keep them where everyone can enjoy them.

Quilted wall hangings can be as simple as the first quilt block someone makes or several quilt blocks finished in a smaller size than a regular quilt. Let's face it, it can be daunting to make a full size quilt the first few times one is learning to piece so those few blocks don't go to waste if you can turn them into wall art. 

It's also one of the reasons why we carry lap quilts and throw-size quilts, you can easily change the look of a room by hanging something seasonal like a throw that reflects a special occasion. Better yet, get a lap quilt throw that can also be used as a quilted wall hanging that has all four seasons on it!

Back to my main story. This lovely applique and embroidery quilted wall hanging from Piece and Plenty's 2017 bi-annual show in Rolla, Missouri is a good example of preserving memories through textiles. This quilted wall hanging is called "Alan's Quilt" and designed to celebrate a worldwide tour Alan took as part of a musical singing group "Up with People."

There are several noteworthy elements to this quilted wall hanging starting with the design.

Look at how meticulous Bobbie Wedge was with the details on Alan's Quilt wall hanging. Yes, the flowers in the costume are nice but note the details on the arms of each of the figures, you can see fingers!

Details in Alan's Memory Quilt include tiny flowers and stitched fingers.

As I was looking at the different costumes, I couldn't help but wonder which one might be inspired by Alan himself.

I haven't asked Bobbie yet but I suspect there's a little of him in every one of these charming characters. Nice touch with the three-dimensional hat tassel and belt.

Details of one of the boy characters in Alan's Quilt wall hanging by Bobbie Wedge.

I can't sing worn a darn but I could sense what a unique experience this tour would have been for a young man seeing the world as he was singing. This quilted wall hanging is a lovely tribute to those memories!

Charlotte

A Small Garden Flower Bouquet

Uh-oh, is there a rabbit after this beautiful little bouquet of red hybrid tea roses? (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

A Garden Flower Bouquet

Of all of the things we can do to decorate our homes, adding a small bouquet of fresh flowers out of our gardens is the simplest, and most enjoyable, thing we can do. Not only does it bring some beauty into the room but you can add whimsy by pairing the flowers with a favorite decorating item.

In my case, the white porcelain rabbit has been a favorite coffee table partner for many years. I confess I make bouquets in relationship to the porcelain piece, such as this little bouquet of red hybrid tea roses I snipped from one of my rose beds.

I have real rabbits in my garden as well so having the little porcelain one inside reminds me of the ones living happily outside. Many are native wild rabbits, released into my garden when I was a rehabilitator for our local conservation office.

To easily add a small garden bouquet to your room decor, cut the flowers early morning and keep them in a vase of water not treated with salt for water softeners. That salt quickly cuts down the time the cut flowers will remain fresh in the vase.

Once you have the vase you want to use, re-cut the stems to the appropriate length. Add a pinch of aspirin to help keep the flowers fresh, then position them where you can enjoy them. Don't place them on top of electrical appliances such as TVs or anything else that produces heat. The heat will cut down the lifespan of the flowers.

Hardly. There is a rabbit but its porcelain and still has the good taste to admire the flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

These small red hybrid tea roses are sitting on my den coffee table so I can enjoy them when I am working.

I could have cut them with longer stems but I chose to keep them small. The smaller bouquets are easier to incorporate into a room close to where everyone can enjoy them.

Charlotte

Four Unique Bluebird Dish Towels

Charming hand embroidered bluebird dish towels ready to add color to a kitchen!

Four Unique Bluebird Dish Towels

One of the ways to quickly update home decor is to change the towels, whether it be in a bathroom or a kitchen. These four unique bluebird dish towels are a charming way to add a handmade touch to that high end kitchen and still have a touch of variety in the dish towel colors.

The white muslin dish towels are handmade themselves, each 16x34 inch out of an absorbent white muslin cotton. The made in Missouri, USA dish towels have been hand-embroidered with vintage patterned bluebirds wearing ties and bows standing around flowers, which add color to the scenes.

We added a stabilizer to the back to give these unique dish towels a longer life after regular washings in cold water. Dry on cool setting in the dryer.

These will make a great housewarming gift, wedding gift, shower gift, birthday gift for the cook on your gift list, quite versatile when it comes to the occasion to give them. You could also divide them into two sets if you wanted to present one set each to two daughters as gifts.

This set of bluebird dish towels can be divided into two separate gift sets, too.

I like to give these practical gifts because then I know they will be used and appreciated every day.

Charlotte

Cat Reading Nooks

Cats also enjoy reading nooks, especially the napping part of comfortable sunny reading nooks.

Cat Reading Nooks

I have been featuring a number of reading nooks to inspire you to set one - or a few - up in your own living space. Reading nooks are a wonderful way to take a time out, unplug, and reduce stress from our very busy lives.

Part of a reading nook includes having a pet. Giving a pet attention has been proven to reduce blood pressure, take our minds off our troubles and reduce stress. For those who need help with taking a nap, also a good thing to do in a reading nook, cats would be handy to have since they are such experts at napping.

And at my house, my cats have their own reading nooks so here are a few tips on setting up cat reading nooks:

Place the cat reading nooks in a sunny window. There are few things a cat loves more than looking out the window. Helps if the window has a bird feeder outside to watch.

Cat reading nooks in windows is a must, even if no books are nearby.

Cat reading nooks, like people reading nooks, can also have greenery.

Make sure having nearby plants are not too close or they may be paw-wrestled.

Make sure any plant you place nearby behaves itself. I apparently have plants that jump out and require some periodic feline discipline.

Every self-respecting reading nuc should have a place to hold books and magazines. And since this is a cat reading nook, it should also hold...

Reading nooks baskets hold magazines and books and cat reading nooks hold...well, you know.

In reading nooks, blankets are handy for naps. In cat reading nooks, cover any favorite reading spots with a blanket to prevent cat hair from collecting. I also have fake fur chair pads that help keep the chair warm.

For those cats interested in learning, give them a guide to learn how to read. Each cat will learn at their own pace.

Some cats are known to enjoy not only napping but actually learning to read.

Shsssh, try to keep interruptions down to a minimum.

Well, maybe someone else also wants to learn how to read.

This was the charming "teach your cat to read" kit a friend gave me for Christmas.

Charlotte

Reading Nook Disaster

This is reading nook central, where I do most of my writing, research reading and cat petting.

Reading Nook Disaster

I have been featuring a number of reading nook ideas I have around my house to inspire you to set one - or half a dozen - up in your home. Studies show having a quiet space where we can go to relax, read, unplug from our electronic devices and spend time with a pet - is a good way to reduce blood pressure and help us be happier.

I know the traditional approach is to show perfectly appointed rooms but that's not reality so here's my quite real, and a bit of a disaster, reading nook in my den off my kitchen. This is also reading nook central, the spot in my house I use the most because it has the largest side tables where I can use my computer to write, and where I can pile the most books when I do my research.

I know I said unplug earlier, and I will show you how I learned to do that in a minute.

In addition, the two-seater sofa has a bunch of throw pillows. I use some for a head rest, the others to fill in the gaps until I can have the two separate seat cushions merged into one large one. These tiny love sofas are not designed with stereo cats in mind!

A breakfast tray works well as a computer stand when I don't want to use the side table.

Even so, I still have some of the principles I showed you in other reading nooks, starting with the Four Season's Throw on the sofa back. I like to have quilts and throws close by so I can curl up at the first inclination of a cat nap. This sweet all cotton throw has four panels featuring each of the seasons so I can easily refold it to mark a different time of the year.

Right now I have it folded for the winter scene.

Four Seasons Throw has four different panels that can easily be featured on the back of the sofa.

Instead of a basket to hold books, I use an old wood magazine rack I refinished. Magazines don't sit up well in these contraptions but books do so I keep some of the ones slated for further study close by. If they graduate to the magazine rack they are slated for reading soon.

An old wood magazine rack works better to hold books slated for closer study.

I also have baskets, only in this reading nook I don't use some of them to hold books and magazines, I keep them on the side to hold items I need to repair. It's like having a little sewing area close by so I don't put off getting the things repaired because they are out of sight.

That poor little fabric turtle periodically disappears. I usually find it in another room in the middle of a pile of other cat toys, the victim of being purloined by my yellow cat Shirley Honey who has her own ideas of home decorating.

Several baskets grouped in my central reading nook help me get things repaired quicklyl

I also shopped for several flat baskets to keep my magazines nearby. Storing them flat prevents them from getting wonky when I tried to keep them standing up in a magazine rack and I can easily retrieve them when I need them. They have also been known to be used as cat napping spots.

Flat baskets add nice magazine storage space under my den coffee table.

Other simple home decor items have also been re-purposed. An old glass candle holder now holds TV remotes and hand cream. A sweet ladybug candleholder keeps my jump drives and multi-purpose knife handy.

The greeting cards I use for book marks sit in this whimsical ceramic napkin holder. I also tucked an address book and some notepads to keep them where I can easily get to them.

This ceramic flower vase now holds pens, emery boards and thread snips. Interesting flower vases can easily be repurposed so that you can enjoy seeing the actual vase.

This cute frog ceramic flower vase now serves as a pen, emery board and letter opener holder.

And last but not least, I have greenery. Studies show having green plants around us helps reduce stress and relax.

During summer, I have vases full of cut flowers. In winter, I move blooming plants to the corner of the table, this orchid a dendrobium from Burma that started blooming for the first time for me. Love having fresh growing flowers close, especially when everything outside is gray and gloomy.

This dendrobium orchid from Burma is now blooming and sitting on my den coffee table. Greenery can be as simple as a small blooming orchid.

In winter, my larger plants are scattered through the house, this is an orange tree.

To keep my den reading nook green, I left my large orange tree hanging over the side of the sofa. This was an orange seed someone planted 25 years ago and the tree became too big for their space so they asked if I wanted it. After a little trimming, it's now part of my moving collection, sitting on casters so I can easily move it outside to my deck after the danger of frost is over. Many butterfly caterpillars have been known to munch onthe leaves mid-summer.

Do I relax in this space? Yes, the cats make sure I do, even when I try to work. Margaret the white cat is an expert at cat naps and she likes to have company. She has chewed on the computer cord a couple of times to let me know when she sits in my lap, I am to set the skinny gray box aside so that I give her my full attention.

She's right, we were not meant to spend all of our days attached to electronics, 10-20 minute naps are an excellent way to unplug and recharge our personal batteries. Reading a book to take a break is a close second but only if the cat approves!

Charlotte

Front Porch Reading Nook Idea

This is the reading nook on my front porch, a little sparse now but full of plants in summer.

Front Porch Reading Nook

Reading nooks are wonderful ways to invite us to take a break and relax. I have been sharing some of the ones I have set up in my house to inspire you. Reading nooks can also be set up outside, like this one I have on my front porch. This is a very small space in a corner that started simply enough with an old deck chair.

Years later, the chair graduated to being a small, two-seater porch swing, the perfect spot to sit in and relax after a long day at work. Studies show that spending just a few minutes outside helps reduce stress and extend one's life over time, why not be comfortable while doing that?

This reading nook has a metal basket on the wall and side tables behind the porch swing.

As the weather turned cold, I started to drag the nearest throw outside to keep me warm. The beige throw now covers the porch swing and my throw of choice, the ladybug throw, is not heavy enough to keep me warm in single digit temperatures so I have it inside over winter. I like to have a quilt or throw nearby so I can toss it over my legs when I sit there for a few minutes to look over my garden. 

I found a delightful heavy strawberry-themed cotton throw at a local thrift shop for $4 that is now draped on the back of the porch swing for my winter protection. I love all of the strawberries on it; strawberries are part of our family history. My father's line goes back centuries to Hungary where my predecessors were farmers and, in particular. strawberry farmers.

Other basic reading nook concepts are still here, too. Take the idea of a basket.

Better than a basket, this metal basket is where I can leave magazines and other reading material.

Because it is outside, the metal basket is a better choice for holding reading material. Not only will it keep the papers dry but with the basket secured to the wall, it won't blow away. Or get stolen by Cousin George, the raccoon.

I also have two little plant stands behind the porch swing that serve as handy tables. I found the little wooden tray specifically for carrying my tea out to the front porch. My local glass company cut the piece of plastic that provides a continual surface over the two tables.

Behind the porch swing I have two tables I can use to hold my warm tea and tray.

The black metal stand in the corner is new so I will be working with that later this year. My thought was I could leave some paperbacks there but visiting wildlife may want to read them, too, or take them. Maybe I will keep some plants there, or better yet leave some basic gardening tools so I don't have to go looking for them when I spot something I need to get done in the garden.

That's the one challenge of sitting outside, there tends to be something I spot that I just can't wait to do later. This is supposed to be a stress-free zone, I know. Well, have to work on that this year, too!

Charlotte

Bedroom Window Reading Nook

An old-fashioned chair sits in a bedroom corner to provide me with another reading space.

Bedroom Reading Nook

To the left of this space is the bathroom door, which sits between this corner and my bedside reading nook. This is a great spot to sit early mornings and read after waking up and exercising. It takes a few minutes to get my heart rate down so sitting here to leaf through a magazine, or look out the window while I get my thoughts organized for the day is a welcome retreat.

If you don't have reading nooks anywhere in your house, I'm featuring several through my house to inspire you. Studies show taking a break from our hectic schedules by reading and unplugging from our electronics reduces stress and helps us re-boot. Reading nooks are easy to set up and give us all an excuse to slow down, even for just a few minutes.

Here are my suggested steps to set up a reading nook. In most cases, you already have most of these items readily available, all you need to do is re-organize them in a way that beckons to you to sit down.

Ten Steps to Set Up a Reading Nook

1. Comfortable chair and foot stool. These two in photo don't match but their fabrics are complimentary. They will be re-upholstered later this year. Maybe. Maybe not. Depends on how many of those books behind the chair I want to read first!

2. A handmade quilt or throw draped over the back or side of the seating area is good to have, just in case you get cold or need to rest your eyes for a few minutes. Warning: reading nooks can lead to cat naps, another good way to recharge.

3. Side table with help aids, such as a coaster and notepad/pen for making notes. I also leave a pair of inexpensive reading glasses. These are on the bedside table nearby.

4. Fluffy soft throw pillows for placing behind one's head and back.

5. Baskets. I have them all over, some holding plants, others next to chairs to hold books and magazines. And cats. Cats and dogs are also known to help reduce stress because we pet them and by doing so, it calms us and reduces our blood pressure.

6. Natural lighting and/or good reading lamps. Make sure the lamps have enough light so that you don't get eye strain. I like natural light when at all possible.

7. Books and magazines. An Ipad or Kindle is ok to read something, too but no web-surfing or email checking, the idea is to unplug!

8. Note card or something you can use for bookmarks. I like to use thank you cards, that way I get to re-read them every time I tuck them into my stopping spot. I have several tucked into the top book shelf for easy access.

9. A cat or dog for company. See Item 5.

10. Put your electronics on the "do not disturb" setting and take a break, even if it's just for a few minutes.

There's a basket here, claimed for cat naps so I have a wooden basket to hold magazines.

The low white table on the right is a shoe storage unit I have under my casement windows. They are the perfect height to fit under the windows and hold baskets that get periodic cat visits to watch outside bird feeders. Books and magazines are tucked in there, too.

Inspired now? Where are you going to start a reading nook?

Charlotte

Seating Area Reading Nooks

Ceramic bird bath came in one winter and hasn't moved back outside since, good napping spot.

Seating Area Reading Nook Ideas

One of the first things I do when I set up a reading nook is place the chair in a spot where I can both read and enjoy the view. I love my garden so sitting down to enjoy it, even for a few minutes, is important to me, and relaxing.

Studies show one of the things we can do to be happy is unplug from our electronics and take time to relax. Some people have told me they think that means taking an elaborate vacation or pursuing a hobby. Although both of those can help, having a comfortable corner in your house where you can easily settle in and relax is more doable and something you can quickly use.

In my house, most of my chairs in my living room are facing towards windows, each one a small reading nook. The side table has space for books underneath, and baskets on the low tables by the windows are perfect places to put reading material. Or cats.

Pets, such as dogs and cats, help us reduce stress so spending a few quiet minutes in a chair petting a pet is a good way to take a break and contribute to our health.

More cats use those baskets than I do; the baskets are a perfect place to sit and bird watch.

Garden view out of the front living room windows include a perfect bird watching spot.

This chair can easily be turned around when needed.

Behind the chair is by my sofa, also a bit of a reading nook with a full book case nearby. A vintage log cabin quilt is draped over the back of the sofa, a bit of color that helps pull all the other colors together in the room.

It also comes in very handy when I decide a little cat nap is in order. Cat naps of 10-15 minutes have been proven to be very healthy and helpful to recharge batteries in the middle of the day.

The sofa behind the chair also has a small white bookcase with a selection of favorite books.

The throw pillows also pull the main room colors onto the sofa although it's all a bit eclectic. I'm not aspiring for high fashion, comfort is more my priority.

Here are the basic steps for making reading nooks:

1. Comfortable seating, either a chair or sofa. I scrounge for foot stools at thrift stores and antique shops and have a group that gets re-upholstered this year. Maybe.  I match up the foot stools with complimentary chairs so at least they look like they should be together until I update one or the other.

2. A handmade quilt or throw draped over the back or side for easy access will keep you easily warm and toasty, especially when time is pressing and you still want that little cat nap.

3. Side table with help aids, such as a coaster and reading glasses. In this reading nook the little yellow ceramic peach can hide a few chocolates.

4. Fluffy soft throw pillows for placing behind one's back.

5. A small white bookcase fills in for a side table next to the sofa.

6. Natural lighting and/or good reading lamps. Make sure the lamps have enough light so that you don't get eye strain.

7. Books and magazines. Yes, a Kindle is also ok as long as you stay away from checking emails and surfing, the idea is to unplug for a few!

8. Note card or something you can use for bookmarks. I like to use thank you cards, that way I get to re-read them every time I tuck them into my stopping spot. I have several tucked into the corner shelf in the book shelf.

9. A cat or dog for company. In winter, I also like having a fireplace going to keep the chill off the room. The fireplace, and baskets, tends to attract the cats so I also have towels that blend in with the chairs to pick up cat hair.

10. Research shows one of the healthiest things we can do is unplug so put the electronics on the "do not disturb" setting and take a break.

And now for the ceramic bird bath, not your usual living room item, I grant you, nor a requirement for a reading nook. I brought it in one fall to keep it from cracking over winter and one of my cats found a great use for it.

Bartholomew likes to curl up in the bird bath for naps and intense bird watching.

Bartholomew likes to nap in the bird bath in summer, too, I can easily reach him from the chair to give him a full body massage so the bird bath has stayed inside.

Inspired to set up reading nooks in your home or do you have some already? How about an inside bird bath?

Charlotte

Bedside Reading Nook Clean Up

BEFORE: One of my most-used reading nooks is beside my bed and a bit of a mess!

Bedside Reading Nook Clean Up

So here's my most used reading nook at bedside, a bit of a mess thanks in part to cats that walk over, knock books down and I have to place them back on the table as I walk into the bathroom. Yes, it's a daily occurrence so the book pile just kept growing.

Re-Think Old Furniture

The bedside table is an old walnut cabinet from my mother that didn't have its original doors. I love having that open space to store books and magazines so re-think furniture pieces for book storage. The open space allows me to keep some basics handy. I keep a dictionary, phone books as well as other material I want to read before sleeping.

I may add a little shelf at the top this year to add storage space for the electronics.

This old doorless cabinet is perfect as a reading nook side table, offers space for holding books.

After some re-organizing, here is the same bedside reading nook cleaned up and ready to welcome the new year.

AFTER: Reading nook cleaned up and ready for the new year and new books. 

Other Tips for Bedside Reading Nooks

I still have a basket only this one is hanging from the wall and holds hand cream, notepads and pens, remote controls and other electronics.

I moved the wall hangings around so the books standing up don't cover the wall art. The smaller photo is one of Margaret, my 19-year old cat on the right of the photo, napping with her buddy Bob on the bed.

Two metal bookends hold the books I am currently reading. I will be looking for something prettier to cover the metal book ends but these work well enough for now. This makes it harder for Margaret to knock the books over as she walks across the bedside table.

Reading glasses, a card for a book mark and "Bun Bun" the cat toy that often gets moves.

Must Haves for Bedside Reading Nooks

A thank you note serves as an extra book mark for a new book I may start that doesn't already have a card in it to mark where I left off reading. I will add a few more cards to have them handy.

Reading glasses are a must especially for late night reading when my eyes are tired.

The tiny fabric rabbit is a favorite cat toy that often gets moved around the house. Shirley Honey is my girly girl cat, she enjoys her own form of decorating by leaving cat toys in different rooms and one doesn't move them without her supervising.

I found "Bun bun" in the basket with the hand creams and remote controls and I know I didn't leave it there.

Shirley Honey will find it soon enough and move it to a new resting place.

I have my Kindle here, only I keep it with the books instead of taking up space on the table top.

When it's warmer, the cabinet will get a little hydration with Howard Feed 'n Wax furniture polish and the clean up will be complete.

Well, except for Bun Bun, the toy rabbit. I will still be finding that cat toy making the rounds!

Charlotte

10 Steps To Set Up a Reading Nook

One of the reading nooks in my living room bay window, the photo shoot interrupted a cat nap.

Setting Up a Reading Nook

It's a new year and I'm starting by making sure all of my reading nooks are well-stocked and ready for use. Over the years I have dreamed of the day when I could stay home during a winter storm without having to go anywhere. The dream included having comfortable reading nooks where I could stay warm and read undisturbed.

Since my house has the "vibe" of a summer retreat, having reading nooks at almost every turn is not a surprise. So what does one need to set up a reading nook?

Ten Steps to Set Up a Reading Nook

1. Comfortable chair and complimentary foot stool. I scrounge for foot stools at thrift stores and antique shops and have a group that gets re-upholstered this year. I think that officially counts as a resolution, don't you? In case I can't get to that quickly, I match up the stools with complimentary chairs so at least they look like they should be together.

2. A handmade quilt or throw draped over the back or side for easy access. I suppose that's how those smaller handmade quilts got their common name as a "throw" as in "throw over a chair, a sofa..." Looks like I missed changing Santa Friends throw out for something more wintery and snowy.

3. Side table with help aids, such as a coaster and notepad/pen for making notes. I also leave a pair of inexpensive reading glasses, I have enough of those that I can almost leave one at every nook!

4. Fluffy soft throw pillows for placing behind one's back.

Shirley Honey seems to be checking my reading options in this basket.

5. Baskets. I have them all over, some holding plants, others next to chairs to hold books and magazines. Place the books edge up so you can easily select a book to read.

6. Natural lighting and/or good reading lamps. Make sure the lamps have enough light so that you don't get eye strain.

7. Books and magazines. 

8. Note card or something you can use for bookmarks. I like to use thank you cards, that way I get to re-read them every time I tuck them into my stopping spot.

Uh-oh, Shirley Honey is giving me that "look" that says why is there something in my basket??

Never fear, Shirley Honey, there's another empty basket nearby for your comfy napping spot.

9. A cat or dog for company. In winter, I also like having a fireplace going to keep the chill off the room. The fireplace, and baskets, tends to attract the cats so I also have towels that blend in with the chairs to pick up cat hair.

10. Did you notice I didn't mention a cell phone or Ipad? Research shows one of the healthiest things we can do is unplug so put the electronics on the "do not disturb" setting and take a break.

Plants fill bay window nook behind the chair, which I sometimes turn around to enjoy the view.

As look around my house, most of my nooks also include a live plant or plants, a nice addition against the snow-covered landscape outside.

Shop Library Book Sales

For the books, I go to two local library sales and save a pile of books for reading in the middle of winter. Sometimes they are several gardening books, other times its a mixture of garden-related books and favorite mysteries or something interesting I have always wanted to read. The "rule" is the books have to be saved for a snowy, wintery day so no peeking!

Reading Nooks Remind Us to Slow Down

Even if you can't stop and read at that exact moment, a reading nook should at least beckon you to think about stopping what you are doing and curling up in the spot to read. Or look out the window and enjoy the view.

What are your must haves for your reading nooks?

Charlotte

Flower Garden Cutter Quilt Santa Dolls

An old flower garden quilt was made into Santa's long suit in this unique one of a kind Santa doll.

Flower Garden Cutter Quilt Santa Dolls

Sometimes one has that one quilt that is just so special but so ragged it just can't be used as bedding but you don't want to give it away or discard it. That's the story behind these Santa dolls made from old quilts like this Flower Garden Cutter quilt santa doll.

Santa's face is made out of brand new cotton muslin with a muslin beard, as are his arms and legs. His hat and gown are made out of a salvaged old Flower Garden patchwork quilt that was falling apart so the good parts were salvaged.

The nose is a wood dowel covered in fabric, which doesn't sound very charming but it is once you see it finished and on the doll face.

This Santa is ready to sit on a mantle or under a Christmas tree!

Since these are made from old quilt remnants, each Santa doll is unique.

To make it easier for Santa doll to be incorporated into your home decor, each Santa doll is shipped with a metal doll stand so you can pose Santa doll standing. The doll will also easily sit on packages, on a mantle, in a sleigh...

Customers who have purchased these Santa dolls have said these are "nicer than they expected them to be." Much better than being naughtier, don't you think?

Charlotte

Cattails and Chrysanthemums Quilted Wall Hanging

This award-winning quilted wall hanging was at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's 2017 show in Rolla.

Cattails and Mums Quilted Wall Hanging

Every once in awhile I run across a piece of quilt art that has me wondering how they did it and this quilted wall hanging is one of them. And it's not because of the name, although anything with cat in the title is bound to catch my attention, and cat tails is no exception since it reminds me of our cats throw with all of the cat tails. Cattails and Chrysanthemums Quilted Wall Hanging won first prize at Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild's 2017 Quilt Show in Rolla in 2017 and I can understand why.

If you look closely at the design, you will see the centerpiece is a different patchwork design than the rest of the pattern.

Cattails and chrysanthemums are made out of individual hexagon patchwork pieces.

I can understand why this is done by hand, it would take careful handiwork to be able to hand applique and hand piece the fabric onto the background to achieve this overall design.

Look at the detail work in the orange vase that holds the cattails and chrysanthemums.

Lovely recommendation for a technique and teacher of English paper piecing.

The other lovely aspect of this quilted wall hanging is how the machine quilting adds to the overall texture of the piece.

Another reason why I sometimes I recommend to people who ask, don't start quilting by making a quilt, start with something smaller like a quilted wall hanging. You will finish them faster and be more encouraged to them tackle something larger, such as a bed-sized quilt. Besides, I think these kinds of quilt hangings make lovely wall art, don't you?

Charlotte

Green Leaves Quilted Table Runner

Love the way these patchwork leaves look like they are falling, don't you?

Green Leaves Quilted Table Runner

This time of year in Missouri, it's hard to find green leaves. Most trees have turned color so their fall leaves a range of yellow, peach, red and brown with only a dash of green cedars tossed in for contrast.

This table runner reminded me of the fall leaves quilt we have, only the leaves in the table runner have a wonderful shadowing effect that suggests the fall. 

Here are the leaves in the fall leaves handmade quilt:

This is a basic patchwork leaf pattern without the shadow effect.

Green Leaves Quilted Table Runner would be nice to have as a reminder that green colors will soon be back.

Well, maybe not so soon, it will be next spring but I have enough plants inside over winter to keep my environment green until the outside "greens up" as well. 

The quilted table runner was entered in the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild Show held October 7-8, 2017 in Rolla, Missouri. The quilt show is held every other year.

Making table runners is a good way to practice new quilting techniques.

When I first learned to quilt, we use to make our practice quilt blocks into pot holders, throw pillows and even skirt pockets.  These days, table runners are a popular home decor item to make, especially by beginning quilters. They use up only a few blocks and give the quilter experience working the patterns before they tackle a larger project like a throw or full-size bed quilt.

Charlotte

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging would make a wonderful addition to a house entrance.

Midnight Ride Quilt Wall Hanging

It is time for goblins, black cats, ghosts, and witches and this handmade quilt from the 2017 Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild show in Rolla, Missouri is just the ticket!

The handmade quilt is the perfect size for a wall hanging, which I suggest because of the wonderful center block of the applique witch against a moon silhouette. Bats and strange branches appear in the scene while a haunted house is in the background.

Doesn't this look like a close up of the moon?

I really like the pocka dotted dark fabric that outlines the moon, gives the whole scene a nicely spooky vibe.

Most handmade quilts have a story. I'm sure this one does as well but it wasn't included in the quilt guild information besides the name of the handmade quilt maker Judy Fox.

The handmade quilt maker didn't have much of a story but then, who needs one?

So we will have to make up our own Halloween story:

"One dark Halloween Eve, a strange shape appeared against the clear full moon.  At first I thought it was just a bat but the eerie shadow was far bigger against my house wall. Turning to look closer at the moon, the figure appeared flying on a broom...."

Trick or treat!

Charlotte

Sewing Spools Wreath Idea

Vintage sewing thread spools wreath up for auction at a recent quilt guild annual show.

Thread Spool Wreath

I love wreaths. Like quilted wall hangings, they are an easy way to update home decor with little effort so I keep favorite seasonal ones hanging inside one of my hallway closets.

I'm pretty picky about my wreaths. They have to be unusual, and personal. Doesn't matter if they represent something that only I understand. After all, it's my home so I should be able to look at them and smile.

I was walking through a recent bi-annual local quilt guild show when I spotted this vintage sewing threads wreath on the silent auction table. I have an old hat box full of my mother's old sewing threads. Many are too delicate now to thread through my sewing machine but I don't have the heart to donate them or worse, toss them.

This charming thread spool wreath spoke to me. Between the different thread spools, old buttons, thimbles, worn fabric measuring tape and little embroidery scissors, it reminded me so much of my mother and spending rainy afternoons sewing with her in our old barn house kitchen. Later this year I may take a stab and making one of these.

In the meantime, isn't this a sweet handmade gift idea for a sewing and quilting room?

Charlotte

Fall Flowers Bouquet

Colder weather is starting to move in so I picked a fall bouquet featuring my blooming zinnias.

Fall Flowers Bouquet

We've had a fall drought this year, more than a month without rain and record hot temperatures so flowers have been few and far between.

I planted my zinnia seeds late this year so when the first flowers started to unfurl, I decided it was time to pick my first fall flowers bouquet. This time of year, it's hard to say how many more bouquets I will get before frost nips what is still blooming.

Of all of the seasons, fall is the one when my bouquets are a mixed collection of flowers. Blooming mums aside, I may only have a couple of one flower still blooming so the fall bouquets end up being an interesting mix.

Zinnias make wonderful cut flowers, they can be cut still unfolding and will last a long time.

This fall bouquet has fall asters, red salvia, a couple of garlic chives still blooming - those are the little white flowers - butterfly weed and the Mexican sage, the long purple flowers. In the center, several zinnias, some picked still in bud form.

These should last a good couple of weeks if cats don't decide to munch on the green leaves.

Going out into the garden and picking a bouquet of flowers is one of my guilty pleasures. I do it when I am finished cleaning house; when I need a hint of beauty in a difficult day, when I just need a break.

I am hoping there is at least one more bouquet to be picked before cold weather settles in. Although I am looking forward to slowing down, I will miss having the fresh flowers to enjoy.

Charlotte

Painted Wall Paintings

Painted all scenes on a concrete block wall at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan, Missouri.

Painted Wall Paintings

I love to turn original artwork into quilts and these painted wall scenes at Missouri Baptist Hospital In Sullivan, Missouri looked just like a giant version of one of our custom artwork quilts!

It's hard to tell from a distance but these were painted on concrete blocks. The blocks are easier to see in the close ups of the painted scenes.

There was no explanation of how they painted these where I was sitting but I imagine they needed scaffolding to reach the higher areas of the wall.

Love the squirrel waiting patiently at the bottom of the hill!

The kids must have had a blast getting the design on the wall, then filling them in with colors.

Although these look small, look at where the concrete block lines are in each of the scenes.

And each scene is a story all of its own.

My, those are very tiny flowers and people!

There were about two dozen different scenes in all, representing the four seasons. It was hard to pick my favorites so I concentrated on photographing the ones closest to my window.

Snowball fight!

This gives a new meaning to wall art. What a lovely way to wait in a hospital, it takes one's mind off the more worrisome thoughts!

Charlotte

Surprise Lilies

Surprise lilies in a flower vase in Bluebird Gardens kitchen.

Surprise Lilies

One of the nicest garden gifts you can give is a bouquet of surprise lilies, even if it's just to yourself to brighten up a corner of your house.

Surprise lilies are hardy perennial bulbs that bloom usually in August in USDA zone 5b on leafless long green stems. Their aromatic pink flowers fade to a soft lavender as they age, the buds good to cut as they have first started to bloom.

Over the years, I have given away dozens of bouquets of surprise lilies, placing the pink flowers in tall vases and taking advantage of the dramatic look of the flowers on their long green stems. Some of the surprise lily bouquets have been used on altars in weddings.

Surprise lilies popping up in Bluebird Gardens.

Let's face it, though, not everyone has the room for a bouquet of tall surprise lilies so don't let those long legs discourage you.

Try surprise lilies cut short in a smaller vase, as I have in my kitchen. You can still enjoy the aroma and beauty of the flowers without having to struggle to peer around the vase!

Charlotte

Gooseneck Loosestrife Bouquet

Gooseneck Loosestrife Bouquet

One of my favorite flowers has a funny name and can be invasive but I would still say find a spot in your garden for gooseneck loosestrife.

This perennial produces lovely tiny white flowers in clusters that resemble a goose neck. The flowers last a long time as cut flowers, and are a favorite of butterflies and a variety of bees.

Relatively easy to grow where I live, USDA zone 5b, gooseneck loosestrife will grow in shade. It can also grow in sunshine but if it has a preference of where to invade, it will choose a shady spot.

I would give this plant its own corner of the flower garden, allowing it to grow until you have a nice little bed you can cut from and enjoy in vases inside. The flowers are pretty all by themselves or mixed in with other flowers blooming at the same time.

If gooseneck loosestrife starts to move into areas you don't want it, just pull out of the ground. The plant grows with shallow roots and can be easily removed by hand.

Charlotte