Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!


I wish you a very Happy and Successful New Year full of surprises!

It is snowing here, it is very windy and pretty! I am enjoying the view from inside while I am making Apple crisp, have a pork in the slow cooker and I will make as a Bulgarian tradition Wish Bread.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Amanda's Quilt

I made this pretty table runner for my friend Amanda. I pick the red fabric to match her red couch, but it does look a lot like Christmas quilt. I had it pieced for her birthday and then I had to quilt it, label and bind it. I am very excited she can finally use it it her house!

I used a Happy Sewing Room pattern design by my mother in law. I really enjoy making it! :)

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!




May Peace, Love and Laughter

fill your Holiday Season!




I hope everybody is having a great Christmas! I am, too.
I have been busy sewing lately and I will have to post later.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

I did it!

Today I got my Learner's Permit!
I am very proud I took the test with my first try! I wasn't sure about 3 questions and you can skip them and do them at the end, but I did all the 15 questions right so I did not have to!
Its so existing time for me!!! - like the song...it's so excited.......

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

First Snow

The first snow is here in PA. It's snowed a bit yesterday and I did not think it will last. This morning Scot showed me this cute bunny in our backyard, so I had to take a few pictures.
If you click on the picture you will see the bunny at the bottom of the tree.

I hope my friend Millie can retrieve her blog.

Last night I ironed all the fabric for my sister Rosy's quilt, now I can start working on it :)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

What I am up to....

I think I am addicting to blogging! :)) Are you guys the same way? I like
to share my thoughts and I meet wonderful people on line :) Thank you for your support my friends!


I am very very happy how my "Chelsea Morning Quilt" or as I call it my "Blue and Yellow Quilt" is coming along. I collected different blues and yellows because I though it would be pretty combination. There are so many different blues that they don't go together, but I did my best! Then I saw the perfect pattern in a book my mother in law showed me and she got it for me! Thanks Mom! :) The book is: " Super Simple Fat Quarter Quilts" by Linda Milligan & Nancy Smith. It's a great book and the other project look fun, too.
This is part of the top ... and as I always do I am putting my touch on the quilt by changing the border ...... ;)
If you were wondering this are pumpkins from my own garden.....it's a long story, but if you want to know....... I didn't plant pumpkins. Surprised? They grow on their own :)
We bought this house last Fall from my sister in law family. They droped a pumkin in front of the house,they love haloween and even my oldest nephew is born on the holiday.
We had pumkins in the front last year :)) So in the Spring me and Scot moved the stones from the front behind the garage and we even sprinkle chemicals so we don't get weeds. We were very surprised when we saw pumkins growing!
Nice!

I made some Chocolate Chip cookies from a recipe I got from Mom mom. Everybody loved them! I baked them on silicon mats that worked great - and as you see they are green, so I had to show you the picture ;)Finaly, I did fold ''some" of my fabrics. I think my stash looks smaller this way :) I got inspired by my friend Liza , I saw how neat she has all her fabrics.
This is my fabric cabinet that I raised so I can use it to cut fabric! It was upstairs in my sewing studio, but I like being downstairs with Scot so now I have a sewing corner downstairs too. I know, I am lucky!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Trip to MA

I was pretty busy lately, but isn't it everybody! Last week I went with Scot on a business trip to Massachusetts and the colors on nature were amazing driving through New England. More north we went you could see some bare trees, but most of the trees still had their leaves changing colors!

We pass through few states: from Pennsylvania we went through New york and Connecticut to get to Massachusetts. On the way back we hit some really heavy traffic in New York so next time we will go around it!
The beauty of travel is that I get to visit new quilt shops and they are all unique! The First one was right off the high way and very easy to find is called "Emma's Quilt Cupboard". It's a big shop with lots of different lines of fabrics and lots of books and patterns. They have a unique system where they enter your info into a computer and every time you shop you collect points and I think when you spend $150 they send you a gift card. They offer a lot of classes and they had lots of samples in the store. I got some 1930's fabrics and few other fabrics I will show you later. When I got home I received a Thank You card from them! Very thoughtful!

The second quilt shop we stopped at is "Heartbeat Quilts" in Hyannis on a beautiful Cape Cod and they had a lots of original patterns and lots of fabric! Beautiful shop and you can see even outside they have paintings on the walls. They had a lot of samples and think their big thing is that they have lots of kits and original light houses patterns. They have a "stash room" where all the fabric was $4.99 so I got "few yards" :)

I am happy I got to visit my cousin Irina in Cape Cod. We grew up together in the same house. Her husband Rosen took us to the beach and I got some sand for a decoration project for my sewing room :)

Thursday, October 30, 2008

What I Got in the Mail

I need a Christmas Tree Skirt! I saw this Thomas Kinkade panel and order it on line. Don't you love shopping on line? I have been organizing and refolding my fabrics. It's fun!
I also got Thomas Kinkade Cottage Double Border. I didn't decide what I will use it on. My brother in law said it will look good on Christmas quilt, I think I might have time for that! :)
I needed more of this pretty fabric for the borders on my Purple and Green Star Quilt.
It has been so cold lately that it feels more like a Winter then Fall! I should get to work and finish the coffee quilt for the winter! I am thinking even using a flannel backing :)
Happy Stitching!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Phillies World Cup Champions


Congratulations Phillies 2008 World Series Champions!

The last cup they won was 1980! Some people believed there was a curse! I guess it;s lifted now! Today there is a big parade in Philadelphia - around 2 million people!
I was lucky to be at their game this year and last year! I really like going to the ball park! Congratulations Phillies!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Star Block # 5

I really enjoyed working on this block!
It so much fun picking fabrics! I think it's a very pretty block!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

For Dinner Try: HulaJoes

I was inspired by Rachael Ray's turn on "Sloppy Joe". Here is a link to her recipe for Hula Joes. It's a pretty laid back dinner, I used paper plates too.
I alternated the recipe by adding some veggies: onions, carrots and celery. I saute them and put aside.
Brown the beef or I used Meatloaf mix. I used Manwich sauce, but Rachael Ray make her own by combining tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
Add some cubed pineapple. Combine everything and heat it through. I served it over toasted rolls.
Works great for leftovers, too!
Bon Apetit!

Monday, October 20, 2008

Block # 4



This is the first block I finished for my Purple and Green Star Quilt.
It is Judy L - two block a month pattern! I am very excited to get sewing and make the next two, so I will be up to date :)

Purple and Green Star Quilt

I am participating in Judy Laquidara Star BOM. I like that she gives you the two blocks a month. It is a very cute pattern! I actually missed the first 3 blocks, but I think I can figure them out. These are the fabrics I am using... :) It started with a small bundle of fat quarters I got from my mother in law and I really loved it. I am going to make scrappy looking stars and using the same white background. Most of the fabrics are from Timeless Treasures, Fleur collection.
I am going to post the first block I finished! Stay tuned.......

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Progress...



This is the progress Scot and I made this weekend on our Guest Bedroom....we install almost half of the floor. Before that we had to prime and paint the ceiling, walls and all the trimmings. The painting was a pain since we were painting over wood panels and they had all these grooves.
The paint color is called Blueberries and Cream, it reminds me of a candy! Now I have to make a quilt.......wait I think I have been collecting the perfect fabrics for that :)
To be continued...
.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Homemade Pizza For Dinner!



I was gonna make spaghetti for super and I wanted garlic bread sticks to go with. After cleaning all day I did not feel like going to the store so Scot offer to make some! Am I not the luckiest girl in the world? He made the dough and then decided to make pizza too. It was so delicious! We have a pizza stone and the pizza gets nice brick oven like crust! YUM!!!

What Does Your Favourite Color Say About You?

What Your Favorite Color Green Says About You:



Balanced --- Relaxed --- Flexible

Compassionate --- Philosophical --- Humble

Loyal --- Inventive --- Unique

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Busy, Cleaning....Tired


I have been very busy! I was hoping I will have more time for sewing and blogging in the Fall, since the summer was so busy, but now is just as busy. I am not doing as much gardening, but I am still doing Fall Cleaning ... I did wash my dining room carpets and they look so great and clean! Next step: washing windows. I was getting ready to wash one of my leaving room window when I saw this leaf stuck outside on the net. I was very surprised when I looked closer that it was not just a leaf it was a grasshopper, that looked like a leaf! Nature is Amazing!
I did wash all the windows in the leaving room and all the curtains. Next step: washing all the other windows :)).....we shall see how far I will go.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Coffee Quilt Dilema

I had abandoned my coffee quilt. I have all this blocks made so it should not take long to finish ;), right?
After I played with the blocks I think I have them in a very nice order :)) What do you think?
Well...... I though it would be nice if I made 4 more blocks so it will be longer quilt ..... I know ... I like to make more work for me!
The problem is that the coffee mugs are part of a panel and I don't have any extra and I don't want any repeats anyway.
So do you guys remember the coffee embroidery mug I made for Bret's Quilt? I think I am gonna make some coffee mugs on my embroidery machine and make the extra 4 blocks I need! I will keep you posted!

The World's Gratest Baseball Fan


Zack Hample - The World's Gratest Baseball fan was on Jay Leno.

He caught a ball in every game he went to and has more than 3 000 already! All I could say is WOW!
Zack said he can ask players for the ball in more than 30 languages and one of them was Bulgarian!

Bi li mi podal topkata? - Would you give me the ball?

I was impress because he pronounced it very good!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Gifts from Hawaii


I got this pretty fabric and Scot got Macadamias nuts as a gift from my parents in-law!
They just got back from a trip to Hawaii where they visited Katy and Ryan and my nephews: Aiden, Mikey and the newborn baby Gabriel.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Bulgarian Desert Triguni "Mariana"

I made this Bulgarian desert "Triguni" - triangels for our anniversary. I got the recipe few years ago from my cousin Mariana. It was very tasty and easy to make desert.
The filling ingredients are:
2 eggs,
8 tbsp. sugar,
2 tbsp. flour,
1/4 tbsp. baking powder,
about 1 cup of choped walnuts,
2 tbsp. melted butter.
Combine everything together and you have a cake like mixture.
This is how the filling looks like. :)

I used half of one box of filo dough that had two packets inside. You start assembling individual pockets or triangles, using 2 sheets filo at a time, fill with about 2 tbsp mixture in each one. Lithely butter on top with melted butter and bake till golden brown in 350 F. They look like that when they are done baking:

Let it cool! Step away :) ! Now make the surop: 1 liter of water and 2 cups of sugar. Boil it and when the sugar disolve you can poor it over the cold pastry. Let it soak all the surop! After it cools off move them into in the fridge and enjoy! Priaten Apetit!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Quilt fabric shoping in Phily...

We went down to Phily to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we had to stop at the "Spool" fabric store and see what I got :)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Blue and Pink .........Sunset

Me, Scot and Bret went for a walk few day ago. I saw this beautiful blue sky and pink clouds and I said: "I wish I have my camera" then I saw Scot taking the camera out of his pocket :)

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Our Wedding Anniversary


I was surprised how many people remembered our Wedding Anniversary! Thank you all! It was very thoughtful of you! We had a very nice day! I woke up and the first thing in the morning I got was Scot's card - two birds kissing - very sweet! I surprised him by getting him a book he wanted. It's funny because I got the book while we were shopping together but he didn't see me buying it. :)

Monday, September 15, 2008

Autumn Quilt

I am proud and happy I finished the Autumn Quilt! It has a great contrast against the Pumpkin Burst paint color:)!
I didn't post for awhile about my sewing projects, but I have been sewing a lot! I am working on "My Blue and Yellow quilt" and my "Pineapple Welcome Quilt" - done in lovely batiks!
Also I started my autumn cleaning. I went through the kitchen and bathroom. A little tip: next time you switch your toothbrush, don't trow it away. At least not right away ;) you can use it to scrape this hard to clean places like corners. Next I want to wash the windows and curtains. Step by step ... I will get it done!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

After Tropical Storm Hanna...

I enjoyed the lovely bouquet I made from the yellow dahlias. After the storm there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky...




The dahlia blooms were too big and heavy after the wind and rain from tropical storm Hanna. Scot helped me to pick it up but they were too heavy and broke. I hope that they will come up next year!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Warning: Do not look, if hungry!


These are some photos from a visit to a Bulgarian restaurant "Avantgarde" in Chicago, IL. I found the address on the web, looking for the famous "Mario Cafe". I guess they renovated it and it has a new name now :). It felt like I am in a Bulgaria. They had a Bulgarian menu, so I had to ask for an English one for Scot. We have a very good bread in Bulgaria as you see. :) The traditional bread you buy every day. It has a crusty skin and soft inside. Mmmm - delicious!

These is a traditional meatball soup, like a Italian wedding soup but it's creamy. And of course Coke in a bottle, served with a glass, just like in Bulgaria. Since it's cold we do not add ice ;)
This is "Pileshko Vreteno" - it's made on the grill, chicken breast stuffed with cheese, mushrooms and pickles. Scot loved it. The fries usually come with grated feta cheese on top, but Scot decided against that.
"Meshana Skara" is usually a feast of: kufte"-meatball," kebabche"- log shaped meatball, "shishche"-kebob and a pork chop. For side I am having a very popular in Bulgaria "shopska salata"- salad made of cucumbers, tomatoes, roasted pepers and toped with grated feta cheese. The salad dressing is served on the table so you put as much as you wish and it's simple oil and vinegar, salt and pepper.
It was a fun experience for us! I knew that Chicago has the biggest colony of Bulgarians in USA around 30 000, but I was surprised to see that they had a small Bulgarian district of a Bulgarian Pharmacy - "Apteka", a wedding dress shop and the restaurant. I got a free issue of Bulgarian newspaper and I found out that there are more Bulgarian restaurants in the aria.
I hope you enjoy the pictures :) , we enjoyed the food :)) !

Monday, September 1, 2008

Late Summer Garden

I think summer is becoming my favorite season. I love the outdoor activities and my garden! Here is a little pick of my garden...

We used to have this flower in our garden in Bulgaria but not as tall. It's called a roster comb. I love how the bloom looks like a skirt with ruffles ;)
I love the look of my side garden!

These are my purple dahlias. The blooms are smaller then the yellow ones, but color is very pretty!