Shopping Paducah AQS

Did I do some shopping while I was in Paducah for quilt week?  Why yes, Yes I did, just ask AppleJack.  There are vendors, many vendors, there are venues, many venues from the Convention Center to the Bubble to downtown to the Rotary to Hancocks and many other places in between so many venues.  One of my favorite vendors is Primitive Gatherings.  Seeing fabric in person and looking at fabric on line just isn't the same.  

This is Lisa's (Primitive Gatherings) Frivol--can't wait to start this project.  Lots of HST's in this project and Thangles was also a vendor.

I must have thought my fabric stash was getting low and needed some replenishment.  Not!  

There was wool and wool patterns.  Couldn't wait to get this project started.  Am learning to use Steam-a- Seam paper.

More wool patterns.

Found this fabulous toile fabric from a vendor in the bubble--will be great fussy cut panels.  They had a fabulous booth, should have done more shopping at this booth

Yes, I enjoyed Paducah--I can now mark this off my bucket list.  The show is big, huge in fact it is almost to big.  There were many vendors and booths I wanted to visit but there were so many people it was difficult to look and shop.  The show covers several city blocks and there is lots of walking.  Even though there were many food vendors--there were long, long lines.  When we went to Hancocks, the men's rooms had been moved outside--Port-a-Potty.  The Port-a-Potty was being freshened up aka hosed down.  AppleJack said he wasn't sure if he was using the bathroom or taking a swim.  For all quilters, AQS Paducah is certainly something to see and experience.

Yellow Creek Quilt Designs

One of the vendors I met while I was in Paducah for quilt week was Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.  WOW!  These ladies are amazing!  I first learned about sisters, Vicki Olsen and Jill Shaulis through the Primitive Quilts magazine specifically the Spring  2013 issue.   Yellow Creek Quilt brick and motor shop was a former bank turned post office turned quilt shop--looks like a fun place to visit.  Hmm, might be a long road trip, they are in IL and me in TN, but oh the fun places I could find in between the two stops




Photos do not do this quilt justice--the hexies are tiny-- 3/8" tiny!  Seeing their beautiful star hexie quilt was motivation for me to begin working on mine again.

My hexes are 1" finished--they seem giant sized compared to the 3/8" size.  Sewing the hexies  is addicting.  They make a great portable project to carry in the car and work on during lunch or while waiting for appts.

The Kindred Spirits book is Yellow Creek Designs first published book by Kansas City Star and yes this book was one of my first purchases.  They also have some beautiful fabric and are getting ready to release a second book.  If you like making miniature quilts, check them out.

Paducah

Yes, this is a quilt.  Isn't it amazing?

This is the center medallion from a quilt.  Can't believe it was not a prize winner

Absolutely beautiful and quilted to perfection.

Does anyone else ever look at a quilt and ask themselves "Why can't I quilt like this?"

Please excuse the horrible photo, one of the miniatures.  I'm guessing the total size of this quilt to be approx 12 inches.

Talk about color

I didn't know you could do these things with fabric

or this 

So many beautiful quilts

Creativity and skill all working together

Baking for Two

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Since there is just the two of us--AppleJack and me--baking at our house is a challenge.  Most  recipes are written with six to eight servings in mind.  While the first serving is warm, tasty and delicious, the second serving is a nice left over, servings number three, four five and up and not so tasty and are either not eaten or left forever on the hips. 


While making an early morning run through the grocery store, I spied this magazine at the check out counter.  I am a sucker for magazines at the check out.  Those clever marketing people get me every time.  Last fall during the Southern Festival of Books, I listed to Bridget Lancaster who is part of America's Test Kitchen--she was warm and funny and delightful.


Yes, the magazine went into my shopping cart and I am enjoying reading each and every recipe and can't wait to smell some wonderful aromas coming from our kitchen.  Two servings--let me know what you think.  And. . . like with all the Test Kitchen magazines, they have some wonderful tips are improving your baking skills. 

March Madness in April

Yesterday was Lisanne Miller's rug hooking event called March Madness in April.  It had all the great elements of a great rug hooking event:  beautiful rugs, laughter, food, shopping, hooking and old friends and new friends.  The rug in the photograph was one of my favorites.

This bunny is just screaming spring.  Would love for him to live at my house and help me welcome spring each year.

Isn't this whale just the cutest thing?  The lady who designed this has a whole nativity and menagerie of animals.  

This is Tam's rug--she called it her winter project.

The theme and challenge of this years event was sheep.  This sweet Mother and baby were a stand up and beautifully hooked.  Wish I had gotten pictures of the other sheep.

Carmen is making great progress on her fox.

A finished project from a previous class and hooking event.

Lisanne and Ron made a big announcement--they are moving to Maine and have bought W. Cushing Dyes and Joan Moshimers designs/warehouse in Kennebunkport, Maine.  There was a shopping frenzy with patterns which had not seen the light of day for years.  Super excited for Lisanne and Ron and all the goodness they will bring to rug hooking.  

Anne Pennsylvania Peacock aka Annie Magnolia

Anne Pennsylvania Peacock

Designed by Little by Little


Anne Pennsylvania Peacock isn't that a wonderful name for a sampler?  AppleJack's Grandmother was named Annie Magnolia--isn't that a wonderful name for a sampler?  Am taking liberties with Cynthia Bradford's (Little by Little) design and changing the name and dwelling place and some structural changes with the house (it is the gold rectangle to the right of Annie's dress). 

One of the many things which I love about this sampler is the proportion.  Annie will tower over her house.  Beside the house is this funky tree.

When I finish stitching Annie Magnolia she will be gifted to AppleJack's daughter and Granddaughter.  Will also be attaching a letter to the back of the framed sampler with bits and pieces I have learned about Annie Magnolia's life.

Poppy Seed Chicken

Saturday is Gathering Day with the Homespun group and it's time for me to find a delicious, tasty recipe.  A few weeks ago, one of our dear friends invited us for Sunday lunch and she served Poppy Seed Chicken--it was delicious!  She kindly shared her recipe.

Poppy Seed Chicken

5 cups chicken breasts, cooked and shredded or cubed
1 cup sour cream
2 (14.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 1/2 rolls of crackers)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

• Preheat over to 350 degrees
• Boil raw chicken breasts with salt and pepper until done.  Let chicken cool slightly and shred or cut into cubes.  Place chicken in a 9 x 13 casserole dish
• Stir together the condensed soup and sour cream.  Pour over the chicken
• In a separate bowl, stir together the crushed crackers and melted butter.  Sprinkle over the chicken and sauce.  Sprinkle the poppy seeds on top
• Bake for 20-30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the casserole is browned and the sauce is bubbly.

Hope the stitch girls enjoy