I love seeing all the Tote Bag and Purse patterns available now. I have even purchased some of them but they have always intimidated me to the point that I hadn't made any of them. That changed yesterday.
A few weeks ago, an online friend, Sharman Neel, sent me two tote patterns, a charm pack and coordinating fabric. I made it yesterday afternoon. It went together very easily and only took about 4 hours to make. Thank you so much Sharman! I love it!


The pattern is available at Quilts Illustrated and called the Charm Party Tote.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Rhonda

I received an award today!!! I opened my email today to find a note from my friend Debi Wind awarding me the "Wylde Women Award".
Debi creates such wonderful art! You must check out her blog and see it!

This award was created by Tammy Vitale to send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

These are the rules of this award:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://www.TammyVitale.com/) (so I can go visit all these wonderful women.)

I wish to bestow the honor of this award to:

Mary L.

Shannon A.

Sandy C.

Judy D.

Laurie M.

Thank you ladies for your inspiration!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Rhonda

It has been a few days since I posted. Thought it was time to put something new up on the blog.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday freezing corn for this winter. It is going to be so good!! Mom and I worked part of it yesterday. I just wish I would get some zucchini. Need to make some more cake! Have you tried the Zucchini Coffee Cake out yet? Let me know what you think.

In a few short weeks the plan is for me to teach a quilting class for my sister's friends. I designed something just for the occasion. I have the top pieced but need to do the quilting yet. They asked for a Christmas design and that is what they got. I love this fabric.


What do you think? I love to hear your opinions.

Have a great day!!!

Rhonda

What fun we had yesterday!!!! My Mom, Jill and I were able to get 29 quarts of Slaw in the freezer. It didn't take as long as what we had thought it would. This Slaw is so much better than the Creamy Coleslaw most people eat. It uses a Sweet and Sour Dressing. Here is the recipe. Let me know how you like it!

Freezer Coleslaw

1 Medium Head of Cabbage
1 Green Pepper, shredded
1 Carrot, shredded
1 tsp. Salt

Sweet and Sour Dressing:

2 c. Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 c. water
1 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. whole mustard seed
2 c. sugar


Combine all dressing ingredients in saucepan. Boil for 1 minute. Cool completely.

Shred cabbage. Add salt to shredded cabbage. Let set for 1 hour. Squeeze excess water from cabbage. Add green pepper and carrot. Stir in Sweet and Sour Dressing. Freeze.

Have a great day!

Rhonda

I have been working on a class sample the last few days. I designed it in EQ6 but it seems that I always move things around in the design when I go to actually make it. I need to get really busy and get it done so I can make the supply list. But first I had other things to do.

I ended up making a cake this morning. This is a family favorite around here. So I thought I would share the recipe with you today. I actually used zucchini right out of our garden.

Zucchini Coffee Cake

2 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. chopped pecans
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c. oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla (3 tsp.)
2 c. shredded zucchini

Topping:

1/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped pecans


Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and pecans in a large bowl. Combine eggs, oil, vanilla and zucchini in another bowl. Add egg mixture to dry ingredients. Mix well. Pour into prepared pan.

Combine all topping ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over batter in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!!!! We do!

Hope you have a great day!

Rhonda

A wonderful quilting friend just started her own blog. If you get a chance check it out. She may have only her first post but at least you can say you knew her when she first started out in the business. LOL

http://sew4uandme.blogspot.com/

Yesterday, I was able to finish the wall quilt for my niece's new baby. The baby isn't due for a couple more weeks so I am ahead of schedule. I can't post a photo of it because I am sure Aimee would peek! Wouldn't you Aimee!

I also was able to get my blocks for the lottery on our Quilting In Indiana group put together. So here is a photo of those. The instructions for the block can be found at:

http://www.quilterscache.com/N/NextDoorNeighbor2Block.html



Since I can't post a photo of the quilt I just got done, I will share some photos that my Dad took on their trip to Colorado. I think these photos were taken in Kansas. They are Wind Powered Generators. I wouldn't mind having a couple of those in my back yard!







Hope you are having a wonderful summer day!!!

Rhonda

July 6, 2008

Yesterday I received a box in the mail from my Secret Sister! What a great gift to receive on my birthday. Here is a photo of everything she sent me.


Thank you to my wonderful Quilting In Indiana Secret Sister!

I also was surprise to get $100 from my wonderful husband to spend at the local quilt shop. When I say local quilt shop, I meant Sharynn's in North Vernon. I stimulated the economy somewhat at that time! lol

Anyway, I had a great weekend and birthday!

Hope you have had a great weekend also!

Rhonda

July 4, 2008

Happy 4th of July!!

There are no exciting activities here at our house today. It has been rainy, dreary weather here. We are going to a cookout tomorrow afternoon. It is my IL's annual BBQ Rib cookout. And of course, tomorrow is my 48th birthday. I have already received all my birthday gifts. I got a digital camera and some fabric from all the kids.

I have been working on the quilt for my niece's baby that is due in a few short weeks. The piecing went fast but now the quilting is going slow. That isn't my favorite part of quilting. But I am sure it is going to be done in time. When this project is done I will get started on a class sample. I need to get it designed tonight so I can pick up the fabric tomorrow at Sharynn's. Then there are 2 challenges to do. One is due before the middle of September and the other is due in November. I have the one for September designed so I just need to get the fabric and make it.

Well that is it for today! Hope you are enjoying your holiday!

Rhonda

July 1, 2008

Wow, the beginning of a new month! One of my favorites since my birthday is in July. I already know what I am getting from all the kids. Why do I know? Because I told them what to get. lol A new digital camera and some fabric. My daughter has been kind enough to tell me that all has been purchased. I wouldn't trust her with any secrets! I didn't even have to ask her, she just blurted it out when she came home with the purchases. No future for her in a government job that requires secrecy!

Yesterday was our 7th Wedding Anniversary. My wonderful DH got me a $100 gift certificate to one of the quilt shops in Madison called Margies Country Store. I like going there because she always has a great selection of fabric in her clearance area. Who can pass up fabric at 50% off! I know I can't. What did I get Greg? He told me 2 things he would like to have. So I got him both. A Dewalt grinder and a set of Craftsman sockets. He said it was like Christmas yesterday morning when he got up! We are going with all the kids but Micky out to eat tomorrow evening. Plans are to go to Cracker Barrel. Should be fun!

I am still working on my Lonestar Cabin quilt but have gotten quite a bit done on it. I have all 288 small diamonds completed. I have been working on putting all of those together into the 32 large diamonds. That is almost done also. Once those are put together though, I will have to put that project aside for a little while. I need to start on a wall quilt for my nieces new baby. The baby is due July 24th so I better get busy.

That's it for today! Hope to share some good photos soon. Waiting on that new camera! lol

Rhonda