CLASSIC QUILTERS OF LEWISTON/AUBURN: Nikki the Wonder Dog!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Nikki the Wonder Dog!

Sure you say. Just looks like a cute dog to me. But secretly hidden beneath that calm, furry exterior lies the talent of no dog ever seen--Nikki is a quilt shop sniffing dog.

Okay, okay, your laughing, even for a moment wondering if your own dog might also have this extraordinary talent. The proof will come when Nikki travels with her mom, Liette, from Maine to Alaska. While her daddy drives, Nikki is dreaming about the next quilt shop she will discover. Her sniffer will itch--a tell-tale sign that bolts and bolts of cottons and notions can't be too far away. Her erect tail will direct like a weather vane--pointing the way to the correct address and best parking spot available. Only when they arrive will Liette toss Nikki a celebratory treat for a job well done. I have a feeling that is going to be one chubby dog before this trip is over...

Favorite Quilting Tips

This vodka spray is my favorite. Take 16 oz. of distilled water and 2 oz. white vodka and put into a spray bottle, shake a couple of times and just watch those stubborn wrinkles or
set in fabric folds just melt away!

Another is to take a bar of unscented soap and occasionally put my sewing needle into them. It helps my needles glide through the fabric and batting (especially when using W & N batting).

Don't hesitate to use a Sharpie to mark on your acrylic rules or squares. A soft cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol will remove them.

Take 3/8” clear plastic tubing (you can buy at any home improvement store), cut into ¼” slices and then make one cut. This will allow you to place over your bobbins and see the thread color. A roll of this tubing cost about $7-8 and you will be able to make enough bobbin covers to supply your entire quilting group!

Buy a ring-style belt holder and use to hang your large squares and quilting templates. You can hang it in your closet or a door knob in your sewing room.

Save all your smallest snippets of fabric and put out near your trees for birds to use and make their nests.

Are you making paper hexagon pieces? If so, mark one sheet (many websites have them pre-marked by size) to a pile of four pieces of the same size paper and staple to secure in various spots. Carefully cut on the lines, remove the stapes and stack the number of pieces you need to make a flower. Staple the stack. In this way, you can always ensure you will have the correct amount of fabric pieces cut out for each flower.

When you cannot mark your borders for quilting, I use strips of white tissue paper in which my pattern is marked by using multiple sheets stacked and sew the pattern using an
unthreaded needle with the longest straight stitch. Match up the pattern and pin on the boarders and go! Afterwards, I pick off most of the loose paper and the rest comes off when I wash the quilt. Just be sure to check your dryer filter halfway between drying time!

*Speaking of blocks, stop into your favorite pizza joint and ask to buy some of their pizza boxes. I offer them $1 for the larger boxes, which are fantastic for storing your current applique and pieces blocks

*When putting your quilt blocks on a design wall, especially when working with a scrappy pattern, take a picture using your digital camera and save in black and white. You can really
see the values pop out at you with the black and white and this allows you to move the blocks around before sewing. Once I get the pattern the way I like it, I take another picture and save it on my laptop computer desktop. It’s a great visual aid near my sewing machine to be sure I have the project on the right
path

The local dollar store is filled with items you can use in your sewing room:

*Flannel-backed tablecloths are perfect to use for a design wall

*Thin transparent cutting sheets are perfect to cut out quilting templates and fussy cutting squares

*Use clamp-style picnic table holders to hold your quilting sandwich while pinning the quilt on the table

*Sandpaper dots are perfect to use on the back of your acrylic squares to keep them from shifting

*Plastic pencil boxes are great for holding your rotary cutters. I buy different colors to distingust the type or size of cutter, i.e. green for my 45mm blade, black for my 45mm batting/flannel cutter, red for my 18mm blade, etc.

*Use the plastic tubes M& M’s come in to store your extra wound bobbins. Again, the color can signify the thread color inside. Once you remember, it will save you tons of
time so that you can wind a bunch at one time of your most popular colors, such as white, cream, grey, taupe and black ready to go. Of course, enjoy the candy first! You can also use these empty containers or a mini sewing kit, storing used needles and a great way to bring along money in your beach bag

*Grab a “brag book” to store your current/future fabric samples, fabric needs, etc. It keeps them clean and a great visual aid when shopping

*Make yourself a fabric shopping kit-a small pad, mini-pen, small measuring tape and mini calculator. Place into a mini tin and carry in your purse or pocket.

*In a pinch for quilt basting spray? Use a regular strength hairspray. Be sure to cover your work area to avoid any slipping/damage to your floors/furniture

*Try a small white board for jotting down your instructions for your latest quilting project or other items you need to remember near your sewing machine

*Blue painter’s tape is an excellent way to mark lines on your quilt top. You can usually use the same piece of tape several times before discarding

*Some dollar stores sell seven pocket expandable file folders-they are perfect for storing your current template, directions, magazines, pictures and small blocks

*Sometimes you can also find pocket-sized mini-grid pads. These will come in handy if you need to jot down a quilting idea/pattern you see while shopping or in your daily travels

I save my empty paper towel rolls to wrap my pre-made bias binding on. When ready to use, put a string or ribbon through the roll and adjust the string to go around your neck. In this way, the binding is always in front of you and hands free. It keeps the ends from getting twisted and away from your pets

*The silver-metal hair clips are an economical way to hold your quilt bindings while sewing

When you begin your free-motion quilting, always bring up your bobbin thread and while holding the two threads away from the needle, adjust your machine to a straight stitch with tiny length stitches. Start with about five tiny stitches, then clip the end threads and begin quilting! In this way, you won't have to bury the treads everytime you start and end your quilting. Your stitches are secure and you will barely notice them.

I'm always looking for ways to store my sewing/quilting supplies without costing lots of $$$. Recycle those empty paper towel and wrapping paper rolls and store your pieces of different interfaces in them. On a piece of paper, write the type of interfacing and the amount in the roll and starting with a number one, list them. In this way, you know before starting a project or when you are low on one particular type so you can purchase some when it's on sale again. Take the section of directions and either roll inside the roll or tape on the outside of the tube. There--for just a few minutes of work, you have saved yourself when shopping if you have enough of the proper interfacing to finish your new project. One more tip--if you purchase the water-soluble interfacing like I do, be sure to keep in wrapped up in plastic to keep the moisture out. You can just slip a clear plastic bag over your roll if you wish.

No time to sew charity quilts but still want to help? Cut your scraps into 4" squares and sew into nine-patch blocks. Bring to your next state meeting (or give to Kathleen) and they will go towards Project Linus quilts. No time to sew? Just send the bag of squares to the meeting for those who lack the fabric but have the time to piece!

If you need to glue down a piece of fabric for applique, try using a bit of glue stick on a Q-tip to spread it exactly where you need it. It keeps the mess down to a minimum!

Have lots of speciality rulers, larger squares and templates but lack of space to store them? Peg board with hooks work well. For larger items without hanging holes, I use the multi-rack systems sold at office supply stores. These usually come in heavy plastic or even better, metal, and hold tons of rulers and squares. I sort mine with the ones I use the most in the front rows and the ones I use the least in the back rows.

Get out those old white votive candles and use them to store your threaded quilting needles. The candle will hold the needles in place and the wax will help move the needle through the fabric quick as a bunny!

Recipes for Quilters

Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

Prep time: 10 min Cook time: 45 min

Serves: 10

You don't even need to be an experienced cook to make this dish--it's SO easy!

Ingredients:

1 (2 pound) package frozen hash browns
8 ounces sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup finely minced onion
2 cups grated Colby or Cheddar cheese (or a combination
of both)

Place potatoes in a greased 9”x13” inch pan. Season with salt and pepper. Melt butter in the microwave. In a bowl, add minced onions, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and melted butter and mix together. Pour soup mixture over potatoes; sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until all is completely warm and the cheese begins to melt.

With upcoming President's Day, what could be more fitting than a recipe using cherries?

Cherry Muffins

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup pitted fresh cherries
or canned cherries, drained
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup melted butter

Sift together the flour, salt, baking
powder and sugar; add
cherries and stir gently to blend. In a
separate bowl, beat egg
until thick and light in color; stir in
the milk and melted butter.

Quickly stir egg and milk mixture into the dry mixture.
Butter and flour 12 muffin cups. Pour batter into prepared
muffin tins.

Bake cherry muffins at 375° for 25 to 30 minutes.
Makes 12 cherry muffins.

Raspberry Bars (submitted by Laurie)

3/4 c butter-no subs!
1-7 1/2 oz. can almond paste
1 tsp. almond or vanilla extract
1 pkg. sugar cookie mix (gluten-free works)
1 lg. egg
1 c raspberry jam (also good with apricot jam)
1 c slivered almonds
3 tbsp. coarse sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9" x 13" pan (jelly roll pan is easier to get the bars out when cooled).

Beat butter, almond paste and extract until smooth. Blend with cookie mix. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of mix for topping. Add egg to remaining mix and blend well. Spread in pan.

Warm jam in the microwave and spread over dough. Top with almonds and crumb topping. You may top with coarse sugar. Bake 25 minutes until lightly brown. Set pan on cooling rack and cut into bars when completely cooled. These freeze well.

Kathleen’s Revamped Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Servings: Makes about eight- 1 1/2 cup servings.

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sweet white onion, minced
1/2 cup zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup frozen green beans, Italian-cut or sub one small can of green beans, drained & rinsed
1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
6 teaspoons garlic, minced
1-15 oz. can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
2-15 oz. cans dark red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
1-15 oz. can white beans, drained & rinsed
1-14 oz. can diced tomatoes, (I used the one with basil and oregano)
3-14 ½ oz. cans vegetable broth
1/2-cup carrots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced (or dried if fresh isn’t available)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups hot water
4 cups fresh spinach, torn into small pieces (about 2”)
1/2 cup shell pasta or small macaroni

Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot. Sauté onion, celery, garlic and zucchini in the oil for five minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.

Add vegetable broth to pot, plus tomatoes, drained and rinsed beans, carrot, hot water, and spices. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency. Serve with a dash of grated cheese.

Kathleen’s Tomato Florentine Soup

Serves 6

I’m NOT a fan of spinach, but I can eat this soup all day! Make in advance for a day of sewing fun.

2 small onions, finely chopped
3 large cloves of garlic, finely minced (or use 3-4 tsp. of minced garlic from the jar)
2 stalks celery, finely chopped (optional)
2 tbsp. olive oil
8 cups of homemade chicken broth or equivalent store brand (I use 5 cans of College Inn Light and Fat Free Chicken broth. Each can is 14-½ oz.)
2 ½ cups chopped tomatoes (I use a 28-½ oz. can of chopped or diced tomatoes—try to find the ones with garlic and Italian spices in it)
2 cups tightly packed, chopped fresh spinach (I use a 10 oz. box of frozen spinach)
3 tbs. fresh or dried basil (I use a twice as much, but it’s best to use less for your first batch, and adjust it later
2 tsp. dried oregano
½-1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. black pepper (plenty of salt already in the chicken broth) 1-cup small pasta (get baby shells if possible)

Freshly grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

I add a dash of red wine if I have a bottle open! One for me-one for the pot!

Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Once hot, add onions, garlic, and celery. Cook over medium head, stirring continually, until vegetables are soft. Add the dried oregano and thyme, and cook for another minute. Add the chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; add frozen block of spinach and pasta.

Cook at a simmer for 5 minutes; add basil, cook until pasta is al dente. Serve with grated cheese on top.

This soup tastes so much better the next day as the flavors meld. Be sure not to over season when cooking, as it will be stronger on the second day. You can also add an additional can of chicken broth to thin out the soup if the pasta absorbs it. Enjoy!