First Spinning Stars Quilt

This is my first attempt at the Karen Stone Spinning Stars patterns. I took her class back in March and have finally finished my first one.  My son has requested one of these and has already picked out the colors.

Kaleidoscope Stars Quilt Finished

Workshop quilt finished
Class by:  Cynthia LeBlanc Regone
Kaleidoscope Stars

I hate using templates to make a quilt..I prefer the strip pieced techniques that some of the new quilts use.  I'm glad this one is done.  I didn't do a good job picking colors out so I'm not as pleased as I would be if someone else had picked out my colors for me.  For some reason I just don't have that inner eye to see what colors will look good together.  Well here it is, with the boarders on I'm more pleased with the combination but it is still lacking the expert eye.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Crust:
1 Cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup + 1 tblsp salted real butter
3 tblsp ice cold water

Place the flour and butter in a food processor and pulse till looks like peas.  Add the water and continue pulsing till dough comes together a bit.  Pour into a plastic baggy and shape into a ball and flatten the ball.  Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Roll out dough into a circle 2 inches larger than your pie pan.  Place in pie pan and crimp edges as desired.  Prick the bottom and sides of the pie dough and place in the freezer for about 10 minutes.  Place in your preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes, watching so that it doesn't burn.

Lemon Filling
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tblsp all purpose flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups water
4 egg yolks lightly beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tblsp grated lemon peel
1 tbslp butter

Meringue
4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar

1. prepare and bake flaky pastry; cool completely before filling.
2. Make lemon filling:  In medium saucepan, combine cornstarch, flour, sugar and salt, mixing well.  Gradually add 2 cups water, stirring until smooth.
3. Over medium hear, bring to boiling, stirring occasionally;  boil for 1 minute.
4. Remove from heat.  Quickly stir some of the hot mixture into the egg yolks.  Return to hot mixture;  stirring quickly to blend and not to scramble the eggs.
5. Return to heat; cook over low heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from heat.  Stir in lemon juice, lemon peel and butter.  Pour into cooled pie shell.

Make the Meringue
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
7. In medium bowl, with portable electric mixer at medium speed, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy.
8. Gradually beat in sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating after each addition.  Then beat at high speed until stiff peaks form when beaters are slowly raised.
9. Spread meringue over lemon filling, carefully sealing to the edge of the crust and swirl the top decoratively.
10. Bake 7-9 minutes or until meringue is golden brown.  Let pie cool completely on wire rack 2 1/2 - 3 hours.  Serves 8
Refrigerate left overs

Tragedy in Colorado Springs

I've been making weaving tools for at least 12 years now, I loose track of time these days. I have met so many wonderful weavers throughout the years, I get close to many of them and their stories. I even have a couple pen pals because of my love for this wonderful art form.

One of the ladies (Nance) that recently purchased a raddle from me and had come to know was part of the Colorado Springs fire disaster. She lost everything, even the cars that sit outside. She lost all her pictures, her entire life. She'd go to the rubble that was left behind looking for little pieces of her life that that fire may have spared. Billy Graham and some of his congregation came to give support and hope. The group went about looking for pieces of peoples lives they could find. They found one tiny piece of woven fabric that belonged to Nance, she was thrilled.

Needless to say she lost her loom, the thing that she went to daily for joy, she lost the raddle that I had made for her. Then a few days ago she tells me that someone was so kind and gave her another loom. She was so thrilled to say the least. I made a new raddle for her to replace the one she bought and the right size for her new loom. She doesn't know I've done this and I hope she loves it. I put on the raddle the words "With God all things are possible".

Let's all say a prayer for those people who have lost everything.

Here is the special hand painted raddle:

My New Janome 7700 QCP

This is my new Quilting machine. If you remember, I just purchased the Sapphire Viking Machine. Well after having to load it up and take it back into the shop for several different issues yesterday was the last straw. I exchanged it for this beauty. I am hoping that this one will make me a happy camper. I've heard nothing but good things so we'll see.
I miss the pressure foot auto lifting when your done sewing but the knee lift is very nice. It also came with an acrylic table extender and that is fantastic! It is more pricey I certainly hope it's worth it.

Here is my boy: