Ohio !#@! Star

I have decided that I may not be cut out for quilting. I am good at a lot of things. I can repair drywall, I can tile, I can help frame a house. But those things have a lower level of tolerances. If there is a small gap, you can fill it with grout or cover it with some wood trim. But with quilting, if you are 1/8 inch off you did a bad, terrible, horrible job.

And the hardest so far for me was the Ohio (expletive deleted, thank you Mr. Nixon) Star. In this block the points have to line up on the center square and if you are off by a fraction, it shows.




After ripping out seams THREE TIMES, I finally decided to start over! I re-cut the center and re-sewed the Four Triangle Squares and put the whole thing together again. It is only marginally better, but I decided it was good enough for me! You can see the problems up close, but on a horse going at a fast canter, it looks GREAT!

I love the whole concept of making all the Four Triangle Squares at one time. In this case I cut (4) 5 1/2 inch squares from the background and the border fabric. I placed the squares of fabric with the right sides together. Then draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner, like with the Flying Geese, and then sew a 1/4 from the center up and down on the diagonal. Cut between the lines and iron towards the dark fabric. Then place the right sides together again with the opposite colors facing each other. Pin and check to make sure they line up in the center. Once again draw the lines on the diagonal and sew up and back, then cut apart. Press the seams open and then you should have a perfect square that meets in the middle with perfect points. Then trim to size, in my case 4 1/2 inches.

Lay out the square with the Four Triangle Squares pointing towards the center and then with plain background squares in the four corners. After sewing the three vertical squares into strips, the hard part is making the points just touch the edges of the center piece. THIS is where I had the trouble.




I pinned it as we were taught by putting a pin through the point on one square and lining it up with the point underneath. This, in theory would then hold it while you finish pinning the piece. Somehow I was off each time. It sometimes seems that my sewing machine pushes the top fabric away from the bottom. But they are pinned and I don't see how that works. But that is what I do, so I must be doing something wrong and I don't know how to fix it.

I learned this week in class that the ironing I have been doing is sub-standard. Not that I have aspirations as a perfect ironer, but if all the seams are not perfectly flat and going the right way, you will have difficulty. Especially if you sew the imperfectly ironed pieces together and are then stuck with redoing them or keeping them as they are. Once again, I am going with the view from the back of a fast horse and thinking they are not THAT bad. My current theory is that all this re-cutting and re-sewing and re-ironing is going to impress my poor, weak brain so that the NEXT time I make a quilt, I will be SOOOO much better...or is it SEW much better??? At any rate, that is my goal and most fervent hope.

So far the Ohio Star is the hardest one for me. I am hoping that my technical skills will have improved before I ever attempt it in another quilt. Or maybe, I will never do another one, but this practice will make me better at the quilts I WILL do in the future. I would love to make some for our new B&B. On the other hand, the idea of having a guest ruin a quilt that took so much time and effort is rather upsetting. Gonna have to rethink that...

After all that I then had to make some more Flying Geese for the border. But those went fast and I like them! I like things that go the way they are supposed to! Maybe I need to go bake something.

Fruit Trees and Pumpkin Muffins

We bought two fruit trees this week. They were to replace the other trees we had bought and planted that died. I got money from our girls for replacement trees for Christmas and spent it on a plum tree and an apricot tree. When the millennium comes we should be OK. Wait, that already happened. Ok, in a few years we should have fruit.

My sister-in-law once asked me if I knew when the best time to plant a fruit tree. Her answer, 10 years ago. Ok, so I have to wait.




First I went to the compost pile and filled the back of the mule. It turns out the horses ARE good for something! They are able to process hay and expensive grain into the perfect compost for gardens. Our soil on the top of the hill is rocky and REALLY hard to dig. Fortunately, we had previously planted trees and used a lot of compost in the old holes so digging went a lot faster than before. I was able to use a shovel and did not have to resort to the metal bar we use to break up rocks.




This time we used two stakes for the trees. The top of our last apricot tree snapped off in high wind. So we don't want to have that happen, again. I have no idea what happened to the plum tree. It just died.




So now we have 2 peaches, 2 Granny Smith apples, 1 pear, 1 Gala apple, 2 cherries and a plum and apricot. We also have acres of wild blackberries and a plan for planting a small garden of blueberries. We have to prepare the soil first. The last ones we planted didn't do well because they like a very acidic soil and ours was not. Once we figure the best way to do that we will work on the soil. My PLAN is to work in a BIG bunch of our "processed hay" and then some peat moss for the acidity. Then do a soil test. Then plant the blueberries.

But first I have to finish the quilt and then go visit my mother in California and then deal with the architect for the B&B and then trim the drive, oh, and I really need to dust this place... Sheesh!

After planting the trees and some bulbs (they TOLD me it wasn't too late to do that) we had Norma and Shirley over for tea. These are two lovely ladies that are sisters and live in Buchanan. They feed our cats and let out RJ when we can't and this year they agreed to take care of the horses. Lee and I haven't been on a vacation together in years except for a day here or there, because it is hard to find someone to deal with all the animals. So we boarded the dog and had Norma and Shirley do the horses and cats. They did a great job and we had them up to tell us all their stories and to give them a tea party for all their hard work. It doesn't hurt that when we start the B&B they can then recommend us...or not!

I made lemon poppy seed scones with lemon curd, pumpkin muffins and a fruit cup. Here is the recipe for the muffins.




Pumpkin Muffins

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg, I use a micro plane so I guessed on the measurement
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree, I used about 1/2 of a can and froze the rest for future use.
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup of chopped walnuts

Pre-heat the oven to 400. Dump the dry ingredients into a mixer. Mix on slow. You don't want a cloud of flour in your face. Beat the eggs slightly in a bowl and add to the mix. Then add the milk and pumpkin. While it was mixing on low I drizzled in the melted butter. I was afraid it was still hot from the microwave and I didn't want to have scrambled egg in the bowl! As soon as it looks like all the wet ingredients are incorporated, add the chopped nuts if desired. Don't over mix.




Spray a muffin pan with Pam. I have a large ice cream scoop that I use for muffins. It makes a nice rounded top and is the perfect size for filling one muffin "dent".




Unfortunately I didn't get the sizes exact and had to borrow a bit of muffin from each overly large "scoop" to make the 12th muffin! I like to over fill the muffins so that I get a large crown. The BEST part!




Next mix about 1/4 cup of white sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix well and then sprinkle on top of the muffins. Bake for 18 minutes.


Fruit Cup

1/2 cantaloupe
10 strawberries
Splenda
1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
Cool Whip
Optional cherry

The fruit cup was easy and good. I cut up a cantaloupe in small cubes and placed in the bottom of a ramekin. I made four at a time, so actually four ramekins. Slice some strawberries and put in a bowl. Sprinkle a bit of Splenda on them and toss gently. The divide among the ramekins.

Place the blueberries in a small saucepan. Cover with Splenda and heat until it cooks down to a sauce. Stir occasionally. When it cools, put a dollop on top of the strawberries. Place a large spoonful of Cool Whip on top of the blueberries. I happened to have some cherries in the fridge and put one on top, just because. If I had had some mint, I would have put a sprig of mint on top. Pretty!

Horse For Sale

We went to Southern States to buy some fruit trees. While there I mentioned that we would be selling our horses and asked if they knew anyone looking to buy. Steve told us that he knew a woman that lived out a ways in the country with two horses. The other day she went to feed them and discovered someone had left another two horses, tied in the pasture with hers.

I was astonished that someone would do such a thing. Lee said, "What is their address, again?"

Souper Bowl Beef and Barley

While sewing and writing and waiting for the Super Bowl to start, I threw some things in a pot to make some soup, my play on Souper Bowl. It turned out to be wonderful rather than OK. The problem is that I didn't take any pictures, so now I have to recreate it! Forgive the cans of broth that I dug out of the recycle bin!

After our trip to England, I had to restock the refrigerator. I found two cans of beef broth in the pantry and decided to make some soup I bought a bit of beef and some veggies and here is what I made.

I bought 1/2 to 3/4 pound of STEW MEAT and cut it into small squares. I sprinkled it with a few tablespoons of FLOUR with a bit of Salt and Pepperand stirred to coat them. I sauteed the meat in a pot with a bit of OLIVE OIL. When they were browned, just a few minutes, I added a cup or two of BURGUNDY. This my go-to wine for all beef recipe possibilities. Not my drinking favorite!




I didn't measure anything because I wasn't planning on putting this recipe in my blog. (Take note, in future write everything down.) Then I added the 2 cans of BEEF BROTH, turned the pan to simmer and went back to the craft room for an hour or so.




I came down and added 1/3 cup of BARLEY and went back up for 40 minutes or so. It was thickening up a bit and then I remembered the flour for the meat. If it got too thick I was considering adding a bit of water, but it was fine.

Next I cut up about 10 little CARROTS, 1 cup or so of ONIONS, 1 stalk of CELERY and 1/2 cup or so of frozen PEAS. I added these to the pot and brought the temperature up to medium. I went to the pantry to see what else to add and remembered I hadn't used any garlic! Oh, no! GARLIC SALT went in the pot along with a teaspoon or so of ITALIAN HERBS.

I cooked everything for about 10 more minutes, until the veggies were starting to soften and the barley was done. I added a TOMATO, stirred it a bit and cut up some sourdough bread for dipping. (OK. You caught me out. LEE cut up the bread and I set the table.)

Yum. Easy Peasy and soooo good. This is a keeper.

More Quilt Squares

I barely figured out the 4 Patch/9 Patch for my quilt. Now I am working on the Flying Geese Star. Flying Geese are basically a pattern with a large triangle of one color surrounded by two small triangles of another color. We learned a technique to make it faster and easier...ostensibly. Even though Doris and I get right to work, we never seem to finish a square while in the class. This means we have to go home and try to remember how we are supposed to do it! Even with pictures and notes and a book, it isn't easy. Hey, if it was EASY, ANYBODY could do it! At least, that is what I keep telling myself.




You cut a 7 1/4 inch square of the main fabric. Then cut (4) 3 7/8 inch squares of the background fabric. Mark all the small squares with a diagonal line from corner to corner and then mark a line 1/4 inch on either side of the first line.




Place the large square facing up and then lay a small square facing down in one corner, aligning the edges. Do the same thing in the opposite corner so that they overlap in the middle.

Pin in place and then stitch on the two outside lines. This is where it gets tricky. I can barely see the lines due to the color of the fabric and the multiple floaters in my eyes that make close work a struggle. Once you cut the two apart on the middle line, there is no going back. Suffice it to say that I had to do one over and it's still not as good as I would like.




After cutting on the diagonal line, you press it open and then place the another small square in the only other unoccupied corner with the line pointing towards the gap between the sewn triangles. Once again sew on either side of the diagonal line and then cut them apart on the line. Do this for the remaining piece. You will now have four Flying Geese.




To make these into a star you will need (4) 3 7/8 squares of the background color and one square 6 1/2 inches square of the main color. We learned how to do a fussy cut. Basically you lay out the fabric and pick the part you want to be centered and then cut it out. This leaves weird holes in the fabric, but most patterns should allow for this. If not I'll be buying more fabric!




I sewed the top and the bottom geese to the center and then assembled the sides. Then I stitched the sides to the center, ironing the seams each time.

So this is what I ended up with. I hope Someone can make it magically become a scoosh bigger because it isn't QUITE 12 1/2 inches square. But at this point, I am not doing it over. I figure there has to be a trick to making it fit or no one would get past their first quilt. RIGHT????

Pretty Cool, But Not Too Hot

Lee got the wood stove installed in the shop and it looks great. I have put off writing about it because I wanted him to have a fire in it for the picture. So, today was cold enough to light a fire and Lee called me when it was ready.




It didn't throw off a lot of heat, but he had a rather small fire. He wasn't going to stay out there long because he had to watch the Super Bowl. Now that starts at 6:00 on the East Coast, but you HAVE to watch the shows that tell you about the game and then you have to watch the game. Of course after that are the shows that tell you about the game you just watched. Thank Goodness for the Puppy Bowl! (I just found out those puppies are available for adoption...hmmm.... Somebody STOP me.) Anyway, so I am making soup. Soup for the Super Bowl!




Check out the good job Lee did on the chimney. I think it is cool even if it isn't all that hot.

4 Patch/ 9 Patch Quilt

I haven't posted anything here for a week because I was out of the country. I didn't post that I was leaving because I didn't want to advertise that our house was empty. Please come rob us!

So our daughter is married and we are back from London. We got in last night. I took a sleeping aid and slept as much as possible to try to get back on this time zone. And then I had to do my "homework" for my quilting class. I need 5 squares of the 4 Patch/9 Patch pattern by tomorrow. Good thing I got two done before we left. I must admit that by the time I was working on the last one I was MUCH less critical of my work than the first one! At one point I ripped out a seam for the second time and I was worried about how the fabric would hold up from all the abuse. Last Time, I told myself! I don't know if it was any better than the first two times, but it WAS the Last Time!

Basically, for the 4 Patch you want 5 small 4 1/2 inch squares using 2 pieces of one color and two of another. You alternate with a 4 1/2 inch plain square.






One thing I love about taking classes is all the techniques you learn for making things easier on yourself. Sure you could cut out all the squares and then sew them, but if you make long strips and sew them together and cut 2 1/2 inch slices you are half way there.




After you sew the square together and determine if you mad a halfway decent square, you line them all up and try to get the most aesthetically pleasing layout




Next class we will be learning how to cut for specific parts of the fabric. That will be fun as there are some beautiful designs on some of my fabrics that I would like to make sure to highlight.

Ironing is very important when quilting. You iron the seams to one side or open after each seam you sew. You press the seam towards the darkest fabric so it won't show through from the front. I found myself quoting (misquoting?) Darth Vader for some reason. "Go to the dark side, Luke!" Over and over. I definitely need a radio or a TV in my craft room.




The pattern we are learning has several different patterns within it. This way, by the time we have finished it we will have a few designs with which we will (presumably) feel comfortable. The sad thing is I have already picked my next two classes for quilts I want to make and I haven't even finished this one yet!