notes from Terry Ann

Sock Sack

Welcome to the 7th day of the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. I'm so glad you stopped by!

My name is Terry Atkinson and I've been designing quilt patterns ever since my youngest daughter Megan climbed onto the kindergarten bus. She's almost 20 - and I haven't run out of ideas yet! I really enjoy what I do because every day brings something different -  sewing, writing instructions, teaching, designing fabric, setting up our Quilt Market booth, shopping, coloring on graph paper, taking photos, testing patterns, and even blogging. My husband Kirk works with me and he does all of the boring stuff - shipping orders, paying bills, ordering supplies etc. Pop over to our website to learn more about us and our business, Atkinson Designs.

I had so much fun making bags this spring for my Big Bags, Little Bags book, that I thought I'd share another one of my favorite bags with you. The "Sock Sack" is shown above next to a turquoise Yo-Yo Tote from Big Bags, Little Bags - these are two of my favorite travel companions.

Even if you are not a knitter, you can find all sorts of uses for the sock sack - I even use one to hold my portable GPS  when we travel . . . what will you put in yours?

Leave a comment for me and tell me how you will use your Sock Sack. One lucky "bag lady" will win a Big Bags, Little Bags book and a Tag Along Tote pattern. Just think of all the bags you could make!

Now, let's get back to the Sock Sack!

Sock Sack

Just toss your Sock Sack in your purse and you can take your knitting anywhere. It holds everything you need to knit socks or mittens -  just leave the yarn in the bag and pull the yarn from the middle of the ball as you knit. The easy zipper pocket holds stitch markers, scissors, notes, and all of your other little stuff. 

Yardage
2 fat quarters (1 print, 1 main color)
1 - 9" zipper (or longer)

Cutting
Main Color
cut 2 - 1-1/2" x 20"
cut 1 - 10-1/2" x 10-1/2"
cut 1 - 5" x 6-1/2"
cut 2 - 5" x 2-1/2"

Print
cut 1 - 4-1/2" x 6-1/2"
cut 2 - 2-1/2" " x 8"

Sewing

General Info: All seams are 1/4". Zig-zag the seam allowances together after stitching each seam to keep them from raveling. I like to use the serpentine zig-zag or the feather stitch to finish the seams because they help the seams lie flat.

 

Center the zipper on the edge of the pocket with right sides together and edges even. The zipper pull should be facing down! Using a zipper foot, stitch 1/4" from the edge. Finger press the seam and topstitch a scant 1/4" away from the zipper, making sure to catch the zipper tape underneath.

Place the pocket on top of the 5" x 6-1/2" main color rectangle. Pin. Stitch all the way around, about 1/8" from the edge. Unzip or zip the zipper as needed to keep the zipper pull out of your way. The zipper pull must end up inside the stitching as shown! Trim the ends of the zipper even with fabric.

Stitch the 2-1/2" x 5" main color rectangles to the top and bottom edges of the pocket.  Press seams away from the pocket.

Stitch the 10-1/2" main color square to the side of the pocket panel. Use a zipper foot, and unzip the zipper as needed to keep the tab out of your way. Press.

Fold the pocket over so the raw edge meets the opposite edge. Pin and stitch the seam, making a tube. Adjust the bag so the pocket is centered and stitch a seam across the bottom edge. 

Casings: Stitch a double 1/4" hem at each end of the 2-1/2" x 8" contrast pieces. Press each casing in half, wrong sides together. Note: These will be slightly shorter than the width of the bag.

Matching centers, pin the casings to the top edge of the bag on the outside of the bag with raw edges even. One casing will be pinned to the front and one will be pinned to the back, and there will be a little gap at each side where the casings meet. Stitch a 1/4" seam through all layers around the top of the bag. Zig-zag the seam.

Fold the casings up and topstitch a scant 1/4" from the seam, making sure to catch the seam allowance underneath.

Ties: Press each tie in half with wrong sides together. Press the raw edges to meet at the fold. Fold in half and press. Topstitch through all layers close to both edges. Make 2.

Thread one tie through both front and back casings beginning and ending on the right side. Knot the ends together. Thread the other tie through the opposite way, beginning and ending on the left. Knot the ends together. Trim ends at an angle.

It's a Small World

Last week a group of Minnesota quilt designers had a little get together, and I met Kari from New Leaf Stitches. I found out right away that we had something in common - we both used to be Home Ec teachers. What fun! When she mentioned that she created the "Clearly Perfect Angles", I knew right away who she was because I have one and I love it! I used it to sew all of the triangles for the Star Sprinkles quilt that I made for my son Derek. And look (above) what was on someone's sewing machine at our test class last week! It's a small world.  Kari is our featured blogger today in the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. Visit Kari's blog today for a great tutorial! Tomorrow is my turn - be sure to stop back for a fun pattern.

At our test class in Garfield last week, Sandy brought an amazing rhubarb dessert. She used rhubarb from her garden and eggs that were freshly laid that morning. It was yummy! We got to talking about rhubarb recipes, and found out that we all love to make the same rhubarb meringue torte. I've been making it ever since my kids were little and we lived in Wisconsin. I ripped the recipe out of the newspaper and snuck it into my purse while I was waiting in the dentist's office - and I think using a stolen recipe makes it taste even better than fresh eggs or real butter!  

Rhubarb Meringue Torte

2 cups flour

2 Tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the flour into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Pat into a 9" x 13" pan. Bake 20 minutes until golden brown.

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons flour

4 eggs, separated

1 cup milk

4 cups diced rhubarb

Custard: While the crust is baking, stir the flour and sugar together in a large microwave safe bowl. (I use the same bowl I used to mix the crust.) Set aside the egg whites for the meringue and stir the yolks and milk into the flour/sugar mixture. Microwave on medium power 3-5 minutes until thickened and bubbly, stirring every minute. Put the rhubarb on the hot crust and spread the custard on top. Bake an additional 20 minutes.

4 egg whites

1 cup sugar

Meringue: While the custard is baking, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar (a few tablespoons at a time) until it is stiff and glossy. Spread the meringue on the hot custard layer and bake 10 minutes more until golden brown. Serve warm or cold.

Half-a-Hop and Happy Holidays

 
Here is one of the the Happy Holidays tree skirt/table toppers that we will be testing at Quilted Treasures in Rogers on July 2nd. I have a super simple technique for making the triangles -  they are WAY easier than they look! There are three sizes to choose from and you can use fat quarters or strips. I'm picturing a big orange Fiesta bowl full of candy corn sitting right in the middle of this 20" table topper! Contact Quilted Treasures in Rogers, MN to sign up!

We've reached the halfway point of our blog hop - and I hope you've been having a great time meeting all of the designers. Today Sherri will introduce herself, and she has a great little bird stitchery pattern for you. Hop on over to This'n'That and be sure to leave Sherri a comment so you are eligible for the giveaway!!

R is for Rosebud, Rosette, and stRawberry

I love visiting Roseann's "hideout" in White Bear Lake.  There is always fun stuff to see and do! Roseann decorates with the letter "R" and has more than a dozen different R's tucked into cute displays. This week she hosted a get together of Minnesota Quilt Designers and we each got to decorate a notebook. It didn't take us long to make a mess!

 

The first thing I did was cut my paper the wrong size! No problem, Roseann just had me sew two pieces together - and now it looks like I was creative! Look at the cute rosette I learned how to make! I couldn't decide which color of crepe paper to use so I used three colors. We got to use the diecut machine to make layered flowers - and I even fussy-cut a circle for the center with a circle punch. What a great time! I haven't had that much fun since I was a kid - I love playing with Roseann's toys!

 

Last week my friend Beth and I went to Rosebud's for a wool class. I've never made anything out of wool before and it was pretty easy. All of the pieces were precut and we just did some simple stitches. Here's my strawberry needle holder - I finished the whole thing in class! Pop on over to Roseann's blog for a wool applique demo today during our Minnesota Designer Blog Hop!

Perkins is not just Pancakes!

I live 2 blocks from a Perkins restaurant, and I pass it every time I drive into my neighborhood. However, when I think of Perkins, I don't think of pancakes - I think of Perkins Dry Goods. What did you expect? I'm a quilter! Stop by Celine Perkin's blog today for a triangle block demo during our Minnesota Quilt Designer's Blog Hop - I'm pretty sure she's using fabric and not pancake batter!

My sister's pancakes are my favorite because they are easy to make and the batter keeps well in the fridge. Since I'm not a morning person, the best chance of getting pancakes is if the batter is ready to go before I am . . .

Sandy's Pancakes

3 cups flour

2 Tablespoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

3 eggs

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup oil

2-1/4 cups milk, divided

Mix the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium size bowl. Set aside. Stir the eggs, syrup, oil, and 1 cup of the milk together in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients alternately with the remaining 1-1/4 cups of milk. Pour the batter onto a hot griddle and turn pancakes when golden brown. Serve with syrup or fresh fruit.

Anka who?

Today is Heather's turn to share a little about herself along with a free pattern for a wall quilt in our Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. Here I am with Heather in her Anka's Treasures booth at Market.

And her husband Joel helping out in her booth - hope he doesn't get in trouble when Heather finds out how hard he was working!! Hope he straightened that quilt when he woke up :-)

 

We helped Heather eat lots of her candy so she didn't have to take it home . . . looks like we missed two pieces! Be sure and leave a comment for Heather to be eligible for a great prize!

Lizzie wants help!

Today is the first day of the Minnesota Designer Blog Hop. Pop over to Gudrun's World for a free quilt as you go placemat pattern. And now here's what's going on in our world:

Lizzie is worn out after a hard day of testing patterns. She likes to jump up on the cutting counter and swish her tail to get some attention. So she gets a bow around her neck in the hope that it will keep her busy for  while trying to get it off. Not today . . . she was back in a minute for another round of fun and a stylish quilter's hat.

Obviously she needs some help testing  patterns - so I have arranged two test classes.We're testing a 5 yard quilt at Common Threads in Garfield, MN and a tree skirt/table topper at Quilted Treasures in Rogers MN. Contact the shop if you would like to participate in one of the test classes.

On your mark, get set, get ready!

Are you ready for some fun? We are! Our Minnesota Designer Blog Hop begins on Monday. Be sure to check out Gudrun's blog where you'll get a free pattern for an easy quilt as you go placemat. Gudrun and I had a great time "hanging out" at Market (above) and I know you'll enjoy visiting her blog! Be sure to leave her a comment to be eligible for a giveaway.

Remember to comment on all 10 blogs and your name will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize gift bag full of goodies from all ten designers! First prize: $200 gift bag, Second prize $60 gift bag, and Third prize $40 gift bag will be given away.  See you next week!

Minnesota Designer Blog Hop

Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes great ideas. Join us next week for a blog hop among 10 Minnesota Quilt Designers and you'll find quite a few of those ideas. Each day you can visit a different designer's blog, where you'll find a free pattern, demo, or new technique. Leave a comment and you'll be eligible for a giveaway. If you comment on every designer's blog, your name will be entered in a drawing for a fantastic grand prize!

Stay tuned for more details on Friday - the blog hop will start on Monday....at Gudrun's blog. Meanwhile, tell everyone you know about the blog hop!

Here is the lineup of great designers:

June 22. Gudrun from GE Designs 

 

June 23. Heather from Anka's Treasures

 

June 24.Celine from Perkins Dry Goods

 

June 25. Roseann from Rosebuds Cottage

 

June 26. Sherri from This 'N' That

 

June 29. Kari from New Leaf Stitches  

June 30. Terry from Atkinson Designs 

July 1. Shelly from Cedar Canyon Textiles 

 

July 2. Jamie from Scrap-bags

 

July 3. Mary from Quilted Treasures

Comparison Shopping

On Thursday we took a spur of the moment trip up to the Minnesota Quilt Show in Duluth, MN. As soon as we finished working at 2:00, we grabbed cameras, zipped through the Culver’s drive through, and we were on our way. We got to Duluth at about 4:30, and got a parking spot right in the ramp. (there was construction so this was quite an accomplishment!) Since most of the busloads of quilters were just leaving, it was not too crowded for shopping - YAY! Here are some of the quilts that we found in the vendors mall - I always think it is fun to see the same quilt made in different colors!

What a difference between these two Star Sprinkles quilts! This great display was from ABC’c of Quilting in Grand Rapids, MN.

Cherrywood Fabrics from Brainerd, MN had really neat quilting on their version of Snapshots from our Happy Hour book. I love the overlapping circles. They used their hand dyed fabrics in Rainforest colors - hard to resist touching!

These yummy blues, greens and browns were so appealing that I had to get a kit - they took the book out because I already have one . . . from Patches and Petals in Belleville WI.  I wonder what I'll make with these yummy fat quarters . . .

This black and white gem was on a table in the corner of a booth - but I was so busy talking that I'm not sure which one - maybe The Cutting Edge from Antigo, WI. It is the cover quilt from the Happy Hour book - with large blocks that show off these great prints.

 

Another completely different, softer version of Snapshots, along with a Lucky Stars quilt from Seams to Me in Algona, IA.

Block Party Studios from Nevada, IA used the words from their "Fruit of the Spirit" Fabric Panel for the center of each star in their Lucky Stars quilt.

This next one from Quilted Treasures in Rogers, MN is a little out of focus but I had to show you anyway because I love the fabrics - Lucky Stars is a perfect way to show off these fun prints! (Next time I'll have to get them to turn the lamp off - or maybe I could stop talking and hold the camera still!)

What a great variety of batiks in this Lucky Stars quilt by J & A Stitches in Juneau, WI.

We had a great time at the show, and as they started turning the lights out at 7:00 we finished up the last row of quilts. Whew, a fun whirlwind trip! Note to self: next time get there earlier!

It's a bird, its a plane, wait - what is it?

On Thursday, we went up to the Minnesota Quilt Show in Duluth, MN. After two and a half hours in the car, the first thing we did was go to the bathroom, and look what we found! As you enter the bathroom it faces one way, and when you leave it faces the opposite way - I wonder which way is right side up? Now that's the same dilemma that quilters face - should the quilt look right side up as you stand at the foot of the bed, or should it look right side up when you are in the bed?  Should half of the blocks face each way? Hmmm. . . We had some creative ideas about what this tile motif could be . . . what do you think?

Here it is the other way. And I won't tell you which way it was facing as you enter the room, so you'll have to decide which way is right side up. Let me know what it looks like to you.