Category: From Beth’s Desk

Make a Button Bracelet

Happy May Day Project

I have Husbands Grandmother’s buttons and I wanted to do something for just the Ladies in our family. 
And here is what I made, Button Bracelets
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I had seen the bracelets on Pinterest, but no instructions so here is how “I” did it ! ! 
how to make a button bracelet
First the buttons
I laid each bracelet out and made sure that each one had at least one button the same in each bracelet, the white ones
For the bracelet you need one’s with 4 holes, I used 7 per bracelet
and then 1 button with just 2 holes for the end, to use as the clasp. 
how to make a button braceletI used cord “Jewelry Designer Satin Rattail”  cord 
5.49 m
 
I cut the length about 24″ long = double it over
button bracelet tutorial
Tie a knot in the end, this will be where the end clasp button goes through
The Quilt Ladies Quilt Pattern Shop HERE for YOU
Pull the cord up and then down over the other side. 
When you cross over and come up again this is when you need to 
have the other cord end UNDER that closing to hold it in place.
hot to make a button bracelet
Pull the cross stitch tight, and start the process over
with the cord NOT used on the first button and do 
it all again. 
I left space between each button.
When you get to the end, leave about a 1 inch of cord 
and add the 2 hole button, tie a knot at each hole
button bracelet tutorial
This is the end button which will become the clasp button
how to make a button braceletI made 7 bracelets 

I made gift cards as I’m pretty sure no one remembers I have these buttons.

Buttons provided by: Lucy Strub
Grandma ! 

Beth from The Quilt Ladies

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
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Old Ladies Rock

A Story

Today is Tell a Story Day !  and it’s Monday and I’m moving over from The Quilt Ladies Site: a classic from 6-29-2009.
Yes, I have been doing this for WAY too long, that too has been a discussion going on for a bit….but for another day. Here is

OLD Ladies ROCK – A Bike Story and Aging 
Old ladies ROCK, a bike story
Well, I’m going to have to face the fact; I’M OLD. I have gone kicking and screaming (and Laughing) into middle age but yesterday
was the end all of end all.
We volunteered at a Triathlon in Des Moines, IA, it’s the swim, bike, run thing and we were bike marshall’s and I loved it. Have a chair and cheer the riders on. I loved it, until….
As we (Sister-in-law #2) cheered on, one of the female riders said,
“OLD LADIES ROCK”
I haven’t stopped laughing yet.
I know I (we) maybe not be riding, swimmer or running in spandex,
I know the hair maybe a bit gray, but an OLD lady.
I know at the age of 20, 51 is old, but please, OLD. Neither one of us have a cane, a walker or knit, well, I do quilt? Anyway, I’m claiming my 50’s ! I thought the 50’s, are the new 30’s. Will someone please tell, the 20 year old this !
Anyway here’s some pictures of the day,

Old ladies ROCK, a bike story

This Old Lady Rocks

Beth from The Quilt Ladies

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

Easter Ready photo by Beth Ann StrubThere is nothing normal about life today and probably not for the next months to years. But, on this wonderful day of Easter, please take a moment to be mindful of all we each have.

To everyone doing huge things as are our essential workers, to writing checks to food banks, to praying at home, and those understanding home is the best place to stay healthy !

 

 

God Bless us all at this time, at all times and with love it our hearts for all.   Together is the only way we can do what needs to be done.

Happy Easter and Blessed Passover

Beth Ann

National Dandelion Day

Celebrate Every Day !

National Dandelions DayToday is National Dandelion Day 

Dandelions were my first bouquet of flowers that I gave and first I  received. They are a happy yellow and said spring when we were in the Midwest.

We all know that they are a weed and I can remember working on the yard with my Grandma Glade pulling them out.  She had this great tool that looked kind of like a fork.  But, I always ended our pulling session with a small bouquet of them on the window seal.

Happy Dandelion Day ! 

 

Beth from The Quilt Ladies

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

Happy with a Smile

international day of happiness with The Quilt Ladies
It’s been a bit crazy for us all the past days and probable for the next weeks to months. We have all had anxiety over load and learning to step back, take a breath and stop has been my goal.
I had a full panic attack last Friday, that cannot and will not happen again, I cannot do that to myself.   “Shelter in Place” “Stay home”. I love home, I love my space in this world and I’m going to just let the rest be for a bit, this little house of ours is perfect. 
I have been challenging myself to say the word “HAPPY”. It has become a bit of a silent praying going over and over in my mind. 
Happy, I choose to be happy, I choose to be me, I choose to be kind, I choose to take care of myself, I choose prayer to be with me and in me.
On this day of Happiness, please be kind, be happy and please take care of YOURSELF. Mind and body. 
Here are just a few things that make me HAPPY on a daily bases. And to those kids of ours that,  I don’t share photo’s of, they are always my happiness ! 

Friendship Star Couch Pillows

Tiger Photo by Beth Ann Strub

Condo Lanai in Florida

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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
This post may contain affiliate links. I will receive a few cents if you click to their site and purchase
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Today is 42 ! ! !

When a boy meets a girl… And 42 years later… it’s a life of joy, laughter, fun and family. I am blessed with his love. It’s been a fantastic ride in a GORGEOUS WORLD.  It seems like yesterday. 

We were introduced to each other and then on a blind date. The first Rocky movie and a pizza. It seems we have been together ever since. Two boys, two daughter-in-laws and those four wonderful Grands. 

We are pretty much together 24/7 and it’s alright with me. All those years of his career always being first, it’s pretty special to be first now. As of me writing this I’m in week three of total knee replacement. I can’t do it without him, and there is no one else I would EVER let get those white support socks on me ! We can do ANYTHING with laughter ! Even those terrible socks ! 

How to Survive Retirement: Make a Plan for YOUR next 20 to 30 Years of Retirement

Leaving Budapest by Boat

The Quilt Ladies and Beth Ann
Beth Ann
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
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

 

National Day of Unplugging

I’m doing It, Unplug

national day of unplugging

This is one of my goals for this year and I think I have been doing pretty good at it ! I don’t use my phone… I said it out loud. It’s really been easy.  I turn the sound off and just leave it alone. I noticed if my back or shoulders are hurting it is probably because I just spent a couple of hours with my nose in my phone doing nothing but reading junk that has little or nothing to do with my life.

Today is National Day of Unplugging, it was suggested to do it from sundown to sundown, 24 hours. So, unplug, relax, take a day off, be with those you love, be present in your own life and enjoy just being unplugged.

The Quilt Ladies and Beth Ann
Beth Ann
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
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

 

How to Sew Quilt Block Pieces

Mirror Image, One End and Both End Quilt Block How To

Hope you are learning a bit about quilting and if you are a seasoned quilter hope you are seeing something you’d like to try in a new quilt.  
The Quilt Ladies teach you how to quilt.
One End Triangle
On the smaller square, draw a light pencil line from
corner (size as in pattern)
to corner with a ruler, on wrong side of fabric, this is
your sewing line.
When you go to the sewing machine,
sew just to the left of the line or toward the part that
will be cut off. Sew only a thread or two from
the line making the piece turn easier.

 

Triangles on each end

The Quilt Ladies teach you how to quilt.
1.  
 The base fabric (Blue) is cut finished size plus ½”, length and width. Corner is cut finished size plus ½”, length and width.
On the smaller square, draw a light pencil line from
corner
to corner with a ruler, on wrong side of fabric, this is
your sewing line.
 When you go to the sewing machine,
sew just to the left of the line or toward the part that
will be cut off. Sew only a thread or two from
the line making the piece turn easier.
2.
Place good to good fabric, sew from corner to
corner.
3.
Trim a ¼” seam allowance, press to corner
fabric.
4.
Turn fabric and press to small corner
5.
Place good to good fabric, sew from corner to
corner.
6.
Trim a ¼” seam allowance, press to corner
fabric.
7.
Turn fabric and press to small corner
 
Mirror Image Triangles
 
Mirror Image Quilt Pattern Tutorial
Cut Larger triangle finished size plus 7/8” example 6” finished cut 6 7/8”
Cut each square from corner to corner You will have 2 triangles
Cut Points finished size plus 1 ¼” example 6” finished cut 7 ¼”
Cut each square from corner to corner and then again corner to corner. You will have 4 triangles
Sew each color and piece as shown

 

 

How To Sew a Quilt Block

Make Flying Geese, Off Set Triangles Quilt Patterns

Basic Quilt Info from The Quilt Ladies
over set triangle corner quilt blockOffset triangles added to
square
Cut the base square as stated in the pattern or example: 
Cut 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″  base square
Cut your Corner Squares as stated in the pattern.
Cut corners – 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ 
Mark corner to corner SEWING line – Lay smaller square good fabric to good fabric, sew on drawn line.
Trim what is behind the sewn square and
press to inside or base square.
Repeat on other side.
Trim what is behind the sewn square and press to inside or base square.
The Quilt Ladies teach you how to quilt.
 
I know I’ll hear from some of you about wasting fabric. I like doing it this way, they are perfect the first time. 

 

It’s all sizes of Triangles in ONE quilt block

little big triangle piecing

Breaking down triangles
Cut your Square into triangles as stated in
the pattern (finished size plus 7/8″ then cut corner to corner)
(Example Blue and White)
Do three triangles as stated in Triangles
Small triangle, cut square and cut corner to corner finished size plus 7/8″ 
Sew units together.

 

piecing a triangle quilt block

 

 

make a flying geese quilt piece Flying Geese
I like doing Flying Geese this way, there are many other ways too
1.Cut your Base fabric width and height + ½” 
example – 4” x 2” cut 4 ½” x 2 ½”
Cut Point fabric width and height + ½” example – 2” x 2”
cut 2 ½” x 2 ½” 
On the wrong side of small squares draw a light pencil line corner to corner
2.Place corner on top of base fabric, sew corner to
corner moving your needle to the section to be cut off by just a few threads.
3.Trim seam allowance 1/4″
4.Press seam allowance to the small square
5.Place corner on top of base fabric, sew corner to
corner moving your needle to the section to be cut off by just a few threads.
6.Trim seam allowance 1/4″
7.Press seam allowance to the small square, Finished
Flying Geese
The Quilt Ladies teach you how to quilt.
The Quilt Ladies and Beth Ann
Beth Ann
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
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

Making a Center Square a Quilt Tutorial

How to’s from The Quilt Ladies

Move it Over Monday The Quilt Ladies

 

Here is a fun way that I do a Center Square Quilt Block
Center Square
how to make a center square quilt block
Cut your Squares and then into triangles as stated in the pattern.
Sew on the top triangle, Trim the ends even.
Sew on the bottom Triangle, Trim the ends.
Note:
sewing the pieces across make the square lay flat, as does trimming the ends.
Sew on the side triangles.
Trim the block make sure to leave the 1/4” seam allowance. 
Press
 
how to make a center square quilt block

 

center square quilt block cutting chart

 

how to make a quilt block with triangle cornersTriangle Corners Adding Triangle to corner unit
 
Cut your Squares into triangles as stated in the pattern.
Sew triangles (finished size plus 7/8″) to square or triangle block,
trim and press.
Cut your Squares (finished size plus 7/8″)and then into triangles as
stated in the pattern
Place the good-side of fabric to good-side of
fabric, sew from corner to corner.
Using a 1/4” seam allowance, trim, press to larger triangle. 
corner triangle added to quilt block
I am the Author of The Quilt Ladies Book
The Quilt Ladies and Beth Ann
Beth Ann
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
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