1/03/2012

Newbies

Just a mad rush to the first day back at school. After one day back, I know my projects are going to slow down considerably. It's musical time again with after school and weekend rehearsals.
So the last projects and the newest are being posted.
First, a simple pair of fingerless mittens made for my hairdresser who found some yarn and gave me license to make any type for her. A bulky locally made yarn of mohair and wool. Very imperfect wool, but she'll appreciate them. I personally don't own fingerless mitts, but will make a pair now that I see how handy they can be. Found the free pattern "Ursus" on the internet through Ravelry. The pattern did not have thumbs on them, so I created a bit of a thumb extension.

I also made a couple of biscuit baskets using the Aunties Two biscuit Basket pattern. Fun stuff, although not that easy. It was a tad tedious turning all the tubes, but makes a nice gift. I made 3 miniature ones for Christmas gifts (my own adaptation) but only took a picture of one of those. I like to buy my patterns at Create For Less.
Finally my pride and joy. A baby quilt I started during the summer and finally finished. I wasn't exactly sure how I wanted to quilt the project and finish it. I juxtaposed circles all over the quilts squares and I love it. I used plates and lids from all sorts of things around the house. This is a baby quilt for my dearest colleague who teaches with me. She is expecting her 2nd baby any day now and I cannot wait to give this to her. I know she will love it. It is a quilt from Judy Martin's scrap quilt pattern book called 'Newport Beach'. I used scraps from my own granddaughter's quilts that were full of primary batiks and blenders. It was so much fun to make. I had some striped fabric on hand with all of the colors and made a bias binding which really touches off the excitement of the quilt.I love how the primary squares 'float' on the quilt.

...for Kylie Sue and babe.

1/01/2012

New Year's Eve Dinner...delish dish

I love it when I come upon a new recipe that knocks the proverbial "ball out of the park".
NEW YEAR'S EVE!
I'd love to have a houseful of guests over. I'd love to party till midnight. But then I think to myself, "oh, the work" and then " but all I want to do tomorrow is quilt and sew and read and relax.....".
Since Mike and I love our food and wine, the question was what to make. I have made countless New Years Eve meals of filet mignon. Well in my search,  I came upon this highly rated recipe from The Barefoot Contessa; Ina Garten.  Lobster Pot Pie. A meal in a dish. Sounds perfect. And little did I realize how much so until we tried it. Downright succulent. This recipe is a keeper and it's now in my recipe file forever.
I downsized the recipe by a third since I only had 8 oz. of lobster meat. (I used good quality frozen lobster meat that was processed in Maine.)
It made three individual casseroles, which took a little creative license on my part, but I made it work. (The recipe calls to make it in one large casserole dish.)
Here they are ready to go in the oven.



Out of the oven. They are beautiful and smell delicious.






A thing of beauty.







The candles are lit.







The table is set. The Veuve Clicquot Champagne is poured (our favorite!)





The verdict is in. Superb!
I was in bed by 10:30 p.m. No midnight revelry for me. Awake at 5:30 a.m. quilting a baby quilt for an expectant mother. I simply cannot help myself and I am quite comfortable with that. Best yet, the only thing that is hung over this morning is my cat, Lily. I can live with that, as well.