Something NEW!!

I know I haven't posted in forever, and there are several reasons really, but I will spare you the details of most of it. As I think most of us, this Christmas is going to be tight for me and it is difficult for me to not be able to do the things I normally do for my family. Several years ago, I got the brilliant idea to make a quilt for my mother in law for Christmas....and, well because I am a *bit* of a procrastinator and I don't really sew well, and my sewing machine broke...it never got done. Did I mention I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and that if something doesn't turn out the way I think it should in the beginning I will often not finish it? Anyway, after we bought our new house and I had more room again, I bought a small sewing machine. A few weeks ago, I happened across someone talking about rag quilts and thought "I can do that"....see why I haven't posted in a while?! :) I thought it looked much easier than a "traditional" quilt in that, in my mind, it didn't have to be as perfect because you are going to clip all the excess so that the seams will "rag". I still had some of the fabric from the quilt I was going to make years ago and managed to find some others that matched it pretty well to be able to blend with it. The thing I didn't realize is that with a rag quilt, it's going to take you twice as much fabric if the front matches the back like mine does. I told my hubby about my plan and he basically rolled his eyes and didn't say anymore until I asked for his help with a "pattern". I showed him the blocks that I had done and explained that I wanted a decent sized quilt but not too big. We layed out the blocks I had and subtracted the amount for the seams...and then he told me I needed forty some more blocks! Anyway, it took me just under a week, but I DID finish it! :) (Hubby was truly amazed!) Here are a few pics of what it looked like before all the blocks were stitched together, and after it was all finished. This one has a total of 120 blocks (with the same fabric on the back, so 240 pieces of fabric). Not sure I still think this is an easier way to make a quilt, but I like the look of them and they do go together much quicker (for me anyway). Now I'm working on my second one that will be for my hubby, he knows he is getting one but doesn't know what it looks like so I can't say too much yet in case he actually reads this! :)

Finally a NEW Listing!

I finally got some pictures taken of some of the beads I have had laying around here for weeks now; I even managed to get one set listed! :)

I had a decent time at my Granny's yesterday, but the drive wore me out (couldn't have had anything to do with only 4 hours of sleep the night before!) It is a bit frustrating to spend much time there though for several reasons. My grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago and has had a stroke as well, but for some reason my Granny still seems to believe there is nothing wrong with him and that he is "faking" and only does the things he does to irritate her. She on the other hand, is severely depressed but refuses to acknowledge it or be put on any medication for it. It all just makes me sad. As I said though, yesterday really went pretty well all things considered. She made a peanut butter pie for me (my fav!) and she is the ONLY one who knows how to make it right! We visited for hours and ate till we felt we would bust and then visited some more. I left home at 9am and got back a little after 7pm and it really did make for a very long day, but well worth the trip!

Well, off to edit more pics and maybe list something else in my Etsy store!

Oh, and here is a pic of the set I just listed!

Time for a trip

Well, tomorrow is my day off and a week or so ago my Granny called and invited me up to her house for a smallish family get together. My hubby has to work but Bobo and I will be making the 2 1/2 hour trek north tomorrow. It will be nice to see some of the family at least because I have to work on Thanksgiving and won't get to go (one of the many *joys* of being a nurse). I told them I would try to bring some sort of dessert to bring along so I made a batch of Buckeyes that I still need to go dip in chocolate! They are pretty tasty, if you like peanut butter especially! :) Click here for the recipe!
With any luck I will get around to taking some pictures of beads on Monday and get some new things listed, I've been slacking a bit...ok, a lot! ;)

For a cold night

It has been cold here the past several days and cold weather always leaves me wanting some homemade soup. Today I decided to try one that I have never had before and was very pleased with the results. Here is the recipe:

Cheesy Corn Chowder
6 large potatoes peeled and cubed
1 teaspoon salt
1 lg onion chopped
1/4 c. butter
2 cans (14 3/4 oz each) cream style corn
4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
3 c. milk
8 oz Colby cheese cubed

Place potatoes in large pan, cover with water, add salt and boil until tender. Meanwhile in a large skillet, sautee' onion in butter until tender, add bacon and corn and heat through. Once potatoes are done, drain them and put them back in the pan then add the milk and heat through. Add the corn mixture to the potatoes, then add the cheese and heat until cheese is melted. Serve immediately. (Serves 12-14)

I changed it up a bit by using only a medium onion and I cheated and used fully cooked bacon and added more than the 4 pieces called for. You will likely also want to salt and pepper to taste but it makes a really good soup!

Better

So after I wrote last night I went back to bed and didn't get up until it was time for me to go to work today and I can't believe how much better I feel today! I am home on my supper break now eating some oatmeal before heading back for the rest of the night. Thanks for all the concerned comments! I think whatever it was is pretty much past for now, luckily! Maybe that means I will actually be able to get some things done this weekend! We'll see...