ALYOF May Goal

My goal this month for ALYOF is to finish my Triangle Quilt Top from last months QAL that I fell flat on.

Quilt pattern tester

Sneaky sneaky me, I worked up a whole quilt top without speaking a word about it :)

In March I tested out a new pattern by Melissa @ Sew BitterSweet Designs

 Eyes Crossed Spied 

I worked my version up with a FQ Bundle of Scoot by Riley Blake 

I love the pattern it self, very beginner friendly, once everything is cut and labeled and laid out it sewed up super duper fast.

 I now know if I would have colored in my pattern page (as suggested in the pattern) my top would have come out with the color spreed everywhere. Instead I labeled my fabrics and skipped coloring, lesson learned.

April goal finished

My goal is set here.

I sewed up a pillow, case, pad, fitted sheet, quilt.

April Goal ALYoF

This month my goal for April over at  ALYOF is to sew up bedding for this doll bed.

I plan on a pad, sheet, quilt, pillow and case.

This block is the start of the quilt.

I also need to scrub, sand & paint the bed.

Accomplished in March

Quilt blocks x3

Paintings x3

Rabbits x6

QOV blocks x5

Clover pillow case

Doll Bed sheet, pillow and case

Blue,Green,Yellow on Black Quilt top March goal

Triangle QAL

So far so good. I am using a FQ pack along with three random solids total of 17 FQ's. It called for cutting 12 per but I got 15 per so I'm growing a lovely stack of extras maybe a mini will get pieced too. We shall see.

Are you quilting along too?
Triangle Quilt Along over at The Sassy Quilter

QOV block drive

Kevin the Quilter is hosting an awesome and dear to my heart Quilts of Valor block drive.
Not sure if you all know or not but my husband is Retired Army, he just (medically) retired June of 2013. In 12 years (2001-2013) he served overseas 6 times. Returning home by way of medivac the last time. He received a wonderful Quilt from American Hero Quilts that we will always cherish. No matter what organization or group I thank any and all who help get a quilt to a service member. So I have sewn up 5 blocks for the block drive. They will ship out today.

Rainbow of Rectangles

This is a post I can't believe I never wrote up.

Back in 2012 I followed along (mostly) with scrappy 12x12 link on right sideboard.

Pictures are telling me they were taken Jan-April 2012

Here it is Rainbow of Rectangles, my first shot at a quilt.

 

On the back I used a fun ABC print that I had for years :/





I did the binding in the same print



Finished size is 35 x 46

Tasty Thursday~ 15 minute Dinner

So super quick & easy,
This is great on those busy nights.

We make a large batch but it can easly be cut in half.

Start rice cooker with your desired amount of rice.

Start burner on Med
In a big pan w/ lid add in

1 tablespoon olive oil
1pkg Smoked Sausage (precooked kind) cut in 1/2in circles
1pkg Polska Kielbasa (precooked kind) cut into 1/2in circles
6 mushrooms big/rough/chopped
1/2 onion big/rough/chopped
1teaspoon minced garlic
salt & pepper

mix well

add in 1 cup water
cover for a few minutes

add in frozen bell peppers amount to your liking (I did half bag)
Or fresh if you have them

mix well

drop burner to Low cover until rice is done

Serve over rice & enjoy!

My kids can scarf down this whole pot.

Painting take 2

I attended another painting class, this time was family time, no sangria, in the middle of the day, open to 10 and up. My oldest (19) and I went together. The piece was "horse of a different color".
I did go my own way (again) with the colors. I am a bit critical of my background being way to dark for my liking and for the finish.
Original is on left, mine on the right.

Here's a blurry picture of the two of us :)

I did try to follow suit with the big swirl mane but after the first one (upper right) I just couldn't keep going it wasn't my style I have noticed I'm more of the thin swoop rather than the thick curl....

ALYOF March goal complete

My March goal was to complete a top with the blocks I received from 3x6 block swap.

My first block- blue green yellow on black.

Here's my goal post showing all the blocks together.

I ended up making two more blocks for a total of 9.

I also added in a 2 in sashing.

Top is complete, I am second guessing the placement.... but I do that alot.

Triangle Quilt Along

I hopped on this one. I saw it, loved it, just had to.....
The Sassy Quilter is hosting a Triangle Quilt Along
Here are my fabrics~ Sky, Ooh La La by Pillow & Maxfield for Michael Miller Fabrics
I've had this for years........

Since I'm working with a FQ Bundle mine will end up being baby sized unless I can pull some solids from somewhere..... I'm trying not to buy unless I have to (mostly backings) so we will see what happens over the next few days.

Zippy Pouch take two

Tried out another pouch.
I used block 57 from Tula Pink City Sampler
I also added in a layer of stabilizer for a bit more structure to the pouch.

 

Tasty Thursday~ Pork Chops w/ Ginger Jasmin Rice

This was really good, super quick & a total hit.


You will need:

6 chops about 1/2- 3/4 in thick
tin foil & backing sheet to fit the above

Mixing bowl & fork
1tbs soysauce (tamari, coconut aminos, your choice)
1tbs olive oil
1tbs sesame oil
1tbs sweet cooking rice seasoning
1tsp toasted sesame seeds

Rice cooker
1in piece Ginger(chopped/diced)
2cups Jasmine Rice
3cups water

Turn Oven on to High Broiler

Start your rice

Mix the liquids & seeds together
place chops on foiled pan
smear sauce onto both sides of meat
cook until golden brown starts, flip and finish off for a few more minutes

Serve Chops with Gingered Rice

I added Kimchi to my plate, Hubby ate his as is, the kids added rice sprinkles to theirs.

Enjoy!

Liebster Blog Award

How sweet the wonderful Jennifer at Patchwork Mummy has nominated me for this "discover new blogs" award.

I accept :)
 


1. Why did you start blogging?

I started to keep track of my doings- trips, crafts, recipes and to share them with others.


2. What is something this year that you are really looking forward to?

A family trip with the 2 little's this summer. Hoping for Lego land or Busch Gardens


3. What is your favorite thing to do to unwind?

Curl up in a quilt with a nightcap and watch a "mommy" show (Burn Notice, Criminal Minds, NCIS etc)

4. Photo's say a thousand words so share a photo that means the most to you. Why is that picture important to you?

I thought of putting up a family picture, I really did, I know though that my family is most important.

What I want to share is where I'm from, how bitter sweet it is to look at what was my home and how far I've come and grown since leaving there 15 years ago. It truly is beautiful, I love to see pictures of it, but I left, have not gone back and if I ever do it will be in many many years from now.

If you care to see more images here's a link. 

5. What quote inspires you the most?

You must do the thing you think you cannot do ~ Eleanor Roosevelt


6. Name a quilting tool you can’t live without & why?

Seam ripper, because pulling those threads out without it just wouldn't be fun.


7. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Coast of anywhere. Sand and Salt Water is all I need.


8. What is your favorite blog?

 I don't have a favorite, I follow way to many all for different reasons.


9. What is your favorite way to work out?

Work out? I don't.


10. Where do you like to shop?

Local & stand alone stores. I don't do Malls.


11. What's the best advice you've ever been given?

 Eat to live not live to eat. Real food doesn't have nor need labels.


12. What is your favorite blog post you've written?

 To my Husband

I nominate the following three

CeLynn

Debbe

Kevin

Peacock painting

Local to me we have Art Bash Studio.

Sign up for the (class) art piece of choice, gather as a group-come together or all strangers, drink sangria, paint along with instructor, no skill level needed/required. 

A few weeks ago I caught wind of an event to get local ladies together for a meet & greet while painting & drinking.

I signed up hoping to meet new people and to try out the painting.
I really like the Peacock piece that they were attending.

I have never painted on a canvas like this, as a child I drew and drew well into my teens but that's it, nothing out of me in 20 years.

So here ya go, inspirational piece on left & my version is on the right side.

blocks

Worked up in Green, Blue, Yellow on black.
These are for my ALYOF March goal.
I felt the top needed to be 9 squares instead of 6 (with maybe the 7th extra on the back).
Both blocks are from the book MODERN BLOCKS.
Now that these are worked up onto placement & sashing I go.

Turtle Stripes

This is a finish that's posting is way over due.

Turtle Stripes and plush toy  ~

This was gifted Oct 2012 to my great nephew.

My niece said turtle and this is what I created, I used Ty Pennington fabric.

I created strips and worked them up randomly, took the scraps and made squares then bordered them to make the top wider.

 Fun little turtle on the back.

Backing is cream flannel and fluffed up so nicely after quilting and washing.

Tasty Thursday~ Thai inspired Steak Salad

This is really good, not spicy at all, Gluten & Dairy free!

Yum Yum Yum

This feed my family of 6

Ingredients:

4 Steaks of your choice 1in think

Romain Lettuce

Spring Mix Salad

1 English Cucumber, halved & sliced

6 Cherry Tomatoes, quartered

4 Sweet Mini Peppers, seeded and sliced

1/8 of an Onion of your choice, thinly sliced

4 Big Limes, juice 3, half and slice 1

1pk/cup Fresh Mint Leaves, rough chop

1cup/handful Fresh Cilantro, rough chop

1pk Lemongrass, cut into 1in pieces

1/4 Sugar

1tbs Sweet Chili Sauce

1/3 cup Fish Sauce

1tbs Sesame Oil

1/4 cup Olive/Veggie Oil

In a large bowl combine-

Cucumber, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onion, Lime, Mint, Cilantro, Lemongrass, Sugar, Chili Sauce, Fish Sauce, Sesame Oil, Olive/Veggie Oil

Let your 3yo daughter stir ;)

In a hot pan-

Cook Steaks until medium, don't over cook

Slice into thin strips, combine steak and juices into the Veggie/Sauce bowl

Mix well

Cover and refrigerate 3 hours

When it's time to serve-

Chop Romaine and mix with Spring Greens

Pull out Lime slices and Lemongrass pieces from Steak/Veggie bowl

Mix Steak/Veggie mixture well, serve over lettuce mixture, spoon sauce over as a dressing

Enjoy!!!

Pouch Swaps- received

I'm so excited to share these wonderful packages I received.

From Patchwork Mummy

From  CeLynn's Sunflower Patch

Thank you both SEW much!!!