COOKIES, COOKIES, AND MORE

"Tis the season" is the popular refrain.  Today is the 2nd of December.  I spent part of yesterday getting together a list of the people I wanted to be the recipients of my kitchen productions.  I love to bake.  I will be making cookies all weekend to get them ready to be shipped out, so they can be enjoyed during the holiday season.  If I come across any other outstanding recipes I will be sure to blog about them.  I will, of course, be making the standard chocolate chip cookies in addition to the pan cookies.  There will be oatmeal cookies (without raisins, too many people disdain them).  The macaroons are a must, and the cookies on my other blogs are top of the list.

 With the abundance of eggs produced by my hens I have to find ways to use them.  (Two people can not consume  2 dozen eggs a day.)  I have been desperate enough to try, LOL. 

I have fixed quiches and souffle's. 
I have found a recipe for baking Challah with a cup of egg yolks (around 13 or so).
Tutorials on making Challah and Cinnamon Rolls, also a blog on making Herb Bread are here:
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/cinnamon-rolls-from-challah.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/05/challah-made-easy.html
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2008/09/fantastic-herb-bread.html

 The whites are converted to Angel food cake or several batches of macaroons.  The recipe on the packages of Sweetened flaked Coconut (I use the store brand) is usually great.  I am adding other cookie recipes to the others I have blogged about.  (The Blog addresses are at the end of this blog.) 
My macaroon recipe is so easy.

December 3, 2011, Hints:
I have been baking some of the cookies and it occured to me to pass on some hints which I have remembered during this endeavor. 
If you have a convection oven and are using it in convection mode lower your temps 25 degrees.
Turn your pans at least once during the baking and exchange the shelves they are on.

MY RECIPE FOR MACAROONS:

Pre-heat oven 325degrees F

4 Egg whites, approx 1/2 c. (older eggs and room temperature egg whites fluff more when they are whipped.)

1 tsp.Vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

2 c Sugar ( I put it in the mini food processor for 2 minutes to make it finer.  It will absorb quicker)

1 (14 oz) pkg coconut (some store brands are better than others, but when in a cookie you can't tell the difference.) 12-3-11  I used the name brand coconut today and personally did not care for the product.  It had hard clumps I had to pick out.

Don't use coconut that is stale, as in, it has become dried out.

Parchment paper to line the cookie sheets (the sheets can be reused a second or third time)

I begin whipping the egg whites, salt, vanilla on slow speed till foamy.  Then increase the speed gradually till the whites are soft peaks.  At this time I start adding the "pulverized" sugar a  tablespoon at a time (you are at full speed) When the whites are stiff and glossy you are done. 

Fold in the Coconut.  Drop by heaping tablespoon (correction 12-3-11 teaspoon, the tablespoon makes too large of macaroon. on your parchment covered sheet. DEC 3 hint.   They are very fragile when hot and after they are cooled you can remove them with a metal spatula. You only need about 1/2  inch between each macaroon.  Bake for about 20 minutes (start checking at 18)  you only want to get a slight coloring of the whites (light golden not brown)

The following site has a good article on producing "Meringues".

http://www.preparedpantry.com/Macaroons-Recipe.htm

CHOCOLATE CHIP PAN COOKIE

This recipe was cut out of a magazine umpteen years ago.  I did not keep the source.  The paper is now growing so yellowed it is hard to read.  It was an ad from Nestle's. 

 I have tried other pan recipes and none come up to this one.

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp.baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. butter soften (really makes a difference instead of margarine and shortening)

3/4 c. sugar

3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp Vanilla extract

2 eggs

One 6 oz pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 (if you are using a convection oven lower the temp to 350.)

Combine flour salt and baking soda in a bowl

(I sift after measuring so the ingredients are thoroughly mixed) set aside.

Cream butter, sugars and vanilla together.  Beat in the eggs, gradually add the flour mixture.

Stir in the morsels.  Spread into  an un-greased 15 1/2" X 10 1/2" X 1" baking pan.  (I have used a 1/2 sheet pan successfully but you have to watch the time because the cookies are thinner and will cook quicker.)  The 15 inch pan makes a nicer bar. 

Bake 18-20 minutes, cool then cut into 2" squares.  Makes 35 squares.

When I package them for gifts I wrap 2  bars in a waxed paper sandwich sheet. 

The ones they use in the deli (I cut the sheet in half.)

Two cookie recipes

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/search/label/BAKING%3A%20COOKIES

Brownies and Triple chocolate Cake

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/search/label/BAKING%3A%20Desserts

May your holiday baking be filled with yummy successes.

 New Article on my blog: 

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

First Clue to be presented October 16.

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

SOUP D'JOUR

It's turned into a cold blustery day.  When I as taking care of the chickens I was subjected to stiff crisp winds from the west.  It's bringing a cold front in which is depositing snow north and west of us in Nebraska and Kansas.  I was wanting soup for lunch but I was out of cabbage and the garlic soup in the refrigerator I had indulged in several times this past week.  What could I have?  I wanted quick and easy and satisfying.  My mind went to an old blog of mine.  It was about tomato soup.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/search/label/COOKING%3A%20%20SOUP

In less than 15 minutes I had my cup of soup in my hands.  I made it with vegetable stock I had made earlier this week.  I used this as my liquid.  It had a plus to using milk.  No calories.  I had considered having a grilled cheese too but after a couple of bites I knew all I wanted was 2 servings of soup.

Have satisfying bowl of soup and a wonderful day.

You can also visit me at:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets 

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry

New blog about Spartan Arrow Beans.

New blog about Chicken Eggs

A MOTHER'S DAY

Today is not Mother’s day, but it is my Mother’s day.  Today is her birthday. 
I have a dilemma, she has everything she wants. 

My Mother’s years have been filled with the love of life,
the laughter of the happiness of children,
the hardships and tears everyday living brings,
and the excitement challenges bring.
   

She raised 6 children, giving us the basic tools to be beneficial adults in society.  
I learned many tidbits I can pull out when needed.  Things books and computers can’t teach you; the things which are only learned in the school of hard knocks.

She gave me the greatest gift of all.  She taught me about love.
I had a wonderful teacher, I found my life’s mate when I was very young.  
I was only 17.  That was 49 years ago.

How do I repay this gift?  There is no way I can. 

I want her to know I admire her determination and will power.

How I am glad she is my mother.

Each of us travels a different road,

Our journeys cost us dearly,

The lessons learned along the way,

Sometimes come late, not early.

We’re the driver of our destiny,

Choosing our own way,

Thank you for the gift you gave to me,

I love you Mom, Happy Birthday.

WHERE MY JOURNEY HAS BROUGHT ME.



THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME

This last few months the word "time" has been a prominent part of my life. 

 I have written two blogs with "Time" in them:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/09/treasured-time-time-remembered.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/treasured-time-not-time-lost.html

This will not be the last time "Time" will be featured in my blogs.

I am in the process of making another hand pieced quilt in blue in the pattern of "Treasured Time". 

While on my trip west I had lots of time to think and remembered a poem I wrote July 23, 2001.

I would like to share it with you.

"STRETCHING TIME"

Lost time cannot be replaced,

Time does not stand still,

We can be lost in time,

If we traveled in time.

Messages float around in time,

There is time in a bottle,

Time stands still for no one,

How about, a race for time.

People say, "In due time,

"Time is staring me in the face,"

We are told, "Take your time,"

Or, "I aced it in time."

Things withstand the test of time,

May I have a moment of your time,

A space in time,

I told you time and time again.

It has been a long time,

It is time to rest,

We don't have a lot of time,

Get finished on time.

It is school time,

Where we learn to tell time,

Which is not keeping time,

That is Music time.

All those times,

Are precious times,

At holiday times,

In olden times.

Time after time,

I looked at my Timex for time,

Changing it in each time zone,

Checking the delivery time.

Punching the time clock,

It's show time,

Dancers counting time,

Exhausted, it's bedtime.

Break time is snack time,

Break time is dance time,

It is time for a break,

Make note of the time.

In our quest for time,

We are rushed for time,

Call us for meal time,

It's closing time.

It is summer time,

Lemonade time,

Which is not lemon thyme,

It is time for a drink.

We are always finding time,

Told to make time,

Which is not the same as "making time",

Whew, done in time.

Can you be lost in time,

In a space in time,

Children are disciplined with "Time out",

There is quiet time.

We spend a lot of time,

Mulling over time,

Cursing time,

Telling kids, it's time for bed.

Things are listed in a time line,

Some people waste time,

It was in the nick of time,

We scraped by in time.

I stopped in time,

It was the fastest time,

There is timed response,

In a time lock.

We take a stitch in time,

Please take the time,

Let someone know you have the time,

To spend time with them.

When tragedy strikes there is no time,

We cannot count the time,

We say, we wish we had taken the time,

To tell the person, we value time spent with them.

Please take a moment of your time,

Tell a loved one, you have loved them for all time,

Quiet time is not wasted time,

But time shared.

Thank you for sharing time with me.

You can also visit me at:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

I am hosting a Mystery quilt here:

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

"A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING"

A mystery quilt designed with the novice in mind

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

HALLOWEEN NINJA

My grandaugther requested for her Halloween costume to be a Ninja

To say I was intimidated, by the idea of making it, was to put it politely.

She's ten years old now and does know what she wants.

This is my version of a ninja costume. 
The A on the Belt is for

"The Amazing Avenger"

The dress form is covered with one of my turtle necks.  It will not be part of the costume.  I suggested she get a black turtleneck in her size and a pair of black tights.  Most of the fabrics came from my stash.

I purchased 1 yd blue  bonded vinyl, 1/2 yard of black felt, pattern to use the hood (never opened it, the hood pattern from last year still fit her) and 1/2 yard very stiff interfacing.  The cost from Hancock's was just over 15 dollars.  I had the iron-on interfacing, satin, wonder

under, elastic, silver lame', silver ribbon, and western pearl snap fasteners in my stash.

There was no way I was going to be able to copy the costume exactly. 

I was hoping to do something in the idea of it.  

The first thing I did was to get measurements from MOM. 

They live in Florida and I am in Missouri so the logistics are in the way.

I couldn't believe how many measurements I needed to construct the items. 

Neck, around the crown of the head, forehead to base of neck, back to floor, base of neck to waist, waist to knees,  (around the wrist, around the arm just below the elbow and the measurement for the length between the two measures),  around the calf at the fattest part of the leg, and around the ankle and the length between the two).  I still had to call her to clarify more measurements.  Now that I have finished it I hope everything fits.  If it doesn't..geesh!

BELT AND ITS CONSTRUCTION

The first thing I did was prepare fabrics.  I used "wonder under" to bond the felt to the very stiff, heavy interfacing.  I used some very light weight interfacing which had bonding on it and applied it to the silver "tissue" lame (this fabric used to be available at Walmart very reasonable.) I used the waist measurement and added 5 inches for overlaps, in case I needed to change anything.  Remember I don't have a plan for this belt yet.  I am drawing it on a piece of butcher paper.  I picked 4 inches as a width.  Mom had said she was 24 inches around.  So I  drew the belt 29 x 4.  The oval belt medallion I made 7  inches high and 9 inches long.

Making the medallion, finding a design I thought she would like and which was simple enough to cut out,  I settled on her initial and named her ninja type costume, "The Amazing Avenger".  I put a sun and moon on it because the avenger is on duty, day and night.  I used a paper backed bond to iron on the interfaced lame' and then traced the design on it and cut it out.  I peeled off the paper and bonded it to an oval of bonded black felt.  This was so the black could show through the cut outs (it also made the belt medallion stiff.)  I zig zagged the medallion to the belt.  I decided I would use pearl snap fasteners for the belt closure, making them a decorative addition to the belt.  I marked the 24 inches and added an inch on either side and Cut the excess off and attached the snaps.  I put the belt on the manikin to see how it looks and realized I hadn't asked a very important question.  Did she measure her in her birthday suit or with the shirt and tights on?  OUCH!  The answer was in her birthday suit.

This dilemma was solved using the trimmings from the belt.  I spilt the belt in the back and added 2 inches of elastic and sewed the two flaps back on.  She can now stretch the belt up to about 4 inches larger.  The only thing she has to do is after she dons the costume is have someone pin the top flap down so it doesn't flap in the breeze and it will look like a solid belt. (BTW, I used a black marker to cover the white edge of the piecing flaps so they would disappear.)

TUNIC CONSTRUCTION

Neck to waist and waist to knees came handy in drawing a plan for this.  I realized I need a neck to shoulder seam measurement.  This turned out to be 6 inches.  This was the measurement I had decided would be good for the tunic.   I cut out my pattern and used it on the vinyl.  Then I took packing tape and tried to join the shoulders to try it on the manikin.  I realized then the vinyl was too stiff to hang right when it was joined at the shoulders.  I knew I would have to make a rectangle the width and length of the shoulder and join the seams.  A light went on,  I could use the lame' and the pearl snap fasteners and make it look sort of like epaulets (I have had these pearl snap fasteners since 1975 when I made western shirts for my boys.  In the making of this costume I have used all but two of them.  I am so glad to see them gone).

                       

The bottom of the tunic need decoration for two reasons.  One because the costume she wants has decorations and two because the tunic needed something to weight it down.  The vinyl wanted to curl up (it is stored on a roll in the fabric shop so it has that memory.)  This was a wonderful place to use the snap fasteners.  They looked like jewels.  I had one red one left in the sewing box,

 it gave me the inspiration to use the circle/flower like design. 

 I used the male snap side on the back to add more weight to the bottom of the tunic.

HOOD AND MASK

This part was a piece of cake for me.  The last several years The kids have needed hoods for their costumes.

The following blog has a batman costume:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2008/09/recycle-those-bridesmaid-dresses.html

Last years costumes both had hoods.  See them here:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/search/label/SEWING%3A%20Costumes

I was in luck, her head still fit in the puppy dog's hood.  I had the left over satin from the batman costume.  The satin was reinforced with some light weight bonded interfacing. 

 This kept it from fraying while I was working with it. 

The mask was made from a triangular piece of jersey like satin (it was already cut the size I needed!).  I rolled hem the longest side of the triangle.  I found the center of this side and attached it to one of those disposable breathing masks.  I whip stitched the edge of the triangle from the ear elastic on one side to the ear elastic on the other side (I used this same procedure to make the mask on the dog and monster costume.)  The kerchief like mask is put on first and the hood goes over it. 

BACK OF HOOD AND TUNIC

THE GUARDS

  ARM GUARDS                                                 SHIN GUARDS

I was going to use the bonded black felt to make them and changed my mind. I had the left-over blue vinyl (which will be a hard fabric for me to find a use for).  It is nice and stiff and would make good guards.

When I went looking for embellishments I came across left over Christmas ribbon.  It was perfect for the arm guards.  I cut out the guards using the given measurements (adding an inch to each side for flaps to close them with.)  I had planned to use velcro for the attaching method and thought, this would be a great place for those snaps.  Hooray!..more gone!  I hope I won't regret the decision. I hope I allowed enough room and they fit.  This is the hardest part of long distance costuming.  You are not able to pre-try something before you put on the finishing touches. 

This is my amazing little ninja.

You can also visit me at:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets, 

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

and

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use,

some cooking and some poetry

Thank you for visiting.  I love sharing my projects.  All writings, patterns, and pictures shown here are mine.  Please ask permission before using.  (Credit is given for items not my own)

TREASURED TIME, TIME REMEMBERED

I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to show you this quilt.  It is still a top.  I completed the top last night while we were watching the specials about 9/11.  The hours spent on it I did not keep track of, which made me decide I am going to keep a diary with the one I began last night.  Yes I began another one, but before I reveal the other one I will show you this one.  The pictures aren't great but I couldn't wait (I will replace them with better ones when the camera battery is charged.)

The quilt top grew to be very large.  I was unable to hang it on the wall because it was so heavy and being hand pieced I was worried  the weight would pull out the stitches.

Here is "Treasured Time"

The top spread over a queen size bed. 

The right side of the bed.  The border is Jenny Beyer Eyelash (Navy) from her "Moonglow" pattern about 10 years ago (I used all but a couple of inches X 6 inches).  It is 4 inches when finished.  The squares are 4 inches finished.  The drop on the side is about 24 inches.

The left side of the bed.  You can't see it in the photos the navy border is on all 4 sides. 

I haven't decided how I will quilt it yet.  I was wanting to hand quilt it, but when I realized how large it had grown I am contemplating machine quilting it.  I don't have a long arm but I do have a short arm, but I am not sold on the idea of pantographs on it.  I do know I will not be using my home machine to quilt it!

I forgot, there is a very nice memory attached to this quilt.  When I was getting close to finishing ...the first time, I decided I wanted to make it several rows larger.  I only had 4 blues left in the stash which I hadn't used in sashing.  I queried my internet friends for blue rectangles 2 1/2" X 4 1/2".  I needed 80 more.  I didn't want to repeat any of the blue fabrics in the quilt.  By the end of the week I had 90 rectangles in my mail box.  In all of those there was only 2 doubles with the ones I had already used.  When I look at the quilt I think about how people I have never met came to my rescue.

There are no repeats in the colored squares either.

Other blogs by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

http://pitbulladog.blogspot.com/

Blogs about our pair of pitbulls.

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission 

WEDDING GIFT COMPLETED

14" X 37"

 For the beginnings of this project see:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/wedding-gift-season.html

This project was an eye opener (lesson) for me.  I've never embroidered a table runner before and when it came time to add borders, I added and ripped 3 versions.  I should have taken pictures to show you, but at the time I was upset my ideas didn't work (on paper they looked good but when applied they looked tacky).  It was the same when I planned the embroidery.  I had planned four design sections (see the blog "Wedding Gift Season"), and was glad I completed one section on each corner first.  The extra sections would have made it too cluttered.  I didn't want to compete with the platters or the vase she might be using on it.

I have only Quilted on my regular sewing machine once and never quilted by hand.  I did both here.

These pictures are of the two embroidered units on the quilt:

 

                          LEFT UNIT                  RIGHT UNIT

I don't know if you can see it but I tried my hand at hand quilting.  I outlined the two units.  I started with a hoop and two thimbles.  I used the plastic ones that are fitted to the fingers.  I used one on the under finger and one on the right middle finger.  I moved them around to other fingers during the experimental stage.  I was very interested in learning to do this because I want to hand quilt the huge "Treasured Time" quilt.  It can be seen in the following blog.  I have attached all but one border which is pinned on awaiting me to sew it on.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/treasured-time-not-time-lost.html 

New pics will be available as soon as the border is attached.  I don't know if I will be up to the task of hand quilting it but I know it is too fragile to put on the quilt machine.  I know from doing this little bit I need a teacher or a good book.   Another lesson I learned from the small project is I will have to have the quilt on rails.  It is too much to handle in my lap. 

I had to discard the hoop when I was half way through one of the units.  It was very uncomfortable for me to use.  and then I discarded the right hand thimble.  I was more comfortable using my finger nails to push and control the needle.  I did give it the "ole college try".  but I do need help. 

I marked the runner with the blue pencil and quilted on the machine.  I didn't mention I thread basted the runner every four inches both ways.  I wish I had done it every two inches.  It seemed there was too much play in the fabrics and batting.  I used the even feed quilting foot which came with my Janome machine.  I had tried  to use the quilting bar once and was very disappointed in my consistency with it.  I knew if I measured and marked it would be even.

I was very glad I had not pre-washed the fabric before I embroidered on it.  I didn't pre-wash the backing or the batting either (the backing is the same fabric as the front).   I used Hobbs 20/80.  They did shrink up giving the runner an old item, with a soft feel and look.

On the back I didn't put a lable.  I just embroidered my name into the backing.  I did not want to personalize the runner till I find out if they like it and want to keep it.  If they do then I will take it home and put their names and date on it.

Every gift needs a card to accompany it.   I used the embroidery pattern to design the card.  It is printed on card stock and colored in with colored pencils.  The size is 6 X 9 inches.

For the inside I printed a piece of onion skin with design and line drew the colors.  Inside I wrote care instructions with the fabric contents of the runner.

For more blogs by me:

              http://www.organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

                                          This is a garden blog, but it occasionally has recipes on it.

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Not a garden blog.  There are articles which have nothing to do with creating or gardening. 

There are blogs on the new born baby kittens we found and are mothering.  It is a blog where I will sometimes voice my opinions which will always be environmentally friendly



Thank you for visiting.  I love sharing my projects.  All writings, patterns, and pictures shown here are mine.  Please ask permission before using.  (Credit is given for items not my own)

WEDDING GIFT SEASON

I don't know if there is a season for wedding gifts, around my house they are in season all the time.  I suppose it comes with the territory.  That territory being a large family.  I am the oldest of 6 siblings; 4 girls and 2 boys.  My youngest sister has had one wedding recently.  The following is the blog about that quilt:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/04/wedding-quilt.html

Then we found out there is to be a wedding, The last of October.  I drove to Denver last week to deliver a quilt for them, just in case I couldn't go in October.  The following is about that quilt:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/let-it-snow.html

My husband's family has surprised us with a Wedding in Vegas.  The couple, of course, has their registries.  I don't know the wife well. I went to the registries to find her colors.  I had thought I would make her a set of place mats and napkins for her kitchen.  I saw something I knew would be one of a kind and she wouldn't be able to buy it anywhere.  She had chosen  the Lenox Botanical Boutique collection.  There is a platter in the group (the following is a pix of it)

This picture came from http://www.tableandhome.com/prodbbgefh site.

I copied the picture, enlarged it until it was approximately the size of the actual platter (I had to go to 350%).  Then I traced it onto white paper.  I had decided to make a table runner which could be used under the vases and platters.  The following is the plan, but I still had to deside how to execute it.

I had thought I would probably applique.
 My applique skills are on the good side (I don't do iron on applique).  But as I looked at the patterns on the paper I thought , "This has to be done by September 11th."  No Way, popped into my head. 
I re-looked at the googled images and noticed they seemed to have variegated colors.
I am hoping this is not a camera reflection.

I decided to execute the designs in embroidery.  My Needlework skills are so-so, but I figured I could do acceptable on at least one stitch.  I tried a back stitch and it looked terrible.  I pulled out all the stitches and tried a split stitch.  It looked worse.  Then I tried a stem stitch.  It looked nice.  While I've been doing it I have developed a rhythm which may not be the correct stitch but it is working for me.

Pencil used in tracing the pattern onto the fabric.

 I used a quilt marking pencil  in blue to draw the pattern on the fabric. 
The fabric is a white on white that has an extremely small design on it. 
It gives it the look that is frosted (the glass on the items is frosted crystal). 

I am tracing off one section at a time.  I have finished one section and am on the second section. 
I started on opposite corners.  I don't know if I want all four sections I have planned.

Hooped section I am working on.

Finished section unpressed, because I don't want to press in any dirt that might be on it.

As you can see I have chosen 6 skeins.  Each one with an "olive" edge to it.  These are DMC floss.  They are current.  I just purchased them on the 29th.

I can't tell you what size needle I am using.  I pulled it out of the pin cushion and used it.  I picked it because it has an eye, just big enough to get two strands of thread through with a needle threader and it had a great point.

I have not planned borders or any other finishing.  I do have a batik downstairs with the correct colors.  Right now I think I will only do the two patterns on opposite corners.  I don't want it to be too busy to set the items on (when I finish the second pattern I will make a decision if it needs more designs).

Thank you for visiting.  I love sharing my projects.  All writings, patterns, and pictures are mine.  Please ask permision before using.  (Credit is given for items not my own)

For more blogs by me visit at:

  http://www.organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

This is a garden blog, but it occasionally has recipes on it.

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Not a garden blog.  There are articles which have nothing to do with creating or gardening. 

There are blogs on the new born baby kittens we found and are mothering.  It is a blog where I will sometimes voice my opinions which will always be environmentally friendly

LET IT SNOW

I am sorry I  haven't worked on the tutorial for the "Sweet Sixteen" Quilt yet.  Why?  I have had to rush to get a quilt together for another wedding.  It seems the stars and  planets were aligned, I had available just what I needed.   I participated in a block swap with 3 special friends.  Friends I met through the Internet.  One of them saw this pattern in a magazine (can't remember which one).  She wanted to do it.  We were visiting her in her home in Chicago.  It was the week of the first international Quilt show held in Rosemont.  We decided to help her out and make three different fabric blocks each (making 4 of each fabric) and then swap them out.  She had a bolt of white on cream which was divided between the 4 of us.  This would give some cohesiveness to our project. 

We worked on our blocks and swapped them out quickly, but mine sat waiting for me.  When the invitation to the wedding came I immediately thought of them.  The invitation had deep purple roses on it.  The couple lives in the Denver Area.  I thought about the snowflakes waiting. 

The stash held a purple that looked nice with them for borders.  There was just enough for binding (the only left over I had was 2 four inch pieces of binding). 

My Stash has been raided and my UFO pile is one less.  This is the quilt.

SNOWBOUND 78" X 53"

It has been so long since we made the blocks I can't tell you who designed the quilt or what magazine it was in.  I will tell you, the little blocks are only 1 1/2 inches unfinished.  Lots of ity bitty sewing went on!

UPDATE:  

THE COUPLE WHO RECEIVED THIS QUILT HAD A BOY NOVEMBER 2, 2014!

SEE THEIR NEW ADDITION HERE:

http://luckylocker.blogspot.com/

For more blogs by me visit at:

http://pitbulladog.blogspot.com

Chronicling our adventures with a dumped Pit Bull Pup,

who has become a hidden treasure.

  http://www.organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

This is a garden blog, but it occasionally has recipes on it.

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Not a garden blog.  There are articles which have nothing to do with creating or gardening. 

There are blogs on the new born baby kittens we found and are mothering.  It is a blog where I will sometimes voice my opinions which will always be environmentally friendly.