A Quilt For Eric

My nephew and his wife are having a little boy next month and I have been thinking about making a quilt for the little guy.  I've been thinking about it for a long time, and the months just keep creeping by.  I looked at the calendar and realized I'd better get cracking.  September is right around the corner. 

I chose Snips and Snails by Riley Blake.  The pattern I chose was a simple one, one that I could finish quickly.  I used my Accuquilt Go to cut the pieces.  I needed four 6-1/2" squares of three different fabrics.  I cut a 7" strip of three different fabrics.  I folded each strip and placed it on my cutting die and cut all 4 squares from each strip at one time.  I did this with each of the three fabrics.  Layering fabrics and cutting them with your rotary cutter is just as effective, however, I think the Accuquilt was faster and the squares had more accurate measurements.

I cut nine 4" strips of white fabric and nine 4" strips of blue striped fabric.  I cut these strips into 288  triangles with the 3-1/2 (3-7/8") cutting die.  

I sewed the triangles together to make (144) 3-1/2" squares.

I sewed together 48 sets of these blocks.

I sewed half of these strips to opposite sides of all 12 blocks.

I added the remaining 3-1/2" squares to the other half of the two block strips as shown below.

I sewed these to the other two sides of the squares.  The 12-1/2" block looks like this.

Then I sewed the blocks together to make the top of the quilt.  Next I will put the border on and quilt it.  The pressure is on to finish this quilt.

Linking To:

Fabric Tuesday  WIP Wednesday Linky Tuesday I Quilt Needle and Thread Thursday Let's Bee Social #32  Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? Link A Finish Friday Fabric Frenzy Friday #26 Saturday Sparks Link Party #75  

Houndstooth, Polka Dots, Gingham and Chevron

When planning your holiday sewing projects this year, think about the basics you plan to use.  There are great polka dots, chevrons, ginghams and houndstooth fabrics in a wide range of color combinations.  It is generally that basic fabric that brings just the right dimension to your projects and quilts.  These are just a few of the bundles available in my etsy shop.  Stop by and browse.  It's never too early to start those Christmas projects.

Linking to:

Linky Tuesday You're Gonna Love It Tuesday Fabric Tuesday #197

Salmon Berry Shortcake

Salmonberries grow in the summer in Southeast Alaska.  They start as a pretty little pink flower in the Spring.  

The flower petals fall off and the center becomes a hard little green berry clump.

The ripe salmonberry is red or orange.

They are juicy, tasty little gems and they are abundant.  In fact, they are actually weeds.  People go to great lengths to keep these from growing in their yards and gardens. If you let them in, they take over and are impossible to completely eradicate. 

I enjoy picking the berries and eating them when I'm out and about, however, I have never collected them.  I am not sure why I don't collect them.  I began wondering why salmonberries are tasty treats to enjoy when out wandering around, but not good enough to collect for use throughout the year? I decided to collect some and use them in my cooking.  I learned that there are very few recipes that use salmonberries.  I think that because salmonberries are a detestable weed, they aren't used to their potential.  They are very juicy and generally sweet tasting.  I found some recipes where berries seem interchangeable, so although I use salmonberries in this recipe, you can use any berry you choose. I think it would be a great recipe for raspberries too.

This shortcake recipe starts in the kitchen aid for the dry ingredients and the shortening.  You can use a pastry cutter and do it the old fashioned way but your kitchen aid works just as well.  

Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Pour the wet ingredients into the mixer with the dry ingredients.  When mixed they will be firm.  Divide the dough in half and form two equal sized balls.

Using your hands, use the first ball to make a circle that will fit into a prepared 8" cake pan.  I do this on a piece of waxed paper so I can easily transfer it to the cake pan.

Place it in the pan and cover the top with softened butter.

With the second ball of dough, make a circle just like the first and put it on top of the buttered dough in the cake pan.

While your cake is baking, make the berry mixture.

While the cake is cooling, make the whipped cream mixture.

When the cake is cool, pour the berry mixture over the top.  

Serve with the whipped cream mixture.

The shortcake recipe comes from the Alaska Wild Berry Guide and Cookbook. The whipped cream recipe comes from Norwegian National Recipes.

Salmonberry Shortcake
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
1 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 well beaten egg
1/2 cup milk
2 Tbs softened butter
4 cups salmonberries (divided)
1  cup sugar (divided)
juice from half a lime
1-1/4 cup of whipping cream

Gently mix 1/4 cup sugar into 1 cup of berries, set aside.

Preheat oven to 350F.  Mix flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.  Cut in the shortening.  In a separate bowl, mix the milk into the well beaten egg.  Add this to the dry ingredients and mix until just moist. Divide into two equal pieces and form into two equal sized balls.  Pat each ball into a round circle that will fit an 8" cake pan.  Place the first round into the cake pan and spread the top with 2 Tbs of softened butter.  Place the second round on top of the first.  Bake for 20-25 minutes until the shortcake is slightly browned around the edges and a knife inserted comes out clean.  Let the cake cool on a rack while you mix the berries.
Berry Topping:
Mix together 3 cups of berries, 3/4 cups of sugar and the juice from 1/2 of a lime.  Let stand for 15 minutes.
Whipped Cream:
Whip the cream in an electric mixer.  Slowly add the set aside mixture of  salmonberries and sugar.

When the cake is cool, turn it out onto a plate.  Top with the berry mixture. Serve in wedges with the whipped cream topping.

Linking to:

A Round Tuit #217 Inspiration Monday Monday Funday Much Ado About Monday #71 The Sunday Showcase #254 Clever Chicks Blog Hop #98 Craftastic Monday Link Party Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party #18 Project Inspired Link Party Inspiration Board Creative Party #166 Take A Look Tuesday Treasure Box Tuesday #31 Hit Me With Your Best Shot Be Inspired and Linky Party #129 Creative Spark Link Party Say G'Day Linky Party #99  City of Creative Dreams #31 The Party Bunch Link Party #40 No Rules Weekend Blog Party #97  Strut Your Stuff Saturday Link Party #159 Creative Collection Link Party 

Wrangell Alaska Bearfest

This year Wrangell celebrated its 5th annual Bearfest from July 23rd to July 27th. Ray Troll joined the party this year.  He designed the poster and T-shirts and gave an entertaining and informative talk about his art.  CLICK HERE to see this year's poster.  

On the final day of the festivities, there was a run.  The run includes, a 5K, a half marathon and a full marathon.  I joined the contingent of Petersburg runners going to Wrangell.  We started our journey with a ride to Banana Point to catch Breakaway for the quick ride over to Wrangell on Saturday 

morning.  

Our first stop was at the marathon nerve center, Alaska Vistas. We registered for the run, visited with Sylvia and crew and grabbed a few Bearfest T-shirts.

We had to wait to check in to our accommodations so we wandered around Wrangell and took in the sights.  The Nolan Center was alive with activity.  Tables filled with crafts and baked goods lined the walls and in the auditorium the featured musicians were hosting a clinic.  The museum and museum store are truly worth a visit.

Marlene, Sharon, Margaret and Joanne visited Chief Shakes house and enjoyed the entertainment there.  Audrey needed a little rest so Helen and I checked in to Rooney's Roost Bed and Breakfast.  If you ever need to spend the night in Wrangell, I highly recommend Rooney's Roost.  It is located on the same street as the High School.  We were greeted with a plate full of the most delicious cookies.  The hostess, Becky Rooney, cooks a delicious gourmet breakfast each day as well.  The rooms are really well insulated because we didn't hear much of anything during our stay.  We stayed in the Sunshine room, which was decorated in shabby chic, blue and yellow.  You have your own bathroom in this room too.  Audrey enjoyed the bear in front of Rooney's Roost.

 CLICK HERE for more information about Rooney's Roost.

At the end of the day, we enjoyed listening to Ray Troll's talk about his art before heading out to the spaghetti dinner at the park.

The next day, Sunday was race day.  We gathered at the Nolan Center for the start.  Hannah and Margaret.

 

Hannah, Margaret, Sharon, Helen and Audrey

Joanne

Marlene

Three generations Helen, Audrey and me.

Audrey has the best seat in the house.  She's strapped in and ready to roll.

Look who we found at the race start. Newly weds Bridget Davidson and Margaret Agner might have been sharing a funny story.

And they're off!!

Hannah ran the half marathon and Margaret ran the first leg of the 4 person marathon relay.

Glory leg...Joann ran the last leg of the marathon relay. 

The half marathon runners in our crew were happy to finish before the heavy rains began.

Petersburg runners finish long races with smiles on their faces.  

Marlene, Hannah, Kathi, Helen, Audrey, Sharon, Margaret and Joanne

 

The race ended at about 12:30 and our ferry arrived at 2:30.  We enjoyed a restful ride back to Petersburg with our boxes of sweet potato fries from the Stikine Restaurant.  It really was a wonderful weekend.  Awesome company and fun activities. 

Wrangell, Alaska has a long and interesting history.  It was settled by the Tlingit people thousands of years ago.  In the 19th Century, the Russians settled Wrangell, making it one of the first non-native settlements in Alaska.   For more information about Wrangell, Alaska, CLICK HERE . Wrangell is the gateway to the Stikine.  If you want to watch the bears at Anan, you can book a ride with Alaska Vistas. CLICK HERE for more information about Alaska Vistas. 

Linking To:

A Bouquet of Talent Linky Party