Weekly News and An Old Secretary Desk

Painting Done, Make Fun Quilt Block

Hello All ! Welcome !
Hope you are settling into the holiday spirit. I have the tree done, gifts shipped and Husband has the outside palm tree decorated with lights all a glow. We are over the top organized this year and I will share more later.

Quilt Block of the WeekThis weeks Quilt Block Pattern is all about it’s name, “Old Maid” finished size is 8″ by 8″ How I make my triangles tutorial is here.
I think this quilt block needs a name change to, “Powerful Women” but I don’t have a lot of pull in the quilt history area ! It’s a Great Quilt Block

Cut 1 Lt. Blue 4 7/8” x 4 7/8’

Cut 1 White 4 7/8” x 4 7/8’

Make Triangles

Cut 2 Green 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”

Cut 2 White 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”

Make Triangles

Cut 4 White 2 ½” x 2 ½”

Head over to my Etsy Shop and See my NEW December Quilt Pattern
or if you like in Print and eBook HERE
My Entire Etsy Shop is having a SALE

This is what I worked on the past few weeks and this past week add Thanksgiving into it too ! !
My Secretary Hutch for our kitchen ! ! and I love it.

This old secretary desk came to me tired, faded, and a little wobbly ($50). Over the past two weeks, I’ve sanded, glued, repaired, cleaned, and finally painted it back into something that makes me smile every time I walk into my kitchen. It’s amazing how a little love, a little patience, and a lot of elbow grease can completely transform a piece.

I know some don’t like painted wood, this wood was not the best, pieced together a bit, I saved what I could and had a ball painting the rest. This project is the largest I have done since my library and it has reminded me how satisfying it is to slow down and bring furniture piece back to life.

Yes, I hand painted the back, it’s on art paper so IF
I want later, I can change it

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Thought for the Week

I think this is what we do with our Quilts,
The most ordinary things become extraordinary the moment we decide they’re worth saving. This week, look at what’s already around you with new eyes and find joy in bringing a little beauty back to life.

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SEE Beth Ann’s BOOKS on Amazon and

Entire Etsy Shop is Having a SALE – – HERE

Library Dream Does Come True

My Library Project

It happened, it really did happen! My library project is finished. I had a time line for this project to be about 6 weeks. The project turned into over 12 weeks. This is not a project for the faint of heart, it was truly VERY hard work. I had planned, thought about, researched, drawn, measured and dreamed about this room for YEARS.
I don’t have sponsors or receive any $ on my posts, so I haven’t given names or brands of items I used.

Before and After of a Library Project by The quilt Ladies — Before and After of My Library Project

Let’s start at the VERY beginning…Husband had a huge surgery scheduled for October 9, 2024, BUT something called Hurricane Milton took over, and gave us something else to think about. We made it thought okay and surgery was set for October 18. My handbook to all the process.

He had his after surgery appointment in January and everything was very good. We asked so many questions, Surgeon said, “Live your life, if you did it before, do it again”. On the drive home Husband said, “Let’s build a library”.
And no, there is NOTHING wrong with this room. Nothing that floors, paint, cabinets and shelves couldn’t fix.

Clean out was all about ME and it took me 3 days to move and let go of a lot of things. Carpet was next and we were thrilled with the floor under it, nothing had to be done to it. We had built my old work table and we took it apart carefully, as the top and shelves would become the new counter tops.

Library Project, The Quilt Ladies — Murphy bed room painted and carpet up

The tile I had picked earlier was still there when we went to purchase.

I loved the plaid, still do, but thought it would be too much with all the bookcases. I did white paint like the rest of the house, took three coats to cover.

Base cabinets went in first, painted and sanded doors for days.

We used the top of my old work table for countertops, just a bit of sanding and re-staining.

The 1″ x 12″, 8 feet long are terribly heavy, first sanded and then painted three coats, each side, sanding and filling between each coat.

Our daily joke at this time in the project,
“Cut them 70 1/2″ and 2 little lines”

There was nothing else to do and at night I painted molding. The molding was already carved in and I painted.

The inside wall, we did each step around the 3 walls at the same time.

Bookcases up, touched up and let the drying begin, I let them set for about 2 weeks, before added decor.

Molding finished and added.

My/Our Finished Library Project.
And YES, the desk is base coated for some art work to be added…
I need some rest before that begins 🙂

Library Project finished The Quilt Ladies — Finished Library

I don’t have sponsors or receive any $ on my posts, so I haven’t given names or brands. PLEASE take a moment to look at my books and quilt pattern books, that is my only $ resource.

As always, Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and
my Quilt Ladies Book
The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Shop

My Books and Quilt Ladies Quilt Patterns in Print and eBooks

Holiday To Do List for December

Start NOW with your Holiday To Do List

I have added December Holiday To Do List early here, it’s been crazy at my house and I think it maybe at your too. So, if you want a head start here is December, CLICK HERE and receive your free PDF download

Let’s not forget about the benefits to your sanity. Starting early even a bit early means you can take breaks and enjoy the holidays without feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of stress and responsibility. You can actually take the time to cherish the moments with family and friends – isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Here’s YOUR FREE December Holiday To Do List

Beth Ann is a Quilter and an Author
who decided to self-publish her books and quilt pattern books

SEE Beth Ann’s BOOKS on Amazon and
PDF download quilt patterns on Etsy

www.bethanndoing.com
www.thequiltladies.com

Photo Wall

Cut, Paint and Hang

This has been on the back burner for a bit. Like you I have seen them on Pinterest.
When I cleaned out a cedar chest to move it out, it was the keeper of the photo’s. So, off to Pinterest to find a photo wall. Here is my before and after photo.
See all Beth Ann’s Quilt Books in Print here
Read about them all

I used for the back 1″ x 4″, the bottom 1″ x 3″ and the front edge 1″ x 2″. I did have them cut at Lowes, I sanded, glued/nailed and painted with the same wall color paint. Made three of them.

The hardest part was the hanging of the shelves, both Husband and I on ladders, getting it level and into the wall stud…needed more hands, but we finally got it.

Our finished photo wall.

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No additional cost to you, this post contains affiliate links. I receive a few cents if you click to my links and purchase. It helps with my fabric obsession. 🙂 Beth Ann

Vintage Table Cloth into Art – BethAnnDoing.com

From The Quilt Ladies

I found this on ebay and I love it.

With a bit of work it turned out PERFECT !
From The Quilt Ladies site: Received an email from Google how this post is doing unbelievable numbers?!?!???? Well….I want to thank all the people who just sit and added their stupid comments and link to it. It’s helping me?!?!?!?

Re-post from MY Quilt Ladies

As I unfolded it….it was better than the pictures on ebay

Lots of fold lines.

Tutorial how to take a vintage tablecloth and made it wall art

With a water spray bottle and lots of ironing the folds came out

Made a trip to Lowes and with 1″ x 2″ boards made a square 50″ x 48″

Braces down the middle both length and width.

Lots of staples and pulling

My wonderful Wall center piece.

Meet Beth Ann:
I’m a Quilter and an Author who decided to self-publish my quilt books and quilt patterns,SEE MY BOOKS on Amazon and See everything I have there, eBooks and Quilt Patterns.
The Anxiety to Anxiety
How to Survive Retirement
and The Quilt Ladies COMPLETE Collection in Print

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOUThis post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase.

bethanndoing.com

Little Red Pillows

Decorating with Quilts

I purchased these fabric’s sometime back

I have Husband old recliner in our

bedroom and I am using a quilt as a pillow. The chairs is really to big for me, but the leather is perfect !

I do this all the time, I draw a pattern

and started piecing pillow tops, it’s not brain surgery, it’s math.

Top ONE

Top TWO

I’m hand quilting them now !

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

Make Retirement fun with my “How to Survive Retirement” a Check List

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

#quilt #quilting #thequiltladies #patchwork #bethanndoing #quilts #needlework

My First Quilt

From Quilt Days Past, First Quilt

This is my first quilt

In the early 80’s we moved to Burlington, Iowa, it’s in the southeastern corner of the state on the Mississippi River and yes, I learned how to spell Mississippi.

I had done some blocks, some pillows and then I saw in the paper a class being hosted by the local quilt group. I remember it being expensive and how I agonized over it for days. but, finally signed up.

The teacher was “Liz Porter” at the time she worked for one of the magazines, Better Homes maybe, but is was a wonderful day and I learned so much.

It was a color class which meant nothing to me at the time, looking at the quilt today I didn’t get the whole idea. Liz brought letters to add to each quilt to identify, I used my initials.

Hand quilting was so relaxing to me, I had no frame, just a dining room table, pinned it very well and quilted. I checked out library books on how to do everything. The quality of books we have now is crazy different from then.

I was approached to join the quilt group after the class. I think I was a rarity in the group a “new” member. I remember being laughed at when they saw my round corners on the quilt. I love these corners.This is my quilt, I curl up under it daily, it’s washed all the time and it’s just over 35 years old. It’s never looked better to me.And, if you are in the group in Burlington, IA. I’d love to hear from you ! ! My e-mail – thequiltladies@gmail.com

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

Make Retirement fun with my “How to Survive Retirement” a Check List

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase

#quilt #quilting #thequiltladies #patchwork #bethanndoing #quilts #needlework

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase

Re-doing our Master Closet

On Our Own – A Custom Closet

It’s been along time coming, finding a place for everything. We went from a four bedroom, four bath house to a two bedroom, two bath condo, with no basement and a one car garage. And, I love it. I have gotten things paired down and now it’s time to make things pretty and finished. We went to all the show rooms and looked…but Husband kept saying, “I can do this.” So here we go ! Lots of measuring and plans later, here we go.

I love our Ikea dressers and I purchased the matching hutches for them. Painting walls, double up the rods, shelving above and a new ceiling light.

First, it’s time to “Clean it OUT !” I have been a bit brutal about it. Not worn it or seen it for years, “LET IT GO”!

The Fun has STARTED !

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

Make Retirement fun with my “How to Survive Retirement” a Check List

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase. Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book on Kindle and Nook, nothing is possible without your purchases

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Florida Tea Towel Pillows

Just for Me

I have fallen in love with these pillows.

I purchased two Tea Towels from Amazon, they are new, not antique, but they are wonderful. I added batting and quilted with large stitches.

Added a backing, machine stitches three sides closed, filled with batting and hand stitched the bottom closed.

All DONE ! !

Beth Ann

The Quilt Ladies Book Collection ONLY on Kindle and NOOK

How to Survive Retirement

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase

Thank you for supporting my Etsy shop and my Quilt Ladies Book on Kindle and Nook, nothing is possible without your purchases

Everyone Needs a Place to Be

My Little Corner

We live in a little two-bedroom condo and I had to figure out my space. And this is it. I’m lucky to have a corner in our master bedroom that I call mine. Yes, I heard it too, Husband just said, “The whole house is hers!” It’s my go to, need to be, let me alone, read and watch a Hallmark movie place.

Of course, quilts are every place, I always seem to need one?? My thing. This is not a big space, a love seat, a table, and a lamp.

Please, try to get yourself a spot, a corner, a chair, some place to just be and take a breath.

Beth Ann – See All I Do

The Quilt Ladies Book Collection ONLY on Kindle and NOOK

How to Survive Retirement

My new book on KINDLE and NOW in PRINT TOO

The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Etsy Shop HERE for YOU

This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase

Category: Decorating our Home

Weekly News and An Old Secretary Desk

Thought for the Week

SEE Beth Ann’s BOOKS on Amazon and

Entire Etsy Shop is Having a SALE – – HERE

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Library Dream Does Come True

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Holiday To Do List for December

Like this:

Photo Wall

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Vintage Table Cloth into Art – BethAnnDoing.com

Like this:

Little Red Pillows

Like this:

My First Quilt

Like this:

Re-doing our Master Closet

I love our Ikea dressers and I purchased the matching hutches for them. Painting walls, double up the rods, shelving above and a new ceiling light.

First, it’s time to “Clean it OUT !” I have been a bit brutal about it. Not worn it or seen it for years, “LET IT GO”!

The Fun has STARTED !

Like this:

Florida Tea Towel Pillows

Beth Ann

Like this:

Everyone Needs a Place to Be

Beth Ann – See All I Do

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Thought for the Week

SEE Beth Ann’s BOOKS on Amazon and Entire Etsy Shop is Having a SALE – – HERE

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I love our Ikea dressers and I purchased the matching hutches for them. Painting walls, double up the rods, shelving above and a new ceiling light.

First, it’s time to “Clean it OUT !” I have been a bit brutal about it. Not worn it or seen it for years, “LET IT GO”!

The Fun has STARTED !

Share this:

Like this:

Beth Ann

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Like this:

Beth Ann – See All I Do

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Like this:

SEE Beth Ann’s BOOKS on Amazon and

Entire Etsy Shop is Having a SALE – – HERE