Bubble Trouble

This week it's all about pumpkins; the cookie learning curve continues, and if we don't get these out of the house, my latest creative venture could become a weighty matter!   I'm learning slowly...

You can see, in this "ghost" pumpkin and acorn close-up, that air bubbles are currently wreaking havoc with the finish on the icing. I have consulted many cookie blogs and websites and, I believe that I might know now how to rememdy that situation with a turkey lacer tool and an offset spatula, along with some less vigorous mixing on my part... we'll see.   Next week I'll work on ridding that nuisance along with acheiving some sort of icing consistency knowledge. However, on the up-side, how many mistakes can simply be eaten and forgotten? 

In the meantime I've got some sweet treats for neighbors and friends, I don't think a few boo-boos will matter to them.  And yes, in case you're wondering... I am still sewing! I hope to have a month long wrap-up post tomorrow.

Life is Good!

First Fruits

It all began so innocently... don't all adventures? Mine was born from curiosity after reading this blog post by KaHolly earlier this summer. "I wonder", I thought to myself, "how hard would it be to learn to decorate fabulous cookies such as these?" I did some research, watched a gazillion you tube videos and began ordering supplies... ready or not, I was on my way.  This was something entirely new to me, something I felt compelled to try. "Hey, if the results weren't any good we could always eat the mistakes, right?" I set aside an entire day... and it took every bit of that.  I used a sugar cookie recipe that I found online and, rolling out the dough with rolling pin spacers on my rolling pin, I found it simple to achieve the perfect, consistent 1/4" cookie dough as recommended. My first batch from the oven saw a few of the smaller cookies over-browned. Timing is everything and this, like everything, has a learning curve. I'm up for the climb.

First cookie blanks... all ready to be dressed up!

The first fruits of my labor, with some acorns and leaves thrown in for good measure. I'm learning... one cookie at a time!

Life is Good!

...and oh, so sweet...

I'm B-a-a-a-a-ck!

Did anyone guess New Hampshire as an answer to the question posed yesterday? If you did, you were right. Here's another shot of that wonderfully picturesque farm stand where we stopped while visiting my parents last week. This stand is Moulton Farms in Meredith, we had to (yes, we had to!) swing by there to buy some cider donuts (Cider Bellies) for breakfast the next morning... they're made, fresh as they're ordered, right back there in that little building. Oh. My. Goodness! Suffice it to say they didn't all make it 'til the next day! Now that I've tasted one I believe every word from the website that brags about their #1 ranking and the fact that folks drive from all over New England around to buy them. Yum doesn't even begin to describe their deliciousness.

On Wednesday last week we drove to The Busy Thimble in Litchfield, ME. Mom and I had a great time, this precious little cottage is filled to overflowing with Civil War reproduction fabrics and owned by the warm and welcoming, Cyndi.  Surprisingly, Cyndi and Mom have a mutual friend from my hometown... small world! Cyndi's full size Log Cabin quilt (made from miniscule 1/4" logs) is on display in her shop (you can see it as her blog banner by clicking the above link), it's utterly amazing!

These two miniature quilts of Cyndi's hang near the check out. The Log Cabin blocks measure in at three inches and the Nine Patch blocks finish to one and half inches! Proof again that here's no such thing as scraps too small to save!

Mom loved her Bull's Eye Quilt!  She's ready to sit and add the button embellishments now.

The texture that developed after washing and tumble-drying was completely wonderful.

I'm going to leave you with this parting shot: autumn in New England; it just doesn't get any prettier than this!

Life is Good!

Out And About

The Goodneedles are out and about, on the road again. Would anyone care to guess where we've been?

                                                                  Life is Good!

21st Century Bull's Eye

Here's the back of the latest quilt to come off the rails, showing the quilting detail of one of the borders. This one belongs to my Mom; the quilt pattern is known as the 21st-Century Bull's-Eye, it was the cover quilt from Country Threads' 1999 book: Quilts From Aunt Amy.
I remember buying this book when it was first released and drooling over every quilt in the book. I still love the classic patterns and vintage designs but haven't made even one of the quilts; however, now I can say that I have quilted one!

Mom's version of the 21st-Century Bull's-Eye quilt, 58" X 71".  The circles are machine stitched to the surface, with the raw edges left exposed, then the blocks are quartered, shuffled and reassembled.

I purposely left the centers of the blocks open and unquilted; Mom plans to add antique shirt buttons to the Bull's Eye centers. I hope she'll be happy with the results, it's been a joy to have it here. It's a classic beauty.

Life is Good!

Art Party!

Lucy Ann chose the theme for her 5th birthday party: ART!  Our daughter took that theme and ran with it. I believe it was everything the birthday girl could have wanted!

The first activity was treat bag decorating.

Picture painting came next... here are two particularly adorable the artists at work.

Our daughter read the party guests an art-related story, it was enjoyed by all. One of Lucy Ann's little friends told Miss Marcia that she reminded her of a teacher! (Once a teacher always a teacher...)

 For their sweet treat the budding artists decorated white cupcakes as original, one-of-a-kind, creations!

And a good time was had by all!

I did manage to get a quick snapshot of Lucy Ann in her special dress before the guests arrived. She loved it. Lucy Ann had requested gifts for the Humane Society in lieu of gifts for herself. At the end of the party that green washtub (in the background) was filled with donations for dogs and cats living in the animal shelter until they find their forever homes. We couldn't be prouder of this little girl and her huge heart!

Life is Good!

...and rocketing by at the speed of light...

Happy Birthday, Lucy Ann!

Lucy Ann chose the fabric, Nana made her a special dress.

Today  is her birthday, five years old...how is that even possible?

How could this baby girl have grown to be five years old already?

I hope you'll enjoy your birthday dress for a very long time, little one!

Life is Good!