Something Quilty

I'm really missing not being able to use my sewing machine since I left it behind whilst I visit family. I went into Spotlight and found some fat flats that I just had to have. I guess for now this is as quilty as I can get. For some reason I'm buying orange tones. My sister says she wants me to make an orange and green quilt. So I will start collecting but I have absolutely no idea when this quilt would even be started. No rush.

Another Cookbook!

I went back into Target today (yeh pay day!) and looked at the cookbooks again. I came across a wonderful book Cupcakes, Cheesecakes and Cookies. This book has some fancy stuff in it and simple things too. How does No-Bake Chocolate Cakes sound? These use Mars Bars, butter, Rice Bubbles and milk chocolate. Too easy!

Oh, Maddy.... I have something for you to mix up....

Cooking with my Niece

It usually happens that when you buy books other people will start looking at them. My niece Maddy started looking at the book Cupcakes, Muffins and Baked Goods and decided upon making the Marbled Chocolate Cupcakes. She made it yesterday. It is such an easy recipe. All you need is:

• 175g soft margarine
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g self-raising flour
• 2tbsp milk
• 3tbsp cocoa

Maddy made them up and they didn't even last the evening. They were quickly gobbled up for afternoon tea and then for dessert.

She then decided to try something else. I encouraged her to change the recipe slightly so we made Cinnamon Tea Cupcakes. We left out the cocoa and put in ground cinnamon instead. These were delicious.

Candy Cane Smash

This is perfect for Christmas time. The kids love it!

This is also known as Candy Cane Bark, but my boys have taken to the name smash. It is such a simple recipe, only requiring three things:

• candy canes - crushed
• milk chocolate
• white chocolate

Prepare a baking tray with Glad Bake (non stick paper) and then melt the milk chocolate in the microwave. I did it in 20 sec intervals until it was melted. Spread onto the paper and refrigerate whilst preparing the white chocolate.

Melt the white chocolate in the microwave and then add most of the crushed candy canes to it. Mix around. Spread onto the milk chocolate. Sprinkle the remaining candy cane mix on top. Refrigerate until set.

Here's how it looks:

Once set, use a knife to 'smash' it up and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Now try keeping the kids away from it!

I've Been Inspired!

I'm not quilting at the moment as I am visiting family in my home town. I have, however, brought my laptop with me so I can continue to check my emails and keep reading everyone's blogs. I have discovered some blogs that are about cooking, so I have been inspired. With the post Christmas sales I have spent LOTS of money on various things, but look at what I got today!

I had so much fun going through the books at Target. I also bought some towels and floor mats for the house I'm building, but these are the best. I have my three boys' birthdays coming up in Jan, March and May so the Kids' Party Cakes book will come in handy. I have also enjoyed Sarah and Lisa's blog and that of Bakerella's so the Easy Cupcakes and Cupcakes, Muffins & Baked Goods will also come in handy.

Now I'm actually looking forward to going back home so I can get into my own kitchen to whip up some goodies. In the meantime, I shall continue reading about what other people are doing.

5 min Chocolate Cake in a Mug

So the school holidays are on and with only a couple of days before Christmas and because I'm going back home we don't have many snacks in the house, so what to feed the boys for afternoon tea?

5 min chocolate cake in a mug!

I found this on Ruth's blog the other night.

Here's what you need:

2 large wide mugs
4 tbs plain flour
4 tbs sugar
2tbs cocoa
1 egg
3 tbs milk
3 tbs oil
3 tbs choc chips (optional)
splash vanilla extract

Here's what you do:

Add dry ingredients to one mug and mix well. In the other mug beat egg, pour in milk and oil. Mix well.

Stir in dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Add choc chips and extract.

Mix again.

Put cake mix mug in microwave for 2-1/2 to 3 minutes.

I actually shared the mixture between my two boys (the third boy was at preschool) so after cooking it was only half way up the mug.

The choc chips went to the bottom and made a yummy gooey mess.

The boys enjoyed it and after a little sample I have to say it was passable.

I shall have to play around with the recipe to get some more variations. But for a quick afternoon tea I can't fault it.

My Blog's New Look!!

Today has been an eventful day with learning how to add photos to my posts and with the help of some wonderful people (hi Kerry in Melbourne) I have been able to give my blog a whole new look.

And thanks to Julie I have learned to add a link to another blog!!

So what do you all think? Pretty snazzy, yes?

Oh, I am SOOOOO hooked. Thank goodness it is school holidays and I own a laptop so I can take it back home during the Christmas break.

Thanks for looking.

What I've Been Doing

I've been working on a few things for the last month to try and use up my stash. I went through my 2-1/2" strips and cut up heaps to make Bonnie's Strip Twist (above). This is a very quick way to use the stash and to get some blocks created. If you don't know the website it is http://www.quiltville.com

I have made the 48 blocks needed for the quilt top. I just have to lay it out and pin it into rows and then sew. This was really an exercise in trying to deplete the stash more than anything.

Another project I'm trying to get going is Bonnie's Pineapple Blossom. This one is more time consuming with the cutting out and piecing but it is so effective. I've only made one block but have cut out for several more.

I'm really enjoying using up the stash.

Another stashbusting idea comes from Keryn's blog: http://www.quiltingtwin.blogspot.com/

This uses the same piecing technique as Bonnie's Strip Twist but I can't quite find the link for the instructions. Here's what you get. I cut one of the blocks wrong and that's why the pinwheel of the block on the left isn't quite right. But I'll still use it.

Will repost the picture and link when (and if) I find it.

Oh my goodness... well I think I'm hooked!

Including photos has been accomplished. Now for the next challenge... I want to make my blog more interesting like others I see that have pretty papers on the sides etc. How do I do that?

2nd Day - Let's Add a Photo!

OK, so I put out a call for help to insert a photo. This is my latest finish that I gave to my principal who has transferred to another school starting in 2010.

Of course we all know that it is a Chinese Coins quilt but I titled it Words of Wisdom since he always knew what to say both in a professional and personal level (to me for sure).

He's a bit of a 'confuscious says' sort of guy.

My First Posting!

Hello!

I don't exactly know how I should kick off my very first post. I have spent lots (and I mean LOTS) of time online looking at everything imaginable to do with quilting and teaching.

I have started to enjoy looking at blogs and tonight I thought that I should join up and see where it takes me.

So I apologise for my blog not being that exciting but I shall learn as I go.