Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Madrona Road mini quilt

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Our Modern quilt guild had the showing of our Madrona Road Challenge on Sunday. I was able to squeeze something out….though a little tight. I did managed on Saturday and Sunday to get my mini quilt top complete.

My original idea was to build out 9 blocks that were based on these cool tiles in a recent dwell magazine. I only had two blocks done when I started on Saturday….I needed a new idea, as I knew I would not have the time to finish my original idea.

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So, I was inspired by this picture, which I had pinned a while back on my design ideas board. It is of a Portuguese based tile design. I think it is of a bath…I love the low tone black and white center with the cool blue color edges with all those solids.

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This is my interpretation, incorporated in my Madrona Road Challenge as a mini quilt. This is my first mini quilt and only my second quilt top, so I am really happy with how this turned out.

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For the border,  I designed it so the middle blocks were off centered and mostly in solids (a few scraps of Madrona made it in). I had one 8 x 8″ block of the chess board block and I am so pleased I added to that block to make a 8 x 16″ block in the middle. I like the balance it brings. All the other blocks are 8 x 8″. A close-up of the Madrona Road Blocks and the borders…..

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My favorite block is one of my interpretations of one of the Dwell pictured tiles. It is similar to a X and +  block but it has a few extra details with added borders (I can’t wait to take these photos with the finished quilt so the light doesn’t come through the fabric at the top here).

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On the other side, are two more geometric basic shapes….Zig-Zaggy block (my son calls it the zig-zaggy as it’s the term used in the book, Russell the Sheep) and an improv block from scraps.

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At some stage, I would like to make a larger quilt and build on the design past the blue borders. I think that would be a good-looking quilt. For now, I am hoping to spend some time this week on this mini quilt, finishing it up by quilting and binding it for Friday.

I am linking up with Plum and June “Let’s get acquainted” and Janice @ Better of Thread “Sew Cute Tuesday”.

Plum and June  Better Off Thread

Since this is my WiP this week, hate to post again but I am, linking up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday.
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Taking time out – Mother’s Day

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What more can you ask for, for Mother’s Day but a relaxing time with family. That is exactly what my day was like yesterday. I got my favorite flowers – tulips in amazingly bright colors and a Raclette set (see yesterday’s post) from the hubby. My son made an amazing flower and wrote the nicest things about his mum. Isn’t it amazing how the simplest things from your child can bring out so many emotions of happiness?

Sean is 5 years old and is in Kindergarten, for non-US folks 1st year in primary school. They made a flower and each petal is an adjective to describe their Mum. His said “My mom is….Artistic, Good Cook, Helpful, Pretty, Smart, ? we aren’t sure what this last one is”

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This is now hanging in my office (note to self – mod-podge does not work well with ink). He also wrote a note which just in case I will add the translation and my comments are in blue ;-):

  1. She is as pretty as a beautiful butterfly.
  2. She weighs 1 pound and is 5 feet tall (for starters…why would you put this on a note such as this – right??? Anyway, I thought it sweet that I was only  1 pound 🙂 )
  3. My mum’s favorite place to go is the mountains. (which is so true)
  4. I think my mom is really funny when she takes a shower (I think I need to explain to my 5-year-old that I don’t think that was exactly the right meaning of the question, oh dear…the honesty of a 5-year-old 🙂 )
  5. My mom is so smart, she even knows how to sew (I was surprised and delighted that he considers my craftiness/sewing as being smart)
  6. I like it best when my mom hugs me (I do too, he gives the best cuddles)
  7. I wouldn’t trade my mum for toy Lego (well wouldn’t you know that I am more valuable than his Lego’s)

Again it amazes me at the thought and perception one already has at 5. Love all my thoughtful gifts.

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The rest of the day was wonderful, quilted my Madrona road challenge quilt top (just in time for the guild meeting last night…will post details tomorrow), went to the Durham Life and Science Museum and then had fun sharing projects at our modern quilt guild meeting which is now held at Spoonflower (my favorite place to visit at the moment). I really enjoyed having a laid back kind of day with the family!

I hope you all had a great time too. I would love to hear what made it special so leave a comment or a link to your blog and I will come and take a look. To finish up I will leave you with a couple more photos from our visit with the Dinosaurs.

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Mother’s day gift + Meal Plan {12.05.2013}

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When living in Germany, my too favorite dishes were broth fondue and raclette, both were introduced to me by my husbands Grandmother.

Now in the US, I found a replacement for the Fondue….a restaurant called “The Melting Pot”. This is my favorite restaurant, which is my choice whenever I get to pick the spot for those special occasions.

Look what I got for Mother’s day…it is a Raclette set!!! For those who don’t know what a Raclette set is, it involves an electric table-top grill with small pans, known as coupelles, to heat slices of cheese with miscellaneous vegetables.

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Ingredients

  • Boiled Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell peppers
  • Onion
  • Cheese
  • Ham or Chicken

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Optional: Grill the onions and the bell pepperIMG_7282

In the coupelles layer the potato, ham (or chicken), and cheese. Place the tray under the grill tray so the elements add as a grill. Leave for ~ 5 mins.IMG_7283

Top with grilled onion, bell peppers and fresh cracked pepper. Use the scraper and scrap the ingredients onto a plate and serve.

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This was dinner last night and boy it was great!! I love both fondue and raclette for the same reasons…both a very social activities as you have to cook your own food and secondly, you eat slower.

Onto our meal plan this week….

DAY BREAKFAST DINNER EXERCISE
Saturday Egg+Ham Sandwich Raclette 20 mins HIT
Sunday Strawberry + Banana Crepes Grill + Spinach Salad 20 mins HIT
Monday Bircher Muesli BBQ Chicken + Stuffed mushrooms + Broccoli
Tuesday English Muffin + Banana + Almond Butter Omlette  Walk
Wednesday Bircher Muesli Z-Pizza 20 mins. HIT
Thursday English Muffin + Marmite Spaghetti + Asparagus + Mushrooms
Friday Berry + Banana + Spirulina Smoothie Toasted Sandwiches 20 mins. HIT

We are usually spending ~$70 a week for our meals. Here is this weeks shopping list:

GROCERY LIST (NEW STOCK) IN THE CUPBOARD/FRIDGE
  • Asparagus (TJ)
  • Rhubarb (LF)
  • Granny Smith Apples (LF)
  • Bananas (LF)
  • Potato (TJ)
  • Tomatoes (TJ)
  • English Muffins (LF)
  • Soy Milk (TJ)
  • Juice (TJ, TT)
  • Spinach (from the garden)
  • Broccoli (from the garden)
  • Potatoes (TJ)
  • Bell Pepers (TJ)
  • Mushrooms (TJ)
  • Tomatoes (TJ)
  • Onions (TJ)
  • Grated Cheese (TT)
  • Eggs (TJ)
  • Gluten Free Pasta (TT)
  • Oats (BJ)
  • Chicken (BJ))
  • Sultanas (TT)

NOTE: We shop majority at Trader Joe’s (TJ), Target (TT) with an occasional visit to Whole foods (WF), BJ’s , Harris Teeters (HT), Lowes Food (LF) and Fresh Market (FM).
NOTE: We do not typically use coupons mainly due to time.
NOTE: Items indicated by * are specials for the week we took advantage of.