Cooking, Quilting, Quilt Stores

Had a chance Monday to go to the little quilt store in Ozark. Really great place for quilting supplies, especially here in the middle of almost nowhere. It's called "Front Porch Quilt Shoppe". They do have a web site, but it is limited. They carry the Thimbleberries line, and a lot of Moda fabric and all the stuff that goes along with that. I had never seen Moda before going there about a year and a half ago. But, then I hadn't been to a quilt store in several years. So that may explain it.

I went because they have a little basket that they put their end pieces and scrap material in and sell it for 17 cents an inch. I was able to pick up 5 pieces that will add nicely to my stash. Also, out on the front pourch they have all the sale stuff and material that is marked down. I picked up two pieces of 1 yard each there. Found two pieces in the store and got a half yard each, and that will also add to my stash.

Speaking of Moda. They really have a great staff that comes up with all sorts of new ideas to sell the line of fabric. I picked up two little boxes they call Bake Shop. Each one had 20 1 1/2 " strips and a pattern. One for a real cute xmas stocking and the other for a nice little pocket bag. Well I just had to have them. Probably should not have. Especially since I got home and went to the Moda web site and found the two patterns on the free download. Oh well, the material that is in the boxes matches the patterns. Besides they were just too cute.

Then off I went to Dothan to the health food store. According to the store locator on the Bob's Red Mill web site this place carries their products. I picked up some flour ( gluten free ), wheat bran ( to add to my bread and muffins ), and some ground Almond flour. This one should add a real kick to my almond cresent cookies ( sometimes called wedding cookies ).

Hancock Fabrics was my next stop to see what they had on sale. Also wanted to pick up some quilting thread in colors. Been reading a couple of blogs and they were talking about hand quilting and using contrasting colors. Years ago when I started quilting I only did hand sewing and quilting. Have gotten away from the hand work and have been doing just machine sewing lately. I do miss the hand work. When I get all my quilting stuff out of storage I will post some pics of some of the hand made quilts I have done. All in minature though, nothing in full size quilts.

So at Hancock's they had 40 % off on the cotton and I just had
to get some. Picked up 5 1 yd. pieces to add to my stash. Really not the stash cause I think with a couple of pieces I have here at home it should be enough to make a quilt. All these blog's I have been reading have really got me inspired to do some things.

I do have some string block's that are ready to put together in a quilt and I am going to work on that first. Will post some pic's later.

Better go and finish the dishes, cause I do want to cook dinner tonight. Last night the Subway sandwiches were ok, just not a good homecooked meal. So tonight it is pork chops and maybe some mashed potatoes. Since I didn't get them the other night they have been on my mind and stomach. So it will be mashed potatoes. Think I will use my George Foreman for the porkchops. It does a great, quick job, easy to clean up and the fat just cooks off.

So for now, that's all folks. Thanks for looking and leave a comment. Love to read the ones I have gotten so far.

Photos

For any of you that want to take a look. Clicking on the picture brings it up and the colors are much better and look like they are supposed to. So why don't they look like that on the post? Oh well, guess it is live and learn. Maybe I an not doing something I should be. Need to learn more.

THank You

How do you thank the people that have done things for you.

As I have mentioned before I think, I am, or was a nurse until I hurt my back. Continued to work another almost 6 years and then it got pretty bad and my doc made me go totally disabled. What a bummer I can tell you. I have alway's worked and enjoyed what I have done. So what did I do after spending quite a bit of time being totally down and depressed. I started quilting again. Made 17 full size quilt tops for starter's. Those all went to family and friends.

Well two years ago we moved to SE Ala and all my quilting stuff is in storage. Two ladies, Pat from Pattilou's quilts and Pat from Quilting is my Passion sent me several boxes of scraps and from that I have made 9 quilt for the Sunshine group that are ready to ship and another 10 or 12 tops that need to be finished when I can get the batting and a little more stuff for the backs.

Let me tell you that has been so great. It has given me something to do and made me feel good at the same time.

So how can I thank these ladies for what they did for me. So maybe this is one way to do it.

Then all of you can appreciate it too.

Cooking

Made Swiss Steak for dinner tonight. NO not a lousy picture this time. Making rice and white corn to go with it for hubby. I am German and like mine with mashed potatoes. Next time I will.

It has been simmering for several hours now and should just fall apart when I serve it up.

We have a small grocery chain here in SE Ala, with only about 4 stores. They have the best meat that you could ever want. So I had gotten some cube steak and that is what I used. I didn't do the round steak, beat it with a hammer, bread it and fry it up and then make your gravy thing.
I let the cube steak braise in it's own juice in the teflon lined pan with a good lid. I add my spices, mainly sea salt, pepper, paprika and garlic. I also add green pepper and chopped up onion. When all has simmered and the onion's are clear I add diced or stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce. I let that simmer again for a long time. I like mine with mashed potato's, but not tonight.

It is good, not too heavy and it fills you up. Later

Lap quilt and matching Tote bag

This is a lap quilt and matching tote bag to carry it in. Made this for my sister in Jacksonville. It is alway's cold she say's at work and this will help.

OK so a lousy picture again. I took it against a blue background, mistake I guess. The solid is a baby blue color, the of the quilt is a baby blue flannel, the material used for the diagonal squares are of blue print material and I used the same material for the bag and then lined the bag with the baby blue material. The border is a dark blue but looks navy in the picture.

Another thing she wants me to make for her craft show. Does the wanting ever end? Don't think so. At least I have plenty of stuff to do if I get bored.

Now I have to take some pictures of the quilts I made to send to the orphanages for the Sunshine group.

That is all for today folks. Later

Quilt for Sister in Chicago

I did this for my sister. It has a green border and is done in all pastels. Lousy picture. I really need to work on that. Maybe I will try to use my Corel Photo program and see what I can do. It will fit a full size bed. She really liked it and was glad to get it. All the white you see is a white on white material. If you are not a quilter it means a pattern in white is printed on the white material. Sort of adds a little kick rather than the plain white.

Grocery Bag

This grocery bag sort of came about by accident. I was busy reading blogs and linking to web sites and in general getting nothing done. LOL Thank goodness for my computer. Just think of all the work I would have to do if I didn't have it.

OK so to get back to the bag. Somewhere in my travels I found this pattern for this grocery bag. So, of course I had to download it. I had some jelly roll pieces left over so I started and sewed then in rows and then the rows together and finally made them into two pieces big enough to make the bag. Had to go to the quilt store and get some webbing for the handle. Bummer, right. I only bought one piece of material. But, it was all they had left on the bolt. It had a misprint or something and they marked it down to 2 dollars a yard. Now who can pass up a bargin like that. It was perfect to add to my stash.

OK back to the bag. So I spent all day, or at least several hours, making this bag. ( Not the one posted above). Later that evening I got a call from my baby sister in Chicago and I couldn't believe it. She was calling to ask me if I could make her a grocery bag. The usual ones are thin and don't hold up very long ( the recycle ones you can buy for a dollar or two ). So I told her what had transpired that day and yes I would make her one. Me and my big mouth. I thought, I wasn't going to spend hours sewing a bunch of little pieces together. So I had a brain fart and thought of the quilted material I had seen and off to Wally World I went. Was lucky to find two different patterns with enough left on the bolts to make two bags. At 5 dollars a yard I was happy. Had to get the webbing for the handle, but all together the cost was under 10 bucks. I revised the pattern a little and it made the bag go together much faster. In fact, what you see above took less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

It is big, measures appox 22 x 22 inches and has a 4 inch bottom. Almost as big as a paper sack from the grocery, if you can remember what they look like.

I think it turned out great, my sister is happy with it. Now my sister's in Jacksonville each want one. And one of them want's me to make some for a craft show she is doing later this year.

Maybe I should think about etsy. I don't know. Anyway, enjoy. Later

Another Baby Quilt

This is another baby quilt I made. This one I did for my sister. She had a lady friend at work and the daughter was having her first baby. So this is what I made to give to my sister to use as a baby gift. I really need to work on my pictures to make them look better. I should have taken in on a darker background and it might have looked better.
These little quilts are fun to work on because they go together so fast.

I hope the mother liked it.

My baby

Here is a picture of my baby. She is appox. 3 years old. She was given to me about a year ago. Her name is Cuddles and boy does it fit. She can't get close enough to you when she sleeps. She wants you to hold and love on her all the time. She only weigh's about 2 or maybe 3 lbs. She is what they call a Toy Apple Head Chihuahua. She is the love of my life. She gives more love and attention than you can imagine.

The square she is sitting on is 6 inches by 6 inches so you can judge her size. She is my watch dog, my guard dog and just about the most important thing to me. Can't leave out my hubby, daughter, son in law, grandbabies, sister's and niece and nephews and in laws and excuse if I left someone out. I just have to take more pictures of her and post them.

Online Order

Received my order yesterday from Bob's Red Mill. Shortbread Cookie Mix, Bran Muffin Mix, and Buttermilk Biscuit Mix. All packaged beautifully and boy does it look good. Got to get some dishes done first and then supper started, making Swiss Steak using some cube steak I get at the local store. It is a small place ( a chain of only 3 or 4 stores in the local area ), but they have the best meat's. Going to serve it with rice this time cause that is what hubby likes. I like it with mashed potatoes so I may make a small bowl for me. He can use the leftover rice to go with the gumbo I made the other day. Think we will have some cream corn to go with it. Have some nice dinner rolls and I may make a small salad also. Of course no dessert with all that food. We won't need it.

Spent a little time looking at the Bob's Mill web site and found so much that I want to order. Looked at the store locator and found a store about 20 miles down the road that is supposed to carry his products. Will check that out later next week to see what they have and the price. The prices on the web site are so good for what you are getting and the variety they have. It is just the shipping that can kill you. It has to come from Oregon and down here to SE Ala. Quite a distance, and it took one week shipping via UPS. If we get a chance to go see daughter in SLC next year I will order ahead and have it shipped to her. May lower the shipping cost some, I don't know.

So got to go and get some work done. Been reading so many RV blog's and not getting anything done. Most times it is so uplifting to read of the adventure's and then again it just makes me want to get out there and go. Can't yet cause the money isn't there. Oh well, next summer for sure.

Cooking

I knew I would find it if I just kept looking and I did. One of the blog's I read is called Fab Grandma. Reading another blog I found something that I think would interest her. Bob's Red Mill Barn sells gluten free products, which she uses. So I was able to send her the info.

Then I made a mistake and went and looked at their products. Just ordered some stuff that I can use and make hubby some home made stuff to boot.

Since I love to cook and he loves to eat we are a match made in heaven. For over 34 years now.

Also found something that I want to be posted here on my blog, but I don't know if I will qualify.
So I will have to start posting some stuff about my cooking and my recipe's and stuff like that. Fab Grandma does it all the time. If she can then I can too.

Again

Noticed something when I finished writing the post. I clicked too fast on post and didn't pay attention. When I glanced over it was too late, but it must have been something to do with what I was posting about the totes I was going to make. It looked like an ad for tote bags or something and so I am trying this to see if I can get the darn thing back. I think maybe I should have clicked on it and it would have added an advertiser to my blog.

So here goes, quilting tote bags. Lets see if that works. Probably barking up the wrong tree. But then that is me.

Nothing New

Went with hubby to dr today. Maybe he is getting what he needs to get rid of his sinus/ear infection. I sure hope so cause he gave it to me and I have been dealing with it for over two months. Started some antibiotic the other day so maybe for me it is over too.

Been busy reading blogs and found something on Pat's that I liked. Keep your fingers crossed and maybe you will see something new on mine.

I have got to get busy cause sister called and reminded me of a craft show in Oct. in her area. She wants me to get some stuff together that I can contribute. Plan on doing a couple of tote bags, maybe some lap quilts with matching totes. I have so much in process it wouldn't take much to finish up.

Some pictures coming tomorrow. Later

Baby Quilt

Here is a baby quilt I made earlier this year for the little girl next door. I washed it, hence the wrinkles, but the colors are so dull looking here in the picture. I took it outside hanging on my front door. Too much light I guess. A friend gave me some material that was leftovers and such from a shirt factory. Then I backed it with a piece of flannel, so it was nice and soft and warm. Made another on almost like it for a friend of my sister. Was fun to do something for a baby.

One of my most favorite things

My grand babies!!!
My Buddie Sam and Aimee

There you have it. And boy do they love their grandma. When I went to visit last November they hadn't seen me in over a year. They didn't forget me though. They were so happy to see me.

Now I have to tell on my Buddy. They all know after going outside they get a treat. Well, my first full day there Buddy had to go outside at least 8 or 10 times. Much, much more than usual. And he always came to me to let me know he needed to do his business. Well of course I let him out, and sometimes went with him. Every time he came back in he got a treat. Well I might be gettin on a little but I knew what he was doing. He was using grandma to get treats and he knew grandma would get them for him. I played along the whole first day. Day two went back to normal. Not that he didn't try me out again. I just watched and when he didn't do anything he didn't get anything. He still loves me though.

Let's give it a try

gain later


OK folks. Here goes.

This is a little project that I worked on and yes it is still in process. That means not finished yet. I picked up some paint sample cards at the local hardware store. Used paint's, gel, all kinds of embellishments and other stuff to put it together. Using it for my favorite recipe cards, and for sort of a show and tell that I can take with me for sharing. I just wish the colors would come out better. Guess I need to learn a little bit about taking better pictures.

Going to try to post a couple of more. Well that didn't seem to work. Will try a

Never too late

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted. Why? Because I have been too busy reading other folks' blogs. I was so glad to go and get to see my daughter, but now it has been almost a year and my heart is beginning to ache again. I don't ask for much, just a hug and maybe a lunch together, and getting the chance to see son in law and most especially loving on my grand babies ( the dogs of course ).

So what have I been up too. A little crafting and mostly working on quilts. I have, I think, 9 finished for the Sunshine group and at least that many in process. Which means, finished tops, or tops that are almost finished. Ran out of batting, so will have to get more. I have been doing some other sewing projects also. Made a set of six place mats, coasters, table runner, apron, and two sets of six napkins for daughter. I finished the quilt for my sister and also made her a grocery bag. Made two lap quilts with matching tote bags to carry them in. One for sister and one for the mother in law. Am working on 4 place mats for the mother in law also. Repaired a bunch of pants for the hubby. I always seem to put that off for another day and then another day and then another. LOL Guess you can tell that I don't like repair work.

Hubby spent most of Feb thru middle of August up in Birmingham working. If I haven't mentioned it before, he drives those monster motor coach tour buses. So the time he spent up there was doing shuttle work with a mini bus. He does like the bigger one much better. He came home the middle of August and has only worked a couple of day's since then. Good thing I put a little away while he was gone. This time of the year the work is slow but we are better prepared than last year, so it will be ok.

I have been reading so many blogs. With mozilla, which by the way I really like, I have created folders by catagory. One for RV'er's, Quilting, Art, Info, and many others. When I click on it the list's go on and on. It is my link to the outside world. I really enjoy them and I should add to this blog listing more of the ones I really enjoy. Also looking and reading other blog's with all the fancy stuff makes me more aware that I really need to spend some time and learn some of the nifty tricks that I see other's doing.

So I have taken picture's of some of my work, now to get them downloaded onto this blog. That is my next project.

So will close for now. More to come. A special thanks to all the other blogger's that enrich my life. Later