National Sewing Month Contest

A tiny bit of history.

The observance of National Sewing Month began in 1982 with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan declaring September as National Sewing Month “In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.”

Okay, well I was a bit young to appreciate this guy back then. A single girl living in Southern California. I was nowhere near a sewing machine. But thanks guy! Of course, now sewing is a different story. It's really up there with one of the most important things in my world these days. A day without my machine, is like a day without sunshine.

Here's the 2010 National Sewing Month “Accessorize Your Life” Contest

Sew up your best accessory idea for National Sewing Month and you could be a lucky winner in the Accessorize Your Life contest.

STEP 1: Start by picking an Accessory category

Fashion/Garments
Personal Items
Home Dec (including kitchens & outdoor)
Sewing Room
Travel
Pets
Office/Work
Auto

STEP 2: Create an accessory that would be used for convenience, attractiveness or safety

You can create your own design or use any project or pattern.
Your project must include fabric, thread and at least one notion or trim.
Some portion of the project must have been sewn using a sewing machine.
Any additional techniques, embellishments or design touches are your own choice.

STEP 3: Guidelines
Really? Okay I'll follow the guidelines.

Click here for the rules and prizes

I am going to re-purpose some cafe curtains. Watch for my finished project.

Suggestions

* Kindle Cover (free pattern here)
* iPad Cover
* Wristlet
* Dog Collar/Matching Leash (free pattern here)

Even my best friend "Tuesday" is jumping in on the National Sewing Month Bandwagon

Yuck Caterpillers

Oh some time around 1:30 this afternoon

Don't look if caterpillars gross you out.

What are all these little pellets on the sidewalk between my house and my neighbor? I wondered. They are gross. When it rains, yuck, it's even more gross!! It is making my sidewalk a prime target for some serious power washing this fall.

Oooo! I looked up and saw branches of an oak tree covered and being munched by these.

I hate the mess, but I was treated to hundreds of butterflies around in my front planter.

For some reason they didn't like these hot peppers!

So should I make a Very Hungry Caterpiller quilt? Naw!
But you can here

ADDENDUM TO BLOG POST 9:30 PM

Took my darling youngest daughter out to dinner tonight. To Yummy Noodles Cafe!!
She filled me in on all of her newest sorority happenings, classes and events out and about in town near her college. She mentioned that she is going to be doing a Press Preview for some new exhibits that will be happening this year at the North Carolina Museum of Art. She interned there this summer and loved it.

"Mom" she said "Did you ever hear of an artist called Eric Carle? The museum is going to be doing an exhibit on him."

North Carolina Museum of Art

OMG, Dear daughter, I just did a blog post about this Hungry Caterpillar guy this morning. You, daughter dear, need to check out my blog. Don't you remember me reading that story to you until I couldn't see straight? Oh yeah right, you fell asleep.

Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies

Oh my kitchen smells delightful this morning. I got up super early this morning, checked my email and was treated to this delicious oooey gooey cookie recipe.



Chocolate and pumpkin make a frightfully gooey pair in these creamy pumpkin-swirl brownies.


(recipe from MarthaStewart.com: Cookie of the Day)


8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or other nuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.

Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.

Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl. In other bowl, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don't set.

With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with nuts.

Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.

It's cooling on the counter right now. I've never had a cookie with cayenne pepper in it. How about you?

I just might eat all 16 squares :)

I'm Going Green, What?

Well not really. I just love this color lately. I can't get enough green.

Running to Joann's this morning for a piece of white batting for a donation quilt I am making, I scored these great pattern and file organizers.

Clearance Sign! I had to look. Wow! I love 'em!

For .97 cents for a pack of three file folders and the boxes @ .97 cents each too. I bought all of them.

I remember when I first saw this matching stuff last month. You know, when parents go way overboard in the back to college buying spree/rush that was a few weeks ago. I was too cheap to buy them then. My daughter didn't need them. I did. Why does Joann's have back to school and dorm stuff anyway?

Retreat Progress

2 full days of sewing

I made this Double-Hour Glass Quilt from these fabrics.

Annual Labor Day Cyber Retreat

Can you believe it's Labor Day Weekend again?
It just seems like yesterday I was talking about summer, beaches, & re-doing my porch. Now I am waiting for the leaves to turn colors around here and ditch the humidity. Please....

I am participating in Susan's Annual Labor Day Weekend Cyber Retreat.

I've got lots of projects to work on and a pile of bindings to do. "Pay it Forward" commitments to finish and lots more.

Anyone interested in participating in a "Pay it Forward" exchange if I host one?