Update soon!

Hey!

I am currently not in an area where I have internet access…I thought I would but plans change! I am using my phone to update now!  Look for an update tomorrow! Lots of exciting news!

Quilting Therapy

When you are having a rough day, what is the relaxing hobby or activity that you go to for a wind down?  For me, it’s become quilting.  I have had a rough couple of weeks at work and more and more I find myself thinking about all the projects I have at home in my sewing crate to work on.  Honestly, sometimes that is the only thought that gets me through the day.  Today was one of those days.  I couldn’t wait to get home!

As promised, here is an update on my WIP list.  I shared with you my original WIP for July in my Work In Progress List post. I had decided to make a shorter list for July.  So…as we are close to the end of July…here is where I am on each project:

1. Baby Maxton’s quilt–DONE!

2. Briana’s quilt-I wanted to rip the sashing off and find new fabric that I could use for the sashing, backing and binding.  I didn’t even touch this quilt top. 

3. My Mom’s quilt-I wanted to baste, quilt and bind.  Same as Brianna’s…didn’t even touch it.

4. Red, White and Blue Throw–Did nothing to further my progress!

5. Shortcake Scrap Quilt-I am happy to say that all of Blocks A are completed, and Blocks B are about 90% completed! 

6. Chelsea’s Charm Pack Quilt-DONE!

7. Fabric for Emily’s baby-I have to wait until August…she finds out then what she is having.

While I didn’t complete a lot of my projects, I did manage to make 4 bibs and 3 burp cloths, start 2 other throw quilts…and get a few more projects planned!  Here is the rest of my WIP list:

8. Gabby’s quilt–need to baste, quilt and bind.

9. My pink quilt-need to baste, quilt and bind.

10. Sweet Shoppe and Calico Candies quilt–working on the quilt top

I have several others planned.  Check out the pictures of the fabrics:

 

Benartex Yuletide Magic charm pack

Benartex  Winterscapes charm pack

A 9 patch project I am making with some Moda Collections

These make me sooo happy!!

Lastly, thanks to all of the new followers of Simply Delighting by email and Twitter!  For those of you not yet following–feel free to sign up to receive updates of Simply Delighting by email and follow me on Twitter.  You can do all that by clicking the links on the right!

Keep Simply Delighting!

 

Chicken Casserole and Shortcake

Happy Sunday!  Today was another day filled with sewing and trying to finish up some of the projects on my WIP list.  But first, I thought I’d share a recipe I made for dinner.  This is a quick one dish dinner that you can make on a week night or make to use up leftover chicken.

Chicken Casserole

First, I poached a whole chicken breast.  Mine was frozen, so it took a little longer.  I put the chicken in my soup pan with enough water to cover the chicken, added salt and pepper and 4 chicken bullion cubes.  I let it go until the chicken was done.  When it was done, I took the chicken out of the stock and let it cook so I could cut it up.  I chopped up the chicken added 4 cups of uncooked rice (2 cups of white instant rice and 2 cups of brown hard rice…hey you use what you got right?), 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, and about 4 1/2 cups of the chicken stock from poaching, strained.  I mixed it up until it was combined, put into my glass 13 x 9 inch pan, and baked it for about an hour at 375 degrees.  You can add mixed vegetables to it if you like. 

Yummy!!

Today I set out to get a lot done on my Shortcake Quilt.  I bought this pattern from Cluck, Cluck, Sew at the Fat Quarter Shop.  The pattern is written for a jelly roll, but I knew I could use some of my scrap stash.  It has 2 blocks and I was able to finish all of Block A:

Block B is a 9 patch block, so I had to cut the fabric for those blocks yet.  Patiently, I cut 252 2 1/2 inch square blocks.  I was able to at least sew the rows for the 3 block.  My plan is to pin them tonight.

Once the squares were cut, I just sewed them continuously, which makes it go much faster.

I also sewed the Sweet Shoppe and Calico Candies 2 patches into 4 patches today.  I am not quite sure what I am going to do with them to put them together, but I am at least that far.  I love this collection and can’t wait to play around with how to put this throw quilt all together.

Lastly, yesterday in the mail I received a couple of packages of goodies…3 charm packs…two that are Americana fabrics.  If you don’t know me, I LOVE AMERICANA ANYTHING!!!!!!  I am hoping to make the same quilt with these charm packs as I did for Chelsea, which I shared in my post Sewing Saturday.   My plan is to put the 9 patch blocks together in groups tonight. 

“Delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Keep Simply Delighting!

 

Sewing Saturday!

Today has been such a great day.  After a week that seemed like it would never end, I spent the ENTIRE day just sewing.  I finished up a few projects on my WIP list and organized my stash.  It felt sooo good!!  So….here is what the day consisted of:

1. Chelsea’s Charm Pack Quilt–this project almost was a no go.  Last night I added the sashing around the sides and quilted it but made a major error (which I will spare you the details) because I am such a new quilter but this morning, I started the day off determined to salvage and conquer the project.  And, I did.  And I love it, flaws and all, and Chelsea, one of my best friends, will too.  Take a look:

The finished size is 58 x 38. 

You can see the beginning of this quilt in the post A little of this, a little of that.

2. I finished 2 bibs and 2 burp cloths for Baby Maxton.  I think they turned out great.  Here they are:

Bibs

Burp Cloths

3. I also finished Baby Maxton’s quilt but haven’t posted any pics…so here are some:

Front

Back

Finished Size is 54 x 54.  You can see the start of the project at my post Burmuda Monkeys!

4. I started a new project with one of the charm packs I received the other day.  Check out the original photo in my older post This and That.  Here is a photo of the start of this project…I just sewed all of the squares together in twos:

5. I started working on again on my Shortcake quilt, using strictly stash fabrics.  One of things I dislike about quilting is cutting, and so after a little bit of frustration, I decided to call it a day and start fresh tomorrow working on that WIP. 

Lastly, I have a confession.  I mentioned in my post This and That that I was making a declaration that I was not going to buy any more fabric (unless it was for a WIP) until all my WIPs were finished.  Well, I was on the phone to my friend Josh and mentioned that I found this fabric on sale and couldn’t resist and he busted me.  So…I promised him I wouldn’t buy anymore.  Then today, I get an email from Craftsy that had charm packs closeouts for $3 and I couldn’t resist.  So, once again…I am not making any more purchases until my WIP is done!

Stay tuned tomorrow for an updated WIP list and a yummy recipe. 

Remember that you can sign up for email updates to Simply Delighting and be sure to follow me on Twitter.  You can do both of those things by checking out the links on the right!

Keep Simply Delighting!

This and that…

It feels like forever since I have sat down to blog…even though it’s only been a couple of days!  I forgot how much I loved to blog.  I wish so much that I could have salvaged all of my posts from the other site.   I had probably over 50 posts of different recipes and lots of great pictures…namely of the Great Cookie Bake of 2010 with my Mom.  That was the year that we made over 65 dozen cookies in a little over 4 days.  It was crazy!  I am sure a lot of you can relate to the feeling of a never-ending to do list.  Well, I confess that I struggle greatly with balance in life.  Sometimes when I go quilt crazy I neglect my home and it turns into a disaster area.  When that happens, it’s so hard for me to relax and I end up feeling guilty for doing something that I love (quilting, cooking, baking, blogging, etc) because I feel like I should be cleaning and straightening up.  So..these last few days, I have done just that.  I am sure I am not the only person that struggles with this issue….so please, if you do as well, leave me some feedback and we can keep each other accountable!

I have a couple little tidbits to share, although like I said, I haven’t been doing much sewing or cooking.  It’s been crazy hot here again and so cooking goes out the window.  I did manage to sew a little tonight.  I started out making a changing pad for Baby Maxton out of the left over Urban Zoologie fabric I have, but it didn’t look quite right so I ended up making a pillowcase out of it…which turned out super cute.  Check it out:

Also, I received a nice surprise in my mailbox today.  I have recently become a great fan of charm packs.  Craftsy has great deals all the time.  If you haven’t checked out their deals, do so!  This is what I happily received today:

Benartex Crazy Daisy Fabrics

Benertex Sweet Shoppe Calico and Candies by Michele D’Amore

I have a couple of people in mind for this fabric to make throw size quilts.  But, before I do, I must finish my other projects.  I am making myself…starting right here, right now, that I am not buying any more fabric unless it is to finish a project already started, and I am not starting any new projects until all of my WIPs are done.  You all are my witnesses! 

I have fabric for a couple bibs cut and ready to sew, and it’s my plan for this week to finish up Chelsea’s charm pack quilt (need to add the sashing, baste, quilt and bind) and give it to her next week.  She is one of my best friends, and I can’t wait for her to see it.  Along with that, I am going to keep working on odds and ends for Baby Maxton. 

Lastly, I have been asked by some of my readers that followed me way way way back when I first started Simply Delighting in 2010 to include more food posts.  I am going to post a poll and let my readers decide.  Do you want more food posts?  Are my posts too much about quilting?  You decide, and then I’ll decide what I want to do!

Be blessed!

Lofty Ambitions

So I feel like it’s confession time. 

The truth is that I have only ever had one real quilting lesson, that lesson was about cutting fabric and piecing.  That’s it.  Anything else I have learned about quilting, binding, fabric, patterns etc…it’s been from you tube videos, blogs, Google searches and magazines.   Add to that my limited amount of knowledge about sewing, and sometimes the outcome of a project…well..let’s just say my lack of experience shows. 

Example…yesterday.  I made a baby bib and threw it away.  It. was. awful.  There were so many mistakes and it just was awful.  I have never thrown away a project EVER…quilting or otherwise.

But, the good news is…I have made some other super cute things!!  I made 2 cute bibs and a burp cloth.  Check them out!

I am pretty pleased with how those projects turned out. 

Today, I am hoping to start quilting Baby #1’s quilt.  We found out Thursday that my niece is really only having one baby.  I am also going to look at my collection of stash fabrics to organize/prioritize my WIP list…AGAIN. 

Be blessed today!

 

WIP List Update

Sooo…today is the big day that my niece finds out what Twin Baby #2 will be!  Accordingly, I need to adjust my WIP list for July.  But first, here is a picture from this morning.

My cat Milly, ready to help cut some fabric!

Updated WIP list for July (Updates in blue):

1. Twin Baby #1 quilt–quilt top done, just need to baste, quilt and bind!

2. Twin Baby #2 quilt-as soon as we find out what the gender is, fabric will be ordered!

3. Bibs for Twin Babies-new addition to the list!  Some bibs have been cut, just need to sew and quilt and finish, and then make some more!

4. Chelsea’s Charm Pack quilt-need to get the neutral sashing and backing and then add sashing, baste, quilt and bind

5. Brianna’s quilt-need to seam rip the outer sashing and find  and add new sashing, which will also be the same material as the backing and binding…then baste, quilt and bind

6. Finish Shortcake quilt-this is a long shot…we’ll see if there is time.

Be looking for more updates this weekend!  I plan to finish at least one of these WIPs this weekend!!!

Be blessed today!

Burmuda Monkeys!

I am so excited to say that tonight I finished the quilt top for Twin Baby #1!!  I started it on Sunday and worked on it last night and tonight, and it’s done.  All that is left is to baste, quilt and bind.  I have to admit that it was a very easy pattern, and I plan on posting pictures of it when I post the finished quilt.  Meanwhile, here are some pictures of it in progress:

The fat quarters

The pile of 3 1/2 inch squares sewn in 2’s.

Pressed and ready to be made into 4 patch blocks.

The quilt is made of two different blocks, 6 inch 4 patch blocks alternating with 6 inch solid blocks.   It is super easy to sew and sews up fast.  I am in love with it.  I can’t wait to get it quilted and start on the one for Twin Baby #2. 

Tonight I also am going to update my WIP list and post the updates.  I am going to have to do some adjusting on it, since I now have an additional baby quilt to make.  I am also thinking about using the scraps from the quilts to make some other baby type items.  If any quilters read this, give me some suggestions or ideas!  I need them!

As always, you can follow my blog by email, and you can also follow me on twitter…just click the little buttons and boxes to the right!

Happy Tuesday!  Be blessed today!

Home Again

I am home! 

However, it was not a great homecoming.  Upon returning home, I found out that due to some major storms and wind, my electricity was off from 4:30 pm Thursday until 2:30 am Saturday (today).  So…I lost all and everything in my refrigerator.  Some things are ok, according to my Mom, who counseled me over the phone.  I love that woman.  For those of you that don’t know me, I am a person who freezes anything leftover.  In my freezer, among ground beef, chicken, and pork, I had homemade pizza crust, enough beef pot pie filling for one pie, half a pan of lasagna that was frozen for individual meals, a bag of tomatoes from my Dad’s garden last year, frozen jalepenos…the list goes on and on of great already prepared items. 

However, I am so thankful I wasn’t here…because it is still so unbearably hot.  Had I been here for over 30 hours of no electricity I would have gone crazy probably.  I am thankful that I was at my parents.  Also, I hate severe weather like thunderstorms, etc. 

One thing I know is that God always calms the storm, and if He doesn’t, He calms His children when the storm rages.  As I was unpacking there was a knock on my door from my postal carrier (God bless him!) with my fabrics from The Fabric Shoppe!  If you have never visited this great shop, go on over to Etsy (by clicking here) and visit Jody.  You can also visit her website/blog.  I couldn’t wait to open up the package!  The quilt I am making for each of the twins calls for 22 fat quarters.  Jody was kind enough to select them for me (which she did a fabulous job!!!).  They are adorable and I can’t wait to get started. 

I know it’s not a great photo, but here are the fat quarters for the quilt for Twin #1.  I am still hoping it’s a boy!

Soo…there’s the excitement for the day.  Thankful to be home and thankful for those in my life that love me and I love too.  Remember, you are blessed to be a blessing.  So…keep on blessing others.  I know I was blessed today. 

 

 

 

Summer Memories

Happy first Friday in July!  The summer is officially half over!  I mentioned to my Mom today I can’ t wait for fall…especially with this horrid heat we’ve been having.  As with every single trip to my parents, I always have a wonderful time with my precious Mom and it’s so hard to leave.  We laugh continuously and we share the same brain (which for those of you who know us, that is dangerous) and we just enjoy each other so much.  My parents live on a lake in the woods so the wildlife is abundant.  The other night we saw a Momma Doe and her two baby fawns just about maybe 20 yards from us. 

As great as it is here, I can’t wait to get home and start working on some of my projects on my WIP list.  I received an email confirmation that my fabric from The Fabric Shoppe was ready to be picked up at the post office!!  I can’t wait to start that baby quilt.  Today I printed a bunch of baby patterns for my mom to crochet for the 3 new babies soon to be joining our family. 

Lastly, I am going to post a picture that I took last time I was here, about 2 weeks ago for my birthday.  This was the sight from my Mom’s back porch as we sat there just chatting.  Once again, we were about 30 yards away:

Enjoy the weekend!