Friday, April 15, 2016



I've wanted to make this little quilt ever since Cheri first posted the instructions here.

So today I did.
Robin

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

UNCLE!!!

This block just about did me in...................


Not my most accurate work but it's finished.
Robin

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Basket Quilt

The gold basket quilt from my previous post is called;
   
Baskets of Flowers from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska

The pattern is in the Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine  May/June 2011

I've gone through my stash of patterns to get rid of the ones I no longer have an interest in making and I'm in trouble.  I didn't put very many in the throw away stack.  The lid does fit on the box now, I guess that's some progress.

(just because I didn't want to post without a picture.)
Robin

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Two new blogs to inspire

Blog reading has been inspiring today.  I read the "Quilting Everyday" blog by Rebecca and she has motivated me to re evaluate my quilting queue and work on the things that give me the most joy.

I just pulled out an applique project I started in 2001.  I only made two 18" blocks and then it got put away.  I still like it but I don't think I'll ever finish it.  I can incorporate the fabrics into my stash no problem but, what do I do with the two finished blocks and the 10 other 18" squares I have cut out?

I also read "Lining up my Stitches" blog by Juliann who is taking the time to be more thoughtful, quiet, and enjoy some simpler pleasures.  I know I enjoy life more when I don't fill it to the brim with things to do.  Just pick out a few good things and then enjoy the process. (Oh, and make sure I have a bakery item close by~)

I began going through my box of patterns from magazines and the internet to see if I still want to use them.   AM I REALLY GOING TO MAKE ALL THESE and the 100's more?



Sorry about the blurry pictures.  




I took them through the plastic sleeves and so the quality is diminished.



It is such a beautiful today that spending some time sitting in the sun and pondering will give me as much joy as I usually get by appliqueing new leaves on the latest block or making a sensational dessert. (Although dessert IS pretty important - ha!
Robin

Sunday, April 3, 2016

A queenly heart, American Jane, and Biscuits/Scones


I finished block #11 for the 1857 quilt.  I am finding that some of these blocks are quite a challenge for me.  But, I keep telling myself, the only way to improve my skills is to try to do something more difficult than I've done before.


The thing I'm working on in between hunkering down with the applique blocks is this little project.  It helps me breathe deeply and not tense up. I find these fabrics just cheer me up.


I have cut out 32 blocks so far but that is only half of them.  I find it interesting that the 1857 quilt has 64 blocks and now I'm working on another one with 64 blocks.  I hope I don't confuse them somehow.

As I cut out the blocks I put them in sandwich bags.  That way, if I drop something while I'm transferring them from the kitchen to the sewing room, I won't loose anything.

The blocks are just so cute!

I made biscuits yesterday again AND I think I found a wonderful recipe.  It is from the Farm Journal's Cookbook and it's called Crusty Hot Biscuits.


This picture doesn't do them justice.  They were flaky and crisp as my teeth broke the surface and then soft and tender inside.  Just the best.  I'm still going to try other recipes but this just may be the winner.

Crusty Hot Biscuits
2 1/4 cups sifted flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 TB sugar (I didn't put any sugar in)
1/3 cup lard (I used Crisco)
2/3 cup milk
1 egg

Sift together dry ingredients. Cut lard into mixture to make coarse crumbs.  Add milk, then the egg.  Mix with fork until dough follows fork around bowl.

Knead on floured board five or six times.  Roll or pat to 1/2" thickness. (I patted the dough until it was 2" thick.  I thought 1/2" wouldn't be tall enough to have a fluffy inside.)  Cut with biscuit cutter.

Place on ungreased baking sheet about 3/4" apart and bake in very hot oven  - 450 degrees - 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 16 biscuits.  (Except since I made them so thick it only made seven.)

Delightful!!!
Robin

Ongoing progress

I finished the center with the gifts and put on a double star border.  It now measure 48" square. Now I'm at a standstill. . .  I&#...