MMMMM Wood Heat.

I forgot to show you a photo of what the finished lap mat looks like.  It is made using the same principal as the microwave bowls only, of course, larger.  (Thank you for the reminder, Farm Quilter)  If you want higher sides, increase the 2 inch high corner stitching to whatever depth you want i.e. 3"

It is still quite cold out today so I am staying in and quilting.  Also getting a bit of writing done   the woodstove is on so the house is nice and cosy.  It is funny that the heat from wood seems to be so different that propane or electric.  Probably my imagination but that doesn't matter.  It is still cosy.
It looks as though the cold temperature is going to last for a few more days and then it should be maple syrup making time-a sure signal that spring is on its way,
blessings,

Free Pattern for Lap Mat

Cat Lady, thank you for sharing your grandmother's story and , yes, utility stitch seems a more accurate description of the longer hand quilting stitch.  I envy quilters who have a long family history of women who share the same skill.  To my knowledge, I am the first quilter in my family.  I would love to have something made by a grandmother or great aunt but I can comfort myself that my descendants will have lots of my quilts.
I did a quick shopping trip today as a winter storm was predicted for this area that would last for a couple of days.  I took the opportunity to go to one of the dollar stores and pick up an expanding file.  I like to have things like instruction sheets,  etc. close to hand.  Having to go to the computer to check a file or search through a binder doesn't work.  I just do another google search.  With the expanding file, I can put everything in the see through pockets and mark the tab labels with what is there.  I think this idea will work well.

As promised, here is a free pattern.  This is for a lap mat that can be used by children to eat their treats without getting crumbs on the furniture.

You can use a ready made placemat or make one for specifically for this purpose.  My mat is 16 x 12.

Measure 2 inches from the tip of one corner along one side.  Place a pin at the 2" mark.  Crease or pinch corner so the two sides come together and place the pin through both layers.  If desired, you can mark a straight line to show where the stitching will go.

 Note pin placement.  This is where you will mark you stitch line.

Sew along the line.  (Note:  the stitch line is the one closest to the point).  Repeat for all corners.  Fold sides toward centre and press.

The mat size can be adjust for a bigger to smaller child.  Makes a great gift.

Blessings,

Storms A-Coming

Di and Cat Lady, glad you liked information regarding the Big Stitch.  I have also heard it referred to as the Vintage stitch although I am not sure why.  Perhaps because it gives that look.  However, I would think that hand quilters in general and especially those from years ago would do those tiny little stitches.
Farm Quilter, I am pretty sure the time is off on my machine and I can't seem to get it set correctly.  I didn't have trouble once before when I put it out after breaking and jamming a needle.  Perhaps I am just getting fumble fingers.  I had to cancel my appointment tomorrow as the weather is turning bad.  Disappointing but better to stay off the road then add another car to the mess.
I have been making good progress on my red and white quilt but am going to change my method of making the flying geese.  I am using the 'No Waste' instructions but find that they are not as precise as I would like.  I am going to switch either to Jodi Barrow's  ruler or paper pieced (using the Thangles preprinted sheets).

This is the wall hanging that I hand quilted for a friend.  It needs a good pressing but the pattern basically was stitching around the small centre blocks and diagonal strips through the bigger sections. It actually looks better than in the photo which is the opposite of how pictures usually reproduce.

Tomorrow I will have instructions for the free pattern.

Blessings,

Big Stitch Quilting

I have an appointment to take my long arm machine in for servicing.  I am really looking forward to having Gracie in top form again and finishing up all the tops that are piling up.  My dear neighbour is coming over to look after the dog so we don't have to worry about her.
We had a bit of a concern today when we discovered the van was leaking power steering fluid.  I had been over a very rough road yesterday and thought perhaps I had damaged something despite keeping my speed way down. Our local garage was able to see the van right away and it turned out to be what he guessed-a clamp had come loose.  Easily and cheaply fixed.
I only have two more corners to stitch on a customer wall hanging.  It has been all done by hand which I have enjoyed.  I want to try some big stitch quilting  on one of my own quilts so will be searching through the tops to see if there is something that isn't too large.
One of my quilting friends has used this technique a few times and I like the way it looks. Another lady I knew did all her quilts this way.  If you are interested in seeing what it is about, here is a tutorial:

Big Stitch Quilting

I am hoping to have the free pattern for you early next week.  Stay tuned.
Blessings,

Freebies.

Another cold but sunny day.  I am continuing to work on my red and white quilt.  When I started, I kept track of what I was doing: cutting instructions, block sizes etc.  Of course, I can't find it now so am doing it all over again.  This time it is in a hard cover ruled notebook.  I am also taking photos of each section.  All this will help when I write up the pattern.  Stay posted.
I am planning a free pattern for you.  It is for a lap mat for children.
Do you ever wish you had a handy reference chart to tell you how much fabric you needed for binding?  I have a link for you.  Patchwork Posse has a number of freebies that I think you will like.  Check her out at:  https://www.patchworkposse.com/free-sewing-patterns or just go to:  https://www.patchworkposse.com  and browse the site.

Blessings,

Next UFO

I have realized that I am more likely to post something if I schedule it for morning rather than evening.  I am either to tired or to lazy after supper.
We have just got another good snow fall although some might object to the word 'good'.  It is light and fluffy so is easy to shovel and doesn't drag at you when walking so I consider that to be good snow.
My new UFO project is the red and white quilt that I started sometime around the middle of last year.  It is for a customer who wasn't in any hurry nor was able to pay right away to I took care of other projects first.  I had forgotten how much I like this one.

This is what I had done before going on to something else.  I want to see how this will look on the diagonal, flipping one row or moving some of the end sections of one row to the beginning of it.  I will also have to decide about a border-will I have one and if so what colour and design.

I will keep you posted.  

I don't have any appointments this week so I should be able to get lots done-if I stay away from the computer games.

Blessings,

Gluten Free Lemon Sauce Recipe

I seem to be focusing on food more than quilting the past while.  Still doing some sewing but not today.  The quilt room was too cold with temperatures outside reaching well into the minus 30's with wind chill it was hard keeping the house warm.
I made the cake recipe today that I shared a couple of days ago.  It thought it would be nice as a Valentine's Day special.  It turned out great despite the fact that I confused Dream Whip and Cool Whip.  There are a couple of changes I will make when I do it next.  I am going to use a larger container so the cake batter isn't as thick (I used a mix-more about that later).  Then I will double the topping ingredients.  If you use the recipe for your cake layer you might not want to do this but as I made up a gluten free cake mix, it has a different taste.  The other alteration I will make is to mix a tablespoon or so of marmalade into the cake batter before cooking.
 I have been asked for the sauce I use on my cake when I don't add icing etc.
Lemon Sauce
Makes 1 1/2 c.
Combine in a saucepan:
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. flour (I use gluten free)
1 tsp lemon rind
1/4 tsp salt
Gradually add:
1 1/4 c. boiling water
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until sauce is thickened (5-7 min.)
Blend in:
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. butter.
Serve hot on cake, baked puddings etc.

I use palm sugar instead of regular from The Bulk Barm

Blessings,

New Lilght

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow.  Sewing grandmother shared a fun practice done by she and her husband.  Nancy said they quit exchanging cards a long time ago.  Now they just regift the same card and have done so for the past 50 years.  I think that is a great idea.
A few years ago, I found the perfect Christmas card for my husband and I started regiving it  Thrifty, fun and better for the environment.
I took Heidi to the vet for her last inoculation this afternoon.  She is always really good when getting her shots and even for the undignified checking of her temperature.  She just stands there without making a fuss.
It was too cold to go for a walk today.  I don't mind when it is just cold but when it is due to wind chill it is impossible to dress warm enough.
Now that I have finished the batik top, I have decided my next project will be the red and white quilt that was a customer order.  She hasn't had the money to pay for it so there wasn't a rush to get it done.  However, I would like to get that one finished.
Hubby installed a new light over my sewing table.  I did have a portable lamp there but it seemed to be either glaring or not shining where I wanted.  the new one is overhead fluorescent so will see how that works.
Blessings,

Yummy Looking Cake

I don't know what happened on Friday but I did write a post, clicked 'publish' and everything disappeared.  I didn't  remember  exactly what I said so just left it.  I have finished the top of my batik quilt.  It is almost a queen size.  I will be taking a photo and sharing with you.

In the meantime, with valentine's day happening on Fri., I thought I would share with you the cake I am going to make for hubby and I.  We don't usually do the flower and card thing but I have been dying to try this recipe.  I have bought a lemon gluten free cake mix for the base so I will be able to eat it.  Doesn't it look yummy.
blessings,





Cake Layer
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
6 tbsp salted butter, room temperature
2 egg whites
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
3 tbsp hot water
3 tbsp orange JELLO powder*
Ice Cream Layers
12 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
12 oz Cool Whip
3 oz package orange JELLO powder, less 3 tbsp*
2 tbsp hot water
2 tsp vanilla extract
Additional Ingredients
8 oz Cool Whip
orange candy slices
orange gel icing color
*You need one 3 oz package of orange JELLO powder. 3 tbsp will be used for the cake, the rest will go into the ice cream layer.
Instructions :
NOTE: 8-inch springform pans are best for this recipe so that you can easily remove the cake once it’s been assembled. If you do not have a springform pan, line your pan with clear wrap before adding your parchment paper and cake board. You can use the clear warp to lift your cake out of the pan once it’s assembled and frozen. You want to make your cake layers in the same pan you’ll use for layering the ice cream and cake together so that they cake layers fit in the final pan you use for layering.
Cake
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of an 8 inch cake pan with parchment paper and grease the sides.
2. Whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add butter, egg whites, vanilla, sour cream and milk and mix on medium speed just until smooth. Do not over mix.
4. Spread batter evenly into cake pan.
5. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs.
6. Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
7. Once cake has cooled, remove dome from cake with a large serrated knife. Poke holes in the top of the cake with something like the end of a wooden spoon, or a straw.
8. Combine hot water and orange JELLO in a small bowl, then spoon mixture over the cake and spread it so that it goes into the holes.
Ice Cream
1. To make the ice cream layers, beat the cream cheese and sugar in a mixer bowl until smooth.
2. Add milk and mix until smooth.
3. Fold in Cool Whip.
4. Divide mixture evenly between two bowls.
5. Combine hot water and remainder of orange JELLO powder in a small bowl. Fold into one of the bowls with half of the ice cream mixture.
6. Add vanilla extract to the other half of the ice cream mixture.
Assembly
1. Line the sides of an 8-inch springform pan with parchment paper. The parchment paper should stick up above the top edge of the pan, since the cake will probably be a little taller than your pan. If you want, put a cardboard cake circle in the bottom of the pan. If not using a springform pan, you pan put some plastic wrap in the bottom of the pan and up the sides and use it to lift the cake out of the pan when it’s done.
NOTE: You should be using the same 8-inch pan you used for the cake. Not all 8-inch pans are exactly the same size. Your cake needs to fit in this pan.
2. Put the cake layer into the bottom of your pan.
3. The top cake with the vanilla ice cream and spread into an even layer.
4. Add the orange ice cream and spread into an even layer.
5.Allow ice cream cake to freeze completely, 6-8 hours.
6. When frozen, remove from springform pan and remove parchment paper from sides.
7. To finish off the cake, ice the outside with additional Cool Whip. You can use gel icing color to make it orange, if you prefer. Pipe additional Cool Whip around the top edges and top with orange candy slices.
8. Freeze until ready to serve.

A Rave Review.

I have decided what I am going to do to make my batik quilt wider but now have to find suitable fabric.  I decided the first border will be black, the next a light (but not white, cream, ecru) colour with a small print.  I tried plain fabric but it seemed to disappear next to all the colour.  A brighter plain worked, and I may still use that, but am not sure if the eye needs more places to rest.  In any case, no rush.
Hubby went to the doctor's today about his knee and he will be getting cortisone shots.  I hope they work as they weren't very successful for his hip.  In the meantime, he is supposed to rest the knee.  Not sure how he is supposed to do that but I will try and, at least, help him with some of the heavier chores such as bringing in the firewood.
I made a gluten free quesadilla for supper and I can't remember when I last got such praise.  Will have to keep that in my recipe file.  Supper tomorrow will be the venison stew I have been cooking all day.  It is hard coming up with something different once in a while but that should take care of it for this week.  I may even be a good girl and bake a dessert.
Blessings,

Top Finished.

I have finished the batik top except for a border which I am thinking will be black.  However, I would like to make the quilt larger so have a question.  What do you think of a wide border in the piano keys in using left over fabric from the top.  Would that take away from the top, be way too much colour or work perfectly?  Can you think of any other border design that would work better.


z

I have had another log cabin book recommendation.  Mary likes Log Cabin Quilts by Karen Murphy.

Have you made a log cabin quilt?  If so, I would like to see your photos and, with your permission, I will include them on my blog.  You can send to: arkangelcreations@gmail.com.

Tomorrow, I will start on another project that is on my UFO list and add the Batik to the bottom on the list until I decide on the borders.

Blessings