GoFundMe for Pepper’s TPLO Surgery

Posted on August 31, 2020 by thequiltedcat

Hi everyone,

Today’s post is a little departure from quilting. Our best girl and hiking buddy sustained a torn ligament while hiking, and she now needs a very expensive surgery to repair it called TPLO.

We’ve had 3 different vet opinions, and they all agree on the same surgery. It’s in the $3000 to $5000 range, depending on vet, any complications that might pop up, and pre-surgery work.

We have a GoFundMe set up if you like to contribute and get Pepper out hiking on the trails again! I have also been destashing quilting fabric on my Instagram account to raise funds (@nwquiltedcat).

Pepper at the beach

Thanks for all your support and words of encouragement! Pepper gives everyone a big doggie hug and kiss.

Best,

Jen

Sea Glass BOM, Month 7

Posted on August 21, 2020 by thequiltedcat

Happy Friday, everyone!

We made it through another week, although they are starting to blur together. The warm August days are beautiful, and I do enjoy getting a little outside each day during breaks and lunch as I work from home. My little backyard vegetable garden is thriving, and we’ve enjoyed several salads from the bounty. School is starting soon for my teen, but it will so very different being online rather than in person.

I finished my month 7 blocks for the Sea Glass BOM, designed by Fig Tree. I’m really enjoying the soothing color palette of these blocks each month.

This block is called Sea Star.

Sea Star block, month 7 in the Sea Glass BOM

My blocks in the BOM are growing! I just need to go back to last month and complete the flying geese (likely for border units).

Sea Glass BOM, months 1 through 7

Pretty, pretty sea glass! These blocks just seem to sparkle.

Have a great weekend and happy quilting,

Jen

Hawaiian Style Sourdough Banana Bread

Posted on August 19, 2020 by thequiltedcat

Hi everyone,

Today’s post is a little diversion from my regular quilting and sewing themed posts.

I made some banana bread using some sourdough starter that turned out delicious so I’m sharing the recipe with you. I’m calling it “Hawaiian style” because it reminds me of some banana bread that I purchased at a road side stand in Hawaii a few years ago.

I listed the nuts and shredded coconut as “to taste” because some people want a little less texture, and others (like me) prefer a little more texture and crunch.

Hawaiian style sourdough banana bread, just out of the oven!

Ingredients

1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup sourdough starter
2 cups flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill Artisan flour but all-purpose works fine)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts to taste (you could substitute almonds or walnuts)
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded coconut to taste
sprinkle of cinnamon and white sugar for the top

Instructions

Use spray oil on a bread loaf pan.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, brown sugar, and sourdough starter.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and stir until just combined.
Fold in the nuts and shredded coconut.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan, and lightly sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on the top for a subtle crunch and flavor.
Bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and enjoy!

Hawaiian style banana bread, cooling

Sliced Hawaiian style banana bread, so yummy!

I only made the one loaf this afternoon and, with a teenage son and husband, this loaf will disappear quickly!

Let me know if you make this recipe in the comments below.

Enjoy!

-Jen

Making a 3D style of face mask

Posted on August 18, 2020 by thequiltedcat

Hi everyone,

Recently, my nephew asked me to make him some solid color face masks that he can use at college. He wanted washable ones so that he doesn’t have to keep buying disposable ones and to create less waste.

I decided to try the “3D” style of mask, which is slightly boxed to allow for easier breathing because the fabric sits just a little farther out from the nose and mouth.

I followed a pattern and YouTube video by Add Crafts. She has a downloadable pattern in a link in the comments. The video does not offer text instruction, only visual instruction so you may need to pause it a few times to see how she assembles the mask

I used the size large pattern for my test mask. It did sew together fairly quickly. However, I think this pattern runs small. The size large is ok for me, but I asked my teen son to try it and he said it is too small. There is an XL size that I will try next.

Here’s a look at the mask with the pattern:

3D Face Mask, size large, pattern by Add Crafts

The top of the pattern has a curved indentation to fit the nose area better, and you can insert a wire.

Here’s a look at the 3D mask outside and inside:

3D mask outside

3D mask inside

For me, I prefer the feel of the rounded style of face mask using the Craft Passion pattern. It’s definitely all about personal preference! I’m going to make my nephew one of each style, and ask him which style he prefers to wear.

Happy quilting!

-Jen

Farm Pig Mini Quilts

Posted on August 14, 2020 by thequiltedcat

Hi everyone,

Recently, I decided to make a cute little Penny the Pig block from Lori Holt’s Farm Girl Vintage 2 book. I had some pig themed fabric on hand called State Fair by Windham Fabrics. Why not combine them?

I pulled in other pieces from my stash for the ears, nose, feet, and the ground. The background is hand-dyed Cherrywood. I made the 12″ block size.

Penny Pig block from Farm Girl Vintage 2 book

Isn’t this just the cutest little block? In fact, I decided to make a second one to gift to my sister.

As these blocks are small, I went ahead and quilted them side-by-side using a ruler to create diagonal lines and Glide thread in Cotton Candy.

Quilting the pig blocks

After I quilted them, I decided each little pig needed a name. I didn’t want to name them both “Penny” so I kept one named Penny and one named Mabel.

But how to distinguish them? How about a fun embellishment? I added letter beads on colored jewelry wire to the top of each quilt after I finished the binding.