Learning to use the Statler

Yesterday DD1 and I went to visit LTW at the farm. Now I was supposed to be going to learn how to work the Statler and babysit my sampler quilt that I need for a wedding in a few weeks. DD1 and Becky got bored with LTW and me playing on the Statler computer and went off to the grocery store together (funny) and we worked on setting up the quilting plan for the quilt. Who knew it took sooo much time to do this part of the quilting?? Certainly NOT me. I know now. So this is a peek at the quilt layed out on the quilting frame.

Three hours later this is what we came up with:

The design elements are not perfectly in place but we will be fixing that and then begin the stitching on the quilt today. I am excited to learn how to do this!

I got up this morning and made some banana bread and blue berry muffins. I will bring the bread but the muffins are for me for the week. They are the Fiber One mix. The banana bread is my low fat, high fiber version and I really like it!

Do any of you have trouble with your chocolate chip cookies spreading out and looking flat? Well I sure did and now I will forever use Vanessa's recipe (over at V and Co's blog)! Don't they look yummy?


I also finished the Monster rag quilt yesterday before leaving for the farm. I have pictures to post step by step for those who might not know how to make these quilts but they make really nice baby quilts. I still need to snip it so will wait to post the tutorial until I have a minute to do that. I cut out a book panel for a Curious George quilt last night now I just need to figure out the sashing. It shouldn't take too long, just need the time home to do it! Once I am caught up at work I may just take a week off to sew! How nice will that be? DH is taking 2 weeks off in August and one of those he is going back to Canada with his uncles like he did last year. We were talking about that in the shower this morning and we decided maybe we will take a few of the days in the other week and go antiquing/quilt shop hopping in Ohio and Indiana.

Oh, and I wanted to let you know, I did NOT have a gain. I did NOT have a loss but no gain is still good after the extra food last week! I am hoping to turn that into a loss this week.

I need to get going and pack up for the trip to the farm. I brought some coordinated fabrics to try the GO Cutter with today too so will let you know how that goes also. Have a great day!

UGH we just lost power so I will see how that goes! I better post before I lost it all together!!

Banana chocolate Chip Cake and some great websites

Some of you wanted the Banana Chocolate Chip Cake recipe so here goes:

BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE

1/4lb (1 stick) butter, softened
1&1/4cups sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1tsp baking soda
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup mashed (very ripe) bananas (~2 large)
1&1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup (6 oz) chocolate chips

Grease and flour a 9 or 10 " tube or bundt pan
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs
Stir soda into sour cream and add to butter mixture
Stir in vanilla and mashed bananas
Stir in flour and salt
Add chocolate chips to the mix and stir to combine
Turn into prepared cake pan
Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes
Cool in pan for 15 minutes
Turn cake out of pan onto cooling rack
When cool dust with powdered sugar

ENJOY!!

Let me know if any of you try it and what you think.

Now for the websites! It was only a matter of time before someone came up with this.
It's a "bakery" using the Moda "ingredients". There are lots of free patterns using the Moda pre cut baked goods. Go and see what you think!

I found another site that I use all the time! Ever need that perfect piece of fabric but are not having any luck finding it? Tried searching everywhere but no luck? Now you can use this website. Just type in what you are looking for and they do the work for you! Type in a description or the fabric name and it will come up with thumbnail shots of fabric fitting your specs and many, many shops that carry just what you are looking for! (Hey Jacquie check out this cool owl fabric)

And lastly try this site for great sale pricing. Check out their sale part. They usually don't have a lot of the yardge but the price is usually HALF what you usually pay!!

So that's it for now. Go and check out those websites.