A New Years Mystery, and other chatter.

I am so anxious to feel better, but this, what ever this is, still has a hold on me. I have spent the last few days resting, drinking gallons of liquid, taken every decongestant I had around here. I am getting a new supply today and a humidifier, thanks to a friend going to the store for me later today.
But enough about that.
I am so happy I have a laptop, really comes in handy when you are laying around. I have caught up on visiting blogs, sorting files, and organizing & deleting photos.

This is the time of year everything needs to be re-orginized, re-considered, and donated if not needed. I usually start January by sorting & re folding all my fabric. I find that is a pleasurable chore for me, a good way to start the new year.
I don't think I will be doing that for a few days but it is at the top of my to-list.

Bonnie at Quiltville has a New Year's Eve, mystery quilt I want to start soon. I have pulled some of the fabric in preperation for that. You can find the link here.

I was able to do a little hand quilting yesterday on my Northern Star quilt. It has been sitting in basket by my chair waiting, I hadn't touched it since thanksgiving. I do enjoy the needle in hand and the feel of the quilted texture.



The tempature has warmed, the snow has all melted.

Happy Quilting!

Oh Oh the flu hit me like a ton of bricks.

At least it waited til after Christmas, But being out in the Christmas crowds probably where I got it. I did have flu shot in Oct, so maybe it won't last as long.
Stuffed up head, very sore throat, chest full of congestion, with periodic chills, I guess that is a form of flu.
At least the tempature wrmed up a little today the eaves are dripping.

Yes I am still quilting here at the Idaho Quilters

Time for an update on what the Idaho Quilter has been up to. For having a quilting blog I haven't been posting much about quilting the last couple weeks. But the quilting hasn't stopped I just took a blogging break.

Also now that Santa has delivered all the packages I can show what what was in some of those packages I mailed.

The first package went to my Grandson & Great-Grandson in Denver.

Jeremy's flannel quilt.

Julian's fire truck quilt
I sweat ed over the arrival of these two, I mailed them Priority mail, yet they took 6 days to get there. I worried thinking I shouldn't have put both quilts in the same box, at least that way maybe they wouldn't have both been lost. But I worried for nothing, the post office came through and did their job.

Now mailing these packages

to Portland was a different story. Two of them arrived with in a week, but they were having terrible snow storms in Portland causing delays in all mail delivery. the last package arrived in time.
Does any one else worry when they mail quilts.

the next two quilt went to great grand children also
When I was visiting in Portland last summer my granddaughter ask if I would make a TV blanket for her daughter, one that she could use drag around and not have to worry about. One that would launder easily. A couple quick flannels quilts one for Hanna & one for Willie.



I made 15 pair of the fleece sleeping socks, they went to everyone.


While doing this post I have had so much frustration finding the photos I wanted to add, I almost gave up. I have got to find a better way to organize my photos. Any suggestions?
Today the weather is not delightful, 19 degrees with blowing snow. A good day to stay in doors and sew.




Happy Quilting!

Mary Did You Know?

Merry Christmas

Quilt of the Month

There hasn't been much quilting going at the Idaho Quilters lately that I can blog about, you know all the secret stuff going on this time of year.

But that doesn't mean I have not been around blog land to see what others have been up to. I have many blogs I read daily with my morning coffee. I read blogs like some read the morning newspaper.

One on my never miss list is Gypsy Quilter . She is feeling a little under the weather right now so stop by and wish her well.
Through Gypsy Quilter I have found the International Quilt Study Center,
Below is thier Quilt of the Month photo compliments of that Quilt Study Center.
This quilt is almost 11 feet square.


Tree of Life
Maker unknown
Probably made in the United States, 1790-1810




Weather man is wrong again, we were suppose to wake up to 3 to 5" of snow this morning, didn't happen. temp is around 20 degrees, now they claim it will be very cold and windy tomorrow with chill factor of below 0. I hope they are wrong again. And if it has to be this cold snow would at least make it pretty, so let it snow.

Happy Quilting & A Very Merry Christmas!

p.s. I love it when you leave a comment.

A Request for Rolls & other goodies

I recently had a request for my Potato Roll recipe.
I had this on one of my earliest post when I first started blogging, so I thought I would update and share again. Along with a few favorite Holiday recipes.



Potato Refrigerator Rolls
Makes 48 rolls

1 pkg dry yeast

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups potato water

1 1/2 t Salt

2 eggs at room temp

2/3 cup butter room temp

1 cup lukewarm mashed potatoes

7 cups flour

Mix yeast, sugar, & water in lg bowl. Let stand 5 minutes.

Add salt eggs butter mashed potatoes. Mix well. Add flour gradually, and beat with a electric mixer for about 8 minutes.The dough will be too sticky to knead. cover bowl well and refrigerator for at least 2 hours. shape dough into rolls of desired shape, flour your hands often, Let rise until double. (1 1/2 hours)

Preheat oven to 400

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.the uncooked dough will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.

The rolls have never failed, and I always have request for more.

Make Ahead Mash Potatoes

5 lbs potatoes

6 oz cream cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 t onion powder

1 t salt

2 egg whites slightly beaten

2 T butter

Mix all together.

Blend well, spray a casserole with pam. (I use a crockpot). Cover and refrigerate for up to 7 days.

Take out of refrigerator and reheat. If using a crockpot start early to warm thru.



I Always made Lasagna for New Years Eve.

No-Boil Classic Lasagna
preheat oven 350
1 container cottage cheese 16 oz

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 eggs

1 cup grated med or sharp cheese

1 pkg 1 lb lasagna uncooked

1 lb cooked Italian sausage or lean hamburger

Mix with pasta sauce2 (26 oz) Pasta sauce + 1/2 cup water

1 lb shredded mozzarella

Combine first 4 ingredients mix well,

On bottom of 15 X 9" greased baking dish, spread 1 cup meat & sauce mixture.

Top with uncooked noodles, cheese mixture, sauce mixture, a layer of mozzarella..Repeat layering. Cover tightly , bake 1 hr, let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Chile Rellenos Quiche
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese set aside a 1/2 cup cheese for topping
1 can 4 oz chopped green chilies
3 eggs beaten
3/4 cups sour cream
1 Tb minced cilantro (optional)
2 to 4 drops hot pepper sauce, optional,
I line a pie plate with 8 to 10 corn tortillas over lapping as you go. Pour mixture into pie plate lined with tortillas, top with reserved cheese. bake at 350 for 35 to 40min. or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.



Oatmeal Pancakes

1/2 cup oatmeal (not instant)
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup flour
1/2 T sugar
1/2 T baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/4 cinnamon
1 or 2 egg whites , lightly beaten
1/2 t vanilla or almond extract
Blend together the oats & milk let stand for 10 min.
combine dry ingredients add to oatmeal, mix well.
add egg whites & vanilla
let stand in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.





We have temperature of 18 this morning but no snow..
Merry Christmas!

I can't be trusted with chocolate

I love chocolate, a blanket statement for sure. These are a few of my traditional Christmas recipes. I make these to take to my neighbors, I only dare keep a few for myself. I can't be trusted with chocolate in the house.

Cranberry Chocolates

35 -40 pieces

2 cups dark or chocolate

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup walnut pieces

Melt chocolate in double boiler.

Fold in cranberries and walnuts until they are coated in chocolate.

Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto wax-paper covered baking sheets refrigerator until hardened.

Barkies

1 cup sugar

1 cup white Karo syrup

2 cups peanut butter (chunky)

4 cups corn flakes

Bring sugar and syrup to a boil,(just to a boil)

Remove from heat

add Peanut Butter

Pour over cornflakes

Roll into balls

When set dip in Almond Bark if desired

Chocolate Mounds

1 12 ounce package coconut

16 ounces powder sugar

1/2 cup Hot mash potatoes (instant will work just fine)

Mix together and form into balls, refrigerate, until set.

Remove from refrigerator 10 minutes before dipping.

Cold centers cause chocolate to crack.

For Dipping

Mix 6oz Chocolate chips with 1/2 square Bitter chocolate

Melt over a double boiler or in microwave. Dip.

Merry Christmas

A late night treat for Santa's Elves Mug Cake

Find yourself stitching well into the early hours to get those projects completed in time for Christmas? Here's a special treat just for you... ice cream optional.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil [I'm going to try it with apple sauce 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.


Compliments of Quilting Gallery newsletter.

Happy Quilting!

My Christmas Village

I am not going to do much decorating this year, but I can't resist getting out my Christmas Village for display. I will be hanging a few Christmas quilts too, but I will save those for the next post.

And my favorite!

The lights are on, the shop is open.

Don’t you just love the detail that goes into these.

Happy Quilting!

The Happy Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Two happy grandkids, aren't they cute?

This was so easy to make, just follow the link at the bottom to make your own elf card.

Going green with napkins, & a few giveaways

I have just been lolling around the last few days, can't seem to get started on my list of to-do's. I have got to get labels on two quilt today, to get ready for mailing. I also have 2 little flannel throws to finish and mail before Christmas.



I have been in the sewing room, when my daughter was here for Thanksgiving she commented on the every day napkins I use. I haven't used paper napkins in about 10 years, I was green before green was cool.. No need to iron, they just get better and softer with age.



I cut mine each 10" Press a shirt tail hem, (take the time to press the hem) If you have serger or a rolled hem attachment that will work too.







I made 4 dozen napkins, in about 2 hours, used up 2 yards of stash fabric that would have never been used in a quilt, and saved a little space in the landfill.
So DD watch your mail box for a green gift.



Gail Pan Designshas the cutest FREE Christmas redwork pattern, just visit her site.

Pilgrims & Pioneers has a giveaway going on, but hurry it ends tomorrow evening.

Crazy Ladies has a giveaway going on too, A $10.00 gift certificate for Piney Woods Primitives Shop ends Dec 15.

Ok here is one more Cat Nip Primitives, is offering 4 chances to win.
Most of these are Primitive offerings, but quilts and primitives definitely go together, don't you think?

Happy Quilting!

A blogging block

This is what a blogging block looks like, just like a writers block.










Hopefully it will disappear soon!
In the mean time check out this blog, very cool.


http://janeweston.blogspot.com/

Jump start your Christmas Spirit

Happy Quilting!

What happened to Boardwalk?

I had a wonderful time with my family at home for Thanksgiving. They have all gone, the house is empty, the temporary beds have been deflated, the laundry is done, the leftovers have been taken care of. We are left with memories of another Thanksgiving come and gone. This will be the Thanksgiving we remember Sandra trying to make gravy with powdered sugar. OOPS.

We always play games after dinner , Monopoly was this years choice. Before the game was laid out , jokingly I said, I suppose "now a days" they play with credit.

Sure enough, everyone gets a different color credit card to use for purchasing property and paying rent. Jessica was the banker with the eltronic device that keeps track of everyones credit and debits. Boardwalk is gone, then names on the properties have all been changed, the rent now is 500 K , instead of $50.00 the utilities have been chaged to cell phone and cabel co. the railroads have been replaced with airports. Luckily Grandma didn't land on any property worth having and I was able to get out of the game early.

Happy Quilting!

If only I was into appliqué

If only I was into appliqué, this would be my next project.

Isn’t it interesting?

You can find the pattern here, at the Robert Kaufman Fabrics web site, along with the new lines of fabric.

Check out the web site if you are not familiar with it they awesome patterns and new fabric to preview.

like Empress Bouquet by and

Artisan Batiks: Autumn Splendor

I think I better finish a few UFO’s before I start another.

I just wanted to do a quick post this morning to let you know I am still kicking and to share the site with you.

Now I am off to do Thanksgiving preparations, shopping etc.

The kids are coming, the kids are coming home for Thanksgiving, I am so excited.

Happy Quilting

North Star ready for my winter quilting project

I can’t think of a better way to get through the cold winter evenings than sitting with a quilt in your lap quilting away the storms outside. This quilt may last through more than one winter, but that is just fine. It is always the journey not the destination that pleases me, when it comes to quilting, that is..

I have to clarify that for my kids, before they fall off the chair laughing.

I found a new way of basting a quilt, new to me I should say. Maybe others do it this way all the time.

I googled "How to baste a quilt" and found this wonderful video on YouTube by Sharon Schamber. It made perfect sense to me. So much better than my old method of basting which involved the pain of crawling around on the floor.

I just happened to have a couple of 1”x2” boards in the shop. I covered them with fabric then I pinned the quilt edge to the fabric before rolling the quilt top on, then doing the same with the quilt back.

The batting lays free in between the top and back.

I was able to baste the whole quilt while sitting comfortably at the table. Unrolling and smoothing it out as you go.

I have always used the tailors basting stitch, to prepare for hand quilting, the same stitch that Sharon used in this video. Basting with pins for machine quilting will work with this method too.

This was the easiest method I have ever used for basting a quilt, and the end product was smooth and ready to mark.

I recommend watching the videos (there are 2) if you are getting a quilt ready for machine quilting or hand quilting.

If you have ever basted or pinned a quilt on the floor or even bending over a table, your knees and back will love you for taking the time to watch the videos I promise.

Happy Quilting!

Thinking about the next one

Do you start thinking of the next quilt while working on the current one?  How many do you have on the design wall in your mind? 

I am so close to having this one ready to baste, (this will be my winter hand quilt project) I woke up this morning eager to finish this flimsy, so I can move on. 

My next quilt is somewhere in this container of treasured 1930’s fabrics.  It is either in this book “Granny Quilt Decor” by Darlene Zimmerman  or

 

perhaps in one of the magazines.

Cymba  is always eager to help.

Here she is saying HEY it is time to take a break and pet my belly..

I started this post with the question "How many quilts on the design wall in your mind?"

Happy Quilting!