Flickr

I have joined Flickr to share more of my pictures that don't make the cut but I still love. You can get to my page by clicking here. Check it out, say hello, and add anything to it that you've made from one of my patterns. I'd love to see it!

Alright, really short and sweet today, have way too much to do!

Gotta Blog Now

I'm blogging now because they're calling for the worst storm system to head our way tonight in 30+ years complete with high winds and rain and thunder and 80 degree temperatures - yes 80 degrees in Ohio in late October. I know crazy right?! But alas, since the bad weather is heading this way and I have to get some sewing done, I'm blogging now so I can get some quilting done this morning while we still have power...

This weekend with the leaves changing and beginning to fall around the house, the little squirrels are just having a field day (no pun intended) gathering all that they can before winter hits. Meanwhile Duncan (who is feeling much better by the way) was tormented by the little fuzzbusters because he was stuck inside left only to look out the window at them. I went into the kitchen to grab something and looked over to see this:

Crazy dog I swear. He always does something to amaze me. You'd think after 8 years I'd have seen everything he's willing to attempt, but no. He cracks me up and that's why I love him.

I made some homemade Christmas presents this weekend, but I can only show you one (have too many relatives that read this too so I don't want to give away the surprise just yet). I made this stocking for my nephew who just joined Tiger Cub Scouts. He's so excited about it and his Dad was a Boy Scout and the two of them are ready to go combat the outdoors. Complete with his initial, I hope Shawn will love it. Now just to find the perfect "thing" to stuff it with.

I think it's about time for another tutorial or two. Stay tuned for another recipe (yet to be determined) and a tutorial on the importance of squaring up (or true-ing up) Half Square Triangles and other angle pieced blocks. I will not be going to Market this year (boo) but I do get to spend another week in paradise with Hubbin instead so it's a good trade off. I will be here working away as long as the power holds out and hopefully I will have more to show you very soon!

Just one more crazy thing, has anyone else had a shower loofa explode on them? I was in the shower over the weekend and the knot holding it all together came undone and it completely unraveled all over. It was almost like those old gag gifts with the can that shoots out the "snakes". It was one of those moments that you think - this can only happen to me. And then you laugh. Alright, off to sew, toodles!

Look what I just found!

I just spotted this version of my Charmed Living Topper pattern over at JEllen's house of fabric blog. If you live around North East Ohio, They are a new shop in Lyndhurst and Joyce, the owner, is a very sweet lady. I have yet to visit their shop myself (bad kid I know, but this sewing needs to get done somehow) but we met at a local show and I can't wait to get to the shop to see it in person. Thanks Joyce! It looks wonderful and just in time for Halloween. If you'd like to read more about JEllen's house of fabric or to see more of their Halloween version of the Charmed Living Topper, click here.

I have much more to tell you about, but it's going to have to wait until after work. Actually if I do not get off this computer soon I will be late so, we'll chat more later!

Weird Day

Since we last spoke, a ton of weird things have happened. I'm not usually the superstitious type, but I am blaming a good portion of the last couple days on the full moon.

Unfortunately literally minutes after the last post Duncan started acting - well, weird. He was really restless and everytime he relaxed he'd jump up and spin around and make a really high pitched yip. To spare you the gory tale, basically upon further inspection of his little self, I noticed Duncan actually had a hole - one that was not there before and I'm sure was not supposed to be there.

The poor little guy had a scent gland burst. Basically the vet said that they have scent glands that aren't necessary and on little guys like him they can clog and burst. I had no idea, I felt so bad. So now he's on two different antibiotics for two weeks and then he'll get checked out to make sure there's no other infections or issues and now we have to make a monthly trip to the vet to check his glands so this won't happen again. The poor guy - they said once these problems start happening, the scar tissue from it actually makes it worse so that's why we now will have a monthly check up with the vet. It could be worse or atleast that's what I keep telling myself.

The antibiotics and I'm sure the fact that a gland burst pretty much wore him out for the last few days. Today he has been the most "back to normal" that I've noticed so far. I didn't realize until about an hour ago that for the last 2 days he has not once barked at the TV. Obviously he's feeling better now - he's been very vocal tonight. But for the most part he's been sleeping in his cage from when he was a puppy. He always sleeps in here when he doesn't feel good.

Besides that, I have had several "very concerned" politicians call my house, their representatives have knocked on my door all hours of the day, and the other night I had a telemarketer call me at 10:15 pm. That's right 10:15 pm for a telemarketer! I was FURIOUS! But I almost feel bad for the guy that called, I have no idea what he was calling for. The conversations went a little like this:

(Meanwhile I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch and was OUT. Completely dead asleep)
Phone rings, I think it might be my Hubbin calling to remind me of something...anything but what was about to happen, I answer, very groggy. I hear "Hi, I'm calling to ask you a few short questions for our survey?"
I respond "WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me. It's after ten o'clock. You can't call here that late at night for a survey, ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
"I'm very sorry Miss, would you like to speak to a Manager?"
"No, I want to go back to sleep! How about you take me off your list?"
"Will do Miss, sorry for the call."

It didn't matter that he apologized (alright it did, it really helped a little, but it's the principle of the matter) but he obviously had not been told that old saying 'Don't wake a sleeping bear'. That night I was that sleeping bear and would have been much happier to stay sleeping, but now I've vented and I feel better. If you are or know a telemarketer, I'm sorry, I know it a job and it pays the bills, but seriously, after 10 pm?! Some of us actually sleep at night (or try to) and have to get up way too early in the morning.

Hopefully that's all of the weirdness I have to report on this end (that I know of atleast) and I am hoping to get a bunch of sewing done this weekend. I have many Christmas presents to get ready and an actual quilt project or two...

I'm doing the final revisions on the next pattern and it should be gracing store pattern racks soon! I'll keep you updated on the progress. Well, time to go give Duncan yet another dose of antibiotics and give Paco his own little bite of lunch meat minus the pills so he doesn't feel left out. Until next time!

Binding binding binding...

I just quilted the Moda Bake Shop project on Sunday and I love it! I wanted to walk you through what happens as I take a day to quilt so here goes:

I start out by going to my parent's house (the long arm is there) and pass by this old barn right by their house. I have been meaning to take pictures of it for years and it's looked like this for as long as I can remember. The one side is so bowed and with the heavy snow we get each year (we live in the infamous "Snow Belt") you never know if this will be the last year it will stand. The skies were perfect and the leaves were changing so I decided to actually stop and take some photos this time. It's like a little weathered trinket in our small farm town.

There was a large farm house near this barn years ago, but Mother Nature got to it a long time ago, but the barn's still standing!

Then I head over to the house and get greeted by the welcoming committee - Meet Hershey

Miss Abby Sue

And Tucker (he and I have a love/hate relationship)

Once I get through the barking and drooling and tail wagging and dog hair, I get into the quilting room and crank the music and "do my thing". Unfortunately I cannot show you much of what I was working on because you'll see it in about a month or so, but here's a sneak peek. This is once I finished quilting and was in the process of taking the quilt of the machine and the sun was setting behind the house.

I love this photo. It made a long day of quilting so worth it. So now I am working on binding this quilt and hopefully finishing it all up and like I said, hopefully it should be on the Moda Bake Shop next month.

That was my weekend, what have you been up to?

Happy Sweetest Day!

Some of you might be asking 'What is Sweetest Day?', well, in Ohio - more specifically Cleveland - the story goes that back about 100 years ago or so a few confectioners and Hallmark Card Co. got together to create this holiday to promote giving and wellness and sell some of their products too. I know many people who have never heard of it before, but this is your chance - you now know and can do something a little extra sweet for your "Sweet" and surprise them today.

Still don't believe that it's real? Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry on it - just click here. Many people around town know all about it but refuse to give in because it is really a "Hallmark Holiday", but my Hubbin surprised me early. Last night when I got home from work, these were sitting on the table for me. Isn't he the sweetest?! Hahaha - get it? Sorry, back on track.

Alright on to other news, this is the only thing quilting wise that I got done this week that I can show you...

I am debating on not adding the pieced border onto the Topper, but it still might get it if I decide to add it. And I'm not sure if the Runner will get the ending borders either. I like to give you options and there's no rule saying that you have to add the borders or you have to do this (insert pattern step here). This is quilting which is great because you ALWAYS have the option to make it your own. Just remember if you do make one of my patterns and send me a picture of it I will proudly show it here!

I might be painting the sewing room this weekend so I'm not planning on much sewing getting accomplished. It might happen depending on time, but we'll see. Once I get it painted I will show you pictures of that too. Until next time!

Trying something new...

I am currently in the process of trying to create a blog button so all of you can grab it and post it on your blogs as well. It's a work in progress, but once it's up and running I will let you know and it should look something like this:

Whew! Only about half an hour later and it's done! Grab my button and show it proudly!

My first...

Today is the anniversary of my first blog post. Yep, one year ago today I began this discussion and had no idea where it would lead me. In the last year I've had joys, disappointments, new adventures, made many new friends throughout those adventures and explorations, and one thing I can be sure of - I have NO REGRETS.

This has been an adventure, sometimes feeling more uphill and exhausting than I ever imagined. But the great thing is at the end of the day I feel accomplished. I (somedays) have something in my hands I can show for my hard work. What could be more gratifying than that?

It has been great to read all of the comments and e-mails from you, let me tell you - somedays your words can really make a girl Happy Giddy Bliss! (If you have no clue what I'm talking about, you can read more about it here)

Alright, so in the true fashion of firsts, I have decided to show you my first ever quilt (top). It's still not finished and no I do not recommend a really challenging foundation paper pieced quilt for your first ever project, but alas I did this:

 Pulling it out from it's undesirable home at the back of the bottom drawer of my sewing stash cabinet, I thought it's not bad for my first (at first glance).

Then upon further inspection I did find a few places where the seam allowance is basically not there and a few too close for stitching lines (and a couple small holes in the stitching all together) OOOoooopppppsssss! But here it is, my first quilt (top). Maybe one day I will touch up the not so good spots and actually quilt it, we'll see.

I'm going to be up at Cottonpickers today, and tomorrow I will be at the Mayfield Historical Society Quilt Show so if you're in the area, stop by and say hi! If you're not - I'd still love to hear from you anyway. More to come in the future - I promise!

A walk in the park...

Most people have local parks in their neighborhoods. In Thompson, Ohio (just about 10 miles from where I currently live) I grew up with the Thompson Ledges. Throughout the years the park didn't change but for those of us growing up with it, as our age changed, our opinion about the park changed.

When we were little and first introduced to the park, it was just like being in the woods (as most of Thompson is either farms or wooded areas). Oh, and yes I was standing on the edge of the rock at the bottom of the picture, most of what you see is a good 40 feet down or so.

When we got a little older it was a scary place with lots of jagged rocks and older kids scaring us with stories of trolls or goblins or something to that effect.

Then while in High School (which is right across the street) many "walking field trips" were taken here for science or art or to escape the classroom for a bit. Then it was interesting and curiosity peaked at this time. Attempts to make our way through tight ravines to get to remote areas of the park only acceptable if you travel through one of these tight spaces like this one:

Yesterday was the first time in years I had a chance to go back and walk around, just me and the crazy chipmunks and squirrels and the trees. The moss that covers everything is amazing in itself. At times it's so cushy you feel like you're walking on marshmallows.

There's a spot where you can see for miles - literally. If the sun is out and visibility is endless there is a church in Pennsylvania that you can see the steeple from this spot. (The church is probably close to 50 miles away or so) This picture does not do it justice, the visibility was good, but not enough sun to see the steeple.

So why have I been talking about this for so long now? I had a slight ulterior motive to go to the park yesterday. I have been patiently waiting to do a photo shoot for the latest quilt, but it's been raining here for what seems like eons now. It did rain yesterday sporadically, but while I was on my walk, it didn't rain but everything still kept it's wet appearance. It was chilly and the air was still damp it's going to take awhile for things to dry out, but it was the perfect opportunity for a few minutes outside. This quilt was just begging for an outdoor photo shoot, and the timing is perfect. The leaves are just starting to change color, maybe in another week or so another walk through the park will be on the schedule.  Here's a sneak peek of what I accomplished yesterday:

I enjoyed it so much that I stopped at another park along my travels home  from work that I had been meaning to visit. (more on that later) Once I had spent a couple hours outside in the cool and damp fall air, I came home and made a pot of homemade broccoli cheese soup to warm my bones. To top that off I finished my book and relaxed. Not a bad day considering it was a cold, rainy, Monday of all days...

Euphoria...

Alright, this weekend has been exceptionally good considering it's freezing outside and has been raining for what seems like an eternity. Why you ask? Well, for one I got to sew more than I had anticipated today and did way more on other things as well, so that's a good start. And last night while watching TV with Hubbin, Duncan decided he needed some Mommy and Me cuddle time and I loved it. Slightly pathetic, but he's my sweet boy.

 Also I got a dozen of these yummy goodies from Mandy at Sweet C's Cups & Cakes. These are the Caramel Apple Cupcakes - an Apple Cake with Caramel Buttercream and and a Cinnamon Sugar Glaze. Let me tell you, these are the most DIVINE little morsels I have had in a long time and look forward to testing out more flavors in the future. Look at her menu for a longer list of other options she has created or mix and match to make your own. No joke - these have the BEST frosting I have ever had (sorry Gramma!)

 Now onto other things. I was going to wait a bit to do this, but I couldn't stop myself and a 5 pound bag of Macintosh apples just hopped into my cart while grocery shopping this morning. So I'm going to give you all the easiest recipe you can ever make - Homemade Applesauce.  It's so much healthier and tastier than anything you can buy in a jar at the grocery store. Once you try this you cannot go back to that - whatever that may be - and it freezes well so you can make a big batch or three when apples are plenty (like now in our neighborhood) and have it whenever you like!

 Now, I started with a 5 pound bag of apples. What you start out with and the end result are two completely different amounts seeing as how the apples cook down so much. If this seems like alot, trust me it isn't. This is the amount I like to make if I plan on serving this warm as a side for a family gathering. It's the perfect amount for a group of 10 or so people.

 This crazy contraption is my best friend while making anything with peeled, sliced, and cored apples because it does all three in a cinch. It sure beats cutting myself up while doing it by hand. It's something that all people should have in their kitchen arsenal if you ask me. I know you can have too many gadgets, but this one's a keeper. It works like this:

 You stick the apple on the pokey end of the rod, right through the core. Try to line up the other end of the core best as possible (you'll see why in a second). To make this easier, the peeler can lock in place out of the way.

 Engage the peeler again and begin to turn the crank...

 And it peels...

 And slices...

 And cores it too! (I feel like I should be on an infommercial...sorry) So you should end up with something like this. Sometimes it's not so pretty, but it all tastes the same.

 Once you pull of the sliced and peeled apple, the core needs removed from the pokey things. Quarter the apple slices into smaller pieces and put them in a large pot or deep non stick skillet.

 I have this great big non stick cast iron pot/skillet that is coming more useful everyday. It was perfect for this today. Put all of the apple slices in and add just enough water to fill the bottom of the pan with 1/4" or less. Bring this to a simmer, do not boil - just simmer gently. Now kick back and relax, but remember to come back occasionally to stir the apples. (if you're not using a non stick skillet, you'll have to check on it more often) You will notice the color of the apples darken and they will start to cook down. Like this:

 And just let them cook....

 And cook...

 And finally you get something like this. This still has a few chunks left in it. If you would like a smoother consistency, keep cooking the apples until you get the results you like. This took about 3 hours or so. Once you like the consistency of the apples, take them off of the heat and taste test them at this point. Do not season until the apples are cooked completely.  Sometimes depending on the apples, you may not need to do anything. If you would like a little cinnamon or sugar in with them after your taste test, do it gradually. Sugar - add no more than a tablespoon to start with if you have a batch this large. Cinnamon - start out with only a teaspoon or so with a large batch like this.

 This is what the end result came to be - two containers. One to eat for now, one in the freezer for a later date. That's it. If you can peel, slice, and core apples, simmer them in water and stir it often, you too can make the best applesauce you've ever had. I have been told if you like applebutter it uses the same process but you use more water and cook it longer. I haven't tried that yet, but am hoping to do so soon.

Well, I hope you try this and especially if you have kids - try this on them. It's cheaper and much healthier than whatever may be in that stuff you buy at the store and if you ask me - this kind actually has flavor and lots of it! It's my favorie easy recipe. My Grandma Safick used to make a bunch every year and serve it all winter long during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once I got married and moved out I never made this (because I never asked how for the longest time) and I thought it was really hard to make - NOT! It's so easy! I hope you enjoy it, I will never ever in my life ever again buy a jar from the store - you heard it here. Make this once and you'll understand why.

Okay, dinner is put away, the dishes are almost done, and I think I am going to have a little piece of euphoria with one of those cupcakes before Hubbin eats them all! Until next time!

It's still dark outside...

This past week has been unbelievable! I have gotten a ton of things done - sorry still no pictures yet - and been running and running and running which I consider a true feat. The days here are getting ever shorter and when I wake up - it's dark now. Just after I get home - it's dark out. It's hard somedays to get motivated and out of bed when it's still dark out when a few weeks ago it was light when I got up. My body is still confused - it keeps telling me it's still dark, go back to bed. However the alarm clock does not lie and then we have issues.

Aside from all that babble, I have started yet another maybe 3 projects this week. I have enough scraps left over from this quilt (remember this one - it still needs a border):

And am planning on making flannel versions of these:

It is that time of year again. It's supposed to be really chilly this weekend and I was able to get out of summer storage my fleece pants that I just love. There are a few upsides to this whole cold weather stuff...

Alright, I'm planning another cooking tutorial soon, just as soon as I get a big bag of fresh apples (any guesses?) And I will be working on more results this week so I have things to show you. Off to make Hubbin a hearty breakfast!