UFO Progress and Fun Projects

      This has been a fun week with GD time including baking 2 afternoons. Last year GD Lily created a recipe using a box of Brownie mix that she named S'mornies and requested to make them again. Most of the sweets went home with them thanks to my diet. If you have a sweet tooth you might want to give it a try.

S'mornies

By: Lily

Ingredients for bottom graham cracker crust:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs ( 1 package of graham crackers- about 9)

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Fill pan w/ graham cracker crust and begin making brownies.
Brownie ingredients (not included in box):

2 Large eggs

¼ Cup water

½ Cup vegtabale oil

Finish mixing brownie mix and spread on top of the graham cracker crust and bake. Once brownies are done baking and cooling, spread marshmallow creme on brownies. Finally, sprinkle second package of smashed graham cracker crumbs on top of marshmallow creme.

Chill for a few minutes to make slicing easier. Slice and enjoy!

- - - - - - - - 

    Last year I saw directions for carved apple shrunken heads and this year we made them. First the apples are peeled and carved. 

 After soaking in a solution of salt and lemon juice they were dried in a low temperature oven for many hours.

    GD Lily also got sewing done on a Roly Poly Santa from an old panel. He still needs handwork to attach his arms, beard and mustache. He is real cute and she did a great job.

     I used some time to layout scrappy red, white and blue blocks and pieced them into a top center. 

 I have enough leftover Mountain blocks for the border after I figure out what to do in the corners.

I hope this will be a nice Quilt of Valor.

I'm linking up with Alycia for Finished (or Not) Friday. Hope you see something to inspire you.

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

Weekly Goals

     In South Carolina we have enjoyed beautiful fall weather. I managed to get some yard work done but had an important sewing project to finish so did not spend as much time outside as I would have liked. I only had 2 goals last week so I would be sure to accomplish them.

How I did:

1. Finish the Hermione bag. Done and delivered Saturday. I am happy to say my GD is excited to have the bag and loves the size.  I shared more photos of the bag in the post Friday.

2. Work on a UFO. Done Most of my progress was in sorting fabric and cutting units but that is an important part. Sewing time will come.

I planned to spend this morning sewing; instead I spent it frustrated installing a new window blind. The old cord had rotted and it almost fell apart so it was time for new. Now that is taken care of I can get busy working on a quilting project.

Goals for this week:

1. Work on a UFO.

I pulled out a bag of blocks already pieced for a QOV. Now to decide on a layout and sew together.

2. Enjoy time with GDs. I have a sewing project for Christmas décor that I hope I can interest them in. If not, we will have fun doing something else.

Stash fabric used or added the past week- Used: 0yds Added: 0yds.

            So far this year- Used: 98.5 yds Added: 27.5 yds

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

A Special Finish Plus QOV

    My major goal for the week was to finish the requested Hermione replica bag for my GD.  All the family are Harry Potter fans. A few years ago I helped the older GD sew a robe and Hermione has been the Halloween character. This year the bag was requested.  Here is an example:

and here is my finish. 

She asked for it to be large and the cords are long enough for the bag to be fully opened.

It will be delivered tomorrow and I look forward to seeing her response. I hope it will be something she will want to use in years to come for formal or fun occasions.  One of my sisters says she would like one. Maybe that will be a project after a break.

      Another sister requested a Quilt of Valor for a 97 year old WWII veteran and member of her church. He was very happy to receive it and said he plans to pass it on to his son.

I'm linking up with Sarah for Whoop, Whoop Friday and Alycia for Finished(or Not) Friday. For fun and inspiration check out all those sharing.

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

Weekly Goals and Progress

     This past week I worked in the yard pulling weeds a couple of mornings then most of my time was spent on the Hermione bag.

How I did last week :

1. Make progress on a UFO. Done. The only quilt related work I did was to make 2 bindings for comfort quilts that have been waiting.

2. Make Hermione bag for GD.  Almost Done.

The majority of my time this past week was spent on the Hermione bag. I have made drawstring jewelry bags before and internet sites suggested using that pattern as a base. I enlarged one and pieced 45 degree wedges of 3 different fabrics to create my base. Next I did machine decorative stitches and hand embroidery stitches.

Then I added beading.  Here is close-up of one section.

Here I gathered the top to see how it will look after I add the drawstring.  I am pleased. 

Goal for this week:

1. Finish the Hermione bag.

2. Work on a UFO.

    This week I plan to finish a beaded fabric bauble with tassel for the bottom of the bag, sew in the lining and insert a drawstring and whatever finishing touches are needed so that I can deliver it to my GD Saturday.

Hopefully, I will have time to work in the yard a little and do some quilting.

Stash fabric used or added the past week- Used: 1 yds Added: 0yds.

                 So far this year- Used: 98.5 yds Added: 27.5 yds

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

Weekly Goals

       I am pleased with how much I got done this past week. Two quilts got quilted. My Bats and Boos quilt is finished and hanging on the wall.  I love the spiderweb quilting I did.  

     I also finished quilting a comfort quilt for my church group.  I tried a new motif by Lori Kennedy that is supposed to be sand dollars.  I'm not sure anyone will recognize that, but it is done. 

 How I did on goals for last week :
1. Finish border for Bats and Boos quilt. Done 
2. Make progress on a comfort quilt. Done
I pressed and organized pieced blocks, sewed several more. Almost enough for the quilt.
3. Start making Hermione bag for GD. Progress.
I was lucky to find a perfect fabric for the bag on sale and with the fabrics from my stash, I can start the construction. 

 I still need silver cord, decorative yarn and more beads.
This is one example I found.

I just hope I can make one to please my GD.

Stash fabric used or added the past week- Used: 2.5 yds Added: 2.5 yds.
             So far this year- Used: 97.5 yds Added: 27.5 yds

Goals for the week of October 11^th :

1. Make progress on a UFO.

2. Make Hermione bag for GD.

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

Working on the Quilting

      I don't have anything finished but did get borders on my Bats and Boos quilt as well as got it sandwiched and started quilting.  

 I wanted to FM quilt free-formed spiderwebs but was scared to start. I practiced on plastic and paper first to get a feel of what I wanted to do.  

Finally I did and I love it so far. 

 It is not the easiest. I am about half done and needed a break. Hope to finish the quilting today.

I'm linking up with Finished (or Not) Friday.  Have fun seeing all the projects.  

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

Weekly Goals

 
     The weather prediction for this week is a good chance of rain most days so there should be plenty of time to sew and quilt. Of course, there is also work I would like to do in flower beds and garden to get ready for winter; however, if it is wet that will have to wait.

How I did last week:
1. Decide on border for Bats and Boos quilt. Done.

I plan to make a zigzag border using 2 rows of 3” HSTs similar to Pat Sloan's border and should finish 40" square.   Here is a mock up in EQ.

 

The fabric I hoped to use may go on the back.

2. Make progress on a comfort quilt top. Done.

I worked on blocks for 2 projects.

3. Enjoy time with granddaughters. Done.

GD Lily and I enjoyed a few afternoons playing with 18” dolls. I supervised GD Mattie baking a small batch of “Stickies” using my grandmother's recipe for a cinnamon roll type biscuit. The recipe is below if you want to give them a try. Most of the time I use self-rising flour instead so I don't need to add the baking powder, soda and salt.

 

          Stickies
First make a batch of biscuit dough:
2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening
about 3/4 cup buttermilk
Blend ingredients and roll thin (about 1/8”). Sprinkle 1/2 cup brown sugar all over.
Then sprinkle cinnamon. Cover with about 1/4 lb butter (melt or use small pinches).
Roll into log. Slice into 1/2 inch pieces and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 425 degrees until light brown – about 15 minutes.
      For  a sweet addition mix powdered sugar with a little milk and drizzle on top.
      I remember watching my grandmother make these and my GDs frequently request that we make them.

Stash fabric used or added the past week- Used: 0 yds Added: 0 yds.
                         So far this year- Used: 95 yds Added: 25 yds

Goals for the week of October 4^th :
1. Finish border for Bats and Boos quilt.
2. Make progress on a comfort quilt.
3. Start making Hermione bag for GD.
      I am on a search for the right fabrics and notions. I may have to learn how to make a tassel and do some beading.

I wish I knew why blogger changes the font color from black to gray and back.  

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.