January 2016 block for Elizabeth

I made two of these blocks. I had trouble with one of them, so while I'm sending them both, I think only one of them will be useful. Bummer. The fabric is really pretty.

Blocks for October and November

I'm a little behind on sending out Anne's block:

 And early (for me, at least) on sending out Michelle's block:

I hope the blocks work for each of you. Looking forward to seeing what you do with them!

June and July

I had a good time making both of these blocks, and can hardly wait to see the final results.

Here is the bubbles block for Rene'.

And the Stepping Stones block for Susan.

I'm sure both finishes will be beautiful.

April and May

 Just a little late with these but I wanted to post them anyway.

I enjoyed making Stephanie's block for April. It was a good way to remind myself how to paper piece--which will come in handy for Rene's block.

And after precision sewing, it was so much fun to make these little baskets. I just know Carla's quilt is going to be a fun one, and I have plans to make one for myself. Or maybe I should just wait until it's my turn again and you all can help me. :)

NOTE: notice how "foggy" this picture seems?While you may think I used some weird filter, I noticed that one day all my pictures had the same foggy look. I turned my phone over and looked at the lens--it was covered with chocolate! What?? I'm sure it was the grandkids....

March 2015: It's Dresden Time Again!

I had such a good time making the dresden block for Rene' that I have chosen it as well. I'm going for clear brights for the blades. You can do all the blades in colors and I'll put those blocks on a texty background with white. (Don't feel like you have to do a rainbow--mix it up however you like!)

Or you can mix it up and do some texty blades (again, with a white background) and I'll add a fun color to the background.

I would like the center circle to be black/white print. It doesn't have to be dots; I just prefer that it be predominantly black.

I'm really excited about this one, and since my goal this year is to actually finish my projects, expect to see this one completed!

I'm emailing the templates to each of you. Let me know if something doesn't make sense or if you have any questions. 

Oh, and please do a signature block--those are such fun!

Grandma McQuitty's Lemon Chiffon Cake for Carla

When Mark and I lived in western Kansas many years ago, there was a lady known for her lemon chiffon cakes, not just in our community of 5,000, but in the surrounding towns as well. The recipe was a secret. No matter how much people begged for the recipe, she wouldn't budge.

However, after she passed away, the town was thrilled to find out that she had given permission for the recipe to be published in the local newspaper.

So of course, when Carla requested cake this month, the choice was obvious. I added sprinkles in the lemon filling, just for fun.

 And because I love you all so much, here is the famous recipe.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. Soft as Silk cake flour
1/4 c. sugar
2 ts. baking powder
1 ts. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
egg yolks
1/2 c. water
2 ts. lemon extract
1 1/3 c. egg whites
1 c. sugar
1 3/4 ts. cream of tartar, dissolved in 2 tbsp water

Directions:

Sift together in 1 qt. mixing bowl: flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Make a well in the middle, and add: 1/4 c. vegetable oil.

Into a large mixing bowl, separate enough eggs to make 1 1/3 cups egg whites, putting whole yolks into the bowl with the flour mixture and oil.

Into the flour mixture, add:
1/2 c. water
2 ts. lemon extract

Beat with spoon until well mixed. Set aside. Beat egg whites to which the dissolved cream of tartar has been added, until stiff, add 1 c. sugar slowly. Continue to beat until VERY stiff and quite creamy. Set mixer to low speed and slowly pour in the first mixture until well mixed. Pour into ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Bake in 350 degree preheated oven until cake tests done (30-40 minutes).

Invert pan and let hang until cool. Split cake through middle, remove top half, spread filling, replace top half of cake, and ice with lemon icing.

LEMON FILLING:
3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. Wondra flour (?)
1/8 ts. salt
3/4 c. boiling water
1 stick butter or margarine
4 egg yolks
2 tbsp. lemon juice (real lemon juice)
2 ts. lemon extract

Sift together sugar, flour and salt in 1 quart saucepan. Add the boiling water and butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and clear appearing. Bat egg yolks, add a small amount of the hot filling, then add them to the hot filling and cook about 1 minute longer, stirring constantly. If too thick, water may be added a small amount at a time until right consistency. Add lemon juice and lemon extract and mix well. Cool thoroughly.

LEMON ICING:
1/4 c. Crisco shortening
1 lb. powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 ts. lemon extract
1 ts. butter flavor extract

Mix all ingredients together, and add hot water, a little at a time, until it is of right spreading consistency.

Whew...and now I know why those cakes were so expensive--lots of time and ingredients. But also VERY good!

Diamonds for Linda

This is late, but in the interest of record keeping, here are the diamonds I made for Linda.

This will be a bright and cheery quilt for sure!

Blocks for Susan and Mary

I was a bit behind from the month of July, so I didn't get Susan's block done until this week. I love her idea so very much (and now am drooling over the thought of making one of these myself!) and then I had a hard time narrowing down the star and the color combinations because I kept being bombarded by more and more ideas. It is called "Mama's Memories" and it was designed by Judy Martin (but Elizabeth, you may rename it whatever you would like....)

I had fun with Mary's blocks too. I delved into my very small stash of repro prints and added them to my very large stash of Kona in shades of pale pink. I must have had some plan for all those yards of pale pink, but I didn't write it down, so naturally that plan escapes me at this point.

It will be fun to watch the progress of these two quilts.

Arrow for Carla

I really enjoyed making this arrow. The quilt is sure to be stunning!

April quilt block for Debbie

This was a lot of fun to make. I think I would enjoy a whole quilt made from these blocks!

The blocks are in the mail--for Carla

Today I put these four blocks in the mail for Carla.

I have also left then unsewn for her to distribute as she puts the top together.

Interestingly, after posting these on Instagram first, Linda commented that she liked the upper right block and someone else agreed. I was afraid all the fabrics "mushed" together too much because of the white outlines around all the squares in the print, making it more difficult to see the churn dash.

But I hope it works well in the whole scheme of things.

Oh, and I'm so glad we have our own blog!

Cindy