Pear Butter and Pinnies

 Today found me canning again, not something I enjoy in 95 degree heat but our small harvest of pears was ready and I managed to get 3 and a half pints of pear butter.  This is a fave around here and it was special to use our own homegrown pears this year, even though there weren't many pears...

This is a pin cushion that some of you saw earlier in this post.  I did tiny embroidery which was great fun and I am itching to use these motifs again soon...but my day for the Pin It Blog Hop is tomorrow and I have another tiny motif pin cushion to show...come back and join us tomorrow!

September 10
Meadowbrook

Thimblemouse and Spouse

Sunshine Quilting

The Distracted Domestic

Gingini

Karinka

De Handwerktuin

How ART You?

Den syende himmel

Stitching & Stuff

Susie's World at Quilt Creations

Grammie Q's

Selina Quilts

Pig Tales and Quilts

Robin's Fabric Nest

Gr8dame's Place

September 11
Vroomans Quilts
More Stars In Comanche

Dancing Through Threads

Jackie's Art Quilts

What About Rheema?

Stekje

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

Just Let Me Quilt

Patchouli Moon Studio

Bea Quilter

Quilting Lines

I Piece 2 Mary

Quiltingbydawn

Nati's Little Things

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Krislovesfabric <---here I am!

Bquiltin

Nothing any cuter than...

Chicken Babies!!!

 I went to pick these up today...we used to get our little ones in the Spring but decided Fall is easier since we've been hit with loss of power and snowfall when they arrived at least two separate occasions.  I think we will be safe from snow for awhile yet...

Canteloupe, really?

So I told you that I needed a break from the sewing room to catch up with preserving the bounty that is our garden...it's been a wacko year and the tomatoes are mostly sitting green on the vine and the squash is growing foliage but not so much in the way of zucchinis...anyway...along with a whole lotta grapes on the vine, and corn that needs frozen, I have had quite a few of these all mature simultaneously...

 And so I made this...and it felt a bit like Sesame Street "Two of these things are not like the others..."

Wait for it...

Yep, I have made canteloupe jam...maybe it's the cold medicine talking, I am feeling pretty good today, lol...but it doesn't taste bad, not bad at all...I used a recipe in this book though I changed vanilla bean to pinch of cinnamon...and the result is very canteloupe and honey tasting. 

Hey! The husband approves so it must be good!

Now onto that corn...

Have a good day!

Making friends and trying something new...

So I joined up with Wifessionals Cara Box exchange this month...it's the last one that is being done in a quick turnaround month...she is going to a quarterly format next round.  I can't tell you when I first saw this pop up on blogs but I decided to jump in for a new swap experience for this last one.  The idea is you get paired up with two ladies: one you will send a box to and another that will be sending a box to you.

You get to know each other over a period of time via email and by blog stalking. Then you assemble a box for one which is based on their personal interests and taste. 

I met two wonderful ladies this round... and getting to know these ladies was so much fun! They were both so sweet and kind!  My box was sent to Christy  and  Mary sent me a box...and I must just say Mary did a stellar job of surprising me with a very thoughtful box of goodies...

 Each item made me ooh and aaahh with joy...I absolutely can't wait to try her blackberry and peach preserves...and aren't those jars just beauties in and of themselves!!  Chocolate and caramel? Ummm, yes, please!  The solid fabric jelly rolls are just gorgeous and the bag to put everything in so thoughtful...

 Then there is this measuring tape mug...sooo cute and perfect for me :)  She also included a Barnes and Noble gift card that was totally over the top generous.

 

I so appreciated that she took the time to come up with these sweet surprises for me as I know that her life contains a lot of special challenges.  So here I sit writing this post and thinking of the kind and generous soul who thought of me with a box and made a girl with a summer cold smile big!  I am so glad to know you Mary, you are such a kind, inspiring person with a heart of gold :)  Thank you.

A summer cold...and Grapes!

 So these grapes are ready for jam-making...the corn in the garden is ready to be frozen and my son gave my husband who gave me a nasty summer cold...so you guessed it...not too much happening on the sewing front here!

I did finish a test block for the beautiful winged square that is featured in a tutorial on the blog During Quiet Time here...I am hoping to use it as my block for my month in September as Queen bee in the Color Bee Shocked Bee.

I used Kaffe Fassett and some fun solids...and I am planning to send a rainbow of fabric goodness to my bee-mates...and watch them turn it into rainbow winged squares!!

In From the Cold Mug Along Block 9

 I saw this new Block of the Month designed by Kate Spain show up at the Moda Website and knew I wanted to join in...

In From the Cold (free pattern), go to Moda's site here.

 Well, today is the big reveal, all my blocks finished, so...

And....wait for it...TAAAA-DAAAAA...

Block number 9

 My friend Billie and I are doing this pattern as a Mug Along, and you can find her version here...as a Texas girl she is using a more summery palette and her blocks have a completely different look which I love!

Come Visit Me At Jane's Fabrics today!

Today is an extra fun day...Jane from Jane's Fabric and Quilts invited me to be a guest  blogger  with a hand embroidery project today...

She sent a group of us a wonderfully generous sampling of Presencia threads and encouraged us to make something fun....

This is my first time to guest post anywhere, lol...please come support us and

Please visit me here...




**edited to add link up to A Quilter's Table as I was also inspired for this make by the Zakka-Along!!  Thanks for all the inspiration!!