Trying Harder

Boy, I sure don’t know where the time goes.  This spring is flying by, and it has really taken a toll on my blog.  My postings have been few and far between.   I will try harder to get back here with more frequency, I promise!  

I have had two baby gifts in the recent weeks that I put together.  I have another coming up at the beginning of May where I think I will do more of the same.  I’ve been trying to use only from stash, yet make them coordinated, and so far, so good.

For this set, I made a flannel receiving blanket, three burp pads, a knit washcloth, the bunny from Wee Wonderfuls, and then added a purchased crib sheet, and board book.  I didn’t take a picture of the second gift, but it was similar with a blanket, bunny, burp pads, a bib, and a photo book for mom.  I love making baby gifts…they are so sweet.

We also took a trip back to IL to see family during April vacation.  On our way back, we stopped off at Saratoga Historical National Park in Stillwater, NY.  Hubby is a big history buff, and even though the kids groan and moan about stopping to see “another one of dad’s history places,”  they always enjoy it.  It was a beautiful park, and a beautiful day, I wish we had had more time to spend there.

Well, I think spring has fully and finally arrived.  The lilacs are just beginning to bloom here, and we are supposed to have gorgeous weather for the upcoming weekend.  I hope wherever you are, the sun is shining and flowers are blooming!  Happy Spring!

-Elizabeth

Will it ever stop raining?!!!?

I have never seen so much rain!  We are well over 7 inches, and another 1 or 2 still expected.  Time to stay inside and sew, I say!  However, whether it rains or not, life still must move forward – work, school, groceries, post office, kids’ activities…sigh.  Tonight, then, we will all be tucked up warm, cozy, and DRY!   Maybe I will find time to whip up a comforting, sweet treat like this from one of my favorite Gooseberry Patch cookbooks…

Cinnamon Cake

1 cup sugar

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup milk

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients and pour into greased 13 x 9 inch pan.  Add topping (below).

Topping

2 cups brown sugar

2 Tablespoons butter

1 1/4 cup water

Combine ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil.  Pour mixture over cake and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Serve this warm, with or without whipped cream or some vanilla ice cream, but most importantly, accompanied by a steaming mug of coffee.

Hoping that in your corner of the world,  your evening is warm, cozy, and dry.

-Elizabeth

Spring Scarf

I’m almost done with my second scarf from this pattern I posted about last time.  I think it will make a great addition to my spring wardrobe.  Out here it never seems to warm up until late May, so I’ll probably be wearing this for a good couple months yet!  I did increase the width by half and am just crocheting away until I feel it’s long enough.  I just love this pattern. 

It’s been a busy week already around here, and it continues through to the weekend.  Dinner tonight will need to be fast and easy, so some scrambled eggs and biscuits are on the menu.  Breakfast for dinner is a popular “quick” meal with my clan.  What about you? 

Cheers,

-Elizabeth

Scarves and Snowballs

I happened upon this scarf pattern a few weeks ago, and I just loooove it.  I quickly made this one

up in some alpaca yarn that I bought the first year we visited the alpaca farm in the fall (2008).  And now I’m working on one in a pale pink cotton.  For the pink one, I added some width and will probably add some length.  It makes up very quickly and has such a feminine look about it…so pretty.

I’ve also delved into those feed sack fabrics I brought back with me at Christmas.  I’m using the green and red matching fabrics to make a “snowball” quilt.    

 

As usual, I am so glad it’s Friday!  I’m looking forward to some family time and maybe some time in the kitchen.  I’ve been craving some from-scratch cake, but maybe these will suffice.

Coffee Bars

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup hot coffee

1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream shortening and sugar.  Add egg and blend well.  Add hot coffee.  In another bowl, stir  together the flour, baking soda and powder, salt, and cinnamon.  Add to creamed mixture with the nuts.  Spread ina greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.  Frost if desired – a chocolate or caramel frosting is delicious!

Enjoy your weekend,

-Elizabeth

Back in the saddle…I hope

Wow!  February just disappeared.  Between two rounds of colds and other nasty viruses, a visit from Grandma, and school vacation week, the month of February at the Morning Glory Lane household was a little bit of a blur!   It’s feels good to start to see the return of routine around here.

Even with the hub-bub, I’ve kept the sewing machine humming.  I made a few of these finger pincushions…

I have seen these on several blogs, but I used the tutorial here at Don't Look Now.  Super sweet and super easy.  A funny story:  as I was making these, I had a couple sitting on the desk near my sewing machine.  Earlier that week, the oldest daughter had told me she needed to get birthday presents for a couple of her friends.  She happened to walk in as I was finishing up some sewing, and I turned to her, held out two pincushions, and said with a straight face, that I had made rings for her friends’ birthday presents.  For a moment she looked at me in shock and horror (she’s 15) until she realized I was joking.  Now it is a running joke that anytime we need a gift, the girls suggest I make a “puffy ring.”

I also completed the top of my Ravishing Red Quilt… I still need to square it up and then pick out some backing.  I like it, but I have a feeling it might sit in my to-do pile for a while. 

I’ve also started taking my first quilt class.  Over the years, I’ve mostly taught myself, but I’ve always wanted to take a class and learn from others.  And I’m loving it!  Here’s a little glimpse into what we’re doing…

The pattern:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my fabrics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve also started teaching an Intro to Sewing class at another local shop.  I am having a lot of fun, and I would love to be able to teach and sew all the time!

Around here, weather-wise, March came in like a lion, so I am hoping that this means the days are only going to get warmer.  I did see some buds on a few bushes over the weekend! 

With warm, spring wishes,

-Elizabeth

Unwanted Guest…

Trying to fight off the nasty cold virus that is spreading through the Morning Glory Lane household…back soon.

-Elizabeth

A few blocks

I don’t have any string projects to share yet for Stephanie's String Challenge, but I do have a few “crumb” blocks.  I made these following this tutorial at Quiltville.

Most of these scraps came from a  bag I got at the thrift store.  I’m always on the lookout for sewing “stuff” and I can only imagine what the clerk thought – probably something along the lines of  “why is this crazy lady buying a baggie stuffed full of little wrinkled up pieces of fabric?!!”  Yeah, that crazy lady would be me…

Well, anyway, I had a lot of fun making these blocks, but for now they are stacked in my ufo pile still waiting to be made into something…anything…got any ideas?  :) 

-Elizabeth