tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151526342012-02-16T09:30:25.924-06:00Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.comBlogger3491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-20889108894155441042012-02-13T23:22:00.002-06:002012-02-13T23:27:39.058-06:00

Melissa Kane organized the wonderful quilt of little blocks of children for our guild's raffle about 5 years ago. She put the blocks (made by guild members) together, I put on the borders, and Sue DiVarco quilted it. It needed a name so I decided to call it An Extravagant Welcome because of those outstretched arms. It is a phrase the United Church of Christ uses in its materials, and I really

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-8674130640937032012012-02-01T17:36:00.002-06:002012-02-01T18:00:09.804-06:00

This little quilt, just 11 1/2 by 13 inches, was a study for a class I took nearly 20 years ago with Wanda Hanson, now of the wonderful blog Exuberant Color. I've been to quite a few workshops. Some are very active and fun and silly and a good time, some are not so much fun. But this one with Wanda has stayed with me all these years. I left that day with a sense of reverence. She showed such

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-1253867312336126712012-02-01T17:06:00.000-06:002012-02-01T17:06:35.143-06:00

Thanks again to Lori at Humble Quilts for her delightful quilt-a-long with this project. I really enjoyed using some of my special brown and pink fabrics--about 6 fabrics are from repurposed shirts. My nod to the lemonade part of the challenge was one little half block of yellow fabric. Head over to her blog to see many other takes on this pattern. The back is this wonderful print of double pears

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-46651199271863951222012-01-25T20:28:00.000-06:002012-01-25T20:28:47.557-06:00

I am working on the binding of a quilt which I love the backing as much as the front. These Alexander Henry fairies were so wonderful. Tip: I use bias bindings because I like how they look and feel. But, they are a pain to cut. So, when I cut for an intended quilt, I cut extra that is ready to go for smaller projects as they come up. I store them on spent spools to keep them in good shape.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-68555124429378672852012-01-17T22:00:00.000-06:002012-01-17T22:00:07.953-06:00

Shoofly from Lori's quilt-along at Humble Quilts. I may decide no borders. The plaid setting squares are from a shirt I took apart. Thanks, Lori!

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-26843502657433432282012-01-17T08:58:00.002-06:002012-01-17T22:00:26.111-06:00

I have half of the half blocks done. Someone asked what Italian Lawn is--lawn is a fine weave fabric, think Liberty of London. The paisley bee fabric was made in Italy. I asked Andy to take my picture last night so I could post it for my students to know me on D2L. I think I need a stylist.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-5927527941689479582012-01-16T12:59:00.000-06:002012-01-16T12:59:40.836-06:00

The low sun streams into church so beautifully.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-1666869486382683082012-01-16T12:50:00.001-06:002012-01-17T22:00:44.561-06:00

Lori over at Humble Quilts is having another of her delightful quilt-alongs using an old shoofly quilt. The bumble bee paisley has been an important part of my stash for over 25 years. It is a piece of Italian lawn that shows up in many of my quilts. Thanks, Lori!

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-90342747838756826842011-12-26T08:16:00.002-06:002012-01-26T10:02:51.207-06:00

Jacob's Ladder--quilted, bound, sleeved, and labeled. Quilted by Sue DiVarco. Inspired by Bonnie Hunter's encouragement to use yellows and large-scaled florals to replicate a vintage quilt in her collection, Florabunda.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-38617396659981336852011-12-25T14:51:00.001-06:002011-12-25T23:51:15.519-06:00

Merry Christmas from Chicago!

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-11813418134844049542011-12-23T09:41:00.002-06:002011-12-23T09:41:00.384-06:00

After a devastating fire in 1953, a barn is rebuilt. This is the barn my sisters and brother and I worked in--cleaning the bulk tank, feeding calves with a bottle and then out of a bucket, cleaning the gutters and bedding the cows with straw, feeding the cows silage, ground corn, and hay. Also, a place of danger with the fierce bull and the openings of the haymow floor to throw down bales. We

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-72546710449276852822011-12-22T09:34:00.019-06:002011-12-22T20:56:26.585-06:00

A new barn is built in 1943. Alas, it is doomed to burn down just 10 years later, struck by lightning. This magnificent barn is where my father worked as a teenager and young man. Construction by my great-uncle, George Meerdink.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-88956222759226452902011-12-21T07:41:00.001-06:002011-12-21T07:41:01.165-06:00

Uncle Joel, Uncle Donald, cousins Harlan and Kenny, Beth and Lynn and Grandpa. Sioux County, Iowa mid 1960s.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-8871338898077600292011-12-20T20:26:00.002-06:002011-12-20T20:26:00.230-06:00

Glenda, Leanne, and Lyle DeVos with Lynn and Janna Dykstra Sioux County, Iowa mid 1960s.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-26243279202602210292011-12-20T08:23:00.001-06:002011-12-20T08:23:02.475-06:00

Robert Meerdink and Leroy Dykstra Dad said you could tell that Robert's family was even worse off than theirs because his cousin Robert had to wear his sister's hand-me-down shoes. Sioux County Iowa, mid 1930s.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-84532256787318688312011-12-19T20:01:00.001-06:002011-12-19T20:01:00.169-06:00

American Gothic Sioux County Iowa, early 1960s.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-6233833728982022612011-12-19T15:45:00.001-06:002011-12-19T18:55:22.464-06:00

My grandma Cynthia Dykstra with the curlers, Grandpa Jurrien Dykstra in the hat. Janna and me in the background at work. Beth is the half naked onlooker. Sioux County Iowa, early 1960's.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-84303299464431814132011-12-19T12:06:00.000-06:002011-12-19T12:06:26.455-06:00

Dela Vande Hoef Arie Bousema Photographs of friends of my Great Aunt Hattie Scholten. As you can see, fashion was quite the thing even on the prairies. Early 1900s, Sioux County, Iowa.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-27615953011620559552011-12-19T09:57:00.002-06:002011-12-19T18:59:04.097-06:00

Back door: Leroy Dykstra, straight from the fields, with his children, Janna, Lynn, Beth, and Lee. Front door: leaving for church--wearing matching seersucker outfits made by Henrietta Dykstra. Note the white-hair gene pool! And, Scamp, one of our favorite dogs. Circa 1967.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-45967049496108394432011-12-19T09:31:00.004-06:002011-12-20T10:01:06.184-06:00

My grandparents, Cynthia (Meerdink) and Jurrien Dykstra behind the plow with their horses. Jerry would buy wild horses from Montana, break them into good farm horses, and sell them. He was known to be very good at this, and to be very good to the horses. Cynthia walked to the fields with Jerry's lunch, and plowed while he ate so the horses would not rest too much and be too much to handle in

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-48435076546482049622011-12-18T19:48:00.005-06:002011-12-19T10:26:21.286-06:00

My great grandfather William Meerdink was well respected for his haystacks and had his portrait taken in front of them. Monet could paint them but grandpa could build them! (These stacks are actually grain stacks (oats) not haystacks.) About 1920, Sioux County Iowa. My sisters and I are working with our mother taking apart our parents' house as she moves to her assisted living apartment. Watch

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-28110084579814522812011-12-03T15:20:00.001-06:002011-12-03T15:22:32.883-06:00

Cranberry Cardamom Muffins 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries ¼ cup white sugar 3 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup ground flax seeds (optional)--grind in blender 4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cardamom 1/2 cup butter room temperature ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup white sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup milk ½ tsp vanilla

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-25351930470143274352011-11-26T10:02:00.001-06:002011-11-26T10:07:17.111-06:00

Our favorite recipe from my mother-in-law Lu is Turkey Salad. Great on a pretzel roll a couple of days after the feast. To make, cut up some onions into wedges, have some dried parsley leaves, and lots of leftover turkey. You will need to use a hand grinder like this one I have of my Grandma Dykstra (Seth has asked my mother, his Grandma Dykstra for hers as she is taking apart her kitchen.) You

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-71628012812143824202011-11-24T14:22:00.000-06:002011-11-24T14:22:32.046-06:00

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-53685117539782299142011-11-23T22:54:00.002-06:002011-11-25T11:33:06.659-06:00

I used to make labels like in the second picture--and often did not make them as I would have to applique them and it would be put off until later--so much later that I would forget when I made the quilt. I learned to include the one side and bottom seam in with the binding, saving two edges of applique. I use square or rectangles at times, but, by making it a triangle, there is a straight line

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-17333016528137546212011-11-08T05:28:00.000-06:002011-11-08T05:28:57.755-06:00

My mother is sorting through her things and offered this pin cushion to me. It was my Grandma Dykstra's and from what I remember, she said it was her mother's. It has a tag on it with my grandma's name on it in my handwriting--I remember putting that on and taking it to the nursing home so she would have something from her work at home close by. That was 30 years ago. Mom also gave me a darning

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-4497305350973252982011-11-07T18:20:00.001-06:002011-11-08T14:11:59.255-06:00

I hesitate to mess with Cook's Illustrated recipes out of respect for their rather obsessive attention to getting it just right, but I have adapted their Macaroni and Cheese recipe to our family's taste. It is a change of the proportions of seasonings and the sauce to macaroni ratio. My biggest innovation comes from my dislike of getting out the food processor to make the bread crumbs. I now

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-4116157896762951322011-11-07T10:43:00.001-06:002011-11-07T10:47:09.022-06:00

Here is how to make the tulip block that I made for my parents' quilt. Block finishes 5 1/2 inches Cutting for one block background: one 1 1/2 inch square, one 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch rectangle, two half square triangles cut from 2 1/2 inch strip with EZ angle, two 2 inch square backgrounds to stitch and flip on the leaves. tulip: one 1 1/2 inch square, one 2 1/2 inch square; two half square

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-11334338979639598682011-11-03T18:04:00.005-05:002011-11-03T19:37:41.380-05:00

Amy's Creative Side is hosting her blogger fall quilt festival and I encourage you to visit others in her post. Sixty Tulips was made for my parents' sixtieth wedding anniversary this summer. The quilt was made from batik scraps for the tulips and a few longer lengths for the background, sashing, and setting pieces. Beautifully quilted by Sue DiVarco. Our gathering and celebration memories of

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-88887285062960902882011-10-31T06:51:00.008-05:002011-10-31T15:04:58.989-05:00

My friend Lois, who's mother was recovering from surgery, said a friend came over and changed her mother's sheets so she had fresh linens to sleep in. I thought I'd post a list of things that I've seen be  simple graces that can have a lot of meaning for a person dealing with illness. --fill the gas tank --clean the fridge --take out the trash --bring over supper AND a sandwich for lunch --

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-88446353304850174492011-10-30T08:14:00.002-05:002011-10-30T15:32:57.971-05:00

Here are nine of the dozen Scholten klein meisjes. sitting: Aunt Beanie, Aunt Henny, Lynn standing: Rachel, Beth, Gretchen, Janna, Helen, Lorelei, Mary Ann, Elaine not pictured: Kirsten, Yvonne, Nancy (Note that Mary Ann did not get the memo on the regulation haircut.)

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-20076875822406987492011-10-29T11:02:00.001-05:002011-10-29T11:07:06.956-05:00

This hint was given to me by my mother-in-law, Lucille. Before I met her, I thought you only made turkey for holidays. She taught me that when life is overwhelmingly busy, roast a turkey. Don't bother with the stuffing or traditional sides. The turkey will yield a week's worth of meals and keep everyone in the house fed. This one went into the oven at eight o'clock this morning.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-67125372588988931932011-09-29T08:11:00.002-05:002011-09-29T08:11:49.408-05:00

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-25721910668084248882011-09-28T10:34:00.010-05:002011-09-29T08:00:55.196-05:00

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-72646810993738356982011-09-26T07:27:00.002-05:002011-09-26T10:20:11.596-05:00

Keeping with my bobbin theme and wisdom from my mother, when it is critical that you do not run out of bobbin thread, fill two bobbins. Sew from one, have the other in the bobbin race.  Both will have the same length of thread on them.This way you can keep an eye on what is on the spindle and when it is running short, you can get to a good stopping place before you run out. My mother did a lot of

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-53870477724516239312011-09-18T14:54:00.000-05:002011-09-18T14:54:23.817-05:00

Keeping on the Bobbin theme this week. So, what do you do while you are filling those 3 or 4 bobbins? And why do you not fill 5 or 6 bobbins? Because you need to clean and oil your machine every 3 or 4 bobbins. While the machine is winding, open it up, take out the bobbin race, brush everything out really well, oil as indicated, and wipe down the machine. Should take you about 3 or 4 bobbins

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-25690220583553523182011-09-17T21:24:00.001-05:002011-09-18T14:54:01.520-05:00

Seth aboard the Red Witch on Lake Michigan this evening.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-47282690210500033252011-09-15T15:17:00.001-05:002011-09-16T08:35:10.047-05:00

Laree Bobo took my repurposing fabric class this past January and made a great Around the Block quilt like mine (below), which was inspired by Tazzie's original. I LOVE the blue glow of Laree's quilt--measures about 85 inches square.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-17894613788005472862011-09-14T20:15:00.000-05:002011-09-14T20:15:37.748-05:00

Bonnie Hunter posted a bowtie pattern that many are making with cheddar background. This project fit in well with my stash organizing and with my fall teaching schedule limiting my sewing time. I am enjoying using fabrics I purchased 30 years ago all the way through to fabric added this week. As you can tell, I've been cutting up the purples. Over 90 blocks are made as of this evening and it

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-45319146125949413522011-09-14T19:55:00.001-05:002011-09-16T08:37:16.202-05:00

My mother gave me good advice on dealing with the frustration of sewing and running out of bobbin thread just when you are close to a stopping point in your sewing--she timed how long it took to change the bobbin and when she found it was just a manner of about 20 seconds, realized it was not something to be so frustrated about. As long as there was another bobbin wound and ready to go, she could

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-47159464887596712652011-09-04T12:29:00.000-05:002011-09-04T12:29:40.357-05:00

A corollary to last week's tip--count your pins. If I am binding a quilt and taking it along with me, I use three pins. That is enough to securely pin a corner and enough to keep track of. (I also use this counting in my work--whenever I enter a patient's room I know exactly how many needles/sharps are coming in with me so that they are all accounted for when I leave the bedside.)

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-77198946490181995752011-09-01T06:28:00.000-05:002011-09-01T06:28:44.885-05:00

I don't do a lot of hand quilting any more, but when my children were younger, I always worked with three needles. That way, when I would inevitably be bounced upon by a child, I knew exactly how many needles to look for when picking things up.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-82795990608527484602011-08-28T01:17:00.000-05:002011-08-28T01:17:25.706-05:00

Eve, returning from Shanghai, got to her dorm last night at midnight, just ahead of all closing down for Irene. Photograph is from her trip to Hong Kong.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-54188011821534499462011-08-27T10:16:00.000-05:002011-08-27T10:16:04.533-05:00

The University of Chicago gets pomp and circumstance down well. A beautiful day at Rockefeller Chapel with the Carillon, Bagpipes, Widor's Toccata on the Skinner organ, and Paul graduating. We are very proud of him.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-46777078683632267542011-08-24T06:53:00.000-05:002011-08-24T06:53:51.129-05:00

Change your blade. Right now. You know you need to and have been putting it off. You will thank me immediately. You are welcome.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-90736881784402898142011-08-23T15:18:00.000-05:002011-08-23T15:18:30.859-05:00

Adapted from Bonnie Hunter's first book. I made the sashings a bit narrower. I really like this quilt. I love the little children in the Japanese fabric used on the back.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-12894004339754589012011-08-23T05:10:00.003-05:002011-08-23T09:17:46.815-05:00

My mother found this old quilt at an auction--washed it up and it now belongs to my newly-wed cousin Mark and his bride Shirlee. Very thick cotton batt--may have some wool in it too. Whisker guard on the top. Tied--faded but in remarkably good shape. I love the block. Sort of an inside-out Jacob's Ladder.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-33016048514022097782011-08-22T19:53:00.001-05:002011-08-22T20:04:59.870-05:00

Our block party has a fundraiser each year--this year we raffled my Cowboy Crumbs quilt to raise money for the local food pantry. Crumb blocks finish 6 inches. Made with larger sized crumbs from shirt pockets and cuffs. Quilted by Suzette Fisher.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-78378882576733972982011-08-22T19:48:00.000-05:002011-08-22T19:48:01.192-05:00

Hula Girls as the Block Heads throwing out candy, waterslide, frisbee golf, and the neighborhood pickup band. All went well once the lighting strike during the morning storm was over!

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-17502026907371421952011-08-22T19:07:00.002-05:002011-11-03T17:48:23.513-05:00

Fishing and canoeing, knitting and sewing, puzzles, archery, visiting bison and elk, cooking and baking and grilling and eating.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-41305379652091446222011-08-22T04:48:00.005-05:002011-11-03T17:50:22.532-05:00

In celebration of my parents' sixty years of marriage. Quilt is about 78 by 78 inches, batik fabrics, wool batt, quilted by Sue DiVarco. Celebration at Hickory Hills near Waterloo, Iowa.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-57669254907476920622011-08-19T17:22:00.000-05:002011-08-19T17:22:43.530-05:00

They happen. Sometimes you can talk yourself into them being charming. My friend Pat and I referred to our ugly quilts as "sister-in-law quilts" (sorry Katie!*), a quilt you can give to someone out of obligation without any pain of separation. Just get them out of the house and let them be someone else's joy or problem. *disclaimer--Katie has NOT received an ugly quilt

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-3105499378827700242011-08-16T06:00:00.001-05:002011-08-16T06:00:00.527-05:00

Henrietta Scholten and Leroy Dykstra August 1951

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-72235539544539430482011-08-08T21:17:00.000-05:002011-08-08T21:17:07.560-05:00

When I first started quilting I bought some cheap 99 cent thread. As I was doing a final press of a crib quilt top the iron melted the thread and all the pieces started to fall apart. I cried. I put the quilt on the shelf. It took me a few years to finally throw it away. And I have always used good thread since.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-13537499552059094912011-08-01T22:21:00.000-05:002011-08-01T22:21:02.721-05:00

Blades are very expensive and if you find you are having to replace them more frequently, try flipping your olfa mat. These are two sided though many people think you only have the side with numbers. After a few years the plastic self healing mat becomes not so self healing anymore and can interfere with your blade. You will have a fresh surface that may make your cutting much easier and more

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-89462155883740796942011-08-01T06:00:00.009-05:002011-08-01T22:19:32.164-05:00

In honor of my 6 years of blogging since August 2005, I will give tribute to my grandfather, Jan Scholten, who is responsible for the title of this blog. My Scholten cousins are gathering in August so this seems timely. Watch for a picture of nearly the whole dozen of the klein meisjes! I also plan, for the next year, to blog a tip each Monday. There is so much we do as quilters that is second

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-32440842989948881242011-07-20T22:31:00.002-05:002011-07-21T18:46:33.749-05:00

I was watching my students on the unit this morning and recalled that Andy and I met 30 years ago this month. Yes, it was during that dreaded July in the hospital (when med students become interns and interns become residents). Andy, just out of his internship and coming to neurology for his first month of his internal medicine residency walked onto my unit and I thought, "I could fall in love

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-39623804402676275892011-07-18T12:28:00.001-05:002011-11-12T19:56:13.858-06:00

I used up large prints with green--there are some bunnies on one side. For the Florabunda quilt.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-41170537437651084502011-07-17T22:16:00.002-05:002011-11-12T19:54:18.976-06:00

The yellow bag yielded: The incentive project: Bonnie Hunter's Florabunda. Use: used up a bunch on the Florabunda; also used up lots of florals Throw away: very little--these fabrics were in good shape Share: Cousin Jan's bag got A LOT added to it with prints that I know I will not use, and fabrics that I will use, just not as much as I had, so I tore them in half and put a piece in the bag.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-8995285666220494522011-07-17T18:26:00.001-05:002011-07-18T12:37:07.833-05:00

Found this photo on my camera from Eve's birthday several months ago. She is in Shanghai as an au pair and working on her Mandarin. (the cake was red velvet from Bittersweet)

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-32665077454777390392011-07-16T11:45:00.005-05:002011-11-12T19:55:41.833-06:00

It's big. It's yellow. It's ugly--but in that good way. Thanks to Bonnie Hunter, who has unleashed yellow quilt fever around the country, I have completed this Jacob's Ladder top. All from stash. About 87 by 87 inches. (yes, I see that I flipped a triangle in the second block on the bottom row.)

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-30470526065654951102011-07-02T07:03:00.003-05:002011-11-12T19:55:08.186-06:00

The neutral bag (there may be another neutral bag in there too) has been sorted and yielded: The incentive project: the 5-patch top Use: made 3 quilt backs from larger pieces Throw away: fabric that I did not like how it felt when I used it in the past, or it has not held up well in quilts, or, saddest of all, it did not hold up well just sitting on the shelf Share: this has been claimed by my

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-81633863910294711152011-06-30T12:01:00.002-05:002011-07-02T07:07:24.045-05:00

32 strip blocks, 31 five-patch blocks, finish at 7 1/2 inches. All made from 2 inch cut strips and squares. All the dark squares are from plaid shirts. The lights are mainly old neutrals, with a few shirts too. Borders cut 6 1/2 inches. It made a nice dent in the neutrals bag. I am using up a lot of old VIP, Cranston, and Peter Pan tiny prints on the back of this one and for the courthouse steps

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-75635299476743244572011-06-28T10:33:00.003-05:002011-07-02T07:06:58.136-05:00

Scaled down from a pattern in Kim Schaefer's Cozy Modern Quilts that had 10 inch blocks. My blocks finish to 7 1/2 inches. Strip block: 5 strips cut 2 inches by 8 inches 5 patch block: 13 dark squares, 12 light squares I am on a mission to sort through fabric that was bagged up in the attic when we re-roofed. My incentive is I get to come up with a new project with what is inside each. This

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-23571653048965734992011-06-24T09:08:00.000-05:002011-06-24T09:08:47.973-05:00

I am going to keep it without borders. Measures about 64 by 80.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-36455487993791970952011-06-20T18:35:00.002-05:002011-06-20T22:30:01.112-05:00

When the 1 1/2 inch strip drawer needs taming, it is time to make a log cabin. 8 inch finished block made from 2 1/2 inch cut center, rounds cut from 1 1/2 inch strips at 2 1/2, 4 1/2, 6 1/2, and 8 1/2. I have 40 blocks made, 40 more to go.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-1085279890594730052011-06-17T14:31:00.002-05:002011-06-17T15:35:05.860-05:00

Serendipity snakes with the 2 inch scrap strips. I quilted this myself with the walking foot. Bound with four leftover binding scraps. 46 by 59 inches.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-47612531689767237872011-06-13T12:57:00.000-05:002011-06-13T12:57:23.967-05:00

Seth loved the H quilt I made for my mother, and I recalled Wanda Hansen, in showing how she came up with her H pattern based it on Kaffe's S pattern--so, I went back to the beginning. I love the secondary design of the backgrounds. Blocks finish 7 1/2 inches. Background: two rectangles 6 1/2 inches by 2 inches Print: three rectangles 8 inches by 2 inches, two squares 2 by 2 inches Need to make a

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-19617582040635974002011-06-03T15:53:00.000-05:002011-06-03T15:53:51.089-05:00

There is a method of sewing up strips that I've done for quite a while that is showing up on the web as a way to use purchased strips. I have taught this as the "snake" method of patchwork. I use this method to clean up a pile of neglected strips, usually the ones that I leave behind because they are not inspiring me. Take a pile of strips and sew them together to make a long (very long) snake.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-65844200673840868212011-06-01T07:39:00.000-05:002011-06-01T07:39:28.478-05:00

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-30919273633955554822011-05-30T00:38:00.000-05:002011-05-30T00:38:20.943-05:00

Papier-mâché by Seth. Knitting by Lynn

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-38436188656135237492011-05-19T16:09:00.002-05:002011-05-19T16:33:57.354-05:00

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing. Ezekiel 47:12 Seth's school is going to be part of a consolidated school next year and

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-22676032811290000672011-05-13T10:17:00.001-05:002011-05-19T10:23:17.148-05:00

made with flowers from our yard

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-78712823336049438942011-05-06T10:39:00.009-05:002011-05-06T10:39:01.037-05:00

I have been enjoying the results of the rather mindless sewing of these little blocks based on one by Judy Laquidera of Patchwork Times. http://www.patchworktimes.com/2011/05/03/brown-quilt-finished/ I am making my blocks much smaller (I think her original is 9 inches), and LOTS of them. I switched the square to the left top to add a bit of tension. I am pleased with how it is coming along and

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-77252777523028322542011-05-05T19:24:00.003-05:002011-05-05T21:19:24.708-05:00

I had this top on hand when a neighbor asked for a donation for a fundraiser for his political campaign. (He won! I have an alderman on the block!) Another neighbor bought it at the silent auction so it stays on LeClaire. Suzette Fisher quilted it beautifully. And, I found a great backing fabric. Find how to make this quilt on Bonnie Hunter's quiltville. (Oh, and the spell check Bordello

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-67349127636964852882011-04-22T08:00:00.001-05:002011-04-22T09:55:19.618-05:00

I love how this top came together. I flipped a few of the blocks around as the quiltmaker did in the antique piece.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-14968069811114274292011-04-21T11:20:00.001-05:002011-04-22T09:55:39.891-05:00

The second H quilt, this one for my niece Hannah (love those palindrome names). I need to get it bound for her high school graduation.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-24073826982652871552011-03-31T10:59:00.003-05:002011-05-10T17:10:44.063-05:00

I have a day home today and am trying to pull together several half-started cleaning projects. To keep me going, I have Brahm's A German Requium on loud enough to follow me around the house (and probably as far as the neighbors too). Several years ago, when he was our seminary intern, Greg Sabetta (now pastor of Edgebrook Community Church/UCC--check out a service if you are nearby!) led a six

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-6502052139689316912011-03-24T00:44:00.002-05:002011-04-22T09:57:18.880-05:00

I am pleased with how the 16 patches are coming along.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-14569583742789843952011-03-19T18:53:00.001-05:002011-04-22T09:57:36.972-05:00

Judy over at Patchwork Times posted a block she is designed in browns and golds. I don't know how large she is making her blocks, but I am making some that are finishing at 4 inches. For a block: Dark--two 2 1/2 inch squares and two 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Light--two 1 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch rectangles. Press to the square. I'm sewing together four blocks so the 8 inch larger

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-59702296510412493332011-03-15T17:06:00.002-05:002011-03-15T22:49:53.104-05:00

We celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary on St Patricks Day. Did I know what I was getting into? Oh, yes, I did.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-34876519408280105942011-03-14T13:01:00.001-05:002011-04-22T09:56:05.799-05:00

I am finally finishing my mother's birthday quilt. Just have the sleeve left to tack down. There are 81 blocks for Henrietta's 81st birthday. It is a fun quilt. Thanks again to Wanda Hansen at Exuberant Color for posting her pattern. Watch for the other H quilt for Hannah soon.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-21191077076882472282011-03-11T01:18:00.001-06:002011-03-11T01:19:29.752-06:00

I so wanted to go to the Armory Show in New York. Over at Repro Quilts Taryn is helping those of us who are missing the show enjoy red and white quilts of the blogasphere. I included my red cross quilt.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-20957906622168486152011-03-04T23:30:00.003-06:002011-03-05T09:44:06.659-06:00

My mother's quilt guild (Sioux Prairie Quilters, from Sioux County, Iowa) made props for the play Quilters back in 1985. They have rented out the quilts to productions all over the country for the past 26 years. This and next weekend, they are in use by Elmhurst College. My sister Janna and I went to see the play tonight. Mom made all the vining around the center and the border. It is hand

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-39212890069327170732011-02-05T15:15:00.001-06:002011-02-25T06:20:05.977-06:00

A quilt for a friend's school fundraiser. The fairy is a bit wonky, but still cute. (((ADDED: The quilt brought in $50 towards college scholarships for Chicago Public School students.)))

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-88097581618167146182011-02-03T16:57:00.002-06:002011-04-21T11:37:49.122-05:00

There is a wonderful old quilt on the frontispiece of Elise Schebler Roberts' The Quilt: A History and Celebration of an American Art Form that has me cutting 2 inch strips of my plaids and making 16 patches. I love the asymmetry of the block and it is rather mindless sewing that yields a good result. The blocks finish at 6 inches. I am also piecing 8 inch two fabric variable stars with pieced

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-87381423194275696302011-02-02T21:22:00.002-06:002011-02-03T13:38:48.462-06:00

It was an impressive storm. 20.5 inches. 60 mph winds. Had to move our Rahm sign to higher ground. The city plows first the snow routes, then the arterials, followed by the major streets, and then, the secondaries, ie, residential streets. And last, the alleys. This means it will be at least two more days until the plows will reach us, so the block went out and dug out the street along with

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-21512545949653861232011-01-31T19:09:00.001-06:002011-01-31T19:09:56.974-06:00

Bible Story Theater this year was The Matriarchs. The stories of Abraham and Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael, Rebekkah and Isaac told from the women's view. This year I was not involved with the costuming; just enjoyed the show. My favorite costumes were the bucketheads in the front row. I did buy some white shorts and a t-shirt for Seth so he could Walk Like an Egyptian.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-2099918570570277832010-12-28T11:46:00.003-06:002011-06-03T02:25:36.131-05:00

I added more to this quilt and I like how it ended up. I had some concerns as it grew, because I really liked it earlier, but I am pleased. Had some willing helpers this morning. And, the gargoyles stand guard, even in the snow.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-64586784629242519522010-12-26T14:27:00.001-06:002010-12-26T14:55:23.816-06:00

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-71143016910985850862010-12-04T11:55:00.001-06:002011-06-03T02:26:09.999-05:00

I had a lot of smaller length 2 inch strips that I sewed end to end to make a long snake. I cut it in half, sewed it together to make it two pieces wide, cut in half again and sewed, making it 4 pieces, again making it 8, and up to 16. I took the final piece and cut it into 9 inch pieces and sewed them together into three columns. Put 2 1/2 inch strips of red Kona cotton on them, divided them

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-77708118368326417932010-12-04T11:45:00.001-06:002010-12-04T11:59:44.335-06:00

We awoke to a beautiful snowfall. Our block looks fresh and bright. Seth is off delivering our neighbor gifts. I found these adorable Mrs. Meyer's cleaning supply kits, in the Iowa Pine scent. I included one of my hand knit dish cloths.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-65203652774022237582010-11-21T08:36:00.003-06:002011-02-27T09:18:41.312-06:00

This is my go-to recipe for when vegetarians are eating with us, but we all like it so it has become a regular in our rotation of meals around here. I adapted it from a Bon Appetit recipe. It makes a lot and I have at times cut the recipe in half and made it in a 9 by 9 square pan. Tastes great for a few days reheated. Black Bean Polenta Casserole Rinse and drain: 1 large can hominy (29 oz) 1

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-5899732676068474432010-11-13T18:39:00.001-06:002010-11-13T18:42:57.396-06:00

My sister Janna's church, First English Lutheran of Whitewater, Wisconsin, had a display of 50 baptismal gowns at their fall fest today. They placed planks of styrofoam and cardboard along the tops of the pews, covered them with fabric, and displayed the gowns with accompanying ephemera. Many gowns had stories with them. There were gowns over a hundred years old and some very recent ones. One

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-49892323375492184282010-11-13T18:04:00.000-06:002010-11-13T18:04:02.434-06:00

Our guild, Illinois Quilters Inc., along with the Northshore Weavers Guild and the North Suburban Needle Arts Guild have a combined show at the Chicago Botanic Gardens each fall. I showed my plaid improvised quilt.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-69044089625466726642010-10-31T20:19:00.000-05:002010-10-31T20:19:32.765-05:00

We live in a destination neighborhood for the trick-or-treaters. They start coming in droves, in carpools. I can never understand the people who bring sleeping babies in strollers--with no older siblings in sight to explain why they are out. Then, there are those don't want to climb the steps up our porch and want me to come down to give them candy. Go home; stop by the Jewel and buy your own

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-69585032561889862262010-10-17T06:54:00.008-05:002010-10-17T07:51:54.442-05:00

Over at Pioneer Woman she has an enticing recipe for corn chowder that looked like it could help me on my quest to clean out the freezer. We are in a no-buy frozen stuff mode and have to use something out of it every day. This recipe used frozen home made chicken broth and a bag of corn Andy used to ice his knee last night. And a bit of bacon. I made a lighter version than hers and added potatoes

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-45647163698978109982010-10-16T09:58:00.001-05:002010-10-16T10:06:30.526-05:00

My mother and sisters and I call these Peggy Vis' cookies, because we got the recipe from her, but you can call them Lynn Dykstra's cookies since you are getting it from me, and I did tweak the recipe a bit. (unless you know Peggy--then, keep her name on it!) What makes these cookies good: --the creaming step is extended to where air is incorporated and the dough takes on a foam consistency.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-53299207697763378762010-10-12T19:45:00.002-05:002010-10-13T20:59:54.714-05:00

Judy over at Patchworktimes has asked for posts about home made gifts. My sisters and I have been exchanging such for a while: --Pin cushions made from a blanket my parents had been given as a wedding present 55 years previously. --Recipe book of home and current recipies, printed over scanned old photographs in watermark mode. --Pieces of my mother's Christmas cactus started in new pots. --

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15152634.post-76317423962036805982010-10-09T16:12:00.001-05:002010-10-09T16:27:50.623-05:00

I have the bodies of the H quilts put together and will think a bit about borders. I am grateful for the high birth rate on this block that continues to provide me with quilt holders. Here are my adorable neighbor girls who did not whine a bit when I asked for their help.

Lynn Dykstrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16689293134690945439noreply@blogger.com3