More Donation Quilts

On November 17, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Fabric Dyeing, Quilting, Scrap QuiltLeave a comment

Having received a large quantity of fabric from my sister, I needed to make room for storing this. Sorting through my current stash of fabric, I found a container of dyed fabrics that I had made when trying different dyeing techniques.

These swatches were each 5″ x 5″. Many of my original dyeing samples were used in previous projects, such as described in “Fabric Dyeing” and “Spring has Sprung“.

The ones left were a bit dull in color. No longer needing these, I decided to make another of the many quilts in my “Future Projects” folder on my computer. To brighten them up, I combined them with white fabric and use variegated thread for the quilting. It’s amazing how the white makes even drab fabrics look cheery.

This was a simple pattern that combined these 250 different swatches in long rows separated by white sashing, turned on point and set in asymmetrically. I really like how it turned out.

Reworked quilts to donate.

On November 6, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Quilting2 Comments

This summer, I received two large boxes of craft supplies from my sister. When the boxes arrived in the mail, I had so much fun sorting through the contents. Thanks Sis!

In the boxes there was yarn, started crochet projects and yards and yard of fabric! Some of the fabrics were precut into strips and squares, others were whole pieces of fabric. And, still others were already sewn sections.

After sorting through the boxes and finding storage spots the multitude of supplies, I decided to finish some of the projects that she had started.

In the box were three pieced quilt tops, each very similar, and some corresponding excess fabric. The pieced tops were comprised of sixteen blocks (set 4×4), each quilt measured 84″ x 84″.

Since my plan was to donate these quilts, I needed to rework them to a twin XL size. To accomplish this, each of the quilts needed to be longer. However, since the three quilts were each slightly different, I couldn’t just take four blocks off of one and add them to the end of a second quilt. I needed to take them apart and rearrange the blocks. In doing so, I decided to use a different fabric for the sashing between the blocks. Using a fabric with very little pattern helped to set off the blocks and make them more eye catching.

The first quilt included twenty identical blocks reset with the new sashing fabric.

The second quilt was similar. However, there were not enough matching blocks to make the quilt of only one block. So, the quilt was made alternating two different blocks.

Starting out with three quilts, each with 16 blocks, I had a total of 48 blocks to use. With 20 in each of the two quilts I had already completed, I only had 8 blocks left over for the final quilt. I did also have some yardage of matching fabrics. So, some creative block setting and use of the extra fabrics and I had a third quilt pieced. I really like this one!

After quilting and binding, I sure hope someone finds these a comfort on the cold winter nights that will be coming all too soon.

Swirl Scarf and Flowered Shells Hat

On October 10, 2018October 10, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Crochet, Flowers, Knitting, Scarf1 Comment

Several years ago, my mother made a lovely swirl scarf for me. The scarf was one that she made without using a written pattern. At the time, I asked her to describe the pattern. It’s fairly simple, just remember to relax to keep your yarn tension very loose.

Knit Swirl Scarf

Materials:
Color A: Tan Worsted Weight Yarn, 100 yards
Color B: Variegated Worsted Weight Yarn, 50 yards
Color C: Fur style Yarn, 50 yards
US Size 9 circular knitting needle
US Size H crochet hook
Pattern:
Using color A, cast on 100 stitches.
Row 1: Knit across, keeping tension very loose.
Row 2: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (200 stitches).
Row 3: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (400 stitches).
Row 4: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (800 stitches).
Row 5: Knit two in each stitch, keeping tension very loose (1600 stitches).
Row 6: Attach color B and knit across (1600 stitches). Cast off all stitches.
Edging: Attach color C with slip stitch. Sc in each stitch along edges of the scarf. Weave in all yarn ends.

Yesterday, I decided to make a hat to match the scarf. The pattern I used was one I have had in my pattern collection for a while. However, I revised the pattern by removing two of the 5Shell rows in the white section of the pattern and completing the the final SC row with fur style yarn. Shell Hat

Pattern: Flowered Shells Hat

Designer: Melissa Frank

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowered-shells-hat

Together with the scarf, it makes a nice set.

Hat & Scarf

One Smile !

On October 5, 2018October 5, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Fused glass, Volunteer, Yard Art1 Comment

Tonight is the Minnesota Dental Foundation annual fundraiser gala. The vision of the Minnesota Dental Foundation is to eliminate unmet oral health needs in Minnesota. The foundation supports the Minnesota Mission of Mercy, Volunteered Dental Services, Give Kids and Smile, and many other programs.

The annual gala showcases the recent activities of the Foundation and highlights the organizations that benefit from the work of the Foundation.

I’m looking forward to spending a nice evening with many professional colleagues and some of my business partners.

One of the activities at the gala is a silent auction. You can preview the auction items at www.qtego.net/qlink/mndental.

Normally I do not purchase any items in the auction. At this point in life, I really don’t need more “stuff”. But, I do support the auction by donating items. This year, I donated two custom made items.

Fused glass serving plate with the MDF logo.

Stepping stone with MDF logo.

Hopefully these items will bring some nice bids. Looking forward to a nice evening!

Fall in Minnesota

On September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Canning, Fall Colors, Flowers, Life, TreesLeave a comment

What a difference a week makes!

Last Sunday, I was in Arizona visiting my parents. With a high temperature was 102 degrees, I was wearing a skort, sleeveless shirt and sandals.

Today, back in Minnesota, the temperature is 51 degrees. I am wearing a sleeveless shirt this week, it’s just accompanied by a sweater, slacks and warm socks.

My week off of work started by spending a few days with my parents. Having recently relocated to a new retirement community, I went to Arizona to see how they were doing. Glencroft Retirement has many nice features – fountains, library, exercise room, etc.

And entertainment!

After spending a few days with my parents, I returned midweek to Minnesota.

The later part of my week was spent on fall yard projects. After picking apples, I spent countless hours making applesauce and dehydrated apple slices – 36 cups of apple chips and 39 pints of applesauce!

I also cleaned up some of my flower beds and planted about 400 bulbs for spring flowers. It will be nice to see how things grow!

I guess it’s back to work tomorrow 😒.

Burst – Quilting closeups

On September 20, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Batik, Quilting, Scrap Quilt1 Comment

A friend recently pointed out that I had not posted pictures of the quilting of my Burst quilt, as I had originally said I would do.

So, here are a few close-ups.

And, the full quilt hanging on my wall.

I especially like how the doll quilt turned out. Kinda wish I had made the bed quilt the same design! Maybe, some day, I will make this quilt again (perhaps with a black background?)

Minnesota Mission of Mercy 2018

On September 9, 2018September 9, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Life, Volunteer1 Comment

It’s a beautiful, sunny day and I’m at home relaxing after three incredibly busy days.

The sixth Minnesota Mission of Mercy wrapped up yesterday. About 1,500 volunteers including dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, dental therapists, translators, and lay volunteers worked together to provide free dental care for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford treatment. Services included cleanings, fillings, root canals on select teeth, extractions, and oral hygiene instruction. Patients were seen from 5:30 am to 5:00 pm. In two days of the event, 1492 patient encounters and over $900,000 dental care was provided.

Dr. Loren Taple and I have worked together as X-ray co-leads for the past five MnMOM events.

As a co-lead of the X-ray, I spent most of Thursday setting up our department. We had three intraoral X-ray machines and six panoramic machines donated for use at the event and well as nine computer/monitor setups for running the machines and printing images. On Friday and Saturday, we saw over 800 patients for radiographs.

Kelli, the clinic supervisor of my dental practice (Dentistry for Children and Adolescents), has volunteered in the X-ray department every year. She is an awesome employee who is really fun to work side-by-side with.

For me, it is a nice change to work in X-ray rather than treating pediatric patients. One of my partners, however, does volunteer in the Kid’s Clinic. Dr. Sally Schuette, along with two of our office assistants, Wendi and Teum, spent several hours treating kids. And, when the pediatric patients were all treated, they even treated a couple adult patients.

It was an fulfilling weekend. May God Bless all the volunteers!

The Minnesota Great Get-Together

On August 29, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Applique, Batik, Crochet, Fused glass, Minnesota State Fair, Quilting, Scrap Quilt, TreesLeave a comment

The Minnesota State Fair is currently taking place. If you are not from MN, you may not realize how big our state fair is. While MN only ranks 12th in size and 21st in population, it ranks second in state fair attendance, with over 2 million people attending each year. This is just behind Texas at 2.25 million visitors. However, Texas is second in land mass, second in population, and their state fair runs for 24 days (twice the length of the MN fair). Thus, I would say that the Minnesota State Fair outranks even Texas.

The fair is so popular that, even on a rainy morning like today, there were lots of people in attendance. What do people like to do at the fair? When I asked some of my friends, they replied: eat the food, attend a concert, eat the food, see the animals, eat the food….

I think you get the picture – there is lots of food to eat if that is what you are interested in.

For me, the State Fair is a place to go to see the craftsmanship and creativity in the Arts and Crafts Building. Today was no exception. After getting very wet walking from the transit center to the A&C building, I spent a couple hours walking around taking pictures.

Here are my quilts:

Me (with my wet hair) in front of “Burst Doll Quilt”, which received a first place in the child quilt category.

“Burst” bed quilt received a second place in the pieced bed quilt category.

20180824_ — My reversible tree quilt “Childhood Memories” received a second place in the mixed techniques category. Unfortunately, you can only see one side of the quilt and none of the shadow painting.

“Window on My World” placed fourth in the wall quilt category. I re-entered it this year because I was surprised that it did not place last year and knew that there was a different judge this year.

Some of the other quilting highlights:

Some other crafts that caught my eye:

Watermelon Season

On August 22, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn Fused glass2 Comments

Each week, I enjoy checking out the local farmer’s markets. The produce options this time of the year are amazing – carrots, cucumber, cauliflower (some are even purple), tomatoes, beans – and the list goes on and on. This week, I started seeing watermelon for sale.

Watermelon seems to be the unofficial symbol of late summer. So, I decided to make some watermelon decorations for my kitchen – a fused glass sun catcher and matching display plate.

IMG_2362 (edited)

The sun catcher used clear class as the base layer (with a couple “bites” taken), red transparent glass, green streaky transparent glass, Clover Blend medium frit and white opaque coarse frit. The project was fused using a “light fuse” schedule, max temp 1425.

IMG_2367 (Edited)

The display plate used opaque white glass as the base layer. Red transparent glass, green and white streaky glass, and white opaque coarse frit were used to make the watermelon. The background checkerboard was 1/2″ pieces of black and white opaque glass cut and fitted around the watermelon. The project was full fused and then slumped into a plate form.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far!!

Happy 90th Birthday, Bruce.

On August 13, 2018August 13, 2018 By Erickson's HeirloomsIn LifeLeave a comment

Today would have been my father-in-law’s ninetieth birthday. In honor of his birthday, I am posting a poem I wrote six years ago. 1988.Bruce

Welcomed home by his Heavenly Father,
Last night he breathed his last breath.
My father-in-law, Bruce,
Now lives eternal, after his death.

He now walks with his Lord,
And plays heavenly pianos.
He may even joke with the angels.
Who knows?

In heaven, a cup of coffee,
May seem a bit trivial;
But his God will probably say,
Why of course, it is possible.

If asked in heaven to do
One thing or another,
He will probably still say
“I need to go ask my mother.”

His wit, charm and humor,
All around him could see,
Was certainly more important
Than a fictitious medical degree.

Nothing gave him more pleasure
Than Faith, Family and Friends;
All still should feel cherished,
His love never ends.

I cannot even begin to express
How truly blessed I have been.
Though I was not born his daughter,
He treated me like one from beginning to end.

He would call me “Doll”.
Yes – I know he probably called you that too;
But that’s just how he was,
His love, to all, through and through.

An example here on earth
Of our loving Heavenly Father to me;
A small glimpse of the Love
I will someday see.

For this truly wonderful man,
Though his life has come to an end;
His eternal reward will surely be great,
God’s love will transcend.