Review of my Summer Sewing Adventures!!

Summer Quilt Camp 2014

I am back with lots of pictures from our "Quilt Camp" along with pictures of my sewing studio.

Debby ( my college roommate of over 40 years ago) and I had a blast sewing for a week both in my sewing studio at home and at the lake house which is where this picture was taken.  

Don't you love our shirts?  She got them for us at a quilt show in Gatlinburg, TN this spring.    They were the "official" quilt camp t-shirt this year.

We started by making "3 yard quilts".  Three fabrics.  Each one yard.  Isn't this Friendship Star quilt gorgeous?

The fabrics make this quilt "pop". 

Debby with her first finished quilt of the week!!

I worked on a scrappy nine patch baby quilt.  

I embroidered the baby's name on the border.

Next Debby made another 3-yard quilt.  I don't have a full picture of it but it turned out great.

It is soft and very "girly".  

Two quilts finished in a week....pretty good I'd say!

Next we worked on table runners.....

A new fall table runner.  The center is made from a charm pack.  I found this kit at a quilt show and fell in love with it.  However the directions were terrible and very wrong in places.  It took patience and time to rewrite the directions but the result was rewarding.

Now for a look at my new sewing space.  I am not done yet.  Still have to hang pegboards and organize my thread.  I am replacing the big TV with a smaller one so I can use the bookcases behind it but for the most part I am moved in and I LOVE it!!

Two separate desk spaces divided by storage areas.

A view from across the room.

My quilting machine...Tin Lizzie.

The cutting area.  Just the right height for my poor back!!

A place to sit and do handwork or visit with friends while sewing.

My design wall.  I am so blessed to have this room to sew, create and enjoy with all my friends.  So come over and sew a bit with me!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

Bags and blankets

A princess blanket for "Little Princess Olivia"

Sorry I haven't been around much this summer but I have very exciting news. I have been moving my "two" sewing rooms from one end of the hall down to the much larger game room which is now dubbed my "Sewing Studio". I had the most awesome cabinets made along one wall with two desk areas for my machines. I am still putting it together but soon I will have pictures to show you.

I am getting motivated and whipped up this cute little crib blanket for a friend's grandbaby. It was made from some left over quilted material that had been used to make a window seat covering.

Soft and cuddly!! The ribbon hides the seams.

 

School is just around the corner here in Oklahoma. I monogrammed these lunch boxes for a friend's boys.

I am getting that creative feeling in my bones again!!!

Debby comes today and Summer Quilt Camp starts tonight!

Hooray!! Will have lots of fun and show and tell this next week!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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Birthday Quilt

Whoop, Whoop Friday!!

I made this quilt as a birthday gift for a dear friend who is turning 60 in August.  I loved the pattern.  It is simple yet very feminine done in these pink and green tones.

I used several different patterns to quilt the quilt.  I did a four petal flower in each 4 inch square box.  The border is done in swirls and the courthouse square blocks are quilted in feathers.

The overall effect was soft and pretty.

Another machine embroidered quilt label marks the occasion.

Waiting for the big day in August I have it folded on my cutting table where I can look at it and enjoy how happy it makes me feel. 

I love the fabrics.

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

Anniversary Quilt

Wedding Anniversary Quilt

50 Years

 My daughter's sweet in-laws celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June. I was asked to make them an anniversary quilt.  I made the blocks with neutral centers so the guest could sign them at the reception.  It's a wonderful way to capture memories and much better than a guest book.

I love to use my embroidery machine to make custom labels.

My signature feather borders.

Happy Anniversary Tommy and Sandra!!!  May God Bless you with many more!!

 This is the beautiful grandson we share....Thomas Jeffrey....namesakes for both grandfather's.....we call him TJ!!

One HAPPY Nana!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

Fourth of July Parade and Potluck

Happy Fourth of July 2014!!

 Who doesn't love a parade?  Especially when is it  a patriotic Fourth of July Parade with kids, floats, police cars and Popsicles!!

That's exactly what happened in Yorktown today. 

Miss Ella sure did enjoy her Popsicle at the end of the parade route. 

The evening brought a neighborhood potluck with a water slide enjoyed by adults and all the kids!!  Thanks to the Strawns for that amazing fun toy!!  That's Miss Ella and her daddy sliding!!

Auntie KK and I made our traditional Flag Cake for the potluck!

Everybody loved it!!  No leftovers here!!

More fun in the kiddie pool with Ella and Natalie.

It was a funfilled day for everyone!!

Now I gotta get home....it's time for bed!!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

Frozen S'Mores

YOver the weekend Kristy and I experimented with a recipe we found on Pinterest. We both love S'Mores. Reminds me of my days as a Girl Scout!! I love frozen cookies too......so what's not to love about Frozen S'Mores. These were super easy to make and ultimately very delicious.

Frozen S'mores

Ingredients:

1 bag marshmallows

1 sleeve graham cracker squares

1 bag Ghirradelli dark chocolate chips

Cover the sheet pan with foil...this will make clean up much easier.

Place graham cracker square in rows and cover with marshmallows. We used 2 or 3 marshmallows on each cracker. You can get by with 2 ---- 3 is a little messsy....but we like messy.

Place the tray under the broiler and watch closely as the marshmallows will brown quickly ....just like in the campfire....then turn black if left unattended.

When golden brown remove from the oven and place another square on top.

Press down to adhere the graham cracker to the marshmallow.

I used dark Ghirradelli chocolate chips for the coating. Melt chips in the microwave 1 minute then stir. Continue to stir and heat at 10 second intervals until the chocolate is smooth. You can dip the cookies in the chocolate or drizzle them.....whatever you want to do!!

I placed the completed cookie sheet into the freezer. About an hour later I tasted one of the S'mores. WOW!!! They were great!! I loved the "frozen" aspect of this all time favorite!! Since FROZEN has been such a great hit this year I think we should all make this recipe and eat them while watching Queen Elsa sing......Let It GO!!!!

 

My thanks to "Reading Confetti" for such a great idea on an old classic. You can find her original recipe at http://www.readingconfetti.com/2013/07/frozen-smores-and-camping-books-for-kids.html .

I wrapped these treats in foil and put them in the freezer. They are a great treat at the end of a long day.....or at the beginning of any day!!! ENJOY!!

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

 

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M and M Cake Mix Cookie Bars

 

Cake Mix Cookie Bars

Last week I posted a terrific Lemon Cheesecake that used a cake mix for the cookie crust. It was well received so I started looking for more cake mix recipes to share with my readers. These bars are quick and easy. They make a 9 x 13 pan full so you can feed many hungry children which is just what I did this past weekend at the lake.

Cake mix cookie bars

prep time: 5 minutes

cook time: 20-30 minutes

total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1 Small box instant vanilla pudding
1/4 Cup water
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
2 Eggs
1 Cup chocolate chips. I used 1/2 cup mini M&M's and 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips.

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cake mix, pudding, water, vegetable oil, eggs and chips or M&M's in large bowl.

Pour the batter (it's going to be thick) into a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. I sprayed my dish with nonstick cooking spray which worked well.

Bake your bars for 20-30 minutes (I took mine out at 30 minutes.)

It may look sort of raw in the middle but if the edges are just golden and starting to get crispy, it's probably perfect.

Recipe via Southern Bite

 

These bars were enjoyed by everyone. You could easily change flavors by changing the base cake mix and mix in's such as chocolate cake mix with peanut butter candies, or brickle bits....use your imagination and what you like best.

We enjoyed the lake this weekend and kicked off the summer season with two days of boating. After two years I finally got our boat "lake ready" and in the water. Jeff would be proud. We skied all day Sunday. Lots of friends and good times at the lake house... just like old times. Made me happy to see everyone having such a great time.

FYI - This nana skied after two years of being off the water!! Can't wait to teach this little girl how to ski with Nana!!

 

Happy Trails,

Mtn Mama

 

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