2012 Comes to a Close

 

On the last day of 2012 I am reflecting back on the last twelve months. I have many things to be happy for and very few regrets.  In fact the only regret I can think of is that I have not spent more time with my grandkids.  The 600 mile distance from each other makes it difficult to spend all the time I would like with them.

This has been a fun year of stretching myself with new techniques in quilting and making new friends in the quilting world.  Several of the highlights of this year include going to two quilting retreats, especially the Cobble Count Quilters group where all of us are such good friends; attending the International Quilt Festival in Houston with two dear friends; family vacation in North Carolina; and a week with the family during Christmas holidays.

I am thankful for all of the blessings in my life.

Here's to a new page in 2013!!


Sandra

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends.

 

Have a safe and happy holiday.

 

 

Sandra

Christmas Presents Finale and a Great Recipe

I have been diligently working on a Christmas present for two young ladies that work with me.  They are rather new on the job, but they have turned out to be the best data entry personnel that we have had in a long time.  I wanted to make something special for them so I decided I would make a Christmas Wreath that I saw being made by Jenny from Missouri Star Quilt Company in a YouTube video. The link to this tutorial is found here. The pattern uses the "twister tool"  I have had this tool for about two years, but had never used it. 

I chose the fabric, followed the direction in the tutorial, and set about to make two of these.  This is the final product.  I just loved both of them.  It was hard to give away so I cut out another one for myself. 

I quilted it with my "Christmas Present to Myself" Baby Lock Sashiko machine.  This machine is the only one of its kind in the sewing machine world.  Its stitches look like hand sewing.  If you are interested in more details, check it out here.

These wreaths were my second project using this machine - I just love it!!

Now for the Recipe...............

Back in February I attended a quilting retreat in Brownswood TX.  Everyone brought their favorite snacks, but one particular snack was the hit of the week.  It was Amy's Carmel Puff Corn.  Amy was one of the girls from San Angelo.  We all asked for the receipt.  Judy L was kind enough to put the recipe on her blog.  I am passing it on to you - it is one of the best snacks I have ever eaten!!  If you need a quick snack that is delicious, this is the one to try.
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Amy's Carmel Puff Corn

3 bags of Puff Corn (3.5 oz size)

Open bags and pour into large roasting pan.

2 sticks of butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup Karo

Place these three ingredients in pan and cook until boiling.  Boil for one minute.

Add 1 teaspoon soda and stir. (Be careful, mixture will swell up.)

Pour over corn puffs and stir.

Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove and let cool.  Place in a sealed container (if it lasts that long).
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If you have never seen Puff Corn in your grocery store, this is what you are looking for:

Cheetos also makes puff corn.

Hope you enjoy this recipe.

Sandra

 

Easy Street Mystery - Part 5

Part 5 of Easy Street is completed.  It was not that hard, but it seemed to take me forever to complete it.  I am amazed that I have been able to keep up with the steps week by week.  This may be the last week for that because I will not be home for Part 6.

My Part 5 looks like this:

I am beginning to run out of my turquoise fabric.  This step used up two of my prints. 

In addition to completing Part 5, I have also cut out the black on white rectangles and the green squares.

I have enjoyed my first four days of vacation - more is on the way, I do not have to return to my workplace until January 7.  Yea!!

Happy Quilting,

Sandra

Easy Street Part 4

We are in our fourth week on Easy Street.  This week we made purple geese with turquoise wings.  These are so pretty.  I just love this combination of color.

After making 64 of those, they were attached to the flying geese in Step 2 that had purple geese and black on white wings.

I have not finished attaching all of the units, but I am well on my way to having this step completed.

Bonnie also said to cut out 145 3.5 inch green squares, if we had time.  Maybe I can do that before Part 5 comes out Friday.

This is going to be a fun quilt.

Sandra

















 

Just Needles Guild Christmas Party

The Just Needles Guild of Pascagoula got together for their Christmas Party at The Boat House, located at Presley's Landing.

We had a delicious meal with peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert.  After the dinner we played the dirty Santa game for gifts that each of us had made.  All of the gifts were beautiful; no matter which one you received it was great. 

 

 

 

 

Some of the gift are shown below:

 

 

 

 

This is what I made for the gift exchange.

A good time was had by all.

Sandra

December Block for Blogger's Block of the Month

This month the Crafting Mechanic has a cute block for her contribution to the Blogger's Block of the Month.  Visit Natalie's blog for the tutorial on this block.

Here is a picture of the block:

Thanks to Dhia of Peach Patch Quilts for sponsoring this monthly event.  She has a beautiful set of fabric for a giveaway this month.  Click on the link and check out the blocks that have been submitted, enter the give-away  and look at the schedule for 2013.

Sharp Quilts will be hosting a block on February 15.

Sandra