100 Quilts For Kids

This post is dedicated to Kate's project to encourage quilters to donate quilts to local charities. I had planned on participating not knowing 'Irene' would cause such destruction in my own community. So these quilts have all been donated to the Schoharie County (NY)Flood Victims charity spear headed by our LQS The Quilt Bug.

MY QUILTS

My 4 quilts delivered - I didn't take individual photos of two of them.

This is the Quilt Bug store front - located in Esperance NY - another cummunity severely damaged.






TOPS DONATED

Backing donated by quilters/Quilt Bug/self, batting and binding donated by self.

I have a couple more of my own and picked up three more donated tops from my LQS. I hope to have them finished for the next Linky - but more importantly, for our huge community need. Be sure to visit Kate and,also, visit all the quilters joining in on Linky - give them a big THANK YOU.

CLOSING THOUGHT

"The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service”

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow quotes

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

End of September

'It's the end of september
And with every turning tree
It gets harder to remember
Why the easy days of summer
Were just wasted of me
Kind of wasted on me’

- Donna Regina - ‘End Of September’ (partial lyrics)

This is the last week of September - my last post of the month will be dedicated to 100 Quilts For Kids. To share - some spool blocks received from the Australian 6" block swap.

I am still working on some quilt tops donated for Flood Victims. See information here. This scrappy half-log is my own and in the process of being quilted. I am using a flannel backing - cold weather is on it's way. Information on Schoharie can be found here, also.

I have been playing with some secret projects for some Ghastly fun at the end of October. And another big event in October - my 1st yr. blog-a-versary.

REMINDERS

Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along here

Traveling Stash box#1 - moved on to Bernie. Still no word on Box#2!!

CLOSING THOUGHT


"For summer there, bear in mind, is a loitering gossip, that only begins to talk of leaving when September rises to go."
- George Washington Cable

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Autumn Mosaic

September 22 is the 265th day of the year (266th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 100 days remaining until the end of the year. It is frequently the day of the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Vernal Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.

The word autumn comes from the Old French word 'autompne' and later to the original Latin word 'autumnus'. Harvest was the term usually used to refer to the season, as it is common in other West Germanic languages
(Dutch 'herfst' and German 'Herbst'). The alternative word fall is from the Old English 'fiæll' or 'feallan' and the Old Norse 'fall' meaning "fall of the leaf".

Me - I'll just enjoy the cooler days/nights and the lovely changing mosaic of colours each day brings.

CRUMB ALONG

One of this weeks blocks was maverick/free form stars. Since I am using black as my 'base' color, I felt I needed to add some color with these - black print centers.

The other block was free form hearts. I don't think I do very well with these. I, also, found some tiny trees and HST's in this scrap pile, so saving them for use in this project at some point.





GHASTLIES

I am still playing with these fun prints. The bats and spiders are a Moda I came across and should play nice with the Ghastlies. I hope to finish up my projects (yes, plural) by this weekend.







SQUARED UP

And I have a pile of 'boxed' 9-patch for my 'squared-up' quilt final border. I did these as leader/enders while working other projects and they need pressing, squaring up, and layout to see if I have enough.





REMINDERS

100 Quilts for Kids - see Kate

Traveling Stash Box # 1 - see Barb

Traveling Stash Box # 2 - we have lost track of this box because it was not blogged for give away (which it should be)and has been passed thru 3 people without documentation. If anyone knows where it now resides, please inform that person to post the box for the next give away passing as it is suppose to. Also, let some of us know so we can get the word out. THANK YOU

Stars For A Soldier - I will refer you to John'aLee in her own words for request.

CLOSING THOUGHT

"Winter is an etching, Spring a watercolor, Summer an oil painting and Autumn a mosaic of them all."
- Stanley Horowitz

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Apple Picking Time

It's apple season here in the Northeast. Most of the area orchards are on the hillside and going strong. Our own little trees were plentiful and the deer and various wildlife have been enjoying the drops.




CHARITY QUILTS

I finished off three more flimsies donated to our LQS for the flood victims drive.

SWAPS

Lyndell asked for blue/yellow or scrappy blocks - I combined them. They will be mailed out this morning - to Australia.

My next partner wanted Batiks and what I have fit in a shoe box - of course someone else had to 'fit' in the shoe box.

Here are the Batik log cabin blocks for Jen and headed to Pa. with morning mail.







INSPIRATION

Seems I am noticing bloggers pulling books for inspiration into the new season - so am I. Love the fall and the colors and possible projects. I found one in each of these books.







REMINDERS

100 Quilts for Kids - see side button

Traveling Stash - box #1 is ready to move on so visit Barb for a look see with what she took and what she is adding into the box - oh, some real lovelies. She will draw on Saturday, Sept 24th.

Still 6 weeks left in Sew We Quilt - Wantobe campaign

RECIPE

I know - I don't bake! But it is apple time and you can only do so much applesauce!! So I am sharing a very easy Apple Cake recipe.





APPLE CAKE

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup golden raisins (I like to use cran-raisins)
3 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 cups fresh apples - peel, core, and chop apples, then dredge in sugar before using. (optional - can use one canned apple pie filling)

Preheat oven to 350°F degrees.
Combine eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger.
Fold in apples, raisins and nuts.
Turn into a greased and floured 9X13X2-inch pan for 1 hour or until done.
Servings: 12

CLOSING THOUGHT

A little red apple hung high in a tree.
I looked up at it and it looked down at me.
"Come down, please," I called.
And what do you suppose?
That little red apple dropped right on my nose!

(all my kids learned this in Kindergarten when going on apple picking field trip so I don't know the source)

***If someone could tell me what to do to fix blogger so I can preview post, thank you***

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

When I Don't Sleep......

My sewing machine is very happy when I have problems with insomnia - we play all night.








CRUMBS

I am playing with Jo's Crumb Along that will be every Tuesday, so naturally the faithful tub comes out.

Very easy free form geese blocks - just two for the day. Easy peasy.







SQUARED UP

I finished the 'Chrysalis' quilt that I had tutorial for here and here.

And I put together my 36-patch blocks from Crazymomquilts block along.

And I always love when quilter's show the back of thier quilts - so important to press those seams correctly and neatly - adds to the neatness and squreness of your top.






FUN

I'm part of the Ghastly fun and just love this fabric design line. I can't show what I am working on - you'll have to wait til' October.







HAND WORK

I finished up block #9 from The Raspberry Rabbits. Still haven't decided how I am going to set these.

And block #7 from Clover & Violet's embroidery/quilt along.












RECIPE

It's been a while since I posted a recipe - I like quick meals. So I am sharing my Cornmeal Deep Dish Pizza.









Ingredients

CRUST:
1 (8 1/2-ounce) box Jiffy brand corn-muffin mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

TOPPING:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 (26-ounce) jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional pizza ‘toppings’ of your choice - cooked sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, etc.
1/2 pound shredded cheese of your choice - I like the 4-cheese mix packs

Instructions:
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Prepare the muffin mix using the egg and 1/2 cup of milk. (Note: this amount of milk is different from what's called for in the package directions.) Blend in the Parmesan - then spread the batter evenly across the bottom of the pan.

Heat the oil in a large skillet, then sauté the onion and garlic until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta sauce, oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook the sauce until it thickens, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Arrange half of the toppings on the cornmeal batter. Pour the sauce over and spread it evenly, then layer on the remaining toppings. Bake for 15 minutes, then top with cheese and bake until the cheese is bubbling, about 10 minutes. Cut into slices and serve. Makes 6 servings.

CLOSING THOUGHT

A flock of sheep that leisurely pass by
One after one; the sound of rain, and bees
Murmuring; the fall of rivers, winds and seas,
Smooth fields, white sheets of water, and pure sky -
I've thought of all by turns, and still I lie
Sleepless...
~William Wordsworth, "To Sleep"

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Blue Skies

Sapphire is the modern September birthstone and the gem designated for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversary; a star sapphire is typically given on the 65th wedding anniversary

Named after the Greek word "sapphirus", meaning blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite among priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and purity. In ancient times, Sapphires were thought to be protective against envy, and even against poisoning. Ancient civilizations believed that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection.

So fitting, as we finally saw some blue sky the last couple of days - a ray of hope upon our weary community as flood clean up still goes on.


RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS

My dear sweet blogging friend Tonya sent me a surprise package. First out of the mailer was this wonderful pet blanket for poor Bella who has been so traumatized with the flood, noise, and smells (oh it is really starting to smell from the debrie). Some catnip, her toys, and new blanket - I have her down off the Fridge and to the table - I would normally scold her for being there, but she has been ill with all this worry.

And I saw this (and the blanket) on her blog and never suspected it was coming to my house to live. I just fell in love with this Smore's fabric Tonya used for a project back when we did the 'May For Me'. Look, I have my own Smore's pillowcase! Thank you so much for your gifts to Bella and me.




CHARITY

I finished the second quilt for our local flood victims project. The other was finished up on the Christmas Quilt Along on Saturday. These will be delivered today at our LQS The QuiltBug and Kate has so generously added this donation site as part of the 100 Quilts for Kids. If you can't send a quilt, consider a flimsie (lone quilt top unfinished) as there are people willing to finish them up - yes, I'm on that list.




SQUARED UP

The squared up project had it's next two rows added. Now I need to get the 'boxed' 9-patch rows on and consider whether I want to add a border or call it done. A muslin back I think, and because it will be a large quilt I will send it to be long armed.







REMINDERS

You may have noticed I have some new buttons on the side bar:

Crumb Quilt Along
Quilt Uber-Fest
Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along

Just click on the buttons to take you to the sites for information.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September’s breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
- Gregorian calendar

Sewingly Yours
Sharon

Christmas Quilt Along

I am joining with Sue over at QuiltTimes for September's Quilt Along. Since I already have the borders on my Star Quilt, I will work on quilting up 2 charity quilts for our LQS 'QuiltBug' for distribution to those flood victims in need - especially the children. I dropped off 4 quilts on Thursday and they had a number of flimsies donated - so I took 2 to finish off for the project.

I will update my day's progress on this one posting. If you would like to join in with a Christmas project or any other project, be sure to hop over to Sue's and link up.

UPDATE

I finished quilting both charity quilts. Now to make up bindings and get them on.

UPDATE

Since this is a Christmas quilt along, I thought I should pull something of the season. I have been working on my own paperpiece project aside from Tonya's project as seen here . So I put together one of the rows from Sulky International 2004 BOM - I have done 2 Christmas theme and one country theme wallhangings from this pattern. Another fun Christmas one is in the works for a gift.

UPDATE

I have one finished - hate to do bindings by machine! Love the traditional way of doing them. I need a break from these, so grabbing some dinner and then to play in my scraps. I will finish up the other one's binding tomorrow.

Thank you Sue for another fun quilt along. Now off to see what others have finished for the day.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Purple Asters

The Aster is the birth flower for September. Our's are out - loving the plentiful rain, warm days, and cool nights. Such a display of inspirational color to creat this coming fall.

FINISHES

I made this quilt top using Moda's 'Girly Girl some time ago. I just haven't had a finish in a while so it was a good project. The pink/white heart border (also the back) is a perfect fit. 'Tea Time for Fairies' from Northcott. Tea parties, fairies, and little girls. I will donate this to our LQS who is collecting quilts for our area flood victims in need.

And I fabric framed and finished off the 'candlelight' cross stitch project. It needs a real good steam pressing under a wet pressing cloth to get those lines out.







SQUARED UP

Another rainy day and evacuation of the valley - just had to be busy, so pulled the old scrap tote. Need to make more 'boxed' 9-patch blocks for my squared up quilt and my 2" barrel was down to the light paisley spring colors.

I find pressing fabric and then cutting into workable pieces very relaxing. You get to pet each piece and remember the original project it came from. I of course got distracted and not only cut for my 9-patches, but re-filled my other barrels.

REMINDERS

100 Quilts for Kids - visit Kate here for details.

Christmas Quilt Along - Sue at QuiltTimes is the host this Saturday. Don't fret if you didn't take part in the quilt along, join in with one of your Christmas Projects.

Something NEW:

Quilt-Uberfest - visit Scot of BlueNickelStudios here for a fun time in October.

And to introduce you to a another fabric site:

Henry Glass - visit here and view fabrics and some free projects.

Closing Thought

“Bravely my sweet flower resists
Heat of August, autumn cold;
And though she has amethysts
For her dower, and some gold,
Never roadside beggar passed her
Without nod from purple aster.”
- May Riley Smith

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon