Burning, Burning, Burning!!

I sure wish that was calories that we are talking about and while the pounds are still slowly melting, I'm referring to CDs. I'm busy burning, burning cds. I finished my huge order to Nancy's Notions and got word that they received them. That's always good to know. =) Now I have received a request for availability for designs for a future order. How exciting is that? They are going to order more!! Thank you Lord!!

My office is coming along, slowly but surely. I want to make sure that everything has a place and a place for everything (that's the hard part). Please stay organized Gina!!! I have the office to a place where I can resume working. Much better than tripping over boxes but at least I have an area now, not just a path. lol So, time to get busy burning cds for Puyallup. I fly out Tuesday for Seattle and then will drive on over to Puyallup. Looking at the forecast, it looks pretty cold right now, so going to ship some cds so I have room for my coat in my luggage.

Visit : http://www.sewexpo.com/ to see more about the Sewing Expo. Look for me there. =)

I'll fly home on the 7th then leave on the 10th for Dallas Quilt show http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/

Come and say HI to me. Can't wait to meet you.

I've Been Published!!

I'm so excited with all the changes in my business. I just received the first magazine I've been published in!! Many thanks to Mary Mann and Debi Urban who each made a quilt and to Kathryn Rister (my mom!!) who quilted mine and Mary's quilts. =)

Happy Birthday Morgan!

Wow, I can't believe my youngest is 8 now! And to think he had to spend the day at home with a fever. =( Since I couldn't leave to get a mix or a cake, I made him a home made cake. He told me it was the best birthday cake he has ever had. =)

CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE

2 cups flour 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup cocoa 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup real mayonnaise (not salad dressing) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup cold water Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add vanilla, mayonnaise and water. Beat until smooth. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13x9-inch pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean (about 30-35 minutes).

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup milk 2 tsp. almond or vanilla extract **I used 1 tsp of each!! In a food processor, process butter about 30 seconds or until smooth. Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the confectioners sugar and process again, about 15 seconds. While the motor is running, drizzle in the extract through the small opening in the feed tube. Process for another 30 seconds, or until smooth. Cooks Note: For a stiffer frosting, add a little less milk or more confectioners sugar. For a glaze, or thinner frosting add more milk or less confectioners sugar. This same mixture can also be made in a stand mixer, but add the confectioners sugar on very low speed (or use the bowl cover), as it has a tendency to splash out of the bowl.

Happy New Year!!!

Can you believe that a new year has come in already? How do these things happen so fast?? Speaking of things happening fast, my kids are growing so fast. I am blessed to have a sister that is a super photographer. She took pictures of my kids a couple weeks ago. They turned out great!

Bryce - 20

Briana - 18

Blake - 13

Marshall - 9

Morgan - 7

These 2 are not only brothers but best friends. They are inseparable. I love the relationship that these 2 have.

Favorite Christmas Recipes

We have made these for year. These are a few of our favorite things:

Sausage Balls

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground pork sausage 2 cups biscuit baking mix 1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese 1/4 cup water (opt if too dry)

DIRECTIONS:

1. 1Allow cheese and sausage to reach room temperature.
2. 2Place in mixing bowl with Bisquick and blend till smooth. (I've had great success using my hand-held electric mixer to incorporate ingredients). NOTE: Mixture will be quite dry.
3. 3Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Spray well with vegetable oil spray.
4. 4Press/roll mixture into 1 inch balls by hand. Place onto cookie sheets about 1 inch apart.
5. 5Bake in 400* oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or till golden brown.
6. 6Drain on paper toweling.
   
   
   

   Orange Balls

   
   
   1 (12 oz.) pkg. vanilla wafers, crushed
   1 (6 oz.) can frozen orange juice, thawed
   1/2 c. butter
   1 (16 oz.) box powdered sugar
   1 c. chopped pecans
   7 oz. coconut (opt)

   Combine wafers, juice, butter and sugar; mix well. Blend in nuts. Shape into 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar or coconut.
   
   

My prototypes are here!

My prototypes for my templates arrived yesterday.

Pretty darn cool! I can't wait to see these produced.

Hopefully these will be out by the beginning of the year thanks to Simplicity and EZ Quilting

My quilting and embroidery angel - Mary

I put out a plea a little over a year ago for a tester and Mary sent me an email saying she was up for the job. I warned her that I was a slave driver ;) Mary has become not only my tester but a very dear friend. I finally got to meet her this year. She flew to Houston and stayed with mom and I for 10 days. We had such a great time! She was a life saver for us. She brought a darling quilt that she made for her precious grand daughter Cookie (who thinks she is Rapunzel). I am SO grateful for Mary and her friendship.