What does one do when they realize that their yarn is taking over?

One makes a yarn bag! I was looking for a quick, instant gratification project this weekend....so, I whipped up another yarn bag. Looks pretty and keeps all the yarn safe and tidy. This is the second, I take that back, third one of these that I have made. I had previously made one for me and one for a friend. This one went together quicker than the last two. I love that. Seems like the first time making something is always a bit of an uphill climb. Consequent attempts are always just a bit easier.Other good things about the weekend included this adorable baby squirrel up in a tree outside the apartment. I took the dog out at about 9 am Saturday and this little guy was climbing up a tree trunk. He proceeded to perch on a branch so I could stand and admire him a bit. He was a cutie! I just love how he's resting his head in this photo. Almost as if he's saying 'Hi down there. I'm gonna just sit on this branch, resting my weary self while managing to look like the cutest thing you've seen all week." Love.What makes a day even greater? Chocolate chip cookies with macadamia nuts of course! I used Alton Brown's recipe from the food network site. Delish! I'm afraid Harry had the toughest weekend of all! Here he is resting in a quilt tent on my bed. Only a face a mother could love! Harry says, "What mom? Don't you sew quilts so I can bury myself in them on your bed while getting everything covered in fur?"

What was good about your weekend?

Mug Rugs and Mini Quilts

Work has been busy and those pesky things called "responsibilities" have been getting in the way of my sewing and blogging time. Gosh darn them! ;) But not to fear! I have gotten some things sewn. Namely mug rugs and some mini quilts. Here are some mug rugs which are quilted and waiting for their binding. I've been having fun playing with Alexander Henry's Farmdale line. Apples! Chickens! Feels fall-like to me. Or maybe I'm the only one who is reminded of fall when she sees apples and chickens. Not necessarily in that order.I digress. Here are a couple finished mug rugs. These are addicting to make!I am really, really happy with my mini quilts. I started with some vintage cat transfer patterns that I bought on Etsy. Using my trusty transfer pen that I purchased at Purl over the summer, I was able to transfer the images to some muslin. Then I embroidered the kitties and sewed the muslin squares into mini quilts. I must say that I am delighted with how they turned out!
Here is a picture of all three. The kitty in the bottom right corner I actually embroidered on a printed piece of Heather Bailey. I'm not sure I like it as much as the others.... it was a sort of experiment. But it's cute enough to hang on my bedroom wall with the other 2! I love

having the softness and texture of the quilts on my wall. I forsee more of these coming up in the future!
What have you been working on lately that you love?

Sunday

I cut out some 5 inch squares for a new quilt...
I baked some fresh bread. I love the way it looks right out of the oven; warm and smelling oh-so good.
I washed and dried my zigzag quilt. I love when a quilt comes out of the dryer warm, and perfectly crinkly.
I love Sundays. How was yours?

It Was Lovely

I went to Buffalo with my mom to visit some family and attend a cousin's baby shower. It was so lovely up there. We had perfect weather and it was such a welcomed relief after all the heat we have had in Florida. Highs were in the mid sixties by day...in the fifties at night. I actually wore a fleece! Gasp!

While there we hit up a couple estate sales and I scored three lovely vintage items. My favorite is the dachsund. He was with 3 others and they were all made in Germany. Sadly I just didn't have enough room to bring back all 3, so only this one made it with me. As we all know flying isn't what it used to be and all these fragile lovelies had to be packed and brought as a carry on. Luckily they made it unscathed! The violet cup is bone china, made in England. Not sure what I'll use it for yet. The rooster is also very cute and matches somewhat a vintage rooster planter that I got when I was living in LA. The trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to a LYS! I bought 6 hanks of this alpaca/wool blend in a yummy fall color to make a cardigan. I am finally making headway on a sweater that I started 2 years ago. I'll post photos soon. It's the Millie cardigan by Alicia Paulson. Anyway, after that cardigan I'll start my new one using the yarn above.

So, the baby shower was hosted by a friend of the family who lives in this lovely farmhouse

out in Wilson, NY. She has pumpkins growing in her garden. Pumpkins people, pumpkins! It put me over the edge. I was so giddy at the sight of all things fall like, as Florida is lacking in all things fall.
Plus, there were all these kittens running around. I think I was in heaven. Nothing compares to kitten love. To me anyway. All soft, and squishy. They purred and purred. Momma cat was nice too but a little skittish. This white & gray baby captured my heart. Sigh.
I whipped up a crochet hat and sweater for my cousin's little one. As the photo probably dictates, she's having a baby boy in December-ish. I really loved all the handmade gifts she received. In addition to what I made, 2 of her friends crocheted some other items including a sweater and booties. I appreciate that so many peeps are still making by hand.
I took this photo as we were getting ready to leave. It's one of my favorites. That's my aunt and cousin standing to the left of the tree with 2 younger shower guests. If I close my eyes I can still picture being there. A perfect afternoon.

For All You Poodle Lovers...

....I made a poodle totebag! I took a vintage poodle transfer pattern, traced it with a pencil on to tracing paper, then I copied it with a transfer pen onto regular white copy paper, and then ironed the design on to a piece of white linen. I quickly decided that this poodle should be none other then the color pink!

So here she sits, framed by patchwork squares. Sewn together with other patchwork squares to make the back, and voila! A poodle patchwork tote. I dare say it turned out really cute. I made it for my shop though it is tempting to want to keep it just to make shopping or library venturing more fun!

I was also naughty. I placed an online fabric order. My mind is contemplating various creative projects while I sit at my office desk all day. Alexander Henry has outdone himself this time with the chickens and apples. Just in time for fall!
Over the weekend I got bit by the baking bug. On the Monday labor day holiday I decided to whip up some cupcakes from the Martha cupcake book. These are the roasted banana cucpakes with cinnamon vanilla buttercream. They are delish! I didn't roast the bananas however, and I only used 1 banana because that's all I had. So the banana flavor is mild, yet still yummy. The recipe calls for 3 bananas, plus more for garnish. Perhaps I'll try that next time!

I've officially gotten bit by the bread making bug! This is my second loaf of Amish White Bread and it may very well be the best white bread I've. Ever. Tasted. Ever. Sorry, store bought bread. I'm ending our relationship now in favor of some homemade goodness. I cut the recipe in half so as to only make 1 loaf. Slather on some Bonne Maman and you've got yourself a slice of heaven on a plate!

What did you do or make over the Labor Day weekend?

Sunday

Finished a second quilt block to donate to Anna Maria Horner's Rainbow Around the Block project.
Finished my flying geese quilt top which I'm happy with for the most part. I do find it interesting that the pattern I followed said the finished quilt makes a good crib quilt or throw. It is quite large...around 50 inches by 50 inches. I'd say good for taking naps under on my bed!

Also tried my hand at Martha Stewart's Honey Whole Wheat bread. Yummy and quite dense. Different in texture then last week's bread recipe but good nonetheless!

I hope the weekend treated everyone well!

I've Found My New Hobby

Bread making. I am a fan. A big fan. Since today. When I baked the most marvelous, earthy,

hearty, and sinfully delicious bread ever. I mean ever. I used the recipe that Molly blogged about on her blog Orangette recently. For a first attempt at bread baking I give the bread 5 Stars. Everything about this bread making process was enjoyable. I especially liked kneading it. The way the dough stretched, and contracted...almost like it had springs in it. Here it is in the kitchen aid bowl:

The molasses, while tasty, also gave the bread a rich color.

Here it is in the bowl after the first rise:

The recipe calls for 2 cups bread flour, I used regular white, and 2 1/2 cups wheat flour, as well as, 1 cup of oats. Yum.

After the second rise, I thought "Whoa!" this is some big bread.

40 minutes later, this delightful loaf came out of the oven.

I had a slice, toasted, with raspberry jam and it definitely doesn't disappoint! I think I'll try a different recipe next weekend. I think bread baking could definitely become addictive.

I also sewed some this weekend. I'm working on my flying geese quilt. I'm loving the fabrics together but I am disappointed how the triangles are coming together. The tips are cut off....I must not have measured accurately when piecing. Then again, it could be called a flat top flying geese quilt. Yep, I think I'll go with that!

What delights did the weekend bring to you?