An Unscheduled Blog Break

I have been taking an unscheduled break from blogging. I haven't had much time for sewing, blogging or even "Me" time. Between Holiday preparations, obligatory traveling to visit relatives and friends, having children home on holiday school break and catching up on Doctor appointments and now half days of school and sharing my computer. Phew! I have had no time or even opportunity to blog. My apologies to all whom I have not gotten back to yet. I am also trying to catch up on my e-mails. But, most importantly, I have enjoyed every minute of being with all my friends and family!! :o)

Thank-you to my "well wishers"!! and those who sent Christmas blessings! I am hoping all of you also had a wonderful holiday season and will have a great New Year!! Enough said.

OK. I started a new project back in September. It is a Hockey quilt for my husband. I thought I was going to be able to have it finished by Christmas. Hahahahah. No such luck. (Maybe I'll have it done by July for his birthday).

This pattern has been very challenging for me. As my High School "Junior" year daughter said to me; "Mom, this is your AP course in quilting!!!" I had to laugh!! Yes indeed this is most definitely my AP course in quilting. Tee hee. :0) This pattern seems to have a little of everything in it. Oh Boy! What have I gotten myself into!

I have had this pattern for about two years. I was searching for the right fabrics all this time. I didn't want this quilt to seem too immature. I wanted it to have a more masculine feel to it.

The instructions are not very clear. I have had to take apart and put back together more times then I care to remember. Measure once cut twice. Wrong color choice. Not matching up properly. Paper piecing, Applique.
I am doing this for my Husband! I can do this this. ;o)

This is the right leg of the hockey player. It took me over 3 hours just to do one leg! I still have another leg, the body, the head and the arms to do. That will probably be at least another 12 hours of work to do on this "Special " quilt for my Dear Hubby. Between cutting and sewing, and most definitely measuring twice! I do not want to do this part twice! This is the last major part of the quilt then I just need to add the border. (I am determined to measure that properly this time also!!!!)
As you can see I have started the Left leg here.
This is the full image of the "Hockey Player" that I am Appliqueing by hand each and every single little piece. I decided that if I had already put this much time and effort into this quilt, that I was not going to take a chance and use fusible material that may end up dissolving and no longer adhere in a couple of years!!
I have the quilt top all finished except for the borders and the applique part. It's getting there!!! :o)

Cathspennies is having a giveaway!

I was just visiting cathspennies which is a wonderful little blog. She is having the sweetest giveaway! I shouldn't be spreading the word because I really like this little pillow! But I thought I would share it with you. Happy Holidays!!

Hamburger-Vegetable Soup

MMMMmmmm!!!! I smell it cooking right now!

I forgot to take something out for dinner tonight. Ooops! Oh, what to do, what to do??? Aha!! I have some frozen hamburger in the freezer!! Now I know what to do for dinner. Whenever I get myself into a dinner pinch this usually does the trick! I will make some Hamburger-Vegetable Soup! It's cold outside tonight anyway! Perfect! Here is the recipe that goes pretty quick. And if your like me, you almost always have the ingredients on hand!

Hamburger-Vegetable Soup

1-1 1/2 pounds hamburger

3-4 cups of water

3 medium carrots, chopped (about 1 cup or more if you like carrots)

2 medium stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup or more if you like)

1 large potato, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 1 cup or more if you like)

2 medium onions, chopped (about 1 cup or more if you like)

1-2 teaspoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 can (14.5 ounce) Diced tomatoes with the liquid! ( or 2 cans if you like)(or a 28 oz. can will do)

Cook and stir hamburger in Dutch oven until light brown; drain. Stir in remaining ingredients; Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer just until vegetables are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. (Depending on how small you chopped your vegies!)

Serves about 6, but in my household any leftover soup keeps for lunch the next day!

As you can see you can vary this recipe to your liking or to what you have in the fridge! Works for me and my family! I hope it works for yours. Enjoy! :o)

Jo Morton Club meeting

Today was Jo Club Day! I have lots to share with everyone. This is an apple core tablemat. finished with the blanket stitch. Very cute!
Here is a gorgeous log cabin and houses. Each house has a different block inside of it. Nice warm colors were used. I was sorry I couldn't get a full length photo of this quilt.
Here is a Figgy pudding Christmas stitchery. This is really adorable!
Here is an up close shot of one the the stitcheries. A "sweet" gingerbread house. :o)
Some really fun Tea towels! I just love these!
A partridge in a Pair tree!
These were really cute! They are wool hooked rugs.

A Signature block quilt top from Jo Morton pattern.
Another Apple core table topper. This one has ric rac around the edges of the apple cores. Such a creative finish! Really neat!
Here's a close up of the ric rac. As you can see there is also a bit of blanket stitching in this one! Really nice!
I had a totally unexpected surprise today! While at the Jo meeting I received a special package from one of the members. Guess who it was from! Mary! From over at Quilt Hollow!!
There was a yummy candy cane ornament. A very cute handmade little zipper pouch out of fabric with sewing essentials on it!! :o)
Inside the pouch was a Mary Englebreit package with all sorts of needles in it. I can always put those to good use! As well as some thread! Oh yes, a package of cinnamon spice tea. Yum! I will definitely enjoy this as I am a tea drinker.

Thank-you Mary!! You are so sweet. I had no idea that I would be a recipient of one of your wonderful gifts! Let the Christmas Joy begin! :o)

Yesterday was Quilt Bee Day!

Yesterday was my quilt bee meeting! Time to share some "show n' tell". Here is a cute little Christmas tree. I don't know if you can see them or not but there are tiny red buttons on the tree so ornaments can be hung.
I thought this fabric was really cute. It's the back of the next quilt.
A fun Kim Diehl quilt. (And yes Mary, that is a tuffet!)
A Tinker bell apron which is reversible. Shhh!! It's a Christmas gift for someone special!
Look!! Tuffets!! Aren't they fun?!! I think they look great! :o)
Here is a beautiful Cathedral Stars quilt which is from a Bonnie Hunter pattern.

Hope you enjoyed the show! :0)