July 18, 2009

Pre-Sewn Fabric

Maybe you've seen this type of fabric when you are browsing around at Joann's. I know I have at times. It's a type of homespun cotton fabric cut into 4" inch squares and sewn together. You buy it by the yard. I've never bought any of it as I didn't quite know what I would make with it. But, at one time Martha did.

Justine and I were looking through Martha's fabrics and came across a large 2 yd. piece of this fabric.



It's pretty in all the different shades of blue denim plaids. One of the problems is it had been washed. The seams had raveled (a lot)--- and it took quite a while to trim all the loose fraying threads to turn this into a something that could be used in a quilt. I pressed and starched and steamed it into submission!

I added the red sashing and a used up some leftover blue paisley for the borders. The loose weave of the fabric can be a bit challenging to quilt on. Ta-da! Another Martha Quilt.


54" x 75". Free motion swirls.



Flannel pieced backing. (click on pictures to enlarge)


July 14, 2009

A Sur-Prize!


I won a prize on I Have A Notion's blog!
This is the first time I've ever won a prize on a blog give-away! I was attracted by the beautiful quilt on the cover of this wonderful book by Jennifer Chiaverini. Yes, the same quilter that writes all the Elm Creek novels. So I submitted my Broccoli Salad Recipe.

Broccoli Salad

2 or more heads of Broccoli, cut into tiny flowerets. Steamed slightly, or raw. Broccoli does steam down a bit, so I use 4 heads or more depending on how many you serving. Leftovers of this salad are just as tasty the second day!
You will need dark raisins, red or white onion, celery, sunflower seeds, mayonnaise, sugar, wine vinegar and bacon.



1/2 to 1 cup raisins
1/3 to 1/2 cup of finely chopped red or white onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (unsalted)
3/4 to 1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
3 tabls. wine vinegar
5 to 10 slices of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces, fried crisp

In a large bowl combine broccoli, raisins, onion, sunflower seeds and celery.
In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar.



Pour over broccoli, toss to coat.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Just before serving sprinkle on bacon and toss. If bacon is cooked ahead of time, warm in microwave. Bacon really makes this salad, so don't be stingy!
I use Turkey bacon and Lite Mayo!

All ingredients can be adjusted to your taste like how much broccoli you are using. For some added color and taste, you can also sprinkle the top with Cherry Tomatoes!
Enjoy!

Thank you Kelly for picking my recipe!

July 11, 2009

Iris Planting Time

Remember my blog entry about my search for Iris rhizomes back in the early Spring. Well, I didn't find any Iris at the local nursery back then, but I did find an Iris grower on eBay with some beautiful Iris and excellent feedback. So I took a chance and ordered these Iris from The Appalachian Iris Garden. Here is a link to their Tn-Tigger eBay store where I purchased these lovelies. Cora, the owner, gave me permission to post their pictures here.


"Chance Encounter"



"Schizo"



"Fondation Von Gogh"



"Halloween Halo"



"Night Hawks Dream"


"Nora's Thrill"

Aren't these Iris photo's gorgeous! Hopefully mine will produce some beautiful blooms like this next year. The rhizomes arrived carefully packed this past week with a full instruction sheet on how to plant them. Time to plant, location, soil prep, depth etc.



They are the nicest Iris rhizomes I've seen! So healthy and look at the roots! I've spent the morning setting them into the Iris bed with a tablespoon of fertilizer down in each planting space to give them a good head start.



It looks a little sparse right now, but come spring it should be beautiful. I do think I need a few more though, don't you?


July 07, 2009

Another Martha Quilt

In memory of Martha



You can read more about "The Martha Quilts" in my previous blog posting.

July 01, 2009

Nellie Birds

Amanda and I had fun making our "Nellie Birds" this past week. Here they are looking over the bird bath.



Enjoying the flowers.



Looking over the fountain.


You can find the pattern at Nellies Blog:

http://nelliedurand.blogspot.com/

And see more Nellie Bird pictures at

http://picasaweb.google.com/nelliesneedles/Birds#