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Tuesday, 31 December 2013

2013 has been a year of ups and downs. Although we lost both my Grandmother and my husband's Grandfather, our niece was born in March, and two engagements mean two weddings next summer. It feels like I've been pregnant for ever but we are looking forward to meeting our baby daughter - she's due in just 6 weeks. Work has been challenging but I'm lucky to have worked with a fantastic group of people and my maternity leave has now started. And of course through everything I have been sewing....

I have completed 5 large quilts (some considerably larger than others...)
Daniela's Quilt; Pac Mania; Medallion Quilt; Steph's Quilt; Debs's Quilt
Nine Baby Quilts
Murmurations; Stepping Stones; Baby Blue; Indian Summer; Bubbles; EJ's Plus Quilt; Rhubarb and Custard; Baby's Quilt; Baby Paws.

And lots of smaller projects
Paper Plane mug rug; Pepper Coasters; Block Keeper; Swap Cushion; Pembrokeshire Mini; Triangle Place Mats; Christmas Table Runners; Teddy Bear; Batik Wall-Hanging; Linen Bag; Christmas Tree Table Runner; Hexagon Table Runner; Star Place Mats

I've taken part in three bees

And I still have lots of WIPs
My own BOM; Dear Jane; Lucky Stars; Ferris Wheel EPP; City Sampler; Amish with a Twist; Sisters BOM (nearly a UFO); Aspen Frost; Mini Swoon; Fireworks; Skill Builder BOM; Joy Jelly Roll Quilt; Double Wedding Ring (not pictured)
And a couple of UFOs
Vignette; Three Peaks; Neon Stained; Strings and Hexies

A massive thanks has to go to Leanne for hosting the Finish Along this year. Without that encouragement I'm sure I would have fewer finishes! Also thanks to Lee for WIP Wednesday each week and Lynne for her monthly reviews (which I will link to tomorrow).
Lily's Quilts

Also linking with Anne at Play Crafts (if you don't know Anne, you should by and look up her Dragon Quilt of Doomity Doom Doom Doom!)

Year In Review

And for 2014: lots of plans for new quilts in between feeds, nappies and everything else that will come with Baby.

I wish you all of you a fantastic 2014!

Monday, 30 December 2013

City Sampler - a few more blocks

This was one of the projects on my Finish Along list - not a chance. But today I got a lovely parcel of fabric including the sashing and backing for this quilt so I pulled it out again and took stock: I had made up to block 65 and cut the fabric for most of the remaining blocks. So this afternoon I cut the remaining fabric, had a nap, and started piecing. Warning: there are a lot of photos coming up...

No. 66: Aunty Catherine. This is a block for my Aunt, my Dad's sister.

The fabrics are Kona Regatta, Kona Periwinkle and a batik.

No. 67: Weardale. If you head south from here you hit the River Tyne and then the River Derwent and eventually the River Wear (pronounced like Weir). It's absolutely beautiful and was the location for a sewing retreat back in September. After a rough few months (before and after) with my pregnancy, it was so good to spend a weekend sewing, chatting with good friends and eating lovely food.

The fabrics are Art Gallery Oval Elements, Art Gallery Modernology and Kona Ice Frappe.

No. 68: Violet: this one is for my maternal Grandmother, Violet. She died when I was just 8 years old, but I have some wonderful memories of her.

The fabrics are Acacia, Kona Midnight and Kona Carnation.

No. 69: Barton-le-Clay: This is the village where I grew up, right at the end of the Chilterns. The fabrics are slightly inappropriate as it's difficult to get further from the sea in the UK....

The fabrics are Salt Water, Kona Lime and Kona Asparagus.

No. 70: It's a girl: Well that's what the scans say... if it turns out to be a boy he'll be wearing a lot of pink!

The fabrics are Art Gallery Pure Elements Lipgloss, Kona Carrot and Art Gallery Splendor.

No. 71: Fireworks: I made this one a few weeks/months ago to celebrate Guy Fawkes night in the UK.

The fabrics are a Summer Island Batik and a Kona Pmoegranate.

No. 72: Ullswater: Ullswater is my favourite lake in the Lake District - we visited when we were there in October and it is just a few miles away from Patterdale, where my Grandmother lived during the Second World War.

The fabrics are Blooms and Bursts from Studio E fabrics; Kona Pear and Art Gallery Pure Elements Parisian Blue.

No. 73: Datchworth: The name of the village where my Grandparents lived when I was young. Although I have lots of memories of the cottage, I have far more of the garden, which was huge and perfect for hide and seek. It's a place I've been thinking of a lot since we lost my Grandmother recently. Especially the connection between Datchworth and my sewing past...

The fabrics are Nana's Garden from Red Rooster and Kona Lime.

No. 74: Tommy: Tommy was Michael's Granddad who passed away in October this year. Baby lost two Great-Grandparents in as many months this year.

The fabrics are Snow Queen from Northcott and a dark blue with a slight marble from my stash.

No. 75: Phil and Jane: One for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, though given the colours, probably more for Jane than Phil!

The fabrics are Art Gallery Bohemian Soul, Kona Carnation and Kona Brt Pink.

and No. 76: Stotfold: This is the village my Mum is from. My Grandparents lived there along with a huge amount of extended family.

The fabrics are a print from my stash, which was one of the very first fat quarters I ever bought, with Kona Asparagus, Kona Daffodil and Pearl Bracelets.

So I'm now 76% completed....

Batik Wall Hanging [a finish]

On 23rd December I had my final Christmas finish! The batik wall hanging for Mum nearly beat me....

This project came out of a conversation in September 2011. I had started playing with bias applique - a Celtic Knot block, and was playing with batiks for my Farmer's Wife quilt and Mum put the two together... "wouldn't it be nice if....."

I made a start in early 2012 and it was a total disaster. I tried using calico as a base and then used fabric glue to roughly attach the batiks to the calico then started stitching on the home made bias tape. Well, everything moved. I didn't get very far. It got shoved to the bottom of the drawer and I ignored it for a bit.

In October 2012 I was reminded of it again. Pulled it out. Decided what I had done could not be saved. Started again. This time I pieced the batiks in the traditional way, cutting accurately, quarter-inch seam... etc. and ended up with this.

Then I made up some bias tape and started adding it to every seam....

...I got sick pretty quickly and it got put back in a drawer.

Fast forward to Summer 2013 and I saw some pre-made bias tape in a patchwork shop. I knew it existed before hand, but this time the shop had black in stock, rather than having to order online. I bought ten metres. And then continued to ignore the project until about 3 months ago. I did a bit more. Then other hand stitching projects took priority. A week before Christmas I decided to finish it. I have these stupid thoughts occassionally.

I stitched non stop for two days.

I crossed my fingers as I got close to the end of the pre-made tape, praying I wouldn't have to get out the mini iron and tape maker. I was 24" spare in the end! Given that the first part of the wall hanging was made with home made bias tape, I reckon this has used about 10m of tape, hand-stitched on both sides, along every single seam line. All of the raw ends are tucked under another length of tape or finished with the final binding.

Of course, applique causes crinkling, so the stitching was followed with some tender loving pressing, and then I layered it up and bound it. I love the batik on the back - you need a larger area to really show the colours and pattern and this was perfect.

I had planned to hand quilt round random sections, but when I started it looked awful. I liked the flatness of the unquilted wall-hanging so eventually decided not to quilt it at all. The finished wall hanging is 15" x 23" and it will never be washed or handled very much, so I risked it.

It was wrapped up under the tree ready for Mum on Christmas day and she loved it. This was a bit of a labour of love, and if it hadn't been for Mum this may not have ever been finished. I'm glad it is.

Next week I will be linking up with the final Quarter Finish Along for this project. And I really hope to have a couple of other finishes to share between now and then. Mum and Dad have just left after Christmas, and we have no other plans for next week or so - other than a scan tomorrow afternoon, so there are two more projects I would like to see finished this year (or maybe in the first week of next year). Because obviously I have a few new projects lined up to start.

she can quilt

I have projects left to finish for next year too - so I'm already thinking about my list for the first Quarter with Katy.
Finish Along 2014

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Merry Christmas

The lull before the storm! Mum and dad have arrived, presents are wrapped, tree is decorated and the rest of the family is en route. And the Snowman and the Snowdog has just started on the telly.

In this moment of peace I thought I'd share a quick tutorial with you. I posted a picture of my finished Christmas Tree table runner on Facebook and some friends asked for the pattern. So without making another one, and using just the photos I took when I made it, here is the briefest of brief tutorials...

I started with 16 squares of low volume prints of a creamy persuasion rather than a grey persuasion. In hindsight I would have selected lower volume prints than those I did use. I pieced them together in pairs and then created the background of the table runner.

Then I raided my scrap boxes. Green strips, red scraps and yellow scraps. I drew some stars on scraps of iron on interfacing and used it to attach the stars at regular points along the table runner. This was the only time I used interfacing because of the delicate points.

I laid out the green strips under the stars - four strips per tree. I trimmed them and replaced them. And then trimmed them again and swapped them around until I was happy and added a red pot at the bottom of each tree. I struggle with this kind of improv-y-ness, but I laid them out, made a cup of tea and walked away for a bit. I came back and was happy enough so I got out the fabric glue and roughly stuck them in place.

I used coordinating thread and shortened my stitch length and put on a clear foot and stitched round each of the shapes no more than 1/8" from the edge. I started with the stars. Constant handling and turning and rolling up meant that some of the green came lose before I got to stitch it, and I just popped a few pins in.

Then lots of trimming... ends of thread, fraying edges....

I layered it up with an offcut of Christmassy fabric on the back, then quilted. I started off by quilting organic lines across the width of the table runner approximately two inches apart. Then I quilted half way between the lines and then halfway again and again and again. The end result was quilted lines approximately 1/8" - 1/4" apart and slightly wavy.

Bound and finished!

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas!

Friday, 20 December 2013

Christmas is coming....

... and I've finished work today. Not just for Christmas but for maternity leave. I don't think it has really sunk in yet - maybe when I don't have to go back to work after Christmas it will feel more real....

In the meantime I have finished some hand made Christmas decorations. These will be winging their way to some Bee mates who have had to wait rather a long time for their blocks... a couple of them will get this hopefully just in time for Christmas, the other possibly not....

I got some Christmassy scraps and started with some crazy patchwork with a piece of calico in the middle. I quilted as I went and crossed my fingers, as crazy / improv patchwork isn't my forte. Once it was pieced I drew a Christmas motif and got out the perle thread. The holly is backstitch and the berries are lots of French knots - I nearly regretted this half way through as it was a lot of French knots but I love the texture it created. The Christmas tree is chain stitch, backstitch, a star-ish thingy, and some threaded running stitch.

Just need to finish the actual bee blocks now...

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

WIP Wednesday [Christmas sewing]

It may only be a week till Christmas but more importantly it's only 2 more days left in the office until my maternity leave starts!

But Christmas is what the sewing is all about round here! At the weekend I finished a Christmassy table runner - you can read more about it here, but I wanted to share it again because I just love it. A couple of friends have asked for the destructions so with enough naps maybe a tutorial will appear!

The WIPS are also Christmassy and just as spur of the moment as the table runner. This is as far as I have got - do you see a theme? Improv (well, improv for me anyway), dense straight line quilting.... I got these three to this stage yesterday and it was such good fun - I sewed straight onto the wadding and quilted as I went and made it up as I went. Each will have some embroidery in the middle... but what will they be?

The other big WIP this week is the batik wall hanging for my Mum - I still have hopes it will be done for Christmas... she knows all about it so I can share it here - just pretend to look surprised next week if I do finish it in time, Mum! Although it doesn't look like much progress has been made since the last time I showed you, all of the black that was "attached" last time (about three quarters of what you can see here) is now sewn down and the final quarter is half sewn. Once that is done I'm over half way....

Do you think I need to unpick and straighten those wonky lines?

But there may not be much more progress tonight on anything... I really need to get round to writing my Christmas cards.....

Linking up with WIP Wednesday.

Merry Christmas and see you for WIP Wednesday in the new year!

Sunday, 15 December 2013

Tables Runners - four finishes!

I have four finished table runners to share today - three very different designs and techniques!

First up is a finish that qualifies for the Finish Along - and has appeared on my list a few times now. I finally can share the finished piece with you. This was the very first English Paper Pieced project I ever started. It was my holiday project for Sidmouth in August 2012 and the colour scheme was inspired by a palette I found on Design Seeds.

The fabrics are a bit of a mixture: lots of Art Gallery, some beautiful low volume texty fabrics and some proper black fabrics! The background is Primitive Muslin from Moda, the backing is Nature Elements from Art Gallery and the binding is Floral Elements from Art Gallery.

I finished piecing the hexies months ago and did the applique when I stayed in Budapest in March.

 Basting was interesting. And possibly a contributing factor in my current bad back! It took a lot of time to decide how to quilt it, but I decided hand quilting was in keeping with the rest of the project. I used Finca Perle no. 16 in a very pale pink and bought myself a Hera Marker - how did I live without one for so long!

I even finished off the binding by hand - I haven't done that for a while!

Come the end of the month I will be linking up this post with the Finish Along...

she can quilt

In the meantime I have three more table runners with a more festive theme... the first two are the same design. I wanted to thank two of the lovely ladies at the Church craft club who have made me booties and a little cardigan for baby. I can't knit to save my life and Ruth has made it very clear to me that she can't sew (and is scared of the sewing machine). So this was an obvious way of thanking her and Marion.

The block is Love in the Mist  (you can find the tutorial here) and it's still one of my favourite basic patchwork blocks. I wanted the table runners to be Christmassy but not too Christmassy, so I picked reds and greens, but not with a Christmas print. These fabrics (mostly from the Women of Courage collections from Windham) are a million billion miles out of my normal comfort zone but just right for the recipients. It took a long time to pick the background fabric, because I really didn't like it on the bolt, and Nicola, from my LQS, who helped me pick the fabrics, was determined it was the one. She was right. As usual... (don't tell her I said that).

The two table runners are slightly different lengths as I used different seams as my starting point when trimming the pointy ends. The free motion quilting stipple was just right for the traditional design and despite a tiny little issue was relatively smooth.

The binding made my head hurt - funny angles.... baby brain.... not a good mix. The backing was a good quality sheet from John Lewis which I have on hand to back small projects!

The final table runner is another festive one - this is for me and was inspired by this mug rug I found on Pinterest and all of the matchstick quilting that Leanne has been playing with!

I picked out random low volume fabrics - though in hindsight they should have been lower volume - and did some raw edge applique to attach fabrics for the trees. This was pretty close to improv for me and I really struggled to let go and just let it happen. But I'm really pleased with this spur of the moment project.

I'd been meaning to try matchstick quilting for a long time, and this was the perfect project to try it on. I think this won't be the last time... and the backing is a leftover from the quilt I made last Christmas for a friend - it was the perfect size!

I hope my husband doesn't think he can use these to put his beer cans on...


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Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Wildflowers [a finish]

I've finished another mini! And I'm prettyr surprised by this finish too to tell you the truth. I was feeling pretty uninspired at the start of the quarter, but as we started to pack up the house I found it and decided I still liked it and this was an achievable finish!

I started it last August, not long after the pattern appeared in Love Patchwork and Quilting Issue 11 and was designed by Rebecca at Bryan House Quilts. I decided it would make a great holiday sewing project for our summer holiday in Devon and I used a Design Seeds image to pick my colour scheme and raided my stash for the fabrics. It's all pieced using the EPP technique and I think it took me longer to baste the pieces than it did to join them together.

By the time we drove back up the A1 after our holiday it was pieced! And then I ignored it for a while. Until I got round to piecing the back...

There was quite a lot of large pieces of waste fabric from when I trimmed rectangles cut from yardage to fit the funny EPP shapes. I kept it all and improv pieced it to make a strip in the backing. The rest of the backing is a vintage pillow case I picked up in a Sidmouth charity shop for 50p - one side was hideously faded, but the other side was perfect - in condition and in how well it matched this project - I just had to make a it a bit bigger! There was a point when I couldn't decide if this would be the back or another mini!

So when I picked it up again last week I was surprised to finish the quilting in just a couple of evenings. I used #16 perle thread in dark purple around each star. I then added binding.... which it turns out is a slightly different purple to the background...never mind.
This picture shows the colours better than the first

Hope there is a lot of wall space in the new house!!! This mini was on my Finish Along list at the start of the quarter!

2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

Friday, 27 March 2015

Love [a finish]

When Vicky and Karl first got engaged, I said that I would love to make them a full size lap or bed quilt, they just needed to let me know what they liked. They picked out this pin from Pinterest and my heart sank. It's pretty boring isn't it.... I know marsala is quite brown and that's the colour of the year... but it's still brown. Lots of brown. A little negotiation ensued and I offered to make this as mini with an open offer of a larger quilt at some point in the future.

The "engraved" details are hand embroidered in DMC stranded cotton and I've then used reverse applique to add the "bark". It's not a smooth heart because although I have never engraved a heart on a tree, I imagine it's pretty hard to get it smooth.... right? Also, it's quite a difficult shape to get smooth using the technique I did....

I used Aurifil 40 weight to do some wood-grain quilting and just scraped together enough scraps of the remaining brown fabric to add a narrow binding - this was a bit hairy - as I got closer and closer to the end I was sure I wouldn't have enough...it was so tight that I didn't trim either end when I joined the ends. I have no intention of cutting it that fine again. Please remind me to plan bindings better - I get to that point and then wonder what the hell to do as I don't keep much in my stash bigger than a fat quarter and for any quilt bigger than a mini, a fat quarter just doesn't cut it! The back is my favourite Ikea print. Intentionally sideways... honest.

This was on my Finish Along list at the start of the quarter and to be honest I didn't really expect to be a finish at the end of the quarter... quite a nice little surprise!

2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

Wednesday, 25 March 2015

WIP Wednesday [binding]

My WIP is all about binding at the moment... I've nearly finished binding my UK mini swap

I've started binding the "brown one"

I've just attached binding to the "purple one"

I'm really hoping for a few finishes soon - these three minis are so close!
And Mia is also sharing WIP Wednesday - the scraptastic edition!

This little fruitcake took her first few steps yesterday!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday

Monday, 23 March 2015

Moccasin Block of the Month [3]

Three moths in and I am still keeping up to date with this block of the month. It might be some kind of record!

Last month we just made one block because of the curved piecing. Curved piecing doesn't really bother me so it meant an easy month.... to make up for it, this month there are three blocks. And although half square triangles are nice and straightforward, there were quite a lot of them...

I made two shoo-fly blocks

And a crows foot block

When I planned out my colours for this quilt, I took each of the colours in the original and lined it up with a colour from my palette. For the last two months it's taken me longer to work out the colours than to cut and piece the fabric. So this month, after the first 20 minutes of trying to work it out I decided to chuck out that method and just pick fabric combinations I liked!

Friday, 20 March 2015

Preppy the Whale [a {lovely} finish]

It's been a fair few months in the works this quilt. But it is finally finished and it has to be one of the coolest quilts I've ever made. I can take little credit for that, however, as it's mostly down to the fabulous pattern by Elizabeth Hartman. Let's be honest, I've even stolen her fabric placement.

The whales are all made from solids, all except one are Kona solids - a bright pink Art Gallery slipped in to make up the numbers!

The quilting is quick and simple cross hatch at 3" intervals.

The binding was very nearly a disaster. I cut the binding fabric in advance, making use of the rarest of events - a clear cutting table. And then a couple of weeks passed. And then we did some packing. And of course, the binding I had cut disappeared entirely. I even unpacked boxes looking for, but it is gone.  So the next step was to pull out the remaining fabric. I looked at it, laughed in desparation and shoved it back in the box - there was no way I could get enough binding out of it. And my Kona colour card is packed, so I couldn't match it (and that box was at the bottom of the pile). It also meant I couldn't colour match any of the whales as an alternative. I pulled out the piece of fabric and remeasured. If I shrunk the binding to just 2" cut I could get just enough out. So I did. When i came to joining the two ends together I trimmed just 2" off. Phew. And I really like the narrow binding in the end!

This will be winging its way to the baby who is now 6 months old in the next few days! Better late than never. In order to push this quilt to the top of the priority pile, I set this as my goal for March for A Lovely Year of Finishes (link up no. 43)...

...and it's also on my Finish Along List for Q1!

2015 FAL at On the Windy Side

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Tuesday Club

**I'm totally using this post to share random photos you've all seen before!**

I missed posting for WIP Wednesday yesterday. I like to try and to do this each week as it means I check in regularly and I also post about things in progress, not just finishes, as I have fallen into the habit of mostly just posting about finishes... but life sometimes gets in the way: Michael was out of the country with work, Mia decided not to go back to sleep after her 4am bottle and I had a commitment on Tuesday night that left me exhausted - but in a good way!
At the end of the talk, people came up to me to tell me which quilt was their favourite - I think this one got the most votes: it currently lives folded up in a cupboard but on the basis of Tuesday night, it's now going to live with Linda!

My mother-in-law, Linda, is an active member of the local Methodist Church and attends Tuesday Club. Apparently it use to be called the Young Wives, but as my mother-in-law is one of the youngest there (and she just celebrated a significant birthday herself), they went for a name change! It's a bit like the WI - they sing a couple of hymns, spend some time in prayer, and have a guest speaker. And this Tuesday I was it!
Neon Stained was another favourite

It's been in my diary for nearly 9 months, but by a stroke of bad luck, Michael was sent away with work at exactly the same time. I meant I walked out of the house on Tuesday night with my daughter screaming in the arms of my cousin who had come to babysit. It can't have been too bad, because she still wants her for a sleepover!

And the shear size of this quilt made it quite popular too

I decided to give a short potted history of my life as a sewer - cross stitch, embroidery and then quilting, and then to show them some of the various techniques I use, before talking about the importance of the quilting community online. And at every step I got to show them some quilts.

Some of my old cross stitch got an outing!

It took me ages to collect up all the quilts and cushions about the house - we use a lot of them every day, so most had to also go through the washing machine before I dared share them! I had my notes, I had the quilts in order, I had four big bags... I was set.

During the talk my mother-in-law and Aunty-in-law held up the quilts as my glamorous assistants and the 40 or so ladies all ooo-ed and aaah-ed in the right places. It was absolutely lovely to share all of my quilts, and to see them being enjoyed by others. And it was quite a surprise to me just how many I had when I put them all together. Now I simply have the problem of three large bags of quilts in the dining room....and where did I put the zippy pouch with all my hand sewing in it?

Friday, 13 March 2015

I love earrings. I'm not in any way slim or petite, so the clothes I want to wear hardly ever fit, so I make up for it with earrings. And that means I have quite the collection. A couple of years ago I made myself a travel roll for my earrings, with the intention of making something more usable for when I'm at home. Well of course, that never happened, the earrings stayed in the roll. Or rather on the roll because I never bothered to put them away properly.

Fast forward to last week when I had a huge pile of earrings, hair accessories, bracelets and necklaces (which I rarely wear) in the middle of my dressing table. I was late for work and could not find a pair of earrings for love nor money. I forgot to take a picture of it at it's worst, but we'll call this the before picture!

Back when I originally had the idea I had bought the frame I needed and the ribbon I needed and they were all carefully packed away. I even found them. Originally I had intended low volume hexagons as the background, then that became squares, and in the end I found a beautiful fabric I had forgotten about and made the whole thing from a single piece.

And this was the result. The after picture at the top of the post. Much prettier, much tidier and most importantly running-very-late-friendly! Why did I wait two years when this took me just under an hour?

Thursday, 12 March 2015

It's shipping - my gravity quilt kit is on it's way! And the ruler I need has already arrived. All I need now is a quilt-along.... oh wait! Myra at Busy Hands Quilt has just announced she'll be organizing one!

Anyone else want to join in?

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

WIP Wednesday [juggling]

Right now it feels like I'm juggling a hundred balls and nearly dropping them: work is hard - I'm a new project manager and learning on my feet a lot of the time. At home we're juggling solicitors, packing, paperwork, and keeping on top of the washing! Not to mention squeezing in as much as possible to spend with our little monster.

All of that doesn't leave much time for sewing... but I find I have to fit some in - a day is better if some sewing happens. So I'm working on little bits and even here I feel like I'm juggling lots of little projects.

I'm still quilting the girl with the umbrella - I've made a little progress...

...I've basted the woodland cushion and dug out the perle threads tonigh - I need bright pink...

...I've attached the binding to my UK mini swap quilt, but haven't sewn it down yet...

...and Preppy is basted and marked up, but I think I'm out of light grey thread...

So far I'm happy to report that no balls have been dropped (or at least, no one has noticed if I have dropped one). A couple of close shaves - I nearly forgot to take my car for it's MOT today!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday

Monday, 9 March 2015

Patchwork City Mini Mini

A while back, I explained why I had trouble falling in love with my Patchwork City, and mentioned that I would love to try a mini version of it. Well once I'd put it out there I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so instead of working on one of my many on-going projects, I cut up some yellows and greys and went for it: a fair few of the pieces end up at just 1/2" wide (and a couple at 1/4").

My plan for this year is to have a different mug rug on my desk at work each month, then after that month add them to the wall of minis that I will have in our new house. My three Patchwork City blocks, with a bit of sashing and a border cam in at 9.5" x 9.5" - perhaps a little large for a mug rug but I don't care.

I finished the mug rug off with some hand-quilting in yellow perle thread around each of the blocks. I then machine stitched the narrow binding to the back, and brought it round to the front where I hand stitched it in place with the same yellow thread and a running stitch.And the backing is a great print from Comma by Zen Chic which I love but is quite a large scale print I've been struggling to use! And that I've also forgotten to photograph...

This was also a great dry run for my planned black sashing on my full size quilt. Whilst I like it, I may try this again with a dark grey sashing and compare the too. Today was my first day at work with this little addition on my desk and you know what - I want more. I want a whole quilt of these tiny little blocks.

Saturday, 7 March 2015

Distracted by pretty fabric [foxes and racoons]

Does it ever happen to you? Random fabrics, accidentally placed next to each other on a shelf, which are simply a match made in heaven!? Those heavens aligned with these fabrics: the fox and raccoon print (the selvage says it's a Timeless Treasures print) was a very generous extra in the Whimsical Woodland Mug Rug swap parcel I received from Alison (@alisonwhite31 on Instagram).

The coral from Modern Neutrals (the inner log top left) was a recent purchase at our LQS, bought with no project in mind - I just liked it. And they were perfect for each other. So I shopped my stash and found a few other coordinating fabrics: Art Gallery Natural Elements, Fossil Fern, Kona solids, Figures by Zen Chic, a Lu Summers print....

I knew right from the start that I would make log cabins. I did all the cutting, then sat and pieced. The first two blocks went together beautifully. And then I got cocky. I had finished block three before I realised that not only had I twirled my log cabin anti-clockwise rather than clockwise, but the raccoon was back in Australia with Alison - upside down. I wasn't planning on taking the entire block apart, so I'm resigned to the anti-clockwise twirl, but the raccoon was surgically unpicked and re-inserted with least unpicking possible! You can only tell if you look very closely! And block four headed in the same direction, but I twigged early enough to unpick as I went.

I need to decide how to quilt this now - hand quilting with perle thread of machine quilting? If I go with the latter, it either needs to get done this weekend, or realistically wait until after the impending move...

Friday, 6 March 2015

Sashiko Zippy Pouch

My sister-in-law is a Japanophile.... she likes things Japanese (it is a real word - I looked it up). Back in the autumn Mum and I visited a local quilt show and saw some some zippy pouches with Sashiko embroidery on. I've done Sashiko embroidery once before, at the Harrogate quilt show, taught by a Japanese lady who spoke no English. I really enjoyed it and the next time I saw a kit, I bought one.

I decided to dig out the kit, and make my sister-in-law a Sashiko zippy pouch. But could I find that kit. I have searched high and low and it remains elusive. In came Jo (My Bear Paw) to save the day with a perfectly timed Sashiko project in Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I say perfectly timed, but said sister-in-law's birthday was on January 1st. As you can probably tell, this is a belated present. In my defence, this weekend is the first time I will have seen her since her birthday!

It was further belated when I saw the new Japanese-inspired Cotton and Steel prints. I had to wait until these were available, and I originally intended to use the navy mountain print as a lining, but when it came it was far too pretty, to put on the inside, so I've used it on the back, and dug out my favourite lining colour of the moment - bright coral pink. I hope she doesn't mind a splash of colour!

I made up the zippy pouch using my own measurements: 11.5" x 8.5" for the front and back panels and the lining panels, and then I box the corners by measuring 1.5" from the corner and stitching a straight line across, then trimming. I add tabs to the end of my zips using a great tutorial from Very Berry Handmade.

I can happily report that it was well received and is destined to become a wash bag.

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

WIP Wednesday [nursery hoops II]

I introduced you to this little project a couple of weeks ago. I prepared and stitched three or four in a relatively short space of time, then I started on the French knot hoop and progress slowed. Here's the current state of that particular monster:

This little hoop seemed to be a bit of a roadblock, so rather than waiting to finish it before starting some more, yesterday I started another one:

I've loved this foundation pieced design since Juliet released it and this was the perfect excuse to have a try. I reduced the pattern to 70% so it fit in a hoop and used some Kona solids and a new purple fabric. It seemed to take forever to work out the size of the pieces of fabric I needed, cut the fabric, and trace the pattern (I use freezer paper for my foundation patterns and can't be bothered to work out how to print on it, so I trace the patterns and it doesn't really take too long). But by bedtime yesterday I had my finished girl with a brolly. I cut two lots of fabric, as I intend to make myself a little matching mug rug. Tonight I've used the rest of the light blue fat quarter and put her in a hoop. I'm going to add a bit of quilting (though I've only added interfacing not batting).

And the next hoop will involve buttons!

I still have loads of idea (and less and less time before the move on 4th April - we haven't started packing our house yet!), so watch this space for some more hoops soon. Oh yes, and this happened today. Must. Not. Start. Yet.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday

Monday, 2 March 2015

A Lovely Year of Finishes [March goal]

I've had a browse through the remainder of my Finish Along list for Q1 and picked out a quilt I really should finish: it's a baby quilt, but if I take much longer, the recipient won't be a baby any more... Preppy the Whale needs to be swimming off into the distance!

All of the whales are pieces and yesterday I started working on the sashing - I really don't enjoy sashing, so it hasn't moved as quickly as it could have done.

Normally I go out to sew on a Monday evening and I often use these few hours to layer up quilts, but next week I won't be going so I need to work out how to get this done. And how to get it marked - I'm going to quilt a cross hatch grid, but find I get better results if I mark each line, rather than relying on quilting guides. And then life will get very busy with the house move, so this month could be one where I don't achieve my goals. Pop back in a few weeks to find out!

Linking up with A Lovely Year of Finishes
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Sunday, 1 March 2015

February [in review]

Where the hell did February disappear to? I did not get enough sewing time last month.  And when I don't sew I get grumpy. The move is creeping up on us - just a month to go - and I'm dreaming of the end of April when I will have my sewing space set up again and fewer commitments. That thought, and my "things I want to make" list are keeping me going!

And although sewing time was less than optimal, I did get a few things finished: a baby quilt...

...a hooded towel for Mia (and I bought some more flannel to make another two)...

...two bibs for Mia (I want to make at least another 8 as they are so much better than the shop-bought ones)

...three sets of blocks for Patchwork City (teal, curry [below] and buttercup)

...lots of hand sewing: hoops for Mia's nursery...

...fiddly, obnoxious clamshells...

... I've kept on track with the Moccasin BOM ( and March just landed in my inbox)...

...I had a ball trying out thread sketching...

...and possibly my greatest achievement: a hat!

There were other things too, but it turns out I had even less time for blogging, so I'm preparing some catch up posts for the next few days.

Linking up with Fresh Sewing Day

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Friday, 6 January 2012

Kitsch blogversary swap

Yesterday was my blogversary- Four Years of rambling, four years of creating and four years of new friends and exciting contacts. It has been so much fun and a great way to collect my thoughts and kindle ideas. To celebrate I fancy a swap- do you? I fancy a kitsch swap, four items, at least one handmade, U.K only because, lets face it we're all a bit hard up for big postie bills.
Sign up please by January 14th and be ready to post by the 29th of February. Names below in the comments if you fancy it, please make sure I can reply to you and please make sure you're happy to follow it up, I don't want any swap disappointments!
Kitsch is open to personal interpretation but I reckon generally if it has a flamingo on it- or a pink kitten or a rose and some glitter you're on the right track- and if it has all of these please send to me immediately! This is meant to be a very frivolous fun swap- full of tack and charity shop treasure- let's brighten the dull days and make new friends!

As a thank you for your continued support and visits I want to make an extra kitsch parcel for one lucky (?) reader so please leave a comment simply saying 'giveaway' if you want to go into the shell encrusted bowl for that one. I will draw it when I reach 100 followers, I am only two off so this could be very quick!

Giveaway & Swap - count me in.
I have a perfect little make to make, and will go in search of chartiy kitch! Its a shame boot fairs have yet to get under way....

gill said...

Giveaway please!
Congratulations on nearly reaching 100 followers!

Daisie said...

Giveaway and Swap and happy bloggiversary!! x

Griffin said...

So nice of those squirrels to give that drunk gnome a lift home... Kitsch scares me. I am working on scaring it...!


text:
About the recipes...

All recipes and ideas contain ingredients from the new IC diet "safe" list. Also, all ingredients are either low-oxalate content, or in small enough amounts where they can be considered low-oxalate. If there are any ingredients that don't fit these criteria, I have labled them, and you have the option to omit them from the dish. Enjoy!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Reinventing Leftovers

There's nothing I love more than the good 'ol open-face turkey sandwich smothered in gravy and stuffing the day after Thanksgiving, but even that can get old after a couple of days.  Last year I came across a wonderful holiday leftover recipe for an easy turkey pot-pie.  When I brought the pot-pie in for lunch at work, it smelled so good that my colleges asked for the recipe!

Leftover Herb-Crusted Turkey Pot Pie
1 egg
1Tbsp. water
6 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
5 cups frozen mixed veggies (I use green beans and corn)
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups Chicken Broth (I use Pacific Chicken Broth-it doesn't have celery or carrot juice which are high in oxalate like other brands)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 of a 17.3ox pkg. Frozen Puff Pastry (1 sheet) Thawed (Pepperidge Farm makes a good puff pastry)
2 tsp.dried herbs of choice (parsley, thyme, oregano) or 2 Tbsp. fresh herbs chopped

1) heat oven to 400 degrees.  Beat egg and water in small bowl.
2) Stir turkey and veggies in 13x9" baking dish.
3) Heat butter in skillet, add flour and stir until combined and golden.  Stir in broth, and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently until mixture boils and thickens.  Stir in pepper.  Pour stock mixture over turkey.
4) Unfold pastry sheet on lightly floured surface.  Roll pastry sheet into 13x9" rectangle.  Place pastry over filling.  Press pastry to rim to seal.  Brush pastry with egg mixture and sprinkle with herbs.
5) Bake 25 minutes or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbling.

Another great way to use your leftovers, is using them as filling for a quesadilla.  Simply fill half a flour tortilla* with your favorite shredded cheese (mozzarella, jack, or mild cheddar).  Add turkey or chicken, and any veggies you have on hand like corn and chopped red pepper.  Fold quesadilla shell to close and place in skillet and heat until cheese is melted.  Flip halfway through to allow to bake evenly.  Slice with pizza slicer into 4 triangles, and serve with green salad or fruit of your choice.
*whole wheat is high in oxalate, so stick with a white flour burrito shell.  I like Mission brand.  When checking ingredients, wheat flour is the same as white flour, but steer clear of whole wheat flour.

I usually find I have leftover pumpkin puree, but never enough to make another pie with, nor do I want to make another pie after eating one.  Some pumpkin recipes use the entire can on puree, where others use only half.  What to do with that other half so it doesn't go to waste?  How about making a pumpkin spread, much like apple butter, to top toast and pancakes.

Leftover Pumpkin Breakfast Spread:
2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. pumpkin puree
3 Tbsp. real maple syrup
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp coarse salt
Beat all ingredients in a mixer on high speed until pale and fluffy.  Store spread in fridge up to two weeks!

Whatever you decide to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers, I hope everyone has a wonderful, pain-free holiday shared with family and friends!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Thanksgiving...On The Side

Ever since I was a teenager, my extended family gathers at my Aunt's house for our annual Thanksgiving feast.  The eclectic group changes every year, but you can always count on amazing food, good conversation, and a warm inviting atmosphere.  This to me is what the holidays are all about.

Like I said in my previous post, this time of year also creates anxiety for myself and my fellow IC'ers.  Lucky for me, my Aunt loves for everyone to bring their own dish to contribute to the feast.  Two years ago, I started bringing my classic green bean cassarole, which to my surprise my cousins had never had before.  Prior to making the cassarole, I would plan on eating turkey and rolls since I didn't want to burden my Aunt with my special diet requests.  It finally dawned on me after getting married that I too could now bring a dish, since I was no longer considered one of the kids.  I'm glad I started doing this for two reasons, I could guarantee that I could eat more than just turkey and I was contributing a new dish to to mix!

Most Thanksgiving dishes can be IC safe, like the turkey, pumpkin pie, and stuffing.  However, not everyone makes things the same way, and something like stuffing can easily become a problem for IC'ers, especially if it's a sausage or cranberry stuffing.  Another problem dish for those who also follow the low-oxalate diet is mashed potatoes, which have a high oxalate content, and the celery that is usually included in most stuffing recipes.  So whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or if you're planning on bringing a dish to someone else's feast, I want to share my favorite sides and dessert that are both IC safe and low-oxalate.

Jenny's Famous Green Bean Cassarole:
This recipe is actually based on the French's recipe that is printed on their French-Fried Onion box.  I always felt it was too soupy, so I tweaked their recipe by adding more green beans, and decreasing the amount of milk used.  Feel free to tweak to your liking!

10 3/4oz. can Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4-3/4 cup milk
1/8 tsp white pepper
4 cans green beans (14 1/2 oz. cans)
1 1/3 cup French's French Fried Onions

1) Mix soup, pepper, beans, and 1/4 cup milk in 1 1/2 qt. baking dish.  Add additional milk for desired consistancy 1/4 cup at a time.  Make sure milk does not exceed more than 3/4 cup total.  Stir in 2/3 cup onions.
2) bake at 350 covered for 30 minutes.
3) Stir and top with remaining 2/3 cup onions.  Bake uncovered 5 more minutes until onions are golden.
**I've never had a problem with French's Fried Onions, but if you feel you might, then omit onions from step 1, and top cassarole with breadcrumbs and some butter to help breadcrumbs brown.  Bake as above**

Herb-Apple Oven Stuffin':
8 Tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2-1 medium yellow onion (use as much as you desire)
4 gala or fuji apples, peeled, cored and diced
2 Tbsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp each dried sage, thyme, marjoram
1/2 tsp white pepper
12 cups (1 loaf) Pepperidge Farm White Sandwhich Bread, dried and cut into 1/2" cubes
2 cups chicken broth
3 egg whites, beaten
1 tsp salt
**To dry bread, place each slice in a single layer on baking sheets and let sit overnight, then cut into cubes**

1) preheat oven to 400 degrees and butter 9x13 baking dish
2) heat butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Reserve 2 Tbls after melted and set aside.  Add onion and cook until translucent.  (about 8 minutes) Stir in parsley, sage, thyme, and marjoram and cook for 1 more minute.  Stir in apples and cook until apples are warm, about 2 more minutes.
3) Add bread cubes, broth, eggs, and salt to large mixing bowl.  Add onion, apple, herb mixture from pan.  Gently toss to combine.  Be careful not to over-stir, it can make the bread mushy.
4) transfer mixture to baking dish and spread evenly.  Drizzle reserved butter over top, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes.
5) Remove foil an bake 15-20 minutes longer until top is golden brown.
**serves 10-12**

Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake:
1 1/2 cups (30 cookies) crushed gingersnap cookies (I like to use food processor to crush)
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 8oz. pkgs cream cheese, softened (use neufchatel cheese  for 33% lower fat option)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 caramel topping (I buy this from whole foods in a jar)
3 Tbls. flour
3 eggs
Topping: (use recipe below to make topping, or you can use cool whip, or make without the topping)
1 cup whipping cream
2 Tbls brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla

1) heat oven to 350.  Spray bottom of 9-in springform pan with cooking spray.  Wrap foil on exterior of pan, make sure foil covers bottom and sides (this will prevent the water from seeping into pan during cooking).
2) In small bowl, stir crust ingredients until combined and press into bottom of pan.  Bake crust 10-12 minutes until set.
3) Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.  Beat in butter until creamy.  Gradually beat in sugar.  Beat pumpkin until blended.  Beat in caramel topping and flour.  Beat in eggs one at a time until blended.
4) Reduce oven to 325.  Pour filling into baked crust.  Place springform pan in large roasting pan.  Fill roasting pan 1/4 full with hot water.  Bake 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes until edge of cheesecake is set at least 2 inches from edge.  Center of cheesecake should still jiggle when moved.
5) cool in pan on cooling rack at least 30 minutes.  With sharp knife, loosen cheesecake from side of pan.  cover, and refrigerate at least 8 hours.
6) For topping, beat cream, brown sugar, and vanilla in small bowl on high speed until soft peaks form.
7) To serve, remove side of springform pan and cut into wedges.  Serve with dollop of whipped cream topping on each wedge.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Chips 'n Dips & Things

With the holiday season quickly approaching, it's time for holiday parties, family gatherings, and what can easily be considered the "most wonderful time of the year."  As if this season didn't come with enough stress, us IC'ers also have to deal with the big question of "what if they don't have anything there I can eat?"

There are a couple of ways you can deal with this.  First, you can eat something before you go.  Last year I attended an engagement party where there was literally nothing I could eat, except rolls.  The salad was already tossed with vinegrette, and the main courses all consisted of pasta or meat with tomato sauce.  I snacked on rolls until I finally was dizzy with hunger, and we had to end up leaving so I could get a burger at the hotel bar.  I'll never do that again!  Before you go, eat something light.  Heat up some leftovers, or make a cheese sandwich and have a sliced pear.  At least you'll have something in your stomach before you go, and if they do have something you can eat, you can still indulge.

Another option is asking the party host if you can bring something.  Growing up, at most family gatherings the host would provide the main dish, and everyone would bring a side dish of their choice.  This is a great way to not show up to a gathering empty handed, and you'll ensure that there is something you can eat.

The last option is to host the party yourself.  You can control the entire menu, and have as many IC safe/low-oxalate options as your heart desires!  Why not host an appetizer party?  The food is bite-sized, and you can serve multiple dishes instead of one full meal.  The problem is, what to make that is safe for you and tasty for others?  Here are a few of my personal appetizer favorites that have also been a hit with the guests:

Faux Boursin Cheese Ball:
This recipe is from Bev Laumann's "A Taste of the Good Life", which was one of the first book's I bought after being diagnosed with IC.  This is a party staple for me, and has also become one for my friends and family.  Every time I've served this, I've had at least 2 people ask for the recipe.  Yes, it's that good!
1 8oz package cream cheese (use neufachel for a low-fat option) softened
1 tsp milk
1/4 garlic powder
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp drie thyme
1/4 tstp onion salt
1/4 dried basil
1/4 tsp dried marjoram
1/4 black pepper (or white pepper for low-oxalate option)
1/8 tsp dried sage
1/2 finely chopped almonds (optional)
Blend together the cream cheese, milk, and remaining ingredient, except the nuts.  Mix until smooth.  Wrap in plastic wrap in general shape of a ball.  Chill for at least 1 hour.  Remove from fridge, and roll in nuts to cover.  Serve in a round platter with IC safe/low oxalate veggies or crackers, and spreading knives.
**you can also omit the nuts by serving the cheese ball right after chilling, before rolling in nuts**

Texas Caviar:
This recipe is adapted from the VP Foundation's Low Oxalate Cookbook-Book Two.  This dip tastes much better than it looks, trust me!
1/2 cup brown lentils, rinsed
1/2 tsp onion salt
1/4 tsp. black or white pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp olive oil
Cover lentils with water and simmer until mushy, about 35-40 minutes.  In a food processor, add the mushy lentils and remaining ingredients.  Blend until combined.  Serve with pits chips or tortilla chips.

Red Pepper Pinwheels
1 red bell pepper
4 medium flour tortillas (I like Mission white flour Tortillas for a low-oxalate option)
1/2 cup spreadable cheese (you can either use Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese spread, or you can make the faux-boursin cheese ball above, and use 1/2 cup for this recipe)
1/2 cup chopped fresh tarragon, basil, or mint
1) roast the red pepper.  Preheat broiler, line baking dish with tin foil, place red pepper in dish.  Broil about 10 minutes, turning the pepper every 2-3 minutes to bake evenly.  Take out of oven, wrap broiled pepper with tin foil from baking pan, an let sit for 10 minutes.  This steams the pepper, and makes removing the skin easier.  Peel to remove blackened skin, core, and remove seeds.  Slice into thin strips.
2) Stack tortillas on a plate, cover with damp paper towel then wax paper.  Heat for 30 seconds in microwave until warm.
3) Spread 2 Tbls. cheese on tortilla.  Top with about 1/4 of pepper slices.  Sprinkle with herbs.  Roll up tortilla gently but firm.  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour, but not more than 4 hours.  Repeat with remaining tortillas.
4) Unwrap tortillas and slice off ragged ends.  Cut each wrap diagonally in about 5 slices, and serve on platter.

Coconut Chicken Skewers:
1 pkg. boneless chicken breasts (about 1lb.)
1 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup breadcrumbs (use white breadcrumbs for low-oxalate option)
1 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbls. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (cinnamon is high in oxalate, but use in a low enough amount in this recipe)
salt and pepper (white pepper for low-oxalate option)
4 Tbls. Butter
1) Slice chicken into thin strips or in bite-size chunks.
2) Combine breadcrumbs, coconut, brown sugar, salt and pepper in a wide bowl.
3) Dip chicken first in flour, then egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumb mixture until coated.
4) over medium high heat, melt 2-4 Tbls. butter to coat pan.  Add chicken and pan fry in butter until golden and chicken is cooked through.
5) Add chicken to skewers, or add toothpicks to each chicken bite.  Serve on platter with pear sauce.

Pear Sauce:
1 cup pear jelly (you can order pear jelly from the IC network, or Braswells makes a low-acid pear jelly)
2 Tbls. pear juice (I use organic Knudsen's pear juice)
1/8 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients.  For a chunkier sauce, stir with spoon and serve.  For a smoother sauce, place in blender or food processor and blend until combined.

Whether you decide to have your own party or bring a dish to someone else's, I hope you enjoy all your holiday gatherings and have a wonderful holiday season!


text:
About the recipes...

All recipes and ideas contain ingredients from the new IC diet "safe" list. Also, all ingredients are either low-oxalate content, or in small enough amounts where they can be considered low-oxalate. If there are any ingredients that don't fit these criteria, I have labled them, and you have the option to omit them from the dish. Enjoy!

Monday, January 16, 2012

The Incredible Egg

I know when I've had a busy day, I get home and my dinner plan flies out the window.  I just don't feel like cooking.  My go-to quick dinner is usually breakfast.  I always have eggs and cheese on hand, breakfast is quick and easy to cook, and I find it's easily the most IC safe meal I can eat.  Also, a new FDA study has shown that eggs are lower in cholesterol than once believed, a good source of protein, and a good source of vitamin D as well.  Another great reason to eat your eggs!  So, instead of the usual scrambled eggs, why not try a breakfast burrito or creative omelet?

Breakfast Burrito (serves 1, but can easily be doubled or more!)
3 eggs (I use 1 full egg and 2 egg whites)
chopped red bell pepper
chopped mushrooms
chopped scallion (optional) or chives
shredded jack cheese (or whatever cheese you prefer)
1 flour quesadilla shell

1) Chop veggies and scallion, add to skillet and stir-fry with oil until soft and scallion is translucent.
2) Crack eggs, and whisk together.  Add eggs to cooked veggies and top with cheese.  Scramble eggs until cooked through and no longer runny.
3) Heat quesadilla shell as instructed on package.  Add egg mixture to shell, roll up, and serve.

Here's another easy egg recipe for a quick dinner, or even for those mornings when you don't have much time, but still want a hearty breakfast...

Microwave Coffee Cup Scramble: (1 serving-can easily be doubled or more)
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. shredded jack cheese (or cheese of choice)
salt and pepper (if desired)

1) coat 12oz. microwave safe coffee mug with cooking spray.  Add eggs and milk.  Beat until blended.
2) Microwave on high 45 seconds, stir.  Microwave until eggs are almost set, 30-45 seconds longer.
3) Top with cheese and microwave 10 seconds longer until cheese is melted.  Season with salt and pepper.

What would breakfast be without sausage?  I know what you're thinking, "please don't tease me, I can't eat sausage."  A few years ago, I was hosting the family for a Christmas brunch.  I came across a sausage recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook that was in fact IC friendly.  I couldn't believe it.  First, I had never thought of making my own sausage, that was always something you bought.  Second, how good could it be without the spices?  Well, it was excellent, my husband and entire family gobbled it down, and even asked for the recipe.  I have since found another homemade sausage recipe that's a bit more traditional than the first, but still equally as good.  I usually make these over the weekend (or whenever I have free time) and freeze them individually so I can thaw and reheat quickly for a nice compliment to my quick breakfast dinners.

Apple Sausage Patties: (this is also low in fat if you use lean pork and egg whites!)
1 beaten egg white
1/4 cup finely chopped scallion (or onion if you can tolerate it)
1/2 cup finely chopped gala or fuji apple (can use pears if you can't tolerate apples)
3 Tbsp. quick-cooking oats
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground sage
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp pepper (can use white pepper)
1/2 pound lean ground pork

1) chop and sautee the scallion or onion until translucent.  Set aside.
2) In medium bowl, combine egg white, cooked onion, apple (or pear), oats, parsley, salt, sage, nutmeg, and pepper.  Add ground pork, mix well.  Shape mixture into eight 2" wide patties.
2) coat 10" non-stick skillet with cooking spray.  Cook patties over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink and juices run clear, turning once.  Drain off fat and serve.
**You can also cool and wrap each patty individually and freeze**

Homemade Breakfast Sausage:
2 pounds ground pork
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
2 tsp. dried sage
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper (can also use white pepper)
2 Tbsp. butter

1) Combine pork, garlic powder, syrup, sage, thyme, salt, pepper in large bowl.  Mix with hands until combined.  Form mixture into 2 1/2" patties, about 1/2" thick.  Makes about 16 patties.
2) Melt 1 Tbsp. butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Cook half of patties until well browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side.  Transfer to paper towel-lined plate and tent with foil.  Wipe out skillet and repeat with remaining butter and patties.  Serve, or let cool and wrap individually to freeze for later use.

You can even make one of the above sausage recipes, chop up the patty, and add to the breakfast burrito mixture for even more flavor.  I know these yummy recipes will add new life and flavor to your typical breakfast, or breakfast-for-dinner meals!

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

CMA Music Festival

Ya’ll do know what time of year it is, right? It’s time for the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN!! I have never been, but I would love to go! I have heard it’s a blast and that you get lots of freebies…best of all you get to see a lot of country music superstars!! Not only do you get to see them perform, but you also get the opportunity to meet and actually talk to a lot of the stars. How cool is that?! My friends who have gone have come back home completely thrilled!

A an easy and free way to get tickets to events like this is to use the Free Ticket Exchange found online. If you already have tickets for an event but you will not be able to attend, you can find a buyer for your ticket. All you have to do is sign into the site, post that you have tickets to sell and then wait for people who are looking for those tickets. If you need tickets then all you need to do is go to the site and see what tickets are available. I can tell you that there are CMA Music Festival tickets for sale!

I think this is neat service because you are able to avoid those extra fees and you also may be helping out someone who is in a bind and needs to sale their tickets. Very neat!

1 comment:

Lynne said...

I've always thought it would be so much fun to go to the CMA music festival!


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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

The Proposal

We were quickly packing for our trip to Tennessee. It was the kind of trip where you take mainly cycling gear, a couple of cozy pants and sweatshirts and not much else. Our mission: to romp around the back roads of Eastern Tennessee and do some secret training. Benjamin had spent winter there years ago in preparation for the 1996 Olympic trials. He discovered smooth roads, little to no traffic and lots of amazing terrain.

We were in our pajamas, filling our suitcases and he asked if I had room for something. I looked up and in his hand was a little box. A little box with a big ring inside. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

I'd been dreaming of this moment for a while. Not sure when it was going to happen, and in some ways okay with if it never happened. I knew my love for him was beyond measure, beyond conditions, beyond limitations. I feel so lucky and blessed to feel this way about someone, about Benjamin.

So when that little box had a beautiful ring inside, accompanied by a proposal by the man of my dreams, I flew over the moon. And turned beet red.

"I had all these ideas in mind. But I couldn't wait any longer."

Floating on cloud nine, I couldn't stop smiling. If there were ever a moment I could stop time, this would be it. A moment full of much love, appreciation, and adoration.

In fact, I don't think I've stopped beaming.

Monday, March 11, 2013

I feel an energy swirling about, bubbling up inside of me like a volcano getting ready to erupt. It's fueled by many thoughts: on grief, on cycling, on bucking the status quo. Thoughts on why things are the way we think they are. Thoughts on how to make things different.

And then BOOM! Off goes my mountain top. I'm ready to take action! I'm ready to step into who I want to be and who I want to become. I'm getting the ball rolling, one step at a time to make things happen. With each step, I'm taking on the world and making a difference.

The action may seem small. I'm only one human. But my impact on the world may have a rippling butterfly effect. And knowing that fuels my passion. It wakes me up, eager to start each morning. Thankful I have another opportunity to do so. Grateful to express myself and am surrounded by people who believe in me.

Tomorrow night I arranged a Meetup called Loving Friends, aimed at bringing widows and widowers together to start a conversation. To build up my arsenal of people who view grief as a gift and opportunity. To start spreading the message and do good in the world. I'm ready to change consciousness, one being at a time.

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

Ode to Gammy

Grandmothers are very special people. Not only are they important by the virtue of the bloodline, but they are tasked with teaching grandchildren important life lessons. Today I’m going to share with you the lessons my grandmother, Gam, shared with me in hopes that they can serve you in life as well.

Following your heart and pursuing your passions
Gam grew up on a farm in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada with 10 brothers and sisters. She was in the middle. At age 16, she and her sister flew the coop to warmer climates and opportunity in Los Angeles. She left with $5 in her pocket.

Imagine: 16 years old, red hair, full of life and adventure and seeing the world. Not the concrete world we’re used to; a world full of possibilities, orange groves and merchants. That’s where she met my grandfather. He whisked her quickly away to Hawaii and they began their lives together.

Even though I wasn’t there to witness it - her sense of adventure and willingness to try something new, her actions of boldly following her heart and pursuing a life of passion is one of the greatest gifts she shared with me. She dared following her heart.

Anything is possible.
Imagine again: a red head, full of life and a thirst for adventure. What she expressed to the Universe came back to her. She had married to George Magoon (my grandfather) whose family purchased a white sand beach called Maihaiula just north of the Kona Airport on the Big Island for $1,000. Together, Gam and my grandfather would take their children there and give them a unique experience.

Do you think that at 16, raised on a farm in Winnipeg she ever could have imagined raising her children in paradise? Yet it happened. Because anything is possible. She taught me to keep an open and positive perspective toward everything.

Life is an adventure
I grew up on the mainland in Eugene, OR. Yet every summer, my mom would take us back to Hawaii to visit with my grandmother. We would travel to Maihaiula for a month at a time. Without electricity or television, we had to entertain ourselves as best we could. Luckily Gam taught me how to fish.

Maihaiula is a half moon bay. On the south side, are some lava rocks that overhang the ocean. I remember holding my grandmother’s hand as she showed me how to navigate through the deep sand, through the coconut groves with falling fronds, avoiding the kiawe thorns, how to walk on aa and puu lava as well as avoid menehunes.

Armed with a bamboo pole, straw hat, butter knife to pick off creatures for bait and a bucket, my grandmother showed me the best fishing hole. I’d plop my line into the water and within seconds bring up tropical fish. She taught me which fish were good to eat and which ones were too boney and how to unhook them and release them back.

Eventually I got bold enough to fish on my own. My grandmother had taught me how to navigate and deal with obstacles and how to fish. And in her gentle way, I understood what she taught me would serve as metaphor with how to deal with life. It should always be treated as an adventure.

Tackling whatever life may throw at you.
Eventually I graduated from my bamboo pole to a fishing rod. I started casting right in front of the house and quickly learned there are good and not so good places to fish. My line snagged, but I could feel a wiggle.

After 20 minutes, Gam came to check on me. She tried untangling the line as well but whatever I had caught was stubborn. Eventually, slowly, I brought in an electric eel and shrieked in horror. Gam didn’t bat an eye. Instead she grabbed the nearest rock and started bashing the head of the eel. “Your Auntie Denny (bash) LOVES (bash) eel. (BASH BASH BASH) She’ll eat it!”

That is one of my fondest memories of Gam. She taught me that no matter what life throws at you or you snag on your fishing rod, you can bash it with a rock and feed it to your auntie.

I am so thankful for my grandmother, Gam. She taught me to following my heart and pursuing my passions, anything is possible, life is an adventure and that I can tackle whatever life may throw at me.

Last week, Gam passed away at 97 years old. She lived an amazing life and was loved by all who knew her. And though her physical presence passed, her legacy continues on in me, in my siblings, cousins, mom, aunt and uncle and everyone else who had the good fortune of meeting her.

So when you find you have an opportunity to share a life lesson with someone, consider the impact you may have on that young persons life. Pass your legacy on. And remember, grandmothers are very special people. And Gam was no exception.

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Chapter Two - The First Month.

What you see before you is a book in the makings. I'm going back, reviewing my posts in small chunks. Right now I'm focusing on the first month after Ryan's death.

You would think poking around in the past would stir up all sorts of grief demons. And it does. But underneath it all and only a few days into his passing was a current of acceptance. I knew right away that was the choice I wanted to make. I didn't want to play the victim.

"Being angry isn't going to change anything."

"I was sad thinking about not bring able to share this with him - no one to come home to and get a big enormous kiss and hug and celebratory beer with. But as night wore on, I'm learning to be okay with that. Or more like get used to it."

So many things change over time. Getting used to Ryan not being here, and learning to love again. I get a big enormous kiss and hugs from Benjamin now. He fills me up in his own, authentic and beautiful way. I am so lucky. I also appreciate all of the lessons I've learned despite the hardship: wisdom, acceptance, limitless possibilities, true love, to name a few.

And now... a little sample of what I'm working on today....

I want to wake up from this nightmare.
That’s all I could say or think at first. That everything I experienced was surreal and hopefully a figment of my imagination. My heart, my head and my soul would never be the same. Sure my heart would continue beating and my lungs still gathering air. But when you loose someone, someone who is as close as Ryan was, it feels like you get lost in an undertow. Swirling around, practically drowning and you become uncertain which direction is up.
I started mooning people. (Who moons people!? Seriously!) My inhibitions were down and my reasoning thrown out the door. I would laugh hysterically and cry, all at once. My sleep irregular, I often woke up at 3 am, unable to fall back asleep. The easiest thing to do was to think about Ryan. I let memories we share fill the blank void. I didn’t want to be alone in my house at first, and instead opted to stay at my mom’s house.
Being home alone meant contending with the ghosts. And facing the reality sooner than later that I had to untangle the life I knew in order to make room for a new one. Friends started asking, why don’t you throw yourself back into training? Why don’t you race at Nationals in a month? Why aren’t you over it?
I don’t know if anyone is capable of loosing their mate and then acting as if everything is normal. It’s not. And pretending that it is would only set me back.
It didn't prevent me from trying to act normal. I surrounded myself with friends and things to do. During the day, I had no trouble hanging out with friends and keeping my mind occupied. But whenever I would go home, emotionally drained from having to pretend I was ok, tears would stream down the minute I closed my front door. My pillow and sheets would be covered in snot come morning. I missed Ryan and felt hollow without him there.
Falling for my strong front, people started relying on me emotionally. It had only been 10 days since Ryan passed. I felt incapable of shouldering anyone else’s emotions and ended up secluding myself. My smile, although easy to come despite the tragedy, was a mask for how bad I hurt inside. I wished Ryan were around so I could vent to him. He always had a way of listening to me and by doing so would help solve the problem. But he wasn’t around anymore and I needed to find the careful balance between being social and taking care of myself. Sometimes I needed to just feel the ache.

Saturday, March 02, 2013

Checking in from the Couch

My skin has a nice red lobster glow to it. Or at least, it does where my skin was exposed this past week. Hello biking tan lines! It's been a few months.

Mackenzie, Lisa and I with a Tijuana in the background.
My legs sting from both the extra UV and from the 5,000 feet of climbing from today. It's the last day of a mini-training camp for just the para-pilots held at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. We were tested in four different ways - a RAMP test, Lactate Blood test, Otay Lakes Time Trial and the queen of all stages - Honey Springs Hill Climb. Not to mention a bunch of endurance miles thrown into the mix through the surrounding hills.

It's been confirmed - I did not become a better climber over the off season. Darn it! However, the cumulative climbing from moving to Colorado and being in Mallorca this last summer is improving my climbing ability. And that's all this girl could ask for. I'm building muscle memory of how to suffer on longer climbs and what my pace is.

I love this sport.

Seriously, where else do you get a chance to work on your weaknesses day after day, climb after climb? My fellow pilots pummeled and encouraged me. We even went to dinner blind folded one night to experience what it's like to eat blind. Piercing tomatoes with a fork is challenging! And eating fruit salad with Craig switching out my bowl without me knowing it, even harder. That rascal.

What's next? Time will tell. I am excited at the prospect and will continue training my bootie off. I've got some more tan lines to earn. And more town sprint signs to win.


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Monday, February 6, 2012

Bob and Mike came in for a couple of days to visit with Jerry. We had an impromptu party Friday night with Jerry. He had fish and chips which he likes and got to pose with a few of his grandchildren:

Jerry poses with a few grandchildren

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Friday, May 3, 2013

Don't Blink!

One winter down, one more to go.

The start of this Spring season marks the beginning of our last year in Germany!  And I can already tell that this year is going to whiz by... so I'm taking a deep breath and already starting to chant this year's motto:  Don't blink or you might miss it!

As our time in Germany winds down and "the next step" looms on the horizon, I'm going to start to get really annoying. I'll try my best not to be too obnoxious.  But I'm sure that half my blog posts will be gushing with the things I love and will miss about Germany.  The other half I'll be whining/counting down till we're back in the good old USA.

Oh, and I'll probably have a sprinkling of whining about the stress and fears associated with another PCS.  Uprooting and starting again who-knows-where is scary.  It's a big part of our life and totally normal/fun/exciting... but still scary.

When Julia Child and her husband were moving from Paris to Marseilles, he told her, "Honestly, I groan when I think of starting over in a new place... no wonder newborn babies cry so much.  If variety is the spice of life, then my life must be one of the spiciest you ever heard of.  A curry of a life."

Amen Paul, I feel the same way!

Our first trip to the Japanese Garden last week was just gorgeous.

But I stopped short as I watched my girls run and play together... I remember a conversation Jesse and I had on the first plane ride over here, with both our babies (3 and 16 months old at the time) sleeping in the car seats next to us. We talked about how funny it was to think of them being 3 and 4 years old when we moved back.

When we moved into this house Lily could barely walk and Lilo would scold me for walking down the stairs to the car with a baby on each hip.  Life is so different now!

We have a lot of friends and family visiting us this year.  I'm excited for that in many ways, but specifically because I know it will help prevent the extreme homesickness from setting in!

And it will keep the excitement level high!  It's hard to whine about the "hard parts" about life in another country when you're busy whisking your sister around to all your favorite local spots... bakeries, stores, gardens and parks, restaurants... there's just so much fun to be had!

We have a lot of trips to check off of our bucket list, too.  To say we'll be busy this Spring/Summer/Fall is a crazy understatement!

So I'm trying to pump myself up to stay fully present in each moment... each drive in this beautiful area (even to the grocery store!), each trip we take, each moment shared with friends, each visitor that comes to enjoy our little corner of Germany with us.

I love our life here.  And having a countdown clock running in the back of your mind really helps keep you aware that, despite the difficulties of being half a world away from your family and not speaking the language of your host nation... it really is amazing to live in Germany!

One more year...

  1. OH MY GOODNESS . . . I'm sitting here looking at these pictures saying - HOLY COW, those girls are getting HUGE! (not huge in a bad way, but huge as in 'real' pre-schooler size! I can't believe how much they've grown up even in the 7-8 months since they were here last - - and I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!!!!!

    1. We can't wait to see you either!!!

  2. Really sweet post and a good reminder for us all as well. We shouldn't let a year pass in the blink of an eye and not even appreciate it. And that last photo...s.t.u.n.n.i.n.g.

    1. Thanks, the last one is my favorite, too :o)