Easy One Seam Potholders

 I had some left over fabric after making the Patriotic Pinwheel Table Runner and decided to make some matching potholders out of it for the same friend. While at Sit and Sew one week someone showed me this easy way to make them so I was eager to try it out.
  All of the squares are cut the same size. I had enough to make 8" squares but make them whatever size you like. First, layer one square, wrong side up. Next, put a square of heat resistant batting.(I used two for extra protection) Then, layer another square, right side up.(This will end up being the bottom of you pot holder.)

 Take the four squares you want showing on the "woven" side of your potholder and press them diagonally, forming triangles. Match one of the short sides of each triangle to the edge of the pile of squares. Work your way all around in this manner.

                                                        This is how it should look.

           Alternatively, you can fold them from side to side forming a rectangle and then layer them.

 When positioning the fourth side you will need to lift the first one to layer it properly. (Like you would if closing a box.)

        Sew around all four sides, without lifting the presser foot, using a 1/4" seam. Clip corners.

                                                           Turn right side out.   

                                                           That's it! Sew easy.

      
Blessings to you~

Dahlia Cupcakes

 I was browsing through blogs and these pretties at Kathy's Cottage blew me away. Aren't they gorgeous?

And simple as can be according to her directions. They would be just lovely at a Fourth of July picnic. I spent some time looking around her blog and found this recipe for Cherry Almond Squares and now have the dilemma of which to make for the Fourth! If only all of life's decisions were this simple, huh?
I think I will go finish a binding since it has cooled down enough to have a quilt on my lap.
Blessing to you~

Patriotic Pinwheels

 I finished this table runner for a friend just in time for the Fourth of July and also the deployment of her son, who is a Marine. It started out with a red, cream and blue Americana theme but when I saw the Marine fabric, I had a feeling she would prefer it. And she did! She really wanted it to run the full length of her table so it is 58" long.

 You can really get a lot of lift in those buggers by pressing them with the point of the iron in the fold to take out the crease.

I enjoy this 3-D block pattern so much and and have lots of fun with it. You might remember the last runner I used it in. The post, including the tutorial, can be found here.

My all time favorite 3D Pinwheel quilt was made by Geta at Geta's Quilting Studio. I love how she used the smaller, dark pink pinwheels in between the framed blocks. She also used the smaller size in the border which really finishes it off nicely.

While you are visiting Geta's blog, be sure to check out her spectacular trapunto. It is breathtaking!
Blessings to you~

A Hug From God

 Isn't she a beauty?

 I spotted her two weeks ago at the Goodwill store. I didn't buy her that day because I thought ninety dollars was a lot of money to spend on something I could live without. When I got home, I called a friend who knows everything about old Singers. She was a sweetie and went to check it out the next day. She LOVED it and said I shouldn't be afraid to buy it for that price. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

 So two weeks passed and I dropped in the store again. When I asked an employee what color tags were 50% off this week and he said "pink" I went running to where the machine had been! And there she was, in all her glory, waiting for me. With a pink tag.

I smiled like a kid in a candy store as I paid and drove home. At times like this I am reminded of just how much God loves me. He chose to bless me with something he knew I wanted but didn't really need. He made sure it was still there and half price to top it all off. All I can say is that it feels like a GIANT hug from God. No special reason. Just because.

I've contacted the same friend who first checked it out and she said she would take a look at it for me. I figure, even if it doesn't work, all it really needs to do is sit there and look pretty! I am in the process of trying to identify it so if anyone can help me out I would sure appreciate it.

I hope you get an unexpected hug too~
Love,

                   

Wordless Wednesday

Blessings to you and all those people who are flooded out of their homes on this rainy, rainy day~

Asian Mandarin Chicken Salad

  I have never been this excited about a recipe before! Usually my motto is "Under sell, over deliver" (a useful bit of advice heard during a recent political campaign). But really! I think you will love it. It is the best salad I have ever eaten. Here it is in all its awesome glory~

 It requires some planning ahead but that is part of the reason it tastes SO good so don't skip the marinading step. I start mine in the morning and then we eat it that night. Here is the recipe~

Asian Mandarin Chicken Salad
1 box bowtie pasta (cooked al dente in salted water)
2 rotisserie chicken breasts, chopped (if it's a scrawny chicken, use the meat from the whole chicken lol)
1/4 c. sliced green onions
1/2 c. sliced almonds that have been toasted in 1 T. butter
1 small bag of spinach with stems removed (optional)
1 bag sugar snap peas
2 lg.size cans mandarin oranges (drained)
Dressing
Make one batch for the marinade and another for right before serving.
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1/3 c. oil (I use half canola and half sesame. The sesame flavor is very important to the flavor of the salad)
2 T. sugar
1/2 t. salt
pepper to taste

Pour one batch of dressing over cooked pasta and chopped chicken. Refrigerate over night or all day. Before serving, add the rest of the salad ingredients and second batch of dressing.

I hope you enjoy it as much as me and my family do! Blessings to you~

Wordless Wednesday

         
Blessings to you~