Pieced Brain

All about quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, free tutorials, quilting and crafting book reviews.

Permanent Wall Hanging

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 Italian mosaics are the source of inspiration for intricate, beautiful quilts. The book Bella Bella quilts: Stunning Designs from Italian Mosaics by Norah McMeeking (I found it here) is a great example of such quilts. I have at least two of them on my list of UFOs (Utterly Fun Objects!) In my case, it was the other way around. Quilts inspired this mosaic I pieced together on the back porch of my previous house. First, I designed the block. When I was satisfied, I applied grout to a … [Read more...] about Permanent Wall Hanging

Sugar – a child’s best friend?

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This afternoon, my son Chris was in time out in the dining room, when all of a sudden I hear him call his younger brother, Ryan, and whisper something to him. Shortly after, I see Ryan come to the kitchen with a wet paper towel with blue spots on it. When I asked him what was going on, he told me that Chris had 'accidentally' broken a ballpoint pen on the table, on top of my white and red quilt. I immediately reached for the Oreo cookies, ate about 10 of them, then slowly walked to the … [Read more...] about Sugar – a child’s best friend?

Applique Group Quilt

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Or should we call it The 3am Club, since I started this post at 3 am this morning? Anyway, I will start with a piece of background fabric and an applique motif for a wall hanging. Then, I will mail it to the next person, who will have TWO weeks to hand applique something new, hand embroider or embellish an existing addition, contributing to the work. She (or he?) will send it to the next person, who will add her (his?) own something special. We will send the project around as many times as … [Read more...] about Applique Group Quilt

Cat on quilt

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As I watch Jamie, my oldest cat, sleeping and totally oblivious to the sound of my fingers on the keyboard, I imagine if someday I can portray her in one of my art quilts. She is no ordinary cat to me, although she has no particularly distinctive features. In the meantime, here is one of the cats I made a little while ago, which must be adorning a special home right now... The quilt on which he is sitting is from the book "The Best of Black Mountain Quilts" by Teri Christopherson (I found … [Read more...] about Cat on quilt

Energy Food

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Just in case you run out of your favorite drink in the morning, I just found out a perfect substitute, which I made up this weekend when I did not have the recipe I wanted. Oh... I feel it working already! Denise's Dos Leches (!), Extra Moist Chocolate Cake 1 Box German Chocolate Cake Mix 1 can Condensed Milk 1/2 can cream of coconut milk 1 container of Vanilla frosting - Bake cake according to package instructions. Remove from oven and let it cool for 10 minutes. Using the handle of a … [Read more...] about Energy Food