Breakfast!

One thing I still love about my childhood is Cinnamon Butter Toast!  You have to use real butter, that's the key.  I load it up with my over the top daily allowance of real butter then sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top.  Put under the broiler and she'll be bubbly in no time. I don't treat myself often but when I do, my tummy slaps my face saying "Where have you been?".  Well, I'm off to enjoy then gonna go be creative!

 

New Swirling Cabin Coming Soon!

I wanted to share a sneak peak of what's coming.... a LOG CABIN with a "TWIST" all Pieced in the Hoop!!   Below is 4 color and 2 color examples I stitched up. 

 This block is known also by several names, but I created this one today called Swirling Cabin.  It has numerous possibilities.  Here are just a few.

This block colorway can make this.

 Now change the color order and you have this tilted cabin.

This block can make this. 

I sure love making blocks with my embroidery machine.  It took me 6 minutes to make a perfect 5" block without having to precut ONE THING!

DESIGN IS FINISHED AND READY

January's AURIfil Designer of the Month

I didn't get to post January's designer so I'm doing it now because Susan Brubaker Knapp is a very talented quilter.  She has a really beautiful project to share with you... here is a sneak peek...

Click over to Aurifil blog and read the interview with Susan. Download the free project she designed to chase away the winter... her January project is darling and a quick one to bring some color into your home!

Visit Susan all around the internet.. and sign up for her newsletter   http://www.bluemoonriver.com

FB - http://www.facebook.com/BlueMoonRiver

Blog - http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/BlueMoonRiver

 

February's AURIfil Designer of the Month

Since I'm apart of the Designer of the Month series that AURIfil is hosting (Miss November LOL), I wanted to share this month's designer:  Linda Lum DeBono.  I had the wonderful opportunity to meet her at International Quilt Market in Houston, TX at the AURIfil booth and let me tell you she has an awesome personality.  Linda is a very talented designer in so many fields.  She has created this lovely LOVE Valentine Project.  CLICK HERE to download her FREE pattern.

Starting in March, EACH MONTH AURIfil will pick one random winner that has made one of the Designer projects to receive a special AURIfil thread prize.. wowzer!!.

You can make ANY of the designer projects (and we hope you make them all!)

Share your photos at our Flickr Folder... we can't WAIT to see what you do!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2011aurifildesignerofthemonth/

Visit Linda all around the internet.. 

Website http://www.lindalumdebono.com/

FaceBook -http://www.facebook.com/lindalumdebono

Blog - http://www.lindalumdebono.blogspot.com/

Just in time for Valentines!

I sure do love me some Andy & Ann!  This is a single block that's Pieced in the Hoop™ and finished with a "trim in place" applique heart & redwork.  WOW... all 3 techniques combined! 

 

I left off the corners and created a more primitive style block.

Artwork drawn by a dear friend of mine, Angela Prince-Bex

 PURCHASE DESIGNS HERE

Cross of the Dogwood

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Tyler County, Texas is the time Daddy took us 3 girls and planted a dogwood tree.  He told us the story of it and to this day it's etched in my memory.  It was his favorite flower and is now mine too next to white daises. 

 

Click to enlarge

I created this set of designs as a reminder of who I am and where I came from.  I love living in Woodville, Texas!  Each year around the end of March, first of April, our town, being the county seat, hosts the Annual Dogwood Parade.  The courthouse square become packed with  lookie-lous oohing and awing over the niftiest craft find, antique cars and funnel cakes.  It's not long before a stream of lawn chairs line the city streets waiting on the opening ceremonies to begin.  It's then that Princesses and Ladies in Waiting representing each school wave and smile from decorated themed floats and kids hold their ears because the Shriner's are on their miniature motorcycles making cyclone of noise.  Most small business owners are represented with a float or decorated truck and attached lowboy as those riding throw hoards of candy to the crowd.  School bands play and march with their twirlers leading the way.  Ahh, I'm so glad to be back home!  It won't be long before dogwood time in Tyler County is here.  I'll be sure to post pictures.

PURCHASE DESIGNS HERE

Piece in the Hoop Buttons

I wanted to share a fun surprise I received in the mail a while back from a wonderful student named Mimi.  We met at the IEC convention last year in Evansville, IN.  Mimi took a design of mine and made me some darling buttons!  Don't you just love them!!!

She and Charles, her beloved husband, were both true treasures.  His love for this woman exuded in every action that poured from his heart.  I love seeing a man that encourages a woman to follow and do what she loves.  He was right here helping set up her machine and pampering her in every since of the word.   He gives me hope (smile).

Thanks Mimi and I hope I keep on inspiring you because you two have inspired me.

It's finally starting to get really cold here in Texas.  I know 30 degrees may be a walk in the park for some of you but to us Texan's that's just down right chilly!  I had to make sure I left the faucets drip last night to keep pipes form busting.  I think the heater ran overtime!  

Talon, my 3 year old alarm clock, woke me up to hunger pangs asking for Rice Krispies so that's just what he got.  Since I was up I decided to put a pot of Taco Soup on the stove to warm the bones after we head outside to play some T-Ball.  

I took Talon to see Santa yesterday and this is as close as he really wanted to get.  He's the lil boy in back in overalls.  Linsey decided she was just to big to sit in Santa's lap anymore, although I think she really wanted to.

 

Yesterday evening, I took the kids around town and took pics.  Talon wasn't cooperating too much but I still got a few good shots.  

We had a few visitors while taking pics and Talon had to go explore a little then decided to chase them back to the water.

The following two pics were taken by the court house square in front of the Historic Wheat House. 

 

  

Well, here's to a couple weeks off with my kiddos.  I pray that each of you have a safe and wonderful holiday season!  I'm truly thankful and blessed in so many ways.

Merry Christmas to all and to all and full bobbin!

Technology Brings Me Closer To You!

Its simply amazing how these new Droid phones bring us all together. I love this new application that helps make it easier for me time communicate to my blog.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.2

Long Time No Typey!

Oh Wow!!  It's hard to believe that I haven't written here in over 8 months.  Please forgive me, but man let me tell you what all has been going on...
I've been doing lots of traveling since my book came out.  I've had a ball lecturing at trunk shows, giving classes, going to book signings.  I've traveled to Quilt Market in Minneapolis, MN, then to Madison WI for Quilt Expo.  I just got home from Evansville, Indiana where I was asked to teach at IEC (International Embroidery Convention).  I've met folks from all over the world and to me, that's the hi-light of my "job"! 

I'm happy to report that over 10,000 copies of the book has been sold and I've been asked to write another so look out.... #2 will be in the works next year with hopefully a 2012 release date.  I'll keep you posted on that.

Now to top off all the travels, I recently moved back to my hometown of Woodville, Texas.  I didn't realize how much I missed it and all its beauty until returning.  The kids love it and have taken to it like a duck to water. 

Right now, I'm gearing down to getting things lined out for Quilt Market & Festival in Houston.  My booth numbers are #2019 Market & #859 Festival.  I hope you stop by for a chat.

To see all the places I'm going be sure to save MY CALENDAR for your records.

I have a new set of designs coming soon called ROWS OF COUNTRY.... yes it's a row by row quilt with lots of western designs.  I'll be posting pics as soon as the top is complete.  It's full of applique and Piecing in the Hoop. 

Well enough pulling on your ear, I've gotta get back to work.  I do my best to stay in touch cyber neighbor :)

MY BOOK IS OUT!!!

The day before Christmas I held my book for the first time in my hands.  I was sooo overjoyed, I cried.  This book was truly a labor of love for me.  I wrote a little behind the scenes story that you can read on my website on my journey to get here.  If there's anything I can tell you it would be this.  Never give up on a dream.  If you feel a burning inside you every time you think of your passion, this is God saying...DO IT!  Listen to that inner voice.  You will come across things you don't think you can get through, but then you do.  Rely on faith to pull you through.  I hope you enjoy all the photos in the book too.  Here are some customer comments.  You can find my book at any more retail chain or purchase on from me.  I'll be happy to sign it for you.

We're on YouTube!!

I was very excited to receive an email this morning from Krause Publications to a YouTube link!

Dear Santa... I want....

What a week it has been!  I haven't' been able to work all week cause my lil man has been sick and can't go to daycare.  He's a handful let me tell you!  I think my arms have stretched 3 inches cause all he's wanted was to be in momma's lap and arms at all times.

Today, I thought we'd get creative on this OH SO COLD December morning as we wait on the snow to arrive.  I prepared a page for him to write Santa a letter telling him all he wanted.  Don't you just love all he's asked for (tee hee).

Don't you just love how he doesn't match.  That was a fight I wasn't going to win.  He insisted on sponge bob pants and his truck shirt! 

Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary

For those of you who know me, know I LOVE the Wizard of Oz!  I was thrilled when I read that it will be showing in local theaters.  My lil girl won a prize at school and came home and said "Momma, I got you something."  How sweet is that....she gave me her prize and wouldn't take no for an answer.  I love my kiddos.

Daniel brought this home to me the other day.  What a sweet thought huh?

Best Ever Chocolate Cake

Aunt Kathy Jo introduced this recipe to me last year and I almost made myself sick eating it.  I'm not a big chocolate cake fan but there's something about this one that will bring me to making one for Thanksgiving.

Best Ever
Chocolate
Sheet Cake
(from Kathy Jo)

CAKE RECIPE ½ C. Crisco 1 stick real butter 3 ½ Tbs cocoa 1 C. water ½ tsp salt 2 C. sugar 2 C. flour 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs ½ C. buttermilk 1 tsp. soda

ICING RECIPE 1 stick real butter 3 ½ Tbs. cocoa 1/3 C. milk 1 box powdered sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 C. pecans

Sauce Pan – Crisco, butter, cocoa, water, salt; bring to a boil.  Mix sugar and flour in bowl; pour the mixture in saucepan.  Add 1 tsp. vanilla, 2 eggs, ½ C buttermilk, and 1 tsp. cocoa.

 
Pour into a 9x13 greased & floured pan.  Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.  Do not overcook!

Five minutes before cake is done, mix in saucepan 1 stick butter, 3 ½ Tbs. cocoa & 1/3 C. milk.  Boil.  Add 1 box of powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla & pecans. Pour over warm cake.