Just Let Me Quilt

Friday, December 4, 2020

Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop And My Day Too

It's day four of the Virtual Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop and I get to share the day with some amazingly creative bloggers...lucky me! It's been a fabulous blog hop and I know I've gained at least 10 pounds checking out the recipes and my project list has grown and grown from all the ideas. Loving it!

This year has been a bit crazy for me with selling a house in Utah, moving to a condo in Nevada (just as Covid was hitting the world), selling the condo, and moving to a house. The house needed a lot of repairs and updating, so of course we had to move everything out that we'd just moved in so we could replace the floors. It was crazy!

In the middle of it all, I had deadlines for sewing and masked repair people working in my home. It was a huge balancing act, but it's finally getting close to the big stuff being done.

One good thing about the house is the lovely backyard that includes a lemon tree full of lemons. I've never had a lemon tree so I was in awe at how many were on it. Some were really big!

With most of them changing into a beautiful yellow color, I went looking for a recipe to use them in for this blog hop.

I found a lot of recipes and ended up combining a few to get just what I wanted and use ingredients I already had.

They are soft on the inside and taste so yummy! I used my medium sized cookie scoop to make them so they weren't tiny.

Lemon Cookies

Makes about 30 cookies - Click HERE for a PDF of the recipe

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

4 teaspoons lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling dough in)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a cooking sheet. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add and mix vanilla, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice. Add flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder. Mix just until blended.

Use scooper or roll dough into balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar and place a couple inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes until barely brown on the bottom of cookies. Let set for 8 minutes on the cookie sheet. Remove from cookie sheet to finish cooling. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar (it makes them prettier if you do!)

I don't think I could ever live at a house without a lemon tree again because I'm in love with that fruit! My neighbors have appreciated the bags of lemons they are getting, too.

Christmas projects have been happening a lot at my house all year, even in the middle of the dust and chaos of moving.

This gnome table runner is one I made for ThermOWeb and I shared the free pattern HERE.

This gnome table topper pattern (yes, I've been into gnomes this year) can be found in my Etsy store HERE.

This was a panel quilt using Riley Blake Designs fabrics...free pattern HERE.

A Riley Blake Design project..."Midnight Ride With Santa" can be found HERE.

A "Yuletide Frolic" for Riley Blake Designs...free pattern HERE.

Here's a round gift bag for Christmas goodies...free pattern HERE.

If you use Crafter's Edge dies, this is an easy Christmas gift bag to make...you can find it HERE.

There are lots of amazing things to see...check them out!

December 1

Creatin' in the Sticks

Doreen – Just Let Me Quilt Guest

Life in the Scrapatch

Ms P Designs USA

Just Sew Quilter

Cathie's Craftworks

Cynthia's Creating Ark

December 2

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

December 3

For The Love Of Geese

December 4

Happy Cottage Quilter

Pumpkin Patch Patterns & Quilting

The Darling Dogwood

Kathleen McMusing

Scrapdash

There is a Pinterest page for all the amazing things you'll see during this hop...HERE!

Merry Christmas to you!

Thursday, December 3, 2020

Riley Blake Designs Mini Quilt Flatiron Project Tour

This project tour featuring a kit by Riley Blake Designs and Christopher Thompson, The Tattooed Quilter, is all about the Flatiron mini quilt. The quilt is from a series of designs that come in boxed sets.

The New York Mini Quilts include a pattern and fabric for the quilt top and binding (backing is not included.) The finished size of the Flatiron mini quilt is 20 1/2" x 20 1/2".

The quilts in the New York Mini Quilt Series are named after some of Christopher's favorite neighborhoods. The Flatiron Building on 23rd Street in Manhattan was once known as the central location for all-things technology.

Built in 1902, the building is triangularly photogenic and is one of the oldest, original skyscrapers. This vintage post card is pretty entertaining with the Flatiron in the background!

Opening the box to these sweet fabrics was so fun and the box itself was a treasure!

The instructions were clear and made cutting out fabric and sewing this beautiful quilt a breeze.

Where it's usual for most quilters to press the seams "to the dark side", the instructions recommended pressing seams open. It was a great recommendation because it made the seams not so bulk where they intersected. My mini Oliso iron was perfect for this!

Since I couldn't jump on a plane to fly to New York for photos of my Flatiron mini quilt, I did the next best thing and drove to the New York New York in Las Vegas. The Statue of Liberty is wearing a mask for Covid and a Raider's jersey with the number 20 on it. I guess she's excited about the Raider's future arrival in Las Vegas.

Thank goodness I had my "crew" with me because it was impossible to get close or park near the front of the New York New York for photos. We parked across the street at the Tropicana and had some clear shots of the hotel.

I love the block and fabrics in this mini quilt!

Having seen signs over the years that read, "I Love New York", it seemed appropriate to quilt this with edge to edge hearts.

Check out some of the other New York Mini Quilts:

A Bit of Scrap Stuff

Ameroonie Designs

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Virtual Cookie Exchange And Christmas Blog Hop

Every day of the Virtual Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop is full of amazing recipes, quilts, gifts, and traditions. I love this tradition!

Ready to check out the rest of the virtual awesomeness!

December 1

Creatin' in the Sticks

Doreen – Just Let Me Quilt Guest

Life in the Scrapatch

Ms P Designs USA

Just Sew Quilter

Cathie's Craftworks

Cynthia's Creating Ark

December 2

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

December 3

For The Love Of Geese

December 4

Happy Cottage Quilter

Pumpkin Patch Patterns & Quilting

The Darling Dogwood

Kathleen McMusing

Scrapdash

There is a Pinterest page for all the amazing things you'll see during this hop...HERE!

I'm so glad you've come by for a visit!

Monday, November 30, 2020

Virtual Cookie Exchange And Christmas Blog Hop Day 1

The Virtual Cookie Exchange and Christmas Blog Hop has become one of my favorite traditions! It grows every year with amazing recipes, quilts, gifts, and traditions.

Doreen Alexander is sharing my blog today to share one of her favorite and traditional recipes.

My childhood Christmas' were spent at our grandparent's house in Queens, NYC. All of my grandparent's friends in the area would store the wrapped presents for months. Guess that is why we could never find them! While we were eating dinner they would all bring over the presents and fill up the front porch. Don't know how they timed it but as soon as all the dishes were done the bell rang. We knew Santa had come...

In my family Sauerbraten has always been the Xmas dinner. My great grandparents were German. I am the eldest of five girls and each of us competed for the best recipe. I came up with a recipe that can be made that day or in advance. Either keep in fridge or freeze. The best part is no soaking of the meat is required.

SAUERBRATEN

Doreen Alexander

3 TO 4 POUND BONELESS BEEF TOP OR BOTTOM ROUND

2 TABLESPOONS OIL

LARGE SLICED ONION

1 1/3 CUPS H2O

1-8OZ CAN TOMATO SAUCE

3 TEASPOONS INSTANT BEEF BOUILLON

½ TEASPOON WT PEPPER

1 ½ TEASPOONS GROUND ALLSPICE

2 BAY LEAVES

12 OR MORE GINGERSNAPS, CRUSHED

2/3 CUP RED WINE VINEGAR

Brown meat on all sides in 2 tablespoons oil. Add all other ingredients except gingersnaps and simmer until tender in slow cooker. Then add gingersnaps to thicken gravy and let cook approximately 20 minutes more. Enjoy!

"Sauerbraten is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally. It can be prepared from a variety of meats, most often from beef, but also from venison, lamb and mutton, pork and horse."

For instant pot :

Manual high 42 minutes. Natural release (not warm!). I love "Alexa" for my timer!

Remove meat. Add crushed ginger snaps to thicken. If you thicken too much add some water to thin gravy.

Slice meat. Return to pot. Bring to simmer for 5 minutes. Then serve.

Note for best even slices make day or more in advance and do not return meat to pot. The meat slices easier if wrapped and put in fridge until cooled down; then slice. Cover meat with gravy and keep in fridge or freeze. To reheat use stove or low oven. I always serve with potato dumplings, my four sisters with wide egg noodles.

Ready to check out the rest of the virtual awesomeness!

December 1

Creatin' in the Sticks

Doreen – Just Let Me Quilt Guest

Life in the Scrapatch

Ms P Designs USA

Just Sew Quilter

Cathie's Craftworks

Cynthia's Creating Ark

December 2

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

December 3

For The Love Of Geese

December 4

Happy Cottage Quilter

Pumpkin Patch Patterns & Quilting

The Darling Dogwood

Kathleen McMusing

Scrapdash

There is a Pinterest page for all the amazing things you'll see during this hop...HERE!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for more awesomeness!

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Crafter's Edge Gingerbread Man Round Bag

It's that time of year when most of us are scrambling around looking for a quick and easy idea for a neighbor or friend gift. This year I grabbed my Crafter's Edge Gingerbread Man die and did a little brainstorming. He's such a cutie so it wasn't hard to think of ways to use him.

Gingerbread Man Round Gift Bag

How to make this bag...

SUPPLIES:

Batting or fleece

Iron-on applique adhesive

Thread

Two buttons

Pins or spray basting (for quilting)

Crafter's Edge Machine

Crafter's Edge Dies: Gingerbread Man, 7" Square, 2 1/2" Strip Cutter

FABRIC NEEDED:

1/3 yard each of two fabrics

Fat quarters/fabric scraps in brown, red, white

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut 4 - Gingerbread Man (CE Gingerbread Man Die - applique)

Cut 4 - 7" x 7" squares (CE Square dies - fabric - outside bag)

Cut 1 - 7" x 26 1/2" strip (fabric - lining)

Cut 2 - 9 1/2" circles (fabric - bag bottom) *A small 9 1/2" dinner plate works as a template

Cut 2 - 2 1/2" x 18" strips (CE 2 1/2" Strips - fabric - straps)

Cut 1 - 7" x 26 1/2" strip (batting/fleece) *Cut 8" x 28" if desired for quilting

Cut 1 - 9 1/2" circle (batting/fleece)

SEWING/APPLIQUE INSTRUCTIONS: All seams are sewn 1/4” unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Applique – Iron adhesive to wrong side of fabrics; let cool. My go-to iron on adhesive is HeatnBond Lite...I love it. My Mini Oliso iron may be small, but it works great on all my projects.

Following Crafter’s Edge instructions, place paper side of adhesive facing up on platform. Cover as directed before running through machine. *To reverse the direction of design, place fabric side up before cutting.

Run die and fabric through machine. Peel off paper liner from the backs of applique pieces. Place applique, adhesive side down, on right side of fabric. Press according to package directions until entire piece is bonded. Let cool. Sew around edges of applique using a straight, zig-zag, or blanket stitch.

Step 2: With right sides together, sew 7" appliqued squares together. Press seams to sides.

Step 3: Place outside bag fabric face down on batting. Spray baste or pin to secure. Quilt in straight lines or with a pattern of your choice. Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive is what I use to baste my fabric for quilting.

Step 4: With right sides together, sew outside bag with batting and lining together along long edge. Press seam towards lining.

Sometimes after quilting fabric it shrinks a bit so the lining is a little longer. No worries, just trim it straight with the shorter section.

Step 5: With right sides together, sew shorter ends together to create a tube; match outside bag and lining seam. Fold along outside bag and lining seam, placing lining inside bag with wrong sides together. Press flat. Baste raw edges together at bottom of bag.

Step 6: Place batting circle between wrong sides of fabric circles. Spray baste or pin to secure. Quilt with desired design. Sew a 1/4” from edge. Trim close to stitching.

Step 7: Mark center points on bag and fabric circle (in four places.) *Folding the bag and circle in quarters helps find the centers. With wrong sides together (yes…raw edges will be on the outside of the bag for now), match center points of circle and bag. Pin to secure. *Using lots of pins and clips helps avoid puckers.

Step 8: Sew 1/4” around the edge of the circle and bag, easing the fabric in as you go. Make sure you catch all layers. Trim fabric close to stitching.

Step 9: To cover raw edges of seam,, turn the bag inside out and go to the bottom of the bag where the circle is.

Sew 1/4” from the finished seam, enclosing the unfinished edge. Slowly easing in the fabric helps as you go around the bag...don't rush it. It should have a finished seam on the inside as well as the outside.

Turn it inside out and check to make sure you caught all layers. *A walking foot makes sewing this easier.

Step 10: With right sides of fabric together, sew around straps leaving a 2” opening for turning. Clip corners and turn inside out. Press seams flat. Topstitch along seam line making sure to catch opening. Topstitch again 1/4” from edge. Center strap on bag and sew on buttons.