As I was walking around the classroom I noticed Janey's pin cushion. It was in what looked like a tiny Nantucket basket. It wasn't one, it was an inexpensive imitation and I wish I had one of my own! I love the colors and textures of the pin heads next to the blue scissor handles.
Even better close up…
Once I noticed Janey's pin cushion, I noticed other little still lifes…
I'm going to try to remember to take more of this sort of photo in the future.
I shopped – of course I shopped – when I was in California! I visited Back Porch quilt shop in Pacific Grove and bought fabric and books. I washed and dried the fabric yesterday and was struck by my choices. I seem to be loving neutrals and green right now – go figure.
Gail has a wonderful selection of books you just don't see anywhere else. I"m looking forward to looking at these soon. Notice I didn't say 'read'. I'm going to look at the pretty pictures and be inspired!
Kathy came back from Carmel with this lovely card that she found at Findings. Findings has ribbon and cards and I don't know what else because I didn't get there. They don't have a web site which is too bad!
The flowers on the card (top, right) and envelope were cut from wallpaper. The measuring tape is real (or copied, I can't remember). The detail below shows the zigzag stitching and the buttons with string ties on the back of the envelope.
I'm home from teaching an independent study class to 17 lovely women at the most recent Empty Spools seminar. Everyone worked on something different – with the exception of Christy and Kathy who were both working on double wedding ring quilts. Carolyn, below, was coloring blocks from Kim McLean's Lolipop Trees.
Janie was preparing applique pieces for a quilt featuring eagles and flags.
Marcella was working on an applique block of her own design.
Lynda (from Great American Quilt Factory in Denver) was sewing foundation paper blocks from books that she and Nancy Smith (who was also there) have written.
There were other piecing and applique projects going on and I should have gotten more photos. But in my defense I was as busy as they were! As a teacher I found it very fulfilling to be able to add a bit of information or advice that was helpful.
I'll tell you more about it tomorrow…
I find myself to be strangely attracted to all things orange these days. I don't remember loving it back in the 70s – perhaps I was just too young for it then. At any rate, this small orange flower caught my eye on my morning walk a couple of days ago. I'm still at Asilomar – this flower was growing next to the boardwalk…
It's more fun close up…
I'm in California at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. My Empty Spools session starts in less than an hour so I can't go on and on… Here's a photo I took this morning. It's raining now so I'm glad I took the camera out early.
AKA – Truffles! This is the recipe that I have used for many years. I first saw this on the Smucker's Great American Recipe Contest. I've changed it a bit since then.
Prepare cake a package directs; cool.
NOTE to those who want to make gluten-free cake balls: The gluten-free chocolate cake mix makes a smaller cake. If you make 2 of these, increase the other ingredients by at least half.
In 3-quart saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter; add cocoa and sugar and preserves, stir until smooth. Remove saucepan from heat; crumble cake into mixture in saucepan; mix until well blended and moist. Roll into 1 1/2" balls.
In a double boiler over low heat, melt the chocolate. Dip the balls, completely coating each one. Let stand until dry. Recoat bottom of each truffle if necessary.
These keep best if kept cool. I keep mine in the garage. I only put them in the refrigerator after a couple of weeks if they have not been eaten.
Piece O Cake Blog 