Quilt Goals 2009 Update

When I sat last New Year’s Day and planned the quilts I would work on I didn’t figure on a couple of things. I didn’t think about quilts I would quilt for clients, which took time away from my own quilting. I didn’t figure on getting involved in other projects with friends or just other projects I might get the idea to do. So I made a very long list of quilts. With that said I still accomplished a lot not all that I had planned but a lot and those unplanned things were important. Also before you turn green with envy, know that most of those quilts were small, they were not bed size.

So here are my 2009 quilt goals in review:

Planned Quilts 2009
Winter Wonderland 9 Patch Pizzazz DONE
Festive Santa DONE
Dear Jane Boo Swap DONE
Dear Jane Christmas Swap DONE
One Block Wonder DONE
One Block Wonder for French Doors DONE
Horse for Krystal DONE
Mystery Quilt DONE
SW Frog DONE
Valentine’s Mini DONE
Easter Mini DONE
May Mini DONE
July Mini DONE
Aug Mini DONE
Sept Mini DONE
Dec Mini DONE
Sassy Cat Mini DONE
Sea Breeze
Blue Moon
SW Batik Stars
Mystical Horse my own Design
Dear Jane Scrappy Happy
Dear Jane Nurses’ Swap

Unplanned Completed Quilts
Square Falling Hearts
Uncle Sam Calendar Block
Kierra's Front Room Quilt
Kierra's Bath Room Quilt
Blog Give Away Quilt

Unplanned Started Quilts
Caribbean Sea
Washington Medallion
Square N Square Blocks to learn a new technique
Mystery Quilt 2010
Sail Boats Paper Piecing Class Sample

Other Completed Projects
Fall Valences & Curtains
Charm Bag tote
Zoe's Baby Blanket
Linda's Cross Stitch Gift
James Baby Blanket

Quilts Quilted for Clients
Julie's Scrub Top Squares Quilt
Julie's Mesa High T-Shirt Quilt
Adele's Baby Quilt

I did good!! Here all the pictures.

Do you every change your mind?

Well that is the question of the day. I have been dreading making this class sample for a Beginner's Paper Piecing class. The shop wanted me to use certain patterns and I'm not against that but I just couldn't come up with a plan. Well I finally came up with a plan and I really like it but it has problems. Here is my plan I really like.

Now to list the problems with this little quilt. The light house is not from the pattern set, I drew it in EQ6 from the book Paper Pieced Little Landscapes by Shirley Liby. Of Course we all know how students are they have to make just what the teacher makes, the same colors, same design and all. Well I can't copy the pattern as it is copy righted. I could change it but it is a little complicated for students that have never paper pieced before. Then I looked at those boats with the water around them, which in reality wouldn't have water around the sails. I'm sure in the world of quilt art it would be OK. Then I decided both boat in the background that are far away needed to be 3 inches instead of 4.5 inches. I had already made a 4.5 sail boat with sky around the sails. Do you see how complicated this is getting?



So here is what the class sample will really look like. Than I think self, isn't it always better to keep it simple!! Of course I have to go to work now and who knows what I'll come up with by the time I get home. This is also enough blocks that some students can make it in a three hour class and maybe even maybe join them together, so they could have an almost finished product, which makes students happy! The best part is it saves me time and I can get it done and down to the shop by Saturday. Since my class is on January 30th. I need that sample down there.

Sunday Quilting Upate

Well most of my finished things for the past week I have already posted. The December Mini the Angel and my Sassy Cat. Last night I started working on my New Year's Day Mystery Quilt 2010. The quilt it self is not the mystery, it is the quilting on the quilt that will be a mystery. I did this same mystery last year. It was hard but fun. I also learned a lot. So I'm going to do it again this year. It is offered by Long Arm University Here is the post from last year mystery quilt.
I'm so glad Cindy posted the piecing instructions early. I should have my top ready by Friday morning when the mystery starts and have it loaded on the frame.
I have a class sample to get done this week also. I have been looking at the patterns and deciding which blocks to make. That isn't a lot of progress is it, but it is some. When the shop I teach at asked me to do this as a class sample I thought it was a good idea. I'm just tired now, so I don't really want to do it. I'll probably get more excited once I get going. It's just my other projects seem so much more fun.
I have also drawn some Farmer's Wife Sampler Blocks in EQ6, I guess more than a few, I have drawn 30. I started drawing in November, so I didn't do them all in one week. I'm waiting to start this after the New Year, but it is very tempting.
Well Happy Stitching and enjoy these days before the New Year.

Man Cave Update

Richard finally felt well enough yesterday (Saturday) to do some work on his Man Cave. He added the extra foot of wood on the North side of the "cave" and placed the first beam for the roof. The roof is going to tilt, so he can place a solar heater on the roof facing South. That is the long range goal anyway. Notice that the exit window is now in the North wall.

He had both Krystal our Daughter in Law and myself helping. Krystal was up on the ladder helping. I was on the ground handing up hammers, nails and whatever he needed. I was barely able to sneak away to get the camera, but I wanted these good pictures.
Isn't that sky beautiful!

One More Mini Quilt Done!!

This is what I made yesterday. I only had to do six whiskers today. Isn't she just a Sassy Cat??? That is the name of the pattern by Patch Abilities.

Christmas Day 2009

Krystal was surprised by her Blue Horse and liked it. Exact quote, "It's cool". We hung it over her computer area so she can enjoy it. It must be hard for her not to be in her own home but some day they will be again. We had a humble Christmas this year and Richard was still not feeling very good. He asked me not to post his picture of him passing out the gifts. So I won't even though I did it last year. He doesnt look any different. I also think he is majorly disappointed because he had four days off and he was hoping to work on his Man Cave and wasn't able to. He is feeling better today and is off buy wood now to work on it.


I was very surprised by this darling gift ornament set I received from my good friend Karin in Buffalo, NY. It is a Cherished Friend Angle with a Noel Dove. The Angle is lovely.


So here is the French Toast Casserole, or what is left of it this morning. I forgot to take a picture yesterday. It was good and liked by all. I liked it a lot but I missed my egg casserole. With only 5 of us here for Christmas Breakfast two casseroles would have been too much. I think next year I'll half both recipes and have both.

FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE

Hawaiian Bread (large loaf)
8 oz. cream cheese
2½ cups milk or half and half (I used H&H)
¼ cup maple syrup
8 eggs
6 T melted butter
13 X 9 greased baking dish

Cut bread loaf in half. Cut one half into cubes leaving the other half aside. Place cubes into greased casserole dish.

Cube cream cheese and place on top of bread in casserole dish. Cube remaining bread and place on top of this.

Beat eggs, melted butter, milk and maple syrup in blender or with whisk. Pour on top of casserole ingredients. Smooth down with spatula. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator overnight.

Next AM remove plastic wrap. Bake casserole at 325 degrees for 35-45 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve with warmed maple syrup.

I couldn't find the bread this year and I used rolls and they worked fine. I also cooked for an extra 10 minutes, until no soggy bread was left. We had bacon and sausage with it. It was very good.

After breakfast and gifts the kids scattered to see their mother and Krystal's family. Richard spent the day resting and watching a Bones Marathon. I spent the day making another mini quilt, it only needs four more whiskers embroidered on and it will be done. I had a goal to finish it last night but I just was too tired by 10 PM to finish it. I'll post a picture when it is finished. It is turning out very nice.

Christmas Eve 2009

Richard & I had a quiet day at the house. My poor honey is feeling under the weather again, so he slept most of the day. I went grocery shopping to buy the last few items I needed for tomorrows Christmas Brunch. I spent the day doing the hand embroidery on my last Monthly Mini. I have been working on these for two years. At 11:20 I put the last stitch in the binding & took the pictures. Yes they are all done!!!


One of my friends asked me to take a picture of all of them, so Kathy here is the pictures. Count them, there are 12!!


I also spent time wrapping the Christmas gifts. In the evening we went to Richard's sister house for Christmas Eve dinner and to watch Tom play Santa to the the grand kids and great grand kids. This is one of the three pictures I took tonight. This is my great niece and her husband and baby James who is 1 month old. Aren't they a cute little family.
About nine I made the breakfast casserole and put it in the refrigerator. In the morning all I have to do it pop it in the oven. It is a stuffed French Toast recipe. I had it last an at a pop luck breakfast. It sure tasted good and my co-worker shared the recipe. If it turns out as good as I remember tomorrow, I'll post it here.
Well I need to go to bed. Good Night all and a Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Has Started

Tonight we had dinner with Kierra and her husband, their first Christmas in their home. They are both working on Christmas & Will works tomorrow. So she had us over for dinner tonight. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and salad. The best was cheese cake for desert. They didn't have a tree because of their puppy (a doberman), so we piled our gifts on the coffee table and watched them open each one. Will's parents were also present and took this picture of all of us. Left to right: Richard, Kierra, Will, Kinsen and me.

Twice this afternoon before we drove over there, I reminded myself to bring my camera and twice I didn't get up and put it in my purse. The third time I remembered we were in the car driving to Kierra's house. So these pictures are taken with my phone, so they aren't very good, but they are better than nothing.



Kierra is kind of fun to buy gifts for, I just get her anything Halloween and she is happy. She loved these See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil skeletons I purchased for her. She also liked the spider web table cloth and the skull cups. But these were her favorite. She also liked the Will & Kierra's First Christmas 2009 ornament I got for them. She wasn't sure she wanted it because they weren't going to have a tree, after she saw it she like it a bunch. Will was a little confused when he opened the plastic box with the stuff to make his stockings. It had the fabric, the embroidery thread and even my magnet board I use to hold the pattern on. He said, "I guess this needs to go back home with you". Later he said good by to the "Temporary Stocking".

It was a nice evening.

Have a Merry Christmas!!

Blogging Fun

I was checking my blog while waiting for bread to bake in the oven and this is what my counter said. It was a curious site for me.

Sunday Quilting Upate

Look what I finished!!! I'm so happy with how it turned out!! I'm also happy it is done. These blocks were from a swap in 2001, I designed it in EQ5 in 2002 and purchased the fabric. It has been a PIG for a long time but no longer. PIG is Project in a Grocery Bag. Right now it is hanging in my living room between two other Christmas quilts and it looks a little dumb, wall to wall quilts but it will work for this year, next year I'll find a better place for it to hang.



I did free motion feathers in the alternating blocks, they aren't perfect but the over all effect is pleasing.



There are graduating loops in the side triangles and loops in the green border.
The out side border has loop de loop meandering with red, green and cream variegated thread.



One more quilt done from my list of quilts to finish this year!! I have one more I have to finish this year, I hope this week. Then I have to make a class sample for a class I'm teaching in Jan. Yeah I know I'm a little late with that. Oh well.

Jesus is the Reason for The Season

Just so I remember the real reason we celebrate. Have a Merry Christmas and may it be filled with the real Peace of Christ.



I also watched my second favorite Christmas Play today, The Forgotten Carols by Michael McLean. I just love those songs and the story!! My favorite song is Handel's Dream.
You can find almost any thing on You Tube. Here is a clip from the Play the Forgotten Carols. Enjoy

Holiday Recipe Hot Buttered Wassail

I posted about this last December, click here for the recipe.

Today I'm just doing pictures. In the pot starting to get hot. I only use 4 quarts of water when I cook it because this is my biggest pot and it is full.


Just before it went in my tummy, it was yummy.

Here it is ready to gift give. Maybe add a bow on top. For small families I add the water to make it ready to server. For large families I leave it double strength and tell them to dilute it 1 : 1 before warming. I also write a note on the top so my crew here knows to dilute it first. Two of those jars are diluted and the others aren't. So you can see how much it makes.
Be sure to stir every time you dish it out so the cloves don't settle on the bottom.
Enjoy!!

Holiday Recipe Apples Cranberries and Yams

Here is the last of my Holiday Recipes before it is baked.

This one I learned about when I was on the Dear Jane Quilt list in 2001. Andrea is the owner of the recipe and she shared it with the list. I'm no longer on the list and my Dear Jane is still not finished. I really like this one and I'm very glad I don't have a lot of competition for it, only Richard and I eat it. The kids don't but Krystal did try it this Thanksgiving.

Apples, Cranberries and Yams
4 Cups of fresh yams sliced thin and peeled
3 Cups of apples, Granny Smith are the best
1 Cup of fresh cranberries
1/4 Cup of granulated sugar
1/2 Cup of dark brown sugar
1 stick of butter
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 Cup of walnuts or pecans

Toss sugars and spices add the apples. Take 1/2 yams, place in a baking dish (9" X 13"). Put half of the apple mixture and half of the cranberries in the pan. Cut half of the butter in slices on top of the layer. Repeat. Sprinkle with the nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until tender.

You can cut the sugar and the butter and it still taste great.


Here it is after it was baked, I forgot the nuts when I first placed in the oven and add them for the last 5 minutes. They are better if added at the beginning. I don't think I should get a job as a food photographer.

Sunday Quilting Upate

There hasn't been a lot of sewing done this week either. We had something going on every night this week except Thursday. Plus a husband that didn't feel well. Monday night was Empty Nesters Pot Luck and lesson. We didn't go because Richard didn't feel well and I could have gone but it had rained all day and all day I kept thinking what a great day this would have been to stay home all day. So I was glad to stay in. Tuesday was visiting teaching, I have three ladies from church I visit every month, as a friend and helper if needed. Wednesday was a Genealogy class. Thursday was our night at home. Friday a dinner party and last night a party. Plus yesterday there were errands and chores. Today I had the missionaries in for dinner. The week just flew by. I'm sure you know how that goes. Why is it that some weeks absolutely nothing is going on and others its crazy with activity?

I did manage to finish quilting the Give Away Wall hanging and today I finished the binding. The label is on and I will mail it tomorrow to the lucky winner. Right now I need to go to bed and get ready for Monday and work.

Man Cave Update

Last Saturday I forgot to take a picture of the progress on the Man Cave. The fourth wall is up. This wall has two windows in it, one will be solid glass, the other will be the window that can be used as an exit. I also helped push that wall up also. I took a picture Thursday evening but it was too dark to see it well. I finally took the picture today.
This week there was no progress on the Man Cave, my poor honey has been sick. I'm sure he will be feeling better soon.

Tag

Andrea one of my friends from work tag me the other day. She is not a quilter but does some nice photography. She was also bummer she missed by give away but she has her eyes on a pink and brown falling hearts mini quilt I did this year. So I thought I would play along. Here are my answers. I have tag five people but if any one else wants to play feel free.

5 Things I was doing 5 years ago.
1. Working as an Oncology Nurse in an Cancer Clinic
2. Published a monthly newsletter for the church ward.
3. Teaching quilting & sewing almost every week
4. Working part time
5. Married to Richard

5 things on my to do list.
1. Write my Christmas Letter for 2009
2. Finish the Christmas wall hanging for my Blog Give away
3. Finish my Christmas quilt for this year
4. Clean the creative explosion going on in my sewing room
5. Start to make my class sample for my January Beginner’s Paper Piecing class
Behind again.

5 Things I would do with a million dollars.
1. Pay off my house and finish remodeling it
2. Save money for another mission for me and my husband
3. Make a donation to charity
4. Put a down on a house for my kids to live in but they would have to pay the mortgage
5. Buy my dream machine and quilting frame
Would a million dollars go that far???

5 Places I have lived
1. Whitestone, New York
2. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
3. Miami, Florida
4. Santa Cruz & Cochabamba, Bolivia
5. Mesa, Arizona

5 Things I want to be doing in 5 years
1. Be retired from work, not life
2. Be a missionary at the Mesa Regional Family History Center
3. Serve a mission with my husband; oops he has 10 more years of work that will have to wait.
4. Teach more quilting
5. Do beautiful fantastic machine quilting

5 People I tag
1. Janice
2. Kim
3. Kathy
4. Kellie
5. Colleen

Holiday Recipe Cranberry Mousse

This recipe was a favorite of my friend Roise, I ate it at her house for many a Thanksgiving and Christmas starting in 1985. Rosie was a single mom and I was a single gal when we meet. All her kids call me Aunt Mary and her home was always just like home to me. The kids can tell you stories of me falling asleep on the couch and snoring. We both found good men to marry and we still stay in touch. I just don't see her for Holidays any more. About 2005 she moved out of the Valley of the Sun up to Pine Top.
This year I finally asked her for the recipe and made it. It is very good. Roise has more style then I so she chilled it in a jello mold and turn it out unto a plate and it looks lovely. I don't have a jello mold, so I just severed it in one of my glass baking dishes. Yes I had already sampled it before I severed dinner. It is that good.

Ingredients
1 package (6 ounces) strawberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple
1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 medium granny smith apple diced (I left the peel on)

Directions
In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Drain pineapple, setting the pineapple aside and adding juice to gelatin. Stir in cranberry sauce, lemon juice, peel and nutmeg. Chill until mixture thickens. Fold in sour cream, pineapple, apple and pecans. Pour into a glass serving bowl or an oiled 9-cup mold. Chill until set, at least 2 hours. Yield: 16-20 servings.

I made mine the day before.

Sunday Quilting Upate

Hello Again,
I have heard back from Colleen and she is very excited about winning the Christmas Wall Hanging. I'm happy that I can make someone else happy.

It has been a fun day for me. I made a new quilting friend today. My friend Linda who lives in Miami FL, the same friend I visited for 11 days in May. Sent me an email about an acquaintance who was moving from Miami to Mesa AZ. I emailed the acquaintance and she replied and would contact me when she was settled. We spoke last Saturday and today we meet for lunch. We had a really nice visit. She gave me a quilting magazine, one I have never looked at called Art Quilting Studio. It looks like some good bed time reading.



After an hour and a half lunch with Maryann, I called my friend Linda and we visited by phone for an hour and a half. Linda and I have always had long visits on the phone. While Linda & I visited I finished the binding on A Blue Horse for You. It is Krystal's Christmas gift. She hasn't seen it yet and she doesn't check out my blog. So it's safe to post a picture of it here. I hope she likes it, she does love horses so that should help. She did tell some of my friends one day I do lovely work. So we'll see.

I did some quilting on my Give Away quilt, so I made some progress on that. My frame machine is out of the machine hospital but I didn't feel like putting the DJ Christmas quilt back on the frame. I only have the side borders to finish.


I also sewed and cut and began pressing a large bunch of half square triangles for part 9 of my Washington Medallion Quilt. Yes I'm keeping all those little pieces in a tin until they are made into blocks and would you believe that was my mind less sewing.

I also finished decorating the house for Christmas. So it was another busy week for me. Unfortunately since I worked on Saturday this coming work week will feel like a long one.

Well until we meet again take care and have fun no matter what you do.