Busy week-end, ouff!

It was quite a productive week-end. Once I get going, I just don't know when to stop. I really must adjust my internal alarm...lol
I went to the UFO and helped our Quilting Angels group. I also brought home a kit to make a quilt top for them. Now, that is when I should have set my alarm to stop at intervals for resting but I get SOOO into the project that time just flies by. So a few arthritis pills later, it is now done. It measures 49.5" X 67.5".
There was no rush on it but the type A part of me wanted to do it and get it to the group asap. With our monthly meeting being on Tuesday, I have met my personal deadline and will hand it over to very good caring angels to complete it for the many people that need quilts for warmth and comfort in their lives. 

Using up scraps...

I've been a bit busy lately trying to get rid of my fabric stash without giving it away. Our quilting guild had a very nice block of the month called Crayon Box and this is what I used to make the blocks. Yep, you can say it... "Oh my, her crayons must have been broken"...hahaha 
It measures 48" X 72". It still has to be quilted so I will fish out some more of my fabrics for the backing and get it finished soon.  

Then I still had 4 1/2" squares left over, as I had cut way too many of them, I sort of got rotary cutter happy and just plowed through my scraps...lol...so I made a small lunch bag for when I go to the UFO's. 

I used waterproof military fabric for the inside. The sewn seams won't make it totally waterproof but it might be ok. I'm not planning on a liquid diet...never!!! The measurements are 11" high, 11" wide at the top and the bottom is 4 1/2 " X 8 ". About 7" high when the top is folded over. 

A fair size for a small lunch. 

I'm quite pleased with it. I must look to see what else I can do with the leftover squares. 

Well, that's about it for now. 

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, 

speak kindly and leave the rest to God! 

Re-using... thinking about Earth Day.

As I was filling my ceramic honey jar, I wondered what I could do with the empty plastic honey container. Then a thought came to mind as I walked to my sewing machine. I had to fill up my iron with water and I hate how it is at times a hassle with getting water in the iron and not on the ironing board. 
Sooo, I went back to the kitchen and washed out the plastic honey bottle and filled it with water. Well! It is wonderful for filling up the iron. The water only pours out slowly and the bottle actually has to be squeezed for the flow to run better. Tah-Dah! My little contribution to saving our wonderful home called Earth! 

Been quite busy...

Well, I will be delivering a "lot" of knitted hats to the hospital nursery tomorrow. I really enjoy making these and knowing that beautiful little babies that need its warmth will be wearing them, makes them even more special.

Now back to the knitting machine as my lovely cousin Angela gave me more yarn to make more hats! The little angels will be nice and warm. 

I must not forget to also add that I made a new recipe yesterday. Hubby says not to loose the recipe :-)

Here it is, just in case you want to venture in making some. 

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 31 g Amount Per Serving Calories 123 Calories from Fat 53 Total Fat 5.9g Saturated Fat 4.0g Cholesterol 24mg Sodium 88mg Total Carbohydrates 16.8g Dietary Fiber 0.6g Sugars 12.1g Protein 1.2g

Coconut Chews

24 servings

1/2 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

Melt butter in saucepan and add sugar and stir until dissolved, cool.

Beat in 2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla 

1 cup flour

1 & 1/2 tsp BP

1/2 tsp salt

1 & 1/2 cups coconut

Pour in a 9 x 13 pan lined with parchment paper

Bake 35 minutes 350 F

Cool a bit and then cut in 24 squares.

The Nutritional value is approximate as I am using an internet program to calculate it.

Have a wonderful evening!

Loved the sunshine we had today along with the warmer weather. With another snowstorm scheduled for tomorrow, I'm glad I was able to sit in my kitchen in the wonderful heat that the sun gave me through my window. 

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Yesterday I had a hankering for some Red River Cereal bread so I took out the ingredients and started making it as the starter has to be made 12-15 hours before. Well, today I woke up and really enjoyed making the bread. 

Here is the recipe if anyone would like to try it out. 

Red River Cereal Bread

Night before:

1 cup red river cereal

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/4 cup lukewarm water

1/2 tsp instant yeast

Mix well, cover with plastic wrap and leave 12-15 hours. 

Next day:

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 to 2 1/2 cups bread flour ( I use all purpose and it works good)

1 3/4 cups lukewarm water

3 tbsp melted butter

1/4 cup honey ( I did not have any so I will use molasses) 

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp instant yeast

Add the lukewarm water and mix till it is well incorporated then add the melted butter and honey and mix, then add the whole wheat flour, salt and instant yeast and mix till blended. Add in a little at a time about 1/2 to 3/4 of the white flour and mix with a wooden spoon (I use my Kitchen Aid) Place some flour on a flat surface and pour the dough mixture on it. Slowly continue to add more flour and knead 8-10 minutes. Keep this dough on the sticky side. Add a little oil to a large bowl, place the dough into the bowl and turn to lightly coat all the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour. 

Pour out dough onto a flat surface (try not to work out the dough too much) Cut dough in half then in 3rds. Shape each piece into a ball. Place in 2 9x5 loaf pans and let rise 1 hour. After the dough has risen, take a sharp knife and score the top of each ball. Bake in 375F oven for 30-40 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack. It is a heavy bread so don't be surprised. 

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I am also having fun making more baby hats for the nursery at our local hospital. 

I'm thinking I'm so hooked on making these. ;-)

Yep, by the amount of hats you see here, I'm definitely hooked! LOL 

Making Patches the rabbit with Hailey, my beautiful great-niece.

Hailey and I had a busy day today. We went grocery shopping and then while hubby put the food away, we ate a quick lunch and then set out to sew a stuffed rabbit that Hailey named Patches. 

From Sewing machine to Knitting machine...

Well, I've wandered a bit from my sewing machine to my knitting machine. My wrist are a bit achy lately so I've put the quilting aside and I am trying my hand at knitting with my Brother KX-350 machine to make wee hats for preemies at the hospital. I only have to sew up a seam and it is done. I will keep the task of sewing up the seam for when I go to the UFO's. I have so far made 16 of them with a lot more to come once I get more yarn.

Zeller's will be closing it's doors in March, so I am hoping that the baby and sports weight yarn will be lower in price.

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We have been hit by two snowstorms so everything is nice and white. The sun is shining today and it makes for nice bright light coming in the house. Man, we sure need the light as it has been quite grey for way too many days. 

                                       

Views from my studio on the left and my bedroom window on the right. 

I think we are in for a long winter.

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The son of a friend of mine is going through tough health problems at the moment so I would like to ask that if anyone is so inclined to please add them both in your prayers. 

Dear God, make us strong and guide us in prayer for all that need you at this very moment. We all need your holy hands to touch our hearts with your everlasting love, Amen.

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I did a little booboo last evening, I had my iPad on the keyboard of my laptop and when I moved the iPad, the cover got caught on a key and it popped off. I tried putting it back on but no luck and I sort of need the comma. I guess I will have to bring it to the shop for repair.

Sort of looks like a lost tooth! lol

An update on the keyboard... :-)

Jan 2nd, although the warranty was over it was fixed at no charge... very good service from Ordinix!

That's it for today, I really must go sit by my window and enjoy the beautiful view of the sun on the snow. 

Latest Fabric Frenzie quilt. 60" X 51"

Loved making this one. The colours were chosen by the receiver. He likes the Baltimore Orioles, hence the black and orange. 

For those of you that know me, you understand why it is difficult for me to go out shopping and living in a small town does not help matters. It was a challenge getting the different prints with no flowers but I got lucky and found a seller on Etsy from San Antonio, Texas that was very understanding and she found all these wonderful prints. Got it within 2 weeks of the purchase. 

Here are the links to Judy Chain's Etsy shop and blogspot:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewfunquilts

http://sewfunquilts-sewmeow.blogspot.ca/

Place mat with no batting. 

I found this method on YouTube and I tried to get the pattern but the link no longer exists. So I fudged around a bit and came up with measurements that works for me. They are very easy to make and fun to use. I like the no batting aspect of it. A personal preference. 

Fabric Frenzy...same pattern, different colours and assembly. 

Finally finished! Whew!

It was so nice to put the very last stitch in this quilt after over a year of planning, cutting, basting and assembling the over 1700 pieces of fabric. Cynthia Robinson did a wonderful job of quilting it. 

New quilt tops using small bits and pieces.

It's been quite a while since my last post. Been busy and also recuperating from all the hand sewing for my 2nd hexagon quilt. I just got it back from the quilter and might I add that she did a wonderful job with it. As soon as I have the border done I will post a picture. 


I've also been using up my bits and pieces of fabric and making quilt tops. I found the pattern on Eleanor Burns "Strip-Tzz 2010 Block Party" September video called Fabric Frenzy. Although it looks complicated, it is very easy. 

Mine are not fancy but it is nice to be able to use up fabric that otherwise would have just been stored up not doing anything. 

How to cut a perfect hexagon picture tutorial.

The following pictures gives an example for a 6" hexagon. This method can be used for any size you need.  I came up with this method when my search for a template did not give me any satisfactory results. I guess paying attention in math class did pay off :-)

All Assembled!

The top of my 2nd hexagon quilt is all done. I only need to add a border, assemble the pillow shams and then have it quilted. As much as I am sad to see it completed, as I love to hand piece, I am anxious for it to be on my bed. 

My next project is slowly forming a picture in my mind. 

Added a border.

Family supper...

I had my brothers and their spouses over for supper yesterday and I made this recipe. http://southernfood.about.com/od/bakedchicken/r/bl30623f.htm

OMG! It was so good. Who needs recipe books when we have the world open to us via the internet. 
I served it with baked potatoes and veggies. 
We had a wonderful get together with loads of laughs while reminiscing about our youth.  

B-B-Q Spareribs with orange sauce.

I found this recipe while waiting in the reception room of my dentist quite a few years ago. It has been one of our favorites ever since then.

B-B-Q Spareribs with orange sauce

2 cups ketchup

1 cup orange marmalade

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 medium onion minced (approx 1 ¼ cup)

2 cloves garlic minced

2 slabs lean spareribs (about 3 ½ lbs) (I prefer pork)

Mix all ingredients except spareribs in a bowl, cut spareribs in 3 to 4 inch portions and put in sauce. Marinate overnight or at least 4-5 hours.

Put in a roasting pan and cook 2 hours at 325F stir after 1 hour. Stir again and then cook approx 1 hour at 350F. Keep an eye on it during the last hour. Once they are fork tender, they are done.

This can be served hot or cold and makes 6-8 servings (depending on who is eating!!!)