LIQS Quilt Show!

 Last weekend hubby and I went to the Long Island Quilter's Society 2014 quilt show. This year's theme was Passport Around the World. I thought I would share with you some of the great quilts that we saw.

This quilt was made by several members to epitomize the theme.

 These two quilts could really make you queasy although they were quite pretty.

I thought this Ode to a Stash was amusing.

This quilt showcased thread painting. Very impressive.

 A few beautiful appliqued quilts.

 Here are some more to enjoy.

Finally an impressive graphic quilt....

 and a close-up.

I did not have any of my own quilts entered. I missed the deadline for non-members. Surprisingly, I didn't make any fabric or tool purchases at this show either. There wasn't a single fabric that begged me to buy it.

 I hope you enjoyed your trip to this quilt show.

Thanks for stopping by!

Crocheting Again!

I started this infinity scarf for my daughter before Christmas but I didn't like the way the yarn was chunking. Ideally the yarn was supposed to stripe and it doesn't. The funky mustard color did not really appeal to me for her either.

 I bought a different yarn for her scarf which you can see here.

 My hand is slowly getting better. I received a shot in it Monday, so now it is sore, but the doctor said I could return to my crafts within reason. I decided to pick this scarf up again just to see how it would feel. Wouldn't you know I was wearing a top that was the darker blue/teal color. As I was working, I realized I had tops in two of the other colors also, including the mustard color. I guess I subconsciously bought this yarn for myself. Who knew?

The crocheting is slow going as I am wary of doing too much but at least I now have something to work on at night as I just can't see well enough to cross-stitch then.

I finished reading Knit Two (Friday Night Knitting Club) by Kate Jacobs this week. It was the perfect airplane book. I enjoyed reconnecting with the characters from the first book now five years later. The characters grow in age, experience and self-knowledge. It was quite an upbeat book that included travel when I was traveling. Loved it.

Having a Kindle is definitely the way to go when traveling. Several books in one lightweight item. Thank you BIL.

I am now going to go back to reading The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. I didn't want to carry the quite hefty paperback on vacation. For some reason, although I am enjoying this book, I am finding it slow going.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along. What are you knitting/crocheting? What are you reading? Pop on over to her site to see what others are up to.

Thanks for stopping by!



Stitching to California

On the plane to Arizona I broke out this little cross-stitch. I figured I could really make some good progress on that long flight.

Let's just say that the turbulence and lighting were not conducive to stitching.

Most of what you see above was accomplished after we returned home.

I thought I would show you some pictures from the second half of our trip. We flew to California to visit our son at Stanford University. While there we visited the Hoover Tower on Campus. I got some beautiful pictures from the top of the tower, but forgot to actually take a picture of the tower itself. 

This is the beautiful Stanford Memorial Church

 The brand new Bing Concert Hall.

The Hoover Tower Carillon.

We attended a concert in which our son played clarinet at the new Bing Concert Hall on campus. Beautiful music and a fantastic hall.

We visited Big Basin Redwoods Forest the following day. Talk about feeling small.

 Hubby and I took a short rest on our short hike.

Interesting pattern.

 My son inside a tree.

I walked in the same tree and looked up and this is what I saw.

 We stopped at this scenic overlook on our way down the mountain.

All in all we had a wonderful vacation.

Thanks for stopping by!

Barn Jacket Done!

I have finally finished sewing buttons and seams. My Barn Jacket is finished and I love it.  It fits me perfectly which pleases me immensely. Here are a few pics.

 I love the buttons I got at Joann's.

I must admit this took me quite a long time, but there were several other projects completed in between. Also, since it was my first cardigan, I found parts of the process somewhat daunting.

Joining Ginny's Yarn Along again this week. What are you knitting/crocheting? What are you reading? Pop on over to her site to see what others are crafting and reading.

I brought my Kindle with me on vacation. I am still reading Knit Two (Friday Night Knitting Club) by Kate Jacobs on it. I was too busy to get much reading done except on the airplane rides. 

I am sharing a few pictures from our recent vacation. These pictures are of the Arizona portion of our trip. Hubby and I visited friends who live in the Scottsdale area and happily showed us around. 

This is Saguaro Lake in Tonto National Forest. I have tons of scenery pictures, but I am only sharing a few.

Four Peaks

Many Saguaro cacti.

 A beautiful Arizona sunset.

Hubby and I in Olde Town Scottsdale.

I will post pictures from the California half of our vacation in the next post.

Thanks for stopping by!

 



Irish Soda Bread

Today I thought I would share with you my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe. It is from a recipe book from the church I attended when I was a kid and where my husband and I were married.

There are several Irish Soda Bread recipes in this book that I have tried, but this is my favorite, the one I go back to year after year.

Irish Soda Bread 

4 cups flour                                             

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda                             

1 tsp. salt                                               

3/4 cup sugar                                          

1 cup raisins

2 eggs 

2 oz. melted margarine (1/2 stick)

1 cup buttermilk

2 Tbsp. caraway seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.

Sift flour, salt and baking soda into a large bowl. Add sugar, raisins and caraway seeds. Mix together.

Lightly beat eggs. Mix melted margarine in with eggs and add buttermilk. Stir into flour mixture.

Mix well and knead on a lightly floured board just until dough comes together into a ball. Form into a round loaf and place into a well greased 9 inch cake pan.

Cut a cross on top with a sharp floured knife (this is done to keep dough from cracking during baking). The cuts should go over the sides of the loaf (make sure of this).

Bake in 350 F degree oven for about 1 hour or until loaf is nicely browned and cake tester or toothpick comes out clean and dry.

I have never included the caraway seeds as they are not popular with my family.

Thanks for stopping by!



Kindle Cover

I decided that my Kindle needed a cover since Hubby and I were going to be traveling for a week. Rather than buy one I decided to search the Web and found a pattern here.
I searched my fabric stash and finally found a piece that was big enough to cut out the rectangles. I followed the pattern except for the buttons and ribbon. I decided to use Velcro squares in the corners as fasteners instead.

I am so pleased with the results.

I am currently reading Knit Two (Friday Night Knitting Club) by Kate Jacobs. I really love this series. The books are such an easy read. Perfect for the plane rides Hubby and I just completed.
Yes, Hubby and I just returned from a week-long vacation. First we visited friends near Scottsdale, AZ and then we traveled on to Palo Alto, CA to visit our son and attend a concert he was playing in at Stanford University. I will be sharing some pictures over the next few posts.


Joining Ginny's Yarn Along again this week. What are you knitting/crocheting? What are you reading? Pop on over to her site to see what others are doing.

Thanks for stopping by!