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!