BIG Friday Finish 5.31.13

Sweet!  I met my goal for May by finishing this big quilt today.  This is my Jack of Hearts quilt (Heather Spence Mystery quilt.) 

 

I'm happy to link up with Richard and Tanya Quilts for the Link-A-Finish FRIDAY.

 

 

Lego Block Test Block

I decided to try a new block in efforts to tame more of my strings.  This time strings were cut to 1.5" strips and then cut to pieces in lengths between 2" and 4".  Here's my test strip.

I made this block with my new 1/4" foot.  It's off just a tidge and I will have to move my stitch line over (minus one).  There are also too many of the same fabrics in this block.  I guess that's why they call it a test block.

This block was inspired by a quilt I found on Pinterest.  Thanks, Margaret's Hope Chest blog post.

WIP Wednesday

I'm very proud of myself that my WIP list continues to dwindle (except for added local quilt guild charity quilts to longarm and bind).  The LQG quilts will be collected throughout the summer.  Here's what happened this week:

I finished my Terry's Treasures QA quilt... and love it!

I finished the Quiet Play: And Sew On BOM for May -- Press On.  (The ironing board cover fabric I used was actually ironing board fabric; this is also the color of my iron.) :)

I didn't make any progress on my Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip quilt, but received this surprise in the mail from a dear friend, Julianne,



I made these Japanese x and + blocks as some samples.  I need to organize my scraps a little more before I start one of these.  These scraps are a little too random for me.



I finished my Geese blocks for the Block Lotto just in time to get the sneak peek for next month.



I loaded a LQG charity quilt on the frame and started in with my Circle Lord swirls template.



I finished some swap blocks for our LQG monthly swap.



New ProjectsZERO!

Pieces still need to be cut
1. Herringbone OSU quilt
2. Digging up Bones (Owen's dinosaur quilt) -- Gave blocks to LQG Round Robin swap 4.23.13

Blocks still need to be made
1. NY Beauty
2. Orca Bay
3. We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
4. Red/White Flower Basket Quilt
5. Maroon Star Sampler Quilt
6. Color coordinated hexagon quilt
7. Gourmet Quilter Sampler
8. Bluepatch Mystery Quilt
9. Amanda Murphy Designs (ugly fabric quilt)
10. Drunkard's Path Variation baby quilt

11. Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip quilt




















Blocks are made but need to be sewn together (and some sashing)
1. Block Swap Adventure Sampler (2011 - 2012)
2. Butterfly Blocks (that I won)
3. Orange/Blue Fish Blocks (that I won)
4. Split Stars (block won from the Block Lotto)
5. African Violet baby quilt (Block Lotto inspired)

Quilt back need to be made (tops are done)
1. Grandma's WIP -- Cameo Rose (this one is a long-term project)
2. Grandma's WIP #2 (this is also a long-term project)
3. Tumbler Charm Quilt

4. Easy Street

5. LQG Christmas charity quilt

6. LQG Jacob's Ladder charity quilt

7. LQG Ship charity quilt

 

Ready to longarm
1. Dutchman's Puzzle
2. Scrappy Christmas QA
3. Spring Mystery loaded 2/26/13 Eyelashes to rip out!
4. LQG Faba's quilt (on the frame)


Quilted, needs binding
1. Heather Spence Mystery Quilt

2. LQG Blue/Brown Baby charity quilt panel

Open ended projects (Blue highlighted items on this list are complete for May.)
1. Block Lotto Blocks
2. Block Swap Adventure Block (last one... I dropped out of this.)
3. Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin 2013
4. And Sew On BOM project 2013
5. 2013 BOM Quilt Doodle Designs

Each Wednesday I try to link up with Lee at Freshly Pieced. Sometimes the linky will accept my picture and let me link; sometimes it doesn't. But I try.



LQG Blocks for Rita

Rita in our LQG requested string blocks.  Here's my two blocks:

LQG Swap Blocks for Sharon

Sharon in our local quilt guild requested star signature blocks.  Here's my two:

 

Happy Memorial Day!  Remember those who served and the purpose behind Memorial Day.

On the Frame

Here's what's on the frame this week.  It's a charity quilt from our local quilt guild made by Faba.  The print fabric has a Noah's Ark theme.  I took the easy way out and quilted it in swirls.

May Block Lotto -- Geese

 

Here are my nine "Geese" blocks for the May Block Lotto.  I can't believe that I made them so late in the month.  It's been a busy busy month, but they are done.  Whohoo!

 

Terry's Treasures QA Complete -- Friday Finish

Here's my Friday Finish for this week.  It's one of my favorites!  It was supposed to be for my co-worker's first baby.  But we found out this week that she is expecting a boy.  Oh well... looks like I'll get to start another quilt!

 

The strips and squares and binding were all cut with the Accuquilt GO! Baby!  Fast fast fast.

(Above is the picture of the quilt from Terry's Treasures.)

It's a Moda Bake Shop Recipe called Wiggly Whimsy by Rebecca Silbaugh.

Mine is a little different because I made the quilt smaller by deleting the spacer rows.

I'm happy to link up with Richard and Tanya Quilts for the Link-A-Finish FRIDAY.

I'm also linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Happy Mail from a Friend!

What a sweet surprise I got in the mail this past week.  My dear friend, Julianne, sent scrappy trip blocks to surprise me for Mother's Day.  Aren't they beautiful!  LOVE the bright oranges. 

 

Julianne and I love joining quiltalongs and swaps.  Usually one of us finds it, tells the other, and we're both on a roll making blocks.  I'm starting to back away from a lot of the swaps at the moment.  But I still love joining QA's.  It's awesome to have quilty friends to share more than quilty stuff.  We're probably lucky we live on two different sides of the United States.  We'd probably shop for fabric if we lived closer.  I bet my little boy would love to meet her adorable granddaughter though.

This week Julianne told me about Japanese x and + blocks.  I thought I would just grab from the scrap bag and make two and see how it worked.  I LOVE the blocks!  I'm not too thrilled with my luck of the draw blocks.  (They don't look very lucky to me).  I will be making more of these blocks (just in more organized colors.)  You can start making blocks with this http://badskirt.blogspot.com/2011/04/japanese-x-and-scrappy-quilt-tutorial.html

WIP Wednesday 5.22.13

Well, the end of the school year is here.  Today's the last day of preschool.  My little guy is so excited to go to a new school next year for kindergarten.  Things on the quilting front will be slowed down a bit (but not completely) until school starts in the fall.  We have waterparks to explore, camping, hiking trails, and just play time planned.  But here's what happened this week.



I finished LQG #1 quilt (9-patch).



Here's the blocks for my partner in the Block Swap Adventure.



I cut a little quilt back for this LQG charity quilt.  I'll be longarming it for one of our members.
It's loaded on the frame.



I finished longarming this Terry's Treasures QA quilt.  The friend I made it for had her ultrasound this week.  It's a BOY!  Guess we'll see something on my new projects list.

New Projects
ZERO!

Pieces still need to be cut
1. Herringbone OSU quilt
2. Digging up Bones (Owen's dinosaur quilt) -- Gave blocks to LQG Round Robin swap 4.23.13

Blocks still need to be made
1. NY Beauty
2. Orca Bay
3. We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
4. Red/White Flower Basket Quilt
5. Maroon Star Sampler Quilt
6. Color coordinated hexagon quilt
7. Gourmet Quilter Sampler
8. Bluepatch Mystery Quilt
9. Amanda Murphy Designs (ugly fabric quilt)
10. Drunkard's Path Variation baby quilt

Blocks are made but need to be sewn together (and some sashing)
1. Block Swap Adventure Sampler (2011 - 2012)
2. Butterfly Blocks (that I won)
3. Orange/Blue Fish Blocks (that I won)
4. Split Stars (block won from the Block Lotto)
5. African Violet baby quilt (Block Lotto inspired)

Quilt back need to be made (tops are done)
1. Grandma's WIP -- Cameo Rose (this one is a long-term project)
2. Grandma's WIP #2 (this is also a long-term project)
3. Tumbler Charm Quilt

4. Easy Street

5. LQG Christmas charity quilt

6. LQG Jacob's Ladder charity quilt

7. LQG Ship charity quilt

Ready to longarm
1. Dutchman's Puzzle
2. Scrappy Christmas QA
3. Spring Mystery loaded 2/26/13 Eyelashes to rip out!
4.  LQG Faba's quilt (on the frame)


Quilted, needs binding
1. Heather Spence Mystery Quilt

2. LQG Blue/Brown Baby charity quilt panel
3. Terry's Treasures Sew Along

Open ended projects (Blue highlighted items on this list are complete for May.)
1. Block Lotto Blocks
2. Block Swap Adventure Block (last one... I dropped out of this.)
3. Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin 2013
4. And Sew On BOM project 2013
5. 2013 BOM Quilt Doodle Designs

Each Wednesday I try to link up with Lee at Freshly Pieced. Sometimes the linky will accept my picture and let me link; sometimes it doesn't. But I try.



May Block Swap Adventure

Here are the two blocks that I sent to my partner, Dawnelle, in Washington (state).  She requested a block in southwest colors.

Aiming for Accuracy QA with Michele Foster -- Quilting Gallery

Have you seen Michele Foster's (from The Quilting Gallery) upcoming quiltalong?  It's called Aiming for Accuracy.  She designed a quilt in EQ7.  It is JUST GORGEOUS!  It would be a great scrap buster.  I don't think I can resist this one.  Check it out!!!



http://quiltinggallery.com/2013/05/18/aiming-for-accuracy-quilt-along-the-final-design/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The+design+is+done%2C+what+do+you+think%3F&utm_campaign=20130518_m116090507_The+design+is+done%2C+what+do+you+think%3F&utm_term=check+out+the+design+here

Garage Sale Fun

My son and I LOVE to go to local garage sales.  Here's a little something that I found.  There's yardage for quilt backs in this pile!!!  Of course I only found one simple orange.

Quilt magazines 2/$1.  With finds like this I think I will let my subscriptions run out.  Do you get quilt magazines?  I like Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting and Quiltmaker.  What are your favorites?

SKINNY BROCCOLI SALAD

2 stalk(s) uncooked broccoli, Chopped
1 head(s) (medium) uncooked cauliflower, Chopped
1/2 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), Chopped
1/2 cup(s) green pepper(s), Chopped
1 large fresh tomato(es), chopped
1/2 large uncooked red onion(s), Chopped
1 item(s) (large) large canned ripe black olive(s), 1 cup chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup(s) fat free Ranch dressing (I changed the dressing to Ranch because I liked it better with Ranch.)

Instructions
Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower and then chop. Add everything in a large bowl add the dressing and toss. Place in the fridge for 4 hours and serve.

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Crisp Cucumber Salsa:
Note: 1/4 cup is only 16 calories! YES!!!

2 cups finely chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup finely chopped seeded tomato
... 1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 jalepeno pepper, seeded and chopped
4-1/2 tsp minced fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 c reduced-fat sour cream
1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
1-1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
Tortilla chips

In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice, lime juice, cumin and seasoned salt. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with chips.

 

LQG Charity Quilt

Another member of the local quilt guild has trusted me with her quilt for longarming.  I grabbed a simple fabric from my stash for a solid, plain back.  It's half loaded on the frame already.

LQG Charity Quilt Finish #1

Here's the first little quilt that I volunteered to longarm for our local quilt guild.  I love the swirled quilting!  Even though this is a simple 9-patch, this quilt was a challenge for me because it was all stitched by someone by hand.  First I had to re-finish all the seam ends so that it didn't pop apart on the frame.  This is also the first time I used my swirls template.  But it's done!!!

It measures a small 30" x 47.5".

 

I backed it with some "Three Blind Mice" fabric that I had hoping some little one would like it. 

 

Here's a better shot of the swirls.  I think I can use this template on A LOT of quilts!!!

I'm happy to link up with Richard and Tanya Quilts for the Link-A-Finish FRIDAY.

I'm also linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

 

On the Frame

Here's what's on the frame today.  It's my Terry's Treasures QA.  You can find it here.  I just love these swirls!

 

(Above is the picture of the quilt from Terry's Treasures.)

It's a Moda Bake Shop Recipe called Wiggly Whimsy by Rebecca Silbaugh.

Mine is a little different because I made the quilt smaller by deleting the spacer rows.

WIP Wednesday 5.15.13

I've had a great run.  More quilts are moving off of the WIP list this year than ever.  School will be coming to an end soon 5/23.  There will be limited times for quilting since I will be headed to water parks, playgrounds, walking paths and such.  I'm excited.  Here's what happened this week:

 

I finished row three of my Finding Nemo scrappy trip quilt.

 

 

I tamed all the 2.5" scraps ends of the scrappy trip by sewing all the pieces smaller than 16" end to end.  I can't wait to see what this makes.

 

 

I made a simple quilt back for the Terry Treasures QA.  This quilt is loaded on the longarm now.  I plan to quilt it with my new Circle Lords swirl template.  LOVE this template!!!

 

I finished my bear/rainbow quilt. It has moved on to its home already! You can it here.

I completed my May obligation for the Block Swap Adventure and mailed it on its way.



New Projects
ZERO!

Pieces still need to be cut
1. Herringbone OSU quilt
2. Digging up Bones (Owen's dinosaur quilt) -- Gave blocks to LQG Round Robin swap 4.23.13

Blocks still need to be made
1. NY Beauty
2. Orca Bay
3. We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
4. Red/White Flower Basket Quilt
5. Maroon Star Sampler Quilt
6. Color coordinated hexagon quilt
7. Gourmet Quilter Sampler
8. Bluepatch Mystery Quilt
9. Amanda Murphy Designs (ugly fabric quilt)
10. Drunkard's Path Variation baby quilt

Blocks are made but need to be sewn together (and some sashing)
1. Block Swap Adventure Sampler (2011 - 2012)
2. Butterfly Blocks (that I won)
3. Orange/Blue Fish Blocks (that I won)
4. Split Stars (block won from the Block Lotto)
5. African Violet baby quilt (Block Lotto inspired)

Quilt back need to be made (tops are done)
1. Grandma's WIP -- Cameo Rose (this one is a long-term project)
2. Grandma's WIP #2 (this is also a long-term project)
3. Tumbler Charm Quilt

4. Easy Street

5. LQG Christmas charity quilt

6. LQG Jacob's Ladder charity quilt

7. LQG Ship charity quilt

Ready to longarm
1. Dutchman's Puzzle
2. Scrappy Christmas QA
3. Spring Mystery loaded 2/26/13 Eyelashes to rip out!
4. Terry's Treasures Sew Along (on the frame.)


Quilted, needs binding
1. Heather Spence Mystery Quilt

2. LQG 9-patch charity quilt.


3. LQG Blue/Brown Baby charity quilt panel

Open ended projects (Blue highlighted items on this list are complete for May.)
1. Block Lotto Blocks
2. Block Swap Adventure Block
3. Modern Mini Mystery Round Robin 2013
4. And Sew On BOM project 2013
5. 2013 BOM Quilt Doodle Designs

Each Wednesday I try to link up with Lee at Freshly Pieced. Sometimes the linky will accept my picture and let me link; sometimes it doesn't. But I try.



 

Here's a couple recipes friends posted on facebook.  Sorry I don't know the source to give credit.

 

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

2 pounds of Pork Tenderloin
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 TBS Yellow Mustard
... 2-3 TBS maple syrup
2 TBS olive oil
Diced dried onions 2 Tablespoons
Garlic Salt 1 1/2 teaspoons
Put everything in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours.

 

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You'll love this recipe so much, you won't want to lose it....be sure to click the word "SHARE" and it will appear on your facebook page so you'll be able to fi...nd it easily. GREAT "light" recipe!

Skinny Broccoli Salad

Ingredients
2 heads fresh broccoli, chopped
1 head fresh cauliflower, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red pepper
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup green olives
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 cup reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing

Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and toss with reduced fat ranch dressing.
Refrigerate until serving.

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Loaded Baked Potato Salad - Mix ½ cup softened butter, ½ cup sour cream, ½ cup shredded extra sharp cheddar, ¼ cup chopped chives, 8 strips thick cooked crumble...d bacon. Fold mixture with 4 large cubed cooked potatoes. Salt and pepper to perfection and serve warm! Reserve some bacon or cheese for the topping.

http://pinterest.com/pin/107804984802466257/

 

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Mexican Chicken Stuffed Shells

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12-15 servings
...
Hearty, delicious chicken and pasta dish with a little southwest or Mexican kick. These are filling and comfort food at it’s best! Make them for company and you’ll be the hit of the party!

Ingredients

4 cups chicken breast, cooked and chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can Black olives, sliced
6 green onions, diced
1/2 each of red, green, yellow, & orange bell peppers (or 2 whole bell peppers of your choice), diced
3 (8 oz.) blocks cream cheese, softened (not melted)
2 cans diced tomatoes with chiles (don’t drain) (Rotel or store brand, either works)
1/4 - 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup of picante sauce
38 large pasta shells, cooked al dente

Instructions
Cook pasta shells in well salted, boiling water until al dente (still have a little bite to them) If you cook them too long, they will be difficult to stuff, plus they will have additional cooking time, once they are stuffed.
Drain the pasta and set aside while you make the filling.
Cook, drain and dice enough chicken breast to make 4 cups. I always have homemade chicken stock and pre-cooked diced chicken bagged in my freezer. You could use canned chicken broth if you prefer.
To make the filling, mix diced chicken, drained black beans, green onions, diced peppers, black olives, and cumin in a large mixing bowl. Thoroughly incorporate all the ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese, chicken stock and undrained tomatoes with chiles. When thoroughly combined, pour it over the chicken mixture and mix well. (If you have trouble incorporating the cream cheese and tomatoes, you can heat it slightly in the microwave.)
Spread 3/4 c. picante sauce in the bottom of a large baking pan. (I used 13x18x2, but I’m guessing that two 9×13′s would also work.) Reserve the final 1/4 cup, for later.Using a spoon, or your fingers, fill each of your cooked and cooled pasta shells, setting them into the picante covered pan.
Continue until all shells are filled and arranged in the pan.
When the pan is full, drizzle the shells with the remaining 1/4 cup of picante and then sprinkle with the shredded cheddar cheese.Cover the baking pan tightly with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

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THIS IS SOOOO GOOD! I JUST WANTED TO REPOST IT FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE MISSED IT THE FIRST TIME!! -SO YUMMY!

GARLIC & LEMON CHICKEN W/GREEN BEANS & RED POTATOE...S!

(Please SHARE so that it saves to your timeline. You can refer back to recipe later!).
For more great tips, recipes &/or weight loss motivation, join us at: SkinnyTown USA

INGREDIENTS
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 juiced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 pound trimmed green beans
8 small red potatoes, quartered
4 chicken breasts (bones left in, with skin, about 3 1/4 pounds)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a large baking dish or cast-iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Arrange the lemon slices in a single layer in the bottom of the dish or skillet.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper; add the green beans and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the green beans and arrange them on top of the lemon slices. Add the potatoes to the same olive-oil mixture and toss to coat. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, arrange the potatoes along the inside edge of the dish or skillet on top of the green beans. Place the chicken in the same bowl with the olive-oil mixture and coat thoroughly. Place the chicken, skin-side up, in the dish or skillet. Pour any of the remaining olive-oil mixture over the chicken.
Roast for 50 minutes. Remove the chicken from the dish or skillet. Place the beans and potatoes back in oven for 10 minutes more or until the potatoes are tender. Place a chicken breast on each of 4 serving plates; divide the green beans and potatoes equally. Serve warm.

 

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Tick Repellant

Ticks can be troublesome outdoor pests, as they feed off the blood of mammals, and can carry and transfer bacteria and disease such as Lyme dise...ase. Some retail products are designed to repel ticks, but these are many times high-priced items and no more effective than a simple homemade solution.

Repellent for Pets

For pets, add 1 cup of water to a spray bottle, followed by 2 cups of distilled white vinegar. Ticks hate the smell and taste of vinegar, and will be easily be repelled by this ingredient alone. Then, add two spoonfuls of vegetable or almond oil, which both contain sulfur (another natural tick repellent). To make a repellent that will also deter fleas, mix in a few spoonfuls of lemon juice, citrus oil, or peppermint oil, which will all repel ticks and fleas while also creating a scented repellent. Spray onto the pet's dry coat, staying away from sensitive areas including eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals. When outdoors for an extended period, spray this solution on two to three times per day. When pets are outdoors generally to use the restroom only, spray the solution onto the animal's coat once per day.

A simple homemade repellent can be made with a few inexpensive household ingredients. In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of water. To make a scented solution so you do not smell like bitter vinegar all day, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil or bath oil. Eucalyptus oil is a calm, soothing scent that also works as a tick repellent, while peppermint and citrus oils give off a strong crisp scent that also repel ticks. After mixing the solution, spray onto clothing, skin, and hair before going outdoors. Reapply every four hours to keep ticks at bay, and examine the skin and hair when returning home to make sure no ticks are on the body.

For more tips, recipes and motivation join us www.facebook.com/groups/healthandfitnessbyjennifer