Free BOM Quilt Along for 2012

Yesterday, as I was making dinner and squeezing in a batch of laundry detergent, thoughts of the upcoming year's events were whirling through my mind. You know how it is,"two eggs...what are we planning for the next quilt guild meeting...a cup of bread crumbs...when should we plan that trip to CA ."

When I mentioned that I was starting to feel overwhelmed, Diego reminded me to compartmentalize. Smart man. Sometimes the only way to get the thoughts to stop the whirling through your mind is to write them all down.

There is nothing left to do but pull up my big girl pants and dive it. So, in order to check something off of my list and to distract myself from said list, I will be posting my first ever Block of the Month Quilt Along - free.

I'm really excited about it and have been busily sewing away to finish up the samples. It is called Hello Sun. Each month, the sun will drop by to say hello to some friends. The blocks are somewhat seasonal, but not your typical holiday blocks. Each block uses a combination of techniques like hand or machine applique and embroidery. I machine appliqued my pieces using a raw edge applique technique. A blanket stitch, zig zag stitch or invisible thread would look cute too. You could even hand embroider the whole thing. My hope is that Modern Quilters, Traditional Quilters and will love it as much as I do :)

Here is a sneak peek and the General Instructions. I'll get a Flickr group up soon. Watch for the first free pattern January 1st.

Faux Ties

Bow Tie quilts are simply beautiful...but not that simple to make:) The traditional way to make them involves templates and trying to line up and sew a weird edge. Maybe it's just me, but I've always avoided them.

After playing around with the block, I figured out an easy way to make it. I give you Faux Ties - a free tutorial with my version of an easy Bow Tie Quilt Block. Doctor Who was right - Bow Ties are cool.

No Way!

Konda: "Have you checked your email lately? You have good news to share."

Me: "Ahhhhhh!!!!!"
My quilt made the cover! Watch for it at newsstands January 10th.

Stars Brightly Shining

It has been so much fun watching the Cathedral Star blocks come to life at the quilt along over at Konda's Blog!

1. FQSQAL Block 6 "from little things" by Sarah Fielke........... April's Cathedral Star, 2. FQSQA Block 6 (1), 3. Block 6, 4. Blk 6 Cathedral Star, 5. FQ Star block #6, 6. FQS QAL Block 6, 7. DSCF6399, 8. Fat Quarter Star Quilt along # 6, 9. FQ Star Quilt Along Block#6, 10. Block 6, 11. Fat Quarter Stars Quilt Along Block 6 Cathedral Star, 12. Quilt Along Block Six

I'm loving the blocks with the featured fabrics.

Cream Puff Cake

No picture today, just a quick recipe in time for the holidays.

We made this for a church activity and everyone loved it - including me:) It feeds a crowd - 20 or more depending on the size that you cut your pieces. Great for having company over. Not so great for just your family if you have little to no self control :).

Cream Puff Cake

1 1/2 c. water

1 1/2 cubes butter

a little almond flavoring

1 1/2 c. flour

6 eggs

3 c. milk

8 oz softened cream cheese

2 pkgs vanilla instant pudding (small packs)

16 oz Cool Whip

Chocolate syrup (optional)

Crust: Boil water and butter. Remove from heat and add flour, mix until it forms a ball. Add vanilla and one egg at a time, beating well. Spread onto a jelly roll pan or large cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 30 min. Cool completely. (When it bakes, it puffs up and looks like a mountain range. As it cools, it goes down some and you can lightly press it down a little)

Filling: Mix milk, pudding packs and softened cream cheese until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip and spread over cooled baked crust. Refrigerate. Optional - top with chocolate syrup before serving.

They are light and yummy - again, self control must be used here :)

Block of the Month

A few month's ago, on one of our early morning bike rides, Konda asked me to design a block for her Fat Quarter Stars Quilt along - what an honor! I went home right away and played around with some fabric, then in true quilter fashion...procrastinated.

After finally pulling together the instructions, I sent them over to Konda, who in turn is making her block at the last minute! Don't you love it?

Hop on over to Moose on the Porch Quilt's for the instructions to my Cathedral Star Block, and a chance to win some cool prizes.

I love the idea of switching out the center four patch in this block for a solid block featuring one of your favorite fabrics. I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.