"You never forget a beautiful thing...

... that you have made,' [Chef Bugnard] said. 'Even after you eat it, it stays with you - always.” 

-Julia Child, My Life in France

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3465.Julia_Child

Since I like cooking and lovely kitchen utensils I now sewed a potholder which shows the same pattern as my fragrant coasters and my hanging-bag (see my posts here from March 19 and March 26, 2012). It is also a great way to use up all my scraps in my scrap-bag!

Somehow I think I managed to design a potholder which answers all my seven wishes I have potholder-wise! :-)  

First: This potholder looks good and special I think. It is an eye-catcher because of the circular and multi-colored design. Both sides are made in patchwork-style, consist of three layers of fabric each and are hand-quilted.

Second: I can hang it up easily because it has a large nice string.

Third: It is a slip-inside-potholder, it can be used like a glove.

Fourth: This potholder is big enough to handle larger baking trays or pots (it is 27 cm or 10 1/2" in diameter).

Fifth: It is thick enough to protect the hand against the heat, because of the three layers of fabric on each side, but also because an additional inner bag is inserted.

Sixth: This potholder provides a firm grip, because the inner bag is fastened with buttons and with quilting stitches which are set according to the size of the hand of the owner: it is a made-to-measure-potholder!

Seventh: Washing is easy because I use robust fabrics only, for the inner and outer layers alike.

...and here is some good advice on cooking, coming again from Julia Child ( I love her!)

“Always start out with a larger pot than what you think you need.” 

“Everything in moderation... including moderation.” 

and:

“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you've got to have a what-the-hell attitude."

http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3465.Julia_Child

Take, if you must

Take, if you must, this little bag of dreams, 

Unloose the cord, and they will wrap you round. 

William Butler Yeats

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/bag_3.html

Fragrant Coaster

Since I love the scent of herb, especially of lavender, I sometimes make round fragrant coasters. 

When a cup of hot tea or coffee is placed on a coaster which is filled with dried herb, the full aroma unfolds with the warmth. I love that!

It works well not only with lavender, but also with thyme, rosemary, sage.... 

This is how I make them:

I fill lavender into a hand-sewn form (about 13 cm, 5") like this:

I close the form with a round piece of fabric (here I use the sewing machine) and attach a self-made, flat button in the middle. A larger circular piece of fabric with a buttonhole in the middle can then be attached on top. 

I often accidentally spill my tea everywhere, so to me it seems to be very practical to be able to remove the top of the coaster for washing, leaving the rest of the coaster with the herb inside dry.

Isn't it lovely to go outside and to enjoy the first rays of warm sunshine in early spring with a cup of hot tea or coffee, and to breathe in not only the fragrance of the fresh air, but also the aroma of your favourite brand and of last summer's lavender?! :-)

Amélie

This is Amélie.

And this is where she comes from:

I made her with several pieces I found in my scrapbag.

Amélie is able to hold and keep some things in her rosy belly, whatever fits. I intend to feed her with some loose bills and coins, I think she'll make a fine "piggy bank", even though she looks more like a cow...., that's ok. She has more character than beauty, and that's better than the other way round, I like her as she is. :-)

I especially love her secret: she has a hidden compartment for very special things I'd like to keep, I know she can be trusted with this. :-)

Barn Quilts

I LOVE THOSE!

http://littlebeestudio.com/blog/wp-content/media/barn-quilt-algood.jpg

Here are more lovely pictures of barn quilts: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tumblingrun/sets/72157618419125531/

http://pinterest.com/beelori/quilty-barns/

And here is a beautiful article about the history of barn quilts:

http://fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/506370.html?nav=5044

A Decision

Decide To Forgive

Decide to forgive

For resentment is negative

Resentment is poisonous

Resentment diminishes and devours the self.

Be the first to forgive,

To smile and to take the first step

And you will see happiness bloom

On the face of your human brother or sister.

Be always the first

Do not wait for others to forgive

For by forgiving

You become the master of fate

The fashioner of life

A doer of miracles.

To forgive is the highest,

Most beautiful form of love.

In return you will receive

Untold peace and happiness.

And here is the program for achieving a truly forgiving heart:

Sunday: Forgive yourself.

Monday: Forgive your family.

Tuesday: Forgive your friends and associates.

Wednesday: Forgive across economic lines within your own nation.

Thursday: Forgive across cultural lines within your own nation.

Friday: Forgive across political lines within your own nation.

Saturday: Forgive other nations.

Only the brave know how to forgive. A coward never forgives.

It is not in his nature.

“Decide to Forgive” was written by the late Robert Muller, former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations.

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/11107681-452/forgiveness-can-bring-love-into-the-world.html

In and Out, a Blue Underground Pattern

Here I found some lovely modern quilt patterns:

http://blueundergroundstudios.com/patterns/

The top of my latest quilt has a Blue Underground "In and Out" pattern.

Yesterday I ironed the newly finished top, spread it out on a layer of fleece and the big piece of fabric which is the back of my quilt, and basted all three layers, so that I now can start to do the quilting work.

Now, for the first time, my three separate layers of fabric here FEEL like ONE quilt, after they have been put together with these rough basting-stitches....and it feels good!!

(Maybe you notice that there is one block at the bottom which doesn't follow the general rule of arrangement... I love to do this, to include something which keeps the eye "fresh" and attentive!)