Tuesday shopper's bargains

(photo borrowed from web)

I know you won't believe me, but I have not sewn anything in almost 10 days. A new record, don't you think. But while reorganizing is still going on, I thought I'd share a few items for the upcoming holidays.

Connie mentioned a pumpkin roll she recently discovered on her travels and I found a recipe for one at VeryBestBaking along with a printable coupon for Nestles chocolate chips. . . just in case you'll be making Christmas cookies.

If you'd rather quilt than cook, here's a printable coupon for Tyson's pork roast. Just be sure and get to the store before Joan, she has 10 folks to feed after all. LOL!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Good stuff, enlightening stuff . . .

Did you know that the size of your blog pictures is important? I had no idea that pixel space was even being counted by the blog folks, let alone there was a possibility of running out. Hop on over to Tonya's place as she shares with us some very insightful information about this.

Thank you Tonya!

And of course, since it's apple season, I thought I'd share this very easy recipe. Enjoy!

Crockpot Apple Butter
7 cups applesauce, preferably homemade, but a good quality commercial kind (unsweetened) can be substituted.

2 cups apple cider
1-1/2 cups honey
1 teasp. ground cinnamon
½ teasp. ground cloves
½ teasp. ground allspice

In a crockpot, mix all the ingredients. Cover and cook on low heat for 14 to 15 hours, or until the mixture is a deep brown.

Pack while hot in to 4 hot pint jars. Process in a hot-water bath for 10 minutes, counting the time after the jars have been immersed and the water comes again to a rolling boil.

From the book, "Cooking from Quilt Country" by Marcia Adams

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Awww shucks . . .

Look what Mary kindly sent me. Wasn't that thoughtful! Have you stopped by her blog to see all of her neat suggestions for displaying quilts. Her ideas really got my head spinning I tell ya. Unfortunately, I sold my 3-prong hay fork at my last yard sale. I used to call it my country gun. If you've ever been poked by a hay fork, you'll know what I mean. Ouch!

There are so many bloggers out there who have such creative, wonderful blogs, it's impossible for me to choose only 7, but be sure to stop by Mary's blog, as I understand she has a new addition to the family. Very exciting Mary!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Just a touch of Fall.

After seeing Karen's cute table arrangements, I decided to bring out my red bird house. The picture in the background is from the fourth grade I believe. Mom saved it for me and had it framed much later. Wasn't that a thoughtful gesture!

I finally found my big yellow bowl and decided this quilt would go better on the table and not the wall this year. I read an article about bleaching pinecones for decorating and would like to find a bag full to fill this bowl. Ah well, maybe next year.

My wreath was assembled and hung on my $4.00 door (yard sale).

Now the big question, what else can I hang on it? Any ideas? Maybe some burnt orange candles in clear glass holders. I've collected several lately (holders that is).

And finally, I got some of my chairs oiled. Did you know that wood dries out from heat in the house? Pre-winter is a good time to give all of your wood furniture a good going over with Murphy Oil Soap.

The 7 spindle curved back windsor on the right is one I built in a class at the John C. Campbell Folk School. I believe different folks are now teaching variations of it. However, if you're not into chair making, they offer many other types of classes. Before signing up, I suggest you speak to the instructor directly. There are different levels of skills needed for different classes. Having taught there for a few years, I know how hard it is for students to be in a class they're not happy with. However, given the variety of classes, I'm sure you could find something you'd like. Some of the instructors are friends of mine, so feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Now I'm off to the basement, as there's MAJOR organizing to be done down there.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Quilter's Camo

For those neighbors across the big pond "camo" stands for camouflage. This is a style of clothing formerly mainly popular with those folks who took hunting seriously. You know, people who hide in woodsy areas carrying big guns hoping to bag that 37-point buck.

If local fashion is any indication, I can only presume that half the population of Western North Carolina has either been out hunting or wish to hide from the rest of humanity. All you see around here is camo. From vests to boots to tents, if you want to hide it, buy it in camo. Pretty soon, they're going to come out with "camo cookies" for those folks on a diet who really don't want to know where the calories are.

Last Sunday, while I had my "Procion crayons" out, I played with a few other colors. It cured all week under plastic and this evening I retrieved the perfect camo fabric for quilters.



We don't want to hide. By golly we want to shout - "HERE I COME, I'M A QUILTER."

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Sidetracked

I made the mistake of opening the pandora's box of hand-dyed fabrics. Several dull, uglies needed to be over dyed.

Fall is definitely in the air.



Won't this make great leaves!

Warm earthy browns with just a touch of red.

I love playing with my dye crayons. Let's hope the warm weather holds out a bit longer as I've another stack to do this coming weekend. So stay tuned, but until then . . .

Keep stitchin' . . .

Not a baggie, but a bin

463 pieces were lazing about in this bin for who knows how long. Why 463 . . . I have absolutely no idea. I did, however, remember which pattern layout they applied to. It's in one of my Amish books. That in itself is pretty amazing (the fact that I remembered the layout, not that I own Amish books).

And I know you won't be at all suprised that I changed my mind and decided to put the blocks on point instead of straight strips across like the original pattern dictated.

The other change I'll be making is adding more lights. I'm seeing far too many greens to my liking.

And knowing this project will create a substantial mess, I decided straightening and cleaning must first be on my agenda. Thank goodness mornings and evenings are getting cooler and I can begin to accomplish my reorganization goals. I'll be back in a few days, not to worry. And who knows, I may even come across my box of time! :)

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Can anyone tell me . . . .

if the children's game "Pick Up Stix" came with different sized pieces? I remember the colors and that's what this quilt reminds me of.

A good name don't you think, considering how the colors bounce from place to place.

Once again, a close up, you guessed it just for Tonya. . . .showing the multiple hand-dyed fabrics.

To give it some scale, to the left you have 8" log cabin blocks of my next piece in progress compared to the 5" finished blocks of "Pick Up Stix."

Now for a border . . . I'm in a quandry about that one. So I think I'll let my brain rest and like Scarlett, "I'll think about it tahmarah."

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Back to Baggies

This was originally meant to be a runner for my 7 foot harvest table. Since the blocks are only about 5", I've scaled down my goals and will stop at wall-hanging size. . . very small wall. That means I only need 6 more blocks. Like the little engine says,. . . "I think I can, I think I can . ."

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Ta Da!

Even Bonnie Girl is excited about the Royal Blue borders! (Or could it be she's waiting for another dog biscuit . . . hmmmm?)

And here's another close up just for Tonya showing 7 more hand-dyed squares.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .