New Projects Finished

I've been happily stitching away, while listening to more stories. I finished this quilt top...

Which I had started some time ago. I bought the fabric in quarter-yard measurements, cut off 2 1/2 inch strips and made a jelly bag last year. Then, from the rest of the fabric, I made this quilt. It is quite graphic, and I have it hanging on my bedroom wall. I can see it first thing when I wake up, even without my glasses!

I also made this quilt...

but, it finishes at less than 12" square. Each half-square triangle is 1" finished. I have been cutting 2" squares out of my scraps of fabric, and I started with those to piece this. I think I better start cutting 2 1/2" squares instead - this is insanely small!

Then, Jenny of Elefantz pointed me to a great tutorial on making fabric baskets. So, I gave it a try and came up with this one:

I just love pink lately, and I love the look of black with pink. These are super easy to make and I can't wait to make another one or three! I just picked up the polka-dot ribbon today, and the fabric, interfacing, and lace were in my stash. You should try these because they are so fun!

More Projects Finished

I have been working on this quilt for a couple of weeks. I am pleased with the results - and it will make a fine Valentine's Day decoration at my house or in my husband's office.

Then, I also decided not to join the Winter mini quilt swap (I had done Spring, Summer & Fall). But, it did inspire me to make a winter-themed quilt.

I thought the blues and creams were a reminder of cold snowy days, and long winter nights. It has buttons sewn on each cream square.

I didn't have quite enough buttons, so my friend, Lynn let me have 2 of hers. (not the 2 shown).

It was a quick quilt to make, and might also make it to my husband's office.

I love Pizza!

And I especially like pan pizza from pizza hut. The crispy crust just sends my mouth into joyous rapture! I have a really good recipe for pizza, but had never quite figured out how to make that yummy crisp crust. Over the weekend, I finally put the pieces together. I had used a cast iron skillet before, but it didn't quite do the trick.

So, I tried preheating the pan, while preheating the oven to 425 degrees. I sprayed it with a bit of pan spray first.

Then I worked on getting all my lovely toppings ready. I also pre-formed the dough to the approximate shape of the pan. When the pan had heated about 15 minutes, I removed it from the oven and built my pizza.

I finished with a brush of melted butter around the crust and sprinkled all over with Parmesan and garlic powder.

Baked it for 15 minutes at 425 degrees, then brought it out of oven, and it came right out of the pan.

Look at the yummy crusty cheese around the bottom. This was such a good dinner on Friday, we had it for lunch on Saturday.

These were individual sized pizzas, in smaller cast iron skillets. However, I think that the larger skillets or dutch oven type pans would work for a larger pizza. We like the individual sized ones because we get to choose the toppings we like best.

Today is Groundhog Day!

And in the U.S., the groundhog saw his shadow ... meaning 6 more weeks of winter. And as my friend, Ann said, "Good, that gives me more time to work on my projects!"

So, we all laughed and thought that the best attitude to have. We may have snow, we may have cold, we may have fog. But, if through it all it gives us more time to work on our projects, then we couldn't be happier.

So, last week I worked on some applique (mostly hand work) and got this quilt top done. Then, today I put the borders on. This is for a Needles & Friends Guild Challenge for a mini a month. I have until next Tuesday morning to make the back, quilt it and get the binding on. I love this new line by Moda. I will be making something else with the leftover fabric and charm squares, and the honey bun I received for Christmas.


Then, last night I cut the fabrics for this quilt, and pieced it today. I have enough blue sections cut out for a 2nd quilt, and I will finish it later this week. Instead of signing up for the Winter Quilt Swap, I decided to make a winter quilt. I thought the blues and creams make a very nice setting for winter. I will sew buttons on the blocks after the quilting is finished.

I am not fully recovered from my surgery, yet, but I just had to get sewing. My creative juices are overflowing and I am itching to get things done. Not to mention the 3 customer quilts (2 minis due Tuesday) that are awaiting my attention.

I also tried a new soup today - Pickle Soup. It was delicious. Now I need to find a recipe for it so I can make some. I just loved it!

Keep on Quilting!