Sewing Room Play
I couldn't wait to start work on a new block design. I'd been toying with it on paper for a couple of weeks and it was ready for fabric. I was determined to use only fabrics that I had on hand. The pink and soft green fabrics felt fresh and spring-like, so that was my starting point. . The first attempt in fabric was okay, but boring. I felt like it really needed more color. I switched out only one fabric, but the difference is dramatic. Today, I'll begin trying to turn this into something - still not sure what, but definitely something.
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| One photo taken in the morning, one taken in the afternoon. The colors change in the light. |
I've joined a quilt-along group, "The Splendid Sampler", with Pat Sloan and a number of other designers. There will be 100 blocks altogether - two each week. This is the link: http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/
I'm not at all pleased with my second block, so I may make it over later on. I didn't notice until I looked at the photograph, but some of my points got chopped off. I definitely need to work on perfecting a number of my skills and this is a pleasant and painless way to do so. I'll have 100 blocks at the end, too. A whole quilt!
Kitchen Play
Bananas were overripe, carrots were starting to get dry on the outside, and my golden raisins were almost finished. What do you do when you have food that needs to be used or tossed? This time I did toss it - all into one recipe, and believe me, this is a keeper! It's sweet and moist and simply chock-full of flavor and texture goodness.
Banana-Carrot-Raisin Bread
Makes 2 Loaves
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| Yum!! |
2 ½ c
sifted flour
1 tsp.
baking powder
1 tsp.
baking soda
½ tsp.
salt
1 c.
mashed ripe bananas
1 c.
sugar
¾ c.
softened butter
3 eggs
1 c.
finely grated carrots
½ c.
chopped walnuts
½ c.
raisins
1 tsp.
sugar + 1 tsp. cinnamon for baking pans
Preheat
the oven to 350°.
Grease two
9”x 5”x 3” loaf pans. Mix 2 tsp. sugar
and 2 tsp. cinnamon. Sprinkle half of this mixture onto the bottom of each pan.
Tip the pan to spread the sugar/cinnamon mixture so it coats the bottom and the
sides of the pan.
Sift
together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Combine
bananas, sugar, butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed
for 2 minutes.
Stir in
dry ingredients. Don’t overmix. Fold in carrots, raisins, and walnuts.
Spread
mixture into loaf pans. The pans will be about ½ full.
Bake at
350° for 50 – 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out
clean.
Wishing you a lovely week with lots of playtime!
