Out with the Old...

It is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over it has been one heck of a year. I am ready to start 2009 and see what it has in store for me. I used scraps from several other quilts to make this doll quilt. Even got a chance to put the binding on it.

Sneak peek of red, black and white quilt. Funny thing this little project has now turned into three seperate quilts. Oh what was I thinking.

Aftermath

Christmas was a huge success at our house. My feet up in the recliner playing with my new camera and Kim trying to figure out what to do with her trash.

Buttercup on a trip to get her nails trimmed and a new collar.

I sure am enjoying these long weekends. I am feeling refreshed to head into the new year.

Merry Christmas

Kim and Mason before opening presents.

Mason and Kim opening presents

I got a package from The Fat Quarter Shop from Mason.

Even Buttercup got in the action. You can tell she was excited.

My Name is Rochelle and...

My name is Rochelle and I am an addict. For some reason I am addicted to black and white fabrics right now. I ran in to Hobby Lobby last night to pick up some beads to finish a project and came out with three new black and white prints (but I did buy the beads too).
I started cutting out the fabric for the High Light quilt last night (after the trip to Hobby Lobby) and realized I need more white with black prints. So off to the fabric store at lunchtime today. I must stock up before the long Christmas weekend. The good news is black goes with most colors. And I have a few more ideas rolling around in my head.

Merry Christmas

I found that one last elusive gift I was looking for today at lunchtime. Now it is just a matter of the last few things I need to make. Santa is on his way in just a few days.

High Light Quilt

After the morning payroll crunch you can sure tell it is a slow week at the office. Don't you think this would be a great idea to use my red, white and black fabric to make this quilt. The pattern is called High Light and it is free at AllPeopleQuilt.

Where did my weekend go?

My Christmas shopping is basically done. Anything left to buy is a nice to have not a necessity that it get purchased. I did finish a quilt over the weekend for my mother-in-law. Boxed up before I took a photo.
Now I have this doll size quilt to finish with the scraps of several other quilts

I think I have enough red, black and white fabrics to get started on this quilt.

And I made lunch bags for the three ladies in Payroll that work for me.

Mom if you are reading this yours did not get done in time for Christmas but I do have a long holiday weekend coming up. So your Christmas will be on its way soon.

Goodie Day at the Office

Today was goodie day at my office. It is a day long grazing event. Food as far as the eye can see. Robby, one of the guys on our help desk is also a good friend, neighbor and our daughter babysits his little boy. Even though he has been sick all week he wouldn't miss goodie day.

I found an old tray last night and used some rub on letters to create him a customized tray. He was the envy of the office.

Caramel-Peanut Butter Bars

It must be that time of year that I don't get much done. I did make a couple pans of these last night. One for the family and the other for goodie day at the office on Friday. They are very good.

Cookie Base
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
15 miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cup candies, coarsely chopped

Filling
36 caramels (from 14-oz bag), unwrapped
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup peanuts

Topping
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy milk chocolate frosting
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped

1.Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Stir in candies. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

2.Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat caramels and milk over medium heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Stir in peanut butter. Heat to boiling. Cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup peanuts. Spread over warm cookie base. Cool completely, about 2 hours.

3.Spread frosting evenly over filling. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Add 2 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour to dry cookie mix. Decrease butter to 1/3 cup.

Compliments of General Mills and Betty Crocker

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

I haven't tried the recipe but it looks pretty simple and what a great way to get a single serving of cake instead of having the whole cake tempting you.


5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil [someone else suggested applesauce instead]
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to the mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil (or applesauce) and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

I'm Back

Six nights away from home and family is just too much for me. I did get a lot of reading and relaxation in but really missed the comforts of home. I was able to finish the table runner when I got home. Should have it boxed up and shipped out tonight. Hopefully I can finish the last few Christmas presents soon. If you click on the photo you may be able to see the leaf quilting I did. It shows up on some squares better than others.

Retro Fabric

Michele, This is the retro fabric I was talking about.

Merry Christmas to Me

Mason plopped down on the sofa next to me and wanted to borrow my laptop. He has his own, why does he need to use mine. Ahh... he wanted to show me what he wanted for Christmas. Big surprise a video game. I wasn't going to let my captive audience leave that easily. While he was sitting there I showed him what I wanted for Christmas. He now has the link to the Fat Quarter Shop and my wish list. Silly boy doesn't he know moms are smarter than that.

Wreath - Not for Christmas

One of the blogs I follow posted a message about a wreath, which lead to another blog, which lead to another blog, which lead to this photo. I love it. Obviously it isn't for Christmas but I think it is hilarious.

Slice of my life...

Quick story...

Kim had a dentist appointment yesterday. When we finally walked in the door Buttercup was under the kitchen table whimpering. She only whimpers like that when she is hurt. She has her stuffed dog (see photo for size compared to Buttercup) in her mouth and she can't figure out how to get the stuffed dog out from under the maze of table and chair legs. It was pitiful. She wouldn't let go of the stuffed dog but couldn't figure out how to get out with it. I moved a chair, she ran out with the dog and wouldn't drop it from her mouth for 10 minutes. I wonder how long she was under there trying to rescue her stuffed dog.

And words of wisdom. Don't ask your 16 year old for help with a geometry problem (figuring out the most effecient way to cut triangles for daffodil bags). Wow that was quite a discussion.

Confessions of a Craft Addict Giveaway

You have got to hop on over to the Confessions of a Craft Addict blog and post a comment about your favorite charity to be included in the giveaway. She has put together an awesome package of crafty delight.

And don't forget to support your favorite charities during this time of year.

In addition, if you want to check out one of my favorite charities you can hop over to Youth Villages. If you know anything about our saga of the three girls you can understand why it is important to me. Too many teenagers in the foster care system.

Red Daffodil Bag

I think the red daffodil bags turned out pretty cute. Still need to find a bead for the ends of the ribbon. Surprisingly this was probably the easiest and most successful project I have done in a while. I started making out of snowman fabric for Christmas gifts. An ornament will fit perfectly in these little bags.

Daffodil and Christmas

Daffodils and Christmas... those don't go together. The daffodil bag isn't a bag yet, but the majority of it is sewn. I dipped into my black and red fabric I was saving for another project to make a couple of the bags. They should turn into bags tonight.

It is beginning to look alot like Christmas at my house. The stocking are hung. The tree is up and decorated. That darn gingerbread house isn't decorated yet.

Zakka - Beginner's Daffodil Bag

I joined a swap through swap bot for a Zakka - Beginner's Daffodil Bag. These photos are not of my bag. The swap host created these bags and sent us instructions. I have until mid-December to make my bag and send to my partner. So keep watching for my version of the Daffodil bag.

The little one in the foreground is the daffodil bag. I think this one actually looks like one from the Little Shop of Horrors.

Defintion of Zakka:

Zakka
From Wikipedia

Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka'（雑貨）or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is often based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin. But can also be japanese goods from mainly fifties, sixties and seventies. In Japan there are also so called asian zakka stores, that usually refers to Southeast Asia. The interest in Nordic design or Scandinavian design, both contemporary and past, is also part of this zakka movement. Zakka can also be contemporary handicraft.
Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext.

Long Weekend

I am trying to figure out how to get a 4 day weekend every week. I would settle for 3 days but 4 would be awesome. I finished a bunch of projects over the weekend but unfortunately got a shipping happy and sent things out without taking photos. The one quilt I wanted to get quilted didn't happen. Somehow I hurt my shoulder and any extra movement is just too painful to deal with. Sewing straight lines wasn't too bad. So I threw together a bunch of scraps from recent projects to create this quilt top for a doll size quilt.

One of my online friends sent me a package of charms all in these great fall colors. They are so NOT my style but I do know someone that this is perfect match. Again sewing straight lines wasn't too bad.

Kim got the tree up and lights on it. But it isn't decorated. Again the reaching part is just too painful. Mason and Kim assembled a gingerbread house but haven't decorated it yet. Hopefully photos coming soon.

New WIP

I have a few new works in progress. Did I finish anything before I started these? Opps, I can't remember. Wait, I did finish the citrus colored quilt. That justifies starting three new projects doesn't it? I do have a nice 4 day weekend at home that I should be able to get some thing marked off my list. I took the remaining cat fabric and made small square pot holders. I still need to slip stitch the opening. And maybe add a little quilting to them.

Cut out the fabric for a pair of test oven mitts. Hopefully these will fit an adult not an elf. The stripped green is the lining.

And I picked up these fabrics yesterday at lunchtime. I think I still need one more fabric that is a white with red and black. Then I can start on my project.

Thanksgiving Flamingo

For some odd reason I thought this was funny.

Insul-Bright

I had to go do a little research on the Insul-Bright just to see if I was missing any other opportunities.


This is the list of project ideas they gave:

Pot Holders
Iron Cozy
Table Pads
Casserole Cozy
Oven Mitts
Insulated Soft Lunch Carriers
Baby Warmers
Ironing Board Covers
Water Heater
Cover Tea Cozy
Outdoor Stadium Cushions

They also gave a big warning that it is heat resistant, NOT heat proof.

Cats, No Dogs

We had to pick up David's truck from the shop yesterday afternoon, so I got off work early. It was nice not driving home in the dark for a change. I had extra time at the house to work on a few projects.

I joined a Christmas Stocking swap. My partner likes cats. This was an obvious choice for a Christmas stocking. I love the very non-traditional Christmas colors.

If anyone knows a five year old that likes to cook and likes cats just let me know.

With the left over fabric I decided to attempt a pattern that came on a package of Insul-Bright. First let me explain Insul-Bright. It is an insulated batting for home sewers, has a reflective layer that can be used for oven mitts, pot holder, caserole covers, etc. Of course the pattern directions said to enlarge but didn't say how big. So I didn't enlarge at all, big mistake. You must be 5 years old or younger to use this oven mitt. Back to the drawing board. Once I get the size bigger I think they will be a great project.

Power Company

My husband keeps the house freezing cold all year long. I have just learned to dress in layers around the house, complaining doesn't help. Although I do draw the line of wearing hat and gloves but have been known to have to do it on occasion. The dog is probably the only thing that has saved me from completely turning into an icecube. David can't stand to see the dog shiver. And it is actually pretty pitiful when she hops from rug to rug in the house so she doesn't have to touch the cold tile. Imagine how cold it really is when you are 6 inches off the ground. Anyway the power bill arrived over the weekend. David was livid. He swears the bill was double what it should be. Well he was right. The meter reader read it read it wrong. A whole 1000 kilowatts wrong. There is no way the second dial is a six. The power company is supposed to send someone back out today to read it again. We will see if that actually happens.

Projects Update

Busy weekend. Amazing I got as much done as I did between laundry, running errands and running kids around. I can't wait to have a four day weekend for Thanksgiving. I have even talked David into getting a smoked turkey from one of the local barbque places.

Can you tell what the red and green felt are turning into? I still have a few more stems to sew on and add the seeds.

Buttercup got a new little doggie toy made for her this weekend. I found the pattern for a Scottie dog online. It is a good size for her. She can carry it around so much easier than her other stuffed toys.

This quilt top got finished over the weekend. I wanted to work on a few other projects so I saved the quilting for next weekend.

And last but not least the citus quilt is finally done. All quilted and binding put on. I did have a little problem with the tension on the new machine but it seems to have turned out fine.

Mailbox Goodies

Busy week at the office. No time to do anything extra in my life. Good thing I had sent a bunch of swap packages early. I enjoy sending the swap packages but sometime it is also fun to receive. This box is from the pink and black handmade swap. And the box had all of this ribbon on the inside. Plus buttons and stickers.

One of the confetti swap packes showed up. I love the little high heel shoes in with the hearts.

Then last but certainly not least. A package of fabric charms (5x5 inch) came. There are almost 30 different but coordinated charms. They have a very retro look to them. I can't wait to come up with something special to use these. And maybe if I am real good Santa will let me pick out a few charm packs of my very own for Christmas.

So I haven't been very productive the past few days but my productivity the weeks before has paid off at the mailbox.

Smile for the Camera

Buttercup was all snuggled up in her blanket this morning but as soon as she saw the camera she smiled for her photo op. Silly little dog.

Another WIP

I completely forgot about my other work in progress with the red and green felt. It was also taunting me to work on it.

Have you figured out what they are yet?

WIP and Under the Weather

My works in progress are still in progress. I was feeling a bit under the weather over the weekend. Running a little temp on Sunday and can feel my ears and cheeks getting hot again today. If it wasn't payroll day I would be at home.

I was able to lay out the citrus quilt and get it ready for quilting. However I really need to buy a couple new spools of orange thread before I start. It is laying neatly over the back of a chair taunting me to start quilting it.

I got these all cut, just need to sew them when I feel like I have some energy.

And with the left over I did take a moment to sew up this tissue holder.

Love the ricrac Mom. It covered up the horrible thread tension on the new sewing machine.