What Do Quilters Love More Than Fabric?

I have been sitting at my lap top wondering what to write this week.
My thoughts were wandering and I was thinking that the holidays will be here before we know it. I have quilt-y gifts to finish and baking to do. So I was wondering....

What do quilters love more that a free pass to the fabric store? Great food and family.


My mother taught me to cook in a 1950's track house kitchen. Simple appliances that got the job done.


One of mom's famous recipes was a Gooseberry Christmas Pudding. Here is the recipe straight from her hand written cook book.
If you can't find gooseberries, substitute 1 cup of currents and increase milk to 1/3 cup.

2 cups self rising flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup gooseberries plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
Finely grated rind of 1 lemon
1/2 tea. cinnamon
pinch of salt
Powdered sugar

Stew gooseberries gently in a little bit of water until plump. Mash berries and add the remainder of ingredients except the powdered sugar. (You'll save this for garnish later). Mix all to form a soft dough. Press into a mold or bowl and cover with foil. Place the container (bowl) in a large pot, adding enough water to come half way up the side of the bowl. Cover the outer pot and steam over medium heat for about two hours, adding more water as needed to keep the water level at half way.

Unmold and garnish with extra berries and powdered sugar.


Give this a try and let me know if it becomes a holiday favorite for you, too.



This was my first kitchen. State of the art, huh?




Well I've written about food and family... now... here is the quilt.




Grandma made this for mom and dad as a wedding gift. It is the flying geese pattern. It now sits at the end of my brother and sister-in-laws bed.

Here is my version.




This quilt, in any size, is a great way to use all those small pieces of fabric. The scrappier the better!

I like to keep continuity and use the same fabric on all units that will represent the background. This mini has center anchor squares that are surrounded by the flying geese.




Help support the handmade community and make a date to spend $30.00 of your holiday shopping on Etsy November 30th. Check out this list for participating Etsy Shops. Or just enter 30on30 into the search box. Thank you!

Thankx for visiting. See you next week!

The Rabbit Tarot Show Is Ready To Go!!

Back in October, Nakisha had asked me to join her at the City Trees Gallery in the Seattle area. She will be showing the original watercolors that were used to create the images for her Rabbit Tarot Cards.

I was so honored and excited to be included in the show, that I wanted to make something very special. I had thought about making garments for quite some time, and this opportunity was the perfect time to unveil them!

So, after weeks of sewing and quilting 18 hours a day, my Rabbit Tarot pieces are now in Seattle with Nakisha's watercolors, waiting for Opening Night November 14th. I am showing them here for the very first time. Clicking the highlights will give more detail.

This is a jacket based on the Rabbit Tarot Card, The World. It is done in needle turn applique and is hand quilted. The sky sections are quilted in a stippling pattern with a metallic silver thread to add a little sparkle! The entire back of the jacket has my interpretation of the Word. It too, is needle turn appliqued and stipple quilted.



This is a slouch bag titled The Sun. The detail on the front is all needle turn applique. The quilting around the sun mimics sun rays and have a touch of metallic gold thread to represent light. The back of the bag has contemporary versions of log cabin blocks.





Here is a vest based on the card The Star. I loved making this because of all the beautiful colors and patchwork pieces. The pieced stars on the front are continued on the back, where I have recreated The Star card. The back is needle turn appliqued and hand quilted. Out in *space* I have hand quilted more stars with a metallic gold thread.




I have reproduced the back of the Rabbit Tarot Cards on this bag. Around the center medallion I have placed pieced blocks made entirely of black and white fabrics. The quilting around the bunnies are done in shadow and the body of the bag is a free form graphic pattern.




I hope that you have enjoyed the new additions to my quilt family. I had so much fun making them so I have several more on the idea board ready to start.

Thank you for stopping by!
Cindi