Hand-work

I haven't used my sewing machine lately. Actually my machine went with me to a class about a month ago and I haven't unpacked it yet. :( I have however been doing a lot of hand-work and I am having so much fun with it!

This is a small table-topper I started about 10 years ago. I am very slowly getting it hand-quilted. I am getting close to getting it finished. It is all hand-appliqued so I feel like it needs the hand-quilting.

This is the real distraction from other sewing, and lets face it a distraction from house cleaning, laundry etc. I can't quit working on these hexies! I am using all of my Kansas Troubles scraps. If you don't have a small portable project you need one. I work on this project during my lunch break, in the car, between my daughter's basketball games, while watching TV, and while sitting on the deck soaking up this glorious fall weather.

Soup Season

I love this time of year! The changing leaves, the cooler weather, even the sunlight is more beautiful in the fall. I also really love serving soup for supper! My family's most requested soup lately is this one...  Corn Chowder. I wish I could take better pictures, but trust me, it does taste much better than it looks in this pic... and really, it looks much better in person than it does in this picture.

OK and now the details so you can make it at home for your family.

Corn Chowder

1/2 cup butter

3 small potatoes, diced

2 celery ribs, diced

1/2 of a red or yellow pepper, diced

1/2 of a small onion, diced

1/4 cup flour

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup water

1 chicken bouillon cube

16 oz. frozen corn

4 cups milk

Saute the first five ingredients until tender, about 7-8 minutes. Mix in the flour, salt and pepper. Next, add the water and bouillon cube. Stir until thick then add the corn and milk until hot. If you like a thinner soup then add more liquid. ENJOY!!!! This feeds the four of us with no leftovers.

Sunflower Fields

We went for a drive today to Grinter Farms NE of Lawrence to check out this beautiful sunflower field. Sunflowers are our state flower. Did you know sunflower blooms face the sun and follow it throughout the day?

 We were able to get a few decent pictures with humans before we started dripping with sweat. It is HOT here this week!

According to the Grinter Farm Facebook page the sunflowers will be out for optimal blooming for about 2 weeks starting this weekend.

Definitely worth the drive if you like sunflowers or want a beautiful backdrop for pictures.

Stich Fix 2

I just received my 2nd Stitch Fix! Haven't heard of Stitch Fix? It is a personal styling service that hand selects clothing and accessories just for you and delivers them to your door.


You can choose to get your "fix" as often as you like. There is a $20 styling fee that goes towards your purchase, if you decide to buy all 5 items you receive a 25% discount. Interested??? Check out their web-site and if you decide to order please use my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5503565

 Originally I signed up to receive my Fixes quarterly but I loved my last shipment so much I decided to go for it again this month. I really do need to replace much of my work clothes as most of them are from when I worked at Eddie Bauer 8 plus years ago.

So, I asked for easy care work clothes. This time a little more casual than last. I got a quick picture before I unfolded everything! I was loving the orchid and navy print on the top. 

First up a cute knit wrap dress. Loved the fabric, loved the print and it is very comfortable! Also, the perfect length for school.

Market & Spruce Ohara Dress

 Next, probably the dressiest item in the box. Not sure if I will wear it to work but I will wear it. Looks good with my favorite black cardigan, and a perfect back drop for some of the fun necklaces I have been collecting.

Pixley Clarice Multi Stripe Knit Dress

 Look how the stripes meet on the side to make a diamond pattern. I love the details of this dress! Notice the different patterns made by the directional stripes.

This necklace is very different than other jewelery I own. I love that about Stitch Fix, makes me try things I wouldn't normally.

Zad Delmar Pointed Fringe Necklace

I was not sure about this shirt when I first opened the package, it has a lot going on. The shirt has grown on me. It is very cute under my denim jacket or black cardigan and I love it with my new necklace (see above).

Market & Spruce Brentwood Jersey Stripe Tiered Top

 Last up is this navy top with gold buttons. My stylist noticed I had it pinned on my Pinterest board so sent it in this month's Fix.

Skies are Blue Haldis Roll-Tab Henley Blouse

There you have it, my 2nd Stitch Fix. I ended up keeping everything again. I am keeping a Pinterest board with all of the Fixes I receive here if you are interested in browsing. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Cucumbers coming out of my ears....

HELP!!!!! My cucumbers are producing more than they ever have. The deer have even been helping themselves to the plant tops but there are still plenty to go around. Below is a recipe for my family's favorite cucumber salad. I don't really make anything else with cucumbers,  I would love for you to share some of your favorite cucumber recipes.

Cucumbers In Cream

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Miracle Whip

3 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons vinegar

3-4 cucumbers, sliced

About 1/2 of an onion, sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix dressing ingredients together and fold in slices of cucumbers and onions.

Sewing Studio Happenings

I thought it might be fun to show you what I am working on in my sewing studio. I am trying to make some headway on a few projects as I go back to work on Friday and won't have as much time to spend in here.

First up is progress on the folded star tutorial. The more I work on this the more my mind thinks about all of the other folded stars I want to make. Oh how I wish I had more time! Wouldn't they make the cutest Christmas tree ornaments?

Because I can't quit thinking like a teacher, even though it is summer break,  I am working on beginning quilt making curriculum. Lots of fun ideas in my head on this. I have started to put it all together with fabric, next up is getting it down on paper.

One last customer quilt to finish up before I go back to school! Hopefully time to at least load one of my own.

And I can't quit looking at this stack of newly acquired fabric sitting right by my sewing machine.

OK I am off to get some of this stuff accomplished! What are you working on?

Happy Saturday Night... Enjoy a Fabulous Mojito...You Are Welcome

 

  I have never been a fan of mojitos. Until... I went to Mexico this summer. While there I had the most delicious, minty-limey sweet beverage. When I got home I got to work on recreating it and this is what I came up with.

It started with a trip to the local nursery where I found a mint plant called mojito mint. The tag said it was Cuban. I immediately planted it in my garden where it took off in no time. I would think you could use whatever mint you have available at your local grocery store or in your garden. Note- if you plant your own mint plant it closer to your house than I did and preferably in a planter as mint has a tendency to grow out of control. I have a long trek out to the garden every time I have a craving for a mojito.

Next step it to make a mint flavored simple syrup. Make a big batch, it will keep in the fridge for awhile. Start with equal amounts sugar and water. I used 2 cups of each. Bring the sugar water mixture to a boil on the stove over a medium-high heat. Once boiling take off the heat and add a large handful of mint. Don't worry about taking the leaves off the stems. Let the mint steep in the sugar mixture about 10 minutes.

Once finished steeping skim the mint out of the sugar mixture and discard.  I store the simple syrup in a quart sized jar in my fridge. I know the picture below looks deceptively like something else but the sugar mixture takes on a yellow-green color from the mint plant. 

Now that you have your simple syrup made you are ready to make your mojito.

Start by adding 3 or 4 mint leaves to your glass and mash them with the back of your spoon. Next add 1.5 ounces of each: lime juice (bottled is fine), rum and your mint-infused simple syrup.  Give everything in your glass a big mix. Add a heaping cup of crushed ice then top your glass off with about 1 cup of Sprite. (I have also used Mountain Dew and it was good too!) Mix again and enjoy!

The simple syrup is also delicious in iced tea!

Folded Star Potholder

I recently bought this folded star potholder at a garage sale for a quarter.  It reminded me of one we had growing up that was made by my grandma. After looking at it for awhile I thought I could make one! I deconstructed this and made my own.

Love how it turned out and it was so much fun to make!!!!! It was all made by hand except for the binding. I can not wait to make more of these...  I would love some ideas on how else to use a folded star in a project. Please leave comments/links below.

Stay tuned for a tutorial... I am trying to step things up around here.

Christmas in July

Another favorite project this summer is this Christmas tree skirt.

Can you tell I like using the 10 degree ruler? I am really happy with how this turned out! I have spent the past few days thinking of cooler seasons as it is HOT in Kansas.

Pattern is from the book Quilts Without Corners by Cheryl Phillips (I made the Speedy Spiral Tree Skirt without the prairie points on page 20)

Fabric is Holly's Tree Farm by Sweetwater for Moda

P.S. I am not being paid to endorse Phillips Fiber Arts patterns, I just really love them!

Snappy Splendor Table Runner Take 2

I had so much fun making my first Snappy Splendor table runner I wanted to make a second one! (I even have plans for a 3rd) I used my stash of 4th of July fabrics for one side and autumn colors on the other.

I love how you can have two totally different looks with one project!

If you have never tried a double-sided binding you should give it a try! Works great for a reversible project like this one and it goes together pretty easily.

Pattern is Snappy Splendor Tablerunner by Cheryl Phillips of Phillips Fiber Art. This is a quilt-as-you-go project that uses a 10 degree Wedge Tool. I would highly recommend this pattern- fabulous easy to follow directions! I taught a class on this project at my friend Amy's shop, Overbrook Quilt Connection, contact her for a pattern and ruler if you are so inclined and let her know I sent you. :)

Stitch Fix #1

Have you ever heard of Stitch Fix? It is a personal styling service that hand selects clothing and accessories just for you and delivers them to your door. I just received my first shipment and I am in love!!!!

You can choose to get your "fix" as often as you like. There is a $20 styling fee that goes towards your purchase, if you decide to buy all 5 items you receive a 25% discount. Interested??? Check out their web-site and if you decide to order please use my referral link: https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/5503565

 I told my stylist I was looking for a few "dressier" items to wear to work. I was very happy with everything Lisa picked out. Below you will see what was in my box.

Leota Amandine Printed Dress

Kut From The Kloth Mollee Draped Dress

41Hawthorn Filbert 3/4 Sleeve Popover Blouse

Tart Shaina Printed Maxi Dress and Romolo Bib Necklace

I am looking forward to being a little more dressed up when I go back to work this year. Can't wait to get my next shipment!

WIP's ( Work in progress)

 I have been having so much fun trying my hand at English paper piecing! It is so addictive. It is nice to have a portable project that I can work on anywhere. It goes with me to work for a little lunch- break therapy, then to the pick-up line at school while I wait to pick up a kiddo. Stay tuned for a post with more hexie goodness and a little information on what products I am using.

 I have also been working on American Patchwork and Quilting's Go Four It Quilt-Along. You can find more information on this in their April 2015 issue of the magazine. I'm using up my Kansas Troubles fabrics stash. I tried several block lay-outs and finally settled on this one. Hopefully I will have a chance to finish this project up this week. Overall I am very happy with it!

 

On a personal note, here is a sweet picture of my girls on Easter and a family picture as well. 

 

 

Blessings-

Susan 

Hand-dyed Fabrics

I have been thinking for awhile now about making a Moda Modern Building Blocks quilt. But... what fabrics do I use? Do I go with the same solids used in the original pattern? Nah. Do I use my Kansas Troubles stash? Maybe, but it won't be "modern". How about digging out my stash of hand-dyed fabrics? Hummmm... Maybe I am on to something. But, I still could not get motivated to get started on the project. Enter a challenge I saw on Instagram by pamkittymorning. Her challenge? to #stopdropandmakeablock. So I did, and now I have started that quilt I have been procrastinating on.

One down, 47 more to go! 

Here is a little peek at a small portion of my hand-dyed stash and my cat Casey. I will keep you updated on the progress of my quilt!

Blessings-

Susan

a block-of-the-month and some foundation piecing

Greetings... I was off work on Friday from my real job and was able to do a little sewing. Up first is my BOM from the Fat Quarter Shop. I guess they are calling it a quilt-along. They are doing this to raise funds for St. Jude's Hospital. I am completing my quilt using my collection of Fig Tree fabrics. I am excited about how it turned out and am anxious to get started on the next block which should be ready any time now.
 

Next up is a little foundation pieced zip-bag. I haven't done any foundation piecing in a long time and really enjoyed working on this. It went together easily. It was a great way to use up all of the little fabric scraps from a quilt I made earlier. The black batik is like a magnet to every piece of cat hair in the house though. My next bag will be done in different fabrics.

 

 For now we are gearing up for a little snow. We haven't had much of the white stuff this winter in northeast Kansas. 

Blessings-

Susan

Upcoming Classes

 I have two classes coming up at the Overbrook Quilt Connection

First up is the Basix Ruler Class on February 28th. Learn to use this fun ruler to make a baby-sized quilt or wall-hanging. This quilt is much simpler than it looks as the blocks are all strip pieced and then re-cut using the Basix Ruler.

Next up is Bending the Line on March 7th. Use the Squedge ruler and the Bending the Line book to make this quilt. I can see so many fun color possibilities and there are many choices for setting your blocks for different finished looks. This quilt is all pieced and goes together so easy!

This quilt reminds me of beach balls!

If you are interested in either class please call the shop (785-665-7841).

I am working on a few other projects including a foundation pieced bag, a table runner using the above pattern (picture flowers on a caramel-colored background), and some beginning quilt class curriculum with a variety of projects. Looking forward to some quiet quilting time this weekend. What are you working on?

Blessings-

Susan

Snappy Splendor Table Runner Class

I spent a fabulous day in Overbrook Saturday teaching at the Quilt Connection. We used the pattern Snappy Splendor to make reversible quilt-as-you go table runners. It is a fun technique!  Below is my sample. The front of the runner is made of one fabric, a batik stripe. The back of the runner is made of various fabrics to look like a rainbow. It reminds me of Lucky Charms cereal.

I have a few more classes in the works, one on foundation piecing and a few others using specialized rulers. Stay tuned for more information

Blessings-

Susan