PIF Gift received

I hope everyone had a great weekend, I sure did.  Now I have to get myself back into the groove of things since life must go on.  I have lots of things to share today.

First up, I can finally share the most recent PIF gift I made and shipped out.  I received and email from Rachel of   Mammafairy Sews, that she received her gift. If you are interested in doing a PIF, Rachel still has 2 spots available, you can sign up on her blog. So without further ado, here it is the PIF I made in all its glory.

I took the 'granny square' concept and used some pieces from a charm pack that I had.  I bound it in black and then use this cute springy floral on the back.

Over the weekend I went on a retreat with some wonderful ladies from our old church.  We had a wonderful time and LOTS of good belly laughs.   I was asked to make some cup cakes for part of an object lesson.  I forgot my phone and camera in my room  so I didn't get pictures of the cup cakes but I do have pictures of the flowers I made as a cup cake decoration.

The flowers unfold and inside them I put our 'key verse' for the weekend.

I will be posing the information on the flowers later this week for anyone interested.

Our retreat this year was in 'Amish Land'  I think seeking how the Amish go about their lives really makes us slow down and reflect on the simple things in life.

Parking lot of a grocery store. Sorry for the slight blur to the picture, it was raining and the car was moving.

Of course you can't go without a trip to the fabric store.  This is only the the basement room with discontinued fabrics.  The main store is upstairs and is 3 times the size of the basement room.

Fat Quarters anyone?

That is a full sized row boat and there are no fillers other than the seats in the boat to raise the fat quarters up. When they say the have fat quarters by the boat load, they aren't joking!  If you ever go to Shipshewana, IN. You must visit the Mercantile Building and go to Lolly's Quilt shop.

Wednesday...

Well hello Wednesday, how did you get here so fast? Oh, you show up faster when when I have lots of things to get done that include deadlines...I guess I better buckle down and get busy then....

Yesterday, I set out on a mission to make my son a lunch bag.  Well, I conquered the mission and here is my finished accomplishment.

My son was more than thrilled with his new lunch bag and insisted on taking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch today.

Of course the little sister insisted on being in the picture as well.

For those interested the Monkey fabric is Robert Kauffman Urban Zoology, the Polka dots areBaby Safari from Benartex and the orange is from Kona.

I have lots to get done around the house today, I'm going to be going out of town for a couple of days so I need to make sure the hubby and the boy are all set on things.  I will be dropping the girl at my in-laws bright and early Friday morning so I need to make sure I have all her stuff together as well and everything I need for the ladies retreat I'm going on.  I've been asked to make some cupcakes for part of an object lesson. They need to be bright and cheery so I'm going to attempt to make some flower things to glue on a toothpick to stick in them and maybe put a note of inspiration on them as well.    Have a great weekend everyone!

Debbe

Happy Birthday Gideon Sundback and Test kitchen Tuesday

First off I have to offer up a Happy Birthday to Gideon Sundback. You are probably wondering who Gideon Sundback is, well he was an engineer and came up with today's version of the 'hook-less fastener' aka the Zipper.  You can read more about him him here.


Now onto the regularly scheduled Test Kitchen Tuesday...

I've been doing a lot of cooking on the grill lately and haven't really made any recipes so to speak.  Sure I could tell you how to bake a potato, or boil a ear corn, but well maybe I will do that some day when I seriously have nothing or just feel like giving out some 'basic' info.  I pulled out the trusty 'church' cookbook this morning and have chosen a favorite that I remember having as a child at the church fellowship pot-luck dinners.

Spring Salad


1 3-oz. box Lime gelatin (jello)
1 3-oz. box Lemon gelatin (jello)
3 cups boiling water
1 can (20oz) pineapple tidbits well drained (keep the juice you will need it)
3 bananas sliced
1 1/2 - 2 c. miniature marshmallows

Topping
1 cup pineapple juice (if you don't have 1 cup from your can of pineapple, add enough water to make it 1 cup)
1 1/2 Tablespoons Flour
1 egg
1/2 c. sugar

Directions


Dissolve gelatin (jello) and let cool (not set). Stir in pineapple, bananas and marshmallows.  Let set then cover with topping.

Topping: Boil pineapple juice, egg, flour, and sugar until thickened and then cool.  Fold in 2 cups whipped topping.  Spread over 'set' jello mixture

Today is going to be 'operation lunch bag' that shouldn't be too hard should it??? My son who is in Kindergarten asked me for the 100th time if I would get him a lunch box so he can take his lunch.   I had some cute fabric that I had purchased with the intent of making a baby quilt with.  I showed him and he like them and told me he wanted them all to be used.

I hope everyone has a great day. 

Finally Friday and some sponsor love

It's finally Friday!  For some reason this week seemed to drag on and on for me and yesterday I was in a bit of a funk so I cleaned up the explosion of fabric from the closet that was spilling out in the the room and cleaned off my cutting table.

 While I was cleaning I found a charm pack of Full Circle by Kathy Schmitz and got inspired for one of my pay it forward gifts.   I just love the colors.

I would love to share what I am making with you, but I'm pretty sure the person it is going to is a regular reader here, even though she doesn't comment much, I want to keep it a surprise until I know she has it, so it will be a few weeks before I share. Sorry to be a tease.

In other happenings have you seen some of the new lines that are out? The Fat Quarter Shop has some gorgeous new lines that have arrived recently.

The 'He Loves Me Petal Pusher' and 'She Loves Me Not Petal Pushers' By Dear Stella, look like a lot of fun.

Have a baby quilt to make for someone?  What about the adorable 'Vinage Baby' by Lori Whitlock?

Are you looking to make something special for the 4th of July? Check out this beautiful 'Freedom Star' collection by Color Principle.  I'm usually not big on the 'Americana' stuff, but I love this.

I love snowmen I'm going to have to buy me some of  the 'Frosty Too Many Men' by Jacqueline Paton.

The Fat Quarter Shop has more than just fat quarters, you can get yardage, pre-cuts, patterns and notions. As well as view the new fabric lines that are coming out.  Just click on there 'coming soon' tab and you can drool over what is coming next and see when to expect that line to be released for sale.  Kimberly and her crew are very knowledgeable and can help you with anything you need.  If you can' find it, just ask and they will direct you to what you need.   

stitching away

I've been keeping very busy lately, This month alone I have made 3 dresses for my daughter, and I have made 2 for the 'Dress a Girl around the world' campaign.  I also finished my first knitting 'project' if that is what you want to call it. The fabrics for the Dress a Girl dresses are some that I had folded up in my stash, that I have been looking to do something with but couldn't find the perfect project.

 Dress a Girl Dresses

If you want to get involved with the dress a girl,  the dress a girl button will take you to Kristy's blog so you can get more information.

This green and yellow striped dress is for my daughter. Now, I need to make her some shorts before it gets hot. The pattern for this dress is the toddler version of Made by Rae's 'Itty Bitty dress'  I just added pockets.

And lastly, my knitting project.  I went 'simple' and made a dish cloth.  I have enough of this yarn left to make another one...I think, well I'm at least going to try.

I think I need to put the dress making to the side for a few days, minus the commission ones that I'm waiting on a few things for, and maybe work on my pay it forward gifts that I need to get done.  I still have 2 left to do, so if you haven't gotten yours yet, don't worry I haven't forgotten you.

Test Kitchen Tuesday

Good morning folks.  After being sick last week, I think I'm finally back to my witty self.

This week I'm sharing a friends recipe for Buffalo Chicken Dip. This is one of those great go to recipes for pot luck dinners.  You can bake it or toss it in the crock pot, how is that for versatility?

Buffalo Chicken Dip


2 cups shredded chicken (I just boil my boneless skinless breasts in some salt water)
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese (softened)
1 cup ranch salad dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 to 1 cup of hot sauce (red hot or pepper sauce)

Soften cream cheese, mix in hot sauce until blended; add ranch, chicken and cheddar-stir together.
Bake in casserole pan at 350 for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and melted.
Remove from oven, dab top with paper towels to remove excess oil.  sprinkle a thin layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top.

Crock-pot directions.
Combine the ingredients as you would have for the oven in your crock, except go ahead and toss in the shredded cheese to the mixture. Cook on high for 1 hour, stir and put on low or warm.  You will have oil pool up but it easily stirs back in or you can blot it off with paper towels.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Dress a Girl

If you are generous and like to share using your wonderful sewing skills, head over to Helpful Threads. They are having a giveaway of a kit to make a dress for the cause.  Now if you don't want to sew a dress, please do not sign up.  There have been some very generous people who have donated the materials for these dresses.

I'm hoping to make a dress today now that I am feeling human again.  I got knocked down this week with strep throat which is no fun at all.

I wish everyone a great weekend and happy sewing.

Debbe

Quilting Gallery Weekly Contest

This weeks contest at the Quilting Gallery is Delightful Dresden's.

The full post with close ups of my Dresden Plate can be found here.

If you have a Dresden quilt you would like to submit, head over to the Quilting Gallery's page and read the rules.   If you don't have a Dresden Plate quilt. Head over starting on Friday through Sunday at Midnight EST. to vote for your favorite quilt or as in weeks past you can vote for more than one.  

Test Kitchen Tuesday

Last week got away from me.  I never got around to sharing my secret project or the 2 dresses I made for my daughter.  I have several more dresses to make yet as well.  So before I get to the recipe, I'm going to play catch-up here.

My model wasn't being very cooperative  for the pictures and was giving me a lot of attitude.

The flowered dress is made from some of the Twirling Around line for Me and My Sisters. 

Here is the secret project.  I made myself a bright springy purse with some leftover fat quarters of Terrain that I had.  I'm in love with it.

 I did some cross hatch quilting on it but it is really hard to see.

Ok, on to the Test Kitchen...

Today, I'm sharing a recipe that was given to me for Stuffed French Toast.   It is great for when you have company coming or if you are doing a brunch with your family.   This is a make ahead dish.

Stuffed French Toast

14 slices Cinnamon-Raisin bread (one loaf)

cooking spray

3 cups milk

2 cups egg substitute, divided

1 cup half and half (or heavy cream if you don't care about calories)

1 cup sugar, divided

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened.

cinnamon-sugar mixture (optional)

1.  Trim crusts from bread. (I'm lazy I leave them on). Arrange half the bread in a 9x13" baking dish coated with cooking spray.

2. Milk mixture: 

Combine 

milk 

1 1/2 cups egg substitute

half and half

1/2 cup sugar in a large bowl

Stir with a whisk. 

 Pour half of the milk mixture over the bread in the dish.

3. Filling: 

Combine cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth gradually add remaining 1/2 cup egg substitute, Vanilla and Nutmeg.  Spread over the moist bread in the dish.   Top with remaining bread; pour remaining milk mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

5. Uncover and bake for 55 min.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar if desired. 

Refrigerate any leftovers.  This is good cold or re-heated.

WIP Wednesday

It's that day of the week again. Time to pull a list of things together that I'm working on.   The secret project that I talked about on Monday is done.  I even got to use it last night.  If you follow me on twitter you got a sneak peek at the finished project yesterday afternoon.  Some of you saw it on facebook, no I don't have the Piecestolove page up on facebook yet, it is more a matter of I lack the time to figure it out, I'm sure it is very easy to do, but today is WIP Wednesday so that is what it is all about.

My daughter is such a girly girl and LOVES to wear dresses.  She even gets involved in picking out the fabric.  By the way, she picked out some of the fabric to finish my secret project yesterday.  I think she has a good eye.

This weeks WIP pile of fabric is going to be some fun little dresses for my daughter, so far I've pre-washed my fabric to cut down on frustration after the garment is washed the first time.

But first I need to go dodge some raindrops and gather up some fun little goodies for the kids Easter baskets.

I'm linking up today with Lee over at Freshly Pieced.

Have a great day everyone!

Debbe

Test Kitchen Tuesday

Today's pick is defiantly not healthy, but it is a great comfort food and what my family will be having for dinner tonight since I have to run out the door pretty much as soon as my husband gets home from work.

Fettuccine Alfredo is something my kids just love and since it is a quick fix it makes a great go to meal for me.

Fettuccine Alfredo

3 TBSP light cream or whipping cream
4 ounces packaged fettuccine
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBSP butter or margarine
1 clove minced garlic
black pepper


Let cream come to room temperature.

Cook Fettuccine and drain well.

Return Fettuccine to hop sauce pan.  Add cream, Parmesan cheese, butter and garlic.  Toss gently until fettuccine is well coated.

Transfer to a warm serving dish. sprinkle with pepper.  Makes 4 servings.

Note: I like to serve this will some grilled chicken and broccoli.

I wasn't able to finish up my secret project yesterday. Would you believe I need more fabric? I went to one of the quilt shops here in town but they did not have the fabric I needed or for that matter nothing close enough to Terrain to even bother with, so today I have to go to the other quilt shop in town (that is closed on Mondays) and hope they have what I need. I'm not sure what I will do if they don't have what I need.

Something for me...

I feel like I am always sewing for someone else.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy sewing for others and seeing the joy on their faces when the get whatever I have stitched up.  Mostly I sew for my daughter or I'm making baby quilts for my friends who are increasing the size of their families.  The quilt I finished last week is mine and I did have some fabric leftover from that so I'm making something else just for me with that as well.  I'm pretty certain that my husband doesn't want something with floral print on it for him.  I'm giving you a sneak peak.

Hopefully I will get it finished up this week and then I will share the whole thing with you.

I'm wishing you all a happy Monday, may it be filled with sunshine and smiles.

Debbe