Prairie Sampler Block of the Month Quilt

When I joined the Kempenfelt Quilter's Guild two weeks ago, they were starting a mystery block of the month program that members could sign up for a $5 fee.  I've never done a BOM quilt, nor have I done a mystery one.  Every time I've come across a mystery quilt on line, I've always peeked ahead to see if I liked it or not.  This time I'm just determined to blindly leap in... enjoy the process... and just wait and see how it turns out.

The final quilt is supposed to fit together like puzzle pieces.  It has a Prairie Sampler theme.  The first block we had to make is a windmill.  We were to make 4 blocks and join them together.  I worked on mine from start to finish today.  Total time was about 4 hours.  That includes having to take apart one block and redoing it... the windmill blades rotated in the opposite direction... something we weren't cautioned about in the pattern.  Guess I'll have to pay closer attention.

I'm not really sure what direction I'm taking with the colour scheme... except that I like the scrappy look... I find it more interesting to look at than just a few fabrics.  So far I am using fabric that I already have in my stash.



SEPTEMBER 2010 BOM - windmills



Adventurous Taste Buds

The start of 50 new foods...

1.  Okra

I have been in the habit of trying new foods for about a year now.  Generally I pick something at the grocery store, write its name down, and look up recipes on the net when I get home.  Okra was one veggie that I did in reverse.  I read about its nutrient value in a magazine, looked up and printed out recipes, and went to the grocery store, only to find out that they didn't carry it.  I did some more research and found out that it is very popular in the Southern states of U.S.A. 

When I went to Florida last may, I tried deep fried breaded okra as a side dish in a restaurant.  It was good, but its preparation method was not part of my new healthy lifestyle... so I only ate it the one time.  Two days ago, I was doing some grocery shopping for my daughter in Hamilton  (a 1.5 hour drive south from where I live in Ontario, Canada) when I came across some okra in the produce section.  I picked out 10 pods for my family to try.  Even the cashier had to ask me what they were... she hadn't a clue... had to ask me how to spell it.

When researching cooking methods, there was all kinds of advice on how to cook the okra so that it wouldn't be slimy... ewwwww... this stuff gets slimy?... Now I'm really not sure about it.  But I bought it, so I better try it... right?

I washed the okra.  Dried it thoroughly.  Cut off both ends.  Drizzled a little lime juice on them.  Fried them for about 20 minutes in my electric frying pan with a little Canola oil, some pepper, basil and tarragon (just because they're my favourite spices). 

The end result was not slimy (I understand that's mostly because I did not slice the pods) and tasted alright.  Just mediocre... no rave reviews from my family... they did politely eat them... and promptly informed me that they liked many other nutritious vegetables better... that we didn't need to add okra to our regulars list... or maybe even our ever again list!

But, hey, we gave it a try. 


2.  Sweet Dumpling (Heart of Gold) Squash

So I thought we'd be super adventurous and try two new foods today... both the okra and sweet dumpling squash.  I thought this squash looked inviting... both because of its stripey pattern and its unusual shape... these are just Thanksgiving decorations... right?... apparently not... they're for eating too!

This vegetable came with a bright pink sticker on the bottom with a recipe printed on it.  Sounded good... we'll give it a try... saves me a step of having to hunt for a recipe... besides it's printed on the label so it's got to be good... you'd think... we have to disagree.  While we were OK with the taste of the squash, I would definitely hunt for a different recipe.  After cooking it for more than 1.5 hours the potatoes were still raw and the milk ran all over.  Fortunately I had the foresight to precook the ground beef or I doubt any of it would have been safe to eat.

I will include the recipe from the label, just so that you know what NOT to make.
"Cut out stem end of squash and remove seeds.  Fill cavity with diced potatoes, onion, hamburger, salt and pepper.  Fill with milk.  Set in roaster pan with 2 cm of water.  Bake for 1 hour or until squash is soft.  Top with cheese slice before removing from oven."

My husband ate the squash skin and all.  The rest of use used a spoon to eat the fleshy part.  Is it OK to eat the skin?  Lots of fibre there!

Retro Gal at Heart

11.  Fun Retro Purse ~ for me... Because I love it!!!

I've heard it said, that if you have already done a decade you shouldn't revisit it!  But really... come on... I can't help it... So ya, I'm a retro gal at heart.  I found these fabrics in the merchant mall at the Simcoe County Quilt and Rug Fair... and well, they are so me!  I've had this purse in mind for a while and was just waiting for the right fabrics... and... bam!... there they were!

The purse design is based on the Sherbert Bag pattern by Melly and Me with some design modifications made by myself.  I am pleased with the results.  It is the first time I have used fusible pelon on the bag and I'm still not really sure if I like it.  It does help the bag hold its shape, but the fabric loses some of its suppleness.  Maybe as the purse is used, some of the stiffness will come out and I'll like it more. 

It is also the first time I have used a magnetic clasp.  It was so easy to install and works really well.  I would definitely use them again.

12.  Quack!  Duck Feet Baby Socks

These are so cute!!!  I found the pattern in a library book (Cute Knits for Baby Feet, by Sue Whiting)  and just had to make them!   I have been collecting gift items that go with a rubber ducky theme and these would be perfect!  I had some difficulty understanding the directions for shaping the heel but I think I got it... or at least close enough.

I used 1 ball of Paton's Astra (a sport weight yarn) and have enough left over to make at least one more pair.

13.  Coin Purse

This is a coin purse I made for Katelyn to match her book bag.  I will give it to her for her birthday with a peace necklace in it.

Small Comforts

Recently I have been compelled to make a quilt for charity... but , which one?  One of the great things about joining a quilt guild is that they all seem to have some quilting project on the go for a charity.

Small Comfort Quilt Kit

When I joined the Kempenfelt Quilter's Guild last week, they had a table set up with quilt kits for members to take home, make, and return.  The quilts, "Small Comfort Quilts", are made 40"x60" to cover the isolettes for at-risk premature babies in the neo-natal unit in Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), Barrie.  I selected a kit with cute baby prints and a deep purple backing.

Wanting more of a challenge than just joining 70 blocks together, I came across a pattern called "Wiggles and Giggles" in Country Woman magazine, April/May 2009 issue.  I had to add an extra row of blocks so the quilt would finish to the correct dimensions.  I also chose some of my own fabrics to coordinate with the baby prints given to me in the kit.  I cut out the pieces on Monday and sewed the blocks together yesterday and today.  This is my progress so far...
Now all I need to do is find a border fabric to match.
This one has been exciting watching it come together.

Simcoe County Quilt and Rug Fair

I attended this event on Friday (Sept 17, 2010) with my Mother-In-Law.  It is something we have done together many times over the years.  It has always been a secret ambition of mine to display one of my own quilt creations in this show... so I have added it to my list of 50 goals... who knows...

This wonderful event is held at the Simcoe County Museum located just outside of Barrie, Ontario, Canada.  The show features a room full of amazing quilts quilted by various guild members throughout Simcoe County.  There are also displays of Rug Hooking, Weaving, Embroidery, Lace Making, Teddy Bear Guild, a Craft sale, quilted items for sale, a Merchant Mall, and refreshments for sale. 

I always manage to find something at these shows that inspires me.  This time it was a hand appliqued wall hanging of the 1998 Peacemakers calendar.  I also loved a full sized Teddy Bear Quilt.  The quality of the machine applique, fabric choices, and cute bear blocks really appealed to me.  Another one that I loved had cute cats, mice, and bees all over it... also a machine applique.   Both the Teddy Bear and Cat quilts used a fine satin stitch  to applique the pieces in a thread colour to match the fabric.  I usually use a machine blanket stitch, but I really liked the look of the satin stitch.  Perhaps I will give it a try.

 I have noticed that with each passing year that the number of hand quilted quilts is dwindling.  There were very few in this show.  On the other hand, there were some lovely intricately machine quilted ones.

My most exciting find today were these four matching fabrics that I purchased in the Merchant Mall.  They are so me!!!   I had in mind to sew myself a purse with them,  but I am wondering if I will have enough left over to sew myself an apron as well.  (Hopefully I won't think of baking every time I carry my purse! lol)

I can't wait to sew...