tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37726751660818884802024-02-19T21:23:22.909-05:00Side StitchesSide Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-19869326748723827102012-01-26T22:07:00.000-05:002012-01-26T22:24:51.205-05:00Lark QuiltHey everyone! I have a very long overdue project to share with you all.<br />
<br />
As you may know, I'm on kind of a <a href="http://pinterest.com/sidestitches">house decorating kick</a> right now and so I thought, what makes a living room homier than a quilt? The only quilt I've kept for myself thus far is my first quilt, because really, you just can't give that way. I figured it was time a splurge a bit and do something nice for myself. So I made myself this lovely...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6768728973/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lark Quilt by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Lark Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6768728973_7802ce2fe9.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About this Quilt:</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fabric: Amy Butler's Lark and Kona Cotton Solids in Slate and Medium Gray</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Binding: Amy Butler's Ivy Bloom in Cinder</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Size: approx. 50" x 60"</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern: 5" squares</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Quilting: Linear quilting following lines in white</span></span></span></div>
<br />
I fell for Amy Butler's Lark when I first laid eyes on it. The prints are so diverse that they almost don't look like an actual collection, but rather a well-chosen selection from the scrap pile. That's what I love most; the way that the fabrics work amazing well together but almost look haphazard. It's a mix of sophisticated, funky, and, though I hate to repeat my husband's words, a bit "flower power" seventies retro. Okay, so I'm hoping not too many people think "flower power" when they look at my quilt, but I see color, design, and love. Love! It's simply a gorgeous collection that can't be overlooked.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6768729147/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lark Quilt Detail by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Lark Quilt Detail" height="275" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6768729147_6ba46f9419.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you thinking "flower power"?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
I really tried to keep the design simple since the fabrics say enough on their own so I stuck with simple five inch squares. I'm glad I didn't do anything more complicated because this design really shows off the large scale prints without making you dizzy.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6768729033/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lark Quilt back by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Lark Quilt back" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6768729033_738a2f0548.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some days I'm even almost adore the back of the quilt more than the front. I love how the Kona Cotton Slate and Medium Gray solids really cool and calm things down. And as usual with solids, they really let the quilting add something to the conversation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is one of those quilts that I really wish you could see in person. Right now, it's bringing some much needed color and cheer to my living room. I can't wait to pull in more of these fun colors to my decorating. </div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-56179696265839121832011-11-25T09:28:00.001-05:002011-11-25T10:02:15.548-05:00Anniversary & Double Hourglass Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">It was just one year ago yesterday that I finished my very first quilt.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6019959261/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="My First Quilt by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"></span><img alt="My First Quilt" height="320" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6023/6019959261_3460325830.jpg" width="230" /></a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I really can't believe that it's been such a short time! I am so thankful for the joy that quilting has brought me this year and for the support of my family and friends. I have officially finished 11 quilts throughout the year and it's been fun to learn from each one of them. I'm thankful that I've finally landed on a hobby that I've stuck to for awhile (unlike knitting, playing guitar, or running (that lasted about 15 minutes)). Thanks for journeying along with me in my first year of quilting!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here's my eleventh quilt, which was finished a few weeks ago.
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6399850673/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Double Hourglass Quilt by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img alt="Double Hourglass Quilt" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6399850673_a6e0b1be41.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> This fun quilt was made for my friend’s niece. I love making quilts for babies and kids, because it means you get to use bright colors and fun patterns. I mean, I wouldn’t complain about putting something like this on my bed either, but kids just require cheerful quilts. I used Allison’s tutorial for the </span><a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/09/tutorial-double-hourglass-blocks-easy.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Easy Double Hourglass</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> over at </span><a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cluck Cluck Sew</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. I’ve never made double hourglasses the traditional way, but I can promise that this block construction is quite simple and the blocks come together quickly. This was my first time using a template for cutting my blocks. It was fun to try something new. By the way, Allison offers some amazing free tutorials! I think </span><a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/03/tutorial-sprocket-pillows.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sprocket Pillows</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> are in my future.
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About this Quilt:</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #222222;"></span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fabric: Cotton solids (Kona, P&B Textiles, and one I don’t remember) and Kona Cotton White</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Binding: Carolyn Gavin’s Spring Street, Spring Stripe Red</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Size: approx. 40" x 50"</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern: Double Hourglass</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.4pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Quilting: Horizontal linear quilting in white</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6399850677/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Double Hourglass Quilt by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Double Hourglass Quilt" height="217" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6399850677_4f7b75b5c7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
</span></span></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-81837876516159028472011-11-19T14:00:00.000-05:002011-11-22T08:55:40.501-05:00Diapers Can be Cool<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Fall has escaped me, at least in the blogging sense. One day it’s September and the next it’s November. There wasn’t much to report on the sewing front at first, but once I started sewing again, I was out of the habit of blogging. Funny how that happens so quickly. But I’m back and I have a few things to share that I’ve been working on, so stay tuned. I will even attempt my first tutorial (no promises!)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To ease me back into blogging, I thought I’d share a quick project that I whipped up this week for my friend’s baby shower. Who knew that carrying diapers could actually be cool? Well, apparently Anna at </span><a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Noodlehead</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> because she came up with this stylish </span><a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/05/diaper-pouch-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">diaper pouch</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> and then was kind enough to share it (for free!) Thank you, Anna!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6363056483/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Diaper Pouch by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Diaper Pouch" height="320" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6232/6363056483_6f624b75f2.jpg" width="273" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Fabric: </span></span><a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/joel_dewberry/heirloom_home_dec/ornate_floral_in_gold"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;">Joel Dewberry, Heirloom, Ornate Floral in Gold</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t have any little ones so I can’t rave about how much I love carrying diapers in this, but I can imagine it would be nice to have something quick to grab and throw in the stroller or in the car if you don’t want to lug around your whole whale of a diaper bag. You could easily stick this in your oversized purse and be on your way. And as Anna points out, you can quickly take stock of the number of diapers that are in there before leaving home and getting stranded with two wet kids and one diaper between them. Yikes!
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Diaper Pouch Inside" height="240" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6363056655_2657449d42.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Add to Anna’s sleek and simple design anything that fabric designer, Joel Dewberry, has had his hands on, and you’ve got a classy, colorful, and hip little bag that might tempt you to empty the diapers and tote it along as a cute clutch next time the baby sitter relieves you for a night out with hubby. Maybe that’s just me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6363056565/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Diaper Pouch Gift by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Diaper Pouch Gift" height="280" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6222/6363056565_7bd59ceb5a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you’re stumped on a baby shower gift and can sew a straight line, I encourage you to give this a try, especially if you stuff it with some diapers, wipes and maybe some diaper cream as Anna suggests. It’s a fun unique gift that you can customize to fit any style. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">P.S. Was just over at Anna’s blog…please pray for her and her family or send her some words of encouragement.</span></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-31381434022876234502011-09-28T17:38:00.001-04:002011-11-21T08:44:32.437-05:00Paint ColorsHey everyone! Sorry I’ve been kind of MIA lately. There isn’t
much sewing going on in my house right now, though I do have a custom quilt
that I’m collecting fabric for so I’ll be posting about that soon. But more
than sewing, what’s really been going through my head is decorating. As I
mentioned in an <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/rethinking-redecorating.html">earlier post</a>, I’m ready to finally settle into my house and
call it home, instead of just my temporary resting place. And that means that I
should start resolving some of those places in my house that I look at and say,
“I can live with that for now,” and make them a little more to my liking for
the long haul. It’s funny, I can live with pretty much anything for a short
time, even when it turns into a long time, as long I tell myself that it will
only be temporary. No more! It’s time to get serious about settling in.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have to admit, I’m both very excited and a bit nervous. Picking
paint colors is hard work and since we’ve already painted our dining room three
times since we moved in four years ago, my husband is really adamant that I
pick the right color the “first time”. So I’m going to shell out a bit more
cash and get those little samplers, just to make sure. But before I do that, I
wanted to share a bit of my plan with you because I know that there are tons of
you out there who really do have an eye for decorating. I’ve seen your blogs. I
would appreciate any input you are willing to offer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So first off is my living room. I’m a bright-color girl, but
decided to go with this warm gray so that I could have fun pops of yellow and
blue, but can also change my accent colors a bit if I get bored with them over
the next few years. This color will also go up my stairs and in my upstairs
hallway. This is the big one! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiQ7VUrbpeineXsx-3YGHSwOVcPYy4lTOo0QgSm0Nru5WNJAu3jZCBgLGXuDTfgqMw-3fngnwuJ6xg4gdqQHaJ3l7SolkwaffnkOUNba8RmIwjLxg_QunKIzOf6Av9bD4tfXswG4vlvo/s1600/LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiQ7VUrbpeineXsx-3YGHSwOVcPYy4lTOo0QgSm0Nru5WNJAu3jZCBgLGXuDTfgqMw-3fngnwuJ6xg4gdqQHaJ3l7SolkwaffnkOUNba8RmIwjLxg_QunKIzOf6Av9bD4tfXswG4vlvo/s400/LR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color: Benjamin Moore "Coastal Fog", Fabric: Joel Dewberry's Rose Bouquet in Jade from his Heirloom line (I just bought some for some roman shades so I'm stuck.)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Then off my living room is my dining room. I wanted it to be
this soft yellow because my house doesn’t have many windows and I wanted a
little brightness. Plus, I hope it will go well with the yellow accents in my
living room. I did actually paint my dining room yellow once, but it was too
bright. It was kind of like standing in a room full of highlighters. I’m hoping
this one will be more subdued. What do you think? I think I will buy a table
first though because yellow and some wood colors can look pretty unappetizing
together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIWmcMz7-qPiVWzSdHKSotskCCzhxUDggtDkstJUgl3Ef8K4Vc_udF2k9wxKTJJVvSPRT76PTeIL2ck5BAm-Z8Tl29rWJybcSNXgAsbRrNaCabBVMhRUSAeVENJ03_vsAhpj9jyh4cBo/s1600/DR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIWmcMz7-qPiVWzSdHKSotskCCzhxUDggtDkstJUgl3Ef8K4Vc_udF2k9wxKTJJVvSPRT76PTeIL2ck5BAm-Z8Tl29rWJybcSNXgAsbRrNaCabBVMhRUSAeVENJ03_vsAhpj9jyh4cBo/s400/DR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color: Benjamin Moore "Lemon Grass" with my dream table from <a href="http://oldbarnstar.com/">Old Barn Star</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As for my kitchen, I’m thinking this creamy white. Who
wouldn’t want to cook in a kitchen painted with Vanilla Ice Cream? I love a
white on white kitchen with fun pops of color in dishes, towels, canisters,
etc. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikDzuTXVYZSiWV-VYT_3zVR4sKfx2n5WpaKFPrcu1lnZzQBZ3OHmLjb7jMH_qkbpe1KoRt32k9e6lEm9I0GxKwUy0U1xNBIhaVDsJd3t3rSqVPd9heVOOAEmFFcKP2sB9G_56CKTb0L8/s1600/KN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikDzuTXVYZSiWV-VYT_3zVR4sKfx2n5WpaKFPrcu1lnZzQBZ3OHmLjb7jMH_qkbpe1KoRt32k9e6lEm9I0GxKwUy0U1xNBIhaVDsJd3t3rSqVPd9heVOOAEmFFcKP2sB9G_56CKTb0L8/s400/KN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color: Benjamin Moore "Vanilla Ice Cream", <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N4ZXZK/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000N4ZXZK">Le Creuset Au Gratin</a> dish (which I just found at a yard sale), and two cute dish towels from Crate and Barrel, <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/dishtowels/anjou-dishtowel/s239057">Anjou</a> and <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/dishtowels/tomato-dishtowel/s239031">Tomato</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The plan is to take things kind of slowly. I’ll probably start
painting the living room and dining room first. Our kitchen needs a major
overhaul so that will probably be next summer, and then the bedrooms and
bathrooms can come as they will. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn’t it fun to change things up a bit? I just want to make
sure I won’t have to change them again any time soon; much better to think
hard, <a href="http://pinterest.com/sidestitches/">Pinterest</a> like crazy, and know that I have a clear vision before I start
anything. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-56055596670519074302011-09-21T20:33:00.001-04:002011-09-21T20:58:14.276-04:00241 ToteI have been happily putting this tote to good use since Sunday,
and I’m in love. It’s such a light weight, casual tote which can literally go
anywhere! I took it dressed up to a classy restaurant over the weekend and it’s
also cute dressed down with a pair of jeans. It fits all the necessities, plus
easily fits a paperback book, point-and-shoot camera, sunglasses, or whatever
else you might need to bring along. It’s the prefect size for an all day outing!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6170441841/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 tote by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="241 tote" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6170441841_b9af7a0e5e.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If nerves are all that’s keeping you from giving <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html">Noodlehead's 241 tote</a> a try, just go for it! This was the third purse that I’ve made and while it was the most complicated, it wasn't difficult. I can’t say it didn’t go off without
a hitch, but it still turned out to be really cute. I’m excited to make more so I
can improve my construction skills. The part that I had the hardest time with was sewing on
the side panels without catching the seam of the bottom of the bag in the
stitching, which made a little unintended pleat. (Did anyone else have this
issue? Any suggestions?) But, you really can’t tell since there is a seam there
anyways. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In making this purse, my husband's voice once again became
like that little cartoon angel that sits on your shoulder and tells you what
you should or shouldn’t do. My husband expects a lot of himself and other
people. He believes in always doing your best work. However, I’m usually okay with brushing things off as “oh
well, I’m new to this thing." For example, when I sewed on my very first zipper, I sewed it on very crookedly, well, kind of in a wave actually. I took it
proudly to my husband and said, “Look, I sewed on my first zipper. It’s a
little crooked, but that’s okay.” I was expecting a standing ovation, but he
said, “Why is it crooked?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s just say he wasn’t confused as to why I sewed it on
crookedly, he was confused as to why I hadn’t taken it off and done it again
until I got it straight. I did redo the zipper and with only a little time and effort, it was much straighter. I’m
glad he said something instead of just patting me on the back; though I’m sure
I gave him a begrudging look at the time. Otherwise, that zipper would have
always bothered me and whenever anyone would have given me a compliment on my
bag, I know I’d end up saying, “Thanks! I made it. The zipper’s a little
crooked though.” Isn’t that weird how we point out our mistakes before
someone else can? I’m assuming I’m not alone! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6170975066/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 tote by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="241 tote" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6170975066_d1fa5209b6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So he’ll be proud to know that when I didn’t quite like the
look of my top stitching, I just took out my seam ripper and started over. I’m
trying to keep his voice in my head. It’s the voice that says (though these
aren’t his actual words, thank goodness), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">don’t
be lazy, do it right. </i>Those are words that I need to hear often. I'm usually glad when I listen. </div>
Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-30428998450583981282011-09-16T17:02:00.000-04:002011-09-16T17:02:28.806-04:00241 Tote - Work in ProgressI’ve been taking this <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html">241 tote</a> slowly. It actually took me awhile to get up the guts to start cutting because I don’t have much experience with bag construction and though the pattern is very clear, I was still just a little intimidated. And to make things worse, I really wanted to go the zippered-pocket route. After all, I live in the city and don’t want all my stuff hanging out in those open side pockets (through they are cute). I’ve never sewed a zipper on anything though and I was nervous! I ordered 10 zips from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/zipit?ref=pr_shop_more">Zipit </a>(at <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/">Anna</a>’s recommendation) in 5 different colors to audition and landed on the lovely eggplant. Then there were no longer any excuses, I had to get started. I decided that I would use the interfacing since I’m doing all the work any ways and I might as well make it sturdy, right?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6154043426/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 Tote in Progress by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Tote in Progress" height="355" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6154043426_aa4f77de77.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Everything was going along splendidly, except I didn’t really think through my marking tool. I used my brand new blue Crayola Washable Marker because I wanted to try their wash-ability on something small before I attack a whole quilt with them. So I made my bold blue marks, but slowly started being haunted by fears that they wouldn’t wash out, especially as I ironed the marks a few times and I know that can set some inks. So after I finished the center panel and got my pockets all in and, hooray, my zippers on without too much to-do, I took it to the sink and started rinsing. Some of the ink came out, but not all of it. Then I started getting really nervous and threw it in the wash for a quick cold wash. Thankfully, the blue marker did come out beautifully, but my fabric was also bubbled away from the interfacing and sadly, my purple zippers had bled some pink dye onto my cute white elephants. Boohoo!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6153486001/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 Tote - WIP by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="241 Tote - WIP" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6153486001_fa1d092413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
All that to say, I’ve learned three very important lessons already and have only finished the exterior! Important lessons learned: 1) use a marking tool which will come out either with a good steam, with a damp cloth, or use a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011451F8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0011451F8">hera marker</a>; 2) only spot clean the tote (though most of the bubbles did smooth out when I ironed it); and 3.) pre-soak the zippers, especially if they are dark and are of the red family (silly red dye!) That’s my little bit of novice wisdom to pass on to you.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But despite the pink smudges and the wrinkly fabric, I'm still pretty in love with it. How could you resist those elephants? I'm excited about using my new tote, once it is <i>officially </i>a tote. If I get my rear in gear, I should have it done this weekend. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank goodness for first time mistakes that make second attempts all the more sweet. </div>
Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-55188952945177049822011-09-10T19:08:00.000-04:002011-09-10T19:08:11.052-04:00Rethinking RedecoratingWhen my husband and I bought our house four and a half years ago, we knew we'd live here for at least four years because my husband was in graduate school, but I always thought of this house and Philadelphia as a temporary resting ground before the next big something came along. Idealized visions of the romantic life abroad started tickling my fancy. Though my house is my home and has been for many years, it never felt like the place where I wanted to sink my roots.<br />
<br />
But on Thursday a conversation with my husband started changing my thinking. I don't remember quite how it came up, but we were talking about refinishing our kitchen (which should not surprise you if you've seen our kitchen) and I was pulling my usual, "Well, who knows how long we'll be here...", but he surprised me by saying, "At this point, this is where we're going to be, maybe for the rest of our lives. It doesn't seem like we're going to leave anytime soon." And it hit me. He's right. We love our friends here and are settled into a great church, we have jobs that we like and coworkers we enjoy working with, my family lives close by, and <i>we own a house</i>. Whether I like it or not, I've sunk my roots without thinking about it. But his saying it really struck me. I, all the sudden, was not just a passer-through. I was responsible for the life of my home, my neighbors and my neighborhood. The parts that I love and the parts that I hate, I have to own them.<br />
<br />
Things I love about my house:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilylJyjqEoqa6mMjbrpq3Tkbyfzm0pGfXdImlviLCE3PR7xDV9Cecabv978fGIY3T_ZZx29OyC5SshX9oIsKigGcOWEcQKRbgjXDcNI3zXxFVNQe6iznSW03DR7vEAv-Z0X4cq-YF75zE/s1600/mantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilylJyjqEoqa6mMjbrpq3Tkbyfzm0pGfXdImlviLCE3PR7xDV9Cecabv978fGIY3T_ZZx29OyC5SshX9oIsKigGcOWEcQKRbgjXDcNI3zXxFVNQe6iznSW03DR7vEAv-Z0X4cq-YF75zE/s400/mantle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gorgeous mantel (though the fireplace itself is, sadly, a fake).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3e9XRSSNvRFwyPMRaWwe5jEP1mvQm-mEJWvaBcUAvN-elLZ3QtWyEAi7JLY1voXpbOXoX6fvGGOB1zT2jLGKPzNdDXF9o-zYywOQI7kOtLNCO1CZfgB1lSwa4Gqk6N3XAewxgu8KWJ8/s1600/stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3e9XRSSNvRFwyPMRaWwe5jEP1mvQm-mEJWvaBcUAvN-elLZ3QtWyEAi7JLY1voXpbOXoX6fvGGOB1zT2jLGKPzNdDXF9o-zYywOQI7kOtLNCO1CZfgB1lSwa4Gqk6N3XAewxgu8KWJ8/s400/stairs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wainscoting and wood floors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Things I hate about my house:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEZVtlfHfY2_M1_xxNrYtEdLFKNvGO-04JS1p2kLLqnmuBxzblhCfDbR0Nny6ZjiOZ5qFA6X4-gcnKN2IhcsAWHIcrIpqdEUtpQaU2mFINjpfznmu_l6AHA27oVlyJXD38vGx0dPA5QQ/s1600/fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEZVtlfHfY2_M1_xxNrYtEdLFKNvGO-04JS1p2kLLqnmuBxzblhCfDbR0Nny6ZjiOZ5qFA6X4-gcnKN2IhcsAWHIcrIpqdEUtpQaU2mFINjpfznmu_l6AHA27oVlyJXD38vGx0dPA5QQ/s400/fridge.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That there's no room in our kitchen for a fridge(?!)<br />
So it resides in this little shed/shack off the back of our kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkWi9_OmIiTbBQwhswlla7Z9kO75NWjXdc1tI11HxlTrW_ro0xwjVHsf3-uNvUYehZ0n8Sf058tgDviA3u6Ytg-95mBsdLCdzPGhnJ7CGbfXG4X5v5_743f7F-Fis_tEa3-Bwog7gvYs/s1600/counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkWi9_OmIiTbBQwhswlla7Z9kO75NWjXdc1tI11HxlTrW_ro0xwjVHsf3-uNvUYehZ0n8Sf058tgDviA3u6Ytg-95mBsdLCdzPGhnJ7CGbfXG4X5v5_743f7F-Fis_tEa3-Bwog7gvYs/s400/counter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dusky pink laminate countertops. Mmm, pretty...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I looked around my house, which is decorated with a haphazard collection of Craigslist finds, things friends were throwing out, or other frugal collections of stuff, and realized that my house is piecemeal, it's not very pretty, and I wonder if it's even very welcoming. I struggle here because I also don't want to become obsessed with the cleanliness or togetherness of my house. I don't want that to become my worth. But I do want to honor my house as a gift and to make it as beautiful as I can on the resources that we have.<br />
<br />
So I got on <a href="http://pinterest.com/sidestitches/">Pinterest</a>, which I know many of you already make good use of, and started making some boards with decorating ideas that I find lovely and inviting. As long as we live here, whether one month or 60 years, I want to sink my roots. I want to be more present. I want to flourish were I am and work towards the flourishing of others, and that includes my little old house.<br />
<br />
Over the next few months, be expecting a few decorating posts! I always appreciate the input of those more gifted in decorating than I.Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-77840200999765205692011-09-03T13:20:00.001-04:002011-09-03T16:51:37.385-04:00Little Apples-Baby QuiltForgive me for my quietness through August. I have been working hard on a baby quilt for my dear friends who are due with their first baby in mid-September, but my friend also happens to be a dear reader (thank you!). Therefore, secrecy was a necessity. But we gave them the quilt last night, so it's with great relief that I can finally share with you all this sweet baby quilt made with Aneela Hoey's most adorable <i>Little Apples</i> collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6110271120/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Little Apples-1 by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Little Apples-1" height="308" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6110271120_7c4e667e4e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I was so thankful when my small group at church agreed to let me make a quilt for our friends for part of their group gift. I was dying to get my hands on Little Apples and this was the perfect opportunity. Our friends have decided to not find out the gender of their little one beforehand which I admit made things a bit more difficult, but I think this fabric collection, with its aqua, olive, gray, and red, keeps things pretty gender neutral.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6109515202/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Little Apples Quilt Detail by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Little Apples Quilt Detail" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/6109515202_86f5794dc3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The best part about Aneela Hoey's prints are these little drawings which make fussy cutting such a pleasure. There are kids playing Ring-around-the-Rosie, cute back-to-school outfits, turtles, snails, squirrels, apple trees, and hula hoops. All the things that remind us of the fall when we buy new pencils, pull on our sweaters, and look forward to jumping in piles of raked leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6110271530/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Little Apples by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Little Apples " height="322" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6110271530_9431e00048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It seemed that when our friends received this quilt last night that this little white block was the most special part. Everyone from our group signed it for them. This was such a fun way to remind these new parents of our love for them and their new baby and to let them know how excited we are to help raise this newest member of our family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About this Quilt:</span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fabric: Little Apples & Medium Gray K</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ona Cotton</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Binding: Michael Miller's Dumb Dots in red</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Size: approx. 36" x 36"</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern: Windmills and Pastures (designed by me)</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Quilting: Hand-stitched with Perle 8 in red</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6109515862/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Little Apples Quilt Label by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Little Apples Quilt Label" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6109515862_1714bbc02b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now, I just can't wait to meet the little baby who will get wrapped up in this quilt! I know I'm not the only one :)Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-33898522113581743372011-08-31T16:54:00.004-04:002011-09-06T17:49:02.252-04:00Just for me!Sometimes when I tell my mom I'm working on a quilt for a friend or to sell, she'll say, "You should keep some things for yourself. Are you ever going to make anything for you?"<br />
<br />
Well, since my first quilt (which I wouldn't try to sell or give away), I've given away/sold/tried to sell every quilt that I've made. So, no, I guess I'm not keeping anything for myself.<br />
<br />
But then...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39332868@N06/6070973978/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="241 totes by Angela - Fussy Cut, on Flickr"><img alt="241 totes" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6070973978_465af3bc81.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Totes and photography by Angela of Fussy Cut</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I came across these <a href="http://fussycut.blogspot.com/2011/08/241-tote-review-travel-handmade.html">gorgeous tote bags</a> on Angela's equally gorgeous blog, <a href="http://fussycut.blogspot.com/">Fussy Cut</a>. The <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/241-tote-pattern.html">241 tote bag pattern</a> is from the brilliant Anna over at <a href="http://www.noodle-head.com/">Noodlehead</a>. She has such an amazing gift for construction and function. Her creations are always perfection!<br />
<br />
I admit, unlike most women in the world, I'm not really a bag girl. I have two purses, one I use every day and one that almost always sits in my closet. I am just too lazy to move everything over to a new purse every time I change my clothes. So I just stick with my black leather purse and it works great almost all the time. But Anna's 241 tote looks like so much fun that I started dreaming of fun fabric arrangements. I hopped right on <a href="http://hawthornethreads.com/">Hawthorne Threads</a> and got to work. I've desperately wanted to use the Tip Top Canvas Elephants for something, and this bag gave me that opportunity. I think I might even avoid the interfacing by using a heavy weight fabric for the lining.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6094651978/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="241 tote fabric by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="241 tote fabric" height="274" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6094651978_036598f881.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I love how the youthful elephant print pairs so well with these sassy floral prints from Lourdes Sanchez.<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to find some time very soon to get started on my new fall tote!Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-8830548864861143162011-08-21T13:26:00.000-04:002011-08-21T13:26:15.921-04:00Baby BoomDid it happen to anyone else? One week in January, I commented to my coworker, somewhat disappointedly, that <i>no one</i> I know is having a baby. I don't have any kids myself yet, but the blogosphere is so full of adorable baby things and I wanted a piece of it (without the sleepless nights). Of course the responsibility then falls to my friends. Come on, guys!<br />
<br />
Well, just a week later I found out that one of my good friends was pregnant and after her it seemed like every fourth woman at church, at the grocery store, and walking in the park was starting to show signs of growing bellies and glowing faces. What a lovely time of year!<br />
<br />
Admittedly, I haven't been a baby-gift producing factory as hoped this summer, but after making my <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-at-zoo-quilt-finished.html">2-D Zoo quilt</a> for my sister's friend, I had some adorable scraps to use up. While browsing blogs one day, I stumbling upon <a href="http://baremaked.blogspot.com/2007/11/reversible-fabric-baby-shoes-tutorial.html">Maked's tutorial </a>for <i>reversible</i> fabric baby booties, I got right to work on a gift for my friend's baby. I found the tutorial to be quite clear, but I struggled a bit with the final step of sewing everything together. It sure was hard to keep everything flat and lined up, but the booties still turned out to be pretty adorable and are certainly worth a try by new and experienced sewers alike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6066171620/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Reversible Booties by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Reversible Booties" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6066171620_a4327d4ecc.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
To match the little booties, I also appliquéd some onesies using the elephant and hippo from the Alexander Henry's 2-D Zoo print.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6065629017/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Onesie by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Onesie" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/6065629017_86709eb3dc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
This was my first time doing applique on clothing. I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00114R66A/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00114R66A">Steam-a-Seam Lite</a> and it was very easy to work with and lightweight so it was just perfect for the thin cotton material. These onesies (0-3 months) were practically doll-sized and I am still not convinced that a real baby will ever fit in them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6066173994/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Onesies and booties by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Onesies and booties" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6066173994_ef7b73e5d8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Given together, these are a sweet simple gift for any new baby.Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-13874405334360427452011-08-09T18:19:00.000-04:002011-08-09T18:19:00.583-04:00Cross Quilt: Ready for the Show!As hoped, I breezed through my second Modern Cross Quilt (especially once all the cross piecing was done). On Saturday afternoon I had a borderless quilt top and by bedtime I had bordered, basted, quilted (in multi-colored thread), embroidered, and attached my binding! Yay for tiny quilts! That left just the hand-finishing of the binding to be done in bed on Sunday morning. Once again, I feel that the quilting has redeemed the quilt. Something about all the quilting lines, the colored thread, and the texture really pulls the randomness of the quilt together and leaves you with a very modern, artsy quilt. I’ll be honest in saying that it’s still not my cup of tea (I’m more of a shabby chic/French country type of girl) but I can imagine this fitting in very nicely in a house with bold, colorful splashes (like my mom’s house, wink, wink).<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6026703465/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Modern Cross Quilt 2 by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="Modern Cross Quilt 2" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6026703465_7f0f723e0f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About this Quilt:</span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fabric: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton in various colors, </span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">border and back in Kona Slate, and "pops" of Heather Bailey's Pop Garden</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Binding: Kona Cotton Slate</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Size: approx. 18" x 20"</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern: Modern </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Cross</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Quilting: Machine quilted in multiple colors</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6026748089/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_3521 by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3521" height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/6026748089_8b944afa6c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Tonight, I’ll be figuring out how to attach a quilt sleeve to this baby so it can be hung up for the show on Friday. Phew, I made it! <br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">P.S. Thanks to Mr. Side Stitches, who worked very hard to give my little blog a facelift! I love it! </div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-64058176632448111502011-08-03T19:08:00.003-04:002011-08-07T21:38:33.665-04:00Work in Progress WednesdayLast Saturday, my sister called asking if I want to put a quilt in an art show that raises money for her church's community center. I decided that I could probably put something together since my <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/07/picket-fence-quilt-finished.html">Picket Fence quilt</a> is finally done, so I said yes. The art show is a week from Friday.<br />
<br />
So I got cracking on this small modern cross wall hanging (I know, another one!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sidestitches/6020422658/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="IMG_3443 by Side Stitches, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_3443" height="400" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/6020422658_d46a0d9e53.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div>This time I used a few scraps from the Pop Garden collection along with a variety of Kaufman's Kona Cottons. I feel the same way about this quilt top as I did about my <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/05/modern-cross-quilt.html">other cross quilt</a> at this stage, which is, I'm not in love with it. However, after I quilted and finished my previous quilt, I loved it (which is always good when you're gifting it to a father-in-law)! Quilting really does change the look of the quilt top. I'm hoping the same thing will happen with this one. I'm not quite sure what I don't love about this one, but I think that its the randomness of the blocks and the mix of colors. I'm much more used to very organized and coordinated quilts (I'm so glad designers make <i>collections</i> of prints!) I need more practice matching fabrics from different collections, but I may wait until my scrap collection is a bit bigger before I take up that challenge.<br />
<br />
My background (and maybe border) fabric should arrive tomorrow so I'll get to quilting this weekend if all goes according to plan. I'm looking forward to quilting this one. Everything is so much easier when your quilt is only 20" squared!Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-61115860802089817522011-07-30T07:30:00.033-04:002011-07-30T07:30:01.421-04:00Celebrate a Friend TodayDid you know it's International Friendship Day today? So why not celebrate a friend today and tell them how much you love them and appreciate that they put up with all your shenanigans?<br />
<br />
So to celebrate, I want to tell you about one of my best friends, Jacki. Here are 10 reasons why I love her:<br />
<br />
1.) She encouraged me to start this blog and to get writing (she started a blog of her own around the same time).<br />
<br />
2.) When I say let's make chocolate chip cookies, she says let's make French macarons.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL-XWiKVn3KveE3hw5uL_iHY6-r-U6j1Psucke_eONPeDxstn94NJKPxxF9GUZOAYHPPFeQbgohLk9AdqlVZJyM-O4K63apIiLXHUm9UstlrP6vKJqNGQuYH_XPbaP2QUM06mzw55_mk/s1600/macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL-XWiKVn3KveE3hw5uL_iHY6-r-U6j1Psucke_eONPeDxstn94NJKPxxF9GUZOAYHPPFeQbgohLk9AdqlVZJyM-O4K63apIiLXHUm9UstlrP6vKJqNGQuYH_XPbaP2QUM06mzw55_mk/s200/macarons.jpg" width="135" /></a><br />
3.) She is a hilarious story teller and always has me laughing at her tell-it-like-it-is outlook on life. Check out her blog, <a href="http://thedelightedlife.wordpress.com/">The Delighted Life</a>, to see what I mean (<a href="http://thedelightedlife.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/dairy-land/">Dairy-Land</a> is one of my favorites!)<br />
<br />
4.) She introduced me to beets and sweet potatoes which I could not imagine living without. If I were stranded on a desert island and could only eat three things for the rest of my life, I would eat roasted beets, sweet potato fries, and Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream (so refreshing!)<br />
<br />
5.) Whenever I need good advice, she always has some to give, but not usually advice that I would expect. Something better.<br />
<br />
6.) Her passion for life - to have adventures, love people, and to use her gifts to benefit others - pushes me out of my little bubble of comfort.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqzcVqUycLIpRFbjXQ7O2okwl6VWCIzb0pSxZSFTkBwqMGbJ426f-1GQngSVcGz_jmNFdIVFJlO-zH5pmvC_wwfV07oegSLROH2B7IBapTIs5aBAxODcLLL3G4Xnidfcv_OUNPzsEy5U/s1600/wedding+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqzcVqUycLIpRFbjXQ7O2okwl6VWCIzb0pSxZSFTkBwqMGbJ426f-1GQngSVcGz_jmNFdIVFJlO-zH5pmvC_wwfV07oegSLROH2B7IBapTIs5aBAxODcLLL3G4Xnidfcv_OUNPzsEy5U/s200/wedding+cake.jpg" width="175" /></a>7.) We made a wedding cake together and lived to tell about it. Let's just say there was a brick of frozen icing, hair dryers, and a whole cake to be assembled mere hours before the wedding. <br />
<br />
8.) She uses quirky idioms that I think must be straight out of the 50s and she has a special finesse for working Britishisms like "stonking" into everyday speech.<br />
<br />
9.) She is a cheese, spice, and balsamic vinegar connoisseur.<br />
<br />
10.) She always makes sure we have time to catch up and hang out, even when she's rushing to make writing deadlines.<br />
<br />
Jacki, my friend, you delight me!<br />
<br />
Who are you thankful for today?Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-48209185033717532632011-07-25T21:09:00.000-04:002011-07-25T21:09:28.045-04:00Etsy Shop Now Open!My <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/07/picket-fence-quilt-finished.html">Picket Fence</a>...<div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr694H_uuQjlIbR8dx_5-kcQm7_ROoS96ZmrOsMaVwx6UFQSRP5lejaQtZO_eAnI2XZnxiK_e4HzTVw-3aFFROFAjpbobwvsgdqK30LonJttV9CrW3mTqKg9gf1gYvsMnQzLjIHcVdfXE/s1600/mm+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr694H_uuQjlIbR8dx_5-kcQm7_ROoS96ZmrOsMaVwx6UFQSRP5lejaQtZO_eAnI2XZnxiK_e4HzTVw-3aFFROFAjpbobwvsgdqK30LonJttV9CrW3mTqKg9gf1gYvsMnQzLjIHcVdfXE/s320/mm+front.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div><br />
<div>and <a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/03/wordless-wednesday.html">Deer Valley</a> quilts...</div></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWEMtFjsiT66ww4yjlv0DyXloZcNL_FFlCD2-UQnyIOnZl3LNVwSCoeLdd0wckQQqyvwkGUNPiB1R9BEuuzNITNDtk9z01bZNu9e4bzeqFmX5nvS1-97K5UmX6MA3mJesxw6KPeG0HmI/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWEMtFjsiT66ww4yjlv0DyXloZcNL_FFlCD2-UQnyIOnZl3LNVwSCoeLdd0wckQQqyvwkGUNPiB1R9BEuuzNITNDtk9z01bZNu9e4bzeqFmX5nvS1-97K5UmX6MA3mJesxw6KPeG0HmI/s320/front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>are now available for purchase in my brand new <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sidestitchesshop"><b>Etsy Shop</b></a>! </div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-34676457704862093572011-07-21T20:38:00.001-04:002011-07-24T15:20:04.466-04:00Strawberry Ice CreamI've been on an ice cream kick lately. Mostly due to the fact that I finally joined the crowd and started using recipes from this brilliant book:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72pxOhutTFiGLqCnq10qKuqh4a-JdKw1XQbZErr1nuz2KdPQx3w_YLydjOX4x1YdInvyCVsW-Au5qhqsaO-9ea-fTexiYfDn6T0SIoRSQ-Gp2F6hnjcAMHc78FUHcEBBfB0xR5jjx4n8/s1600/7-perfect_scoop_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72pxOhutTFiGLqCnq10qKuqh4a-JdKw1XQbZErr1nuz2KdPQx3w_YLydjOX4x1YdInvyCVsW-Au5qhqsaO-9ea-fTexiYfDn6T0SIoRSQ-Gp2F6hnjcAMHc78FUHcEBBfB0xR5jjx4n8/s320/7-perfect_scoop_400.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">David Lebovitz's, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580088082/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1580088082"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The Perfect Scoop</span></i></a>, has taken ice cream making to a whole new level with this recipe-packed cookbook, which is often referred to as the "Ice Cream Bible". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, anyone who knows me, even a little, probably knows that I'm a sucker for ice cream. Growing up we had a mugful of ice cream every night (not sure why mugs?) It's a saying in my family that my legs are hollow, so even if my stomach is full, there was always a place to put some ice cream, and by some, they mean a thigh-full. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So you can imagine my despair after many failed attempts at ice cream making (and this was after the amazing providence of finding a brand-new, never-out-of-the-box <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009VELUK/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0009VELUK"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker</span></a> for $5 at a yard sale!) My first attempt, if I remember correctly, was a pumpkin ice cream which had a nice flavor but it was basically frozen pumpkin pie filling. It was so thick and had a similar texture, not the smooth and creamy I was hoping for. Then there were the sorry attempts at a custard base which left me with a pot of scrambled eggs floating in sweetened cream. There was the time I added the cream too early and things didn't come together (duh, read the recipe!) I fiddled with Philadelphia style ice cream, but my husband kept asking questions like, "Is it supposed to be this icy?" So my ice cream maker sat in our cupboard for a year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's when I had some delicious homemade honey ice cream at a friend's house and that got me to thinking again. I admittedly didn't try her recipe because it was an (eek) custard based ice cream, but I tried this simple <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/000139.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">honey ice cream</span></a> that I found on <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">101 Cookbooks</span></span></i></a>. I, unfortunately, didn't have any vanilla beans around so I instead did a basil honey by infusing a few basil leaves in the warm milk and honey in place of the vanilla. It turned out pretty well, but more importantly, it gave me a little ice cream making confidence. From there it was on to Green Tea, Strawberry, and Peach, all from <i>The Prefect Scoop</i> and all have turned out wonderfully. Even the Green Tea with a custard base. No scrambled eggs this time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want to share the Strawberry ice cream with you. With the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580088082/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=sidestit-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399369&amp;creativeASIN=1580088082%22%3E%3Cspan%20class=%22Apple-style-span%22%20style=%22color:%20black;%22%3EThe%20Perfect%20Scoop%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E">strawberries that we picked this weekend</a>, this ice cream is packed with intense strawberry flavor and is probably one of the best strawberry ice creams that I've had. The flavor was so good that I even got mad at my husband for eating it too quickly and not enjoying it like it deserved. Remember, this ice cream isn't full of air like the store-bought stuff, it should be eaten slow and savored.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwEOQRkm-ZMiEpO34ygZ8piXeutvmHDpqacD0AZSBMTKNa4lWvN9pZ9rXHET9p6vsS-erwXndb2d5d4_DNhyjl4BoYR1CQ4Wq75Z_dOfmKdos5iNAEw7AhTh-uoKztb-YdlP3uT60JSY/s1600/lightboxtest-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwEOQRkm-ZMiEpO34ygZ8piXeutvmHDpqacD0AZSBMTKNa4lWvN9pZ9rXHET9p6vsS-erwXndb2d5d4_DNhyjl4BoYR1CQ4Wq75Z_dOfmKdos5iNAEw7AhTh-uoKztb-YdlP3uT60JSY/s400/lightboxtest-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Strawberry Ice Cream</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Source: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580088082/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1580088082"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><i>The Perfect Scoop</i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">1 lb. fresh strawberries, rinsed, hulled and sliced<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />¾ cup sugar<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />1 tbsp. vodka<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />1 cup sour cream<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />1 cup heavy cream<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />1/2 t. fresh lemon juice</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Gently mix strawberries, sugar, and vodka in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved. Let the mixture sit at room temperature, stirring once or twice.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Put the strawberry mixture, sour cream, heavy cream, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender and pulse a few times until blended, but still slightly chunky. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Chill the mixture for at least one hour and then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacture's instructions. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">This ice cream thickened up nicely in the ice cream maker and would be good fresh out of the machine, though it's still much softer than store bought. Enjoy it! If that means scarfing it down...well...o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">kay...just don't tell me about it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Note: This ice cream is best eaten the same day it's frozen. It seems to get icy after that, but you can leave it out on the counter for 10 minutes and that should help. Still, eat it the same day if you can (preferably not by yourself!)</span></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-82610600879206628842011-07-18T19:04:00.004-04:002011-08-09T18:19:30.635-04:00Picket Fence Quilt Finished<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-duCoDczixF4zLI_YQD-5FO2FyO9lC4wx1dNwZcgp_363Chexm6L-7zBum-qu9EsB-CtrAJjHKQEyEzjK_KspOjjbr7bFsP_K7MrYJ9gAjVmjDYz3NGmhVbsPumjYEyx8B-C3-JWab_U/s1600/quilt+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-duCoDczixF4zLI_YQD-5FO2FyO9lC4wx1dNwZcgp_363Chexm6L-7zBum-qu9EsB-CtrAJjHKQEyEzjK_KspOjjbr7bFsP_K7MrYJ9gAjVmjDYz3NGmhVbsPumjYEyx8B-C3-JWab_U/s400/quilt+front.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><br />
After more than a month, my Picket Fence quilt is finished. This quilt reminds of country summers with its breezy colors and flower fields, just like looking over a picket fence into a vast meadow. These fabrics by designer Joel Dewberry are from the perfectly named <i>Modern Meadow </i>collection in the berry pallette. The colors range from raspberry to pink lemonade with mossy greens and warm beiges. I want to drag this quilt out to my imaginary wrap around porch on a cool summer night while watching the fire flies dance in my beautifully blooming (I must be imagining!) wildflower garden. *Sigh*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzxJY56YAH5sQ8pNY3MtrZ7nJbfOy4RDG0wMFvbW7KfTe3I6gSN-ihy3An7WLbTsJvavtBBgwRruAsLYX1mTwVFnZJV7zwO5mQZO2AnvWxvIwKUUTEYwsj6iEOhuinUVW6SlbMHH-ag/s1600/tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbzxJY56YAH5sQ8pNY3MtrZ7nJbfOy4RDG0wMFvbW7KfTe3I6gSN-ihy3An7WLbTsJvavtBBgwRruAsLYX1mTwVFnZJV7zwO5mQZO2AnvWxvIwKUUTEYwsj6iEOhuinUVW6SlbMHH-ag/s400/tag.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you have a wrap around porch and a beautifully blooming wildflower garden with dancing fireflies, this quilt will be available in my brand new Etsy shop as soon as it's washed and dried. (Oh yeah, my country dream house also has a clothes line that's just perfect for drying quilts.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nker497uurUxb5Mo1JBf4M62TVVP8HQCWR5SDib9yF9n6w5RUekQ6Axh3Sac1k9BF6YL9YaIsUzkEDnRS-6LFIcxwnI1TIWrkuhHsMqxnxP2mi3oT0yQ221qzu_MWmjf-69vr-xw_mQ/s1600/quilt+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nker497uurUxb5Mo1JBf4M62TVVP8HQCWR5SDib9yF9n6w5RUekQ6Axh3Sac1k9BF6YL9YaIsUzkEDnRS-6LFIcxwnI1TIWrkuhHsMqxnxP2mi3oT0yQ221qzu_MWmjf-69vr-xw_mQ/s400/quilt+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">About this Quilt:</span></b></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fabric: Joel Dewberry's </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Modern Meadow</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> and Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton White</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Binding: Pieced binding of various </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Modern Meadow</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> prints</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Size: approx. 50" x 66"</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern: Pendant Pattern inspired by </span><a href="http://www.joeldewberry.com/ftp/blog/Pendant_quilt.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Joel Dewberry's Pendant Quilt</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> (though I didn't use his pattern)</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Quilting: Hand sewn using pink and green 100% cotton thread</span></div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0VX1bugBRhgr2FiEcrS_3a7lSKGXTAU6UWCNkcSYmyJ34_0XO3-QbeCOxMqAQwHKJi3Jqr_6DdXi_PbEonMtGXhi55hX8WI53tqnN7vzW2AMSpKR9i8zdCbC4Mnlz-XPOaHBqJ-JHX8/s1600/binding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0VX1bugBRhgr2FiEcrS_3a7lSKGXTAU6UWCNkcSYmyJ34_0XO3-QbeCOxMqAQwHKJi3Jqr_6DdXi_PbEonMtGXhi55hX8WI53tqnN7vzW2AMSpKR9i8zdCbC4Mnlz-XPOaHBqJ-JHX8/s400/binding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm extremely pleased with the finished quilt. It's so satisfying to see it finally come together. I think the pieced binding finished it off perfectly and it gives the quilt a lot of character. </div><div style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FigJDkbbs-GCA5m8SNpCjE6CUGTBvcVncYHgBn-TVA_AwUNrNtaoX5FijLCIGNkYqKXKfzvUity3RiMSbxMUIqnORu5BbGD8eis-KSB-drQjcu4iq6dmDr5Awaj4onhtAgzyIRzLmmg/s1600/Quilt+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8FigJDkbbs-GCA5m8SNpCjE6CUGTBvcVncYHgBn-TVA_AwUNrNtaoX5FijLCIGNkYqKXKfzvUity3RiMSbxMUIqnORu5BbGD8eis-KSB-drQjcu4iq6dmDr5Awaj4onhtAgzyIRzLmmg/s400/Quilt+back.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">The back of the quilt mainly features the <i>Dogwood Blooms</i> print but also showcases the <i>Majestic Oak</i> print (a personal favorite) along with the <i>Nap Sack</i> and <i>Flower Fields</i> prints.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Check back soon to see my first Etsy item posted! </div></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-22834647048704340562011-07-16T21:25:00.002-04:002011-08-03T19:11:18.142-04:00A Summer Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW8dhbFYfJCRVeQGQuiTM1DnsCdyuoXX4_wizgDdDIu9fKzXXopKMECj1xPww1iI34NRqzBi9PV0n6yyTtozXBluKpPx36bBYo8oOC1UCYj56-8bMV0u3rY39rcclX5NaOmmUizfCtKo/s1600/berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyW8dhbFYfJCRVeQGQuiTM1DnsCdyuoXX4_wizgDdDIu9fKzXXopKMECj1xPww1iI34NRqzBi9PV0n6yyTtozXBluKpPx36bBYo8oOC1UCYj56-8bMV0u3rY39rcclX5NaOmmUizfCtKo/s400/berries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We went fruit picking this morning and picked the sweetest strawberries along with some blueberries, peaches, and nectarines. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Vh4cUdeXcgarJLgcLHwX-lFqtphr1zYw73s_yVhGna7VEYPzJdPKv1IjVgI51_fcCUumtnmuNTVGffowkXVq-nGtAreePBQmUs0bLiCOHau5FAY4uvearS1Qdz6DaAUYfjBIYpikN0/s1600/Strawberry+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi97Vh4cUdeXcgarJLgcLHwX-lFqtphr1zYw73s_yVhGna7VEYPzJdPKv1IjVgI51_fcCUumtnmuNTVGffowkXVq-nGtAreePBQmUs0bLiCOHau5FAY4uvearS1Qdz6DaAUYfjBIYpikN0/s400/Strawberry+hands.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">These strawberries will be finding their way into some ice cream soon. Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwgF3SWaJFq0yZXyOdZ3oh5hKLh57wqF4owYTPl_FGsox_6guR7HC9Ac9AsK9oRsnWx_Vtk3eqa9mUpUL-vQsSPXSJMXKxjqx1R8sSbp66csJyM-VsByOJDWZF40rTG9IWMMTSFX49fo/s1600/quilt+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwgF3SWaJFq0yZXyOdZ3oh5hKLh57wqF4owYTPl_FGsox_6guR7HC9Ac9AsK9oRsnWx_Vtk3eqa9mUpUL-vQsSPXSJMXKxjqx1R8sSbp66csJyM-VsByOJDWZF40rTG9IWMMTSFX49fo/s400/quilt+chair.jpg" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Found some leisure time to finish my binding. Goal accomplished! More pictures to come.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-64010314867589098242011-07-13T07:30:00.005-04:002011-08-03T19:11:47.209-04:00Work in Progress Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I realize I've been bad about sharing my work-in-process quilting this summer. I've been taking it slow as summer seems to permit me to do with little guilt. But I would be lying if I said that I'm not sick of seeing this unfinished quilt sitting around my house. I'm certainly not sick of the quilt, no, I love it, but besides my first quilt during which I got a serious case of quiltophobia after finishing the quilt top, I'm used to cranking quilts out a little bit faster. So I've set myself a goal (is that allowed in the summer?) I'm going to have this quilt all finished by the end of the day this coming Sunday.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk3f8HeVZxrLA8WoADgJwINhPU_KRrgpgMbC7V3XQWZhbfLTIzXU1qPjab-eLJiyMIG6lJlBPmBimvc7dE3WIi0bVVezEX2mHc6Uhf9JuyxNt452W3bJlS-w1e_ijBl_4z1KP-8fYL1Y/s1600/Quilt+Bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk3f8HeVZxrLA8WoADgJwINhPU_KRrgpgMbC7V3XQWZhbfLTIzXU1qPjab-eLJiyMIG6lJlBPmBimvc7dE3WIi0bVVezEX2mHc6Uhf9JuyxNt452W3bJlS-w1e_ijBl_4z1KP-8fYL1Y/s320/Quilt+Bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So as not to deceive, this quilt is not a bed-sized quilt, it just perfectly fits on top of a full-sized bed for picture taking :)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I finished my<a href="http://sidestitches.blogspot.com/2011/06/hand-quilting-jane-brocket-style.html"> Jane Brocket-style hand-quilting</a> this weekend and I love the simple lines with the pop of pink and the subdued green. It gives this gorgeous quilt another layer of texture and more handmade character. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDYT1msAnUL94yDSg_fSq-1iwDtD7H4QSnFtIfY0c9qJcndkHkoLK9lNFtPVERIwJGg3sATbH8quzO_iNvYQO1z8btm7oDXRN1gdzGqagEzOI7B2nf08ZwcjKmfO9p2_OPe7cZjcNtI0/s1600/Quilt+closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDYT1msAnUL94yDSg_fSq-1iwDtD7H4QSnFtIfY0c9qJcndkHkoLK9lNFtPVERIwJGg3sATbH8quzO_iNvYQO1z8btm7oDXRN1gdzGqagEzOI7B2nf08ZwcjKmfO9p2_OPe7cZjcNtI0/s320/Quilt+closeup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So binding's up next. I'm thinking of doing a scrappy pieced binding which will be my first of that kind, but I think it's the right choice for this quilt. I can't wait to share my finished quilt pictures with you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-50352180202959805712011-07-11T07:30:00.010-04:002011-07-12T08:37:07.562-04:00Bibimbap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOtWgPJ9P3g3ey-5f1bYonFT2CZUU6dhFyCyVp_AegwKLd0pFCp8cGdrC6ufHxN217oaQMxWonoVTFAuwE60KM-birL6ouZ6g52078vakmUfMN7QNua-9dBIIWu7K1bTugYpYwlICYP0/s1600/bibimbop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOtWgPJ9P3g3ey-5f1bYonFT2CZUU6dhFyCyVp_AegwKLd0pFCp8cGdrC6ufHxN217oaQMxWonoVTFAuwE60KM-birL6ouZ6g52078vakmUfMN7QNua-9dBIIWu7K1bTugYpYwlICYP0/s400/bibimbop+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm going to share with you one of my favorite recipes. As you may or may not have deduced, my husband is Korean. Therefore, many Korean recipes have crept into my cooking repertoire, and for that I am glad. However, my love for bibimbap started even before dating my husband. I lived with a Korean pastor and his Caucasian wife for a summer and she was the best Korean cook! Even our other Korean friends agreed. She introduced me to this delicious bowl of rice, marinated meat, veggies, and fried egg to top it all off which I soon learned was called bibimbap (which basically means "mixed rice").<br />
<br />
I've made this recipe many times since and I don't really measure much anymore. So sorry that these instructions are somewhat vague. But the great thing about this recipe is that it's so flexible. If you are having more people over for dinner, just add an extra cucumber and zucchini and make a bit more meat. No problem!<br />
<br />
<b>Bibimbap</b><br />
Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312192614/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312192614">Dok Suni</a><br />
Serves 2-3<br />
<br />
2 cups rice<br />
8 oz. tender beef<br />
1 cucumber<br />
3-4 carrots<br />
1 zucchini<br />
1 bunch spinach<br />
a few leafs of Romaine lettuce<br />
2 or 3 eggs<br />
2-3 cloves of garlic ( I usually just press a few into a little bowl to use throughout the process)<br />
<br />
Seasoning:<br />
rice vinegar<br />
soy sauce<br />
saki<br />
brown sugar<br />
sesame oil<br />
course sea salt<br />
sesame salt (optional)<br />
black pepper<br />
gochujang (Korean red pepper paste)<br />
<br />
Cook 2 cups of rice (sometimes I forget this until I'm about to make up the bowls and, boy, is that frustrating!)<br />
<br />
Thinly slice the beef and marinate in 2 T. soy sauce, 1 T. saki, 1 t. brown sugar, 1 t. sesame oil, a pinch of minced garlic, and a few grinds of black pepper while you prepare other ingredients.<br />
<br />
Cucumber: Cut cucumber into 2" long match sticks and season with rice vinegar, salt, and minced garlic.<br />
<br />
Carrots: Julienne carrots. Bring an inch of water to a boil. Boil carrots in the water for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.<br />
<br />
Zucchini: Thinly slice the zucchini with a mandolin slicer. Heat some vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Saute the zucchini with some salt and a little sesame oil until somewhat transparent (about 3 minutes).<br />
<br />
Spinach: Wash spinach well and boil until wilted (about 1 minute). Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Squeeze dry and chop if necessary. Add a splash of soy sauce, some minced garlic, some sesame salt, and a bit of sesame oil. Mix well and season to taste.<br />
<br />
Lettuce: Wash and chop roughly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6l4P4VBUcaSJvsG7XCzsYuLVBuXVUhpkfPcr1PvlVhZg2oLloVDUW8oYpHg0KCipuyeUY7NCjWxntM1EwnIok8tecJVkDxk07gX7DZwKjEf-_BhVTU28Oiv89cCQVqJeyHGWJnvKDBo/s1600/veggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6l4P4VBUcaSJvsG7XCzsYuLVBuXVUhpkfPcr1PvlVhZg2oLloVDUW8oYpHg0KCipuyeUY7NCjWxntM1EwnIok8tecJVkDxk07gX7DZwKjEf-_BhVTU28Oiv89cCQVqJeyHGWJnvKDBo/s400/veggies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, all your veggies are good to go! Now just cook the meat in a little oil until browned and fry one egg per person. <br />
<br />
To each bowl (use big, shallow bowls if possible), add a scoop of rice and a pile of each veggie and the meat. Top with an egg.<br />
<br />
Now for the super important part. The "special sauce".<br />
<br />
<b>Spicy Sauce</b><br />
2 T. gochujang (can be found at any Korean store and most Asian markets)<br />
1 t. rice vinegar<br />
1 t. sesame oil<br />
1 t. water<br />
pinch of minced garlic<br />
<br />
Mix all of the ingredients together and plop some on top of your bowl of goodness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMu3lYC-pBAXZ6B5RQQgSMFpBK2CIOA0vJ6hczEIZ3zwEo_PLZvEU5yNo9qYS8PgNKdNvMZkAqRLaWvy4nZVw610pRTDw-pZaXGhDn3ljGclBKWIOuUeWbmIU05DzOcJdpANtFckm9Ro/s1600/side+bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMu3lYC-pBAXZ6B5RQQgSMFpBK2CIOA0vJ6hczEIZ3zwEo_PLZvEU5yNo9qYS8PgNKdNvMZkAqRLaWvy4nZVw610pRTDw-pZaXGhDn3ljGclBKWIOuUeWbmIU05DzOcJdpANtFckm9Ro/s400/side+bowl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now mix, mix, mix! Cling that spoon all around and make a jolly racket. This is the fun part. Add more spice to taste. Mmm, enjoy! (Sorry, no pictures of the mixed bibimbap. It doesn't look as pretty.)Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-34709518821905410152011-07-07T18:06:00.000-04:002011-07-07T18:06:31.281-04:00Meet my Little Urban GardenI figured it was time I do a post about my vegetable garden. Now, I don't at all claim to be a brilliant gardener, in fact, I'm a pretty lame one. All I ask of my garden is that if I put in a little work, it will give me a little food. I never get enough to can or put away for the winter, but I get enough to make me love fresh, straight from the garden veggies. I'm addicted. I can't buy tomatoes at the grocery store. Those hard or mealy things are not tomatoes. Please, wait until they are in season and grab them fresh off the vine, you won't be sorry.<br />
<br />
Here's a quick tour of my little urban garden.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSCM3sWufBT94avBlQ_z_de1ofg0zb-1d_L9lP_vRAiVUStdIybcOWQJk064bWsKvm659l-00sJK33NNsT4bKFKZZXdlzzPCKBG3hAjnshAGHrGx4wpzStFR20MIRsX_dk9u4qQACsIc/s1600/full+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSCM3sWufBT94avBlQ_z_de1ofg0zb-1d_L9lP_vRAiVUStdIybcOWQJk064bWsKvm659l-00sJK33NNsT4bKFKZZXdlzzPCKBG3hAjnshAGHrGx4wpzStFR20MIRsX_dk9u4qQACsIc/s400/full+garden.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all, my favorite of the garden produce is the tomato so I have a lot of them, both in pots and in the ground. I think I planted 24 tomatoes in about 5-6 heirloom varieties including zebras, cherries, and julians. I've collected all my seeds from farmers market tomatoes and my CSA tomatoes. I'll do a post later this summer on collecting tomato seeds. It's so easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcVcQGiFNmn_xy8cVMQNBLoBk3_haf_Q-AZgG59S7LQ2vxOkjLzn4Ll1_1Mr4PhaEWP2X11NdRttPhgr6_QCNwal7pPJ616lc4WfIsWXUGQTIEPSysKrrGTRWOxQapVTrswocaBq-w-Y/s1600/tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcVcQGiFNmn_xy8cVMQNBLoBk3_haf_Q-AZgG59S7LQ2vxOkjLzn4Ll1_1Mr4PhaEWP2X11NdRttPhgr6_QCNwal7pPJ616lc4WfIsWXUGQTIEPSysKrrGTRWOxQapVTrswocaBq-w-Y/s400/tomatoes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tomatoes all in a row</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also have three varieties of cucumbers, including Mexican Sour Gherkins which look like tiny watermelons and have a lemony flavor. I love the way cucumbers climb up the trellis with their telephone-cord death grip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuwk8jUXOdRzI84g23Hss6-LgXboM2XRJm1LGwGTzSvfqebr2QwAql78NgzjWSjekneBS0eZO5EUQIAHdsdIdBAJ59cs518-g2sayNimfZyZaWf962kf0zm1C10y3QElF4PI1YcYYlrE/s1600/cuc+cord.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuwk8jUXOdRzI84g23Hss6-LgXboM2XRJm1LGwGTzSvfqebr2QwAql78NgzjWSjekneBS0eZO5EUQIAHdsdIdBAJ59cs518-g2sayNimfZyZaWf962kf0zm1C10y3QElF4PI1YcYYlrE/s400/cuc+cord.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is also my first year growing beans. I have green, purple, yellow wax and edamame this year. My edamame isn't doing great, but the others have given me quite a bit already. Thank you, beans!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIBZf_NI_eubjG0mPcB004xzYScysRJ9194Pyr2BqX_JTbMiAdNX5qH8QFENGb4Ts3EWU31mbs-fwwczMnbPCibVj5XJ0KMzCumKnsnyVLyR0NPzaKinoiun7q-9Rl_aiM7kOOyCgG7k/s1600/green+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIBZf_NI_eubjG0mPcB004xzYScysRJ9194Pyr2BqX_JTbMiAdNX5qH8QFENGb4Ts3EWU31mbs-fwwczMnbPCibVj5XJ0KMzCumKnsnyVLyR0NPzaKinoiun7q-9Rl_aiM7kOOyCgG7k/s400/green+beans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then there's the basil which is a must for a home garden. It's so delicious on pretty much anything, but makes a great pizza topping, is perfect for throwing in a pasta dish, and makes up the base of a simple pesto. This year I'm growing 5 kinds: purple, fine verde, lettuce leaf, cinnamon, and lime. Plus, planting basil with tomatoes is supposed to make your tomatoes taste even better. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xphpIscL8ESs_UBUkJEvdO25QUgq_oeglat2rbhlGz7F0wB_8MrXs1BZSP9EhEWiRuxQuFlyR4fxvPu3MW2AZ9UkBZjl6n9RJj5ifb0nuJacvdWNPP_M552bMKwTFT26zah827qmTJE/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xphpIscL8ESs_UBUkJEvdO25QUgq_oeglat2rbhlGz7F0wB_8MrXs1BZSP9EhEWiRuxQuFlyR4fxvPu3MW2AZ9UkBZjl6n9RJj5ifb0nuJacvdWNPP_M552bMKwTFT26zah827qmTJE/s320/basil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's that. Not the prettiest thing ever, but it gives me a little taste of summer produce right from my back yard. With my infrequent waterings and my lack of fertilizing, that's really all I can ask. </div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-4923359797018557972011-07-01T21:26:00.001-04:002011-07-02T18:32:51.951-04:00Assateague IslandWe just got back from Assateague Island today. My husband and I, along with my sister and brother-in-law, journeyed to this Maryland island earlier this week to relax on the beach and enjoy some camping together. The Assateague beach is lovely. The waves are big enough to rough you up a bit, but not overwhelming and the water is shallow a long ways out which makes it a great place to bring kids (not that we did) and the sand is soft on bare feet. Plus there are seashells everywhere for collecting.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QN1iMMMtXvbgUosPHS6qkgR_xUNYDFW1lzlmzc0r2MHsy2FZmAbvKLX30NALmpETKr3eDlnHXUGYz0pgywMDaCvFqH4qGcJjB-ib25YG4rowzsWSWGN-b4LHo99N3v5hJqWLviQaexw/s1600/seashells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QN1iMMMtXvbgUosPHS6qkgR_xUNYDFW1lzlmzc0r2MHsy2FZmAbvKLX30NALmpETKr3eDlnHXUGYz0pgywMDaCvFqH4qGcJjB-ib25YG4rowzsWSWGN-b4LHo99N3v5hJqWLviQaexw/s400/seashells.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who knew seashell collecting could be so addictive? </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you have any fun ideas for how I should use my little stash, I'm up for suggestions. I just couldn't resist these beauties and I don't remember ever collecting seashells before so I enjoyed myself while the others napped on the beach.<br />
<br />
Our campsite was separated from the beach by a small dune, but it was so close that we could hear the ocean as we were going to sleep.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XuoZB-DGuMeosl5LbB8cmO3H5irg6K81FKj7kUop_WS1ekJhjRY3B2-WcQ0nZxoW8yMaVVf9wWxTn1TJtqeqxuzsplCkXZrDa-b2lGzkEUn-6nI7xj0LVZV6WKw0xy9maDI2KKLTdkI/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XuoZB-DGuMeosl5LbB8cmO3H5irg6K81FKj7kUop_WS1ekJhjRY3B2-WcQ0nZxoW8yMaVVf9wWxTn1TJtqeqxuzsplCkXZrDa-b2lGzkEUn-6nI7xj0LVZV6WKw0xy9maDI2KKLTdkI/s400/beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The campsite on the left and the ocean on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When we weren't relaxing on the beach or frolicking in the waves, we were avoiding the mosquitos like the plague because, well, they were like the plague.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Co5y16bq4KQGkldbK5noRlTeRKGmkd_tejqoljUSvozY7fqEIIJIYY_2Ep1z3ZVf7lAbD5JNCun5xHfhgC7mA1XBbm-17j8pjH4kgwLa8RNj8-dhvhM8mHKtyKNVwqiUfaBOcyTc4Rk/s1600/legs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Co5y16bq4KQGkldbK5noRlTeRKGmkd_tejqoljUSvozY7fqEIIJIYY_2Ep1z3ZVf7lAbD5JNCun5xHfhgC7mA1XBbm-17j8pjH4kgwLa8RNj8-dhvhM8mHKtyKNVwqiUfaBOcyTc4Rk/s400/legs.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mosquito bitten legs (and sunburned feet!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We often ate our breakfasts or lunches somewhere else, like this Assateague Market parking lot, where the mosquitoes were sparse and didn't swarm like the skillfully-trained guerilla blood suckers who waited in the bushes for an innocent victim to pass their way.<br />
<div><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUGWqSl-M7TcwRB4iT7iwjpkGwF9nKg7m7IXWNo4yBcyV2BqKcAI15Fn89FFpIi1IcXOJNiJoOaN6Ko2OiBzUDadlPlVM8YtH5DYBwsc44fxc_bhJwbu9T0ukGSz8JUwmt4fAoCQhqcE/s1600/Market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUGWqSl-M7TcwRB4iT7iwjpkGwF9nKg7m7IXWNo4yBcyV2BqKcAI15Fn89FFpIi1IcXOJNiJoOaN6Ko2OiBzUDadlPlVM8YtH5DYBwsc44fxc_bhJwbu9T0ukGSz8JUwmt4fAoCQhqcE/s400/Market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Assateague Market for the bug spray, the hard lemonade, <br />
and the use of your parking lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have to say that some good food was produced in this parking lot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV7FQDxF42iPSO2xbXUg5WwxvNeETWKqNEJntjScoH5bemwI6S5FKmWWxi2nXS6uNBO3br_4Wl4jFMk4Od6GRSxdkbQZ3L_DKueUhqw4jUJ3-rMu_SKNYIC2KVZtl5pH93MgoiSAxUFQ/s1600/omelette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV7FQDxF42iPSO2xbXUg5WwxvNeETWKqNEJntjScoH5bemwI6S5FKmWWxi2nXS6uNBO3br_4Wl4jFMk4Od6GRSxdkbQZ3L_DKueUhqw4jUJ3-rMu_SKNYIC2KVZtl5pH93MgoiSAxUFQ/s400/omelette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parking Lot Omelet courtesy of my sister and brother-in-law.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This was a memorable trip, full wave jumping, sweet time with family, and the new experience of beach camping (i.e. sandy beds), but I have to say, that Assateague Island camping is not for the faint of heart. We left a day early since my family loves me enough to not want me to turn into one giant red mosquito bite (the suckers loved me best and my bites swell up big and red) and with the number of bites I had received, we probably left just in time. We were in good company. Three of our neighbors also left earlier than planned.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9go5mDhsqMAmiAUdl8TkoXgyuH4L6o0UUF6bo13EOLONncjj6XyPZgpB1vjZq-eS4BfdKNtQW_aiwfjinSWts3TTaMv-hMN1sQ5PlnjbNFRdYLT_1P7b9ie3Wzl58h7uRMwm98eYzkYA/s1600/bathrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9go5mDhsqMAmiAUdl8TkoXgyuH4L6o0UUF6bo13EOLONncjj6XyPZgpB1vjZq-eS4BfdKNtQW_aiwfjinSWts3TTaMv-hMN1sQ5PlnjbNFRdYLT_1P7b9ie3Wzl58h7uRMwm98eYzkYA/s400/bathrooms.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorified Port-a-Potties</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Oh yeah, and then there were the chemical toilets. Nice for a water-free bathroom, pretty clean, but also mosquito infested. We avoided these as much as possible. Thankfully, this was never far away...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb-xYdPcQILGh_BMgabxUrDlAbmZoCdHaoCLcgwCMUWwZ7jA2P1uM6TPHW3lef1Jh6jEPDJNNFcaNWOUeZ9O5NBlPgQS_ag9xDgUNOVGJaG4jQMNkNyPKZTckXb-BGVDQGbCE1yPWxNY/s1600/ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIb-xYdPcQILGh_BMgabxUrDlAbmZoCdHaoCLcgwCMUWwZ7jA2P1uM6TPHW3lef1Jh6jEPDJNNFcaNWOUeZ9O5NBlPgQS_ag9xDgUNOVGJaG4jQMNkNyPKZTckXb-BGVDQGbCE1yPWxNY/s400/ocean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Don't pretend you wouldn't have done the same.</div></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-32682491953630068042011-06-27T17:22:00.004-04:002011-07-13T12:11:30.858-04:00Hand-quilting Jane Brocket Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AUd2NWtZOfW_xXBpCsGKpMf_vptxRzdffZm8Yc5DJB5ABsEgnYN_jvPq1Y0q3CJOHiBJCGmb9MyjbSCByybmLMsRXJmCHFiqQA3hugP_0udNzPIE9T-6AQ7FjgtKe3tAq0PdeATkIiI/s1600/stitches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AUd2NWtZOfW_xXBpCsGKpMf_vptxRzdffZm8Yc5DJB5ABsEgnYN_jvPq1Y0q3CJOHiBJCGmb9MyjbSCByybmLMsRXJmCHFiqQA3hugP_0udNzPIE9T-6AQ7FjgtKe3tAq0PdeATkIiI/s400/stitches.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<br />
Not too long ago, Rita of <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/">Red Pepper Quilts</a>, referred to Jane Brocket’s, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607052164/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1607052164">The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking</a></i> , in one of her <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2011/06/loulouthi-beach-huts.html">posts</a> and, as I was on a putting-things-on-hold-at-the-library kick, I added it to my queue.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1607052164/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sidestit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1607052164"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmktimsjX2WcZopuHlo5AMzw10FApYJBaoGAMbZFHXuHnaQUTeVsfcTQg51fmvq-BZkXNqW5wKvnXxEmuHHRmu5zlzTA33MQshyphenhyphenum4d4u77Ob8lEodrTSxp3q9N3fqJppLk7xrqtmrCx0/s320/440730.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
When I received it last week, I quickly flipped through admiring the bold, color-rich, floral explosion of Jane’s quilts and then got down to reading. I love the way this book is set up with a story behind each quilt. Jane finds her inspiration in her garden, in beautiful dresses, in hammocks and beach huts, and then makes these wonderfully simple yet intensely colored quilts. If you want to quilt, but are afraid it’s too difficult or that you have to be too precise, read this book. Jane’s <i>keep it simple, keep it fun</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> approach to quilting is very refreshing if you spend most of your time drooling over intricately pieced, delicately stitched quilts. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNgmOBbKFMdx_Qt0SeECEq6ZcOt3txcaRBixdBEwhLFGyYltsJ7WTx7M8XJQxeqxMAJF2pfFRElvpR8cwxmKM6qGOOJT3ZmOn-AcDu2Fpok7Kkh1aXvjfyeN1fCed0TlGHwL_7eVWXcU/s1600/mettler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNgmOBbKFMdx_Qt0SeECEq6ZcOt3txcaRBixdBEwhLFGyYltsJ7WTx7M8XJQxeqxMAJF2pfFRElvpR8cwxmKM6qGOOJT3ZmOn-AcDu2Fpok7Kkh1aXvjfyeN1fCed0TlGHwL_7eVWXcU/s400/mettler.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;">While I can admit, I hope with no offense to Jane, that I prefer fewer floral prints and more negative space in my quilts, I was quite inspired by her hand-quilting technique. She keeps it so simple by quilting with colorful thread in 2-3 mm stitches instead of fussing over the more accepted tiny pin-prick stitches of more traditional hand-quilting. She actually made me want to try it. And on top of that, she usually just does linear quilting, pretty much in the same way I’ve done my machine quilting in the past. So guess what, for better or worse, I’m going to try it on my Modern Meadow quilt. I was a bit nervous at first since I have in mind that I want to post this one on Etsy and I’m not sure whether hand-quilting will make it more or less desirable. I’d appreciate your input. But really, it can’t hurt too much to try, right? I need to be willing to push myself into new territories if I want to grow and learn. So I’m going with two different colors (the obvious pink and green) and am going to get right to work. Anyways, after a few rows of quilting, I love the way the stitching pops and it makes it look even more cute and summery than before. My stitches aren't perfect yet, but for a first attempt, I think it's turning out beautifully. I'm so excited to see it all finished!</span></div>Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-52490355561184957982011-06-20T17:22:00.000-04:002011-06-20T17:22:47.917-04:00Berry Modern Meadow Quilt ProgressI've been down and out this week recovering from minor surgery, but that meant I was home all week and was able to get a little bit of quilting done. But on Sunday, after I was really feeling better, I put a border on my quilt top and made my back panel. I'm excited to get quilting on this one. I just love the pattern and the fabrics of this quilt. It's so fresh and just screams summer. Mmmm...watermelon...<br />
<br />
Does anyone else get attached to their quilts? I'm not sure I'll want to sell this one.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg9-o8Z898wyRxenINSQlaKVn_u41UC9jYJiUx0W68OOjtlZOcaeJF4P2w5xoiblg2ooSDQxpYR4dXFCMrc4SI2wg69QvRhdFWgZRfU2S_IdUSPVu-tq23xv6XbrM0BTVLhaDzenscSI/s1600/quilt+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibg9-o8Z898wyRxenINSQlaKVn_u41UC9jYJiUx0W68OOjtlZOcaeJF4P2w5xoiblg2ooSDQxpYR4dXFCMrc4SI2wg69QvRhdFWgZRfU2S_IdUSPVu-tq23xv6XbrM0BTVLhaDzenscSI/s400/quilt+top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This quilt will be my largest so far measuring 50" x 66". I hope my little Brother machine can handle it!<br />
<br />
Updates to come.Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-88674420558996120552011-06-11T18:34:00.000-04:002011-06-11T18:34:03.280-04:00Well, there goes my motivation...I've been working on a quilt, really, I have (see proof below)!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIG5l7fJf-Brt6SaotjChWMLoXEqA6ECg6hqhRq3hw265nbt2BizfRCInxmppbI80QFY3MarL8gRWNC2z1iH3vZMqe3RcY_MhNbEF8RVc1qMU4H5bIpN0hq5mjYW-iuHW53K1rwPfiu8/s1600/quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIG5l7fJf-Brt6SaotjChWMLoXEqA6ECg6hqhRq3hw265nbt2BizfRCInxmppbI80QFY3MarL8gRWNC2z1iH3vZMqe3RcY_MhNbEF8RVc1qMU4H5bIpN0hq5mjYW-iuHW53K1rwPfiu8/s400/quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But I'm realizing that quilting is not a summer sport. At least not for me. Our house is old and very drafty and, well, we don't have AC. *Gasp* I know. It's our own doing. I think in some sick sense we like to "rough it". Don't worry, we don't have any kids so no one needs to call the authorities. However, our house does get quite warm, to say the least, and <s>our bedroom</s> my awesome quilting studio just happens to be one of the hottest rooms in the house. Therefore, when I finally scrap together the few bits of energy that the heat or other busyness of the day haven't sucked away, I end up sweating it out over my sewing machine hoping that it doesn't overheat. And don't get me started on ironing! Phew! So, as I said, quilting, I'm realizing, is not for summertime. I'm okay with that. I've been wanting to try my hand at pillows, clothes, and a few other small projects. But now there is a less-than-half-finished quilt staring me down every night when I get into bed. I'm going to finish this before my summer hiatus. I pushed myself a bit today to get <i>something</i> done on it and sashing was up next. I got them all cut and sewed them together in one long strip. Then on to sewing them to my long-hexagon strips. First one done and pressed and...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z0ZXH7Gg8WJA4Q798tz8KGPo3bry4XLI5bLSBsnDgrLMMeDozkhdvXWJhzpdbnDF7TLDzpAK4r84oBNtEl6lPdZLYwe5ATQGOL853sOAyO8D9FZEJG8VKRtR5Uh0VZjGtUQNKWnvAns/s1600/mess+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z0ZXH7Gg8WJA4Q798tz8KGPo3bry4XLI5bLSBsnDgrLMMeDozkhdvXWJhzpdbnDF7TLDzpAK4r84oBNtEl6lPdZLYwe5ATQGOL853sOAyO8D9FZEJG8VKRtR5Uh0VZjGtUQNKWnvAns/s400/mess+up.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
...well, that doesn't look right does it?<br />
<br />
*Poof* There goes my motivation. I packed up for the night. Decided to write a blog post instead (makes me feel like I'm still being productive) and will later watch a movie with my darling husband and my seam ripper. <i>Curse you, tiny stitches!</i> (Anyone seen <i>Despicable Me</i>? Love the scene with the tiny toilet! Does that mean I like potty humor?)<br />
<br />
Anyways, if anyone finds my motivation, please send it my way. Much obliged.Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3772675166081888480.post-85803131026584184182011-06-08T20:02:00.002-04:002011-08-22T12:58:19.597-04:00Lentil Burgers: Why I love my husbandThere are, of course, many reasons why I love my husband, but here's one close to the top of the list...He almost never complains about what I set before him for dinner. Definitely, there are things that are not at the top of his food-love list, but if I spend time making him dinner, he's always appreciative. There is only one time that comes to mind when I felt I really disappointed him and that's when, in a rush, I basically made him a plate of dry noodles. Little irks him more than dry, bland food. After all, he was raised on his mama's Korean home cooking, full of spice and drunk with flavor.<br />
<br />
That being said, lentils, quinoa, and couscous are not high on his favorites list. He tolerates them well and sometimes even likes them, but he would definitely take a good hunk of meat over any of my vegetarian dishes. Fair enough. But when I stumbled upon Heidi's <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/vegetarian-lentil-burgers-recipe.html">lentil burgers</a> featured on her health-guru blog, <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html">101 Cookbooks</a>, I thought I'd give them a try.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmoNzuG-Eg1TfpACJS1Dv_JtK_gWEjoeqsW-iVXFX3qmyzE4-6vQGilPyty6yKteySaDQE0xu9H_49K43ga0y7MN0roiCGOx63tQg874Uw0SZWPfPBp_Jcmm7YR15npNDRtRHAsmHBn0/s1600/lentil+burgers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmoNzuG-Eg1TfpACJS1Dv_JtK_gWEjoeqsW-iVXFX3qmyzE4-6vQGilPyty6yKteySaDQE0xu9H_49K43ga0y7MN0roiCGOx63tQg874Uw0SZWPfPBp_Jcmm7YR15npNDRtRHAsmHBn0/s400/lentil+burgers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When my husband sat at the table, I probably should have told him right off that these weren't beef burgers, or my more typical bison burgers, but I just let him take a bite.<br />
<br />
<i>Hey, this isn't meat!</i><br />
<br />
That was his first response. But after the first disappointing/confusing bite, he warmed up to them. He finished up his vegetarian burger by saying that this was a particularly nice way to prepare lentils. So I think that's the green light to make more in the future. Hooray! I also really enjoyed them and was surprised at how good and flavorful these burgers were. The texture is definitely different, but perhaps similar to a falafel. Topped with some fresh basil and spinach from my garden, a few slices of avocado and a dollop of lemony goat cheese, these little burgers really hit the spot on this very hot summer day.<br />
<br />
<b>Lentil Burgers</b><br />
Source: <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html">101 Cookbooks</a><br />
makes 10-12 burgers<br />
<br />
3 cups cooked black or French lentils (this is probably 1-1.5 cups dry lentils)<br />
1/2 t. fine sea salt<br />
4 eggs<br />
1 small onion, finely chopped<br />
1 cup bread crumbs<br />
1 T. olive oil<br />
<br />
Pulse the lentils, salt and eggs in a food processor until mixed, but still somewhat chunky. Move the mixture into a large mixing bowl. Mix in the onion and bread crumbs. Begin to heat your pan over medium low heat while the bread crumbs absorb some moisture.<br />
<br />
Add the oil to your preheated pans and then form burgers about 1 inch thick. Cook on one side for about 7 minutes and check to make sure you don't burn them (I did the first time). Once browned, flip and cook the other side for 7-10 minutes until cooked through. Top them with whatever you have around. I used spinach, basil, avocado, and softened goat cheese mixed with some lemon juice.<br />
<br />
I'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not to tell your husband before he takes his first bite. But it does look like meat. Maybe he won't notice?Side Stitcheshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439544433050497271noreply@blogger.com3