Creative Homemaker

Hi, I'm MaryLu and I'm a quilter. (Hi, MaryLu!) My blog header's "mission statement," if you will, says "I'm just trying to make something beautiful with the scraps I'm given." Sometimes that means the situations that life throws at me, sometimes it's more literal.  I've been given lots of scraps lately and I've tried to file them into their appropriate categories, here in my studio and in life.  Here is my peaceful place, where I go to think, unwind, create in (relative) peace and quiet. I just picked up this entertainment center at Goodwill and found that it fits perfectly in this little nook in my studio. On it, I keep baskets of fabrics sorted by designer, or by use.  It also displays some of my most treasured things. Each basket is full of specific types of fabric.  And then there's my Go! cutter.  It's wonderful for quickly making a pile of scraps into usable pieces. Sitting atop this cabinet keeping watch over thin...

I just set up my Etsy Shoppe. I'm spelling it the Olde way just because I like all things vintage. I'm featuring sewing items, vintage sheets, (isn't everyone?) pincushions, and handmade sewing accessories that reflect an earlier, simpler time. I often wish that I were Ma Ingalls, or Anne of Green Gables; but not really, I rely on my modern appliances too much for that. So, I try to incorporate a bit of the nostalgia and whimsy here on my blog and in my Shoppe. I have a few pincushions listed there and a queen sized quilt. The quilt I will showcase here as well. I'll also be setting a link on my sidebar to get to my Etsy Shoppe, (once I figure out how to do that of course!) This is the quilt: It's a queen sized Thimbleberries pattern, made with Marine Corps and military fabrics. There are several machine embroidered emblems and icons that represent Marine life and patriotism. It's machine quilted on my DSM in an all over stipple pattern with scrolls, stars and r...

As I write this I am painfully aware that I am not the only one who is dealing with issues. A dear friend of mine has had terrible issues with her disabled child and trying to get him a proper education. I have another friend who recently had an emergency C-section and came close to losing the baby, (and herself for that matter!)It frankly makes my paltry troubles seem, well, paltry. But this is my blog, and I use it to express my feelings and a place to share. So, share I will. If you don’t want to read my whining, you can always use the little “x” in the upper right hand corner. K? For those of you still here…(crickets chirping…) We’ve been through a difficult period in our life. About 8 years now. Well, really since we moved to Washington. Situation after situation has caused deep hurt, family strain and financial burdens. We have been through most of it and come out the other side much stronger and “ahead of the game,” so to speak. The financial stuff is really starting to wear on ...

Because my niece-in-law mentioned them, (thanks, Kristina!) and because I've never used that recipe before, I decided "Feather Biscuits" would be on tonight's menu. At some point I may be a little more organized and actually create a menu out of the recipes in the "Home Cooked Heritage" cookbook, but for now I'm winging it. Hense, the feather-recipe. Haha! Feather Biscuits, submitted by: Diane D. Says Diane, This recipe came from my Aunt Sandi and is one of my favorites. We always eat biscuits and gravy Christmas morning. Try these and you'll know why they're my favorites. 2 c. flour 1 t. sugar 1/2 c. shortening 2/3 c. milk 1/2 t. salt 4 t. baking powder 1 egg Combine dry ingredients. Cut in shortening. Mix egg and milk together and add to dry ingredients all at once. Stir until dough just follows fork around the bowl. Turn out on lightly floured board and knead tenderly about 20 strokes. Roll out 3/4 inch ...

Have any of you seen "Julie and Julia?" It's the story of an adventurous lady who decides to recreate all the recipes in Julia Child's cookbook, Joy of Cooking. She blogs about her successes and failures. I've decided that I will do the same thing. I have an amazing cookbook created by my relatives. It's a collection of family favorites from aunts, cousins, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I have several cousins who have expressed an interest in obtaining a copy on line. While my uncle has access to several physical copies, I thought it would be fun to try recipes at home, then blog about my successes or failures, tips and tweakings. Because I try to keep my blog anonymous, I will post page numbers of the cookbook and first names only of the submitting cook. Here is the first: Fruit Cocktail Cake by: Carolyn C. (My Mom!) It appears on page IX-8 of the cookbook. Stir together: 1 1/2 c. sugar, 2 c. flour, 2 t soda, pinch salt and 2 well beaten eggs and 1 #...

Two years can change a lot of things. Babies learn to walk and feed themselves, some even are potty trained. College students can earn a whole degree. Road construction projects can be planned, carried out and completed. Gardens come and go. Two years hasn't changed the amount that I miss you, brother. Mother says to turn February into a month for serving others. I know that this is true. I always feel better when I'm giving to others. When I'm sharing talents, a warm loaf of bread or a hug. But for now, (and maybe every February) I'll run the course of grief. Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Sometimes the anger takes over. Sometimes bargaining is the emotion I reach for. But I usually end up in the same place. There isn't anything that any of your loved ones could have done to change God's plan for our lives. Those of us who are left to mourn must reach and re-reach this decision each time we work through the grief. It stinks that you aren...

No, I didn't get speeding ticket. Actually, I haven't gotten a ticket in years. God has always spared me that embarrassment/correction! I've been power-piecing! I have just come to adore Bonnie Hunter's method for fabric scrap corralling! It is just so fun to see my little labeled drawers of bricks and blocks. Like legos for grownups. My piano teacher used to have a set of blocks she would use to teach the parts/fractions of a measure. Quarter notes, half notes and eighth notes. Now I can build my own "measures" out of fabric! I've been working on a quilt for my beloved Mother-in-law. After Pop died in October, (there's been a lot going on in my life and I'm not caught up blogging!) I asked Nana for some of Pop's shirts so that I could make a quilt for her. She was excited that I would do that for her, but someone reluctant I felt, to let go of his shirts. It was like tearing skin. It was almost painful for me to watch as we decided whic...