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Welcome to American Homestead. I'm happy you have found my blog. Make yourself comfy and see what's been happening around here. I write about the things that interest me ~ creativity, travel, food, nature and a happy life. I'd love to read your comments.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Electronics Bag


I feels like I have more electronics than clothing
when I travel these days.  I was looking for a travel 
bag that would hold all of my electronic equipment.
I had no luck.  So, I did what any creative person
would do, I made one myself.


There are side pockets for my laptop, kindle,
pocket camera, ipod and mini recorder.  On
the bottom is storage for all the cords and chargers.
On the left in the spot with the plastic bag is where
I put my Nikon and there is still room to slip in
my travel purse.  Perfect!

On this trip I have packed for 18 days in Europe
in one carry-on bag.  This is not due to baggage
fees.  On International flights you are generally
allowed at least one checked bag.  My problem 
was I didn't want to have to lug a large bag on all
the trains, ferries and trams we will be traveling
on for the first week and a half of our trip.  Mr.
Wonderful is checking a large bag but we have
planned it so he can fit his carry on inside that for
the first part of the trip.  The large bag is really
for bringing home the treasures I hope we will 
find.  And if I find LOTS of treasures, I'll buy 
another large piece of luggage for the trip home.

The journey begins this afternoon.  Stay tuned...


Sunday, April 28, 2013

Honoring Women's Rights ~ Week 35

Granny's Choice
 

We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice.

http://grandmotherschoice.blogspot.com


This is how I made my block.  It may differ
a bit from the original.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Light Floral
1 - 7  3/16'' square - cut on
diagonal twice.

Fabric B: Stripe
4 - 1  15/16'' x 5 1/4'' rectangles

Fabric C: Red
2 - 1  15/16'' squares

Fabric D: Blue
2 - 1  15/16'' squares


Layout the squares and rectangles as
shown and sew together.  Press seams
to the rectangles.


Layout the above units and triangles as
shown and sew together.  Press seams
to the triangles.  Make 2 of each.


Layout units as shown and sew together. 
 Press seams to the Fabric C squares.


Sew units together as shown.


Trim block to 8 12/''.

Check out everyone's work on Dustin's Flickr site:
http:www.flickr.com/groups/grandmotherschoice/

American Homestead is
now on Facebook.  Please
"like" my page!

http:www.facebook.com/americanhomesteaddesign/








Sunday, April 21, 2013

Coffee, Tea or Me?

 
On Sunday mornings I usually post a quilt
tutorial as I follow along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice.
 
I'm a bit late to the party, but I finally have the
"crud"  that everyone else has been suffering
with throughout this long winter.  Chills, fever,
body aches, etc.  All I can think about is I am
leaving for the big European vacation in 9 days
and I HAVE to get better...  So, this is as close to
a coffee cup (this week's quilt block) as I will get
today. 
 
Oh well, I have never had a cup of coffee anyway...
 
~ Ellen
 
 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

A Fun Discovery!

 
Today my sister & I were looking through
old photos.  I showed her this one and said
I always wondered what building was in the
distance.  She said, "Isn't that Rome?"  I asked,
"Could it be the Vatican?"  So, we googled Domes
of the Vatican and yes, it is the dome of St. Peter's.
What fun!
Oh, by the way, my Dad is in the back of this group
sitting on the ledge.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Me Time ~ April 16, 2013

 
After spending a few hours running around
town doing errands, I finally made it to Me Time.
I was pleasantly surprised to find Jen there, she
has had a very difficult year but things are now
looking bright and it was great to spend some time
with her again.
 
 
All I did at Me Time today was talk and
restock my patterns in the shop.  Luckily
others have been busy at work and I can
show you their lovely pieces.
Of all days to forget my camera!  I grabbed
my little point & shoot that I keep in my
purse and that lost power as soon as I turned
it on, so these photos were taken with my ipod.
Sadly, the photo does not do this justice,
it is beautiful.
 
 
Here is a little poll we were conducting in the
shop today ~ do you like this piece with the wider
sashing or the thinner sashing?
I first saw this with the wider sashing and thought
it was so cute, then I saw the example with the
thinner sashing and was asked which I like better?
I really had to think about that, they are both very
nice, but in the end I think I prefer the thinner sashing
just because I feel you can see the black and red
fabric better.  What do you think?
 
 
 
 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Happy Birthday Mum!

 
Today is my Mum's 90th Birthday!
 
Always easy to remember since it is tax
day in the United States. 
 
 
She enjoyed a salmon dinner and then
we had cake & ice cream.  She received
cards and flowers and notes from friends
and family.  A nice day!
 

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Honoring Women's Rights ~ Week 33

Contrary Husband



We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice.

http://grandmotherschoice.blogspot.com


This is how I made my block, it differs from 
the original.  Many of you may know I have 
an aversion to Y-seams, so this gives you the 
same look without them.  You will not be able 
to easily fussy cut on the light outer pieces with
this method but you have a great large center
square which would be perfect for fussy cutting.
It is best to use blendable fabrics for the Fabric A
and Fabric B.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Light Print
4 - 2 1/2'' squares
4 - 3 1/4'' squares - Mark 
a diagonal line on back.

Fabric B: Red
4 - 3 1/4'' squares

Fabric C: Green 
1 - 4 1/2'' square


Make Half Square Triangles:

Pair Fabric A and Fabric B 3 1/4'' squares
with right sides together.  Sew 1/4'' away from
each side of drawn line.  Cut on drawn line and
press seams to the darker fabric. 
 Square to 2 1/2''.


Assemble Center Side Units:

Layout units as shown and sew together.
Press these seams open to reduce bulk.


Layout units as shown and sew together
in 3 rows.  Press seams in row s 1 & 3 to 
the right and seams in row 2 to the left.


Sew rows together and square to 8 1/2''.

Checkout everyone's work on Dustin's Flickr site:

American Homestead can now
be found on Facebook.  Please
"like" my page!


https://www.facebook.com/americanhomesteaddesign?ref=hl
 
See you next Sunday!
~Ellen
 


 
 














Saturday, April 13, 2013

Dixie Diary ~ April

Asylum



We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Month, Dixie Diary.


The Fabric ID and Fabric Requirements only 
show what is needed to make the block.  I notice
many people are not adding borders or applique
yet, so I have left them out of the instructions but
I have included them on my finished block.


Fabric Requirements:
 
Fabric A: Blue
2 - 4 1/2'' x 12 1/2'' rectangles
 
Fabric B: Beige
2 - 4 1/2'' squares
 
Fabric C: White Print
1 - 4 1/2'' square
 

Layout units as shown and sew together.
 

Sew a large rectangle to each side of
center unit as shown.  Press seams to
the outside.  Square to 12 1/2''.
I added the heart applique to mine.
 

I also added the small border to my finished block.
 
Check out everyone's work on Dustin's Flickr site:
 
 
 
American Homestead can now
be found on Facebook.
Please "like" my page.
 









Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Founders Scholars

 
This weekend we traveled down to Indiana
University in Bloomington.  I think IU has
such a beautiful campus.
 
 
We were attending the Honors Convocation.
This is a ceremony where many awards are
given to the top students.  Including the
Founders Scholar award which goes to students
with a 3.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).  There were
3,600 students honored.
 
 
I love smarties.
I don't just mean people who attend universities
though.  I love people who have a quest for knowledge
and want to learn about the world. 
 
 
My guys, in front of the Lilly Library.
Oh, and congrats to our guy from
Bloomington, he had a 4.0!
 
 
 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Oh Joyous Spring!


I was in Bloomington, Indiana yesterday in the 
more southern part of the state and was thrilled
to see all the daffodils in bloom.  I guess my daffs
loved the warm weather of the weekend because
this is what I woke up to today!  Finally ~ color~
it has been such a cold, grey winter.  By this 
evening, many of these blooms will be beside my
 bed so I can wake up and see them first thing in
the morning.


Even though it was windy and overcast today,
I was loving the warm weather so I headed out
to do some pruning.  As often happens, that lead
to other chores...


In the perennial beds I have been having
trouble with invasive grasses.  I weed a few
times a season to make the beds presentable
but that is not solving the problem.


So today I started tackling this problem.
I dig out the soil in large clumps and then
screen it, trying to get all the grasses with
their roots.


Sadly, I will lose my grape hyacinth bulbs
that have been in these beds for probably
15 years...  There are also other bulbs of
something in the onion family and they have
to go!  I do plan to replace the grape hyacinths
next fall because I love their scent!

Now back to work!













Sunday, April 7, 2013

Honoring Women's Rights ~ Week 32

Mr. Roosevelt's Necktie


We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Week, Grandmother's Choice.
 


This is how I made my block, it may
differ a bit from the original.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Blue
2 - 3 1/4'' squares - mark 
a diagonal line on the back.

Fabric B: Red
4 - 2 1/2'' squares
1 - 3 1/4'' square

Fabric C: White
8 - 2 1/2'' squares
1 - 3 1/4'' square


Make Half Square Triangles:

Pair the 3 1/4'' squares with right sides
together in the following combinations:

1 - A/B     1 - A/C

Sew 1/4'' away from each side of the 
drawn line, cut on drawn line.  Press
the A/C to the Fabric A and press the
A/B to the Fabric B.  Square to 2 1/2''.


Make Quarter Unit #1:

Layout units as shown and sew together in
2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left and
seam in row 2 to the right.  Sew rows together.
Press seam to the top.  Square to 4 1/2''.
Make 2.


Make Quarter Unit #2:

Layout units as shown and sew together in
2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left and 
seam in row 2 to the right.  Sew rows together.
Press seam to the bottom.  Square to 4 1/2''.
Make 2.


Assemble Block:

Layout quarter units in 2 rows as shown,
 just remember to keep the Fabric A triangle 
in the center ( in this case, it is the blue).  
Press seam in row 1 to the left and seam in 
row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together and press final seam
open to reduce bulk.  Square to 8 1/2''.


Check out everyone's work on Dustin's Flickr site:

American Homestead is now
on Facebook.  Please "like"
my page.
 

See you next Sunday!

~ Ellen


















Friday, April 5, 2013

Primrose Lane


Many years ago when I had two 1 year olds,
Mr. Wonderful & I moved into our American
Homestead.  We bought our house on Sept. 1st
and through the winter months I started planning
the gardens.  At that time I was going for an
English Cottage Garden style but no matter how
hard I tried, an English garden just didn't want
to live in a Midwestern Prairie landscape...
 
That first summer I bought a flat of primroses
at Frank's.  (I miss Frank's Nursery & Crafts)
I planted and divided those primroses for many
years until I finally gave up on the cottage garden
in the front gardens and went with an evergreen
garden.
 
I wish I had transplanted them to the back gardens,
but at the time I just had so much work to do with
the landscaping that I didn't think of it. 
 
 
The back gardens are much more colorful, with a
butterfly garden and perennial beds.  So, today
since it was so nice I stopped by the garden center
and picked up a few primroses.  I think they will
go beneath the fairy roses in the pond garden.
 
The garden dreams are never ending...
 


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Me Time ~ April 2, 2013

 
The sun was shining and the temperature was
over 30 degrees ~ finally.  So, I made it to Me Time
today after a winter of hibernation.
 
 
I'm still working on projects for future
publication so I can't show them yet.
 
 
But I thought you might like to see some
of the projects that have kept someone else's
fingers busy through the long winter months.
 
 
It has been a very long winter this year.
Let's hope for a nice Spring!
 
 
I bought some Lily of the Valley plants today,
they have been one of my favorites since I was
a little girl.  I hope to start getting some of the
perennial beds prepared this weekend.