November 28, 2009

Post-Thanksgiving Picnic

IMG_0273 I finished my Picnic quilt - November's Year of Schnibbles project.   I love how this little cutie turned out!   I used American Jane's Recess charm packs and I adore the little baskets - especially how they make a star in the center of the quilt.


I took it with me to work on Friday and because it wasn't super busy, we hung it up in the shop - it's super cute against the red barn walls!


I'm not sure if I will participate in December's project, but if it's another one that I love as much as this one - count me in!



November 23, 2009

Lisa's salad

This year, like most years, we are going to my oldest brother's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Every so often, our hosts have the audacity to make other plans for Thanksgiving, and I am left to my own devices for dinner.  About 11 years ago, they went to visit relatives in California and so I hosted my very first Thanksgiving dinner.  Having never done it before, I searched the Internet to find some interesting recipes.


I found this salad recipe on Allrecipes.com and it's definitely a keeper.   I have made it for Thanksgiving, Christmas and potlucks in between, countless times since 1998.  It's always a huge hit.  It's official name is Winter Fruit Salad With Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, but my family calls it "Lisa's Salad," and I would like to share the recipe with you.



Ingredients



  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons diced onion
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
  • 1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced




Directions




  1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds, and process just a few seconds more to mix.
  2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, apple, and pear. Pour dressing over salad just before serving, and toss to coat.



I use only about half of the prepared dressing - the whole recipe is way too much for the salad.  I hope you will try it and that you like it as much as my family does!



November 19, 2009

A tisket, a tasket

Baskets Look at all my baskets!   I have completed all my baskets for the November Year of Schnibbles project.  I might have finished the top this week, but I've been down for the count with a horrible cold all week.  Seriously - when was the last time you missed 4 days of work from a silly cold?  But I'm finally back to work today (hey - nobody picked up the slack for me while I was on my deathbed?) and hopefully will feel up to spending some time in my sewing room this weekend to get the sashing done for this cute Picnic quilt.

November 16, 2009

Alrighty then

IMG_0268 I finished putting the borders on my Red Velvet quilt - a wonderful Thimbleblossoms pattern that went together beautifully and easily.  People at my retreat were just raving about the French General Rouenneries fabrics, and I love how the aqua fabric from Simple Abundance adds so much whimsy to those serious prints.


I made a decision at retreat to come home and send 2 quilt tops off to be machine quilted.   I have put it off for months, but I have a little extra pocket money and now the decision is - which 2?  My brilliant friend Rani suggested sending my Indian Orange Peel quilt (click on my quilt album on the sidebar to the right and you can see a picture) - a quilt I had completely forgotten about!  I seriously love her for reminding me.   I have been waiting to find a quilter I trusted enough to quilt my "masterpiece" - that quilt took me 7 years to finish - and now that I have someone, I simply must send my quilt.  Like, RIGHT THIS MINUTE!



November 9, 2009

Back!

Oh brother, now that I'm back from retreat at a real computer, I see how horrible my last photo of my basket blocks was, taken on my cell phone and posted from my Blackberry.  I promise better pictures as soon as I am unpacked and settled in at home.


It was one of the best retreats ever!  We shared a work table with Mary Hickey and Judy Pollard and had the best time hearing their stories about quilts and life.  I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.


I finished 15 of the 16 basket blocks for my November Schnibbles quilt, Picnic.  I left the rest of my charm squares AND my pattern instructions at home, or it may have gotten finished this weekend (sigh).


I finished my Rouenneries layer cake quilt and can't wait to get the borders on so I can show you.  What a beautiful and simple quilt to make!



November 4, 2009

Picnic Time!

I threw this project into my retreat box at the last minute (and forgot to bring my pattern instructions). I love these little baskets!



Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile



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