Author: thequiltladies@gmail.com

From my Quilt Picture Files

I LOVE quilts and I’ve been making quilts for YEARS.  A friend was over doing a project and wanted to see my quilts. It’s easier to show them in photos. I was taken a back with her response, “Why are you NOT showing them daily?” Well, I will be for the next few days. I’m running away for a few days, please don’t tell anyone…… I hope to get a video of them all soon too, but here is a few for you to see.   Please take a moment to sign up on the right side for my newsletter.

This is from my red, white and blue period, I had a thing for it for about six months. Machine pieced and hand quilted

Mini Red and white Star Quilt by Beth Ann Doing

This is one of the quilts that I loved to piece and it’s STILL sitting waiting to be quilted. My pattern…my idea??? Machine pieced.

Christmas squares quilt pattern block

This is my Mom’s snuggle quilt, I made it about eight years ago for Christmas for her. Machine pieced and I hand quilted.

mom's quilt by Beth Ann Doing

 Beth Ann Doing

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Re-doing My Laundry Room…aka…Closet

I’ve painted, cleaned and it’s DONE

(Updated POST, added the paint color and how I used this color in my kitchen) This is a post from The Quilt Ladies and has a life of its own. How I updated our laundry room.  It’s my number ONE pin on Pinterest and if you’d like to follow my Pinterest boards I’m HERE

Our little condo has a closet for the Laundry Room and I just didn’t like it, plus I couldn’t reach the shelf without being on my tip toes !

 laundry room closet redoSEE ALL MY BOOKS IN PRINT NOW

 
The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Shop HERE for YOU
before and after of a laundry room closetbefore and after of a laundry room closet
 I moved everything out of our little kitchen dining area,
 we don’t use it. Than went to Lowe’s

Want to see a grown man shiver in his work boots ?

Walk into Lowe’s with a yellow legal pad, tape measure and pictures from
pinterest ! ! ! Yes, it was a metal tape measure not cloth, I’ve learned, they will laugh out loud at you, I know I did it….once. 
before and after of a laundry room closet My drying time was less with the cabinets in the air conditioning, in the garage and in Florida, it would have taken quite a bit longer for them to dry. 
 This is 3 coats of the Valspar Latex Enamel Paint
white nylon paint brushesTrick ONE, I get the better brushes HERE, NOT the cheap ones from Lowe’s.
White NYLON Brushes.
They wash great and no hairs come out like the other ones !
brown paper sack as sand paper Trick TWO is a BROWN paper sack, paper is the finest sand paper. BUT, it must be a BROWN sack. The only one I had in the house was from a little quilt shop in McKinney, TX, Stitched with Love, their site.  Cut the sack open and I like to fold it in and use just as sand paper, it makes the paint and wood soft ! 
 painted kitchen cabinetsThis is the “BEFORE” of the closet
Everything out ! CLEANED and Taped walls
How often do you move your washer and dryer?
I’m going to have to do it more often…it’s been 5 years for me. And, from the looks of it, too LONG !
LOVE the Blue 
laundry room closetFirst Cabinet up ! 
laundry room closetThis is the “AFTER” I love it. Besides time this was not that expensive of a project, cabinets and paint about 150 dollars, 
I like !  
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Post Update:
Our little condo kitchen
Paint I used from Lowe’s
Paint Color tag Crystal Aqua
Condo Back DoorI have so many idea’s yet to do ! 

beth of beth ann doing

Read my book “The Quilt Ladies” 12 Quilt Stories
and 15 Complete Quilt Patterns

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Make Retirement fun with my “How to Survive Retirement” a Check List
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#quilt #quilting #thequiltladies #patchwork #bethanndoing #quilts #needlework

 

Presidential Chair Quilt Pattern Block for YOU

 “Presidential Chair”

A Quilt Block of ALL
Please let today be a day of all, not some. A day of love over hate and understanding over fear. And with kindness in our hearts.

how to make a quilt block

Today is a quilt block day, this quilt block has a finished size of Eighteen inches by Eighteen inches. 

free quilt block pattern

 

 
Cut 8 Blue       2 ½”x 2 ½”
Cut 12 Lt. Blue        2 ½”x 2 ½”
Cut 21 White  2 ½”x 2 ½”
Cut 4 Blue       2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Cut 4 White    2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Make Triangles
Cut 8 Lt. Blue  2 7/8” x 2 7/8”      
Cut 8 White    2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
Make Triangles
Cut 4 Red        2 ½” x 8 ½”

 

how to make a quilt block
Beth is the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book Collection

Today is my Birthday !

And I’m getting OLD. Yes….OLD.

Yes, 59 in the NEW 39. Yeah, you keep believing that. It’s not, it’s 59.

Old bones, gray hair and these brown spots had seem to have a life of their own. It’s all about preservation at this time. Keep the body moving or things will start growing….Where it should NOT be growing.  Where getting out of a chair can take on a whole process itself….REALLY. BUT, I’m laughing my way through it.. Or trying too, what’s a Lady to do ?  
GET OLD…Wise and HAPPIER. And I Laugh, out loud.  I know I shouldn’t sometimes, BUT,  I’m OLD. So I do !  HA ! 
So today as most days it’s ALL ABOUT ME.   Go over and purchase a quilt pattern for yourself and me !
So, it’s my Birthday and here are two of my Flower Photo’s. I LOVE them. These are “after’s” and then before’s. Just a bit of computer work on them. Nothing is really as it seems ! Not even 59 Years Old today…I AM 59??? Holy Shit…
White Rose Photo
(c) Beth Ann Strub White Rose
White Rose Before
(c) Beth Ann Strub

Orange Rose and Water Drops Photo
(c) Beth Ann Strub
Orange Rose with water drops photo
(c) Beth Ann Strub

Enjoy Each Day, Each moment and LAUGH, OUT LOUD ! 

Beth Ann

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My Dining Room Table and Chairs Re-done with Chalk Paint

I had an idea one day…..I did the research and was pretty sure it would be NO problem to do, “I can do that.”

Before and After Table with Chalk Paint

Well, no problem but OH MY, what a project. This is NOT a hurry up project and getting VERY sick during it, helped only with drying time, because I just didn’t care to ever walk into the garage again. That being said, and the table sitting in the dining room, I really like it and how it turned out. We’ve had the table for over 30 years, and it’s rock solid.

Husband and I pulled the table out, put it on to it’s side and then flat to remove the top. It’s just so heavy. 

Before and After Table with Chalk PaintBefore and After Table with Chalk Paint

We moved the table into the garage, added the leafs and Husband put a couple of the screws back in to hold it, so the sanding could begin.  

Before and After Table with Chalk Paint

Before and After Table with Chalk Paint

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the second time I’ve sanded the table and re-stained it, this table is loved and used. Do all your sanding FIRST and then clean up your work place. Before and After Table with Chalk Paint

Took the top off the table and I cleaned the garage up from all the sanding. With chalk paint all you have to do is a light sanding, I used a sanding block and just kind of scuffed the surface up.

Before and After of Dining Room Table with Chalk Paint

Before and After Table with Chalk PaintI did four coats of the Chalk Paint on everything, this is ONE coat on the chair legs

Before and After of Dining Room Table with Chalk Paint

I did not want an antique took, I wanted a old time white paint look. I did chalk white and the Sealing Wax just as it said on the can. The Sealing Wax is….different….less is better and more coats even better.

DO NOT HURRY the WAX, it must dry between coats. I did 3 coats of wax. 

Before and After of Dining Room Table with Chalk Paint

We sat the table top back on and started staining. I did light coats and many to get the color I wanted, I didn’t want it to be as dark as before. 

Before and After Table with Chalk Paint

This is 4 coats of stain and I did 4 coats of poly.  Let it DRY between each one, this project with drying time took me just over 3 weeks. DO NOT HURRY this project.

Before and After of Dining Room Table with Chalk Paint

I am SO….PROUD of this table. It turned out GREAT.

chalk paint a dining room table and chairs Beth Ann

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All ABOUT “ME”

I love saying that, “All about me” over the years that’s not happened much in my life. I think with age….and taking a bit of time. I’ve learned what I need, want and NOW is the TIME.

I always felt The Quilt Ladies site was my retreat. Husband worked hours and hours a week and the site was all I felt I had. BUT…Now, I’m writing, sewing, reading, painting, decorating (almost 4 years here, time for changes) and still quilting, but that too has taken a bit of a change. Lots of color and hand work.

Daughter-n-law #1 is a graphic designer and I asked and she helped me with my new logo: So many ideas, I love them all. Here’s Rita’s Etsy Site Flourish Files & Design, ask and she CAN do it. 

 

 

“What I’m a doing” WAS to be my site name, but from the time I checked, to the time of purchase the name was GONE. And that’s just fine. I love

www.BethAnnDoing.com  Things always happen for the best. With me it’s the just letting it happen, not a strong suit of mine. But I have done this by myself and for myself. “I” did this site for ME. Music to my ears.Here’s some FYI things.
The first quilt pattern of the month block is HERE the four by four inch quilt blocks
The ten by ten inch quilt block is HERE and HERE 
My Book is HERE for YOU always, The Quilt Ladies NOW ONLY on Kindle and NOOK
AND 
The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Shop HERE for YOU
THANK YOU for your support and HERE we I GO ! Newsletter sign up and post sign up on the right side bar. 

Beth Ann

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My Weight Watchers Tortilla Soup with Chicken

It was JUST yesterday they fit??

Here is Florida I’m in shorts and flip-flops pretty much year around. If I need a sweater it’s not for long and I really like that. UNTIL, yesterday and that pair of shorts I have had for six months is a little TIGHT. Yeah, the dryer didn’t do that, my favorite go to…need a few pounds off recipe.

My Weight Watchers Tortilla Soup with Chicken

This is based on Weight Watchers 0 Point Tortilla Soup. But, I need meat in mine, I need the protein it keeps me moving a bit longer. 

3 chicken breast,  in a pot with about 6 cups of water.
add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper. Cook until the chicken is done, remove skin/bones. I do it this way, I can control the fat. 
Or use 4 cups of Can Chicken Bone Broth
if you can find it, just a better flavor
tortilla soup chicken dicedPull chicken out and shred.
cooking onions and celery1 cup Chopped Onions Chopped
2 Garlic Cloves
3 Green Onions Chopped
 3-4 stalks of Celery Chopped
1/2 a Green Pepper
1/3 Cup Fresh Cilantro
Spray pan with spray oil.
Cook  in soup pan, make everything tender 10-15 minutes
 
Pour Chicken broth through a strainer and back into pot.(if homemade)
  Add Shredded Chicken
 Add the rest of the ingredients to the broth
 
2 – 12oz cans of Diced Tomatoes
1/2 cup Salsa, we like hot, use what you like
1 can Whole Corn – Or fresh off the cob, the best
1/2 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon basil
pot of Weight Watchers Tortilla SoupSimmer and let cook down.
Serve with Sour Cream (I use Greek yogurt)
And taco chips
 
 Suggestions
  • When you have leftovers after the holidays or party, make this soup, you can add anything to it and it’s wonderful.
  • Try adding fresh spinach, cut up add in about 5 minutes before serving.
  • You can use any meat, shred turkey, shred roast beef or pork, if you use another meat or don’t want to do your own chicken stock, use 4 cups of Chicken Broth
  • This is a make it your own soup.
  • We eat this year round, mostly I think because it’s a great solo-lunch for me.
  • It’s very good without meat, it will be a 0 Point meal with no meat.

  • Beth Ann

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Getting OLD is hard, BUT I’m Making a List – Part One

getting old with a bit of graceMy Mom lives VERY close to me here, it had been the plan. She is moving into a new stage of aging and I don’t like what I see. And, OK before you all get all high and mighty, yes I love her, but I have to say a couple of things. So….please don’t email me all about HOW great it all was with your XVZ… Because, REALLY it’s NOT all sunshine and roses. Plus, that’s the reason you’ve not heard anything about her for YEARS. It’s NOW my turn. 

And maybe it’s not Mom I’m thinking about, maybe it’s myself and HOW I want this to all go down when I’m her age.

Mom’s 88 years old and my Dad passed in 1997. So being alone in not new to her or helping her is not new to me. But it is VERY stressful. Mom has never been a glass half full person. I have gotten services started and with their help, a prayer and maybe a little luck I can get through this. Husband and I left the other day and he said rubbing my back, “I think your angel winds are just about ready to pop.”

But, can “I” do that, can I turn my life, my CONTROL over to another? I really don’t think I can, but I also know I will HAVE to. So, as with everything I’ve started a list. Nothing in the world can make me happier than a list. That…plus writing here, to the blank unseen. What I see her need or do, what I want different and why. Every little thing I see is written down.

  1. MOVE to the kids: Husband keeps saying, “When we get older.” well, yes but how old? I’m going to need a support system not just the kids and grands.  I need friends, church, a bit of a social life and how long do you wait to go start that process all over again?
  2. ALWAYS tell the TRUTH: health issues suck, I know they suck, but if you have burning when you potty, UTI, tell me and we will get drugs to help you.
  3. LAUGH, out loud and strong: Yes, it’s all serious, but we all know going into live, we are going to die in the long run. And baby….I want mine to be a party.

I’m going to let that be… for today I’m heading for a cup of coffee and hopefully a little nap, then the fun can start again.  Bless us all, PLEASE only Kindness in comments.

Beth Ann

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I LOVE Comments, Please be KIND, I’m hard enough on myself

Starting NEW

Last year at this time I was all done in…Completely exhausted and all I could think of to help me get stronger was to close out The Quilt Ladies Store.

BIG, BIG mistake, about 3 month of that, I was going a bit crazy with nothing to focus my time and mind on. To say the least I missed every bit of the site, the store and all of you. SO after doing some research and figuring out what I need to do for me, here I go.

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern shop is on Etsy and if you have my patterns, you know they are priced very reasonable and are complete quilt patterns and quilt blocks with all cutting and sewing instructions.

The Quilt Ladies Books are still on KINDLE and NOOK, see the links on the side right or just click above. 

I’ve moved over to WordPress mostly to make everything just a bit more mine. Here you own everything, so I’m going to TRY and jump in with both feet. I THiNK ??   

I wanted to keep www.thequiltladies.com just….because?? You will see things from that site here. And…Well, truthfully I just don’t think I could move the site over by myself. 

I decided I just needed to start New !

Everything NEW will be here, www.bethanndoing.com   please bookmark me, sign up and stop over all the time. 


I’ve figured out the newsletter thing… I will NOT overwhelm you with anything,  sign up….please, I promise to send out only really good things. Probably quilt patterns and ideas, I’m still in the, “What do you want to see?” just let me know in comments. 

So….Here I go, I hope to do this well and I love to hear from you, it’s always nice to know you are with me, ONLY is Kindness, that has not changed.  Sign up for my newsletter.  If you’d like notice of new posts, that sign up is on the right side bar. (couldn’t figure out how to move it over here into the post???)

AND as always, THANK  YOU

Beth Ann

The Quilt Ladies NOW on Kindle and NOOK

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