2 Hour Table Runner

I needed an easy table runner as a gift for a friend.  I had Moda's Peace on Earth layer cake set - so I based the design off the 10" squares.  It went so quickly I made two, this one for myself, my friend's is below.

I laid 5 squares on point and cut 8 squares almost in half - .5" off center. The remaining portion went into my triangle remants for HST. Assembly was simple row piecing and I attached the backing pillowcase style to avoid binding.

Because it wanted it to drape more like a tablecloth I did not use batting.  I stitched around the edges and 1/4 inch from the seams for top stitching.

For fun I added Christmas fabric as the backing - no piecing, just a fun fabric that will make a quick buffet cover during the holidays.

My friends version has deeper coolers and I used browns of the layer cake set with red and green for hers, while mine paired the aquas.

Holiday Sweets

Inspired by Sinta's post on her blog Pink Pincushion I am posting a recipe for one of my family's favorite holiday treats - Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls.  They taste just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Ingredients:

• 1 18-ounce jar peanut butter

• 2 pound powdered sugar

• 1 cup butter, softened

• chocolate almond bark [or melt 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips with 2 T shortening]

Preparation:

Mix peanut butter, butter [optional 1 tsp vanilla] with an electric mixer until well blended.

Add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, blending with the mixer until all the sugar is mixed in. The dough will be slightly crumbly.

Form the dough into 1 - 1 1/2 inch size balls by rolling the dough between your hands. Set formed balls on a plate or cookie tray.

Mix all ingredients together except for chocolate. Shape into 1-inch balls. Cool in frig. Melt chocolate in microwave, or double boiler and dip balls in being sure to cover completely. Put on wax paper to harden.

Once they are cool you can put them in plastic containers in the refrigerator or freezer. They will keep for several weeks.

Inspiration for Rag Quilt

This is my inspriration for my flannel rag quilt.  My sister Carol made this from layer cake squares.  I love it on cold evenings as a lap quilt - my little Madde loves it anytime.  Carol did machine embroidery on one of the squares -- hmmm -- I hadn't thought of doing embroidery, but that would be charmin' for Liam's baby quilt.  Any ideas on what to embroider?  BTW - my daugter Elena did get her promotion and transfer back to Denver - hurray!  So we will have her and Liam and husband Jason back in Colorado January 11.  Ahh, I love my family.

Sisters Christmas Quilt Project

Ready to start our Sisters Christmas Quilt - here are my flannel fabrics - all courtesy of my sister Carol.  I have a lot of yardage and 64 charms that I got with my birthday gift card.  I think I want to make a large rag quilt for myself and a mini rag quilt for new baby Liam.  For Liam's I will use the 5 inch charms and use the same process as the 10 inch squares of the larger quilt.  Goal for next Sunday - have all the10 inch squares and all batting squares cut - will post next weekend.  Below is a picture of Liam visiting with mom Elena two weeks ago.

                                              

It's fun to see my grandkids quilting.  The two oldest have done the most - here are four of them with log cabin pillows they made while spending an afternoon with Nana.

Quilt for a Friend

This is a quilt I created this quilt for my friend Nancy last Christmas. Her mom passed away and she wanted a quilt for herself and her brother made with fabric from some of her mom's shirts and tops. I created half-square triangles from background fabric and clothing. I set the blocks in a chain pattern and added appliqued oak leaves to the borders. My sister Carol quilted it and did a wonderful job. Nancy grew up in Louisiana and had many oak trees. Next I will be creating a version for Nancy - I hope to have that by the first of the year.

Fresh Start

I have gotten away from quilting and it doesn't make me happy.  So I have created this blog to be a 'sister' blog with my sister - hee hee - Carol's Blog.
We are going to watch each other quilting progress and communicate with friends at the same time.
This is dedicated to you, Carol - love you bunches!