When I'm not sewing...

I'm supposed to be making a table runner...and a mini quilt...and a slip from the 1912 Project...and museum cards (actually I did this already)...and a brochure.  But sometimes, I've just got to take a break from even my favorite things--to do one of my other favorite things.  Baking! 

That's right, I love cooking and baking.  Food just tastes so much better when you make it from scratch.  (Not that I'm opposed to things like eating out occasionally and those fudge covered mint creme oreos.)  I love trying new recipes too.

My sister recently found an absolutely delectable recipe online.  It's so easy.  Take two slices of pound cake.  Butter one side of each.  Take a square of your favorite chocolate (I can recommend the 50% Dark Lindt).  You'll want a griddle/frying pan on medium heat.  Put one piece of cake butter-side down.  Chocolate next.  Then the other piece of cake, butter-side up.  Cook like you would a grilled cheese sandwich.  Serve with fresh fruit and whipped cream.  (Or, if you just happen to be all out of strawberries--so missing June--just whip out the Redi-whip and give it a squirt or two.)

I should warn you--this is addicting.  Especially once you start trying different chocolates and pound cakes.  Yum on soo many levels!

But then I got to thinking...how much better would homemade pound cake taste.  So off I went searching for a great recipe--I found this one on Allrecipes to try.  Total hit, oh yeah.  The main tip is to have your butter, cream cheese and eggs at room temperature.  This recipe is easy and tastes great.  In fact, after making this yesterday this is all that remains:



That was once a bundt pan size cake.  In fairness, we do have five adults here, four of which are chocolate lovers.

 I also found two new food sites that look very promising.  The foodgawker and Cooking Classy.

I also wandered over to the garage sale/fundraiser for some of our junior high kids and found me an almost-full bolt of Waverly fabric.  It's green, striped, kind of twill type, and best of all, only cost $5.  I think Stars is about to get some new bedding for his spot under my sewing table.  :)

DQS12

Whew, got all my partners matched up--just have to click send! 

Better yet, I got my partner email today!!!  Can't wait to find out more about my partner and design a quilt to fit.  This round has a couple of new requirements which I think will really push me creatively.  First, incorporate a solid (non-white) into the quilt, doesn't have to be the background.  Second, each swapper has to choose one of five blocks (flying geese, log cabin, churn dash, drunkard's path or New York beauty) and somehow work that block into the design.  Once again, this round requires at least six blocks in the quilt--of course, they didn't say how those blocks need to be, so you know I'm probably going to color outside the lines.

Round 12 also has some added fun for everyone who is a member, not just those actually swapping this round.  Right now is the Polka Dot Piggies mug rug contest---there will be some lovely fat quarters and such for various prizes.  I'll be making my piggies mug rug while thinking about what I want to design for my partner.

Have a great night--POLKA DOT PIGGIES!!

DQS 12 Arrives!

Sign ups have officially opened for Round 12 of the Doll Quilt Swap!

I can't wait to see the quilts for this round, there is just so much talent in this group.  I hope you quilters all get in there and sign up.  This round I get to be a swap mama and I can tell you we have lots of fun planned for all the swap bebes.  Maybe even some giveaways.  Sign ups only last for a few days and then we mamas have to choose participants and match them with secret partners.  So excited!

Here's a link to the group so you can join the fun whether you choose to sign up for the swap or just follow along with all the fun and giggles we have--either way, we'd love to have you join us!

POLKA DOT PIGGIES!!

DQS 12 The Countdown Begins...

That's right it's almost time for the 12th round of Doll Quilt Swap to begin!  I can't wait! I'm dying to know who I'll get as a swap partner and plan their quilt and package.  (And I can't tell you more than that right now, but stay tuned...)

As some of you know, I had to drop out of round 10 due to extreme illness, and that was a huge disappointment for me.  I love DQS--lots of talent, both old and new, and great camaraderie.  The women (and a few men) are so funny and positive and creative.  It really is unlike any other swap out there.

So, keep an eye out for notice of sign-ups and then join us in the fun--and yes, there will be beginners who are accepted too, so don't be afraid to sign-up and see if you get in.  DQS is not about being perfect or an expert--it's about sharing a love of quilting and pushing your abilities higher!

Mooshy Belly Bunny

Or, as I like to call it...the It's-so-squishy-I'm-going-to-die bunny!  Seriously, you hold this little guy and think "squish, squish".  You...just...can't...help...it.

This little bunny is a pattern from the Chez Beeper Bebe blog.  I used a scrap of oh-so-soft striped jersey knit from my scrap pile and a clean old white t-shirt for the inner ears and tail.  Speaking of tail--check out this softie's cute one!

 How fast is this bunny to make?  Well, I found the pattern, dug for scraps and cut and sewed him all in one part of an evening.  That's pretty quick.  The tutorial is easy to follow too.  Here's a look at his little hand embroidered face.  My mom saw him and claimed him right away.  This was almost a year ago.  It took me a bit to get him back long enough for a few photos and she stood right there the whole time--guess she really likes this little guy.

What a great way to use up scraps and old t-shirts!  Now, I just need to make me one.  But first, I need to go play in the snow that finally arrived--yeah!

Finishing My UFO's

Well, that's the goal for this year anyway.  I know I'll get distracted by new patterns, sew alongs and swaps, but I'm determined to get some of these been-sitting-in-the-to-do-pile-forever projects out of my sewing area. 

First up is this scrap quilt.  It's not quite a twin, but larger than a lap-size.  I just think a quilt should be able to go around you when you're cuddled up reading.  This one finally was handed over to my younger sister (I'm pretty sure she thought I'd never get the binding on.) at the beginning of 2012.  I used denim upcycled from old jeans and homespun plaid scraps with the brushed side out so it feels like flannel.  The batting is Warm and Natural.  I used some Kona (sorry, can't remember which yellow) for the binding.  I knew I'd be quilting this monster myself so I used a lovely lavendar colored sheet (I'm sure there's a long-arm quilter out there cringing right now) for the backing.  This is one very durable quilt. 

I admit, I put it back in the "pile" because I was not happy with the quilting.  Probably my second free-motion attempt ever and I really should have had a bigger space to work because the quilt is heavier from the use of denim and it just kept sliding off the small table and pulling while I was trying to quilt.  VERY frustrating.  Anywho, I was going for something that looked like water on the beach as a wave pulls out because the colors of the homespun reminded me of some of the soft colors on shells.  Probably missed that mark by a mile, but, hey, there it is, right?

So what does a quilt like this cost.  Well, the denim was free as I used old jeans I already had, the homespun I got at a garage sale for $2 a pound from a lady who used to be a quilt shop owner, bought the Kona at 40% off and the sheet was on sale for around $6.  Add that to the batting and thread (both bought on sale) and I think this total quilt cost me around $30.

Another little UFO I found sitting around was this small quilt.  I'd say it's a small lap quilt or maybe a large crib size.  (I've got to start measuring these before I hand them over, because it is kind of tough to get them to hand the quilt back!) 

Made entirely of leftover scraps of minky (which I count as free seems I had to buy them already for another project) and some flannel scraps bought at the $2/pound garage sale.  Originally, I'd planned to using batting and flannel, but the quilt sandwich just didn't have the snuggly drapey-ness I wanted, so...I found one of those 60x60 cuddle blankets you can find in stores like Fred Meyer in orange.  Perfect!  I just cut the edging off and then attached it to my quilt top pillowcase style.  It's so thick I didn't need any sort of batting layer and the weight of both the backing and quilt top combined with the fabric textures keeps the layers together on a quilt this small so I didn't need any quilting or tying to hold it together.  Topstitching around the edge completed this very bright beauty.  It is totally cuddle-ready.  My older sister claimed this one.  Drat.

So there's two down, woohoo!  I've got some more small lap/kid-sized quilts I'm still attaching rows for, but the pile has gone down....a little.

Flippo the Hippo

Introducing....Flippo the Hippo!

Flippo is the latest softie coming from my sewing room.  This cutie is made from McCall's pattern M6484 and is 7" high and 15" long.  I made Flippo using some light weight home decor fabric.  This softie got brown safety eyes and a winter white satin ribbon bow.  This hippo is also squeezable as I didn't stuff completely full--after all, who wants to hug a rock!

Here's Flippo's other side--don't you just love that fabric!  Flippo has a cute little fringe tail made from the coordinating fabric also found on the belly.  So what's the secret for getting such a smooth looking body--fusible fleece (ah, if only it was that easy for humans, lol) which was ironed to all pieces except the tail.

Flippo's belly is also a pink home decor fabric.  I like the smaller print contrasting with the larger motif of the upper body.  It also hides the closure seam very well!  Overall, I love how Flippo turned out and so does my sister, the recipient of this little Christmas gift.