Civil War Chronicles

Am I crazy? I did it...signed up for the Civil War Chronicles Block of the Month Club through the Fat Quarter Shop.  I feel so excited and nervous...and scared that I'll have spent the money and mess up the quilt.  I couldn't just go for something simple...oh no!  While looking around, I just kept coming back to this one, so might as well take the plunge.  Though I confess, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get the whole top done in 12 months.  After all, Jacob is due in mid-February.  But, as my mom reminded me, if it takes a bit longer, you have the stuff and it's worth spending the time and money if you love the quilt.  And I do!  And I love my encouraging mom!!

Stay tuned next year, as I plan to blog about the blocks when I finish each one!

Joyful Hotpads

I am so excited!!  Some friends of ours from out of state are up visiting her family for Thanksgiving and they are only a couple hours from our house.  So, they decided to come spend the day with us tomorrow!  Tick...Tock...Tick....Tock...I'm counting down the hours.  Being in the Christmas spirit and thrilled about their visit, I just couldn't help sewing a little gift for Steph.  Plus, I got to play around with my new machine, did free-motion on it for the first time.  Whew! It's sews beautifully, but this gal needs some serious practice.  Thankfully, Steph is a fellow sewing friend, so she won't mind all the quirks in these hotpads. 

Earlier in the day, some of my daughter's 4-H group stopped by.  The girls are sewing fleece shawls to give out for Christmas at the local nursing home.  We'll hand out the gifts and Kristy will play Christmas songs on the piano while the rest of her group sings.  She's been practicing her music a lot lately because she hasn't played these songs since last year.  I love being able to hear her play!

Kristy's on the left and her friend, Zan is on the right

Do you see what I see? & Give-Aways!

Said the shocked mom to her sewing friends,

"Do you see what I see?

There on my table, sewing friends,
Do you see what I see?
A gem, a gem, sparkling very bright
Bought for me by a handsome knight,
Bought for me by a handsome knight."

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 835

Could I be more thrilled? This has been my dream machine for years now and my husband bought her for me on this past Saturday.  I think I'm still in a serious state of shock, pure exhilarating shock.  I did some sewing on her this weekend and oh, she is wonderful!  I think it's going to take me awhile to learn how to use all her features and what all I can do with this machine....a bit above my current sewing abilities I think.  But, I'm ready to grow and blossom!

And now for some more cheerful news.  There is another AccuQuilt Go! give-away...yes, another chance to win!  Head over to Simply Solids for the entry details.  This give-away will close on Sat., Nov. 20th. 

Don't stop there because there is another give-away over at Lily's Quilts.  She is offering a Sandy Gervais scrap bag.  Check it out!

Now, I have one more to share.  Pink Fig Design is giving away two quilts, one to a random winner and the other to a shop owner. You have until Dec. 1st to enter. Tis' the season for giving and these are some lovely give-aways.

I have yet to win, but one thing I've enjoyed about all the give-aways the past few weeks is finding fun, new blogs.  I just started this blog back in October and this has been a fun, exciting way to explore.  There are so many talented, inspirational, crafty women out there!!!  Making new friends and learning a lot along the way.  Love it!

My Kincaid Bag!

Here she is...my first bag, from start to finish.  I designed and sewed it myself.  However, I did use a Wise Craft tutorial for the fabric flower.  I took a bunch of photos while working on this bag, hoping to write my first tutorial.  This is still my plan, but I couldn't resist posting my new bag before I accomplish that.

I've named her the Kincaid Bag.  Surely, my first bag is deserving of a name. :-)  While sewing her, it brought back a memory I hadn't thought of in several years.  Grandma and Grandpa lived in Kincaid, IL. They were actually cousins of my Grandpa, but were grandparents to us when we were little.  Whenever we went to their house, my parents would tell us we were going to Hollywood and even my Grandma would point out the movie stars at the local grocery store.  Being poor as we were, this was such an amazing treat to be around such richness.  Actually, it was an amazing lie, but nonetheless.  :o) 

Grandma and Grandpa lived in a modest home.  Walking in, it would be everything you'd expect of a grandparent's home, comfy and simple.  Except their bathroom.  Having lived in houses with outhouses and no running water, this bathroom was exquisite.  I loved to spend time in there.  The bathroom was black, white, red and gold and had red carpet. I had never seen red carpet anywhere before. Perhaps subconciously, this influenced red being my favorite color.  It also had wallpaper with a raised black, velvety design and I'd run my fingers over it.  Who knew wallpaper could be soft?  This was a bathroom you'd expect to see in Hollywood, among the rich and famous and I felt privleged to be able to use it.  haha!

So, yes, my bag is named after a bathroom in Kincaid, IL.  I had forgotten all about it until sewing this bag, so it seemed only appropriate to name it such.  Lovely memories and a fun new purse to carry!




Inside, zippered pocket

 


More inside pockets



Granny's Coffee Cake

I think I've got it! My husband's step-mom often made coffee cake when we came to visit.  After she passed, my father-in-law gave me her recipe box, which I love.  But, there is no coffee cake recipe to be found. I made this coffee cake yesterday and I do believe this is it, or very close.  My husband said he thought this was it and he enjoyed a lot of cake smothered in butter.  So, I'll share with you.  This is a very simple recipe, don't really need any special ingredients in the house.  Simple, but good!  Enjoy!

Granny's Coffee Cake

2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
3/4 cup milk


Crumb mixtures



1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Topping:



1/4 cup all purpose flour

2/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 cup butter

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 9x13 pan.



Before Baking



Make topping--Combine flour, sugar, and cinnamon.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs.



Make cake--Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.  Crack your egg into a measuring glass and add milk to make 1 cup.  It should be about 3/4 cup of milk.  Stir in vanilla and beat a bit with a fork.  Pour into crumb mixture and stir just until moistened. 

Spread into prepared pan and top with topping mixture.  Bake for 25-30 minutes.

My Bag Arrived!

As I posted previously, I participated in a bag swap hosted by Sew Mama Sew.  I posted pictures of the Amy Butler Blossom Bag that I made for Anita here.  Well, over the weekend, I received the bag Anita made for me.  She also used an Amy Butler pattern from her new book Style Stitches.   What fun!  I really enjoyed my first swap and am looking forward to another one in the future. 



Here you see Sadie modeling the Cosmo Bag.
Click the photo to go over to Anita's blog, Rhinestone Beagle



Charleston Cheese Dip

Oh yummy! Just discovered a wonderful dish called Charleston Cheese Dip.  You can google it and find varying recipes.  I wanted to share what I made for lunch today.  Delicious!

Charleston Cheese Dip

1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

1/2 cup mayo

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

2 green onions

Dash of cayenne

Ritz crackers

8 slices bacon

Preheat oven to 350.  Stir together the cream cheese, mayo, cheddar, moneterey jack, sliced green onions, and dash of cayenne.  Spread into a pie dish and top with some crumbled ritz crackers, about 8-10.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Cook bacon slices.  When you remove dip from oven, crumble bacon over the top.  Serve with crackers or bread and enjoy!