Weather Change

Feeling a little crispness in the air down here in Florida.  Nice to have temps in the 60's when I wake in the morning.  This quiilt reminds me of late autumn in the mountains of Virginia, with nothing but earth tones in sight.

I watched the video tutorial by Victoria of Bumble Beans before whipping this together.  (No, it wasn't quick, but it was fun!)  She calls it the Waverunner quilt.  So have a look and start one for yourself.

It is on my design wall and I hope to get the blocks stitched together sometime today.  I have great plans for the back and for the actual quilting.  I'll post pics when it is finished.

Gingered Pear Preserves - Yummy....

I decided I needed to get a little head start on holiday gifts.  Today I made Gingered Pear Preserves and can't wait to taste it.  In the photo below, you'll see a jar that isn't all the way full....well, that one is OURS!

I wasn't sure exactly how long to cook the mixture down.  I didn't want it to turn into cement, and I didn't want it to be runny like syrup.  Next time I'll probably add a little more lemon juice and lemon zest to make it a little thicker since I didn't use pectin.

Recipe includes candied ginger, fresh grated ginger, lemon juice, lemon zest and of course, pears and sugar.  I used a recipe I found online which belongs to Emeril.  I used less sugar than called for (as someone else had mentioned) and when I make it again, I will use even less sugar.  As it dripped and splattered all over my counters, I tasted it and it seemed way too sweet for my tastes.  But, perhaps the sweetness will have mellowed out a bit after the canning process.  You can find the recipe here if you are interested.  I got 6 and 1/2 half pint jars.  (Aren't those little squatty half pint jars just too cute?!  They are Ball jars I bought at Ace Hardware.)

Kiwi

I'm really loving this new quilt top I just finished.  It is made with KIWI fabric by Timeless Treasures.

Can't decide whether to put sashing on the top and bottom...probably will just to round it all out better.  It turned out a really nice size for snuggling on the sofa or for a toddler.  Love the colors!

I didn't use a pattern, just free form design.

threadaholic????

Sew Mama Sew is having a contest and someone is going to win some thread! I wanted to post a few pictures of just a 'portion' of my threadaholic stash. Looking at these (messy) pics makes me realize that perhaps *I* should NOT be the lucky winner! :)

This is just a small bit of my thread on a rack I purchased not too long ago so it has no organization yet...love my bobbin keepers!







I frequent estate sales and love to buy thread....especially thread on wooden spools!








Can't beat 5 bucks for this pile of embroidery thread....(and see, there is MORE thread in the background!)



Love these metallic threads too ~





SMS wanted us to answer a few question as well, so here goes:

* How did you select colors for your personal thread collection? If I see a color that I like, I tend to purchase it on the spot.

* Do you always match the color perfectly to your project? If I am working on a garment, I always purchase matching thread, but for normal quilting projects I tend to use white or off white.

* Do you ever use contrasting thread? Yes I do, especially with totes and handbags.

* Do you use the same color in the bobbin as the upper thread? Yes.

* What if a fabric has big areas of very different colors? I usually use thread that matches the background, or if not possible to do that, I choose a neutral color.

* Do you have any tips or suggestions about choosing thread? Well, I do a lot of canvas work so have to use heavy duty thread for those projects; when working with outside materials, I use a heavy clear nylon thread - so, answer is just match the weight of the thread to your project fabric.

* Can you show us a picture(s) of your thread collection? It's a mess, but I added it anyways!

* Do you ever buy thread because you fall in love with the color (without a particular project in mind)? Certainly do! :)

* Do you “invest” in thread? Not quite sure what this means...

* What types of thread do you have? (elastic, quilting, all-purpose, wool, etc.) Quilting, all-purpose, metallics, nylon, heavy duty.

Peace, health & happiness,