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.

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.

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On the Blog

Raised in a Barn

By Andrea | January 17, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 12, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 11, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 10, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 6, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 3, 2012

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

By Andrea | January 1, 2012

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..

By Matt | December 29, 2011

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

By Andrea | December 27, 2011

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

By Andrea | December 24, 2011

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

By Andrea | December 23, 2011

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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Indiana Farm Bureau Conference 2011

By Andrea | December 12, 2011

This past weekend My husband and I got the opportunity to attend the 2011 Indiana Farm Bureau Conference in Indianapolis.  This year’s conference was hosted at the new JW Marriott. The hotel wasn’t even open this time last year.  The hotel has 33 floors – well really 32, since they skipped the 13th floor. It’s…

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