Quilt Labels

Do you label your quilts?  This step has been kind of  hit and miss with me.  I know I should always label my quilts but sometimes I forget or just don't want to take the time to stitch it on.   Lately I have started machine stitching the label to the quilt backing before sending it to the quilter.  This way I don't have to hand stitch it on afterwards.  Also the label is then quilted into the quilt and is not easily removed.  I use a black perma pen fabric marker to print on my labels.  I find it easier to write on the fabric if I iron the label onto freezer paper first, write on it, then remove the paper. 

I have purchased quilt labels by the yard at quilt shops.
This usually gives you a wide variety of styles and sizes to choose from.  Ask your quilt shop if they have any printed label fabric.  Sometimes the shops cut the labels apart and sell them individually.

Another fun idea is to use an extra quilt block as your label.  Fold the edges under and stitch it onto your quilt backing.

Heart Strings another new pattern

I just finished my new pattern "Heart Strings" I used 1930's fabrics but I think it would be nice in batiks as well.  I will be sending it out for quilting soon and should have the pattern published by January 2012 so check back often.

Cinnamon Twist quilt pattern

I just finished putting the borders on my new quilt  "Cinnamon Twist"
I decided to design a quilt that men might like.  Since I'm a "girly"  girl, almost everything I do is feminine and flowery.  I was quite happy with how it turned out.  I spent the day writing the pattern so now it's off to the quilter and the printer.   I hope to have the pattern available by January.

Duplo Blocks

In my opinion Duplo Blocks are a must have for any house with toddlers.

My grandson plays with them every time he visits me.  I had saved some from when my kids were small but I also bought some extras off E-bay that had fences, animals, trees, windows, tables, trains, etc.  One of my purchases came with a large green base which is great for building on.  So nice that they don't break and they last forever.                    Duplo Blocks = Hours of creative fun.

November 27th Sunshine and Blue Skies

The weather was lovely today.  Sunshine, clear blue sky, and no wind.  Which is quite surprising for the end of November.  This made for perfect walking along the Jordan River Parkway with my friend.  I tend to get so involved with my quilting that I miss out on the fresh air.  I'm glad I tore myself away from my sewing room for an hour and went outside. 

Homemade Playdough

My mom gave me this recipe years ago when my kids were small.  It only takes a few minutes to make.  This is so much better than the commercial kind.  It stays soft and doesn't dry out and crumble.  Plus it doesn't have that funny smell.  Since I am tending the grandkids tonight,  I thought it would be fun to make some for my 3 yr. old grandson to play with. 

You will need the following ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 Tblsp vegetable oil
a few drops of food coloring

Mix the dry ingredients in a saucepan.  Add the food coloring and oil to the water and pour over the dry ingredients.  Stir everything together and cook over medium heat until it pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball.  (This does not take very long)  Place dough on the counter top and knead a little bit until smooth.  Store in an airtight container.   So much fun!

Black Friday

Wow, what can I say.  Yes I ventured out last night to the madhouse of sales.
Walmart was a dangerous place to be at 10:00 pm.  I was able to get a couple of things I wanted but navigating the store was practically impossible.  I was standing 2nd in line for the sheets and didn't get any.  A very nice woman who had 4 sets in her cart offered to call my cell phone if she decided she didn't need all of them.  Just after I checked out and left the store my phone rang. "Hi, this is Nina, do you still want the extra sheets I have?  I am in checkstand 5 and you can have them if you want."  What a nice lady.  Of course I turned around and drove back to get them.  Finding a parking place took 15 minutes but luckily she was still in line and I got some sheets after all.
I headed out again this morning and finished up my shopping.  The weather was fantastic and everyone was having a good time.  What a great feeling to be done with the shopping.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello and Happy Thanksgiving to all!  Since we had our Thanksgiving early on Sunday, today I am relaxing and reading the ads to plan out my Black Friday shopping spree, a tradition at my house.  It looks like the stores are opening earlier and earlier each year.  Michael's craft store is opening at 4:00 pm today.  Wow that doesn't even give their employees time to have dinner.  I went to Walmart at last year at midnight and couldn't even get down the isles.  I never could get over to find the DVD's that were such a good price.  At Kohl's last year the lines wound all around the store.  I'm sure it will be a zoo again this year, but I have always enjoyed a good bargain sale.  I found most of my fellow shoppers to be very friendly and helpful which makes it fun for all. 
I am so thankful that my kids and grandkids all live close-by and I can see them often.  I am also thankful that the Lord is watching over me always.

Antique Kestner Doll 1914

This is a bisque Kestner doll that belonged to my grandmother when she was about 5 years old in 1914.  Here is a picture of her holding her doll.

Melt in your mouth crescent rolls

I have a real weakness for bread of  any kind.  These buttery crescent rolls are so light they practically melt in your mouth.  You will need the following ingredients:
9 1/2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 1/2 cups milk
2 Tblsp yeast
2 tsp salt
2 Tblsp dough enhancer (optional)
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
2 sticks of butter






Scald 1 1/2 cups milk in a glass bowl in the microwave.  Add 3/4 cup of sugar, 2 tsp salt,  and 1 stick butter.  Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the butter is mostly melted.  In another bowl place 2 cups of lukewarm water.  Sprinkle 2 Tblsp of yeast and 1 Tblsp of sugar over the water.  Let set until dissolved and foamy.  To the milk mixture add, 2 cups of flour,  and 1 egg.  Mix well.  When this has cooled slightly add the yeast mixture and mix well.  If you are using dough enhancer, add it at this time.  Let dough rest for about 15 minutes.

Add the remaining flour 2 cups at a time mixing well after each addition until the dough is only slightly sticky. Cover and let raise in a warm place until doubled in bulk.  At least an hour.

Punch the dough down and divide into 4 equal parts.  Lightly flour your work surface.  Roll each part into about a 12" circle.  Spread dough with softened butter.  Cut into quarters, then cut each quarter in half.  Starting at the wide end, roll the dough to form the crescent.

Place rolls on a lightly sprayed baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and set in a warm place to raise until doubled (at least an hour).  Bake in 350 degree oven for about 15 minutes until lightly browned.  Rub softened butter over the tops.

Chicken Pillows (great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers)

I like to make a yummy recipe called "Chicken Pillows" from the Thanksgiving leftovers.  Of course I use turkey instead of chicken.  It uses up the turkey, stuffing, and gravy.  They can be eaten warm with gravy, or cold like a sandwich so you can take them in your lunch.  These can also be frozen.
You will need the following ingredients:
Roll dough (you can use Rhodes frozen rolls (thawed) or make your own dough recipe. (about 20 rolls)
5 oz. softened cream cheese
2-3 green onions finely diced
2 cups of leftover stuffing (or you can use prepared Stove Top stuffing)
3 cups chicken (turkey) chopped into bite sized pieces
1 cup chopped frozen spinach (microwave for about 1 min. and drain well Gravy  ( you can use leftover gravy, Schilling gravy mix, or even cream of chicken soup diluted with a little milk as the sauce)

Roll dough into a large rectangle.  Cut into 3" squares.   If using prepared roll dough just flatten each roll into a square.



In a large bowl mix cream cheese, stuffing, and onions until blended.  Add the turkey and spinach and blend together.  Place a large spoonful of stuffing mixture into the center of each square.



Carefully bring the corners of the dough over the stuffing  to meet in the center and pinch to seal.  Then I push down in the center to make it look like a pillow.  Place on a lightly sprayed baking sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap.  Allow to raise until doubled in bulk, about 30 min. to 1 hr.

Bake in 350 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes until lightly browned.  Heat gravy or soup to pour over the pillows.  Makes about 20

Raggedy Ann and Andy Books

When my sister Nancy and I were small our mom used to read the Raggedy Ann and Andy stories to us each night at bedtime.  I found a set just like them at an estate sale several years ago and just had to have them.  This year I found a set on E-bay to give to Nancy.  Such fun memories and such fun stories.  I hope to read them to my grandkids some day.

Fresh Cranberry Slush

This is so refreshing and delicious.  We look forward to having it every year for Thanksgiving.  You will need the following ingredients:
1 pkg 12 oz. fresh cranberries
2 cups cold water
2 cups sugar
2 tsp unflavored gelatin
2 two litre bottles lemon-lime or cranberry flavored soda
In a saucepan combine water, sugar, and cranberries.  Cook over medium high heat until the skins burst.

 Allow to cool slightly then buzz in your blender about a cup at a time until smooth.  Be very careful blending the hot liquid.  It can explode in your blender if you try to do too much at a time, which can be dangerous, and it makes a terrible mess.  Pour the liquid into a large container.  Soften the gelatin in about 1/4 cup of water then stir into the slush mixture until it completely dissolves.  Allow to cool completely.  Add one bottle of soda and mix well. Cover with tight fitting lid and place in the freezer.  Stir twice during the freezing process. It takes a day or two to freeze completely.  To serve, place the slush in a large punch bowl and let soften slightly.  Chop into smaller pieces and pour the other bottle of cold lemon-lime or cranberry soda into the bowl.  Stir and mash until slushy.   Serve immediately in pretty glasses.

Pecan Crunch Pumpkin Pie

My family likes this even better than traditional pumpkin pie.  I like it because it is quick and easy to make.  You will need the following ingredients:

1 box yellow cake mix (reserve 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 Tblsp flour
1 beaten egg
1 cube melted butter
Mix above and press into lightly sprayed 9 x 13 pan
1 large or 2 small cans of pumpkin
2 eggs
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup half n half
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Mix above and pour over crust
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup reserved cake mix
2 Tblsp butter (softened but not melted)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix above until crumbly and sprinkle over pumpkin
Bake in 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes.  Allow to cool, then refrigerate until ready to eat.  Serve with whipped cream on top

Thanksgiving 2011

We had Thanksgiving early this year.  Sometimes we do it the Sunday before Thanksgiving so the married kids can go to their in-laws on Thursday.  It is so hard to eat two Thanksgiving dinners in one day you know.  Here is a picture of my table set with the antique china I bought this summer off our local classified ads KSL.com   It is from the early 1900's called Victoria.  I got a full service for twelve in excellent condition.  Woohooooo!  I love it.  The kids are not so sure they love it because I won't let them cut with a sharp knife on it.

These are my kids, Mandy, Kelson Jake, my friend Michael, Katie, & Shane.

Jake, Ryan and Jacey, Dad (Grandpa Gary the turkey carver still wearing his apron) and wife Karen, Shane.  Somehow I missed getting a picture of adorable Sydney in her highchair.

We always have fresh cranberry slush for Thanksgiving dinner.  It is soooo yummy.  Jake made it this year and I must say, he did an excellent job.

I started a tradition a few years ago where I give each family a hardbound children's Christmas book at Thanksgiving.  (you know, the really nice ones with beautiful pictures and heartwarming stories)  That way they have it to enjoy throughout the Christmas season.  I usually buy them the day after Christmas (when they are on sale really cheap) and save them for the next year.  Jake and Mandy are the only ones with kids so far, but I think you can enjoy the books at any age.  I like to sit and read them to myself sometimes, but I have to admit, it is even more fun with a grandkid on my lap.  These are
some of the books in my collection.

 Here are the kids opening their books.  Kelson was too quick for me to get his picture.

I made my version of Pumpkin Pie which my family seems to like better than the traditional pumpkin pie and it is oh so easy to make.  (a yellow cake mix, pumpkin, pecans, and lots of whipping cream on the top.)

Veggie Pasta Salad

This salad is a summertime staple at my house.  What a great way to get a wide variety of colorful veggies in your diet.
You will need the following ingredients:
1 pkg colored bow-tie or spiral pasta
1-2  containers of grape tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1/2 cup red onion diced very small
1 cucumber
1 large head of broccoli
1 can artichoke hearts rinsed, drained
1 16 oz.  bottle of Zesty Italian salad dressing
Salad Supreme seasoning
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & coarse ground black pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and rinse well in cold water.

Chop broccoli with stems and place in a microwave safe bowl. Cook on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes just to blanch it to make it bright green.  Do not cook it all the way.  Allow it to cool before adding it to the salad.

Chop all of the veggies and place in a large bowl.  I halve the tomatoes.  I leave the peel on the cucumber but you can peel it if you like.

Add the cooled pasta and broccoli.  Pour Italian dressing a little at a time over the salad and mix until everything is well coated.  I usually save some to add just before serving as the pasta soaks it up quite a bit.

Sprinkle Salad Supreme seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste over the salad and mix well.  Chill for at least an hour to allow the flavors to blend.  Just before serving, mix in the fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

Optional:  cooked chopped chicken is really good in this salad to make it more of a meal.  Add olives, pepperoni, other veggies to your liking.