Winter Dusting

Winter is the most difficult time to dust. The heat is dry - causing static electricity - and if you have a heat pump system, it blows the dust right back onto your furniture. Nothing irritates me more than to dust and realize that there's MORE dust on the item I dusted only seconds earlier. Grrrrr!!!!!

If the temps rise to the 40's during a winter afternoon, I can usually dust (and vacuum the area immediately) during the intervals when the heat pump shuts off to get better results. The furniture actually looks dusted for at least that day! Of course, this may take a while if you need to dust the entire house like I do MOST of the time so you may want to consider turning off the heat pump as long as it isn't too cold outside. I find that I'm usually warm enough while doing the housework. Use your better judgement as others in the house may get cold if you do turn off the heat pump. By leaving the heat pump on, I have an excuse to stop dusting when it turns on. Ü Turning the thermostat down is another option so that the heat pump remains off longer. Good luck!

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Another New Rag Quilt & Free Pattern Finished!

I call it Border Patrol. It was fairly simple so you're basically paying for the materials for the finished product. Also simple enough that I'm giving away the pattern too. You can purchase the quilt at the following link http://www.sewpractical.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=145 or download the free pattern here: http://www.sewpractical.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=146


Finished Border Patrol


Second Border


Third Border

Middle Section

Close Up with doilies added to middle section

Close up of outer border with factory embroidered daisies

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Making Another New Lap Quilt

Well, I finished cutting all the squares for the newest rag quilt I'm making. I only have 32 "sandwiches" to finish stacking together then I can start quilting them with the "X". I hope to finish that today. Although, once again, my brain thinks my hands and sewing machine work quicker than they actually do. So if I get several squares quilted today, I'll consider myself lucky.

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A Different Use for Bounce Dryer Sheets

I can't believe I've forgotten to tell you all another use I have for dryer sheets! Place these in your floor vents to help eliminate dust particles in the room. They work like filters by covering the floppy section that you turn to block or allow the air to flow - found beneath the top "grill" section. They also have a wonderful second function serving as an air freshener! Change these "filters" at least once a month.

Finished New Dolls!

I finally finished the two dolls I've been working on for over a month! I've included lots of pictures. The set can be purchased on my site at the following link. http://www.sewpractical.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=144


Santa's Toy Sack with snowflake buttons


Santa's belt with rusty bells. He jingles!


Santa with his toy sack

Santa posing with Mrs. C before she was finished

Doily covering Mrs. C's hair bun

Back of Mrs. C

Mrs. C's dress sleeves

Bottom of Mrs. C's dress and painted on shoes and stockings.

Mrs. C's apron

Close up of Gingerbread man on Mrs. C's apron

One of two buttons on Mrs. C's apron

Mrs. Clause

Santa & Mrs. C together

Two New OOAK Dolls Coming Along

Slowly but surely these two new dolls will be ready. I've been working on them for a while - took a short break to create the Gift Wrapped rag quilt and pattern - and have progressed fairly well since I picked back up on them last Friday. There are a lot of details but I'm hopeful to have them ready by the end of this week.

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