Butterfly Block

This is my butterfly block. It is applique. The head and body are trapunto. I hand stitched the head and body onto the green butterfly fabric. I used a simple chain stitch to connect the antenna tips to the head. I used the sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch to sew on the wings. I need a total of 3 butterfly blocks and I think I'm going to use a different stitch for each block. I haven't decided if I'm going to use white thread and give the butterfly a smiling face.  

Wedding Star Project

Update: I have added the paper piecing pattern for two sizes. The 6 inch block pattern will require four to make a finished 12 inch wedding star block. The 8 inch block pattern will require four to make a 16 inch wedding star block. 

To print the patterns, place mouse over the image, right click and pick "copy image". Paste image in a word document or any other program that offers printing. You may have to adjust to get the gauge to match the actual measurement.

This is the 6 inch pattern, page 1 of 2. I placed a measuring gauge on the page to help with accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 




 This is the 6 inch pattern, page 2 of 2. I placed a measuring gauge on the page to help with accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 

This is the 8 inch pattern, page 1 of 4.  Gauge included for accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 

 This is the 8 inch pattern, page 2 of 4.  Gauge included for accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 

 This is the 8 inch pattern, page 3 of 4.  Gauge included for accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 

This is the 8 inch pattern, page 4 of 4.  Gauge included for accuracy. Print 4 for each block. 

*** end of update, original blog below***

I have seen some wonderful wedding star projects. I haven't had the time to do one, yet, but I hope to do so soon. I did figure out how to make the pattern for it, though.

I plan to use four of the paper pieced sections (8X8 inches) above to create a full block.

 This is a version of a dark background quilt. 

This is a version of a light background quilt. I plan to make my quilts bigger than four full stars. My quilts will have eight to ten full stars wide by eight to ten full stars tall. 

My First Chili Recipe

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
3 cans of Bush's Best Chili Beans in mild sauce
2 (28 ounces) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1 (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 large onion
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chili powder
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs minced garlic
1 Tbs dried oregano
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp brown sugar
Optional: Shredded cheese & crackers

Brown the beef in a skillet. Drain grease. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Heat until boiling. Lower heat to simmer. Simmer 2 hours to allow flavors to mix.

This can be made in a crock pot. Cook until ground beef is browned, 4 to 6 hours.