The Communique Layout
Popularized by Rhonda Dort, who uses the layout in her classes, the Communique Quilt Layout works for both featuring large fabric and panel pieces, as well as a basis for multiple block designs.
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About Me
Welcome to Mouse in My Pocket! I'm Andrea, a web developer living in rural America with her husband and daughter. I'm excited to share my life with you as I explore some of the great things about living in the middle of nowhere. Be sure to check out the blog below to see a few of the things that are speaking to me right now.
On the Blog
Going Crazy (Quilt)
I’m going crazy! Or at least I’m attempting it. I’m super excited about having completed my very first crazy quilt block. I’m still going to want to pick up some embroidery floss and do some detail stitching… unless of course any of my wonderful friends have any extra they would like to get rid of. …
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Raised in a Barn
This week we’re reviewing the second chapter of Julia Rothman’s book Farm Anatomy. Raised in a Barn covers: Barn styles Timber construction Trusses Barn doors, bracing, and hardware Barn cupolas Barn birds Farm buildings Animal housing Feeders Fencing This particular section of the book is full of beautiful illustrations of farm buildings, along with all…
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Threadless Submission
I’ve submitted another design to Threadless. I have titled this particular design “She Walks in Beauty.” The artwork, which I created last year, was inspired by the Lord Byron poem. SHE walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies, And all that’s best of dark and bright Meets in her aspect…
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Home for the Winter
Well… it’s that odd time of year again. You know, after you take the Christmas decorations down, but before you want to do any Valentine’s Day decorating. What’s a girl to do? Winter Decor! But what does that mean? When I think of winter colors I think of one of two things. Either pale blue…
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Breaking Ground
Today I am bringing you the first Chapter of Farm Anatomy by Julia Rothman. As I mentioned last week the entire book is full of beautiful and useful illustrations (or infographics) to help explain the basics – and not so basics – of farming. The first chapter in Julia’s book is titled “Breaking Ground.” This…
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Fashion Friday – Modern Workwear
I haven’t done a Fashion Friday in a while, and well… I really like to do them… so I think I’ll try to do about one of these or so a month. If you like these posts, please leave a comment. I’d like to know I’m not just doing them for my own entertainment. This…
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Anatomy of the Farm
Over the next few weeks, I hope to spend so time with you, discussing a great book I found during a recent trip to the bookstore — Farm Anatomy: The curious parts and pieces of country life, by Julia Rothman. From row crops to gardening and animals, this is a beautiful visual guide to all…
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Starting the Year Off Right
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope that your new year is going well so far. Mine seems to be going well so far. To start, I’ve submitted my first design (a pattern) to Threadless. I’d love for you to stop by and leave a comment and/or vote for the design (preferably a good score). I’d…
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On the road again..
It’s Christmas Break so that means more time at the farm for me. We’ve been cutting trees lately but the last few days I’ve been hauling soybeans. I can do this job in my sleep if need be since I spent a lot of time behind the wheel of semi during my farmhand days. Today…
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Homemade Jellies
I hope everyone out there had a great Christmas! I certainly did. I got tons of awesome things, but it’s not fair to get gifts and not give some in return. My favorite gifts to give is home canned goods. There are a couple of reasons I like to do this. First, I feel like…
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December 24th
December 24th, 9pm, Eastern Standard Time. From here on in, I shoot without a script — see if anything comes of it…. (opening lines from RENT by Johnathon Larson) Words to live by. Doing the same thing repeatedly expecting different results is the definition of insanity, after all. Now, I’m pretty happy with how my…
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Straight No Chaser – Live in Concert
Last weekend (December 17th to be exact) Mr. Mouse and I got a chance to see Straight No Chaser live in concert! For those of you who have never heard of them before, SNC is an A Capella group from Indiana University. The original members of the group have gone on to the big leagues,…
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