Still Sewing

Been working on hand quilting one of the Star Struck wall hangings while I watch tv- it's not done yet so you can see how much tv I watch- but it is over half done YEAH!





I also promised my lovely daughter a quilt for graduation from beauty school last June well with the packing and unpacking and the crap that went on with hubby losing his job I did next to no sewing for months. Well making the baby quilt renewed my quilting spirit. So I started her quilt. I'm almost done with the blocks- My mom also asked for a small lap quilt about 4' x 4' so with the bonus hsts I'm making her top at the same time.....been pretty snowy the last week or so here in NJ perfect for staying and sewing.

A second month- A second finish

I did manange to quilt and bind the quilt for a friend in time for Sunday's Superbowl party. How about those Saints?






and a third finish *VBS*


I cut pieces for another quilt this morning and have started the sewing of blocks. Working on my hand quilting one of the wall hangings....it's good to be sewing.

What's on your Design wall?

Bonnie Hunter came to our guild almost 2 years ago.I blogged about it here. We had such fun at dinner and I took the Star Struck workshop the next day. Unfortunatly it was the first beautiful spring day and I spent a lot of time goofing off on my cell outside :( . My friend Katie cut a million strips for me to use in the class and I got 3 blocks done. I wanted to sew this week I had grand plans of making blocks for a love quilt- though my son stepped on my 24" ruler snapping it in few places.Big ox he is. So I looked through some boxes for something to do that didn't need length or width wise cuts of fabrics and lo and behold there was the Star Struck stuff. So for about 45 minutes to an hour a day I've been sewing parts and blocks. Both pieces are the same size for wall hangings. My aunt visited yesterday and she loved the blocks - hense 2 wall hangings. But I probably have enough for a third...we shall see.
Friday I need to take Dad to the hospital for tests- we could be there hours I was told so I plan on marking at least one with baptist fans and basting it for hand stitching....have another group of blocks that needs to be quilted hopefully by game time on Sunday for a gift. If not a week from Thursday is soon enough.....so what is everyone else working on these days?????

Baby Quilt- First finish of 2010

I was still sewing binding on Friday night but never fear it was finished in time for the shower on Sunday.....





She loved it <3

Actually sewing a quilt....alert the news

Can you believe it? I'm actually sewing and getting ready to quilt something. After not even having the machine uncovered for almost 7 weeks- I remembered I needed a baby shower gift for THIS Sunday.....so I spent yesterday making the blocks and today making the rows....tomorrow I will layer-baste and quilt it. Using black binding.....nothing like waiting till the last moment. But I'll tell you what- my back hasn't hurt in 7 weeks and for the last 2 days it felt like any wrong movement it would give out on me....wonder why that is. I get up every 20 minutes or less to press and do something else....

Jalpaneo Jelly

Either the week before Christmas and New Year's or the first week of Jan I wanted to make a jelly to go with a great phyllo recipe I saw in a mgazine- it called for a hot pepper jelly...so I scoped out the canning books- who knew I'd have almost as many canning/preserving books as bread books within a year of starting....any how, I came across a jalapeno jelly and decided to make it....it came out so yummy.







Almost too pretty to eat........






But never fear- I have a baby shower on Sunday for a family member that I need a quilt for - so I'm breaking out the machine and see if it still likes me after being turned off since before Christmas.....

Tigress's Can Jam Citrus Challenge

Earlier in the month I was reading Oh Yes I Can's blog entry on Lemon Curd- found here. I almost forgot to make this month's challenge for Tigress's Can Jam...that would be bad to miss the first month.

So this morning I decided to make it but I had no lemons *insert sad face* . But I had oranges and orange juice *insert happy face* so with a few changes, I made orange curd- which was very yummy indead-especially since we had leftover scones from breakfast yesterday morning.

So the recipe I used is as follows

Orange Curd
3 large eggs
1/3 c orange juice
3/4c sugar
1TBS orange zest ( I used 2 oranges)
4 TBS unsalted butter ( I used salted because that's all I had)

Sterilize 3 4oz jelly jars and lids.

Mix eggs- oj and sugar together in a double boiler over simmering water
stirring constantly until thickened- 6-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add zest and butter. Stir until butter is melted. I didn't strain it as I wanted to keep the pretty pieces of zest.

Pour into 3 4oz jelly jars- process 15 minutes -

What didn't fit in the jars was enjoyed with the leftover scones

Cooking Challenges

Ok I'm completely crazy now :) it's true...
I joined in on a canning challenge at Tigress's blogThis month's challenge is citrus....since all the marmalade went into the baskets and for gifts I'm trying to decide what kind to make.

Of course nothing is as good as lemon curd with goodies at tea time and Denise at Yes I Can has posted a recipe she found and tried. I HAVE TO make this.

Spaghetti sauce is cooling- chili is simmering as is the stock/rice and veggies for chicken soup. I'll take some out for lovely Veggie Girl aka DD. Chicken stock is as far as she'll go in the soup. Once hers is taken out I'll add the chicken and finish the soup.

Does anyone have a kitchenaide mixer that also has and uses the ice cream maker for it? My handsome son wants to learn to make ice cream this year. So I was thinking of getting the attachment. But I was also looking at this: Wish I had one today for ice cream to go with the pie....good thing DD, friend and I are hitting the gym tonight *WINK*

Still here just not quilting

Remember all that canning I did of jellies - salsas etc? Add some holiday baking and candy making and you get these :





Here's one I sent to my best friend's house.





Isn't this the sweetest Santa? Aunt Kathy stitched it a couple of years ago and I got it for Christmas this year :)






And can you imagine having so many blue ribbons that you didn't want the one that went with the project? Well I got the blue ribbon she won with the stitchery...




Lately I've been more in a cooking mood than a sewing mood. Though in my defense, I did finish another row of the tumbling block top ...I think I under estimated the size and will have to add rows to both the top and bottom :(

Today though is serious cooking day....spaghetti sauce is simmering away- apple pie in the oven, chicken stock in the freezer for the fat to freeze for easy removal for chicken soup. Biscuts will be made and meatballs for the sauce. Then I need to turn the kitchen (and the dishes) to hubby to make his venison chili - yummy.

Tomorrow I plan on making 2 kinds of jelly- apple pie and jalapeno- not together but both sound wonderful....I bet the jelly would go great in those little brie bites in phyllo we made last week- hmmmm...wonder if I have any more brie in the fridge????

Chooky's Secret Santa Swap 2009

Again this year, Super Elf, Chooky, organized a Secret Santa swap. I had so much fun last year I had to sign up again. My santa was Rebecca from Homestead Quilting.As you can see from this picture I got a beautiful calander of Australian Flowers. Everyone loves pics of great flowers - especially us in the USA that are in cold rainy/snowy areas and are pouring over our seed catologs dreaming of warmer weather and our gardens. And if you read this post,you can see I also recieved 2 stunning -hand embroidered items- an adorable candy cane holder and the ornament. But never did I think I would get the so very lovely table runner. It's a thing of obsolute beauty. Thank you - thank you- thank you Rebecca- I just love it. it's almost too pretty to have on the table. But rest assured that on Jan 7th- when the last of Christmas is put away after Kings Day- it will be the center piece of my table. I will have to try and get a pic of the quilting which is just amazing.

Rebecca thank you so much for being my Santa and spoiling me so and Chooky- thank you for all your hard work in getting all of us together again for a wonderful swap- please add me for next year.





With all the hustle and bustle of making jellies, jams- salsas and prettys to go into baskets for neighbors, friends and family, I almost didn't make any roll out cookies. Wednesday night I just knew I would be so mad at myself if I didn't take my copper cookie cutters and use them. For as long as I can remember, my mom used them with us kids at Christmas time and since they were given to me 20 years ago I have used them faithfully every year. How can I kill a tradition, I ask you? So after much digging in the garage they appeared.





I've added to them over the years- and they only seem to get used at Christmas even though there are plenty that are not of the a Christmas theme. One day I hope to split them and give some to both of my children......

I see a Quilt Design in that floor

While trasping around NYC with my friend Cheryl, we stopped on one of the beautiful churches. Which one this is I have no clue,sorry. But look at the lovely design in the marble tiled floors.....I'm thinking Birds in the Air needs to be made.

This Elf has been busy.....

I've been busy canning stuff for gift baskets. Just need to make some fudge and toffee and maybe embroider a few towels. The flavored liquors are ready, I got some great flasks at the container store for them. Herbs need to be repacked in cute glass jars. Now if I could just find 6- 8 nice sized non budget killing baskets I'd be good to go.

Salsa and jelly......




More jelly






Yipee! Both wall hangings are finsihed and hanging. I also did the binding on the gingerbread table runner while watching Angels and Demons with the hubby this afternoon.








trees up and since we had a snow day the kids decorated this morning....played with long exposure -movement and tree lights. Pics will be on the other blog.

Happy St Nicholas Day

This is Sinterklaas. The Dutch Santa Claus.

Wall hanging progress and SNOW

I've been working with the embroidery machine trying to stitch out 24 North Pole buildings- so cute :) I have 7 more to do for another wall hanging. I managed to get the table runner quilted today. Just need to trim and get the binding on :)






We had our first snow fall of this season....




DD and I went to NYC this evening for a short walkabout...pics are on the other blog ( click on the yellow orchids on the right)

Secret Santa Swap :)

Chooky ran a Secret Santa swap again this year. THANK YOU CHOOKY!!! My package arrived today. Rebecca from Homestead Quilting was my Santa and just look at the two lovelies I was allowed to open. Sad to say we don't have our tree up yet. Maybe Sunday. But the ornament is hanging by my desk here bringing a smile everytime I see it. The candy canes and holder are now hanging on my bedroom door. The candy is still sealed. I'll wait to open and share that with the family. Gota find my pretty candy bowl.








I have this lovely to open Christmas morning ( if I can last that long ) Thanks Rebecca - I love everything ( well that I could open )





Moose is so tired watching all the work going on here with the holidays coming.





Christmas Troubles is quilted and bound and hanging on the wall over the microwave. Once I get my kitchen tree up it will be so cute.







I found some extra blocks from last years mystery and decided to make ds a wall hanging. I really need to pay attention more as I have one hst turned the wrong
way :( and it's a;; quilted and bound.

Finally sewing again :)

Since the angiogram on Wednesday ( no blockages- more tests coming) I was told to do nothing for the weekend- nothing. I can't drive so I decided to break out the sewing machine and the embroidery machine. I had about 5 yards of this tiny gingerbread allover patterned fabric that I get tired of moving around. So yesterday I decided I needed a wall hanging and table runner for the holidays.

I always loved how Buffalo Troubles came out and wondered if I could make another with the gingerbread fabric of the bonus hts from the table runner points. I did have to make another couple sheets worth from Triangulations ( kinda like thangles but you print sheets)I found two browns and tah dah!

I'm calling it Christmas Troubles :)






Closeup of the fabrics






I also finished a table runner top for the holidays :)






I even did a couple dish towels and a denim shirt.




No pictures this week because I'm housebound- next weekend DD and I are meeting a friend in NYC to take pictures of the Christmas decorations. The big tree should be lit by "The Rock"- hopefully Sat night mass will be over so I can take pics in St. Pat's Cathedral.The store windows...etc etc

More of the Quilt Show

Here's the booth set up for the mini quilt raffle number 4 of 5 this morning...




Look I even won 2 mini quilts I actually won 3. Two were the same quilt design ( the one on the right) I gave one to the current First VP as she wanted one too- it's nice to share :-)




Look at all the fabric I bought -WOW- you know what? I haven't been to a quilt show since the whole Buffalo move that never happened for me started and usually I spend at leasr $150 a show. I missed 6 shows so this a very small price to pay. Barb has brought me to the DARK SIDE not only applique but Civil War Reproductions *gulp* Let's start small with a pattern's worth of fqs to try a 16" block of the pattern I won last night- then I saw the blue and white kit ( my very fav combo) then I bought a book by Kim Deihl. A pieced and applique wall hanging pattern's worth of FQS. The book is called Simple Blessings...should be quite an adventure.





Look who won the doll bed and quilt. After all her hard work I think she deserved it :)




I am exausted after all the the following of Barb's lead. She wrote more on the door prize raffle this morning on her blog...too funny. You can read about it here : Tomorrow is veg out day ....

Barb thank you for such a fun learning experience and a bunch of laughs. I will be begging for help with these new projects....don't leave me alone on the dark side of Repros and applique w/o help- I beg of you......

Brownstone Quilt Guild's Show

After a long time w/o a show venue, Brownstone Quilt Guild started their show today. What a long - but fun day it was.....And it's still going on tomorrow at Allendale, NJ's Northern Highlands High School. If you're in the neighborhood please come see me. I'll be at the mini auction with Barb We're in room two. We still have over 50 mini quilts for 2 drawings tomorrow.....
Part of the NJ Quilt book challenge- Grandmother Stars - my interpertaion of a GMFG. My design based on floor tiles I saw in Philley.....





I entered Musical Geese - didn't get a ribbon but I entered it just the same......






We have alot of great vendors- some like this one I've never seen before. Very nice people for Red Sox fans :P







Barb and I are running the Mini Quilt auction- OK Barb's running it and I just do what she says :) I won a bunch of mini quilts today- bottom left is hubby's fav and mine fav is bottom right. I wanted that quilt so bad when it was sent last year for the show - I almost kept it - see it pays to be a good girl :) I won 2 more that I made :( and gave one to Talin and one to Barb- neither is my style but they were fun to make .









The door prize gals over did themselves and had over 700 prizes of all shapes and sizes. Anything from gardening gloves and a gardening book- foot massagers (LOL)-spools of embroidery thread ( thanks Barb) patterns- fqs etc etc, It was like an addicting drug you could not walk by w/o playing and play I did....look at all this stuff. I also won a ceramic house of some kind - hubby's getting it out of my truck so I can see what it is....a pic for another day :)








And hubby,prince he is brought Barb and I some real food for dinner- what a guy!!! Thanks Dave it was yummy. He even made sure I had some cold wine when I got home- I may keep him another 20 years *VBG*