Something About Nothing

I've reworked the project I started back in November and I really like it.  I took my friend Jennilyn's excellent suggestion of putting in a barn.   I still want to put one or two more borders before I quilt it. I will be teaching a class at The Super Spring Retreat on how to do machine reverse applique next April and this is my class sample.  It will also be on display at Whimsy Cottage along with the pattern  - that is once I get the pattern written.

I finally got around to making up another batch of the No Knead Swedish Cardamom Bread from the Vegetarian Times website .  In fact I made two batches and then instead of cutting the batch into two loaves  I made four loaves.  That's right, I made EIGHT loaves of Cardamom bread today and this is all that's left!  The bread was delicious and the demerara sugar makes a big difference (didn't use it last time).  Oh, by the way, we didn't eat the other 7 loaves.  We shared them with our neighbors and family.  I don't know why I put off making the bread for so long.  It really is easy to make.  The hardest part was grinding the cardamom and once I handed that job over to my strong husband it really wasn't hard at all!

Here is my completed Quilter's Holladay Challenge Quilt. It all started with the fish. I read an article in Quilting Arts Magazine about how to make the fish. I loved him so much I built him a lake from hand dyed cotton and silk organza. I saw an image of an Owl on someone's blog and decided I needed an owl in a tree next to Mr. Fish's lake. The quilt was taking on many surreal qualities with the curly-q tree branches and stars in the sky and soon it all became "the one who got away" from Mr. Fisherman while he dreamed. There is a small dragonfly sparkly button above Mr. Fish but it's difficult to see this far away. This photo is a little blurry and out of color but I think it helps a little with the details. The only prize I won in this year's challenge was the opportunity to stretch my skills and build an art quilt that I love.  Not a bad prize at all.

I just can't help myself.  Our new cat just makes me laugh so much.  It's a lot like having a new child in the house.  We've had to accommadate him with our decorating style just like when the kids were young. . . and I can't always get my work done because he wants to "help," And he is so cute, how can I resist?

My serger and sewing machine are getting a good workout today.   16 Large and 8 Small Produce Bags completed. Just a little over halfway done.

I'm attempting to complete my Christmas sewing  but there is a cat who thinks the world revolves around him. I did manage to get 99% of my challenge quilt completed.  Just the binding is left.  I will post photos once the judging is done next week. I've also cut out 70% of the 40 Produce Bags that need to be made and started sewing them.  Now if I could just get my friend's embroidery machine to cooperate I could get my daughter's fleece blanket project done.

My friend, Juliette, made this wonderful bread and let me have a taste. It is a No Knead recipe from the Vegetarian Times website. It was so delicious I had to make it for my family. I didn't have the Sugar Crystals the recipe called for to be sprinkled on the top and I found that they do indeed add to the slight sweet flavor of the bread.  Despite the missing sugar crystals the texture was soft and beautiful like the other No Kneads I've made and the fragrance of the Cardamom was so Christmasy.  Apparently Ikea sells the sugar crystals so I will have to pick some up the next time I drive south and make this again.

I had an audience today but, thankfully, no help while quilting.

How's a girl ever to get any quilting done around here when she has a helper like this? 1. He jumped under the batting as I attempted to lay it out on the backing.  2.  He crawled around on top of the batting to make sure I got it smooth. 3. He volunteered to pull off extra thread for me while I basted.  I can't wait to see how he helps me quilt it when I pull out the machine tomorrow.