A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Remember that dance?
Well, I was trying that all day yesterday...almost threw my hip out!!
The entire day was filled with chicken blocks as I fused my way through the remainder of the blocks...and got them all finished...and more!
In total, there are sixteen blocks...for a really large quilt.
Some you have already seen on the blog...here are the rest of them.
And, this is the fabric I'll be using for the sashing. It will help the chicken's to hop right off the quilt.
This is another of FatCat Patterns block of the month quilt patterns.
Yesterday, I worked on fusing more fish blocks.
I just could not wait for each month to come out...so went and bought the pattern package at Fat Cat Patterns.
When I started this Block-of-the-Month...I was thinking it was a "normal" 12-month of blocks...but nope, there are 15 of them. An odd number for a quilt.
Twelve will be plenty for Aidan's twin bed...and that's a good thing...because I only had enough of the blue blackground for twelve blocks.
I changed to a different background for the last three...which will be a double-owl wall hanging above her bed...and a bed pillow.
These are all going to Retreat with me this month...and maybe I'll get some of them actually stitched! All of the edges need some sort of embroidery work...to help keep the fusible in place during laundry time!
I think Aidan will enjoy this quilt when it is finished.
The random generator has picked two numbers...and here are winners and their comments for the two spiders offered in the Give-a-Way this week.
Tammi Martinez: "Oh my what beautiful spiders!! I have a wall dedicated to breast cancer, on the wall she would go!!"
Sandy Arthur: These are so nice. I would give this as a gift to a friend who has a spider fetish - after I enjoy it for a few days first.
PLUS... I was so touched by one of the comments...and they did not get picked by the RG...so, I decided to gift a third spider (from my two pieces that I have squirrled back for personal use)...to:
Susie W: "OMG girl .... I know EXACTLY what I will do with that spider. She will
reside "front and center" on my PINK Christmas Tree Skirt. I will stitch
a Kreinik very fine braid pink spider web for her (to make her feel
right at home). You must admit it is destiny for me to win a "pink"
spider (made by the originator of CQJP) to place as the finishing touch
of my "pink CQJP" project!! hehehe".
So, another lesson learned...leave a comment from the heart. And, it just might get you a second chance on winning!
Here are three little fishy blocks...from FatCat Patterns BOM. One more to go, and I'm caught up. All still have to be hand stitched along the edges of each fusible piece. They will go to Retreat with me at the end of this month...and we shall see if my muse behaves herself...and actually gets them completed!
Here are some closeups for ya...are's they just too cute!
Thinking that this would be one really cool quilt for Aidan's twin bed ...
...when all twelve blocks are done!
Well, I've allowed myself to get "distracted" again...by the laptop and virtual shopping for fabric! Didn't buy anything yet...just looking and comparing. I feel as though I have wasted hours of valuable time...but my muse has a quilt in mind...and just can't decide on what palette is the best selection!
I did manage to get her to sit still long enough yesterday afternoon, and part of last night...to work on Wilma's Paris block some more.
I made some decisions...yeah!
Marie Antionette could be the inspiration for this cameo lady...and Wilma provided the Dior ribbon. I placed this vingette in the top center...and trailed it to the left to help break up the long linear seam in that area.
All of the work in other areas of the block were making the beautiful little perfume bottle...already stitched...kind of lost. So, I added some lipstick and a beaded necklace that holds a fleur-de-les focal at the end. This also turns the large lace enhanced seam into more of a table skirt...IMHO.
Next, I tackled the blank area in the bottom right...and the blank area at the bottom center of the block. I decided on a trailing trim of lace hearts under the punk style "PARIS" keys...trailing to the right into a lace heart with love doves....and roses. This area represents love and romance.
Still have a couple of more things to try and bring to the block...but, it's almost ready to go home!
I'll show you the entire block later...when it is finished...so you can see how everything "fits" together
Found some time today to get my monochromatic crazy quilt block done for a round robin that Colleen is hosting over on the HGTV Message Board. I choose brown as my color...and my palette for the fabric are in the white to light brown...or neutral...range. The stitching can include white, eggshell, cream, tan, sand, light brown, medium brown, dark brown...and any other shade in these range!
I added my lace motifs...and the ladies will add the magic! Can't wait to see what comes back home to me when this block is completed.
Want to know how to cook a meal for a small family ...for less than $10
And...have it taste great?
These seven hamburgers cost me the price of buns and a pound of beef. The other ingredients were on my shelf...but, I've allowed a little cost in my equation for them....otherwise, I'd say this is a $6 meal!!
Ingredients:
2 eggs beaten
1/2 small onion chopped fine
1 clove garlic chopped fine (or 1 T jar kind)
1 cup rolled oats (not the instant kind)
1 pd of ground round or ground chuck (I like to use a 80/20 fat content)
salt and pepper to taste
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. I do this with my clean fingers...rather than a spoon....cause that's the way we do it in the south.
Divide the mixture...and form the parts into balls. Flatten and place each into a non-stick kind of pan.
Do not add oil if you want to keep the fat content down.
Set your heat to medium. Set your timer for five minutes. Don't mess with them!
After five minutes, flip them over...and cook for another 5 minutes. After flipping...push them down with a flat spatula. I use my ceramic skillet for this, and you can see that there is no
additional oil in the pan...just what the meat creates itself. Now, wait your five minutes...and don't mess with them!
(That's a total of 10 minutes...five on each side)
Check them after the five minutes by cutting one in half...it should not be pink. This is how mine looked...you can cook longer if you want to...or if you stove does not cook like mine. (This one is for Buddy...so it's cut up)
I like mayo and ketchup on my bun...but you can put other condiments instead. A slice of tomato, a thin sliver of onion, and some lettuce if you like...or just plain is still great.
I use my ceramic skillet for this, and you can see that there is no additional oil in the pan...just what the meat creates itself.
If you don't think the men in the family will want a hamburger that has "oatmeal" in it...just call it something other than a hamburger. I dub this recipe "The Italian Stallion Beef Burger".
Variation: Add a Tablespoon of BBQ...and change the name to "Spicy Texas Longhorn Burger"
Variation: Roll small...golfball or smaller size...and brown on all sides. Then add a jar/can of spagetti sauce...and you have super meatballs!
Variation: Place the entire bowl of meat mixture on a baking sheet...form it like a loaf of bread. Bake for about 40 minutes in a 350 degree oven...and you have meatloaf!
How do you stretch your budget when cooking?
If you missed the give-a-way this week...go back and check yesterdays post.
Hugs!
Look what I found last week hiding in my bead stash! I had tucked these two back for some reason...and forgot about them. So, let's draw and give them to two lucky winners!
The 2 Rules for winning are simple...
1) Leave a comment that answers this question: "What would you do with a four-inch pink beaded spider?"
2) Make sure your comment includes an email address or link to your Blogger profile with email...so I can contact you for a mailing address. No email...and you are disqualified...as I simply do not have the time to "hunt you down".
That's it...just leave a comment..and make sure I can email you if your comment is randomly selected.
The time frame for the give-a-way will be until this Saturday, . So you have until midnight...CST (my time)...Friday, 5 April 2013 to leave your comment. Comments will not appear right away...as I'm still moderating. But, if you leave one...I WILL get it. Make sure I can contact you easily! I'll select two winners at random. Let you know by email if you win...and post the winners on the blog Saturday morning (once you respond to my email asking for your mailing address). Good Luck!
So, who wants a spider?
We have winners for the three silk ribbon pendants. They have been contacted by email...so check your mailbox if you had left a comment on that post. I'm waiting for the return mail with shipping address!
I'll post the winners after I hear from them...if no response within 48 hours...I'll pick another random number and re-gift the winnings! Hugs...
Edited to Add
Winners Checking In:
Mary Anne (Magpie Mumblings) (Canada) - small golden pendant
Mandy (England) - large gold pendant
Gina (Florida, USA) -large silver pendant
This was fun, and I'm going to do another drawing tomorrow...not today...because I don't want anyone to think it is an April's Fool joke.
So, check back tomorrow...if you aren't afraid of spiders!
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. It was a nice day and even managed to be mostly without rain! That's not so for the rest of the week...as the weather channel predicts rain almost all week long! Perhaps I should buy a boat!
While Aidan was here last week, I managed to work on the fourth block of the Merry Merry Snowmen quilt...and finished it up last night. The letters are stitched with back-stitch, and the arms and star vines are in stem stitch...all with #8 perle cotton.
