Round Robins Stitching

My stitching lately has been dedicated to seams for the Facebook Group, "Modern Crazy Quilt Seams" and two CQI Round Robins...thought you might like to see some of the round robin photos:

The little mama deer is a machine embroidery patch. These are really "time savers" if you can find realistic ones to sew in place, then surround with plants, etc.

American Patchwork & Quilting Podcast with Pat Sloan

If you have some time on Monday, around 4:00 Eastern time, listen in on Pat Sloan's pod cast...and you'll hear my voice. :)

You can listen to the podcast on your computer or tablet if you subscribe to iTunes (search American Patchwork & Quilting), or download to a player!

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/radio/index.html

ATC and Spring Flowers

What a great day...beginning on some long overdue Artist Trading Cards and enjoying the flowers of Spring.

Headed to Dollar General to pick up a few things, and got this little sign for my porch (great buy at $3.50). It put me really in the Spring mood...so took the camera outside so I could get a few photos of the new flowers popping up all over the yard.

Of course, these also mean that my sinusitis is driving me crazy...but who cares!?! I'll gladly deal with that to give up the dreary cold weather. :)

Hope you have some blooms to admire as well in your yard!

Fancy Seam Design #50

Fancy Seam Design #49

Fancy Seam Design #48

Fancy Seam Design #47

Fancy Seam Design #46

Lace Motif Set #2

The lace motifs I posted about a few days ago have almost sold out...only one set is left. So, I decided to add a different grouping to the Etsy Shop today. There are four pieces of lace in this new set.

Lace #1:

This is a four-inch wide rayon that I special ordered for my niece's wedding gown. It is gorgeous, high quality and off white. Not pure white, but when is not next to another white...it does appear to be white it is so light.

Lace #2, #3 and #4:

These next three pieces are truly white, and are also a great quality...and also rayon. So, every piece in this collection would be great for dying any color in the rainbow. Lace #2 could be cut into small motifs or used as a seam lace since it is 1.5" wide. The second lace is a great seam lace being it is only 1/5 inch tall. The bottom lace is the widest of all at 5 1/2 inches and could easily be cut into 3 different widths (separate between swag/bottom rose AND bottom rose/other rose leaves). Or, cut totally apart into individual swag, rose, leave motifs for multiple crazy quilt projects.

There are about 8 sets I think...well see as I unwind to measure out. I started the site with quantity of five just to be sure I had the amount listing. :)

Trim sets are also getting low...so check those out when you visit the site. Hugs!

Buttercream Candies

Still working on candies...after talking to my cyber stitching pal Mary Anne Richardson. Here is the link to the original recipe she used from Averiecooks. These are "traditional" butter mints...but since mine are not all mint flavored...I'm changing the name to Buttercream Candies.

I adjusted the process/recipe just a bit because I had gotten Wilton's "Treatology" set of pure extracts for Christmas baking this year...and wanted to try more flavors than just the traditional peppermint (which of course I also made). The results were great...ingredients are few..and I had everything on hand already...so win win!

RECIPE (My way)

1/4 cup softened butter (salted)
2 cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 cup sifted confectioner's sugar (halfed)
4 Tablespoons sifted confectioner's sugar (halfed) 
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
Extract (see recipe instructions)
food coloring 

I used the paddle attachment on my mixer for the entire process (rather than switching to the dough hook). Instead of doing her entire recipe...I did part of it, then halfed that..and continued. Here are the instructions:

1) Place 1/4 cup softened butter and 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk into mixer bowl. Add the 2 cups of sifted confectioner's sugar (1/2 cup at a time...mixing between to combine). This creates the "base" mixture. The consistency is about like good buttercream frosting at this point.

2) Half the base mixture...so you now have two parts to add flavor/coloring to. Place one half into a separate bowl but you can leave the first half in the mixer bowl.

3) For each "base" mixture...add 1/2 cup confectioner sugar and continue beating on medium speed until incorporated.

4) Add your food coloring (optional) and your extract. I used pure extracts so my amount was 1/4 teaspoon for each base mixture. Begin with that, taste...and add more if you want. Incorporate with the mixture, or with a flat wooden spoon.

This will create a "pea size" type of mixture...similar to pie dough before it becomes actual dough).

5) Remove the mixer paddle. Scrap the bowl down. Add 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and knead it into the mixture. You should now have a dough that feels about like children's PlayDough. Form into a ball or log and wrap in plastic wrap. Set aside. (you can refrigerate...if you are going to have to walk away for a while). (NOTE: This is too thick to go through a Cookie Press...as you can see above, I tried...so don't waste your time if you had that idea. :) Hugs!)

6) For each of the flavors made...divide into 4 parts. Each will be about a large as a golf ball at this point. Roll each part into a cigar shape/size. Cut into individual candies with a pastry cutter, knife, or pizza cutter (if you are that talented). I cut mine to about 1/4 inch thick pieces. Place on cookie sheets and let "air dry" for about an hour before placing into airtight containers.

The "airing out" helped the candies get a little crust on the outside which I think will help them to keep from sticking together.

If you are really motivated...you can roll this out like sugar cookies...and cut into shapes. I tried that...but it is entirely too much work IMHO. Perhaps for a wedding or special event...or if you have "helpers" in the kitchen.


One recipe makes two base batches...so you can have two flavors. I repeated the recipe/process and had four flavors: Lemon, Peppermint, Apricot/Champagne, and MochaLatte/Caramel. All are wonderful...so I will be doing this recipe again for sure! THANKS again MaryAnne!


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NEW 2018 Course Registration Calendar is now "live"

I updated the Registration Schedule for 2018 Courses in the course tab above.

Basically...

.... All courses will remain free of charge.

The BCQC-1 (Basic Crazy Quilt Course-1) is a “REQUIRED” course and must be completed before any other course can be taken. This course contains all of the basic handouts and general instructions that are also used in following courses.

The BCQC-2 (Basic Crazy Quilt Course-2) is not required…but I do encourage you to consider taking it after the BCQC-1 has been completed because covers two key elements for beginner/intermediate crazy quilters: 1) COLOR…all you ever wanted/needed to know about how to choose and use color in your work and 2) PLANNING…you will be given the keys to creating your own crazy quilt blocks without having to follow a set theme or pattern.

The ICQC-103 (Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course-103) is all about embroidery motifs. You’ll begin with basic types and expand that knowledge to include more complex embroidery patterns. Monograms in ribbon, beads, and embroidery are included in this course as well as more elaborate seam designs.

The ICQC-104 (Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course-104) is advanced motifs. It should be taken after the ICQC-103 is completed. This course included various motifs that include different applique methods, silk ribbon flower borders, dimensional applique and the creation of embroidery/beaded/printed slips.

The ICQC-105 (Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course-105) is advance silk ribbon motifs. A variety of printable design patterns are provided so you can easily print directly to fabric (or trace if you prefer). The silk ribbon will be 2mm, 4mm, 7mm, and 13mm in size giving a vast variety to the types of flowers you can create. Motifs will include minimal applique. The finished motifs are usually realistic floral designs except the last task. This “fantasy flower” task will help increase your creativity by designing floral elements that are more imaginative than following a specific per-determined natural flower; the results are always surprising in their elegance and beauty.

NOTE: I hope to offer new courses this year as well…but must first get finished with my latest book proposal for C&T Publications which is due to them in April. So, perhaps I can work on new classes for release this summer after that.

REGISTRATION CALENDAR:

BCQC-1 (15-17^th every other month…beginning in January)

BCQC-2 (15-17^th every other month…beginning in February)

ICQC-103 (5^th-7^th every third month…beginning in February)

ICQC-104 (5^th-7^th every third month…beginning in March)

ICQC-105 (5^th-7^th every third month…beginning in January)

I have not yet decided on the dates for the Traditional Quilting Courses or an Specialty Courses. When I do, the 2018 Annual Course Calendar will be adjusted.

So, if you have been waiting for a course…mark your calendars now! As in the past…no advance and no late registrations are accepted. Watch SHAWKL.COM during the calendar registration time-frames for specific instructions on how to register for the current course at that time. 

Also, if you have an idea for a class in crazy quilting techniques...I'd love to hear from you. Just leave me a comment below. I'm thinking about new courses beginning in the Summer...so ideas are welcome. I may not be able to work them into my plan...so no promises...but you just never know. :) Hugs!

Trim Medley

Need trims for crazy quilting or scrapbooking? I just loaded a new item to my Etsy Shop...as I'm de-stashing my trim/ribbon/cording items. The lace trims I posted about a couple of days ago got me in the mood to include trims as well to my shop.

This collection of trims will be cut in 1 yard lengths each. These work wonderfully in crazy quilts and can be couched or sewn into place easily along seams.

All orders will include:
4 pieces of Satin Ribbon
2 pieces of Sparkle Yarn (this will be 3yds long)
2 pieces of Soutache cording
5 pieces of Gimp Braid Trim
(Photographed at the top of this post)
1 piece of Velvet Ribbon (either blue, lime green, or black at random)(Photo above)
4 pieces of Assorted Trims (random selection) (Photo below)

The photos show all of the standard pieces that will be in every order (all items above except the last assorted one). This last photo shows my stash of assorted trims, of which I'll select four at random to include in each order.


The total yardage of trims will be 22 yards...at a cost of 40 cents per yard!

All orders will ship First Class in a small padded envelope. Hugs!

Martha Washington Candies

Working on some candies today..and thought you might also appreciate a recipe and a "tip".

My refrigerator freezer will not hold a lot ...one cookie sheet at a time. So, I have gotten creative and look at the results!

These little stainless steel condiment cups, turned upside-down over four of the candies...make little risers that another cookie sheet can rest on! The little cups are available on Amazon...but you could substitute coffee cups, etc. as long as they can stand the freezer without breaking.

I'm now off to make peanut butter balls...and will add two more trays. These candies both need to freeze so they can be dipped into melted chocolate later tonight.

Beautiful Lace Trims

I just put a new listing in my Etsy Shop. Beautiful lace trims just perfect for crazy quilting or doll making!

These five white lace trims are all rayon so they dye wonderfully! The set will be 1/3 yard of each of the five trims. If you order multiples, I'll cut the order as one long piece rather than individual sets.



You can easily cut some of these apart to create tiny lace motifs (leaves, roses, peacock feathers, etc.) for crazy quilt embellishments.

Each order will be shipped first class in a padded envelope.

Fancy Seam #40

The seams for Page #17 (Seam Designs #41-45) will be stitched by Katie Bock, so remember to check them out at her blog:  Sewing with Katie

Then, see you back here for Seam #46...hugs!

Fancy Seam #39

Fancy Seam #38

Fancy Seam Design #37

Wet on Wet Cookies

I'm still working on "practicing" the art of cookie decorating. This techniques is called "Wet on Wet" because the basic layer of frosting is immediately added to by the 2nd layer of frosting...instead of waiting for the first layer of Royal Frosting to dry.

I like the polka-dots..and can see where this would be cute for a children's party or a baby shower using the correct colors for the party's "theme".

The chevron design is nice...but I still like the polka-dots the best. I need to remember to pop the little air bubbles when finished the decorating...but was so nervous trying the technique that I totally forgot that step! I'd also like to get a "rounder" look to the icing when I float it on the cookie...but at present am just going to be happy that it is not running off the edge!

I'm having the best fun just learning...hope these clearly unprofessional results inspire you to want to bake Christmas Cookies too!

Edited to add:
If you need more food ideas for a party...check out this post about baby shower foods on little angels.org!

Fancy Seam #36