Thursday, December 12, 2013

Dec 2013 Brunch

Our annual Christmas meeting this year included a fun brunch, a gift exchange and of course a show and tell. We started with the brunch, so here are some of the fun dishes we enjoyed along with a few recipes:



Gingerbread mini muffins with lemon glaze
2.5 c. flour
1.5 tsp. soda
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 dark brown sugar

1 egg
1/2 c. molasses
1 c. buttermilk
1 stick unsalted butter, melted

Mix wet ingredients, add dry ingredients. Fill mini muffin tins 2/3 full. Makes about 48. Bake at 350 for 13-15 min. Let cool 10 minutes. Set on foil on rack.
While still warm, spoon lemon glaze over the top.
1/3 c. lemon juice
1.75 c. powdered sugar



Creme Brulee French Toast
1/2 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
2 T. corn syrup
loaf of bread
5 eggs
1 1/2 c. half and half cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt

In pan, melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Pour into a 9x13 pan. Arrange the slices of bread on top. Beat eggs, half & half, vanilla and salt. Pour egg mixture on top of the bread. Cover and put in refrigerator overnight. Bake in the moroning at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve warm.

Raw Apple Muffins
4 c. tart, firm apples, dices (peels may be on or off)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs, beaten lightly
1/2 c. oil
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 c. raisins
1 c. broken walnuts-leave some in large pieces

Mix together the apples and sugar. Set aside. In another bowl, put the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and stir with a fork until blended. Add eggs, oil, vanilla to the apple mixture and mix thoroughly.
Sprinkle the flour mixture over the apple mixture and blend well.
Sprinkle the raisins and walnuts over the batter and mix until they are evenly distributed. Spoon into greased muffin tins or paper muffin cups. Bake at 325 for 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Serve warm. Makes 16 muffins.


Toffee

1 cup whole or slivered almond- spread our on foil lined cookie sheet

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 teas. salt
1/2 teas. vanilla

Cook over high heat for 5-6 min. Stir constantly with a dry wooden spoon.
Pour over nuts
Cool and dip in 1/2 lb. milk chocolate and roll in 1/2 lb. chopped walnuts


 DEMO
Jeri showed us a cute idea for making festive cards and envelopes. Take a piece of tissue paper, crinkle it and then flatten it back out (gives it texture). Then using a hot, dry iron, iron the tissue paper onto the shiny side of freezer paper. Below you can see a roll of freezer paper with pieces of tissue paper placed on top. To make a note card, just cut out a rectangle and fold it over once. You can write your note on the dull side of the freezer paper.
To make the envelope, Jeri gave us a template to use to cut the shape. Below she is showing how to fold in the four corners to make it an envelope. Jeri is making these with her grandchildren.


Also Nancy spent a couple minutes explaining our new project for next year which is making some quilts for the Quilts of Valor charity. We were each given a pattern and we signed up for the various stages of the quilts. Each in the group will make 3 star blocks using blues (not shiny, more on the grey side of blue). We will bring the star blocks to our January meeting. If you need a pattern, contact Nancy.
We are also starting the Pizza Box Exchange again in February. You can decide what size quilt square you'd like each of us to make. Bring your finished quilt block that will travel with your pizza box to the February meeting. Also you can leave extra fabric in the box if you'd like.


SHOW AND TELL


Jeri made this red and white quilt a few years ago (before the blog) and shared it with us again.


Sherry made this gray and yellow quilt and she will use it as a cuddle quilt.


Diane embroidered this pillowcase.

Diane made these pillow cases that hold children's books. It's a Cluck Cluck Sew pattern.


Diane's daughter makes these stars using selvages.

Diane made this pillow using burlap.

Caren made this quilt.

Corrie made a vintage baby quilt. We will be making these in January.

Lenette made these little girl dresses.


This is such a fun idea. Jeanie made an apron using a man's shirt.

Jeanie made this and used minky on the back. She used Moda fabric and the pattern is called Couch Potato.

Jeanie made this quilt.


Darla is in the process of making this paper doll quilt and will applique the dolls on squares she has made. The pattern is called Antique Rose.

 Cindy made this Lone Star quilt using the diamonds and pattern that her mom found at a garage sale. She's going to donate it to humanitarian charities.
 Nancy made this quick baby quilt as a humanitarian quilt. She used bamboo batting.

 Maurene's Santa quilt

Emily's mom made this "whirly gig" quilt. She will be joining our group soon.

 Emily's tie quilt



GIFT EXCHANGE!!


Monday, November 4, 2013

October 2013 Treat Pops and Dips


 October's meeting was held at Corrie's home. We try to get there early so that we can do a little shopping in her shop! Thanks, Corrie.
After show and tell, we discussed upcoming plans and ideas. First we talked about several possible ongoing projects. In the end we voted to start making quilt squares for the charity Quilts of Valor. We will begin in January and Nancy will bring a pattern for us in December. Here is all the info about Quilts of Valor.
We also voted to start the pizza box exchange again. Anyone that is interested in taking part, have your starting squares ready for our February meeting. 
Corrie volunteered to head up purchasing the AccuQuilt for those of us who are going in together to share one within our group. Sherry will keep it at her house for us to check out.
Our next meeting will be at Jeri's the second week of December. More info will be coming.
Here are the pics from our show and tell:

This is one of our humanitarian quilts that Maurene made. It was from our donations called teenage girl fabrics.

Maurene made this quilt called Little Red Hen. It's made of stars, applique and embroidery.

This is a quilt Maurene made several years ago before our blog was in existence. The "lamm" quilt has special meaning to her.

Corrie showed us some fun 'grandma toys' made from mermaid material.

Lenette brought her finished pizza box exchange quilt. She placed the squares on point and it turned out wonderful.

Robyn made this lap quilt for her daughter's wedding.

Robyn also made this chevron quilt for her daughter.

This beautiful navy dress was made by Robyn for her granddaughter.

Kathi made this scrap quilt from all of her ethnic fabrics.

Jeanie made this couch potato quilt.

This is a quilt Jeanie made several years ago. It is called Secret Garden and is beautifully hand embroidered.

Jeri embroidered this square and will probably make it into a pillow.

Rachel made this Halloween banner.


This is a coin purse that Rachel made.

Using the AccuQuilt, Rachel cut this Halloween tumbler quilt.

Rachel quilted spider webs onto the quilt.

This is a wool wall hanging by Rachel.

Rachel made this throw quilt,  using the Quilt Smart method, and practiced her feather quilting on it.

Janna made this trio of Fall wood posts.

Diane used a charm pack to make this baby quilt top.

Diane also made these luggage tags.

Diane shared a tablerunner she made from years ago.

Cindy made this boat quilt and used a knit on the back. However, she said the knit was very stretchy and hard to work with.

Cindy also made this chevron baby quilt.

Cindy showed this queen size snail's trail quilt.

Nancy made this quilt and used the Binding the Angel  technique for the binding which gives you perfect binding and corners. She got a 3rd place ribbon at the Boise Quilt Show with this quilt!


Nancy shared an idea to us about making fabric postcards. These are some of the examples.
DEMO
Corrie and Rachel showed us how to make treat pops for any occasion.
Ours were made with little pumpkin bread disks, caramel, praline chips and a whipped cream/cream cheese layer.










We also enjoyed several dips and crackers made by Corrie.