#TBT - Throwback Thursday - Oh Holy Night!

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It's Throwback Thursday here at Quiltin' Jenny, and I hope you'll link up and share your own creative adventures from your pre-blogging days.

Today's quilt is a Christmas quilt that I fell in love with one year at Tiny Stitches.  It is a simple panel with two borders.  I made it on one of my Panama City Beach retreats with my BQF Pam.

My favorite things about it are that it is flannel and that it was one of my early attempts at FMQing that really went well, which gave me confidence.  The thing I wish I could redo is that I got lazy and made it too small.  It would have been such a cozy snuggle quilt for the holidays if I had only hung in there for some more borders or blocks around the panel.

At Christmas it lives on the back of an old bench that was in Gram's basement when she moved out.  Details are vague on where it came from or why it went unused in her house.  I adore it.  Mom and Dad had it refinished for me as a gift one birthday or Christmas or anniversary.  (I keep trying to take pictures of it for you, but the lighting is awkward where it is.)

Gram was a Quaker, and very involved in her community when her kids were younger.  I like to imagine that it was in their meeting house, with room to store hymnals or text books or something.   It sits by my front door with hats and gloves and old dress up/Halloween/play costumes inside.  Just about the time I think my kids have outgrown this, I get a request for a Harry Potter cloak or angel wings.  

Do you have an old mature holiday craft to share with us this week?








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#TBT - Throwback Thursday - Stained Glass Windows

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It's Throwback Thursday here at Quiltin' Jenny, and I hope you'll link up and share your own creative adventures from your pre-blogging days.

Today I'm featuring two quilts that I made after taking a class (I think it was at Tiny Stitches).  We used this book for guidance:

The technique is so simple but striking, and the design choices are endless.  In fact, I'll have to show you another quilt next week that used this fusible bias tape in a slightly different way.  Remind me.

I made this quilt for our bedroom in the class, and immediately realized how I would do it better the second time.  I decided to make a second quilt and give it to Gram for Christmas that year.  She was living in an assisted living facility, and I thought it would be a wonderful way to brighten her room.

This really is square.  It's just hanging wonky because it's been folded up for awhile.

Now I have them both, and wonder what to do.  Is it selfish to keep them both?  My cousin actually asked if she could have it, and I said no.  But maybe I should send it to her.  Or maybe I should send her the first one and keep the one that was my grandmother's. 

I'm normally very generous and give away most of my quilts, but this one isn't begging to go live in Colorado.  What's that about, do you think?

Link up below and let's see one of your blasts from the past.







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Holiday Grand Plan Week 6 - Kids Rooms Week

I did it!  I actually did my assignments for Week 5!  Cleaning out the master bath was a strangely satisfying experience.

Cabinet, before and after

Drawer, before.

Drawer, after

I found an odd collection of stuff, including:

What's the weirdest thing you've found so far?

Anyway, it's time for Week 6! This is the grueling week to clean out the kids' rooms.  Luckily my kids are old enough to help, although their version of "clean" is not the same as mine.  Sometimes you just have to choose your battles!

In addition:

• Make a "goody basket" for the guest room/bath of sample sized items.  I found enough dental floss and hotel body wash in this week's purge to almost fill mine!  
• Don't forget your freezer meal and goodies to share.
• Continue shopping.  Focus on any gifts that must be shipped.  When purchased, wrap and label them, and start looking for a shipping box that will work.  If you find one, store the gifts in it until it's time to mail.
• If you are making homemade gifts, commit to working on them at least one hour a day until they're done.
• Check the smoke detectors.  Clean them, check batteries, and replace them if necessary.  Need motivation?  Watch this: 

Freezer Friendly Meal of the Week -  Chili

I know this must seem like we eat a lot of beef.  In reality, I find it freezes more consistently.  Anyway, just so you know, this recipe works great with ground turkey!

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 onions, chopped fine
• 1 red bell pepper, cubed
• 6 cloves of garlic, minced

Stir together in a small bowl:

• 1/4 C chili powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 lbs lean ground beef or ground turkey
• 2 15oz cans kidney beans (I use dark red), rinsed and drained
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 28 oz can tomato puree

Heat oil in bottom of a large pot.  Add onions, pepper, garlic and seasonings.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are soft (about 10 min).  Increase heat and add meat.  Stir and cook until brown.  Add remaining ingredients and salt to taste.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.  Remove cover and simmer another hour. 

Delicious with grated cheese, chopped onion, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), and/or diced avocado. 

To freeze, let cool completely first, then freeze in batches.  Thaw and reheat over low heat on stovetop or in crock pot. 

Holiday Treat of the Week - Bourbon Brownies

Need I say more?  These freeze beautifully and are YUMMY!

• 1 Family Size Duncan Hines Brownie Mix  (I know, I know...I never use a mix.  But you could probably substitute your favorite brownie recipe here.  I have just never tried it that way and don't want to steer you wrong.)
• 1 C chopped nuts

Bake as directed.

• 4-5 Tbsp bourbon.  

 Pour over brownies as soon as they come out of the oven.  Chill.

• 1 stick butter
• 2 Tbsp rum or rum extract
• 2 C 10X Confectioners Sugar

Mix and spread over brownies.  Chill

•  1 6oz package chocolate chips
• 4 Tbsp butter

Heat to melt and blend together.  Spread on chilled brownies and return to refrigerator.  Store in fridge or cut and then freeze.  (Warm knife before cutting for best results.)

Enjoy!

What are you reading?

I've been sucked in to all of the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo books.  They lived up to the hype.  I can't believe there won't be another one! In a way it's a relief, though, because now I've read them and can get back to my life.  You know a book is good when you are reading it every possible minute - while brushing your teeth or stirring the sauce.  Warning:  they are graphically violent.  As a true crime and crime fiction junkie, I'm not usually bothered by such, but these left an impression on even my jaded brain.

I also caught up with Phillippa Gregory and The Red Queen.   It told the same story from the opposite perspective from her last one, The White Queen, about the Wars of the Roses.  It makes me want to read more about the history behind the princes in the tower.  I love these books, love how the history comes alive and the characters seem so real.  I've learned more about the history of England this way than in all of my schooling.  I'm sure there are points that have been fictionalized to the point of inaccuracy, but the basic order of things and how certain parts of our own nation's laws came about are fascinating in this style. 

Speaking of books, Sara Gruen, the author of Water for Elephants, has a new book out called Ape House.  I haven't gotten my hands on this one yet, but you can win a signed copy on Joshilyn Jackson's blog (which you should be reading anyway.  She's a scream.)  I absolutely loved Water for Elephants, and read it when my Gram was in her decline.  It gave me a new perspective on her life and the people who cared for her.  I can't wait to read this new story!

What are you reading?

Bulloch Hall Quilt Show 2010 - The Great Cover-Up! - The Review

Today the WannaBees had our annual field trip to the Bulloch Hall Quilt Show.   We were short a few members with Lynne sick and Lene AWOL, but the rest of us were able to gather.  We had to wrap up the day at Fickle Pickle, as usual, and sample the fried pickles and homemade potato chips. 

These two quilts are hanging together just as you walk in the door.  It took me a minute to realize that they are the same drawing!  Lisa T. tells the whole story.  What an incredible pairing!  It leaves you with quite the first impression.

This quilt, entitled "Beach Baby," made by Molly Eckes Samuels from a photo of her granddaughter, captured my heart.  It reminds me of this print by Carolyn Blish that hung in my grandparents' porch for as long as I can remember.  Gram used to say that it reminded her of me.  I couldn't quite walk away from this one for awhile.

In the Morning Room was the display of their guild challenge quilts.  The theme was "Don't Worry...Be Happy."  There were many bright, happy quilts, but I have to confess this is my favorite.  In the words of the artist, Patsy Eckman, "This quilt represents the theme...as only a Golden Retriever can."

There was a fun display of "first quilts," which is one of my favorite categories to view. I had to laugh at the first quilt of a woman I know...it is the sampler quilt from a beginning quilting class I also took. Of course, my blocks and parts of blocks are still in a Ziploc bag...but I digress...

Another first quilt was by Cody Anne Moss, who is also a member of our guild and one of the funniest women you will ever meet. Her first quilt never quite got finished, but she shared it anyway. I love the commentary. In case you can't read it in the picture it says, "Red basting thread is always a brave choice." The rest of her description of this almost-finished quilt is a scream!

But by far, the highlight of any show is seeing the quilts by WannaBees.  I have never put a quilt in Bulloch Hall's show, or anywhere but my own guild's show; however, Ben did us proud (as always).

Here he is with "Madison Before the Boom":

And the piece de resistance...

..."Sunbonnet Sue Goes to the Museum."  Yes, that's a Sponsor's Choice Blue Ribbon from Atlanta Sewing Center on Ben's quilt!

Congratulations, Ben!   I am honored to sew with you, glad to call you friend, and still waiting for some of that creativity to rub off.

Ben's success in the various quilt shows left me thinking about sharing my own quilts.  Although my talent and artistry aren't even on the same scale, I loved each and every quilt in the Bulloch Hall show - from the "Dear Jane" to the dated fabrics and clunky stitches of those first quilts.  My challenge to you today is to find a quilt show and submit at least one quilt this year.  I'm going to do the same!

Sewing Machine Shopping

I finally got down to the nitty-gritty of buying my new sewing machine. After 17 years with my trusty New Home My Excel, it was a daunting task to find her replacement.

I started by doing research online and by asking my Yahoo group mates at Stashbusters and Mystery Quilters. They helped narrow down the field to Janome, Pfaff, and Bernina. Unfortunately, none of these brands allow dealers to advertise prices online, so I had no way of comparing machines in my price range without driving all over Hell's Half Acre to see them. The good news is that I got to touch and sew on each machine before making my choice.

My first stop was Ashby Sewing Center. They represent Janome and Pfaff, among other lines. They were incredibly helpful and informative! They let me sew on several machines, and even let Gracie try out the variety of decorative stitches on the Janome. Although I really love the Janome machine, the Pfaff has some incredible features for a very similar price, so that moved up to the top of my list.

Right around the corner is the Atlanta Sewing Center where I could see the Bernina. Although the Bernina is a fabulous machine and the hands down favorite in my guild, they are much more expensive. To stay within the budget I had established - which covered the top of the line quilting machines by both Janome and Pfaff - I would have to go to the most basic Bernina with the knee lift option and the least number of stitches. It was missing several key features I was looking for. To get the same features I was looking at in the Janome and Pfaff would cost me more than DOUBLE in the Bernina. I just couldn't do it.

This morning I decided to call around to other dealers to see if the prices were pretty standard across the board. Imagine my shock when I found a Discover Sewing almost 30 minutes closer to my home (I didn't even know they sold Pfaffs until I went online.) who had the same machine for almost $400 less! It was too great of a bargain to pass up, so I got right in my car and drove down to get it. Even better, they matched the deal offered by Ashby to throw in the Fab-u-Motion kit. With her 10" throat, I foresee lots of free motion quilting on this machine.
So without further ado, I'd like to introduce Rene, my new Pfaff Quilt Expressions 4.0, named in honor of my late grandmother.
Gram didn't have a creative, quilty or stitchin' bone in her body - I don't ever remember her knitting or crocheting or doing anything even remotely crafty. No, she was a party girl who loved to celebrate and be with her family and friends. She was famous for demanding a second drink (well into her 90s) with the classic line, "A girl can't fly on one wing!"

When she died in November, she left her grandchildren a small inheritance to be used for something fun. While a sewing machine might not have been fun in her book, this Pfaff with all of her bells and whistles is the ultimate indulgence as far as I'm concerned. So here's to you, Gram. I miss you and love you so much. Thanks for the memories, and all the ones yet to be made.