The foundation paper pieced block is for two of the 4 blocks in the block below.
SewWonderful
Threads of Hope to Patches of Joy
Monday, August 7, 2023
Mitered Corner Square
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Revisiting Play Dough
I have been making play dough ever since my children were toddlers. Their children have enjoyed the Kool-Aid version with cream of tartar that smells wonderful but stores best in the refrigerator because it seems to dry out in times of low humidity and becomes sticky in damp cool weather. I recommend zip bags or plastic wrap for storage because a frost-free fridge will dry the surface if the dough is stored in a plastic container, at least that has been my experience.
Recently, my niece wanted to make some play dough for a preschool activity box she is assembling for her daughter. She wanted a recipe that would store well without refrigeration. I researched dough recipes and found an article that claims that citric acid is a better antimicrobial for play dough and also improves the texture. Additionally, my niece was concerned if the dough smelled too appealing, Valentine might eat it. She is still at the age where taste-testing is a learning experience.
Last week we tried my favorite play dough recipe from April, 2011:
Kool-Aid® Playdough1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid®
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup hot water
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, and Kool-Aid® together well with a fork in a medium pan. Add hot water and oil. Stir over medium-low heat 3 to 5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in the pan, remove. Knead until smooth. Put in a plastic bag and refrigerate. Dough is smooth, non-sticky, and smells nice.
We omitted the drink mix and cream of tartar and replace them with 2 tablespoons of citric acid and food coloring.
The dough does seem more springy and softer than the original version. I might make more and try scenting it with essential oils like lavender and the citric oils like lemon, orange, and lime. They are inexpensive and also have antimicrobial properties. Also, I will be observing how well the dough stores in a plastic container (the article recommends zip bags).
Note: The link to the article on citric acid links to another blog entry that reviews 3 gluten-free dough recipes.
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Another Year
So, 2020 came and went and now nearly half of another year. To be honest, this new normal is not all fun and games. I don't like it but as I child I learned to cope with change because we moved frequently from one state to another as my father was an administrative engineer and changing locations was an opportunity to receive a pay increase and gain expertise. That being said, my method of coping is to keep busy with tasks and hobbies I enjoy. Knitting has taken a back seat as I have focused on free motion quilting.
Free motion quilting is meditative and hypnotic or like a runner's high or a zen moment or maybe an obsessive compulsive disorder. The steady hum of the machine is so soothing that the addiction of filling fabric with thread patterns is my drug of choice for easing tension and relaxing when the options for travelling and quilt shop hopping have been reduced.
Here are a few of my recent projects to learn the idiosyncrasies of new stationary longarm machine.
From a quilted fat quarter came 3 little baskets. The instructions for the 3 little baskets from a fat quarter are from a discontinued pattern by Christina Cameli. She has been offering an updated version for blog followers, 3 nesting baskets from a quilted half yard. The smallest basket in the current pdf is the same size as the one below:
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Bluprint Blues
It's Been a Long Time . . .
In the last 3 months I made more masks than I care to count. It all started with a nurse on our block needing a few to wear on her house calls. Then her friends at the hospital wanted some, really a lot, and now it's special requests from family and friends.
My personal favorite for my small face is from I Think Sew. It is free, fast, and folds flat. I put them in my purse, jacket and jeans pockets, the car gear boxes, and in zip bags to give away.
In between masks, I have done a bit of happy sewing. Today, I finished up a piece of thread painting and free motion quilting into a zip bag for a belated birthday gift.
This zip bag is the second I have done with coloring on fabric with crayons and then adding some thread painting. The first was for my DiL's birthday in May.
My daughter asked for a sturdy book bag for her birthday. She found the perfect fabric but thought the batik print would be too thin. I said, "No problem, I can quilt that."
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Saturday, February 2, 2019
What Happened?
Other projects were finished. A Hanukkah quilt top was pieced, quilted, and bound. Now to make a label. Ten quilt blocks were made for a 2019 Christmas quilt. I am really trying to avoid the holiday rush this year.
Just today, I made a new bib for Jojo and two pillowcases for my little sis's best friend now living in Texas. They won't get there for Chris' birthday but they will by Valentine's Day.
The bib was needed and I wanted to play with my new toy, a genuine KAM Snap Tool and snaps. I have been wanting a tool to apply plastic snaps for years. With enough Amazon Prime Points saved, I splurged for my birthday and ordered one. It works amazingly well. I wish I had it all the years I was making clothes for my babies and toddlers. The KAM snaps go in easily and perfectly. My old tools applied the pronged metal snaps and I had a very high rate of application failure with those style. I have lots of those snaps left but I am afraid they will not be used unless I am desperate. The new tool is too much fun!