MQG Mini Swap

As a recovering swap addict, I was eager to sign up for the Modern Quilt Guild's inaugural mini quilt swap. I was paired with a quilter in British Columbia, Canada. She is a prolific quilter with broad quilting interests and styles. She is not on Instagram and did not post a mosaic on her blog so I felt like I could go pretty much anywhere with my mini. (I'll add a link to her blog as soon as she receives her quilt.)

I've been in love with Allison Glass' work for quite some time and have made a couple of small pieces using her Feathers pattern. I'm testing the waters to see if I think making a whole quilt is really something I can stick with or not. In general, making a hundred of the same blocks holds zero interest to me, compounded, in this case, by the fact that this is a foundation paper-pieced pattern. So, I chose to make another excerpt from her pattern. The last one that I did, grew quite a bit bigger than I'd planned so this time, I scaled the blocks to 80%.

Selected Feathers is about 14" square and features batiks and a dark Kona cotton gray. I opted to play with the text function on my new sewing machine instead of a traditional label. The strips of text fit well with my attempt to use the remainder pieces of the layer cake used in the top.

This week I received my package from my partner in Oklahoma. SQUEAL! I LOVE this quilt and am so excited it gets to live with me! Thank you, Becky Gore of Birch Lake Designs, for a beautiful quilt and the unexpected extra stitched coaster, Swedish star and pillow case.

WIP Wednesday: A Heavy Heart and a New Experience

While I was sitting at one of my family Christmas celebrations, scrolling through Instagram, I saw a post that made me cry in the middle of joyous children, a competitive card game and all of the other activities of a large boisterous family enjoying time together. One of my sorority girls from back when I was an advisor to the sorority to which I had belonged as an undergraduate student who is now a grown-up with a husband and a grown-up job had posted about the unexpected loss of their five-month-old son to an undetected birth defect. Ever since, my heart has been heavy and I've felt powerless not knowing what to say or how to reach out. A couple of weeks ago, another Sigma invited me to a benefit dinner and silent auction. I'm not able to attend the benefit, but contributing to the auction gave me something to do. I sent a note to the organizer that I would try to get a quilt to her in time for the event.

In a previous post, I outlined some of the UFO's floating around my space, but none of these seemed like the best option for this particular need. I opted to dig through my stash for one of those sets of fabric I bought but didn't have plan for and test a pattern I've been playing with for a few months. As of yet, it is unnamed, but I like the bold pattern, asymmetric layout and negative space.

I was able to finish piecing the top in a later than I should have work session after the kids' bedtime and the back in an early morning burst. Both unusual sleep-depriving bursts of productivity were not only to keep me on track to get a quilt to the auction, but also to keep my appointment with the APQS Millennium Long Arm at Innovation Studio today. I'll write a full post (or series) about Innovation Studio at some point, but in short, it is a community center with oodles of fun tools available to members. The textile lab includes regular sewing machines, industrial straight stitch and serger machines, looms and the Millennium. I completed my orientation course to the long arm a couple of weeks ago. Today was my first solo run on a quilt I had made.

My time was limited, and I was starting to get nervous when it took me a chunk of time to get everything loaded, threaded, and otherwise set-up. Once it was on, I continued to have problems with breaking threads so I opted for simple straight-line, channel-lock strip-quilting. I was able to get it done and my mess cleaned up in time to make daycare pick-up, though, so all worked out.

I can hardly wait to finish some more tops and schedule another block of time to practice my long arm quilting skills.

Now I'm down to trimming, binding and getting the quilt to the auction. I know money won't help this family replace their lost son, but I do hope it will relieve some of the financial pressure of intensive care and a funeral.

Corn: Nebraska Gold

Nebraska is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, and one of the many celebratory activities is a quilt competition hosted by the Nebraska State Quit Guild. I was fortunate to have a sneak peek during the Lincoln Quilters Guild Biennial Quilt Show in October and was inspired to participate.

As harvest season was upon us, I wanted to submit a quilt that honored Nebraska agriculture, our number one industry. As a lifelong Nebraska corn farmer, it seemed a good option to pursue. I was also fascinated by how to depict actual corn.

I was able to get a good start ... specifically on the actual corn part ... at a Lincoln Quilters Guild class taught by Kris Kahn, a friend from the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild. The rest of it waited until after the holidays but went together nicely.

While I wanted the final product to be recognizable, I also wanted it to be a distinctly modern depiction. The entire piece is improv strip-pieced using a mix of scrap fabrics, fabrics shared by friends at the class, and Kona solids.

Image Credit: Sheila Green

It is one of 37 submissions and will hang at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum in Lincoln through February 25 and again on National Quilting Day. There are prizes. I don't have expectations of winning, though it would be cool to have my quilt included in the honorable mention group simply so it could travel the state and be a part of local Nebraska 150 celebrations over the next year.

This post is linked up to Sew Can She's Show Off Saturday

2017 Quilting Goals

Like many, as 2016 was coming to a close and 2017 commenced, I reviewed a fairly successful year in quilting and began to plan for the coming year. A few things came to mind, but the first was that I needed to focus on what I've got. For the last couple of years, I've consciously been acquiring new fabrics, patterns and a lovely new sewing machine. My studio is overflowing, and I need to focus my cashflow on a family trip to Southern California this summer. The two combined led me focus 2017 on finishing some of the many projects I've started, planned and/or purchased supplies for.

Goal #1: Only purchase supplies as actually needed for continuing a project under active work.

Goal #2: Emphasize finishing existing UFO's.

To help me maintain some of this motivation, I've joined American Patchwork and Quilting's 2017 UFO Challenge along with many members of the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild. The Facebook group has been great so far fun with participants from around the globe and in my backyard. You can follow our guild's progress by tracking the hashtag #omqg17ufo and the whole project at #apqresolution.

I've followed the #finishalong tag for awhile and this post will includes my goals for the first quarter:

• I volunteered to contribute the February raffle prize for the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild. This is actually already finished as it seemed easiest to deliver it at the January meeting held January 3. In September, I nabbed a stack of vintage crazy quilt blocks someone had gone to a lot of work to finish but not set into a quilt. I used the first sixteen for a Christmas quilt for my mom. One of the orphan blocks became a vintage mini for the OMQG raffle. I have one remaining block and will finish it up in a similar way for the Lincoln Quilters Guild that will start its 2017 program year in March.
• Nebraska is celebrating 150 years of statehood in 2017. The Nebraska State Quilt Guild is sponsoring a quilt competition. My entry is entitled "Nebraska Gold" and depicts a combine unloading a load of corn into a semi truck trailer. It is improv strip pieced and made of fabrics from my stash. I completed the "cone of corn" during a guild workshop in October led by quilter Kris Kahn. As the entry deadline is tomorrow, January 15 I finished it up last week to submit yesterday. There is a competition component with the top prize including a lovely cash award and acquisition by the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. I don't expect to win, but it would make me ecstatic to be included in the six honorable mentions that get to travel the state during the celebration year with the top three finishers.
• I am participating in the first Modern Quilt Guild Miniquilt Swap. I am wavering between a scaled down excerpt from Allison Glass' Feathers or Lady Harvatine's January Block. I need to decide soon as it's next up for me to do and ship by February 1 or so. :) I have pulled some lovely batiks and will, of course, include my favorite Kona gray, Charcoal.
• At the Nebraska State Fair, we have an awesome quilt show. One of the special categories is for quilts based on a child’s artwork. Last summer during the Pokemon craze, Henry made the most amazing Pokemon ball craft that I immediately thought should be a quilt. If I want my super-amazing, best longarmer in the country quilt guild friend to quilt it and have it back by summer fair season, I need to get it to her by mid-February.
• I have two baby quilts and a big girl quilt that need to be done by mid-May so they should each get a start, too.

Whew! I am going to be busy! I can only hope for a lot of snow days where we keep our electricity!

Goal #3. Sew with Anne.

Anne is now eight which, among other things, means she is a full-fledged 4-Her this year. One of the projects she has long been interested in participating is quilting. We’ve already drafted plans and acquired supplies for a quilt for her American Girl Doll, a Quilt of Valor, and a skirt for the county fair the last week of July.

Goal #4:Quilt for Good

I’ve made a lot of quilts to be gifts for others. In fact, I have very few of the quilts I’ve made in the last ten years, but I have not been as active as many other quilters in making quilts for good or charity quilts. This year I plan to make at least one Quilt for Kids and one Quilt of Valor (not counting Anne’s).

On project that has been brewing in the back of my mind for awhile is making new paraments or altar cloths for our church. We go to a small country church, literally in a cornfield, and members pitch in to do all the projects. George has been rebuilding windows for over a year now.

KAF #bakealong: Everyday Whole-Grain Bread

I've been quite negligent in blogging. :( Life happened. Our summer was busy with softball, work, vacation, 4-H, fair and the start of school. I spent almost all of September on the road for work. It's been good to be home more in October, though I did spend a whole week at a conference followed by a class.

Here in the Nebraska corn belt, we are deep into harvest. A few neighbors are finishing up, but we are only about half done. Luckily, the weather has been nearly perfect. Just last week we were reminded about the 1997 snow storm that dropped more than a foot of snow in this part of the state closing schools and roads for up to a week in some places.

This fall, the King Arthur Flour crew started a monthly #bakealong challenge. I missed the August launch, Pane Bianco, and have yet to find an excuse to make that great looking bread. We joined in September with some Inside Out Pumpkin Muffins. We weren't huge fans of the muffins. They looked better than they tasted, but it was fun to join in the Instagram fun.

October's recipe, Everyday Whole-Grain Bread, appeared to be a straight-forward, tasty bread. It is exactly as it appears. With a short sponge, great instructions, and almost sure-fire results, this is a great beginner bread recipe with enough flavor and texture to make a good daily loaf. I opted for the loaf pan option to be able to use it as a sandwich bread. I shared a loaf with my sister, and we ate the second loaf so fast, I have yet to try it in a sandwich. Hopefully today's second batch will make it to Monday's lunch. :)

The recipe calls for equal parts white whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour. I made the first batch with equal parts KAF's artisan bread flour and unbleached all-purpose flour. Today's batch is equal parts artisan bread, white whole wheat and all-purpose flours. I think this recipe has the flexibility to adjust to infinite flour combinations, and I've seen reviews indicating others have used sourdough starter or gluten-free flours.

Find the full recipe on the KAF blog at http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/everyday-whole-grain-bread-recipe. Join the #bakealong at http://www.kingarthurflour.com/bakealong/.

Dinner this Week - 04.17.16

It looks like I might be home more than gone this week so it was time to make a meal plan. Too many weeks have passed with Cheerios or chicken bites for dinner. With planting season upon us, a little extra planning will make sure everyone gets a dinner that doesn't rely on hot dogs.

Sunday

Spaghetti, Apple Slices

Monday

Tacos, Oranges

Tuesday

George's Birthday Day!

Grilled Chuck Eye Steaks, Grilled Potatoes, Broccoli, Strawberry Shortcake

Wednesday

Lemon Garlic Marinated Shrimp, Rice Pilaf with diced carrots and onions, Oranges

Thursday

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Fresh Mozzarella, Carrots, Strawberries, Garlic Bread

Friday

Saunders County Medical Center Benefit Picnic

Saturday

Butterfly Pork Chops, Frozen Mixed Veg, Apple Slices

Dinner Tonight: Chicken Cacciatore

When I was at the grocery store last week, the in-store chef was demo-ing a whole array of yummies and one caught my eye ... or tongue, I should say. Her Chicken Cacciatore was a simple throw everything in slow cooker recipe that happened to work for me for an oven meal so I've included both procedures below. I did make a few modifications but the base recipe and inspiration are courtesy of Chef Maryanne from my local HyVee.

We had this over some cheese ravioli from the freezer but it would also be good over any pasta or rice.

Chicken Cacciatore

1 lb. chicken, cubed or cut into small pieces

1 can petite diced tomatoes (I actually only had whole Marzanos and they were great)

4-6 cloves minced garlic or 1-2 teaspoons of garlic powder

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. dried basil

1-2 tbs. flour or cornstarch to thicken

1 bell pepper, cut into matchsticks

1 medium onion, sliced

1 8 oz. package sliced mushrooms

1 cup chicken stock (oven method only)

Optional: 1-2 tbs. additional flour or cornstarch to thicken right before serving.

Slow Cooker: Layer all ingredients, as listed, in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Optional: Before serving, stir flour or cornstarch into 1/4 cup water and stir into mixture. Cook on high for a few minutes until thickened. Serve over pasta or rice.

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Layer all ingredients, as listed, in a Dutch oven. Cover. Bake for 60 minutes. If you desire more thickening, move to a stovetop burner on high. Combine additional flour or cornstarch with 1/2 cup of cold water. Stir into the chicken dish and continue stirring until the desired thickness is reached. Serve over pasta or rice.