bits and pieces

I'll admit that Civil War quilts just aren't my thing. I love the look of them but all those pieces? I couldn't do it! But when Hamels dropped off their latest Civil War quilt, I almost relented.

Just look at these tiny pieces.

The only quilting this one needed was a simple meander to finish it off.

Sharon brought in this beautiful log cabin quilt.

quilted with Dancing Daisies

I've always had a thing for log cabin quilts.

My favorite part, the daisy quilted right over one of the appliqued flowers.

I have one more week left of work and than I get to start slacking off for the summer. I can dream right? lol

wordless wednesday

i loves it so much

quilt monday

The second of the two graduation quilts I was asked to make this Spring. This is a newer line from Debbie Mumm, and when I saw it, I knew it was perfect for a guy quilt.

I find it so striking. I love the black! 

It was tricky sewing the blocks together; I was supposed to use 12 fabrics and only used 8 so laying it out was a challenge. And I got to the point when I just got tired of moving blocks around and just sewed it together lol.

I love the flannel backing; this quilt is so warm and snuggly.

I delivered the quilt on the weekend and it was a success. 

Wonder if I'll get the privilege of doing anymore commission quilt this year. It's just too much fun!

quilted with CircleLords swirls

snack saturday

Upside-down Rhubarb Cake

3 cups sliced fresh rhubarb or 300-g pkg frozen rhubarb, thawed

1 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup strawberry or seedless raspberry jam

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups  all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp  baking powder

1/2 tsp  each cinnamon and salt

2/3 cup  unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 eggs

1/4 tsp each almond and vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup  milk

1. If using fresh rhubarb, slice into 1/2-inch- (1-cm-) thick pieces. If using frozen rhubarb, defrost following package directions. Pat dry with paper towels. Place in a medium-size bowl.
2. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Generously coat bottom and side of a 9-inch (23-cm) cake pan or a 10-inch (25-cm) deep-dish pie plate with 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter. Place jam in a small bowl. Microwave on medium, uncovered, just until melted, 30 seconds. Pour jam over rhubarb and stir to evenly coat. Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup (50 mL) sugar over bottom of cake pan or pie plate. Spoon rhubarb mixture overtop and evenly spread out.
3. In a medium-size bowl, using a fork, stir flour with baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 2/3 cup (150 mL) butter until creamy, then beat in remaining 3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar until evenly mixed, occasionally scraping down side of bowl. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in almond and vanilla extracts.
4. Gradually beat in one-third flour mixture, then half of milk. Repeat additions, ending with flour mixture, beating just until blended. Batter will be thick. Spoon evenly over rhubarb to completely cover, then smooth top as best you can.
5. Bake in centre of preheated oven until a cake tester inserted into centre of cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, check cake. If top is a deep golden brown, cover loosely with a piece of foil. If not, check colour occasionally until it is fully baked, covering with foil to prevent any more browning, if necessary.
6. When done, remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes. Then run a knife around edge of cake. Invert onto a large cake plate. Great warm or at room temperature. Cake will keep well, covered, at room temperature or stored in the refrigerator overnight.

card friday

batik crazy

I have been on a real batik kick lately; I just can't seem to get enough.

 It started off a few weeks ago; we were invited to a dinner party and I wanted to bring a hostess gift. I found some batik scraps and ended up with this.

yes, more straight line quilting.

Monday, the two youngest asked me what I had made for teacher gifts this year. Um... A quick trip to the fabric store and an hour later we(I) had these.

now I need to find time to quilt them

I had some playtime on the weekend(seriously, are we EVER going to see summer here?) and ended up with this.

love

I absolutely love how the straight lines look on this. I wanted to really flatten the runner out; it was a success.

pretty pretty

But before I get those runners quilted, I have a special gift to make for a special someone.

I hope she likes it.

wordless wednesday