May Redwork Snowman and May Snow!

Click here to view two completed Redwork Snowmen Calendar Quilts.

May-Time

There is but one May in the year,

  And sometimes May is wet and cold;

There is but one May in the year,

  But before the year grows old.

Yet, though it be the chilliest May

  With least of sun, and most of showers,

Its wind and dew, its night and day,

  Bring up the flowers.

Anonymous

We had a foot of snow and a delayed start to school yesterday!  A crazy May!

What has your May weather been like so far?  Snow?  Rain?  Flooding? Tornadoes?  Windy?  Hot and dry?  Balmy and pleasant?  Inquiring minds want to know!

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Traveling by Wagon Train in These Is My Words. 

April Redwork Snowman and A Splash of April

 

A Splash of April

 

When you chance upon a

water puddle,

left behind after an

April rain,

do you carefully detour

around the obstruction

and go hurriedly

along your way?

Or do you smile with

not-so-secret glee,

loosen your tie,

kick up your heels,

and let loose

your inner child!

 

Merry Lu Pasley  April 2, 2011

 

 

April is National Poetry Month.  Do you have a favorite poet or a favorite poem?  Inquiring minds what to know!  By commenting, you'll be entering this month's give-away of Marie Bostwick's newest book APART AT THE SEAMS, coming out the end of this month.  Three lucky people will each win a copy, courtesy of Kensington Publishing!  If you are reading this via email, you must click on the title of my blog post to be able to comment and read the comments of others.  The winner will be announced on May 1.



March Redwork Snowman and Spring Daffodils

 

Our March weather has been very strange, even for Colorado!  One day it's snowing, the next day it's blue skies and sunshine.  Yesterday, I even received two warnings on my phone about a dust storm, which was definitely a first.  I never saw any dust, but we certainly had a snow storm!  Today, we're back to blue skies and sunshine.

Solution

When I went out to play

  The day had just begun.

“Put on your coat,” said the wind.

  “Take off your coat,” said the sun.
 

Now who was in the right?

  And which advice was better?

I solved the problem for myself –

  I just put on my sweater.

by Leland B. Jacobs  

No daffodils outside but two bunches on my dining room table!

Daffodils

I wandered lonely as a cloud

that floats on high o’er vales and hills,

when all at once I saw a crowd,

a host of golden daffodils;

beside the lake, beneath the trees,

fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

William Wordsworth

What is your favorite spring flower?  Inquiring minds want to know! By commenting, you'll be entering to win a copy of A Time for Peace (Quilts of Lancaster County) by Barbara Cameron. If you are reading this via email, you must click on the title of my blog post to be able to comment and read the comments of others. The winner will be announced on April 1.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Tall Ships Quilt Block and an Irish Tea.

February Redwork Little Birdies and Quick and Easy Lasagna

February Redwork Little Birdies Pattern Information

"Life, like a coin, always has two sides.  If I turn the February coin over, I find that we have had time for many pleasant things while the weather was bad.  Trying out a new recipe which is one of the fancy, time-consuming ones, for example.  Or re-reading a favorite book which we already practically know by heart.  Or writing leisurely letters to friends." 

                             Gladys Taber

 

On a snow day from teaching school last week, I made Nona's Spaghetti Sauce.  I let it simmer over four hours and ended up with 9 quarts of sauce.  It was fun to have a day to fix a time-consuming recipe. 

 

 

I used one of the jars of spaghetti sauce to make lasagna.  This recipe is quick and easy, so you have plenty of time to re-read that favorite book or write leisurely letters to friends!

 

Quick and Easy Lasagna

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Soak 10 uncooked lasagna noodles in hot water in the sink.

3.  While the noodles are soaking, brown 1 pound of hamburger in a 3-quart saucepan until no pink remains.  Drain excess grease.  Add a 32-ounce jar of chunky-style spaghetti sauce and 1/2 cup water to the browned hamburger.  Stir until mixed. *

4.  In a bowl, combine two beaten eggs, 2 cups cottage cheese, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.  Stir until mixed.

5.  Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan with Pam to prevent sticking.  In the dish layer:

  1-1/2 cups sauce

  5 noodles

  ½ of the cottage cheese mixture

  2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  1-1/2 cups sauce

  5 noodles

  ½ of the cottage cheese mixture

  Remaining sauce

6.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.  Uncover and top with 2 cups mozzarella cheese.  Bake 15 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Make sure all the noodles are covered well with the cheese mixture and the meat mixture so they won’t be hard. 

*If your spaghetti sauce already has meat in it, you do not need to add any extra meat.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Linoleum Quilt Block and Nona's Spaghetti Sauce.

Redwork Birdie Stitches for June - Only Eight Months Late!

This block is part of the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month by Little Miss Shabby available free online here.  When I saw it, I knew it was the perfect project for me.  Instead of using several colors of embroidery thread, I chose to use just No. 8 perle cotton in red.  I have done redwork on a single layer of fabric, and the knots show through from the back. I've tried backing the fabric with very lightweight iron-on interfacing, but the interfacing wrinkled. This time I used a double layer of the Kona cotton. I ironed the layers together and used an embroidery hoop. I didn't baste the two layers together, but it has not been a problem. I've been very pleased with the results.

I finally finished all the blocks of this quilt!  I kept up with each month except for this one.  I left the June block to last because its design was very different than the other months' designs.  I found this June Birdie Stitches block designed by Vikki Bowles and really loved it.  (Hers had a sun, and I substituted a moon and the stars.)  I had a bonus Snow Day off from school, so I traced the design and got it stitched!  

The view outside my sewing room window

Now I need to decide on how to put the blocks together and what fabric to use for the sashing and border.  These are whimsical designs, so I don't know whether I need to choose a whimsical fabric like this:

      

or a fun polka dot:

or maybe use a color other than red

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Hole in the Barn Door Quilt Block and What's on Your Nightstand?

December Tree Trimming Basket Quilt Block

 

This December Tree Trimming Basket block is part of my Wooly Basket Calendar Quilt.  The pattern is from the Starry Pines Pattern Company: http://starrypinespatterncompany.com/spindex2.html

I used wool for the hand-appliqued basket, cotton flannel for the background fabric, and black perle cotton for the embroidery. 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

I saw on the snow

when I tried my skis

the track of a mouse

beside some trees.

Before he tunneled

to reach his house

he wrote “Merry Christmas”

in white, in mouse.

by Aileen Fisher

 

Christmas

My goodness, my goodness,

It’s Christmas again

The bells are all ringing.

I do not know when

I’ve been so excited.

The tree is all fixed,

The candles are lighted,

The pudding is mixed.

The wreath’s on the door

And the carols are sung,

The presents are wrapped

And the holly is hung.

The turkey is sitting

All safe in its pan,

And I am behaving

As calm as I can.

 

by Marchette Chute

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post Christmas Tree Quilt Block

December Redwork Birdie Stitches

 

This block is part of the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month by Little Miss Shabby available free online here.  When I saw it, I knew it was the perfect project for me.  Instead of using several colors of embroidery thread, I chose to use just No. 8 perle cotton in red.  I have done redwork on a single layer of fabric, and the knots show through from the back. I've tried backing the fabric with very lightweight iron-on interfacing, but the interfacing wrinkled. This time I used a double layer of the Kona cotton. I ironed the layers together and used an embroidery hoop. I didn't baste the two layers together, but it has not been a problem. I've been very pleased with the results.

 

I have nearly finished the redwork portion of this quilt.  I still have the June block to make.  The design for June is very different than the other months (you can see it here) so I'm still up in the air about what I want to do.

 

I have really enjoyed having a little redwork project to work on each month.  This particular block of the month is not overwhelming yet gives me something to do if I'm watching a movie at home or sitting by the fireplace.

 

 

 

 December's Waltz

Winter orchestrates the dance

In chilling winds and biting air.            

Snowflakes whirl and skip and prance,

Waltzing wildly without a care.

Bowing swiftly to their mates.

They turn and glide in perfect time.

Spinning on their magic skates,

Across the frozen fields they climb.

Lilting measures rise and fall

In time with flakes of white,

While all God’s creatures watch the ball,

Bedazzled by the sight.

When gradually the music dies,

There’s not a single sound

As small white dancers from the sky

Take rest upon the ground.

by Ava M. Plover

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post For Unto Us a Child Is Born and a Song for Sunday.  You can check out my redwork and counted cross stitch projects here.

December Redwork Snowman

 

December is the twelfth and final month of the Gregorian calendar and the first month of winter.  It gets its name from the Latin word “decem,” meaning “ten,” as December was the tenth and final month of the oldest Roman calendar.  The Saxons called it “winter-monat” or winter month, and “heligh-monat,” or holy month from the fact that Christmas fell within it.

 

December’s Waltz

Winter orchestrates the dance

In chilling winds and biting air.

Snowflakes whirl and skip and prance,

Waltzing wildly without a care.

 

Bowing swiftly to their mates.

They turn and glide in perfect time.

Spinning on their magic skates,

Across the frozen fields they climb.

 

Lilting measures rise and fall

In time with flakes of white,

While all God’s creatures watch the ball,

Bedazzled by the sight.

 

When gradually the music dies,

There’s not a single sound

As small white dancers from the sky

Take rest upon the ground.

 

by Ava M. Plover

 

 

What is your favorite part about December?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  If you are reading this via e-mail, you must click on the title to comment and to read the comments of others.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post December House Quilt Block.

 

December House Quilt Block

 

This 12" December House quilt block is part of my Calendar of Houses Bee Quilt.  A friend and I organized this on-line bee a couple of years ago after being members of two previous on-line bees.

There were thirteen of us in the bee - from the United States as well as England and New Zealand.  Every month, each of us made a block for a member and a different member made a block for us.  The house design was to represent that month.  

Isn't this December block wonderful?  Notice the fabulous wreath on the door, the tree in the window (as well as the trees outside), and the "Merry Christmas" in the upper left hand corner of the block. 

This quilt hangs in my classroom and is a favorite of my students.  It adds so much color and joy.

December Leaves

The fallen leaves are cornflakes

That fill the lawn’s wide dish.
And night and noon
The wind’s a spoon
That stirs them with a swish,

The sky’s a silver sifter

A-sifting white and slow,

That gently shakes
On crisp brown flakes
The sugar known as snow.

by Kaye Starbird

Do you decorate your door with a wreath for Christmas?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Answer in the comment section below.  If you're reading this via e-mail, you must click on the link to comment or to read the comments of others. 

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post

November Redwork Birdie Stitches

 

This block is part of the Birdie Stitches Block of the Month by Little Miss Shabby available free online here.  When I saw it, I knew it was the perfect project for me.  Instead of using several colors of embroidery thread, I chose to use just No. 8 perle cotton in red.  I have done redwork on a single layer of fabric, and the knots show through from the back. I've tried backing the fabric with very lightweight iron-on interfacing, but the interfacing wrinkled. This time I used a double layer of the Kona cotton. I ironed the layers together and used an embroidery hoop. I didn't baste the two layers together, but it has not been a problem. I've been very pleased with the results so far.

 

T for time to be together,

     turkey, talk, and tangy weather.

H for harvest stored away,

     home, and hearth, and holiday.

A for autumn’s frosty art,

     and abundance in the heart.

N for neighbors, and November,

     nice things, new things to remember.

K for kitchen, kettles’ croon,

     kith and kin expected soon.

S for sizzles, sights, and

     and something special that abounds.

 

That spells THANKS - for joy in living

     and a jolly good Thanksgiving.

 

by Aileen Fisher

 

Who will you be spending Thanksgiving with?  Inquiring minds want to know!  Please answer in the comment section below. 

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

November Pie Making Basket Quilt Block

 

This November Pie Making Basket block is part of my Wooly Basket Calendar Quilt.  The pattern is from the Starry Pines Pattern Company: http://starrypinespatterncompany.com/spindex2.html

I used wool for the hand-appliqued basket, cotton flannel for the background fabric, and black perle cotton for the embroidery. 

 

November

The bottoms of autumn

Wear diamonds of frost;

The tops of the trees rue

The leaves that they’ve lost.

Red squirrels, busy packing

Oak cupboards for weeks,

Still rattle the branches

With seeds in their cheeks.

Gray clouds go on promising

Winter’s first storm,

So we stay inside by

The stove to keep warm.

Home biscuits are baking,

The gravy is stirred,

Two pumpkin pies cool

By the thank-you bird.

 

by J. Patrick Lewis

Walnut Crunch Pumpkin Pie

1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie shell, unbaked

1-1/4 cups coarsely chopped walnuts

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk

¾ cup sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

¼ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2.  Combine walnuts and brown sugar in a small bowl.  Place ¾ cup of the nut-sugar mixture on bottom of pie shell.

3.  Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.  Pour into pie shell.

4.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Reduce temperature to 350 degrees; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack.

5.  Combine butter and remaining nut-sugar mixture; stir until moistened.  Sprinkle over cooled pie.  Broil about 5 inches from heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly.  Cool before serving.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

November House Quilt Block

This 12"  November House quilt block is part of my Calendar of Houses Bee Quilt.  A friend and I organized this on-line bee a couple of years ago after being members of two previous on-line bees.

 

There were thirteen of us in the bee - from the United States as well as England and New Zealand.  Every month, each of us made a block for a member and a different member made a block for us.  The house design was to represent that month.  

A bee member from Missouri made this block for me.  It is full of details, so look closely!  (I made the photo extra large to make those details easier to see.)  Do you see the woman in the window cooking in the kitchen - getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner?  I think the boy is trying to steal a nibble of something good before dinner!  And the girl in the other window might be setting the table.  In the bottom right corner of the block, Carla pieced a wonderful turkey.  Can you find it?  She's also added some Thanksgiving-appropriate selvage labels - Harvest Celebration, Forest Hills, and Four Seasons - below the sidewalk.  I would never have thought of doing that!  And I love all of the different fall fabrics that she included in the block.  

It is such a joy to reach into your mailbox and find a bee package, containing a block you would never have thought to make.  It was fun being a part of this creative group!

This quilt hangs in my classroom and adds so much color and joy.

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

Redwork Snowmen Calendar Quilt - Two Versions!

 

Here's my Redwork Snowmen Calendar Quilt. 

It hangs on a wall in my home all year long. 

 Here's another Redwork Snowmen Calendar Quilt just completed by Margaret Dunn of the UK.  You will notice that she revised her November snowman to reflect their celebration of Guy Fawkes Night.  She's going to bring it to school to hang by her Advent Calendar and then will bring it home for the Christmas holidays.  Isn't it fabulous?

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

November Redwork Snowman

 

 “Novem” means “nine” in Latin.  November was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar, which named only ten months and which began in the spring with March.  November 11 was considered the beginning of winter. 

November Comes

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

- Clyde Watson

 Caramel Popcorn

5-6 quarts popped corn
1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup white corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups raw peanuts
1 teaspoon baking soda

1.  Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

2.  Place popcorn in a large, oven-proof container.

3.  Combine margarine, brown sugar, syrup, salt, and peanuts in a 3-quart saucepan and bring to a boil.  Boil for five minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and add soda.  Pour over popcorn and toss gently to mix well.  Bake for 1 hour, stirring two or three times while baking.

4.  Remove from oven and pour on cookie sheets or wax paper to cool.
 

 

 You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.

October House Quilt Block

 

This 12"  October House quilt block is part of my Calendar of Houses Bee Quilt.  A friend and I organized this on-line bee a couple of years ago after being members of two previous on-line bees.

 

There were thirteen of us in the bee - from the United States as well as England and New Zealand.  Every month, each of us made a block for a member and a different member made a block for us.  The house design was to represent that month.  My dear friend Jodi made this block for me. 

 

 

Each person also sent a smaller, signature (siggy) block along with their 12" block.  I incorporated these into the back of my quilt. 

Isn't this a wonderful siggy block? 

This October House block represents Pumpkin Day - a special family holiday that my parents hosted at their home every year for their children and grandchildren.

 My dad grew pumpkins in his garden every year, so each grandchild could pick their own pumpkins.

 

The grandchildren are all grown now.

 

 

But we all have such good memories of Pumpkin Days over the years.

 

 

 

 

One year, relatives from Sweden came for Pumpkin Day!

 

Pumpkin Day always included a meal prepared by my mom.

 

Pumpkin Day Dip

2 cups powdered sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

15 ounce can pumpkin

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

 

1.  Beat the powdered sugar and cream cheese until well blended.  Blend in remaining ingredients.  Store in an airtight container.

2.  Serve with gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, and/or apple slices. 

 

 

 

Even pets were part of the celebration!

 

Does your family have a unique, special holiday tradition?  Inquiring minds want to know.  Please answer in the comment section below.

 

You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.