Schnibbles and me

It's been a cold wet dreary day here in the Sunshine State.

(the view from my upstairs sewing room)

So to wile away the hours, I started working on a quilt using the beautiful Island Batik fabric called Blue Bayou, a new line for this spring.

I have always loved Miss Rosie's Quilts Schnibbles patterns.  And for the longest time I've wanted to make the X-Rated pattern.

Today was the perfect day to get started!

Check out Island Batik and their amazing fabrics.I can't tell you how much I love their fabric!

Happy Quilting!

Sabotaged - A Review

Sabotaged is the 5th and final book in the Alaskan Courage series  by Dani Pettrey.  Having read the previous books, it was good to see the McKenna family back on the adventure trail. 

The Iditarod race is an annual dog sled race. When Kirra Jacobs uncle and cousin go missing, the adventure begins. The McKenna siblings join forces to find the missing musher and his daughter.  Kirra must slay her own giants as she seeks out who is involved.  Although this is a good Christian fiction book, it was my least favorite in the series.  The mystery was entertaining, yet I felt that there were times when the story line dragged. I did love the ending, as we glimpse into the future lives of the McKenna family.

I would love to read anything else that Dani Pettrey writes as I think she has a way of breathing life into her characters.

I was sent a copy of this book by Bethany House for my honest review.  

Tangy Lemon Blueberry Loaf

This is the time of year for delicious blueberries and tangy lemons.  Somewhere, I found this recipe online, and I'm sorry that I did not note the author.  But blueberries were in my fridge and lemons were hanging on our tree.  Time to try this recipe.

Lemon Blueberry Loaf

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

2 tsp lemon rind

1 cup full fat plain yogurt OR sour cream

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen

1.  Stir together first 4 dry ingredients.

2.  In a large mixing bowl, bet together eggs, vanilla, lemon rind, sour cream and oil.

3.  Add dry mixture and mix just until dry ingredients are well incorporated.  Don't over mix.

4.  Gently stir in blueberries.  (I coated mine with a little bit of flour so they would bake evenly in the loaf.

5.  Pour batter into well greased and floured loaf pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 50-55 minutes (test doneness with toothpick)

6.  Once baked allow to rest in pan for 10 minutes then remove to cooling rack.

Lemon syrup:

1/3 cup sugar

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1.  Heat together until sugar is dissolved.

2.  Poke warm Lemon Blueberry loaf with small fork and brush lemon syrup over loaf.  Allow to cool completely.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1.  Stir together and drizzle over cooled loaf.  Allow to set.

This is a great combination. Enjoy!

Foodie Friday

Grace at Home

Home Sweet Home

Bread for the Journey

Before and after

When we first moved into our new home, our two children took up residence in the upstairs bedrooms.   Upon our son's impending marriage, he moved into his own place and vacated one of the rooms.

This is what the room looked like when we toured the home before purchase.

When our son moved all of his furniture out, the room was perfect for my sewing area.

For the Love of Quilts

For quilters, something happens when we cross over the threshold of a quilt show. I think the change affects each one of us differently. There are no specific symptoms but something definitely takes place within us.

Bread for the Journey

Happy Valentine's Day

A friend is a seed you sew with love and reap with thanksgiving.

Happy Valentine's Day

Strawberries for my Sweetheart

Strawberry season has arrived in Florida! Plant City has THE most delicious strawberries, and right now they are plump and sweet. It's a perfect time to make a Strawberry Pie for my Valentine!

The original recipe called for "Wild" Strawberry jello, but it's no longer available. So here is my version.

Cast of characters includes -

Fresh Strawberries
Strawberry Jello (large package)
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup Sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Combine cornstarch, sugar and water. Cook over medium high heat - stirring constantly until thick and bubbly. Stir in 3/4 package Strawberry Jello and remove from heat. Let cool.

In a deep precooked pie shell, layer washed and hulled strawberries. Pour Jello mixture over strawberries making sure all the strawberries are covered. Refrigerate.


Serve with a dollop of Whipped Cream

Enjoy!

The Art of Home-making Monday

Valentine's Cards

There is a tutorial on my sidebar on how to make cards from your scraps.

Here are a couple of fabric cards I have made.

Great for any occasion, but very fun for Valentine's Day.

Happy Quilting!

Finish it up Friday

Construction

Still trying to finish these houses I started early last year.  

This is such a fun quilt, but working the color combinations and building the houses is time consuming.  This is one project I'd like to finish this year.

What are you hoping to accomplish this year?

Happy Quilting!

Meet Stella

About a year ago, I received a Stella Lamp.  At that time I was sewing in my laundry room which had big fluorescent lighting.  However since moving my sewing room upstairs into the vacant bedroom, the lighting has come into play.  I have two Ott lights, but have to admit, that although they give off good lighting, it's sometimes still not quite enough.

Enter Stella!

Stella is not your normal light.  It is an ultra-efficient LED lamp that claims the original light will continue to light for 12 years even if you had it on 12 hours a day!

Wordless Wednesday

Looks like fun, huh?

Happy Quilting!

First Finish

Yay!  This one is quilted,

custom label attached,

And in the mail, on it's way to the recipient!

Happy Quilting!

Show and Tell Tuesday
Linky Tuesday
Fabric Tuesday
Finish it up Friday