Old Red Barn Quilt Along 2009!

Oh! My! Gosh!  Have you seen the new Quilt Along that Dana over at Old Red Barn Co. is hosting?  It is unbelievable…I can’t even think of another word for it…simply unbelievable.  Go and go now.  Go see what it is all about, and join in on the unbelievable fun.

~Elizabeth~

Craft Hope Dolls

A few days ago, I was searching my way through blogland when I came upon Jade over at Craft Hope and her wonderful doll project for the Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Nicaragua.  The stories and photos throughout her site  are so heart-touching and full of love, all of them illustrating  their mission of helping others through handmade projects.  Be prepared, you will want to sew at least a dozen dolls – if not more!
I’m trying to make this a family project, with all four of the kids sewing their own doll to send.  I will probably need a lot of patience to see this through!  But nonetheless, we got started last  night.  One doll cut out and 4 more to go!
We are using the free pattern at Make Baby Stuff.  It’s straightforward and I think my kids will be able to handle sewing the seams with minimal(hopefully!) guidance. 
This is ds#1’s doll all set to be sewn.  He wanted to make a boy doll in case there were boys at the orphanage, too.  I assured him that there probably were boys living there, and that I was sure they would appreciate having a boy doll.  So we adjusted the pattern a little to reflect more of a shirt rather than a skirt – hopefully it will work!  I was really surprised (and proud) of his conversation while we worked.  He asked a lot of questions about the orphanage, why the kids were living there, what was it like living there, and even about the type of clothing they wore – all of it packaged together makes for some pretty heavy stuff for a 10 year old!   I’m keeping my fingers crossed that our next sewing session goes as smoothly! 
~Elizabeth~

A Time for Knitting

Right now I am in a knitting mood.   It’s like having another appendage – it’s always with me.  I carry at least one project with me at all times, and it acts as my security blanket.   The thing is, I’m a relatively new knitter.  I haven’t really graduated beyond anything square, and nothing very large yet.   I’ve only this week added decreasing and increasing to my meager list of skills, but it hasn’t really bothered me.   I’m quite content knitting up dishcloth after dishcloth.    It’s really just the process, the holding of the yarn, and the repetitive, soothing movement of each stitch.  Calming stuff indeed.

Elizabeth

Nine Patch Quilt-A-Long Progress

Well, I’m a little behind, but here is my first set of nine patches for the block-a-day quilt-a-long being hosted by Crazy Mom Quilts.  I decided to do my blocks in my scraps of 30’s fabrics.  I have thirteen sewn together, and several more cut out, waiting to be sewn.    I didn’t realize I had so much yellow and purple!  I hope it doesn’t overpower the quilt as I was really hoping for a mix of color.  But I am determined to only use my scraps, so hopefully it will all meld  together in the end.  (I have also taken her advice and been cutting  extra squares for the border. )

I’ve really been enjoying visiting all the blogs of the ladies participating in this project.  As always, it is so fun to see everyone’s ideas and creative spirit.   I encourage you to go take a look, too.

On the newbie blogging front, I’m struggling a little in finding “my voice” .  I re-read the few things I’ve written, and find myself very self-conscious.  I have to remind myself that settling in takes time.  

Much peace,

Elizabeth

A Blueberry Weekend

Saturday morning I was in the baking mood and made a blueberry coffee cake.  Then on Sunday  morning I finished off the bag of frozen blueberries by making blueberry pancakes.  If there is fruit included, everything is healthy…right?!!

Blueberry Coffee Cake

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening, butter, or margarine

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoon vanilla

2 – 3 cups blueberries mixed with approx. 1/4 cup flour

In large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and shortening; add eggs one at a time.  Add flour, salt, baking powder, and milk.  Fold in the floured berries.  Spread batter in a greased 9x13inch pan.  Sprinkle top of batter liberally with granulated sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 – 40 minutes, or until cake tests done.

~Enjoy~

Elizabeth

Happy May Day!

On May Day I always think about the old tradition of hanging a  homemade paper basket filled with flowers on a neighbors’ door, ringing the bell, and then running to hide.  I have talked about this tradition with my kids, but we have never actually done it.  However, I do remember doing this with my brothers (and my mom’s help) a couple of times when I was young.   This morning dd#2 and I were out and around and happened across a group of adults and children dressed in medieval costumes, dancing, singing, and making music.  They had a May-pole and several other props.   We couldn’t stay long, but we stopped and watched for a bit.   Even though it was a rainy, foggy morning,  there was a small crowd gathered around.  It was a sweet celebration – a nice surprise for this first May morning.

Since I probably won’t be sharing flowers today, I thought I would share a recipe.

Orange Cake

Whisk together:  2 cups cake flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Add:  1/2 cup shortening or butter

1/2 cup orange juice

2 eggs

Bake in a greased loaf pan for 60 minutes at 350 degrees.

Happy May Day!

Elizabeth