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!!!

Tea Cup Block

I ran across this fun Tea Cup tutorial and just had to try it out.
I used up some scraps and now its sitting on the wall awaiting its final destination.....
Maybe a coaster?

Clover Pillow Cover

I came across this tutorial.

Love it! It's just what I was looking for.

 
I  gave it shot with my own measurements and my own cutout hearts.
I tried a 4 leaf but stuck with the 3 in the end.

I used 5in squares in random greens, the middle white square is 9.5 in and my hearts are cut from a folded 3x5 index card. Total size fits a 20in throw pillow.

 Found placement and fused on.

I stitched the clover pieces a few times then I did it again once after I added on the batting and quilted in the green.

 I kinda just went big swirl and swing to the left with the quilting

I did make mine an envelope back so that I can slide my currant throw pillow into it for the month of March.
Off to see if I have enough greens to make another :)

Double Layer Skirt

Way back when Lyla was born I sewed up tons of cute girly things for her, I was soo soo soo excited to finally have a girl (after 3 boys)
Well wouldn't you know it, she just wasn't a girly girl, nor did she like my dresses or bows.
Fast forward a few years and she she slowly started wearing dresses and she does wear uniform skirts for school.
I showed her this blog post over on MADE the other day and she actually asked for the skirt :D
I let her pick through my fabric (which she loved) and here are her picks.

and her modeling 

 

Tasty Thursday~ Petite Pesto Pasta

Super quick and easy!
20 mins-serves 6

1 pkg bite size pasta
1 cup chopped chicken
(great way to get rid of leftovers)
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 jar/tub pesto sauce
butter or olive oil
Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta as directed,
Chop up your broccoli and get it started with a dab of butter or splash of olive oil,
Chop up your left over chicken and toss it in with the broccoli,
Once heated through add in your pesto sauce,
Once pasta is done drain & add to sauce mixture,
Mix & Serve w/ fresh shredded Parmesan.

Accomplished in February

Some I've posted about already and some I haven't yet but will in March.

1. Rabbit & Fox
2. Zip Pouch (x9)
3. LOVE pillow
4. Sea Trio (x3)
5. MLP Party!
6. Gypsy Wife BOM block 2
7. Double layer skirt
8. Feb Goal HST BOM Quilt Top (alyof)
9. Tea Cup block