Friday, April 1, 2016

The Best Apple Pie Ever :: Recipe by Audrey's Apron



I've always been more of a cake and cookie baker but am determined to conquer pies with homemade crust. This week it was apple pie -- recipe courtesy of Audreys's Apron blog. Truly a beautiful recipe with simple to follow instructions. 



I made a double batch of Audrey's pie crust recipe (link supplied in the apple pie directions) in my Breville Sous Chef food processor and it is great dough to work with. Rolled out beautifully and was pretty pleased with my first ever lattice crust. These pie crust rings from Taste of Home have been waiting patiently in the pantry for many years and they really did make the process faster and easier. Lots of butter in this recipe but if I'm going out eating apple pie, it better be the Best Apple Pie Ever ... right?!?!



My hubby strolled through the kitchen, sniffed the pork roast in the crockpot, tasted the cinnamon-y, nutmeg-y, syrupy pie filling that coats the Granny Smiths and the lattice crust and said, "I'm not going to fit into my clothes!" That makes two of us. Also, one of the great pleasures for me with baked goods is grating fresh nutmeg into the mix. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it for the pure, intense fragrance and flavor it adds.



Thanks, Audrey, for sharing this gorgeous recipe. It's a keeper!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Carry-All Pincushion :: Pattern by Noodlehead's Anna Graham



I was so happy to finally make one of the great projects from Anna Graham's "Handmade Style" book. I've wanted one of the Carry-All Pincushions since I got the book and finally took the time to sew one for myself.



It is so cute and so handy. Although I cut up some fat quarters this time, I really like that it lends itself to scrap busting.



The pattern recommends using crushed walnut shells in the stuffing, which help keep your pins sharp. It also lends some weight to the pincushion. I found a good-sized bag at Petco for around $8 and, since I do like making pincushions, I know it'll go far.



I opted to make a separate little bag to hold the crushed walnut shells. This last photo shows it before inserting the bag and stuffing with polyfill.



Love it, Anna ... great pattern, great book!

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Holy Bat-mania Baby Quilt



There is nothing like a new baby in the family to spark your creativity. To celebrate my new Great-Nephew who arrived at the end of December, a Batman-themed quilt was the only way to go.



The darling, colorful superhero words fabric from Joann's was a great beginning, offering up many colors to include. And, of course, a bat symbol applique had to be center stage.



I like to embroider the baby's name and birth year on their quilts. The year had already been embroidered on this quilt top when he finally made an appearance a week beyond his due date on the 29th. (Tommy, come out of the bat cave!) By then I had decided if he waited until 2016, the 5 was going to be X'd out and a 6 embroidered next to it.



Welcome to the world, sweet baby boy, Thomas Maverick. Aunt Janie loves you!