Zippy Wallet by Noodlehead

Oh. My. Goodness. Cuteness. 

Why haven't I tried Noodlehead's Zippy Wallet tutorial before?  Seriously.  Cute.  Easy.  Love it. Many thanks for sharing it with me.

A girl has to accessorize her new purse after all, right?

Sew Savvy Bag

Soon Buddy, Mom, and I are going to be taking a trip to see Mickey Mouse.  I made mom a purse to carry on the trip, but I still needed one.  I made this Sew Savvy Messenger Bag from the latest edition of Quilts and More.  It was an easy pattern to follow and I only made adjustments out of personal taste.  For example, I added a snap, which did require me to move the front pockets to the back, and the back to the front.  I also sewed my straps differently than directed.  Next time, I might make the flap a 1/2 inch wider as I am not sure I am in love with those holes at the top.

I haven't been good at all at my UFO challenge, but one of my own personal goals was to sew using more scraps of fabric.  Originally, I had selected 2 one-yard cuts for this purse.  But instead, I used fabric left over from a Amy Butler pattern, that was in odd shapes.  I am so glad I did.  I always liked this Moda fabric, and I think it turned out darling.  So, I think that counts...using scraps is like a UFO....I have tons of scraps just heaping mounds in my sewing room, and it is nice to use those too.  It makes me feel good.

 I really do like all the exterior pockets on this bag, this is just 2 of 5. 

I am happy to say, I heard from all pincushion participants, and it sounded like everyone was getting their pincushions out on time.  Don't forget to email me a picture or upload it to our flickr group yourself.  I know I enjoy seeing everyone's work. 

Easy Peruvian Roasted Chicken Recipe

This is an easy to make recipe that is always a big hit with the guys in my house. I love it, too.

Ingredients:

6-8 pieces of chicken with skin and bone (I doubled this recipe when I made it this time.)
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
6 cloves of garlic chopped
1/2 c white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar (I used the second this time)
kosher salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a large ziploc bag. Marinade the chicken for at least 4 hours (I like to do it for the entire day).

Place the chicken in a sprayed cassrole dish. Bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes. (I use a thermometer to tell when it is done). Do not cover. Discard the marinade.

My guys fight over the drumsticks, so that is all I make anymore. You can use any piece of chicken.

Sorry....forgot to take a picture of the finished chicken. LOL. You have to be quick around here.

I think you will like this dish though. I usually serve it with this orzo recipe and some roasted zucchini. Delicious. It is everyone's favorite side.

Cute Pincushions Just Popping Up Everywhere

A special thanks to Sinta, my wonderful swap partner, for this cute mushroom pincushion. I just love the button trim on it, and the polka dot stem. I think that the Fig Tree fabric really is perfect. She also sent me a collection of nice goodies in that cute wire berry basket. I love it all. I plan to use that Starbucks card tomorrow!

I hope everyone is getting close to ready to ship. I have only 2 participants that I haven't heard anything from. Please let me know your plan.

Pincushion Reminder. Pincushion Reminder. Repeat Pincushion Reminder

Have you shipped?  Have you shipped?  Have you shipped?

There is 1 week left until the ship date of March 26 for the Pincushion Swap.  Please, please, please ship on time.  Everyone is looking forward to receiving their pincushion.  We are having a drawing for some goodies for those that ship on time.  Make sure your name is in the bowl.  I emailed everyone reminders.  Please email me when you ship or feel free to give me a status update.  I have heard from 11 gals.  If you got a reminder and you had already sent me a shipping confirmation email, please reply.  I was out of town for a few days, and I am afraid I may have inadverntantly "deleted" a couple of confirmations...my sincerest apologies if that was you.

Shop hopper's bag

So, I made this for mom's birthday.  She wanted a slim, trim purse for our upcoming trip to Disney...something to carry her room key, small camera, and her sunglass case.  I remembered I had a pattern for something along those lines, so I started digging.  I found one in the 2009 Edition of BHG's Bags, Pillows, and Pincushions.  (Interestingly enough, I also found the original pattern for my pincushion bling, and it isn't giant size.)  The bag is called Shop Hopper's Bag and I just made it a bit longer for mom's needs.  I also made the straps 55 inches, so it would fit across the shoulders more like a messanger bag strap.

It also has sewn in "car" pockets near the top.

I love this fabric.  It is very cute.  Perfect for a trip, don't you think???  BTW, thanks for all the well wishes for buddy...he is starting to feel a bit better I think, I hope.  Also, I loved everyone's hand stitching comments, they made me feel much better and some of them made me laugh.  I went back and looked my work, and it didn't bother me nearly as much.

Squashin' the Resistance to Squash

Have you met my friend, the spaghetti squash?  This oblong yellow squash can be found in your local supermarket.  Here's the easiest way to make this delicious squash:

First, I put the entire squash into the microwave for 2 minutes, to soften the skin to cut.  Then slit it down the middle.  It kind of reminds me of a pumpkin on the inside.  Scoop the seeds out. 

Then get a cassrole dish out, put a 1/4 c of water in the bottom.  Flip your squash upside down (so the inside is in the water) and cover it with saran wrap.  Put in the microwave and cook for 7-10 minutes.  I usually take the other half of the squash and wrap it in saran wrap, refrigerate it, and enjoy it another day.

Take a fork, and put it into the flesh and pull...the "spaghetti"  will form and then you can plate it up.

I like to salt, pepper, and put a little spaghetti sauce and parm cheese sprinkled on top.  Some people like it with butter and cheese. 

 

Strawberry Shortcake Pincushions pattern by Fig Tree Quilts

So, if you have been around here for a while you know I love Fig Tree Quilts.  Just love it.  Fabric.  Patterns.  That sweet designer herself, JoAnna.  Love it all.  I just had to buy this pattern when I found it.  I found it on Fig Tree Quilts website.  Here are my strawberries.  I did have problems trying to get the greens a bit more 3-d.  But the last one turned out the best, practice I guess makes perfect. 

I need more work on this kind of sewing project.  My hand stitches....ughgh.  That is all I will say about that. 

How are your pincushions coming?  Remember, you must ship by the 26th and that is less than 3 weeks away!

I have a sick little boy at my house.  I sure hope he feels better tomorrow.

For my pincushion swap partner

I have to tell you ladies, I am enjoying this swap!  I sent my partner, Sinta, the pink and green pincushion you see above.  I decided to make these Giant Pincushions.  You can find the link here to the tutorial by Julie of JayBird Quilts.  What a great pattern!  So easy to follow and I just love the size of these babies.  I also sent Sinta the bag in the picture below that coordinates with her pincushion.

And just for the fun of it, I sent our dear Kelly the yellow and blue pincushion and bag.  Kelly is such a dear friend to me, I thought she deserved a little surprise in the mail. 

The extra pincushion, I made for my mom.  Mom seems to be missing her pincushion.  So, this is going to be a little birthday present for her.

I really enjoyed making both of these projects and would recommend both to both expert quilters and beginning quilters alike. 

I have heard from 1 other participant that they shipped.  Don't forget to let me know!  The deadline to ship is March 26th.