Happy Easter!

***************

Saturday

 ***************

Friday

 ***************

Thursday

 ***************

Wednesday

 ***************

Tuesday

***************

Monday

 ***************

Sunday

 ***************

Saturday

 ***************

More Summer Flowers

***************

Thursday

 ***************

Happy Spring!

 

Enjoy a springtime season filled with hope, balance,

 and bright beginnings!

Ostara

***************

Tuesday

***************

A new project

I started a new quilt project today, Summer Flowers.

This quilt pic was my starting point.  I couldn't find where the photo was originally from -- it's been saved in my Ideas folder for quite a while:

My color inspiration, some vivid zinnias. 

I gathered up a few scraps to get started, and have plenty more available as needed.  I also chose a bright green for my constant/background.

I did try out a test block.  The nine base squares were measured, but the green triangles were casually free pieced.  Patching on those odd triangles did result in some unexpected angles -- the trick is to cut everything a bit oversized and then trim down to square at the end.

Yes, this is a go! Looking forward to a bright summer garden!

***************

St. Patrick's Day

I hope you find your pot of gold!

***************

 

A fun family dinner

Lovely flowers!

 

Lucci was particularly excited and happy.  He was my special guy all evening.

Corned beef and cabbage dinner, a day early due to work schedules.

Leo was having a Terrible Twos evening, couldn't get himself pulled together enough to join us at the table.

Jess and I were being silly with the pot-o-gold ice cream cones.

Two leprechauns enjoying glow-in-the-dark shamrocks. 

I have Irish great grandparents on my dad's side -- St. Patrick's Day brings me happy memories of him enjoying a corned beef dinner.

***************

Wheel of Fortune

I'm happy to report a quilt completion -- they are rare here these days!

I finished up my Wheel of Fortune project and I'm pleased with how it turned out.  Even though it's scrappy -- quite a few fabrics there! -- I feel like everything came together nicely and I have a good cohesive result.  I'll spend the next couple of evenings stitching the binding to the back, and then return to hand quilting my Bramble Blooms quilt. 

***************

Washington Whirlwind

Barbara Brackman's 2024 pieced BOM

WASHINGTON WHIRLWIND

#3 - Lincoln's Platform

The Lincoln family's parenting platform: 'Let the children have a good time.'

***************

Wednesday

 ***************

Tuesday

***************

Monday

 ***************

Daylight Saving Time

***************

Saturday

 ***************

Almond Puff

ALMOND PUFF

Base:

1/2 cup butter (8 tablespoons)

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

3 - 4 tablespoons water

Topping:

1/2 cup butter (8 tablespoons)

1 cup water

1 teaspoon almond extract

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

Glaze:

1 cup powder sugar

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 cup+ milk

sliced almonds if desired

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Preheat oven to 350*.

Base: 

Combine 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons water to create a crumbly dough mixture.

Add additional water by tablespoons until cohesive dough forms.

Divide dough in half.

Pat into two long ovals onto prepared baking sheet, each approximately 3" x 12".

Leave space between the ovals so they have room to spread while baking.

Topping:

Bring 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to a boil in a large saucepan.

Stir in extracts, flour and sugar, and beat vigorously over low heat about 1 minute until dough gathers into a ball.

Remove from heat and add eggs, beating all until smooth and glossy.

Spread topping over base crusts.

Bake at 350* about 55 minutes - 60 minutes, until crisp and golden brown on top.

Cool on rack before drizzling with glaze.

Glaze: 

In a 2-cup measuring cup, combine 1 cup powder sugar, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and milk by tablespoons until mixture is thin enough to pour.

Drizzle over cooled pastries and sprinkle with sliced almonds if desired.

About 8 servings

***************

Thursday

 ***************

Chateau - March

Spring thaw.

 ***************

Tuesday

***************

Wheel of Fortune

I've had such a lot of down time this winter, so many sick days!  But now the season is turning to spring, the days are longer and brighter, and I'm finally feeling like I have enough energy to spare that I can spend time out in the studio.

Wheel Of Fortune has been neglected for a month now, but the blocks are finally complete, and I'm ready to add the borders.

***************

Sunday

 ***************

Saturday

 ***************

MARCH

***************