Vanilla Anyone?

****Contest is Now Closed****

For months I've been Pinning like crazy on Pinterest. Last September, I thought it was time to do more than Pin - it was time to start making a thing or two. I decided to make vanilla as a holiday gift. So I ordered vanilla beans from Amazon along with some 1oz amber bottles. All I needed after that was some vodka and a few weeks. That was in September. In December, I designed a very rudimentary label and tied on some twine.

My own bottle of vanilla from Penzy's was empty and still had a vanilla bean in it so I just poured some Vodka back in it and put it back in the cabinet. The bottles of vanilla I had made we gave as gifts for the holidays. I'd forgotten about it until my sister in law mentioned recently that she'd made custard (she is from England) and the vanilla flavor was awesome. We still have a couple of bottles left and they're just getting better and better with time.

Since I have a couple of bottles left, I thought I'd give away a bottle! If you're interested in my homemade vanilla, leave me a comment on this post. If you're a no-reply blogger, I won't have a way to contact you so please check - I think some of you might be surprised to find out you are. I'll draw a name later this week!

****Contest is Now Closed****

Unintended Hiatus

I didn't intend to be gone so long.  Greg and I had to make an unplanned trip to Las Vegas where his mother, who was on vacation, was admitted to the hospital in septic shock.  She spent a week in ICU and was transferred to another hospital while we were on our way home a week later.  She's had some setbacks since we've been home and as of today, has spent two weeks in the hospital.  It was an exhausting week - too many nights with not enough sleep and a couple without any.  We did spend 30 minutes at the Hoover dam and spent one day with our niece and nephew.   At this point, we're not sure when she will be able to fly back home.  We're taking it day by day. 

Not much sewing has been going on but I did manage to get my Cotton Club blocks completed in time for our upcoming meeting next weekend.  This blocks are little - 5 1/2" - but they take loads of time it seems.  Not quick and easy for sure.  At least not for me!

My Wee Bee Learning Bee block is due out soon so I worked on that today too.  It's supposed to be an improv block.  Improve to me means unplanned.  I think I'm more of a planned improv kind of quilter.  The guidelines were very specific and detailed.  I worked diligently to meet those requirements.  It needs a good pressing.  It's untrimmed - I'll let my Bee mate do that.

 

Stitching has been minimal.  I did drag a big bag of it everywhere we went in Vegas including all 5 airports we were in.  Greg helped me carry it.  I only had energy for a few stitches and by the time we got home, I'd wished I'd never taken it.  I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things this week.

The new Blogger is giving me fits.  My page froze and it's taken me 15 minutes to get it worked out and only when I was willing to ditch the whole post.  Please tell me it gets easier!

I've visited all the blogs but left much fewer comments than normal.  All of you continue to inspire me every day and I sure enjoy your blogs and your visits here.  Thank you and may all your stitches be happy ones!  

March Madness!

It's time for the March Theme-a-Licious month end recap! Theme-a-Licious is hosted by Heather at It's Geek to Me. March's theme was March Madness which is defined as:

Stitch or knit on something different every day...it's madness...of the funnest possible kind.

A project every day is not my idea of fun - I'm a pretty monogamous stitcher. I did switch it up by stitching on 4 projects this month. Very unusual for me. Considering I'm in something of a creative slump-I'm happy with this!

I started Kelscott's Tombstone Angel. This is a small that is just a little bit away from having the stitching completed. I just couldn't eek out that last little bit.

I also started one of Blackbird Designs December Stockings. I have to admit, I find stitching with 2 threads on 30 count to not be quite as enjoyable. It's a cute stocking though and I'll be happy to have it completed. This one doesn't need much to finish the stitching either. Unfortunately, I managed to stitch just about everything but the stem twice I think!

I finished a block on Anniversaries of the Heart. This is block 6 and I had stitched about a quarter of it previously. I haven't personalized it yet and have those Lazy Daisy stitches left to add. I really like the bright green in this block. It looks so fresh.

Ann Dale - Oh Ann, how I loved you and how I hope I love you once again. I just need to figure you out. Or beat you into submission. I'm not sure which it's going to be yet. I pulled out the very top wave border and restitched it. Looking at it now I think I like it better the wrong way! I apologize about the creased linen but it's in keeping with what I feel about her right now.

The theme for April is Amazon April which is all about those BIG projects we have going. I'm sticking with AotH and Ann Dale because I don't have another big one in progress and don't plan on starting a new one. I don't get lots of stitching time and I'm traveling a week for work in April. I can't handle more than two BAPs!

I hope all your stitches have been happy ones!