Monday, April 30, 2012

Ten Thousand Quilts

American Hero Quilts has given over 10,000 quilts to injured US military. That's amazing. And sadly, more are needed.

Our quilt group is hosting a  
Community Sew Day and Pot Luck Lunch on Friday May, 11th

We could sure use your help!!

We're working with 9" finished blocks. (That means 9 1/2 inches before it's sewn into the quilt.)
I know it's short notice, but maybe you have time to make a block or two and get them in the mail to me this week. Blocks need to be in red, white and blue. Or red/blue. Or red/white. Or blue/white. Or use ivory or tan  instead of white. Our quilt group is making a variety of star blocks like the Ohio Star in the photo. We can work with whatever you send, as long as there are no metallic or glittered prints.

If you don't have time to piece a block, you can still help out! Send fabric!! It would be awesome to get some red or blue squares already cut to 9 1/2 inches!!

If you're in the area, come join us from 10-2. If you leave me your email, I can send you the mailing address or answer your questions.


Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Color Fields












La Conner, Washington, USA


Have a Wonderful Day!

Friday, April 27, 2012

Cherry Mojito Punch

Dea, one of my awesome daughters-in-law, hosted a baby shower recently. Here is the refreshing punch she served.

Cherry Mojito Punch
Frozen Limeade
Sparkling Water
Fresh Mint
Marachino Cherries (or use raspberries or strawberries)
Put mint and cherries in pitcher along with a splash of sparkling water and muddle. 
Add limeade.
Add two can measures of water.
Add approximately two can measures of sparkling water or to taste. 
Add ice and enjoy! 


Make it a Wonderful Day!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Four Square Quilt

 A finish!
 When my quilt group had a block exchange, I asked for these easy 5-piece blocks in red and aqua. I didn't have a plan for the layout, but this is what I came up with...four squares of four blocks with a chain of floating blocks around them.




The quilt measures 47 inches square, and was expertly machine quilted by Terry.
 The back is pieced to use the extra blocks.


 I think it's going to stay here at our house, over the back of  small painted wicker loveseat in our bedroom. Our bedroom has a cheddar accent wall and red and aqua accessories. (Yes, we went with bright-sunny-wake-up-colors rather than a calm and restful palette ...we need more help waking up than calming down with our many grey and rainy days!)


This quilt will be ready for the grands when they come and visit!


Make it a wonderful day!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Nutella Cheesecake

Worth every calorie!

This delicious Nutella Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache and Toasted Hazelnuts is one of my new favorites! I found the recipe here 


Rich. Creamy. Nutty. Crunchy. Oh. So. Good.

 Nutella Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache and Toasted Hazelnuts (slightly adapted from The Picky Apple)

Crust:

  • 1 3/4 cups chocolate cookie crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
Filling:
  • 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 (13 ounce) jar Nutella
Topping:
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1  cups toasted hazelnuts, chopped
 Crust:
 Preheat oven, 350 degrees F. In a small mixing bowl, combine crust ingredients. Pat gently into the bottom of springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.
 Filling:
Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla extract with electric mixer until just combined. Add egg yolks and egg, beat on low until just combined. Add milk and Nutella and mix completely. Pour filling into springform pan. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Place springform pan on a cookie sheet in oven. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, or until center appears set when shaken lightly. Cool on a wire rack.
 Topping:
Bring cream to a boil. Pour over chocolate chips. Stir until smooth. Spread evenly over top of cheesecake. Sprinkle toasted hazelnuts over chocolate. Refrigerate cheesecake for at least 4 hours to set.
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Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

We Do Green

Happy Earth Day

Have a Wonderful Day!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Quilt for a Big Apple Baby

 My daughter and her husband live in New York City. Yes, it's way too far away. Especially when she's having a baby. 

 

She's having a boy, but she doesn't like baby blue.
 

 So I made her a charcoal and turquoise zigzag quilt. 36x 44.

 
Hand quilted with perle cotton. 
Utility sitched. (That's just another way to say my stitches are gigantic and uneven...)

 

 

Any ideas for boy baby names? :D

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!





Have a Wonderful Day!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

March Quilters

Our Quilt Group met again this month, and here are a few highlights...

The quilt top above is one by me- green scapiness and shot cottons in grey, rust and green. Terrible photo, but maybe when I get around to quilting it, I'll post a better pic!

And below in Marsha's Big Circles Quilt- they are bigger than our usual circles, and they are appliqued on a whole cloth that she had already quilted. Then the circles were added and quilted too. Love it.
 Here is Janet's red and white quilt top, made from the pinwheels we made for her when it was her month to request blocks... LOVE the sawtooth border that ties it all together.She asked us what she should use for binding...I vote red....

 Helen brought the adorable wall hanging she made for one of her grandgirls. So sweet!



 Nan made this sweater bag after seeing them all over France. She couldn't find one to buy so she made her own from a repurposed sweater...


We always have a great time talking over each other and being inspired by each other and then sharing a great meal too!  Thank you Janet for hosting!



Make it a Wonderful Day!

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Spring is Springing...









Have a Wonderful Day!