French Knots

Trunk Show Hotesses

2012-01-27T20:40:00.001-07:00

I am "sew" excited announce the ah-mazing quilters who will be hosting Trunk Show are this spring's retreat.

Konda Luckau from Moose on the Porch

and

Kati From the Blue Chair

If your as excited as I am to see these Hostesses quilts in person, don't delay and get your ticket now! The price goes up after February 2nd. So email me pamela@frenchknots.net now to secure your spot.

Quilt Retreat Spring 2012

2012-01-12T16:38:00.001-07:00

Ready to shake off those winter blues and have some quilting fun?? {Frenchknots} Quilt Retreat is having it’s second annual Quilt Retreat. So.....If you want to recharge your battery before spring and have a little girls getaway come and join us for a weekend of inspiration. Mark your Calendars {Frenchknots} Quilt Retreat is this: March 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The retreat will be located at the relaxing Fairview Retreat and Reunion in Fairview, Utah.

The last Retreat was such a success! Fantastic food, amazing trunk shows, great class and new friends made ~ you don’t want to miss out. To read more about our first Retreat click here.

All you need to bring: Your Projects, Supplies and Machine!

We Provide: 3 days and 2 nights of quilting, socializing and YOU time, 5 delicious meals {breakfast x2, lunch x1 and dinner x2}. Also provided: tables, chairs, ironing boards, cutting mats and cutters.

Total Cost for the 3 day Quilting Retreat is $235.00. The first 10 people to sign up will get a $36.00 discount! Making your retreat pass only $199.00! The deadline to register is Thursday, February 2nd. We only have 18 spots, so register early. Bring a friend and make some new ones!

So you WANT to attend? Can't hardly wait? Sign up now to secure your spot! We have 2 payment options:

1) Mail CHECK to
Pamela Cardwell
495 North 650 West
American Fork, Utah 84003
(send me an email pamela@frenchknots.net letting me know you sent the money)

2) Paypal
(send me an email and I will invoice you for the funds pamela@frenchknots.net)

I will email you a detailed Itinerary of the Quilting Retreat and more once I have received payment!
Thanks and I can't wait to see you soon.

xoxo,
Pamela Cardwell
email: pamela@frenchknots.net
web: http://www.frenchknots.net/

2011 was a great year!

2012-01-10T17:46:00.001-07:00

2011 was a busy year for me. As I look back and visit the past year in photos I actually did a WhOlE lOt. Way to go gurl! I file my pictures away in folders on my computer and it is fun to retrace my sewing steps month by month and see what I accomplished!! My cute family was by side and my sweet hubby supported me through it all. Here is a recap of the highlights of 2011.

{Quilts}

(L-R, T-B) Black 9-patch on Point

Machine Quilting for the very first time

Made a baby quilt from a charm pack

Improve Quilting

{Events}

(L-R, T-B) Inaugural Sewing Summit

Rit Dye Party with Melissa

Hosting my first Quilt Retreat next retreat in March! Wahoo!

Attended Quilt Market in SLC

{Munchies}

(L-R, T-B) Mouthwatering English Muffins

Mexican Coleslaw perfect for parties

Pumpkin Granola great for soccer games

To Die For Huevos Rancheros

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Years

2011-12-30T10:25:00.000-07:00

Happy New Years Everyone! Christmas was a whirlwind with family, friends and lots and lots of food. Every year with the hustle and bustle of parties, presents, and parcel post I wonder if I'll get it all done. This year especially... because I got an early Christmas present and didn't know if I could mange it all. (more on that later!) Luckily everything came together with alot of help from my hubby!!

The only thing missing from my recap was the Christmas Quilt I made for my Mom and Dad. I was literally finishing the binding Christmas morning before they came over to see the kid's presents. I finished it by the skin of my teeth, but they loved it and I couldn't have been more happy with the results. Picture of the quilt to come.

Here is just a recap of our Christmas week and I hope you have a fantastic 2012!

No presents under the tree until Christmas morning.

BIL Rob and hubby!

New shiny plastic presents

Traditional aebleskiver Christmas breakfast: recipe here

Mom's world famous chocolates ~ or at least famous in these parts.

Christmas Break wouldn't be complete without one of these famous ice cream cones from JCW's.

Apple Upside Down Cake ~ Mid Week Munchies

2011-12-13T20:31:00.000-07:00

I knew when I put my Mom in charge of the desserts at the Quilt Retreat last month they would be a smashing success and this cake from King Arthur Flour didn't disappoint. It was a weekend favorite. Enjoy.

Recipe and Picture from King Arthur Flour

Topping:
2 medium apples

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tablespoons boiled cider or thawed apple juice concentrate
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup light corn syrup

Cake:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 tablespoons boiled cider or thawed apple juice concentrate
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 large apple, peeled and finely chopped
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional

Directions
1) Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9" round cake pan at least 2" deep. The success of this cake hinges on the right kind of pan. Line the bottom with parchment, and grease the parchment.

2) Slice the top, including the stem, off one of the apples and set it aside before peeling and slicing the rest of the apples into 1/4" thick wedges. Place the apple top, stem side down, in the middle of the pan, and overlap the rest of the apple wedges in a ring around it.

3) Prepare the topping by heating the butter, sugar, boiled cider, cinnamon, and corn syrup together over low heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

4) Pour 1/2 cup of the syrup mixture into the prepared pan, and set the rest aside.

5) To make the cake: Beat the oil, brown sugar, boiled cider, eggs, spices, and salt together for 2 minutes at medium speed

6) Mix the flour with the baking soda, and stir it into the batter. Add the chopped apple and nuts, and mix until just blended.

7) Drop scoops of the batter atop the apples in the pan, gently spreading to cover.

8) Bake the cake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean.

9) Remove the cake from the oven, and run a thin spatula around the edge to loosen. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a serving plate, bottom side up. Scrape out any sauce that remains in the pan, and spread it over the cake.

10) Reheat the reserved topping. If butter starts to separate as you reheat, add water by the teaspoon and stir until the butter rejoins the rest of the sauce. Pour the sauce over the cake. Serve cake warm or at room temperature, with whipped cream if desired.

Handmade Holiday Swap

2011-12-05T12:53:00.001-07:00

Before Turkey Day I signed up to be apart of Susan and Kersey's "Holiday Gift Swap" I thought it was a great idea and I super way to get some exception handmade gifts crossed off my list. I wasn't sure what I wanted to make but I knew it would involve fabric, quilting and something use-able. The day before I was suppose to send my "gifts" in the mail... I finally settle on an idea: drink coasters and as quick as I had decided I changed my mind again: table runner.

I was put into a group with 6 other artists and just going off our #'s there was at least 178 participates. Pretty cool! I was #8 so I don't know if I signed up really early or they went alphabetically. I know I am late sending my gifts {Dec. 1st} was the deadline, but luckily I have only received one "gift" {thanks Joy} so maybe because of the holidays were all a little late, right?

These beauties are being delivered to the post office today when Mr. H wakes up from his nap.
I was inspired to make the Trees after Maggie's table runner from the Retreat. The trees and borders came together really fast, but the binding was a beast. I hate doing bindings. I loved the hand stitching embellishment of the bakers twine. I think it gives a "Christmasy" feel without over dueing it.

I had enough fabric to make 4 identical runners and 1 I had to use different fabric. I went a little out of my comfort zone and tried to design a runner that was a little more sophisticated and not so cutesy Christmas. I hope the ladies really like them.

Linking up:

Santa Postal Pouch {Tutorial}

2011-11-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? Tomorrow is December 1st!! I've got my Christmas decorations up, were getting our {fresh} tree this weekend, advent calendars are ready to go and Bing Crosby is singing as I type. I'm just bursting with Christmas Spirit this year and I wanted to share a fun tutorial just in time for you little ones to send Santa their wish lists! I am calling it: Santa Postal Pouch. It is so cute. Have your kids write their letters and end them via North Pole Postal Pouch Mail. I can't wait to see my kids faces when Santa sends a letter back and leaves it in the pouch. Oh, the magic of Santa!

Here's the easy tutorial.

Step 1: Cut Fabric.

Cut 2 squares measuring 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 {outer fabric} and then cut 2 square measuring 10 1/2 x 9 1/2 { 9 1/2 measurement needs to be the bottom of the square. inside fabric}

Cut 1 square measuring 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 and cut in half to make a triangle. {pouch flap} 5 total pieces of fabric.

Step 2: Pouch Flap
Fold your triangle right sides together {I realize this picture isn't right sides together, sorry!} in half. Iron. to mine I added a little bit of dingle ball fringe, but do whatever you prefer. Sew right sides together sewing shorter side of triangle with 1/4" seam allowance. Turn right side out and iron. Leave long side of triangle unsewn.

Step 3: Making Pouch

Match your outside fabric with your inside fabric {x2} right sides together and sew top of fabric. Add your flap pouch to one of the squares sandwiched in between the fabrics. {note: bottom of inside fabric is 1" shorter} Iron. Match like fabrics right sides together and sew 1/4" around entire pouch. On inside fabric leav a 4" opening to turn fabric Flip pouch right side out, iron and sew pouch opening closed.

Step 4: Finishing Up
Iron and lay flat. Making sure your corners are pointed. Tuck inside fabric into pouch and flip your flap!

Step 5: North Pole Tag
I added a little hand stitched North Pole Tag with NearSea Naturals organic embroidery floss {fire red}and wool felt . I also thought of a few other tag lines: "Polar Express", "Express Delivery to Santa", "Santa's Mail", "For Santa" ~ you decided. I am making a few of these for family and friends and will probably change up each tag to say something different.

Have your kids tuck their wish lists into the pouch for Santa. I thought it would be cute to leave it by the fireplace, have it disappear for a few days and then re-appear with a message from Santa or one of his elves with a treat.

Linking up: Blue Cricket Designs

Dresden Plates

2011-11-28T16:20:00.001-07:00

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, I set a goal for myself to work on my Dresden blades every night while my family was away. I set up my table and sewing machine in front of the T.V. and happily sewed into the wee hours of the morning (2 a.m in fact!) I was able to make 5 blades during the Retreat and need to make 15 more. My plan for my Dresden quilt is 4 across and 5 down.

The two nights I worked, I actually timed myself to see how long from start to finish it took me to make each plate. I quickest I got it down to was 13 mins. Whew! I watched alot of old movies while I made the plates: 3:10 to Yuma, Forest Gump, Shawhank Redemption.

I've completed 15 so I only 5 more to go. I loved my "Fall/Thanksgiving" theme this quilt is so scrappy. I have about 45 fabrics different fabrics. For the borders I have this amazing Alexander Henry "plymouth" fabric I am going to use for the borders. It is perfect.

Now that Thanksgiving is over I am planning to put this quilt away for a while and work on Christmas project/presents. I mean...I technically have a year to finish this quilt if I want it ready for next Thanksgiving.

Emily Herrick {Crazy Old Ladies} Trunk Show

2011-11-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since the quilt Retreat and I am still daydreaming about the beautiful quilts we saw over the weekend. I was able to take some pictures of the quilts Emily showed at her Trunk Show, she did a lovely job of showing her quilts, patterns and fabric. There were so many ooohs and ahhhs, ee were spoiled rotten! Thanks Emily.

This was my favorite quilt of all. I love the white with the "waves" machine quilting. The fabric is from her Going Coast Line she designed for Michael Miller.

I can't wait for her "Hall of Fame" line of fabric to come out early next year. I want to make matching quilts for my boys bed with her Pep Rally pattern. (Far right quilt)

Handmade Hexagons with Hand Appliqué. Her machine quilting is amazing...she is so talented.

Emily's pile of quilts! The one on top is "Urban Life". Check out Emily's Etsy Shop to buy patterns and quilts.

For more posts about the Retreat check out these blogs:

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T18:26:00.001-07:00

Growing up I remember traveling to Idaho to my grandparents farm to spend Thanksgiving with my cousins. I remember pies and rolls and lots of laughing. When everyone's families got too big we spent Thanksgiving at home. In junior high and high school I would run in the ORRC Turkey Trot Race on Thanksgiving morning. It was a good way to start the day off healthy even if the day didn't end that way.

I am a firm believer that Christmas doesn't start until the day after Thanksgiving. Alas, I feel like I am in the minority, Thanksgiving is such a great holiday...why do we have to treat it like an ugly stepchild to Christmas. Even though no one agrees with me (commercial and half my neighbors already have their Christmas lights up!) N.O. tinsel and trimmings until after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving night, my husband is taking our 2 older boys and spending the weekend in So. Utah. AHHHH, a weekend to myself (well, I'll still have Mr. H) to get some much needed things done. On my to-do list:

Baste and machine quilt this quilt and this quilt.
Decorate for Christmas.
Organize the downstairs pantry. It is in desperate need of some TLC.
Get caught up on some blog post tutorials I have been meaning to write.
See Breaking Dawn.
Work on Dresdans

I'll slowly add to this list if I can start getting things crossed off. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. Gobble Gobble!

Peppermint Dessert ~ Mid Week Munchies

2011-11-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have been more pleased with how the meals turned out during the Retreat. I have to admit I was really stressing over what to make, how to prepare it and if everyone would like it. I had a beautiful kitchen to use during the retreat at Ivory Ridge but it lacked a oven and stove top. So I had to be creative. I relied heavily on my crockpots and my best arsenal in my kitchen: my Mom! She is an amazing cook and was an even better sous chef last weekend. I couldn't have done it without her!!

With the encouragement of the attendees I am sharing all the recipes from the Quilt Retreat. First up: Peppermint Dessert. This has been a family favorite for as long as I can remember. My mom would make it around the Christmas holiday and because it is a no bake, it is a great make ahead dessert.

Enjoy!

Peppermint Dessert:

I make this recipe using two kitchen appliances: my Kitchenaid and Cuisinart. I loved the layer look and I also love that this dessert is no bake. Just out of the freezer and into your mouth. Yum!!

Crust: 2 cups crushed Nilla Wafers
1 cube of Butter (melted)

Don't skimp on the butter. The wafers need to be really moist and soak up all the butter in order to make the layers work. Also, I crush my wafers in my Cuisinart. Place wafers in the bottom of a 9 by 13 pan. Spread and pat with a fork evenly across pan. Place in fridge to start freezing while you make the chocolate.

Chocolate:
1 cup butter or two cubes (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
6 egg yolks
2 oz. semisweet chocolate (melted)
1/2 cup crushed walnuts

Beat softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Add egg yolks and beat again. Because you don't cook this dessert, make sure you don't have any lumps of butter. Melt chocolate in microwave and add, beat again. Fold in walnuts by hand. Layer on top of wafers. Place in fridge to start freezing while you make the peppermint.

Peppermint:
2 cups heavy whipping cream (whipped)
3 cups mini marshmallows
1 cup crushed walnuts
1/2 cup crushed peppermint

Beat cream until cream holds shape, dot not over beat cream because you will do some stirring by hand, so just watch your cream while mixing. I use my Cuisinart to crush the peppermint. I mix the peppermint to a very fine texture, almost like powder. Then fold in marshmallows, nuts and peppermint. Stir until just mixed. Layer on top of chocolate. Place in fridge until hard. About 6 hours, if freezing overnight cover with tin foil.

Quilting Retreat Recap

2011-11-22T12:37:00.001-07:00

(Maggie's sewing machine)

Now that I've come up for air...and the Quilting Retreat is finished (sigh*) I have lots of photos to share over the two day retreat. The Quilting Retreat in a nutshell was phenomenal and it was all possible because of the ah-mazing ladies who quilted and the inspiring projects they worked on. I am already planning next years Retreat, so stay tuned for dates!

I wish I had taken more photos and "caught on camera" ever special moment. Here are just a few of my favorites:

Kristen working on her bed quilt. (I know this picture is out of focus!) But I loved it anyway. She worked on a denim jean and upholstery quilt from scraps. Once it was all put together the pinwheels were amazing.

Maggie working on her table runner swap. This quilt's new home will be all the way in the Shetland Islands. The houses and trees are paper pieced and with such great modern fabrics it will surely become an heirloom.

Christmas projects were everywhere! This one has been six years in the making!

April's scrap bag... I so need one of these. So handy and cute. The ladies had such fun tools, I am adding this bag to the top of my to-do list of projects. Maybe if I had this bag, my scraps wouldn't make such a mess on the floor!

I even worked a little on my Dresden blades. With cooking, CHATTING and admiring everyone else's projects it is a complete wonder I got anything done. Note to self: need to learn how to quilt at my own Retreat.

A little peak....

2011-11-17T05:46:00.000-07:00

I've got a million things to get done today for the Quilt Retreat tomorrow. I am so excited it is almost here!! It is going to be an ultra inspiring weekend. Here is just a little peak into a couple "surprises" I have been working on for the attendees. Too fabulous!!

I'm calling these my "envelope bags" so easy! Next week I'll have a tutorial to make some yourself.

Half Dresden zipper pouch. This beauty measures 14" by 8" perfect for a small sewing or knitting project.

Quilt Retreat Giveaway

2011-11-14T14:00:00.001-07:00

I am so excited for this weekend!! The Quilt Retreat is this Friday and Saturday. I can't wait for all the fun, food and quilting goodness. I am thrilled to be meeting new quilt friends, seeing 2 amazing trunks shows from Amy and Emily and working on projects for the Holidays.

So really what would be better than attending the Quilt Retreat? I can only think of one thing: attending for free. That's right! I am giving away ONE FREE TICKET TO THE QUILT RETREAT.

How to Enter: 1)Leaving me a comment, on this post, telling me what you would work on during the Retreat. 2) Become a Follower of Frenchknots.

**If you have already purchased a ticket and are the winner, you will be reimbursed the ticket price.

Comment by Midnight on Wednesday, November 16th to enter. Winner will be announced Thursday Morning and notified via email. So make sure and leave your email address.

It's not to late, want to attend, bring a friend!! Email me and we will work it out. Email: pamela@frenchknots.net

Quilt Retreat ~ Appliqué Class and Trunk Shows

2011-11-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

Last bit of news about the Quilt Retreat. This weekend: November 13th is the last day to sign up for the Quilt Retreat. Don't miss out! Make sure and SIGN-UP for the all fun! Really all the fun! If you want more information about the Retreat: click on "Retreat" on the far right of the menu bar.

Amy Ellis of Amy's Creative Side will be hosting the Trunk Show on Friday, November 18th. She is the co-creator of the Sewing Summit, which I attended last month and is the author of: Modern Basics. I am thrilled to have her sharing her amazing quilts. The Saturday Trunk Show will be hosted by Emily Herrick of Crazy Old Ladies.

Also, Jeanette Hartvigsen is teaching our Hand Appliqué Class. If you've been wanting to learn hand appliqué or get some help improving your skills ~ sign up for her class. She is an incredible teacher. Here is a sampling of her lovely work.

Happy Veterans Day!

Dresdan Plate

2011-11-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

After the Sewing Summit I signed up to participate in my first Swap. I've never done anything like this before and wasn't quite sure what to expect. My partner is Amanda from My Sewcial Hour (which is such a cute blog name) and she gave me this description:

"I am currently in a Fall/Autumn kind of mood so pieces with oranges, reds, greens, and gold like the leaves changing color are drawing me in. My Fall Inspiration Pinterest board has a lot of images that are inspiring me these days. I really like new takes on traditional things, for example, I love when people make things like dresden plates in modern fabrics with a little bit of hand quilting. I am not much into intentionally wonky/improv pieces, I usually like symmetry in pieces whether it be a mini-quilt or a bag."

You can tell she's participated in swaps before. I loved her clear cut description. (I feel bad for my partner! I really can't remember what I said, but I am sure it was vague ~ something like "Oh, I like pink and cutesy stuff".) When I read Dresdan, I was immediately excited because I have been wanted to try my hand at a Dresdan plate for sometime. I think the best tutorial is from Amy at Stickory Dickory Dock. This is the tutorial I referred to while making my dresdan.

I have been collecting Fall/Thanksgiving/Yellow/Gold/Brown fabrics for about 5 years to make an unbelievably amazing Thanksgiving Quilt. So I had about 60 fabrics to choose from to make her Dresdan plate. I choose a 6 1/2" blade size and searched my stash for modern, fresh, fall-ish fabric to make my dresdan.

Isn't this back perfect? I picked up it at the most modern quilt store in Utah: Whimsy on sale a few years back. It's Japanese from Quilt Gate. I did some very simple machine quilting on the blades (stitch in the ditch) and quilted/traced the dresdan plate in the round.

I am soooo in love with this Dresdan I am going to scrap my original plan of a Log Cabin for my Thanksgiving quilt and change it to Dresdan Plates. I think I'll be very busy during the Quilt Retreat working on this pattern.

Amanda, I hope you love this Dresdan Mini Quilt as much as I loved making it. I hope it brings a little bit of fall to your home and brightens your day.

Linking up with Amylouwho for her Mini Quilt Challenge.

Improv Quilt Finished

2011-11-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

I've got some mixed emotions about this quilt. Once I had my 4 improv blocks I started going through my stash for borders. I came across this pink and green gem (it is from way back in 2004 from P & B Textiles) I only had a single solitary yard, and sometimes I think "I've only got a yard, I can make it work" WRONG! I pieced this whole quilt knowing I only had 1 yard to work with for my final border. Note: see the bottom right corner, AHH YES, that is me piecing the final 6" with scraps.

Plus, I forgot that to make my left border thinner than the other three. Long story.... I won't go into but, it should be smaller than the other 3 sides. I still need to fix that, but I think I'll wait until I'm not so emotionally attached. So, long story short, I thought this quilt was going to turn out one way and and thru the frustrating process of thinking 1 yard can magically stretch itself into 1 1/2 yards its finished.

All that funny business aside...I love this quilt. It turned out new and fresh and not like anything else I've done other than its pink! I currently have three quilts tops all finished. I don't think I've ever had that many done at one time!

Trunk Show, Giveaway Winner and Exciting News

2011-11-02T06:32:00.000-06:00

In Quilt Rereat News:
I am super excited to announce Emily Herrick is hosting the {Frenchknots} Quilt Retreat Trunk Show on Saturday, November 19th. I met Emily at the Sewing Summit and we instantly hit it off. I was excited to learn she lives pretty close to me and even more excited when she agreed to be apart of the quilt retreat. Emily is fab-u-lous, she designs fabric for Michael Miller and creates her own quilt patterns for Crazy Old Ladies Quilts. Emily will be the hit of the weekend, you should come just to meet her ~ and then as a bonus, you'll get tons of quilting time, delicious food, and giveaways! To sign up go here! or if you have any questions email me at pamela@frencknots.net

In other quilting news! my new friend Amy of amylouwhosews is hosting a Mini Quilt Challenge Sew and Tell. If you make minis or have wanted to try.... join in the fun!!

I am asking for some advice:

After the Sewing Summit, Liz put together a Sewing Summit Swap and I signed up. I am making a mini quilt for my "swap partner", luckily I have all the fabrics picked out and decided on a Dresden Plate for my design the only thing left is just to get sewing! I have never participated in a "swap" before and am soooo excited. It will be alot of fun and my partner is adorable.

If you've been apart of a swap before, please give me some advice. I know it is common to put in a few extra items in with your package, am I missing anything else?

And finally....the winner of the Sewing Summit Swag Bag is: Holly! Congrats Holly! Holly will be contacted via email.

Thank you everyone who entered. Remember for the latest news and updates about the Sewing Summit 2012 click here.

Fall Mountain Report ~ Field Trip Friday

2011-11-01T05:14:00.000-06:00

A quick 15 minute drive from our house puts us in an beautiful area sandwiched between two countys in Utah. At the top of the crest, on the North you can see the entire Salt Lake Valley, at one point I could even see the sky rise buildings of downtown SLC and on the South you can see Utah County and from out least my view beautiful Utah Lake. We spent last weekend hiking around this canyon enjoying the fall foliage. The mountains are speckled with every warm color imaginable ~ yellows, orange, golds, browns, reds and purples. We brought a simple sack lunch and put little H. in his pack. We've had the pack for 10 years and it works like a charm, all of our boys have loved riding in it.

Halloween House

2011-10-31T05:30:00.000-06:00

Check out this amazing Halloween House around the corner from where we live. It is the enthuses of the sweet and cutesy side of Halloween we all love. I am not a huge fan of the gore and scary parts of Halloween not to metion I am deathly afraid of Haunted Houses (don't believe me? read this post!) So a house full of such Halloweeny~goodness makes me want to drive by every day.

I image a house just like this lured Hansel and Gretel (not that I think this house is luring little children into its oven!) but it is so kitchy craft and has about 2000 little relief society knick knack... I am completely in love.

Happy Halloween ya'll. What are the kids dressing up as, you ask? a nerd: suspenders and all, Dracula: I have the best cape evah and a sweet lil' pumpkin!

Quilt Festival

2011-10-28T05:39:00.000-06:00

Yay! It's the time of year again...Blogger's Quilt Festival. My quilt submission is on my bed right now with the binding {still!} half finished.

Originally I made an American Jane hexagon quilt and with the left over strips I created this quilt. It is colorful and vibrant and makes me grin. I worked so hard on my points and tried to make my little nine-patches not matchy matchy. Reds next to oranges, next to greens, next to teal, next to black, next to pink ~ you get the picture.

I can look at my quilt and see the fabrics and be reminded how long I've had that specific fabric or where I bought it or who gave it to me. I should have counted how many fabrics I used before I started. They repeat often in the quilt but I want to say at least 50.

I had never ordered fabric on-line before {gasp} but with 15 quilt stores in an hours drive I don't find myself searching my computer for that must-have-fabric but searching quilt stores. I learned at the Sewing Summit lots of quilters don't have that luxury, I mean, I have 2 within a 5 minute drive and 2 more in 10 minutes. But I bought 1 1/2 yards of my white sashing fabric and ran out. The white has teeny tiny white polka dots on it and is absolutely perfect for this Crazy for Dots Quilt. Lots of quilt stores had white on white polka dots but not as tiny as I needed. Luckily I found the fabric on-line and could finish the quilt.

Thanks Amy for hosting this great event. I love the quilting community, I love bloggers who quilt and share their creations everyday. Thanks for stopping by Quilt Festival participates!

To read my original post click here.
Also, I am hosting a local quilt retreat in November 18th and 19th, click here for more information. I would love to have you join in the fun!

Improv Piecing

2011-10-27T08:39:00.001-06:00

***If your looking for info about my {Frenchknots} Quilt Retreat click on the top right "Retreat" button and get all the glorious info!***

At the Sewing Summit I got to take a class from Jess of Urban Patchwork and she taught about Improv Piecing. We were suppose to bring scraps of fabric to the retreat and when I stepped into the Babylock Sewing Machine Room, I felt sick, I had forgotten my scraps! Luckily, Jess had made little packs of fabric scraps for us to get started with. As soon as I looked at the scraps I knew I had tons of coordinating fabrics at home in my scrap box. Dang it!

Working and focusing for two straight hours on improv piecing was challenging and I felt quite out of my element. Regardless, it was really fun, I sat by Emily and Kris and we had a great time quilting and chatting together. I found out Kris and I had both attended Vanderbilt and that made me feel right at home with her. I love a southern accent.

By the time the class was over I had only finished about half of one block (too much laughing and chitty chatty is to blame!) At home I finished up the blocks and with my scrap box I decided to make the blocks have a crazy quilting look, but I'm not sure if I went over board on the crazy though! Once they were all finished and I trimmed up the sides and squared off the blocks they measured 15" by 10".

I put 2" sashing in between the 4 blocks in Kona "Snow".

Just a glance from the back. I have a few ideas for the rest of the quilt. I am excited to see where this leads.

Maple Bars ~ Mid Week Munchies

2011-10-26T05:34:00.000-06:00

I came across the most delicious looking doughnuts on Pinterest a few days ago. The recipe was from Our Best Bites, not their original recipe but Kate was making the doughnuts from this book. They looked divine and since I am such a sucker for maples bars...I just had to try.
These maples bars looked amazing, they fried to perfection and the glaze was spot on, they just didn't quite taste right. They were chewy (which I like very much) but too heavy and not alot of taste in the actual dough so the maple frosting was very overwhelming. I was disappointed. Now, I didn't add mace which the recipe calls for and I fried the dough in crisco and she suggested corn oil. Ummmm.

But I will say the frosting is "shut the front door" perfect. From now on this will be my go-to maple frosting. Here is it:

Maple Frosting

1 lb. powdered sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon maple extract
1/3 cup hot water (plus more if needed)

Fall is officially in my neck of the woods. Chilly and dark in the mornings and I need to get out and prep my garden for winter.

Weekend Sewing

2011-10-24T04:32:00.000-06:00

Lately, I've been feeling like I quilt (or anything for that matter) on borrowed time. My little one year old keeps me hopping most days and unless he is strapped into a car seat he is into everything. He has also perfected (at 1 yrs. old, mind you) the "flop" of discontent. When he doesn't get his way he "flops" a.k.a goes limp and screams. He's quite good at it.

That being said... I'm not sure how I finished sewing the borders on my 9-patch on point this weekend. Regardless, I am happy to have the borders sewn and moving on to piecing the back and machine quilting.

I wish I had done the triangles on the edge differently. They way I cut them didn't leave me quite enough of a 1/4" seam allowance for the borders. I am pretty mad at myself for that one. I hate my points cut off even in the slightest and some are worst then others.

Isn't he mischievous? What did you get done this weekend? Want to learn more about my Quilt Retreat? Click on "Retreat" at the top of the menu bar on the far right.

Swap Bag Sewing Summit Giveaway

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-06:00

This Giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering

I had a such an amazing time at the Sewing Summit {last weekend} and I don't want the fun to end!! So lets have a GIVEAWAY. With so many wonderful goodies from the Sewing Summit Swag Bag I just knew I had to share.

An assortment of Warm and Natural Batting Products (8 total)

5 spool pack of Aurifil Thread

Kona Cotton Solids Charm Pack (5")

Kitschy Corset Apron Pattern ~ from Brassy Apple

Ruthie's Romper Pattern ~ from Izzy and Ivy Designs

To WIN please do one or more of the following (please leave separate comments for each) by Sunday, October 30. U.S. residents only.

Comment on this Post
Become a NEW follower of Frenchknots
Tweet about this giveaway, saying something like: Yippee!! Win an assortment of fabric, thread, batting and patterns from @pamelacardwell and @Sewing Summit http://bit.ly/qVgaZy
3 chances to win! Make sure and leave your email address if you don't have a blogger profile. Good Luck.

ALSO: If you live in Utah and LOVE to QUILT. I am hosting a Quilt Retreat in November. Click here for details.