This and That

I really haven't been doing much quilting here lately.  I have a few projects for other people/groups/guild that I have to get done in the next month or so and then I hope to get back to working on a few of my own things.

I decided not to do continue on with Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion mystery as I wasn't that wild about the pattern in the end.  Here is what I ended up with--a cat quilt to lay on a dining room chair.  The cats love it and I am happy I made a small quilt with what I actually had completed.

A few other distractions--4" basket blocks.

From Quiltmaker's Bitty Block challenge.  A block of the month row quilt and the baskets blocks were for February. 

Some time ago I ordered Victory Garden from Busy Bee Designs as I just love Union Jacks.  I finally got around to playing with the pattern\ and made a couple of blocks using a pansy fabric I have had for ages.  I hope to play some more and end up with a lap quilt.

I made a friend some placemats using Victory Garden and her favorite colors, peach and green.  Here they are laying on her kitchen table before I quilted them.

A finished placemat.

We have plans to go to the UK next year and I thought the placemats would get her in the mood for the trip.  I know I'm ready right now!  In fact, a year ago I was in Paris and I can hardly stand waiting another year for a fabulous trip. 

Finally, something not quilting-related.  A friend posted some cute Easter deviled eggs on Facebook recently and I decided to give it a go.  It was such fun and brought back childhood memories of coloring eggs.  It was a spur of the moment thing so don't expect great things LOL.  First, here are a few chickens that produce the eggs.

Combine 1/2 cup water with 1 tablespoon cider vinegar then add a few drops of food coloring and add the cooked egg white.  Soak until you get the desired color.

I know the egg whites are a little rough, but they are fresh eggs and incredibly hard to peel as that little membrane just won't let go of the egg.  They look fine once they are filled though and no one really notices their rough edges.

Interesting observation--my dad selected a "regular" white egg when they were served and naturally I went for one of the brightly colored ones!

Cheers,

Debi