Erik HOMEMADE

January 2014!

 

 

It is so hard to believe that the holidays are past and we are well into 2014! Where does the time go? Here in NW Ohio we are toughing out the coldest winter we have had in years...a good time to organize, sew,  of course finish projects, start a few new ones, and stay inside!

First and foremost we want to thank all of you who have been following us for awhile, and welcome to our new subscribers just joining us! It is wonderful to have so many people enjoying our content from all over the world! We want you to know you are all very special to us.

2014 promises to be an exciting year here at Erik HOMEMADE(R)! In just a few short months we will be finishing our Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt. As the project comes to its end, we want to remind you that we will show you 2 different ways of finishing the quilt: a traditional setting and a non-traditional setting. We will include the instructions for both!  

As the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt finishes we will announce our next mystery quilt project...a sampler style block-of-the-month that revolves around the family! Will you make it as a special gift for someone? Or keep it for yourself? Or use the project to teach a family member how to quilt! Either way, it will be a great project that we will give your notice further down the road as the time nears.

We will continue to post projects and other fun things for you to enjoy! By the Holidays we hope to have video content for you! Fingers crossed, we are working studiously! Our redesigned, albeit slightly delayed, 'Farmhouse' look is also (still) on its way...

We would also like to invite you to look for Erik HOMEMADE(R) at  Amazon (where you can find books we are using in our research for our Ben Franklin quilt!), Craftsy (where you can follow us and get updates on our patterns!), and Zazzle (where we post some of our unique gift items!). If you haven't visited these sites, check them out, they are a lot of fun. If you are looking for an adorable Valentine project, we have reposted guest designer Carol C's Cupid Wall Hanging (or runner) pattern!

As always, we welcome your comments. We wish you the best for the new year! Happy sewing! Happy Projects! And stay warm!

Here is a classic colonial recipe for a hot punch to warm you up! Tradionally, punches were made with only 5 ingredients, and very popular in Ben Franklin's day...however beware, as Poor Richard warned: "He that drinks his Cyder alone, let him catch his Horse alone"!

• 1 quart apple cider
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves

In a small piece of cheesecloth, tie the nutmeg and cloves (or place in a teaball). In a medium saucepan, bring to a simmer the cider, lemon juice, and cinnamon; 15 minutes. Steep the spice ball in the cider mixture while simmering, until desired taste. Serve warm in mugs. Serves 8.

Benjamin Franklin Mystery Block 19

Throughout his life, Benjamin was fascinated by the idea of time; how to use it, how to save it, and how to make the most of it. At one point during his youth, he asked his most pious father why Grace could not be said but once over the cow thus saving time by omitting it before every meal! He also thought of advancing the hour of the day to coincide with the sun; today we know it as Daylight Savings Time...

To print a copy of Page 1, click here-->Download Hour Glass Block-Block 19 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 1

To print a copy of Page 2, click here-->Download Hour Glass Block-Block 19 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 2

To print a copy of Page 3, click here-->Download Hour Glass Block-Block 19 Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt page 3

(We strongly advise downloading all three of these pages)

Hour Glass block tutorial

Start the Hour Glass block D units by drawing a diagonal line across the Beige scrap 2 7/8-inch squares. Next layer these prepared Beige squares on top of a Blue scrap 2 7/8-inch square...sew 1/4-inch to each side of the drawn line.

Cut apart on the drawn line, as we have done before...

and press toward the Blue scrap piece. Each D square will make two D/D units. You will need 8 units for all 4 blocks!

Once your D/D units are finished, lay out the entire block. Make sure your D/D units are going in the right direction: the Beige scrap squares make the hour glass!

Sew the pieces in each row together...just like a nine patch...

Then sew the rows together! Your first Hour Glass block is now done! You will need to make 4 for your quilt!

Once your 4 Hour Glass blocks are done, give them a final press using spray starch, if you like. See you next month for another block!

If you are missing a page, or need further copies of any of the instructions posted to date, click on the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt button under DON'T MISS A STEP to find what you need. If you have a question, or need further assistance, please contact Erik HOMEMADE®.

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Benjamin Franklin Mystery Block 18

Penny Candy Fridge Magnets craft project

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Novelty erasers abound in the party aisle or dollar stores. Wrapped in plastic, they make cute "penny candy" fridge magnets. So easy the kids can make them; a great group project for sure!

You will need

• assorted rubber novelty-style erasers
• plastic wrap, stiff, crinkly kind*
• craft magnets, about 1/2-inch round, 1 for each eraser
• scissors, tacky type glue

*We used some left-over treat bags we had on-hand, cut to size. You may even be able to recycle some plastic bags you already have!

To download and print a copy of the entire instructions, click here-->Download Penny Candy Fridge Magnets Craft Project