Retail Therapy...Again!

I must share with you my most recent purchases from my friend Darlene at A Needle Pulling Thread Quilt Shop.  They just make my heart sing!

Monday is our sewing day at her shop where a bunch of us get together to sew, stitch, laugh...and of course...EAT!

While I was there yesterday, unbeknownst to me, an order arrived.  I was probably laughing and joking with the other gals in the sewing room oblivious to everything while Darlene was feverishly unpacking the order to surprise us. 

I'm weak to begin with, especially when it comes to anything quilting-related and Darlene knows my likes and dislikes very well. After she had unpacked the order, she came into the sewing room and asked us all to come and have a look.

When I saw these fabrics, I literally swooned!

Blue and brown is one of my favorite color combinations and it's been a while since I've seen a collection with the warmth and richness that these colors exude. They're from the Piecemakers collection by Kathy Schmitz for Moda.

Of course I had to start off with a meter of each but you can bet that I'll be buying more in the next little while. I'll be cutting into them in the next day or so and I can't wait.

I love my little Rowenta travel iron to use beside me while I'm piecing.

A little while back my full size iron started to cough and sputter and it desperately needed to be replaced but I was holding out for my "dream" iron.

Next week is our anniversary so my gift is this Oliso iron that has been on my wish list for a couple of years now. 

I haven't even taken it out of the box yet but you can bet that I'll be testing it out on my new fabric later today!

Happy stitching!

Wool Crazy Needle Keep Pattern

You asked and I'm delivering!

The pattern for my Wool Crazy Needle Keep is now available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

The pattern includes detailed instructions, actual size line drawings and three color photographs.

If you'd like to purchase one, just click HERE for the direct link to the listing.

I know you'll enjoy making yours as much as I did making mine.

Happy stitching!

Good Morning!

What do you do when you wake up at 4 a.m.?

Put the coffee on...

Make a stew to simmer in the slow cooker all day...

And listen to/watch the Olympics on TV.

Isn't this how you all start your day?  *wink*

Dinner will be ready about 4 p.m., just in time for when the next snow storm is due to arrive.  Are ya comin?  If it gets too bad, we can always put you up for the night!

Happy stitching!

Exciting news!

Now that it's confirmed, I can share my news with you all.

I've been asked to design a project(s) for my absolutely favorite magazine...

Primitive Quilts & Projects

The first one will appear in the Fall 2014 issue and the second one will probably be sometime in 2015.  Of course I can't tell you what it/they will be because we want it to be a surprise but you all know and are familiar with my style and I promise you won't be disappointed.

My deadline is May 1st and all I can say is that I'm thankful that this gorgeous "crackle" fabric from Moda arrived just the other day which I'll be using in my design along with some others that are on the way to me as well.

The design is done and the dates and deadlines are set.  I will be starting to work on it this week and my goal is to have it completed by the end of the month.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Happy stitching!

Domestic Sunday

Some days I'm in the mood  to cook and bake and then there are days when I'd just rather sit and stitch or sew.  Thankfully I have things in the freezer that I have put by for those "don't feel like cooking" days.

This morning my kitchen beckoned.

I started by preparing our favorite veggie beef Weight Watcher's soup with a few changes, of course.

It's so easy to make and delicious as well.  If you'd like to give it a try, here's what you'll need...

EDIT: I forgot the diced tomatoes - Duh!

1 pound of extra lean ground beef, browned and drained
2 medium onions, sliced
4 (+ or -) carrots, peeled and shredded
4 (+ or -) celery stalks, sliced
1 parsnip, peeled and shredded
3/4 C pot barley
2 cartons low sodium beef broth
1 large bottle V8 juice
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped fine
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
fresh chopped parsley to taste
Worcestershire sauce to taste 

Place all ingredients into a large pot and simmer for 2-3 hours.

It tastes even better the second day because the pot barley thickens it.

While the soup was simmering on the stove, I decided to make some cinnamon rolls.  Once again, they are easy-peasy to make and ever so good.

Here's what you'll need...

4 C all purpose flour
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
8 tsp baking powder, level (yes, you read right...8 tsp)

Measure all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to incorporate all the ingredients.

Then add 1C margarine to the dry ingredients and cut into the mixture with a pastry cutter.

1 1/4 C milk
2 eggs, beaten with a fork

Slowly add the milk and eggs to the dry ingredients, mixing with your hands. Knead dough on a floured surface.  If your dough mixture is too wet, keep on adding a bit more flour a little at a time, kneading as you go.

Roll out to a 1/4" thickness on a floured surface.

Spread generously with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon...nuts and raisins are optional.

Roll into a big roll...

then slice into 1" segments.

Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.

Then enjoy with a nice hot cup of tea or coffee.  

To die for!

Guess what we had for lunch?

Now it's time to head up to my studio to sew for the afternoon.

Happy stitching!