A Giveaway...For A Birthday

That's about the best I can do for a rhyme...

This week is birthday time for me. Typically I just idley sit by and let them pass. Not this year though. Even tho' this one is not a whole number birthday (52), nor do I have big plans, nor is it special for any one particular reason, I'm simply inclined to have a giveaway. Included in the sweet little package will be CHOCOLATE, a stack of 30 scrappy 5 inch charm squares, a stack of 30 scrappy 6 inch charm squares, a couple of orphan quilt blocks, a dish towel and a Stitchin' Post quilt pattern of which I saw a quilt using Batiks~it was stunning! There will be one other little gem made by my hand from a vintage quilt. It isn't completed yet, but you can certainly bet it will be by Friday, the 4th of September, the day after the birthday. This will be the day I pick the winner...8 a.m. bright and early mountain time on Friday. Leave a comment telling your favorite idea for gift giving or receiving, either one. Let's spread our creativity around.

It's an odd thing growing up, isn't it? When in my 20s, 30s or even 40s, I never even thought about the 50s...didn't occur to me that someday I'd be turning 52!

~~and wouldn't you know it...this kid started his Freshman year of high school today.

Take Care.~~

(U.S. residents for the giveaway only, please.)

Flea Market Fancy

http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/fleamarketfancyfreaks/

Well, I'm joining the ranks of others in support of this great line of fabric. I do fancy this line of quilting fabrics immensely and have for a long time. Wouldn't it be awesome if Free Spirit Fabrics re-produced Flea Market Fancy and shot out an indefinite number of bolts of this lovely stuff?...all around the world! I'm heading out to a lqs that I know has some Katie Jump Rope fabrics, just to be sure on that one...
These four pieces and a lovely yellow are the sum total bits I hold. I'd love to have a half yard of every piece in each color way. Here's hoping...
~~Take Care.
p.s. Next week I'm sponsoring a giveaway, soooo come back! [it probably won't include any Flea Market Fancy...sorry.:)]

Two Recipes +

Above are players in my new summer love. GRANOLA

I have found this recipe to be the best and easy. One unfortunate discovery: granola is good with chocolate chips! just layer chips~granola~chips~granola, etc. in a little cup, take it to sewing room with you and 'drink' this yummy little snack all lazy summer afternoon long...oh dear.

Granola
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup slivered or sliced almonds
1 cup other desired nuts, coarsely broken
(I use whole raw almonds and walnuts. cashews are good too, peanuts can be over powering.)
3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut
1/4 cup plus 2 T. brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 T. maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 t. salt
1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat overn to 250.
In large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar. In seperate small bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. (This takes a bit of whisking to get them to hold together.) Combine both mixtures and pour onto 1 large sheet pan. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes. I stir it a little about halfway through, just gently. Don't let it get too dark. Remove from oven and add raisins. Store in a cute jar that you picked up at IKEA or wherever. This can be doubled. Also, other dried fruits are excellent in it. The best breakfast is a plain yogurt parfait with fresh fruit and this granola. MMMMM! Thanks Albeq. New Mexico sister-in-law for this recipe.
Next:

Lasagna
1/2 to 1 lb. hamburger, brown with some onion
Mix in blender:
2 cups tomatoes
1 can tomato paste (small)
1 pkg. spaghetti seasoning
1 can (t. paste) water
Add this blended mixture to browned meat. Let simmer a few minutes.
Mix:
2 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 egg
2 generous cups grated mozarella cheese
Layer in 9x13 pan:
one third of meat mixture, place dry lasagna noodles over meat, spoon on half of the cheese mixture and repeat with meat, noodles and cheese. Place remaining amount of meat on top. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 1 1/4 hours. Sprinkle a little more grated mozarella on top and place back in oven for 10 mins. uncovered. Enjoy. Family friendly and easy! Thanks to young running partner for this recipe.

I was planning to include a yummy Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe, but I'm tired!
I found directions for this Colored Pencil Roll in a book! It was pretty fun to make. I was a nice aunt and gave it to my nephew. It's good to have little friends...gotta score points with them when they are young, then when they get old and rich...they'll give you their money.
Take Care~~

Nine Patchin' Away

In entering the nine patch swap with Anina, I received 32 nine patch blocks from other people. I've added many many more, including 12 coming in the mail from dietician daughter! I can't wait to get them. I'm striving for a queen size quilt. The alternating light yellow blocks are an old sheet that I cut up! Talk about Make It Do!

I will take this to a machine quilter, so I hope to keep the total cost of the materials at a minimum. I'd like to impress my guy that I can do this great hobby without breaking the bank for every quilt.

I haven't purchased any fabric, hopefully I can piece a batting, use big pieces from the ol' stash for the backing and binding! This quilt is "needed" for the queen size bed in the guest room that is at present BARE.

Take Care.

p.s. Take a look at daughter's blog, she has some neat finished projects.