Rainbow love!

Yes the rainbow bug has biten :)
A long while back I swapped rainbow charm squares in dots/stripes/solids swap over on Flickr.
Here & there I've used one or two for swap blocks or applique then I came upon this pixelated heart.
I knew instantly that I had to use the rainbow charms to make a quilt. A large one at that.

Progress so far

linking to
 Freemotion on the River Linky Party Tuesday
Fresh Squeezed Fabrics Show &Tell Tuesday
Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday~ Infused Olive Oil

This past holiday season I gifted these Infused Olive Oils.

 They are pretty easy & quick to work up.

If gifting I prep them about a week prior so they can infuse and marry and be ready to use the day of gifting.

You will need:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
empty glass jars (I recycle syrup jars)
jar lids or corks
whole peppercorn
fresh garlic
fresh rosemary
pot
funnel

 

(I apologize~ I cannot get this picture to turn properly)

 

 I measure oil in jar stopping at the bottom of funnel- I did this three times for three jars worth.

I then pour all oil in pot and cook on low just until it ripples then I turn it off.

As oil is heating I add the peppercorns (10-12), garlic (2-4 cloves sliced in half) & rosemary (2-3 sprigs) to each jar.

I slowly fill jars with oil again, some bubbling may occur, let oil sit and top off the jars in a few minutes if needed.

 Once cooled to room temp, cork or screw on jar lid. Store in cabinet for about a week.

 If using at home you can refill with oil one more time before having to discard the herbs, just fill when oil gets to garlic and store for a week again.

We make these for ourselves often. We top off a salad with it, fry an egg in it, sprinkle some onto tomatoes & cucumbers, even dribble some onto grilled chicken. Options are endless.

linking to Yesterfood  Treasure Box Tuesday

? stacked strips ?

Heres a baby size quilt I worked up and finished a while back, its made from left overs of a throw quilt I have yet to finish.
Not exactly sure what to call it as it does have a resemblance to a few things I've seen out on the web. Which is were inspiration came from for sure, to include a pillow pattern that's in a book I own.
I tried a few things out, stitch in the ditch throughout the middle, random peaks all over the borders, red thread on the back side for fun to show on the sold grey.

catching up.....

I sew and take pictures but fail to upload and blog them, alot!
If you follow on Facebook you see way more teases of projects than those that ever make to written form.

Today's post is about the sewn holiday gifts I gave this past year.

Table topper and coasters that went to my aunt & her husband.

A light weight coat that went to a family friends son.

Two pairs of cloth napkins that I gifted my mom.

Table runner for my grandparents.

Garlic/Rosemary infused Olive Oil topped with a bird ornament, a total of three went out to teachers.

A set of hankies for my other grandparents, made with the hexies I've been working on.

And lastly I sent out a surprise package to a wonderful lady and her family who spend all year sewing and gifting to others, a family of birds for each member of her home.

linking to
 Freemotion on the River Linky Party Tuesday
Fresh Squeezed Fabrics Show & Tell Tuesday
Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday

Tasty Tuesday~ Cornish Hens

Quick Prep Cornish Hens

These can accompany lots of different side dishes.

Served here with spinach, mushrooms, eggplant

Thaw hens
Gather backing dish, 9x13 pictured here
Preheat oven to 350
In bowl mix together:
1/2 tsp each  Salt & Pepper
1 tsp each Paprika, Garlic, Cumin, Oregano
Rinse hens, place in dish, dribble & rub Extra Virgin Olive Oil on both hens
Sprinkle & rub both sides of both hens until dry mix is gone
add 1/2 cup water or broth to dish, cover with tinfoil
Bake for 1 hour covered, and 30 mins more uncovered

working on something new

Mooooo
Baaahh
Oink Oink
Can you guess what I'm working on?
I have purchased a few new patterns....
I'm hoping to kick start something new the first of next month that I'm really excited about.
It'll be kept a secret for now but I'm hoping you all like the outcome :)

Here's a tease

debating... with a happy ending

Sooooo, here in the ~halfdozen~ home we do the envelope system (Dave Ramsey inspired). Short story: we are debt free, buy with cash only, and have a savings. YAY! A twist in life about 2 years ago changed our life & financials drastically.  That being said I personally can't just go and buy this purse (or something very similar) in plum purple at our local PX at 30% off! Or sign up for this super awesome BOM ! With my Birthday coming next month I have been debating, and debating very very hard! So tonight I finally wrote out both gifts gave them to hubby and picked a blind hand.

Gypsy Wife BOM & the book it comes from was the winner, in full prepaid form so the book is free. Score! Intense Gypsy Wife  (Figs & Plums color palette) here I come.