Vanilla bean scones

Nothing like a little late night baking.  Tonight I decided to make some scone dough so I can bake them in the morning for a friend who is leaving to go ski over Christmas break.  We made these for teacher gifts and they are so easy and can be made ahead.  

First the dry ingredients are put in the food processor and mixed until blended.

Next the butter is added...

~15-20 pulses on the food processor until there are course balls of butter.

next the dry ingredients are added to the liquid liquid ingredients and mixed into a dough ball.

I divided the dough in half and made into a ball and patted until flat and about 3/4" thick.  I put egg on top and sprinkled with course sugar.  I then cut in 1/8's and put on baking sheet to go in freezer until they are baked tomorrow.

And it's good night...can't wait for the wonderful smell of baking scones in the am. 

Baby quilt for baby E

A quick baby quilt made from 5.5" squares. I wasn't able to find any all blue charm packs so I used 8 fat quarters and cut 5.5" squares. I took a long arm quilting class last Friday and this will be one of my first projects when I rent the machine at one of my LQSs.  Several more babies at work so I see more versions of this one very soon!!

Mug rug mania

I had some scraps left over from my Firecrackers Quilt so I put together a mug rug.  I cut my batting and backing to just a little over 6x8" and sewed scraps to the front using quilt as you go method.  I had extra binding left from the quilt so I used that as well.  I would probably use a smaller binding next time or cut my binding down slightly.  Either way it turned out cute and a quick and easy project.

Firecrackers Quilt made with Atrium Design Roll by Joel Dewberry for Free Spirit Fabrics

Just got this one done and put in the mail...made for friends' 17 yr old daughter who was just diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma and has started her fight against cancer. I got my pattern from my favorite online store The Fat Quarter shop.  You can see the pattern here at http://www.fatquartershop.com/firecrackers-pdf-quilt-pattern

First I took 5 strips and sewed them together and then cut into wedges using the Creative GRids 30 degree ruler

More pieces cut in the solid to make the blocks.  I used Brushed Bella Solid in Robins Egg...oh so soft.

Next I layed out the blocks to make sure my corners weren't duplicating fabric too much.

After piecing the blocks together I made my quilt sandwich using spray basting technique and quilted ~1/2 inch apart for a corrugated look.

Then came my machine binding.  It looks a little hazardous with the pins, but this way I can bind the front normally and my stitches from the front are hidden in the ditch and only seen on the binding on the back...this is my preferred method.

And at last it is done and ready to mail!!

Where oh where have the past 5 yrs gone

I know what I've been doing.  I've spent most of time being a wife and mommy and also going back to work initially more full time and now about 5-7 days/month.  Needless to say I've not done much quilting or scrap-booking.  I have sewn a few things here and there, but not as much as I would like.  We relocated to OK from MD so a lot of time has been spent on rehabbing an old house...anywhere from painting walls to landscaping.  I promise very soon to post pictures of the "not-so" new house.  For now, it's off to bed so I can get up earlier than I like to on Saturday mornings so I can spend a little time with the family before I head off to work in the late morning. 

The first of a few mystery quilts

This is the mystery quilt I made for 2003. Needless to say mine isn't this far along. I often hear people aren't happy with the outcomes of Mystery Quilts...not the case with me. haven't done one yet I didn't like. My husband doesn't like the bill at the end of the year. But he has his own set of expenses...it all works out in the end.

Mexican fiesta quilt

This picture doesn't do this project justice. Was an evening picture and not great lighting...you get the idea, though.

Another cool sampler

This one is finally done...what a great thing to finish something. I didn't do the quilting. I could never do this justice. Hope you enjoy.

Here is my Saturday Sampler Mystery Quilt (at least what it will look like with some color variations---mine has reds where this one has blues) from a great little quilt shop in Collinsville, IL.

Quilting

I decided it might be fun to see what others are doing in the quilt world and share a few things I have done. I have been quilting off and on for ~ 10 years. I should call myself a pucker, though. Seems many of my projects are sitting in the basted phase. I am currently trying to finish last years quilt-as-you go project from a mystery quilt. It's no longer a mystery to me since it ended in Dec and has been revealed. Makes me want to hurry and get it done, but I am stuck on a block that calls for setting in a seam. I can't quite figure it out. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
I will try to post a pic of the finished project. I am psyched, because when I do finally get it done it will be DONE!! My husband loves projects like this. I swear I'm not starting another new one until the ones in progress are done, too.