We are down to day 8 of the blog hop.  Today Shelly from Cedar Canyon Textiles is our featured designer.  Be sure to stop by her blog and check out what she’s doing.  If you are into art quilts, Shelly is the designer for you.  If you aren’t, here’s your chance to learn something new and think outside the box! 

 

I have to show you what I made the other day.  My mother-in-law came over and we worked on a valance for her bathroom.  It’s made out of my Rebel Roses fabric -

 

It’s made from one of my favorite combinations – a multi-colored floral and a stripe.  Notice how the edging is made from the stripe cut on the bias.  We had to cut it on the bias, because the bottom edge of the valance has curves.  Cutting the stripe on the bias will give you the extra stretch to make it around those curves.  But, I would have cut it on the bias anyways because it looks so darn cute that way!

Eveyone moans and groans about having to cut something on the bias.  It really isn’t that hard and it’s totally worth the effort.  To see my technique for cutting bias strips, click here.  I’ll get off my soap box now.  But I still really think you should try it!

 

The technique my mother-in-law shared with me was baking bread.  She’s been making home-made bread for over 40 years now, so she’s had lots of practice.  She’s also very quick at it – see?

She does every step by hand. 

 

Me ? – I’m not so quick at it.  In fact, I felt quite awkward trying to do this.  I guess there is a reason I’m not a domestic goddess.

 

 

Here is the bread raising.

 

It’s oatmeal molasses bread and the secret ingredient is black strap molasses.  Regular molasses just doesn’t cut it (I’ve tried it both ways)  The bread was delicious.  In fact, I’m debating which I like better – home baked bread or bias cut binding.  It’s a tough decision!