New Quilt

What a day.  I ran out and did a few errands and then I have spent the day in the sewing room.  I am working on a quilt that will be used as a money raiser.  We will sell tickets for an opportunity to own the quilt at convention this summer.  I have designed it in my head while driving during the trip to Houston.  I have a good start on it. 
Ken is cabining (a step up from camping) with two sons and two grandsons.  On our last communication he has been awakened by little boys, hiking, and fishing. 

This is the beginning of the quilt.

This will go in it too.

 I plan to do more sewing after church tomorrow.  I could get close to having the quilt done.

This is the way I will store my stash.

This is a portion of my stash.

      

After I get the material on the plastic bolts I will stand it up on shelves.  It will be easier to see what I have.  I will arrange them by color.  Except my current shelves are too tall or too short.  Something more for Ken to do!  I would really like to get the organization of my sewing room in motion.     

Spring Break Is Over!

Well, it took us until Saturday night late before we were done with the projects at Haley's.

The dining room.

The den.

The master bath.

The main bath.

 I did get a chance to go to Teacher Heaven.  I found several things there. Before I left I checked the internet for addresses.  I picked four shops and then I put those addresses in Lola (our GPS).  So, after Teacher Heaven  I tried a quilt shop.  When I got there it wasn't there.  So I called and they had moved across the street, but it wasn't open on Saturday.  Seriously!  The next store I went to wasn't there.  I called and the number was no longer in service.  Then I went to one more shop.  It was interesting it was fabric store, but it was shared by a plant store.  With a note saying go to the plant store to let her know I want to see fabric.  I found some material so my shopping wasn't a total bust.

The drive home Sunday was long and tiring.  Today went pretty smooth.  By the end of the day I was tired.  Ken drove my van and dropped me off so he could get a new battery.  So I had to wait on him to pick me up. 

Family

Duane is okay-looks worse than it is!

Using a hammer drill to take up tile.

It is early. No one is stirring.  Duane is sneaking a grocery run in and I am getting in some computer time.  Duane is keeping us on schedule in the eating department and we are working like sled dogs.  The first two and a half  days were so much prep work. After day 4 we are showing progress.  The library and hall have the wood floor installed and it looks good!  Yesterday Duane and Haley were still doing prep work in the den and will finish in there plus the prep work in the kitchen.  Ken and I will move into the dining room and the pantry.  I think the levelor has to be put down in the den and kitchen before the wood can be installed.
 I have changed out some knobs and light switch and plug covers in the master bath.  I may try to tackle painting the mirrors today.

The hall looks great!

We are having quite a bit of fun, tackling problems, eating wonderful food, getting a lot done, and enjoying each other.

Potato Fans

Crispy Baked Potato Fans
4 Russet Potatoes
2 TBS Olive Oil
Salt and pepper

1. Trim 1/4 inch slices from the bottom and ends of each potato so they will sit flat.
2. Cut slices every 1/4 inch across from side to side without cutting through the potato.
3. Rinse between each slice to get rid of the starch.  Now it should look like a little accordion.
4. Pre-cook potatoes in the microwave 6-12 minutes.
5. Arrange potatoes sliced side up on foil lined baking sheet.  Brush potatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper.   Bake at 450 degrees until skin is crisp and potatoes are starting to brown.
6. Carefully top potatoes with stuffing mixture, pressing gently to adhere.  Broil until bread crumbs are deep golden brown about 3 minutes.

Delicious!

Bread Crumb Topping
1 slice white bread, torn in pieces
4 TBS unsalted butter melted
1/2 C shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 C Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 200 degrees.  Pulse bread in food processor until coarsely ground.  Bake bread crumbs on rimmed baking sheet until dry, about 20 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes then combine crumbs, butter, cheeses, garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a large bowl.

Duane made these for dinner last night.  What a fancy side dish! They tasted so good.

Project Updates

One of the pillows.

This is the zebra and pink comforter, sham in the upper left and other pillows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closer view.

Here is an update on the bedding project - it is done and delivered.  I enjoyed doing this comforter, bed skirt, 4 curtain panels, 2 pillow shams, and 2 pillows.  I am also glad it is done, so I can do other projects.  I am working on getting the sewing room organized.  My granddaughter has been working on measuring and folding my material.  I have been researching ways to store it.  I have found a system that uses a plastic bolt that you fold your material in half, which makes the material 9 inches and fold it on the plastic bolt.  Then you just put it on a shelf.  There is room to put a label on it for the amount, where you bought it, etc.  I think that is what I am going to order.  I have purchased some containers to put projects waiting to be worked on in.  I have 9 projects in containers and two hanging that need to be quilted.  So, I have 13 projects in various state to need to be quilted and need a piece or two of a certain fabric to finish.  And then the emotional one I am making for my sister that I have started out of my brother-in-laws clothes, but I find it hard to stay focused.  I guess I need to go check on the flooring project.

Day two on project floor was a long one.  We started early and ended about 10:00.  We did stop for two trips to Home Depot, Northern Tool, and Quilter's Emporium.  Lunch was a wonderful Chicken Pot Pie Soup.  I will be getting the recipe!

The sunken living room is being raised.

Add The sub floor is getting screwed down.

This will not move.

Wiring for new plugs in the floor.

Problem with the unlevel concrete.

Seems like a slow process, but there is a lot to figure out.

Austin jumped right in.  Where was he yesterday?

Lots of progress.

We got to see Austin and Nicole for dinner.  Austin pitched in and relieved Haley and Ken on the concrete removal.

New Project

It has been a while since I posted.  I have been busy with many projects.  The bedding is complete, parent teacher conferences are over and we are beginning to organize the sewing room.  That will be a lengthy project in itself.  Lots of planning and research for the best ways to store material and other fun things to incorporate into the sewing place.
Currently, Ken and I are in Houston.  We are visiting our daughter Haley and her husband Duane.  We are taking up all the flooring and installing hardwood floor.  Today we are taking up tile and the thinset that adhered it to the concrete.  So far we have made one trip to Home Depot. 

Entry is marble

Now the marble is gone.

Austin's girlfriend, Nicole has come by to meet us.  Austin is at a wedding in College Station and will join us later.  So, Nicole is seeing us at less than our best, all sweaty and dirty.  Talk about first impressions!

Ken using the grinder on the thinset

Bagster-we fill it up and they will come get it!

Haley using a much less dusty tool.