Another Week of Traveling ...

This week we continue our tour the fifty states of the US ... 

a tour you can begin and end in the comfort of your own abode 

... no transportation needed!

American Made Brand fabrics ... 

not just a name, but a fact.

These cottons fabrics are grown and made in America.

Seriously!  

50 colors too ... how cool is that???

Don't take just my word for it ... go to

American Made Brand's website

to read their story here.

This week's AMB schedule:

Day	Date	State	Blog
Day 6	26-May	New York	Quilts from my Crayon Box
	26-May	North Carolina	A Stitch in Time
Day 7	27-May	Rhode Island	Seaside Stitches
	27-May	Vermont	Quilter in Motion
Day 8	28-May	Kentucky	Simply Sandy
	28-May	Tennessee	Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Day 9	29-May	Ohio	Olive and Ollie
	29-May	Louisiana	Fleur de Lis Quilts
Day 10	30-May	Indiana	No Hats in the House
	30-May	Mississippi	Life as a Quilter

Week One of AMB schedule:

DAY	DATE	STATE	BLOG
Day 1	19-May	Delaware	Blue Striped Room
	19-May	Pennsylvania	Cherry Lynch Quilts
Day 2	20-May	Georgia	Butterfly Threads Quilting
	20-May	Idaho	Taffy Talk
Day 3	21-May	Alabama	GreenQuilts
	21-May	Massachusetts	A Quilting Jewel
Day 4	22-May	Maryland	Spring Water Designs
	22-May	South Carolina	The Crafty Quilter’s Closet
Day 5	23-May	New Hampshire	Park Hill Farm
	23-May	Virginia	Pat Sloan’s Blog

However, if you want to, you can get

the complete schedule by visiting 

American Made Brand's schedule page

by following the link button

 on the right side of my blog.

At each stop on the tour, explore how each designer re-interprets their 12″ x 6″ state license plate in a finished quilt block of the same size and sign-up for giveaways of American Made Brand fabric.  You’ll find all types of blocks – truly something for everyone! You are going to want to collect them all.

See you along the highway!

Read More

Granny Blanket Done!

Greetings from the back porch!  The weather is gorgeous, and my company has four legs and the sweetest face ever!  I am a happy camper.  I finished my latest granny square blanket.  I am so pleased with it.  I am also pleased with the fact that my leg is definitely on the mend.  I was actually able to get out on the porch and clean off the pollen and get my plants outside.  This is progress!

Now the blanket...what do you think?  My favorite part is that teal blue border!  I get crochet giddiness when I ree that blue with red.   I love the combo!

Then when I see it pop agains the black in this ottoman, well, I have no words!   Don't you want to dive right in this photograph!   

Phoebe gave it her approval too.  :)   

Just a few notes on the blanket.  

1 - I joined my squares as I worked the blanket.  I am really getting to the point where I prefer this method.   

2 - I put in a round of small solid grannies.  It slowed the whole process down, but the effect is completely worth it.   It is important that you be mindful with the rows after the single squares...I had to go back and take rows out down to that row of solid grannies because I had too many stitches and it would not lie flat.   

3 - it is my preference to have a nice thick border on the blanket.  I worked it in half double crotchets.   

4 - I apologize for all the red, but I just can't help it!!!!    

5 - This is the perfect project for using up those scrap acrylic yarns.  I did supplement mine with some more colors, but it is mostly what I had on hand.

Now that the blanket is finished, it fueled the fan for more hookiness.  I am now obsessed.  I want to start another blanket, but cannot decide what I want to do so in the meantime I am doing...

See below

How fun are these!!!   Perfect creative outlet.  The possibilities are endless.

Blinged out with some embroidery and little crochet flowers, or

Crocheted up in a nice fluorescent green.

I threw I this triangle granny...not sure why, just pondering.

I have more done, but they are drying and blocking.   

I hope everyone has a great week!

Read More

slimfast to swimsuit season

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim http://mydisclosur.es/OBsstV

Are you all ready for Summer? I am! I am excited to get out to the beach and have some lazy sun-filled summer days. You just cannot beat Summer in the PNW. It is gorgeous and the weather is perfect. Which means I will be spending a lot of time in my swimsuit. My swimsuit and I are not really the best of friends. I mean, I love it because it means it is time to go to the beach and lounge in the sun, but squeezing myself into it and checking myself out in the mirror is not so fun.

With only about a month or two until I am wearing my swimsuit almost full time, I decided to gear myself up. Enter Slimfast.

You all know that I have three busy boys, which makes me busy! What I love about Slimfast is the convenience. I don't have to add up my calories or cook up a meal. I can just grab and go. And believe me...90% of the time I need to grab and go.

Slimfast came out with a limited edition Piña Colada shake as part of the 14 day Slimdown Challenge. 

The 14 Days to Slim program is a convenient and delicious way to lose up to lose 6 pounds in the first 2 weeks. Hello, swimsuit!

There is a 14 days to Slim Challenge Sweepstakes taking place on Slimfast’s Facebook page May 12, 2014 till May 27, 2014 so make sure you head on over to enter! There will be TWO $5,000 grand prize winners, given a gift card to a specific retailer or a Visa/Amex gift card!! Follow Slimfast on Pinterest for all the latest info!

Read More

Put 'er in Drive ... American Made Brand Blog Tour Week One

Monday, May 19th marks the beginning of a tour the fifty states in the United States ... 

a tour you can begin and end in the comfort of your own abode 

... no transportation needed!

American Made Brand fabrics ... 

not just a name, but a fact.

These cottons fabrics are grown and made in America.

Seriously!  

50 colors too ... how cool is that???

Don't take just my word for it ... go to

American Made Brand's website

to read their story here.

This week's AMB schedule is as follows:

DAY	DATE	STATE	BLOG
Day 1	19-May	Delaware	Blue Striped Room
	19-May	Pennsylvania	Cherry Lynch Quilts
Day 2	20-May	Georgia	Butterfly Threads Quilting
	20-May	Idaho	Taffy Talk
Day 3	21-May	Alabama	GreenQuilts
	21-May	Massachusetts	A Quilting Jewel
Day 4	22-May	Maryland	Spring Water Designs
	22-May	South Carolina	The Crafty Quilter’s Closet
Day 5	23-May	New Hampshire	Park Hill Farm
	23-May	Virginia	Pat Sloan’s Blog

However, if you want to, you can get

the complete schedule by visiting 

American Made Brand's schedule page

by following the link button

 on the right side of my blog.

At each stop on the tour, explore how each designer re-interprets their 12″ x 6″ state license plate in a finished quilt block of the same size and sign-up for giveaways of American Made Brand fabric.  You’ll find all types of blocks – truly something for everyone! You are going to want to collect them all.

My license plate is still in the works:

Please come back to visit me for 

my Montana AMB Plate on June 16th!

Remember....

AMB is giving away a fat quarter bundle of the fabrics featured in this hop.... every day ... on every post!  

That's 50 chances to win!!

While the AMB FQ bundle will sadly not be available to international guests, I personally will have a second give away opportunity just for our fabulous international friends ... so please, stay tuned ...

Until then, see you along the highway!

Read More

Travel Season Starts Here ....

Hit the road with the AMERICAN MADE BRAND Blog Tour, designed to take you on an inspired trip across the USA, our blog tour visits all 50 states in just 25 days starting May 19th. 

I can personally say there will be lots of pictures, perhaps a tutorial, and definitely a giveaway, right here at Why-Knot-Kwilt on June 16th, the day of my state's reveal.

From the Clothworks' website:

Every Blogger has been specially selected as a representative of the state they call home. At each stop on the tour, explore how each designer re-interprets their 12″ x 6″ state license plate in a finished quilt block of the same size and sign-up for giveaways of American Made Brand fabric.  You’ll find all types of blocks – truly something for everyone! You are going to want to collect them all.

So please, starting May 19th be sure to begin a wonderful nation-wide tour with me and explore this great country of ours with AMB; no gas required!   The full schedule can be found by clicking on the AMB button on the right-side of my blog.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all along the road ~

Read More

keeping your summer treats clean {with WetNap}

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and WetNap but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #showusyourmess http://mydisclosur.es/OBsstV

Summer is headed our way and that means some fun treats are too! At least to me it does...
Amongst all of the summer fun that my family indulges in, we also indulge in certain summer treats as a tradition.

In August, we go to my parents' home every year for the county fair and to spend our time at their ranch with hayrides, bonfires, watermelon picking and eating and all sorts of summer fun! Between the dirt and the treats, and three little boys, we can create quite the mess! I always bring my trusty Wet-Nap products along so I don't have to worry about it!

READ THE REST OF THIS POST -->>>»

Read More

Granny Blankets Are Good For My Soul!!

Thank you all for the encouraging emails and comments!!!!   I do believe my little black cloud has lifted!

I am a happy girl!  I have become obsessed with my latest granny blanket.  All I needed was a reason to start one.  I have a family member that will be going through some major surgery very soon, so I decided to make him a blanket to recuperate under!   I had two tubs full of acrylic yarn and started out with no plan at all, although I did have an idea of what I wanted.

As you can see it has grown to blanket size, and it is very bright and cherry.  We had such a pretty day yesterday I took it out on the deck to snap some pictures of it.   

And Phoebe was so willing to pose with it.   

Here is a close up of the center.  I am joining the squares as I go.  This is now my preferred method....I used to sew my squares together.   

I love the moment when a project comes to life.  This one took awhile to get to that point for me.  I think it is because I omitted the black.  I love that traditional granny bordered with the black.   And I was really kinda hating I had left it out for a while, but not now!!!! 

 

I am now working on the border.  I should have it done this week....but then I have about a zillions ends to weave in!!!  I haven't wove in a single thread!!  (It's not easy being lazy!). 

 

I am happy to report I am walking boot free and cane free!  But still not pain free.  PT started last week.   I am following orders and doing my therapy at home.too.  Boy!  This is not easy!!!   I can walk up a flight of stairs normally, but I still cannot go down them normally, I am having to do one at a time.  But it is definite improvement over just a couple of weeks ago!!!!

 

I am also going to the grocery store and cooking again!!!  Yay!!!!  Tonight we are having roast with some carrots and potatoes.  I also have some homemade soup done for lunches this week.   Hubs has done a great job with getting the meals done, groceries bought, etc....but I was seriously missing some of my favorite dishes!

 

I hope everyone has a great week!!!!   

Read More

key lime pie-lets {recipe}

When I need a delicious, refreshing summer dessert, this key lime pie has become my go-to recipe since my mom shared it with me. I usually make a 9-inch pie with it, but recently I needed something easier to serve for a dessert buffet, so I changed it up and made mini key lime pies, or "pielets." {Cutest name ever, by the way.}

No one would believe me when I told them how easy this recipe is. It's a little scary how easy it is, actually. I can make it anytime I want. .

Key Lime Pie Recipe

(Makes 1 - 9 inch pie or about 10 mini pies)

1 - 9 inch pre-made graham cracker pie crust OR about 10 Keebler Ready Crust mini graham pie crusts

3 cups sweetened condensed milk (I used just under 3 - 14 oz. cans)

1/2 cup sour cream (I used fat-free and it tasted just as good as the full fat sour cream! I cannot recommend reduced-fat sour cream--I haven't tried it but the consistency is usually different from full fat or fat-free)

1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

3/4 cup key lime juice

Preheat over to 350 degrees. 

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Spoon filling into pie crust(s). Place pies on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until filling is set. Do not brown. Chill completely in refrigerator. Garnish with whipped cream and a lime slice before serving.

Hints & Tips

When it comes to the key lime juice (don't try using regular lime juice--it won't be tart enough), I prefer to use a bottled juice rather than squeeze a million of those tiny key limes. This Nellie & Joe's brand key lime juice is my fave.

I found these mini graham cracker pie crusts in the baking aisle at Walmart. Adorable.

I used about 1/4 cup pie filling for each mini pie crust.

 Place your pies on a baking sheet before putting them in the oven.

I sliced a lime and made a small cut halfway into the slice so I could twist them and set them on top of the whipped topping.

 

So regular whipped cream is absolutely dreamy on these, but I tried a coconut-flavored whipped cream with these and it was pretty amazing, too!

Coconut Whipped Cream Recipe

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. imitation coconut flavoring

Whip all ingredients in mixer until stiff peaks form. If you don't want to use coconut flavoring, increase vanilla to 1 full teaspoon.

To dress up your pielets, try slipping them into a cupcake wrapper, like these cute ones I found at Pick Your Plum.

If you love lime  and coconut like me, don't miss this recipe for Coconut Lime Cupcakes that I served at a Cinco de Mayo party!

Read More