apples day 2

Ok apples day 2 - to start off I woke up and anxiously checked the jars from the night before.

they.were.all.RUINED!!!


I left the wrong amount of head space so  they all had blow out =(  One didn't seal at all! So I took all of them and emptied them into gallon size jars and into the fridge they went.


Then we had to run out to our storage to get more jars because I was out here at home. On the way we stopped and picked some sumac. Well we thought was sumac but had to double check -- IT IS! YEA! I'm gonna have fun with this stuff =) I plan to dry & juice the berries so we can use them. Oh and I also am going to try to harvest and save some seeds so when we go to the new place I can plant it there. It's such a fast grower it'll be great to have around. Here's what it looks like -

So we get home and get to work for day 2.



We ended up doing 12 quarts and 1 pint of apple slices in extra super light syrup. They will be so nice to eat or in a pie! Here's a picture of them -

We finished off all the apples we have already picked. In the wee hours of the this morning we decided to take a break from apples - besides the apple butter - till Tuesday. =)


later...

starting in on apples 2010

Image via Wikipedia
We went and picked apples from the east tree today -- about half of the tree so far. Came home, realized that a peeler/corer/slicer was DEFINITELY needed! So we ran out and got one. (used to have one 6 yrs ago, it disappeared)
Tonight we got 16 pints of apple slices done and 2 batches of apple butter going in the crock pots. Somehow I ended up with no quart jars to use and that's what I had wanted to can all this in, oh well - we'll get them from storage tomorrow and do the next batches in them.
Sad part is that we only got a third of the apples done so far =(  I think I'm gonna hate apples before this is through!
later...

Image via Wikipedia

Wrapped in Hope - completed quilt

I finally got all the stuff together and got it put together. It was difficult but fun =) I love trying new things and with this quilt I tried lots!
First, I tried a new design which was based on the attic window quilt block. It's explained here -  http://www.straw.com/equilters/library/blocks/atticwindow.html  I do think I'll do it again but next time I will try a different color combo and assembly. It was a nice way to display the patterned fabric tho =)
Next, I tried this method of quilting the whole thing together -  http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2009/07/grid-quilting-mini-tutorial.html  Ok I didn't do this on this quilt but on a separate little quilt -- ummmm......no! didn't work for me, I have no clue! I think it may be my machine - at least that's what I'm going to blame it on LOL!

Ok and last, I tried a number of things from this page - http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2008/10/binding-tutorial.html

• I tried  her method of making binding - it was difficult for me at best! I did complete a couple strips connecting the way she said but then I caved and did it flat cut to flat cut. 
• I tried her method of starting a binding in the middle of one long side -- worked GREAT! This will be my new method of starting binding now =)I also tried her method of doing corners -- LOVE it! So much easier than other ways I've done them =)
• I thought about doing her way of joining the binding when you reach the end but decided against it last minute.
• And last I tried her way of finishing the binding on the quilt (hand stitching binding on back). My fingers about fell off! I don't know how people can hand quilt whole blankets - it's sooo hard! Sorry but if I have access to power and a sewing machine that is going to be the way I do it LOL!

I also made a pillowcase to go along with this. At first I tried it my way --- looked crappy! Then I found out about the method they show on this video (below) -- - it's so easy, I LOVE it!

Now to just get it mailed to the boy -- #3 is soooo jealous of this little boy =)
later...