Upcoming: How to Make Your Own Photo Boxes

Stay tuned for my upcoming post on how to make your own photo boxes! Coming later this week...

How to Make Homemade Vanilla

I use dashes of vanilla in so many things all year round. It's wonderful to use homemade versus imitation while you're baking, also try adding a bit to an ice cream sundae, or a splash into hot cups cocoa. Making your own could not be easier. Here is how I make mine:

| Supplies |

Really good vodka
4-10 vanilla beans
2-4 pint sized Mason jars {depending on how many bottle you would like}

| Steps |

Pour roughly 2 cups of vodka into each Mason jar
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise {this allows all the vanilley goodness to seep out into the vodka}
Cut vanilla bean in half if needed
Add at least four vanilla beans to each jar, the more the merrier
Let sit for at least 2 months -- longer if possible

Notes: There are billions of different online recipes for how to make your own vanilla. Some recipes call for tons of vanilla beans. Vanilla beans are rather expensive so finding a local purveyor who will cut you deals on bulk orders is a good way to buy vanilla beans cheap. Otherwise I have found that adding at least four beans {sometimes I've snuck by on two beans per jar} and letting it steep for longer still gets you an excellent brew.

How to Make Homemade Ruffled Pillowcases

Some patterns are just too perfect to cut up into little quilted squares. Instead of using this gray printed fabric I purchased over the summer in a quilt, I decided to make ruffled pillowcases instead.

For years, I have scooped up any bit of vintage fabrics, linens, or notions at local yard sales and church rummages, but often they just sit on a shelf looking pretty. Finally I found a use for these bits of ruffles! Mixed with the right sort of fabric, ruffles don't even look too girly. Find a subtle print or pair it with something even saucier-- maybe some plaid or flannel?! That would be different!!




How to Make Homemade Ruffled Pillowcases
{makes two standard pillowcases}
{no seam allowances given | 1/4"; 1/2"; 1" They should all work well!}

| Supplies |
2 yards of fabric
roughly 2.5 yards of ruffles {mine are a vintage score}

| Steps |

Cut four | 34" x 20" | fabric squares
Cut two | 43" | ruffles
Fold one end of the fabric square back roughly 5" sew a seam for each fabric square
Sew two fabric squares together on one side lengthwise
Carefully pin the ruffles to one edge of the pillowcase { the same side you have already stitched a seam for }
Sew ruffle in place
Turn pillowcase inside out and sew each edge leaving one side { the side with the ruffles } open to turn project back right side out

Automobile Zipped Pouch

Just a few months ago I finally learned how to sew a zipper. Sewing zippers vexed me because there is a lot of precision and pinning- lots of pinning and being extra careful-- not my strong suit.

I stumbled across this tutorial by Noodlehead for open wide zippered pouches and decided to venture into the unknown world of zipper sewing. It didn't help that I couldn't find my zipper foot for my sewing machine until after I stitched about 60 of these flippin' awesome little bags!

I know the bag isn't perfect and I have since come across several tutorials that help keep the zipper tidier looking, but for a first go at it-- I was pretty pleased!







The best part is that the bag stand up with a few goodies inside. Great for traveling or holding tiny little craft supplies...

Happy Valentine's Day

Green Diamond Quilt

I finished this green diamond quilt years ago, but never got around to photographing the finished product. It's blatantly obvious to me that taking finished photographs of quilts in this house is so hard because of all the pushy models.



I've got this pushy, spotted dog that absolutely insists she gets in every picture.



She starts by leisurely walking over and maybe giving and good stretch right in front of the camera.



If that doesn't catch the audience there are a few more tricks up her sleeve as well.



She can always drop and "ride her bike" as we call it; basically rolling around on her back for the camera.



Gets 'em every time.



And, oh look, one dogless shot. A miracle.

Quilting History

Hi everyone thanks for stopping by to my redesign!! I used to blog as Betty Ninja, but have come back to the blogging sphere as a newer, hopefully more sophisticated blog, Inside the Honeycomb. I hope to post some of my quilts of course, but also newer hobbies such as gardening, homesteading, and textile arts (think stencils, stamps, and dye!).

 This post is to recap some of my past work and document my growth as a quilter. As I culled through my old flickr account to pull together my old quilts for this post, I realized how many photos I am missing! Many of these photos are actually WIP! As I pull together this blog expect a few more photos of these old quilts to actually show the finished product.

 If I had to describe my evolution as a quilter in words I would say from bold and bright to more simple and refined (I hope!). I realize looking back on these past quilts that I obviously love bold colors and even bolder patterns. Bold colors and patterns are fine- but I'm still working on the moderation part!

Read my about section for more of my thoughts on my journey as a quilter.




Based off of Denyse Schimdt's What a Bunch of Squares pattern. I've modified and explored this simple pattern again and again in my quilts.



I love the fabrics in this simple to make quilt. I picked them up as a bundle from Joanne's one Christmas.



Great way to show off some of your favorite fabrics.



Another What a Bunch of Squares remake. Used lots of my stash to get through this quilt that I like to call the Orange Crush quilt.



I think part of why I like this quilt so much is because it represents where I want to keep going with my work. The use of more muted pattern, but interesting color ways.



I'm still working with this fabulous model!

She still likes to sneak into shots!



This type of pattern really makes use of beautiful fabrics that you can't stand to cut! Do you see that green bold flower pattern? Can you believe that was scored at a yard sale?!










I just recently finished this Heather Ross fabric quilt. Talk about a unfinished project! It sat around for years waiting to be quilted!! More photos to come!



Back of one of my quilts. I love the simple layout, but wish I chose less bold chaotic patterns for the blues.







Still working with that fabulous model in the background as well! This quilt was finished years ago, but I apparently never got around to photographing it, so more photos to come.

Each fall I smile when I see this red stripe quilt atop my bed.

Based off a color way and pattern from Denyse Schmidt's work. I heavily quilted it with an all over crazy type pattern. I still absolutely love the texture this type of quilting gives to a quilt, but it is very painstaking to quilt.



And of course my modern cross infatuation. I posted a tutorial about a quick and easy method here years ago. I still love the look of these quilts, but sometimes wonder if it isn't just a bit too trendy right now.

This quilt is a favorite of mine that is completely based off of this quilt.