Tag-along Sewing Project

Sorry for the long absence.  I recently took a two week vacation overseas.  I recently went to the Philippines and that is a 15 HOUR plane ride from Southern California.  To ensure I had something to keep me occupied on the plane, I brought 2 Logic Puzzle magazines, an I-Pad (thanks for lending it to me Trish), and a new embroidery project.  I'm sure you've all heard the saying "Idles hands are a devil's workshop" ;-)

So, here's a peek at the embroidery project I brought with me.

This pattern is from Crabapple Hill and it is called "Winter Wonderland".  The entire quilt measures 64x71 and there are 10 different panels to embroider.  And believe it or not, I traced all 10 panels and brought it with me on my trip!  Okay, what was I thinking?  Clearly, I couldn't possibly embroider that fast.  But, I wanted to bring it all with me so I'd have a choice of which panel to start on.

When I travel, I usually bring a Redwork project with me just because it is easy to pack and I don't have to change tread colors often.

In my little sewing kit, I bring these itty bitty scissors, which can't cut anything but thread.  Occasionally, it can tackle a tag from brand new clothing.  I also bring with me a spool (ok I admit, I brought 2 spools because God forbid I run out) of Cosmo floss.  I love that Cosmo has 2 strands of embroidery thread already on a spool.  I place this inside a used dental floss container so it doesn't unravel in my sewing kit and I can also use the top as a cutter.

I am happy to report that I did get one panel done.  Most of the time though, I slept on the plane.  

A 30s String Quilt

String quilts were very popular in the past and they are an easy way to use up scraps to make a quilt.

I started this project maybe 9 or 10 years ago.  I don't really recall exactly when I started this but I took a class taught by my friend Marcia when she was teaching at Leah's.

I have a HUGE collection of 30s fabrics and cut them into strips and sewed them unto muslin.  I love 30s fabrics.   Here's a close up of some of the fabrics I used. There's Little Bo-peep...

And here's Alice in Wonderland...

And here's some puppy prints....

I finally pulled this quilt from the back of my closet and decided to finish it once and for all.  Here's the finished quilt.

I had it quilted at Bear's Quilt shop and it will be given to a family friend in Xiamen,China.

Here's the back of the quilt.  I hope you can see the large rose quilted design.

The Generosity of Friends

I want to show off the quilt which I first posted about a couple weeks ago.  I posted a teaser of this pink and white quilt and I can finally post the full picture now that the quilt has been given to its owner.

This quilt was made for my friend's mother who is undergoing treatment for cancer.  One of the side effects of her cancer treatment is feeling cold and chilly all the time so I rallied my quilter friends to make this quilt for her.

I had requested everyone for pink and/or white or heart blocks for this quilt.  My goal was 72 blocks but I received a whopping 102 blocks so I had enough for the front and for the back, as well.  The final size came to 48 x 56.  "P" will be taking this quilt with her to her cancer treatments.  May it provide not only warmth but a reminder that we're all rallying around her to beat the Big C.

Thank you to all my friends for making blocks, donating materials and quilting this gorgeous lap quilt.  I truly appreciate your time and effort.  Here's a shout out to the following people:  Lynn, Jane, Patty, Karla, Soley, Nancy, Lorri, Carolyn, Janet, Jennifer, Diane, Veronica, Candace, France, Roxanne, Christina and Marian.

The Vintage Marketplace

Last Friday, I took a drive out to Rainbow, CA.  For those of you who have never heard of the town called Rainbow, you are not alone.  Apparently, neither has my GPS.  It is located north of Fallbrook and south of Temecula.  Every quarter, they host an event called The Vintage Marketplace and they have a gathering of 40 or so vendors who sell vintage, handcrafted and repurposed wares.  Sort of like a flea market but much nicer things.

The drive was easy and the weather was actually very nice.  The event was held outdoors so it was definitely time to haul out my SPF 50 sunscreen and hat but still chilly and breezy that many people wore jackets.  

Here are a few pictures of the booths and treasures I found at the Vintage Marketplace.

Some days, I want a pink Vespa.  And on other days, I want an aqua bicycle with a basket in front just like this one.

Love these necklaces!  This booth offered classes on soldering jewelry too.

I really wanted to take home this chair.

Here's some vintage French hymnals.

And check out these Eiffel Towers!  I've gotta make myself a few of these to festoon my sewing room.

The next event will take place on June 1st and 2nd.  You can check them out on Facebook for more information.  I also took a flyer for Glitterfest, which will take place on March 10th.  I have never been to this but a few of the vendors from the Vintage Marketplace will also be vending at this event.

And finally, meet my hedgehog pal Hammie.  

I feel silly naming a pillow (like what am I, 12?)  But it just seemed like this little cutie warranted a name.  Hammie is part of the panel I purchased a couple of weeks ago (see previous blog entry).  So Hammie will take residence in my sewing room (which will soon be overdecorated and overcluttered if I don't cool it).

I Couldn't Help Myself

My nephew and his wife are having their second baby and I found this super cute panel for a baby quilt.  It was super easy to make.  All I did was serge the panel and backing together, turn it inside out and top stitch around it.

I just love all these little forest animals.  Soooo cute!  And the flannel is soooo soft.

And there was a separate panel to make these soft toys.  Here's an owl, a bird, a leaf, mushroom and acorn.

Oh, there was also a hedgehog but I think I'll make that for myself to keep me company in my sewing room ;-)

I also made this infant seat cover.  It ties onto the handle of an infant seat to shade the baby from the sun or give the sleeping baby a little bit of privacy while he sleeps.

By the way, I took this picture at Target (since I don't have an infant seat just laying around) and wanted to make sure the size was just right.  

Oh, and I can't wait to meet the baby this Sunday.

Hearts a Flutter

I spent part of Valentine's Day having lots of fun at my friend Candace's quilting this lovely little lap quilt for a friend.

Or should I say, Candace did all the quilting on her Handiquilter and I watched her do all the work. :-)
Drats!  I should have taken a few photos while this quilt was on the frame but I was too engrossed with watching that I forgot.

This lap quilt (measuring 48 by 54) was loaded on the frame and quilted in less than 2 hours.  Wow!  That was super quick.

And there is a story behind this quilt but it is going to be a surprise so I won't divulge too much for now.  But, the binding is done and it has also been laundered.  So now, I'm off to find a box, pink tissues, pink wrapper and a pink bow to wrap it in.

Hooray for Top Chef Season 9

Top Chef (on Bravo) is one of my FAVORITE TV shows and I am thrilled that Chef Paul Qui made it to the final four.

My money is on Paul to win the title of Top Chef Season 9 and since he was born in the Philippines, I thought I would post a recipe of one of the most famous Filipino dishes- Chicken Adobo.

Happiness is a plate of steamed rice blanketed by tangy Adobo sauce.  It's one of my favorite comfort foods.  Filipino adobo is very flavorful, easy to make and keeps well.  In fact, adobo is best consumed the day after cooking when all the flavors have had a chance to meld.  The best adobo is gooey, garlicky, pungent and finger licking good!




Here's my recipe.  Nothing special or magical about my recipe except for the fact that I make it. :-)  Let me know if you try this and how yours turns out.

1 1/2 pounds pork or chicken or a combination of both (I like to use pork shoulder and chicken thighs and leg)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp salt (I use coarse sea salt)
1 head of garlic (peeled and smashed)
1 pc bay leaf
1 tsp peppercorns
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a pot and let stand for at least 30 minutes.

Simmer on low fire covered for 1 hour or until meat is tender.  During this time, there is no need to stir your meat or the sauce.  In fact, the way it is traditionally prepared, vinegar is not stirred or disturbed until it is cooked and no longer smells sharp.

It the sauce is too thick, you may add 1/2 cup of water at a time.  You want to make sure you have enough sauce for your rice.

Enjoy!