Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Back to work....

photo from JessicaSprague.com

Finally, I have started thinking about quilting again.  Right now, I am printing out templates for my next series of quilts.  Yes, I said series.  I am hoping to pull myself together and make a "seasons" quilt collection.

My inspiration?  You guessed it....pictured above is a shape.  I love the shape of that tag, and I am working  a similar shape into these 4 quilts.  I am excited to start again, and I am pretty happy because these quilts will be so easy for people to make.  Easy to make, display, and finish.

As, I am pondering on how to make them, I have to think about my instructions.  What will be the easiest instructions, the best way to make this understandable....and what really comes to my mind is freedom.  I love that quilters have freedom in making the quilt their own.  I am thinking of making mine a wool/cotton hybrid.  But, I think it would also be fabulous with only cottons.  And, what about the method of applique?  Raw edge, needle turn, machine applique....all of them work.  

I learned from writing my first book, that publishers want  precise directions (down to the color to choose in a quilt), and I prefer to use vague directions (so people feel free to make their own choices).  So, when you read instructions on quilt making, I hope you open your mind.  Adjust things, change a method, do your own thing.  It's okay to be different, it's GREAT to be different.

Now go make something!  I know I will.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Weekend


So, what did you do this weekend?

You can tell we had some fun.  I made a quilt for a dear friend, but of course, in true Sarah fashion, I forgot to take a picture of it before I sent it off to its new home.

But, I did get a picture of my daughter's science project.
(*** News Flash: Good and Plenty's explode in Diet Coke, just not as well as Mentos do).



And we spent a good amount of time blowing glass at Sonoran Glass Art Academy.


Did you have fun?  Were you busy?  
What did you do?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Connecting Threads....

Oh my goodness.


Just as I was clearing out my emails, I got this one in my mailbox.  Hello...there couldn't be a better surprise!  A whole email about my book.  Go check it out!






Thank you Connecting Threads, you made my day!



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Neglected

The blog has been seriously neglected.....
What have I been up to?

Life.  Taking care of a toddler is a seriously busy job.  I thought I was busy with a newborn.  HA!  I was, but man, this is pretty crazy here.  He is one serious toddler.  Even the Dr. commented on how active he is. I have to agree.  He is active.  We are working hard to keep the lids on the rice and flour, as he is all about spreading the love all over the pantry.  He loves to play outside, climb up the ladder, and scare us all to death.  Yes, I have been busy watching my baby.






I have also been working hard to get back on track with our scrapbooks.  Gone are the days of perfect scrapbooks.  I thought I could document every little thing, and now that I am 3 years behind I am painfully aware that life gets away from you.  So what am I doing?  Project Life.  I started last year, and I just finished it up.  All that is waiting is a nice proofreading session before printing that bad boy.  I have also been working on the past years....but just doing a month by month scrapbook.  It's not  perfect, but it will be a completed scrapbook, and that is all that counts at this moment.


So, what have you all been up to?  Were the Holidays good to you?  Do you have any new goals?  Starting any new quilts?  Enquiring minds want to know!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Black Eyed Pea Salsa


I tried this salsa the first time when I was at Red Dirt Retreats....HELLO.  So super fabulously yummy.  This is totally my style of food.  I love avocado, beans, cilantro, etc.     Everything about it is amazing.  LOVE it.  Thanks Krista for the recipe.


So, I am providing you the original recipe.  You will love it.


***Something interesting to note is that I fudge with recipes all the time....even this time.  So, what did I do different?  I added frozen corn (about 1 cup) instead of shoepeg corn, Lime zest  and the juice from 1 lime, green or red pepper chopped, and instead of making my own dressing...I just used good seasons dressing made with red wine vinegar.  Also, you can use number of different bean types....depending on what you have on hand. The white beans are great, and I love to add a little color in there with a black or red bean.     I know, I know....I don't follow recipes.  Oh well.




Black Eyed Pea Salsa

1 can black eyed peas-drained
1 can shoepeg corn
2 Roma Tomatoes-diced
1 bunch green onions chopped
2 avacados chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro-chopped
2-3 cloves garlic minced
1/4 c olive oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1 t cumin
1/2 t salt