I wanted to serve something different (besides the old stand-by of chips or fries) with the slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches I'd made so I searched for some recipes on-line. I came up with these Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges from Tasty. The recipe was easy, quick, and I had a new bag of russet potatoes in the pantry. They sounded really flavourful too and I thought they'd be a hit with the family.
Once the potatoes are cut into wedges and tossed with olive oil, a spice mixture of garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning is combined with freshly grated Parmesan to coat the spuds. The wedges are baked in tidy rows, skin side down, so there is no tending or flipping throughout the 40 minute cooking time. Very simple!
The Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges were a lovely change from the ordinary and everyone ate them up. They were golden and tender, not too spicy, and excellent dipped in ketchup. I will certainly be making these again soon. You can get the recipe HERE.
Since my renewed interest in Pandora jewelry I have watched a zillion YouTube videos of people sharing their charm collections. Based on the video comments I seem to echo other viewers in that we can't get enough of gawking at other people's charms. It's fun to see the retired ones as well as how the new releases look on a bracelet. It's also strangely interesting to hear the meaning and stories attached to each bead.
For the past few weeks, as my collection of Pandora jewelry has grown, I've been considering filming a video of my own. It has been a while since I have done any proper YouTube uploads, let alone set-up and editing of a tutorial or share. My tripod no longer fits the phone I have so I've also been researching DIY stands and ways to film, and whether or not I want to invest the time. I knew I wanted any video I filmed to be in focus (many are not) and to the point.
Then this morning I got a notification of a comment on YouTube. Imagine my bemused shock to realize the My Pandora Charms video on which the comment was posted, was MY OWN! I have zero recollection of making the video and quickly clicked to watch it. I was pretty pleased that the actual filming wasn't that bad, especially given some that are out there, and even though it's from 2013 (!), is still quite relevant. Now, I certainly didn't have the Pandora knowledge I do now, and not only didn't know the names of each charm but also incorrectly identified clips as spacers. Um...no! lol!
So, I think I might just make that new video after all. I have much more to share now and have a better understanding of the collection, the way to plan and style the bracelets, and the dos and don'ts of Pandora. I still have to figure out how to film and how to post but it will be fun to add to the videos for die-hards to watch. Even though we all have similar charms and stories, each Pandora bracelet is very individual, both in the way it is curated and the meaning behind it. Also, at this time most of those early charms I have are now retired and/or sought after and I have even learned I own a 'rare and hard-to-find' one!!
Here's that vintage video in case you're interested...
There are hundreds of half-square triangles (HST) needed for the Color Crystals quilt and I am more than happy making them. Things are going along well so far, slowly but without incident. The pattern calls for cutting squares of fabric diagonally into triangles, pairing them with another colour and then sewing them together. This is not the method I have used in the past, having previously taken advantage of the two-at-once way to make HST. However, that involves marking a line from corner to corner and stitching 1/4" on either side. While some commenters have suggested this method, I for one did not want to mark a zillion squares and I think it would actually take longer to sew them. I, like Angela Walters demonstrates, am following the pattern designer's written instructions.
I have been very careful not to stretch the bias edge of the cut triangles and am stitching slowly and carefully for accuracy of the final HST size. The actual time at the sewing machine is very little since chain stitching makes the process very speedy. I am layering the squares of appropriate fabric, cutting them in half, and delicately moving the paired triangles onto my portable cutting mat to move to the sewing area. That, and the pressing, are the lengthiest parts of the procedure and still I have stacked up quite a few HSTs so far. I remember now how much fun piecing a quilt is and the time flies by.
One other part of getting the HST units ready to incorporate into the blocks is trimming. There are dog ears on either side and they need to be snipped off as part of the squaring up of each HST. I remembered that I had a special ruler tucked away in my tool drawer, the bloc-loc ruler. Even though I bought it years ago, I never had the opportunity to need it for so many HSTs. In fact, it still had the cellophane on it so I was excited to try out the 'new' ruler! I watched a YouTube video first to learn how to use it (see below) and I must say, it worked like a charm! Once I got the hang of it the ruler perfectly 'locks' onto the middle seam of the pieced unit. The ruler is moved first to one side to trim and then can be easily moved to turn the fabric to clean up the other side. It is very accurate and easy to use - I find it so fast and efficient! Having so many HSTs to square up I am very appreciative of this ruler and so happy I already had it ready to go!
Although it would be even more efficient to 'assembly line' each portion of the piecing (i.e. all the cutting, all the sewing, then all the pressing and all the trimming), I have decided to do a batch at a time to avoid strain on my neck, or legs, or hands (depending on which task I'm doing) and boredom. There is a sense of accomplishment to see the stack of completed HSTs and I was able to test out the pattern and method of construction before committing fully to the plan. Now that I know everything is turning out just right I can increase the the quantity of each batch. I am in no rush and simply enjoying the time in my workshop and at the machine. I've missed it!!
I have a couple hours before the crew comes home for our Valentine's dinner and dessert so I'd better get over to the machine. Happy Valentine's Day (or Gal-entines, or Ash Wednesday or just Wednesday) to you all!
I love this FREE offering from one of my favourite quilters, Angela Walters. She has created The Free Motion Challenge Quilting Along. From February to April, Angela will encourage and inspire us to learn and PRACTICE our free motion quilting. Every week a new tutorial video will be released on her YouTube channel with a new quilting design or technique to follow. Angela has graciously provided a free pattern for a simple quilt on which to stitch the designs, or we can simply quilt along on a scrap practice sandwich (fabric top and bottom, batting in the middle) or UFO quilt top from your stash.
It has been so long since I actually quilted that I am looking forward to this nudge to get going again. Even though I'm pretty experienced, there is nothing like the comfort at the machine and muscle memory that come along with time spent quilting. I hope to even pick up some new ideas from Angela and at the very least, it will be fun to share the challenge with others and see everyone's progress.
The videos will be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience or you can sign up to the quilt along and receive a newsletter in your email in-box. That's what I did so I won't forget to make the time to quilt and also have the quilt designs right there ready to print. As I said, this whole experience is completely free and participation comes with no strings attached and nothing to purchase. The first newsletter was just sent out but the actual stitching doesn't begin until next week so there is still time to get ready if you'd like to play along.
You can get all the details on Angela's website HERE, including the free quilt pattern, links to the Facebook group, and supplies if you need them. There are even prizes to be won, not that I ever seem to win any! I hope you'll quilt along too...
I love the presentation trays that the PANDORA stores have to showcase charms to customers. The velvety-lined main section holds the bracelet(s) and there are small oval sections where the beads can be displayed and/or arranged in order of preference for adding to the snake chain or bangles. While I would absolutely adore having one myself, I can't find any for sale and my options for sourcing an authentic tray are pretty limited.
However, I did find this very desirable substitute on-line for purchase. It is actually the Design Center Jewelry Box that was sold with the limited edition Twelve Days of Christmas charms and clips from the Holiday 2013 collection. Originally it housed twelve gorgeous beads which came as a set for about US$500. As you can see, the box has 3 sections to hold, and store if desired, bracelets, a larger middle section with removable pillow to contain charms as you design or store bangles, and the spongey section to securely keep the chosen beads in order of preference.
The box is heavy and quite beautifully made, with a hinged lid, non-skid base, and leather covering in a soft white. There is the PANDORA crest on the outer lid and the PANDORA name printed in rose gold on the velvet interior. The magnetic clasp keeps the box closed when not in use. It is so lovely and I am delighted!
I have become quite entranced with my bracelets and growing charm collection. I read somewhere that they call PANDORA jewelry "Legos for ladies"...and I think that's a fairly accurate description when it comes to the many passionate devotees of the brand.
Have you heard about Craftsy Unlimited? This is an amazing new way to watch ALL the Craftsy classes you ever wanted, as many and as often as you'd like. Like having an all access VIP pass, once you have your subscription in place you can click on any tutorial you desire. There's nothing to lose by trying something new or checking out a new craft or cooking class to see how you like it. That to me is the best part - expanding your learning and experiencing something you might not have before without any extra cost or investment.
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Of course, I still have access to all the classes I'm already registered in, but there have been so many cool releases that I have yet to check out. I am really liking the idea of signing up once and then being able to just click on any class I want. My yearly subscription to QNNtv is now over and I know I will make much better use of Craftsy Unlimited. Now that I'm back into quilting (that first set gorgeous ombre fabric for the Color Crystals quilt is now cut and ready to stitch!!!) I really want to sign up for some new machine quilting classes. Angela Walters has one and so does Christina Cameli so those are first on my to-watch list!
Bananas are zero points on the Weight Watchers program. This is a very good thing for me since I love them and they are quite filling. Our family eats a lot of bananas anyway so the fruit bowl is always full! They never go to waste because when they get too brown to eat, a batch of scrumptious muffins or a couple loaves of banana bread are only minutes away. In the rare instance we have some 'in between' bunches, neither too green nor too ripe, I will freeze a couple for Yonanas, incredible Chocolate Dipped Frozen bananas, or use them fresh for quick and easy 3 Ingredient Banana Pancakes.
The pancakes are simply made with banana, eggs, and baking powder with a dash of cinnamon if desired. They are fried up in a greased pan and topped with syrup as usual. They are sweet and rich with a caramelized banana flavour - a low-point alternative to a regular pancake breakfast. Very fast and easy to make, I love having these on a weekend morning but they can also work on a busy weekday too.
You can find one version of the popular recipe HERE. Next grocery trip make sure to stock up on a good sized bunch of bananas...
The Color Crystals Quilt, the king sized beauty from Angela Walters and the Midnight Quilt Show (see video below), is a daunting project to begin especially after a long hiatus from the sewing machine. However, I know that this beast is made from many, many half-square triangles so I decided to tackle just one set of colours at a time. It might take a minute to refresh my memory on how to do all these steps but for sure I still know how to iron...so I'm starting there!
I've had this kit in my stash for years(?!) so the fabric has been folded ever since it was bundled by Craftsy. There are some pretty good creases and wrinkles and since I haven't taken a road trip to the States in forever, I am all out of my favourite Faultless spray starch. :( I did find an alternative in my ironing caddy, Flatter, from the Soak company. It is in the lovely Celebration scent, my go-to choice when I stock up on Soak wash for gentle laundering of my quilts, bicycle shorts, and bathing suit. It smells so fresh and contains no harsh chemicals so I can spray away with no worry. It also works amazingly well and my first two lengths of fabric are perfectly pressed and ready to cut.
I need to cut 512 triangles of the dark blue and 384 of the jade so that in itself will take more than a few sessions in the workshop. I will sew and square up the first 384 half-square triangles before moving on to the next set of two colours. Those sets, along with some solid coloured squares, will eventually make up 32 A blocks. I can't even think past these steps let alone to the assembly of Block B or the pieced border!
Making a quilt is not usually a speedy endeavour and I think this Color Crystals quilt is going to take me longer than any other I've attempted. The Downton Abbey double wedding ring quilt is the only other king size quilt I've made and it was challenging! The actual construction of this one should be pretty straight forward but I find I'm simply busier now than I was 2014 so I know I am going to take it slowly and really just enjoy the process. I was always anxious in the past to get one quilt project finished so I could start the next but now I'm definitely more calm about letting this one last. I'm looking forward to simply hearing the sewing machine stitch as I chain-sew the squares. I won't rush and just get done what I can, when I can. I can't wait to get cutting in the morning!
Here's the Midnight Quilt Show episode featuring the Color Crystals quilt...
