Quilt Scene Inspiration

After seeing the cover of this magazine online - I had to have it!! I waited and waited, a coupon came up to use via the Interweave store, and I went for it. If I were to buy it now I would go see Kathy. So glad to have this mag in my collection too - beautiful inspiration on every page! Even the advertisements were inspiring :)
A couple of the winning quilts in Houston --
They featured a few of the 900! quilts on display --



And there's projects in the magazine as well!



I need to go read through it again, looking at the pictures makes me want to get my sewing machine out too!

I hope you are well and blessed ~
Amy
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I Did It!

Some of you probably remember this post where you strongly encouraged me to join the local Quilt Guild. I finally went last night!! Thanks Natalia for the invite :)

I met a fun bunch of quilters and learned a little too. The show and tell was so much fun - but of course I forgot my camera at the last minute, sneaking out of the house is easier said than done. I'm pretty sure that Rachel will have all the quilts up soon.

All that said, I'm hoping to be a regular guild member real soon!

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The Arts Night at school was lots of fun - here's a few pics of the girls and their Eric Carle inspired artwork.Emmalie's leaf

Ella's fox

Emmalie and Sophia with a super cute owl!

Our very focused girls!
They were copying the shapes that they saw within the pictures of the animals.

Sophia's cat - the vertical lines are the cat's hair.

I've got some mega number crunching to get done today and over the weekend - probably should have gotten a better nights sleep! I hope you have a great weekend~
Amy

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6 Takes

--This week seems to be flying by! Today is the end of the first quarter for my girls in school, and so tomorrow is a day off for us - love it. I've got lots to do and I'm hoping it's nice and warm so they can play outside all afternoon! I actually got my shorts back out to go walking yesterday - crazy warm (70F) for this time of year.

--The dishwasher is getting two new parts. Did you know that you can turn it upside down, find the problem and replace the parts? A little help from google and the GE site, and we should be back in business this evening! Just so we are clear - Joe did the hard part, I did the google part :)

--Thanks to everyone who has shared recipes! There's some good ideas in there - and there's still time if you want to link up. I think I will leave it open over the weekend.

--I'm hoping to get a little embroidery lesson up soon - it's been pushed to the back burner this week, but it's still on my mind! And it won't take much to get going :) My color wheel was featured on Hand Embroidery Network last week! Thanks again!!

--I took the girls to "Arts Night" at the school last night - Sophia was so happy to be included with the big girls. I will have to post some pictures - they have the best art program in the schools here and my girls love it!

--A friend just purchased this fabric for making stockings! Won't those be adorable? I love all the Christmas fabrics out there - so many options.

That's all for the moment!
Amy

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Christmas Stocking Tutorial

I'm so excited to share my Stocking Tutorial with you! Thanks for all your sweet compliments the other day - my family is excited to have special stockings made by mom!
There are a lot of little steps, but they are so fun to put together! I hope that you have a go at it. I used a total of 12 fat quarters (2 per stocking) and a scraps for the stars. I used 1/4" seams for the star construction, and 3/8" for the general construction of the stocking.


1. Trace a stocking or find a pattern. (Google stocking pattern if you need a pattern) I used this little one as a starting point, I didn't want them too big, as we usually just put candy in our stockings. Mine measures 6 1/2" across the top, and 16 1/2" long - at the longest point.
2. Cut out a front and back (exterior) panel. The easiest way is to fold it in half and cut 2.
3. Cut out lining in the same way. You need a total of 4 panels for each stocking.
4. Fold your pattern down 5 1/2 inches. Don't cut the pattern! With the front of your stockings, cut it with your pattern folded. We are making room for the stars!
5. To make the stars, you need 8 - 2 1/2" squares in a light color, and 5 - 2 1/2" squares in a contrasting color. I used Victoria's tutorial for making stars - I don't need to redo her beautiful work!6. Construct your stars, like this. Then sew to the front of stocking panel.
7. Take the tops that you cut off in step 4, and cut 1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips - one per stocking. Take them to the ironing board - iron in half on the length, then fold each edge into the center again, and press flat.
8. Top stitch close to the edge to close. Set aside for later.
9. Baste your stocking front to a piece of batting, and quilt. I quilted in cream thread and opted to add names in red. My machine has a pretty alphabet, but you could also hand embroider the names if you like. I'm not sure you can see it, but I didn't quilt over the star, just around it. If you haven't done any free-motion quilting yet - this is a great size project for getting started!
10. After quilting, get your pattern and pin in place. Trim batting /stocking to the pattern. I cut a touch off the top - they go together much easier if the pieces are all the same size :)
All your fronts are ready to become stockings!
11. Pin back panel to front - right sides together and sew!
12. Clip curves and trim seam allowance.

13. Pin lining pieces together - leaving a 6" gap in the back, as indicated below and sew. Be sure to backstitch your openings. Clip your curves like you did in step 12.
14. Insert exterior into the lining, right sides together. Match seams, then add loop. Fold it in half and tuck between exterior and lining, the side with no batting.
Pin it in place, right next to the seam.
15. Sew around the top of the stocking. I backstitched over the loop for extra security.
16. Pull stocking through the opening in the lining.
17. Pin opening shut.
18. Sew close the edge to close opening. Then tuck lining inside of stocking.
19. Top stitch around opening! And enjoy :)

I hope that everything makes sense! Let me know if you have any questions, and I want to see if you make them!

Blessings ~
Amy
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Family Dinner Swap

Let's swap recipes! I need some serious help getting creative in the kitchen. I even checked out a pile of cookbooks recently and hardly looked through them - it's hard to know if they will turn out good, or if my family will eat it! That's why I love this community - you all are willing to share what you know :)

I've mentioned Alfredo here a few times - it's a family favorite. One recipe that I know everyone will eat, and usually can stretch for two dinners! If not dinner, I at least have good lunch for a few days :) It's a little involved, and dirties at least 3 pans - but worth it!

Alfredo with Broccoli & Chicken

2-3 broccoli crowns, just the florets
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 Cups milk
1/2 Cup parmesan cheese - I use the best quality possible, it makes a difference.
1/3 Cup ricotta cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 lb of pasta - fetticcine is traditional, I like to use mini-penne so I don't have to cut it on the kids' plates.
2-3 chicken breasts, cut into bite size chunks

To make the most of my time I have worked out my little system --

First - wash and cut the broccoli and get it steaming over medium heat.

Second - get water boiling for pasta (most pasta takes twice as long to cook here at altitude)

Third - cook the chicken in olive oil - be sure to season well - salt & pepper/garlic, or whatever you like.

Fourth - once the chicken is cooked through I transfer it to a large casserole dish with a lid and put it in the oven on warm. As other bits finish I add it to the dish! That way it doesn't have to finish at the same time - that stresses me out.

Fifth - Start the sauce! Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and cook it for a quick minute while stirring. Gradually add milk, whisking to blend. Cook for about 15 minutes or until it starts to thicken - you need to stir/whisk constantly. Next stir in your cheeses, salt and pepper, and cook until the cheeses melt. Taste, and remember it's going over pasta, I usually add a touch more salt.

Usually while the sauce is cooking the broccoli and pasta finish, and I have added them to the dish in the oven. When the sauce has finished I pour it over the top and stir to combine! I love this dinner with a salad, but love that I already have veggies in the mix for my kiddos.

I don't have a picture of it - but it's good! Trust me :) I typically use 2% milk, because that's what we buy, but it could be made less fat with skim milk and ricotta - if you like. That and switching the pasta to whole wheat would be healthier - I haven't been able to get my family to switch.

I hope you try it and enjoy it! Let me know what you think. I made a pdf too - click here to print out my Alfredo recipe.

Now I'm curious to see what you have to inspire me in the kitchen! Add your link to your favorite family dinner recipe and enjoy checking out everyone's favorites too!




Thanks for sharing everyone! I'll let you know what I'm making for dinner later :)
Amy
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Christmas Stockings

While I wasn't mopping up the kitchen or soaking my hands in dishwater I was working on these over the weekend! Last year when I made our tree skirt, my family suggested stockings. I wanted to make them, but had purchased enough fabric for the tree skirt only. Well, earlier this summer I was blessed, when the charming Kelly cleaned out her stash, and I knew that stockings were a must!

I love the maverick stars and this is my first project with them. I love the gentle reminder of Christs' birth with the star - even Emmalie noted while I was sewing that they were like "Jesus' star". She's such a smart girl :) I put everyone's name on them, that way there are no squabbles year to year. And I had fun mixing up all the fabrics that I had!

I took pictures of my process, and plan to post a tutorial this week!

Let's swap dinner recipes tomorrow - k!?

No dishwasher yet :( It needs a bit more work. . .

Happy Monday!
Amy

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Weekend Moments

Friday evening sewing with Ella --
I have a set of stockings nearly complete and ready to share with you.

Saturday evening trick-or-treating --
Ella's a cat, complete with robe tie tail. Emmalie pulled her Sleeping Beauty dress out of the dress up bin. Sophia found the Tinkerbell dress up clothes. And Owen is just being himself - he didn't go out :) Halloween is low-key in our house.

Currently -- I'm making the most of having to slow down and wash the dishes, for today.
You ask - "Amy, are there dishwasher parts on your messy counter and floor?" Yes! Yes there are! As many of you guessed the dishwasher made a big mess for us overnight on Friday - what a joy to wake up too - sarcasm - Joe has found the trouble and corrected it! Later this evening, after company is over, we will test to be sure.

Blessings ~
Amy

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