Red Headed Stepchild...

Yep.. that's how I've treated you lately. Ignoring you... leaving you wondering what's happening over here.

I haven't forgotten about you though. I've been thinking about you.. in between boxes.

You guessed it - we moved again. This time into our permanent home. Knowing this is the last move (for a very long time anyway) made it easier to bear.

I'm unpacking the sewing room this weekend. Although it's not really a room this time. It's just a corner in our unfinished basement. But that's ok - because now I can spread out (which might actually be dangerous). And let's not forget the view! I'll have to share pictures of the view once I get it unpacked. It's pretty awesome.

Anyone want to come unpack a box? Or two?

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Fall.. my favorite time of year

I finally live in a place that has beautiful fall colors. I can't tell you how much I've wanted to see the vibrant transition of the trees as we go from Summer to Winter.. brrrrr..

Here are a few pictures from my part of the world..

And my favorite picture of them all....

Fall has inspired so many ideas for me this year. I don't know if it's the colors around me? Or the cool crisp air? or maybe both. But I'm loving it! I hope you are enjoying Fall in your neck of the woods.. Pin It

October Friday Night Sew-In - all the cool people are doing it!

It's time to commit to doing something you love! Signup for the Friday Night Sew-in coming October 15th! Bobbi and I will both be hosting this one and we can't wait to sew with all of you!

Most of you already know the drill.. but for any newbies out there.. here is how it works.

1. Enter your blog info below. **If you don't have a blog - you can enter the Flickr group link as your URL.

2. Make a post on your blog - letting all your readers know about the sew-in. Spread the word.. we could all use the virtual sewing support and encouragement.

3. On Friday – 10/15/10 - Get your house settled, put on your comfy jammies.. maybe make a cup of tea.. and sit down to work on some of those projects (or anything else that you want to work on.. maybe you want to knit.. or catch up on scrapbooking).

4. Then, sometime on Saturday - publish a post about what you worked on.. show us a picture or two on Flickr. There is a FNSI group on Flickr if you haven't already joined. Totally optional.

And finally - on Sunday 10/17, we will enter all participants into a GIVEAWAY for a charm pack of fabric and our signature FNSI pincushion. As always we select 2 winners - so you each will have 2 chances to win!!

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Apple Butter - this is what Fall tastes like!

Living in Minnesota - there are Apple trees all around. But did I get my apples off a local tree? No. I wanted to, but the one person we know with a tree - only had little tiny apples.

So - I used Granny Smith Apples from the grocery store. Maybe next year I'll use local apples.

Anyway, you must try this recipe! It is so delicious!!! We all had it on toast this morning for breakfast... YUM!

You will need:
Crockpot
5 lbs Apples - finely chopped
3 cups white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt

Add chopped apples to the crockpot. Add remaining ingredients and stir.

Cook on high for 1 hour - then turn to low for approx 6 - 8 hours. Stir occasionally.

Once it looks like it has cooked down enough, remove crockpot lid and cook for another hour until the right consistency.

(sorry about picture quality... I cheated and used my phone)

Scoop into clean jars and refridgerate. Don't forget to eat some on toast while it's still warm. You will melt, trust me. The toast is just the 'vehicle' to get this into your mouth as fast as you can.

You can also give to friends if you are willing to part with it.

Wouldn't one of your neighbors love to find a jar on their doorstep this holiday season? Maybe bring a jar for the host of an upcoming holiday meal?

EDIT: I should also tell you - you can store in the fridge for 3 months or in freezer for 6mths. OR if you want to "can" the jars - you would boil in a canner for 10 minutes. (10min at 15% pressure for a pressure canner)

Seriously.. give it a try. You will be happy you did. Pin It

Friday Night Sew-In WINNERS!!!!

After a busy day - I'm finally getting around to announcing the lucky winners from all those that participated in the FNSI!!!

The lucky ladies are...

#22 - Janet from over at "Caribou Crossing Chronicles" and...

#128 - Lana from "It seams to be sew"

I don't have a picture of your prizes - because I haven't bought them yet. lol. But I know what it is... I'm getting each of you a "BLISS" Charm Pack and you will also receive the signature FNSI Pincushion!

I'm going to get them for each of you tomorrow and get them in the mail. Just send me your snail mail address and I'll have the goodies on their way!

Congrats to the WINNERS!!!! And stay tuned for the next FNSI coming on October 15th! Signup coming soon. Pin It

Friday Night Sew-In Results!!

I am always on a quest to be organized - I'm sure a few of you out there totally get what I'm saying.

Every year when school begins, I always get papers that I think "I'm going to put this in a place that I won't forget"... but then I usually do forget. You still with me? Yep.. I see you shaking your head.

And since the day my husband and I got married - we have had a system for bills. We have a notebook and everything is written down when to pay etc.

So I decided to put everything in a binder. These are some of the tabs that I have...

1. One for each kid.. with their school papers that I need to keep in their sections. Along with names and phone #'s of their friends (with the parents names and address).

2. Another for my Christmas card list.. everyone's address is there. Along with my regular address book.

3. A tab for bills - need I say more.

4. Emergency repair phone #'s - like utilities, gas, cable.. etc.

5. Emergency house information - like where the shut off is for water, breaker box, gas line.. etc. Do you know where these are in your house? You should - what if there was an emergency??!! (sorry.. got a little bossy there)

And pretty much anything else I can think of in the future.

And since I like things 'pretty' - I made this binder cover...

Cute huh? I used "Whimsy" by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda. It was a little stack of 2 1/2 inch squares from my Moda Bakeshop Sampler. Along with 2 fat quarters and some Ric Rac.

Now I'm off to see what the rest of you worked on last night! Pin It

Monsters in the Closet

Yes - It's true.. Monsters in the Closet is the name of the fabric that I used to make this sweet little baby blanket.

If you are in need of a quick baby gift - panels really are the way to go. I found this adorable panel of "Monsters in the Closet" by Sue Marsh for RJR Fabrics.

This was a quick baby gift for one of my husbands new co-workers. I've never met the new Mommy (or baby) but I have met the Daddy a few times and he's a super nice guy!

And because I love all things soft - I backed it with Minky. How can you not love Minky.. it has an extremely high cuddle factor and perfect for that tender baby skin.

Now I'm on to make plans for my Friday Night Sew-In. I have my agenda set.

I will be working with this little stack of Whimsy. They are 2 1/2 in squares from my Bakeshop Sampler that I "just had to have" last year. I'm trying to be better about using things from my current fabric stash. One reason is that quilt stores around here are a bit of a "drive" for me (20 min probably). And the other reason is..well it just makes good sense.

So - are you ready to sew tomorrow night with me? Do you have your project planned? I'm ready - I just hope my "project" turns out close to what it looks like in my head. Pin It