Quilting update Mary is Done

Way back when a group of us started making Chester.  A reproduction quilt using fabric from the William Penn's Vision by Windham Fabrics.  The pattern "Chester County Medallion we knick named the quilt Chester. I loved working this quilt and had enough fabric left over to make William son of Chester.  From William his Bride was created from scraps I call this quilt Mary wife of William.  Finally in progress is Samuel child of William and Mary, made from the remaining scraps!

Mary wife of William

William son of Chester

Evis is in the kitchen

A very cute fast apron project. I will have to post the instructions.

Giving quilts to causes

 This pretty pink quilt will be donated to one of my favorite charities, the Gloria Gemma Foundation, which supports women with breast cancer. Quilting has a rich  tradition of helping causes and hopefully this quilt will be no exception. The quilt is made up of 12 sampler blocks that were exchanged from www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com.  I then set the quilt in a traditional manor and finished it with an all over quilt design.






If you would like to learn to quilt, I have free quilt classes at the Johnston Senior Center on Fridays at 1pm.  You do not need to be a senior:).  Hope to see you there!

Putting away The quilts

As the season is warming up it's now time to wash and put away the quilts. I placed this bunch to put up stairs and my kitty boy, Arnie decides a spring nap was in order!

Getting going

This quilt has been sitting on the frame for way to long. I just can't seem to commit to a design. Unlike a math problem, there are thousands of solutions to quilting this quilt, but I want to find the right solution. I have to remind myself, the solution is the one I choose! Now to get quilting.

Gluten Free SnoBalls

I modified this recipe from David Leites snowball recipe to be gluten free, it might be the best cake I ever had including gluten ones!  turns out light and fluffy!

For the cake , 
1 stick unsalted butter soften 
3/4 cup Jules gluten free flour 
1/2 cup dark brown sugar 
1/4 cup sugar 
1/2 dutch process cocoa 
1/8 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp baking soda 
1 egg plus one yolk 
1/4 cup sour cream 
2/3 cup hot water

in a mixer blend until fluffy, butter, then add eggs and sour cream 
whisk together all dry ingredients and add slowly while mixing to the butter mixture alternating with the water. blend until silky smooth and light.

pour into half round cake  pan that has been oiled and floured with gluten free flour or cocoa.

bake 25 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees let cool completely. I found a Wilton 1/2 dome cake pan at Michaels it has 4 domes that are just perfect for this recipe, you will have to level the little cakes. by taking a serrated knife and slicing the "top" off while in the pan. 

for the Italian Meringue frosting

1 Cup sugar 
1/3 cup water 
4 large egg whites at room temperature 
1/8th salt 
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

boil sugar and water until softball stage, while heating the syrup, beat egg whites till frothy add salt, then beat till eggs hold soft peaks, while continue beating the egg whites pour the syrup down the side of the mixer very slowly, continue beating for about 5 minutes

after the cakes are cooled slice of part of about an inch of the cake , scoop out the center fill with icing and replace, frost the little domed cake  and smother in sweetened coconut flakes.

Just about everything new

I have not spent much time here updating my creative life.  I am launching a new site this week and that has been fun.  www.NanaBlueQuilts.com  is live and I am adding new products slowly.  The studio is just ready and primed for a redesign---If only I can choose a theme!  So, many wonderful colorways to go with.  I love this quilts colorway but worry it will end up looking like a candy shop just too sweet.