I think more tutorials will be in the works for this year.  But I really think it’s that cute ladybug fabric that really does it.  To say nothing of the great pattern.  I want to try out the mini.

That is, as soon as the D.Min. dissertation is completed.  This is what it looks like in my living room right now. Note the highly neglected spinning wheel in the corner!  I have never been able to work at a desk, so I’m writing from a chair in the living room with books, papers, and notecards spread all around. (Parsonage furniture, not mine, for those of you who know me.)  Mishka is not happy because she has to compete with the books, etc. at my feet.

The dining room table (also not my furniture) has my “storyboard” with sheets of paper with chapter titles piled with notecards for each chapter.  Probably not the best of organizing systems, but hey. Note my new tagine on the table, as neglected as the spinning wheel, alas!

As of last night I have completed 47 of the required minimum 75 pages for the draft.  I think I’ll make it, but have a few more days of writing to squeeze in before my self-imposed deadline of January 25.  Did I mention I hate trying to get footnotes and bibliography in the right format?  The compete draft is due in Washington on February 1.  It’s looking more and more like I might make it, but it’s still going to be a push.

I’ve been loving working on this degree, but I am looking forward to getting back to some sewing, painting, and other fun stuff like blogging.

Not that working on a Doctor of Ministry hasn’t been fun, but I’m just saying . . .

I’m in the midst of writing my dissertation and am beginning to see an end to that.  But I don’t want to post those projects until the dissertation is complete and turned in.  The finished product is due April 15.

What I’m working on right now is the Twisted Rib Cardigan from “Knitting Goes Large” by Sharon Brant.

I’m using Jo Sharp Luxury 8 ply DK Pure Wool in color 353 Fleur.  I have the back and one front side completed.  Now I’m working on the other side.

This is a great project because once I got the pattern down I could just knit on it in the evenings without really having to think about it.  Only problem is that it’s taking a pretty long time and by the time I finish it, the cold weather will be gone.  The fabric knitted with this pattern is REALLY heavy so this will be a very warm cardigan.

I’ll be posting some of the pictures I took over the next few days.

We created a guild quilt that is being raffled to raise funds for the development of the local Civic Center.  I think it turned out beautiful.  Someone is going to be really fortunate to win it.  Guild members made a block each, then it was sashed together and machine quilted.

Guild members also made baby quilts to be given away to the Jackson-Feild Home for teen girls.  Here are some of them.

The base fabric with chili peppers was purchased in Taos.  The log cabin fabrics are from my stash of hand-dyed fabrics.  Color run dying works great for log cabins.

Yesterday I posted a tutorial on how to make Log Cabin hot pads.

I wanted to make a hot pad similar to one that a friend made for me a few years ago:

While I was at it, I decided to make up a tutorial.

First, cut a 10″ square of backing fabric.

Then cut two squares of good quality cotton batting (leftover from another project).  I wanted the hotpad to have a nice weight.  If you have it (I don’t), you could add some special insulating fabric, but I don’t think it’s necessary with good batting.  Cotton is definitely better than polyester, though.

The batting is placed on top of the base square with the right side of facing down.

Next cut a 1-1/2″ center square.  In this case I was able to center a Christmas wreath right in the middle.

Then cut 1-1/2″ strips of six other fabrics — three green, and three red, graduating light to dark in value.

Now the fun begins.  Center the little square in the middle of the batting (with base fabric on the bottom).  That makes for about 4-1/4″ on each side.  Pin in place.

With the lightest of the green fabrics lay a strip down on the square and cut it to match exactly.

Lay the second square on top, right sides together and stitch with a scant 1/4″ seam.  On my prototype I stitched from end to end, but discovered that it makes for a nicer look on the back if you begin 1/4″ in and stop stitching 1/4″ before the end of the seam.  Be sure to anchor with backstitching or tiny stitches at beginning and ends of seams.  Trim threads. Finger press open.

Using the same fabric, lay the strip this time on the two squares and cut to that size.  Stitch.  I found it was much easier to cut the strips correctly to size if you cut before stitching.  Fold the strip back on itself evenly and finger press to get a fold, and cut on that line.  Then stitch.

Next, using the lightest of the red strips, cut to size, stitch. Repeat for the next row.

Alternate two strips of each color back and forth until you have completed the Log Cabin.

Did I mention how much better this works if you have a walking foot on your machine?  Mine worked great, but it can be done without it if you don’t have one.  You just have to use care to make sure the fabric feeds evenly.

Once the Log Cabin is completed, trim the batting to 1/4″ all around.

Fold in and finger press two parallel sides of the backing leaving about 1/8″ space between edge of fabric and edge of batting.  Fold over on top of Log Cabin.  Pin in place with about 3 pins.

Stitch with a decorative stitch or zig zag.  I used an applique (or blanket) stitch.

Fold in the other sides like the first two, but before turning and pinning, turn in the corners so you won’t have any fraying edges sticking out at the ends.  Stitch in place.

Voila!  It’s finished.  ’About 30 minutes start to finish, not counting digging the fabric out of the stash.

I didn’t add any kind of loop because I don’t hang my hot pads, but I think it would be easy to add one if you want.

After the prototype I stitched 6 Hot Chile Pepper Hot Pads using a chile pepper print for the base and 7 of my hand-dyed fabrics.  I’ll show the finished hot pads on tomorrow’s blog.

I’ll be at the show tomorrow demonstrating hand spinning yarn while people browse the quilts.