Sorry I have been scarce. Truth is – the next month is going to be super busy for us and I will post whenever I can. We have some big things that have come up and I can’t share them all yet – but I hope to soon!
I made a bag for my mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. It is the Amanda’s Knitting Bag pattern by the sometimes crafter but I didn’t stitch the front needle pocket so it’s a big pocket-y tote. I love how it turned out. I used home dec fabrics and interfacing so it’s nice and sturdy.
I made something for my mom, too, but can’t share it until after Monday. My mom is coming for a 10-day visit from New York. Can’t wait!
I’m behind this week on the free motion quilting for the Japanese Block of the Month. I’ll be adding that Tuesday along with the next block. Sorry about that!
Well…. onto the winner of this month’s giveaway! The prize is this great book, floss, a hoop, and needles to get your started!
I always have some kind of sewing project going, quilting, pillow, mini quilt, hexies… Got to keep the hands busy so the waist doesn’t spreaddddddddddddd
Thanks so much to everyone who participated and to my new followers! I loved all the comments! I normally try to answer everyone who comments. Please, please forgive me this month if I didn’t e-mail you!
Today is our 17th Wedding Anniversary – and 18 years since we met. Yay!
I love fajitas. Really really really love fajitas. When we lived in Texas we really liked H-E-B’s pre-marinated beef fajita meat. Soooo good! Since we can’t get it here, I’m experimenting with marinades to come up with one we equally love. This time I tried two different marinade recipes and one was pretty darn good. I’m still on the search, but I would definitely make this one again – or start with as a base and tweak it.
Mix all marinate ingredients and marinade 24 hours. Grill on charcoal grill approximately 6 inches from coals for 8 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes. Slice and serve as desired.
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I also got some sewing done! Yay! I finally finished by knitting bag from the pattern by the sometimes crafter. I was originally going to do Dr. Who, but decided I want to make a Dr. Who wall quilt. So… I used some fabric I had. The floral fabrics are from Joann’s and the pink is Riley Blake. I really love how it turned out! And it looks so good sitting on my couch with my knitting & crochet!
See inside? I’m making this Ruffle Rose Pillow. It’s a free pattern from Red Heart. Isn’t it cute?! It’s pretty fun to make so far, too.
This year I signed up to do the Covert Robin Swap over at Imagine Gnats. I had a little bit of a hard time because though my partner has a blog, there isn’t really any sewing on it! So, for colors and fabrics…. I just wasn’t sure.
There was a particular theme going on and so I hope my partner likes what I made for her.
Then I got some goodies to put in. Some yarn – worsted weight, some organic bamboo cotton, and recycled silk; some gummy bears, m-n-m’s and some jolly ranchers.
Anyway – again, I hope she likes it! I would definitely do this sap again next time. Lots of fun!
Hi! I woke up thinking today was Wednesday. I was going to link up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced and was getting all my WIP stuff ready when I realized it was Thursday! We have music lessons on Wednesday, too, which we did go to….. so I’m not sure why I kept thinking it was Wednesday! So, I’m going to go ahead and blog my works in progress anyway…. without the link up!
I haven’t been sewing this week because all my stuff was a mess. I had purchased some comic book boards like I saw on Angela Pingel’s blog Cut to Pieces but hadn’t used them yet.
Well, I finally got to it and so far so good. I still have a lot to do and I am not pressing the fabric first, but I got quite a bit done.
Also, started folding any fabric from 1/8th to 1/4th into these fun triangles.
I love how it looks – and it’s nice to see what all I really have! Can’t wait until I am done!
I am going to a Sew In with STLMQG this weekend, so I need to get ready for that, too! There is going to be a FMQ class during the sew in and I need to get my supplies ready, wash my ironing board cover, give my machine a good cleaning, etc.
My knitting is going fairly well. My great cable block was not the same size as my first block so I decided to try another and modify the size. It’s turning out really good. For some reason, though, I could not get the color to come out right in the photo. The yarn I’m using is the color of the inset!
I need to finish up the quilting on my Moda Eden Quilt for the ALYoF. I’m afraid I will have to carry that project over to April!
I made up a chile con queso recipe early this week after my last month’s 4 Ways with Chile Con Queso. Turned out really good.
Heat oil in pan. Cook pico de gallo until tender, about 5 minutes. Add chiles and Tex Mex Spice mix. Cook one minute more. Add Velveeta and Cheddar and stir until all melted and combined. Serve warm.
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Confession time now. I’m a definitely an emotional and stress eater. With stress I can go up and down like everyone else. However, I can also tell you the exact times I gained the most weight – when my dad died, my pregnancy with Andrew, my pregnancy with Sammy, when Emily died, and when Andrew got sick. I’m at my highest weight now and I hate it. I’ve had a a number of times over the years when I got serious about exercise and eating right. A few years ago I was running 7-12 miles a week and even did a 5k. Last year I started P90X and did it for a good 6 weeks. I started again in January but had to stop when I got sick and was having asthma issues.
However – we are going to the beach (Ocean City, NJ) this summer to visit my sister & her family and my nana, my aunts & cousins. Can’t wait! Except for buying and putting on a bathing suit! So…. I’ve decided to get serious again – but this time blog it to make myself more accountable. I’ve got about 3 months to the beach and I’m doing low carb and going to start back up on Monday with daily exercise. Trying to get myself motivated and need to keep myself motivated. Any tips or good low carb recipes?
I did make a low carb, sugar free iced coffee. It was supposed to be a frappucino – but I think there was too much liquid. I used coffee ice cubes which definitely made it better. Been trying to perfect this! I used coffee, skim milk, splenda, a little vanilla extract, coffee ice cubes, and then topped with a little whipped cream and sugar free chocolate syrup. It was good!
Well, I’d better get back to being busy! I’d love to hear what you are up to!
This is the first quilt I ever made. I had no idea what I was doing! I pieced the top, stitched in the ditch, and ended up with a super oversized twin quilt. It got me hooked! I still have it but it’s not so pretty anymore because it has been loved so much!
Yesterday we went to Barnes and Noble. We all love hanging out at the bookstore, having a coffee, and browsing through all the new books since the last time we we there. Ours has the music section which is where Andrew hangs out. He is all about music. Sammy loves comics, graphic novels, and video game characters. He is always done faster than the rest of us and ready to go. Tom heads to the sci-fi/fantasy section. He saw some really good books but has a few here at home he wants to finish before he gets anymore. I head to the quilting, crafts, and art sections, and sometimes throw in cooking and history. I have a hard time finding time to read fiction. The last books I read were by John Connolly: The Book of Lost Things, The Gates, and the Infernals. They were really good and entertaining. The Gates and Infernals I think were meant for teens but I still enjoyed them. Right now I have the book Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. I really like her writing… it’s kind of magic/supernatural meets Jane Austen. Funny, spooky, mysterious, and clever. Anyway, I hope to finish it…. it is HUGE. It is amazing to me how many new quilt, sewing, and craft books there are every time we go! And all the magazines out now! Wow! I don’t end up buying any of them but I did subscribe this year to Modern Quilts Unlimited. I got my issue Thursday and it is really good! And there’s a quilter from the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild in there this issue. How cool!
I finished my pouch for the Sweet Pouch Swap. The fabric is Sassy by Sandy Gervais.
I used fusible interfacing on the pieced rectangles and then quilted them so the bag has a nice firm feel to it. My zipper turned out great and I made a fabric pull for it.
I lined the inside with a bright blue aqua Kona to match the zipper. Today I’m stuffing it with sweets and it is off to my swap partner in tomorrow’s mail! I really love how it turned out! I have a lot more Sassy squares cut so I think I might make some more! I want one, too! Do you like it? I will create a tutorial when I make the next one and share it with you!
Today I am working to get my A Lovely Year of Finishes January project done! I must have it finished by January 31st! Better get to work!!
This weekend has been pretty quiet – just hanging around the house. Did some grocery shopping and the guys are all getting hair cuts. I did get my zippers – yea! I ordered from Zipit on Etsy and got a great deal!
I finished up a baby afghan and have one in progress.
The color on the second one isn’t quite right in the picture. It’s a deeper burgundy purple and the green is a light olive-y color. It’s really pretty.
I finished this crocheted bag. I really like it – it turned out great! It’s lined and has a zip pocket inside and a magnetic snap.
and I almost have this baby washcloth/mitt set finished.
I’m doing the Skill Builder Block of the Month from Pile o’ Fabric and started playing with colors. Not sure if these are final…. but this is what I have so far. What do you think?
I also wanted to share this. I did NOT make it. I saw it at City Museum and the tag said it was made from ties collected at a Christmas party. I thought it was really cute and clever.
Well, that’s all for now! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I ‘m echoing the zig zags along the brown fabric and I think I’m going to do something swirly on the colored strips. So far so good! I got some great input on what color to do the binding, so I’m more excited about getting this baby finished!
I have some coin purses cut out and ready to go. I finished 3 but now am waiting for more zippers to come in so I can finish them up!
I really like making these little bags. They work up so quick!
I’ve got some crochet things in progress, too. I have a few rounds to go to finish up this baby afghan. I had run out of yarn, but picked up some more today so I can get it done. I really LOVE working on afghans in the winter. They are so soft and cuddly while you are working on them.
Part of my mission this year is to find projects to use up supplies I have on hand. I’ve had some nice 100% cotton thread, so I thought I’d make some baby washcloth sets. Here’s what I have so far: one down, one started, one to go, plus a bath mitt. If I have some extra cotton left over I might make some kitchen washcloths for myself.
Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate it and love to hear from you!
I made the best dinner tonight: Cheese Steak Pasta! I was putting things together just hoping to come up with something edible… but it turned out SO good. Clean plates all around! Want to try it? Scroll down for the recipe.
Tom had to go in to work this weekend. He is in IT so once in awhile what he has to do for work has to be done when no one is working. Fortunately, he hasn’t had to work on the weekends in a while. Anyway, I decided to take advantage of the time alone to do some more sewing. Any chance I can get!
In addition to wanting to fill up my Etsy shop and keep it filled, in November there is a big craft fair put on through the homeschool network and this year I want to have a table. So, I hope to keep sharing all kinds of finished goodies with you!
Yesterday, I made some coin purses/pouches. Didn’t they turn out cute? I have them for sale in my Etsy shop now – or you can order a custom one. They have a sturdy canvas outer and a cotton lining and feature a split ring loop for your keys. I think they are a lot of fun to make!
I made another square for a quilt pattern I’m working on. I have two blocks to go and then I’ll be putting the front and backs together. It is fun and modern! I also finished up a pattern and three samples for a fun modern pillow that I hope to get published. I will share them as soon as I am able.
This is our last week off of school and I have to finish up my lessons for the next three month block of classes. That in addition with my project will keep me pretty busy this week – and the next 12 weeks! I really enjoy it, though, and enjoy spending so much time with my kids. I feel lucky to be able to learn all the stuff I didn’t care about when I was in school, too!
Well, I’d better get off of here! Have a great night!
This is a creamy, cheesy, ground beef pasta version of the Philly favorite sandwich.
Author: Sew What’s Cooking?
Cuisine: American
Recipe type: Pasta
Serves: 4-6
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
3 tbsp. butter
3 tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
6-8 slices American cheese
1 package of egg noodles
salt and pepper to taste
dash of cayenne pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare egg noodles using package directions.
Brown ground beef and drain grease. Add onions and bell pepper and cook until vegetables are soft. Set aside.
Melt butter. Stir in flour. Stir in milk and cook on medium heat until it starts to thicken. Once thickened add cheese and stir until melted. Add meat and vegetable mixture. Season to taste. Mix with egg noodles.
Well, as I posted yesterday, I had a few things I wanted to do. However, as usual, I had more projects than time! I did, however, start and finish the Tohoku Tote I told you about by Cheri at I am Momma – Hear Me Roar.
I think it turned out really cute. Don’t you? I had a couple of issues – but they were of my own making. First… for the life of me, I had the hardest time sewing a nice straight line around the zipper on the inside pocket I put in. I don’t know what my problem was! I used my seam ripper a lot! But it all worked out in the end! The second thing was ….. I put my snap a little too high so I ended up having to hand stitch a little by the snap because I couldn’t get close enough with the machine. All in all, it was a good experience and the bag turned out great. And if you want, it can be yours!
Still cold here and a good time to stay warm inside and make some things! I put all the Christmas stuff away today and the house looks a little sparse… but in a good way. Did some chores and then stole away to my sewing room for the afternoon!
Here are some pot holders I finished. They just needed some binding. I really love them! So bright and cheery! The floral fabrics are Brother & Sister Designs I got at Hobby Lobby a while ago and the binding was left over from a baby doll quilt class I taught.
I also made this bag. The other day I stopped by a resale shop and saw a cotton skirt that I loved the fabric of. The skirt was $2.00 so I couldn’t pass it up! I knew right away I wanted to make bags with it. This is the one I made today. It’s taller than most of the little bags you can buy for your purse, but just the size I needed for my purse to carry all my loose little stuff. Want to make one, too? Here is the tutorial.
I’ve also done some knitting practice. Here is a scarf I finished for Sammy. It’s nice and thick and stretchy and warm. I think it turned out good for my first knit project! Andrew very reluctantly modeled it but didn’t want his face in the picture.
Well, that’s all for today! Hope you enjoy the tutorial and you have a lovely weekend.
Happy New Year! I hope the year has started off well for you! Things are good around the Robbins house. And cold! Last year was our first winter here in St. Louis and it was mild. Kinda broke us in easy after living in Katy, Texas so long where we didn’t ever really get snow. I think maybe twice in 14 years? In fact, our last Christmas there we ran the air conditioner so we could have a fire for Christmas! Well, today was the coldest I think I’ve experience in a long time. (I grew up in Michigan so I do REMEMBER the cold!) The thermometer in the car said 16 degrees this morning! Brrrrrr!
I need to get a pair of Roasty Toasty Mittens by my friend, Teresa. You should get some, too! Roasty Toasty Mittens are made from recycled wool sweaters that are felted and lined with polar fleece which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Extremely warm, earth-friendly & stylish!!
For Christmas my sweet husband Tom got me a gift card so I could get fabric and sewing notions. He knows me so well. Here’s what I got!
First, I got these lovely fabrics to make myself a bag. I’m not sure yet WHAT bag – I’m waiting for the Bag Making Bible by Lisa Lam that I got from my other gift card from my sweetie! I got extra stuff just in case!
I got some zippers in assorted lengths and colors. I need to get some more because I depleted my stash with my Christmas projects! Where do you get your zippers from?
I also got some Kona in lots of beautiful colors! I am loving it!
What fun sewing stuff did you get for Christmas? I’d love to hear from you and what projects you have in mind for 2013!
My 2013 project plans include:
1. Skill Builder Block of the Month taught by Alyssa Lichner at Pile O’ Fabric. We will be doing basic patchwork piecing, improv piecing, strip piecing, foundation paper piecing, English paper piecing, curves piecing, applique, pixel piecing and log cabin piecing. Thanks so much for offering this, Alyssa! I’m looking forward to improving my skills and seeing what everyone one does!
2. A Lovely Year of Finishes by Fiber of All Sorts & Bittersweet Designs. Time to tackle some of my UFOs!
3. Designing my own patterns. I did four modern quilt designs over the Christmas break and am working on my patterns and test blocks. I am really excited about them and think you will like them, too.
4. Practice and more practice with free motion quilting on my home machine. Thank you Leah Day and Angela Walters for all your instruction! Wow.
5. Making some more bags – large and small. I had fun with the ones I did for Christmas!
6. Cooking my way through all my Tex-Mex recipes and sharing them with you!
I’d better stop this list! There are so many things I’d LIKE to do ….. but not enough time! These are my biggies for right now!
Well….. that’s all I have for today. Hope you have a lovely day!
Here are some of the Christmas goodies I’ve been busy with! I really enjoyed making them and am so glad everyone liked their stuff!
Jimi Hendrix Pillow for Andrew
Reeses Pillow for Andrew
Devo Kitties – for Andrew
Blue Dog for Dale & Kelly
Hershey’s Lumbar Pillow for Spike
Bag for dad lined with inside & outside zipper pockets. Also made a small bag, monogrammed with an outside zipper pocket but I’ll need to get a picture.
Monogrammed handkerchiefs for Grandpa Dave
Blackwatch Plaid Quilt for Dad
Anyway….. hope you had a lovely holiday! We sure did!
Hi! I know I have been scarce! I’ve been busy with school and getting ready for Christmas and have finally gotten back to work on sewing and projects. Yea! I moved all my sewing stuff to our downstairs guest room and made a combo sewing/guest room. It has made it nice to be able to sew and not worry about my house being a disaster! I’ve been sewing during the day and crocheting at night.
I came across a picture of a spiral potholder and was inspired to make an afghan. I really love this one. The brown yarn is extra soft and fuzzy and warm and was a lot of fun to make!
Triple Color Spiral Afghan
Spiral Detail
I made up the pattern and wrote it out and after I give it a try from my instructions, I’ll post it here for you. I’m also working on a four color spiral in blue & purple.
Four Color Spiral Afghan
I have also made some Christmas pillow cases from an Anna Griffin design that appeared in the December 2011 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. I resized them to 14″ and used the Christmas fabric I had on hand.
Two of Four Pillow cases I made. Design by Anna Griffin in American Patchwork & Quilting Dec 2011 issue.
Aren’t they cute? Just need to whip up some pillows for them and they are all set.
I also have two quilts in progress! Here’s a sneak peak:
Sneak Peek…..Giant Star Quilt
Sneak Peek- String Quilt
Well, that’s all I have time for this morning! I’ll be back a few times this week. I’m making some really yummy calzones tonight so I’ll try to get that recipe posted tomorrow. I also will be starting back up with my giveaways just in time for Christmas! Check back later this week for the details!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!
I don’t know how it’s been 10 days since I last posted! I don’t know what was up with me but I had the hardest time getting motivated lately! I just wasn’t feeling very good! I have lots of things I’m working on and a lot more ideas – but actually getting started ……..
Anyway – first let me say, if you have been waiting for something you won – I’m so sorry for the delay but everything has now been mailed out and should be in your mailbox soon! I hope you enjoy! I try to get things out right away – but I’m afraid everything fell to the wayside when I wasn’t feeling well. I feel much better now.
So… lately….
I went to the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild Meeting. It was a good meeting and there is so much talent there! I love seeing what everyone has been working on! And I won this mini pre-cut pack – Birds & Berries!
Mini Pre-Cuts
I am cutting fabric for more Japanese Quilt Blocks. I’ve been SO behind on this.
Cutting Japanese Quilt Blocks
I’ve started quilting my zig zag quilt.
Zig Zag Quilt
I’m working on a new bag. I’ve finished the body except for weaving in some ends inside. I’m working on the straps now and then I want to do a lining with a zip pocket. Maybe some polka dots. I’m writing the pattern as I go and will post it soon.
Crocheted Bag
My mother-in-law, Barb, took the kids and I to the Missouri Botanical Gardens. They are having Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night. We spent most of the time in the Children’s garden, though, letting the kids play. We’ll have to go back at night. It’s supposed to be beautiful!
Botanical Gardens
Barb, Andrew, Sammy & Quincy
The Boys
Andrew
They had some really cute bags by Chala. I want to try to make one like this but come up with my own applique.
cute Panda Chala bag
And, finally, I’ve been working on our school schedule for this coming school year, which is time consuming! Should be good, though!
Well, that’s all I have for now. I’m going to go make something!
Today’s been a good day so far. I had my second embroidery class today and we worked on lace and went over stabilizers. It was a good class and I learned a lot more! Most importantly I learned what to do if my thread or needle breaks in the middle of a design. I’m now sitting in the waiting room at the music store while my son takes his guitar lesson so I thought it would be a good time to do a quick post. I plan to whip up some ham and bean soup real quick (my beans are soaking) when I get home and then sew sew sew! My plan is to have 3-4 Japanese blocks, a free pattern, and a tutorial online as well as 3 recipes by mid next week so be sure to check back.
For today, here is my Blueberry Pie and Pie Crust. I cut out my lattice crust with a wavy blade and my Olfa rotary cutter.
We sure have had an exciting couple of weeks and lots of blessings. It sure felt good after all the medical and scary from the beginning of the year!
So, today, running up and getting a few things for Thursday’s class and then I am making mini baby doll pillows and pillowcases. They are so cute!
Love the new post on Film in the Fridge. Red and Green Brrr. Really beautiful!
I am finally going to get my blocks done to finish my Japanese Quilt Blocks quilt and get my tutorial updated. Sorry for the delay if you are following it!
And, tomorrow, I have my first of 3 two-hour classes to learn how to do the embroidery with my new Baby Lock machine. I’m a little intimidated – I haven’t even touched the machine since I got it! I’m looking forward to the class! So maybe tomorrow I’ll have some exciting embroidery to show you!
Well, I’d better head off! I hope that you have a lovely day! Don’t forget Friday 6am is the deadline to enter April’s giveaway!
Well, I’ve been busy! I should be doing some housework – (my floor really needs mopped!) and I was determined to get up and get all my chores done right away this morning. However, my sewing machine kept calling to me and I couldn’t resist!
First, I wanted to try out the Loopy Flower tutorial on Oh! Fransson, but I didn’t want to just waste fabric and batting so I decided to make some potholders. I think they turned out pretty cute but I need a little more practice on the flower!
Closeup Loopy Flower Quilted Potholder
I have this quilt top in progress featuring blocks of Moda Eden. It is one of my UFO’s and I started it a while ago. I think it looks sweet – but maybe too busy? What do you think?
Well, I guess that’s it for now! I REALLY need to get my chores done so I can sew again! I’ll be posting some more Japanese blocks over the weekend!
Yea! Found a great app to make my site mobile as well as being able to edit it from my phone! So, check out www.sewwhatscooking.com on your phone!
Tonight I’m making some Cajun Spicy Baked Tilapia and Dirty Rice so I will be posting recipes and how-to’s within the next couple of days.
I am working on getting some available items listed in my shop and have tutorials in the works for 3 projects I have in the works: the first is an applique pillow sham based on a project in the book Scandinavian Stitches,
Print recipe
