Breaking News!

Wow! I knew it had been awhile since I have posted but, my how time has flown! I blinked and 4 years flashed by without a trace.

Breaking News to Share with Each of You.

I have a NEW BLOG! Which is where I have been hanging out in "blog land" and will be blogging for now. Possibly one day once the dust settles I will return to SowingStitches as I have truly missed my SowingStitches blogging family.

https://whatboxacreativelife.blogspot.com/


"What Box?" covers more of my creative adventures, exploring options beyond the sewing studio. I would love to have you over for a visit and a chat.

I am still Sewing and Quilting and Painting but there has been an exciting change of events since I was here last. I even taught Art Classes at the local college for a few years! However, the big news, the really big news...
I have recently Published 3 Books!!!

And they are now available to purchase on Amazon.
Here is where you can find the books if you are curious.

amazon.com/author/carollanefleming

I've missed our visits, hope to see you soon over at my new blog.

Carol

Perfect for Little Hands ~ Scrappy Fabric Ornaments

Gather Supplies

The busy time of year is rapidly approaching! As the
anticipation of the Christmas
Season inches closer, Little
Hands need projects and creative expression. These Scrappy Fabric Ornaments are ideal for Young and Old alike. I confess, I've been making dozens and dozens of these Scrappy Fabric Ornaments since Summer. So relaxing as I watch movies and unwind at the end of the day.

Seriously though, this is a project that Little Hands can create on their own as they chatter happily away while you
are busy working on last minute
gifts or decorations. 

Supplies Needed: Small Fabric Scraps, Styrofoam, Pins, Needle and Thread

Perfect for all of those tiny scraps! Pin in place.

After pinning, Stitch fabrics together with simple rustic stitches.
Remove all pins after stitching!!!

Little hand enjoy this step! Poking the pins into the styrofoam balls to hold the fabric in place is most satisfying! Shhhhhh this also increases fine motor skills! You can take the Art Teacher out of the classroom, but never away from the benefits! :) 

Beautiful Scrappy Fabric Balls for display or add an Ornament Hook and hang on your Christmas Tree!

Okay. I confess. I am totally excited about the adventures on the horizon. These Scrappy Fabric Balls are just a tease of the fun coming in December.

with Love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Questions my Friends

I am finding the need to go Mobile with my blog postings.

To those of you using your mobile devices to post to your blogs, what works best for you? Please give specifics.

I am finding compatibility problems with my mobile device and computer. Have you experienced any glitches going back and forth between your devices?

I seriously need the mobility of my mobile device for blog posting to support the convenience of posting as the adventure unfolds~ this much needed there are many adventures on the horizon. I don't want to miss the excitement and thrill of the moment as so often, some of the magic is lost when waiting and returning to the computer.

Suggestions, apps, programs, formats, your wisdom and input is needed and greatly appreciated. I would love to know what works best for each of you!!!

with Love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Time Travel

Have you ever desired to slow time down, finding that life is rapidly speeding past? I just glanced at the calendar in the kitchen ~ according to the calendar today is only July 17th! And according to my blog, we are still in April!! Oh My! I need to catch up with the 'real' calendar!

Briefly, I have been in 'production mode' creating items for a huge Holiday Craft Market, teaching Art Appreciation and Art History at one of our local colleges[ it's been awhile since I taught summer school ~ talk about adjustment!] pattern testing, writing tutorials, VBS, banquet decorations, gathering with friends and cousins I've not seen in ages, participating in multiple quilting bees and round robins, I even had 20 inches trimmed off of my hair, and basically enjoying everyday life. I find it hard to grasp that Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

I am reforming my ways!No more time travelling. Beginning in December I will be hosting a relaunch of sorts for my blog, weekly postings ~ I do so miss our visits! Tutorials for gifts, decorations, and seasonal fun. Adding to the excitement of the season delicious treats and a peak into some of our family traditions.

Now to attack the kitchen, getting it ready for the 'national feast'! I'm feeling the need for a non-traditional Thanksgiving Meal to add some excitement to the day.

What are some of your family Thanksgiving traditions and foods that do not necessarily fall under the 'typical' Thanksgiving?


See you soon!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Time is Relative

It seems as though it was only yesterday I was here typing away chatting and hanging out with friends. How quickly one day can turn into a year [give or take a day]. Much has happened since the last post...my daughter has not one but 2 Published Books currently on the market, my son is now married, the sewing studio is expanding. Until then, there is much to do, grading art assignments, preparing for the weekend and polishing off the final details of some EXCITING News!

Happy Thursday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol

Celebrating Wonderful Wednesday Today on Super Sunday!

It has been so hard keeping this secret!But in just a few days...I can share pictures! The exciting part? I constructed a quilt top designed by John Q Adams, Quilt Dad himself, that is featured in his soon to be released book! Squeal! Hint: I had a delightful time working with fabrics filled with little foxes, turtles, owls, deer....

But that's not all the excitement swirling around my little corner of the world. In the Fall, I am headed back to college! I won't be taking classes...I will be TEACHING Art! Talk about a shift in schedules...it's been over 10 years since I taught college classes. I will be dusting off text books and refreshing lectures over the summer.

Updates on Spring cleaning and my nephew's wedding quilt...both are still considered as works in progress.

Happy Sunday!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah 

New Discovery on this Wonderful Wednesday!

I have an Explorers heart...
I love the thrill of discovering!
As a child I loved searching in the plowed fields for broken china and pottery. Somewhere hidden away in boxes in the attic are some of my 'special' childhood treasures, not all...as that would fill a dump truck!

Sharing one of this morning's discoveries with you now!

Cathy has a new product line and a giveaway to celebrate! Make sure you take a moment to explore, she has some BEAUTIFUL items!!!And you can see, the link provided takes you right to her new adventure!

http://cathydanielsblog.blogspot.com/2014/02/new-product-range-and-giveaway.html

Also, this is a reminder...the winner of the Traveling Stash Box will be selected by random selection tonight and announced Thursday March 13th! I will also be emailing the winner!

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!
with Love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

We Have Power!!!

Just dropping by for a quick update!

We have power at the house!!! We lost power days ago! I never knew just how much I depended on my electric sewing machine...
Most certainly time to restore my Singer Treadle!!!
So very thankful that Duke Power was able to restore our power, as there are still tens of thousands without power in our area!

It was really bad and somewhat unexpected and under-predicted by the weather folks. Most were unprepared for the latest winter weather event. The local grocery is still without power, they will have such a big loss and mess to clean up with all of the spoiled foods. Even the big 'box store' has suffered a major loss..all of the foods in coolers or freezers are now spoiled and can't be sold.

Once I can get caught up on restoring the house in order and taking care of damages I will be back for a nice long visit! Oh how I have missed everyone!

Happy Sunday!
May your day overflow with blessings beyond measure!

with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Missing.......

I will be missing and out of the 'loop' for a few weeks....yes, you read correctly weeks not days.

Terrible timing!

Each of you will remain in my thoughts and hopefully when I return I will have some very exciting news to share with you!

with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

And the Winner is......

The Grow Your Blog Party is over and I don't know about you...this year's party was so much fun!!! So many new friends and exciting blogs! Thanks Vicki for hosting such a great party!!

Now for some fun...the winner of my giveaway from the Grow Your Blog Party was the very first to comment...

Gina of Sew Much and More
You are the Winner! 

Gina please check your email.


Happy Saturday everyone,
with Love as always,

Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Grow Your Blog ~ 2014

I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit! A cold winter weekend visiting with friends near and far is the Best 'cure' for the winter blues!The kettle is on and fresh from the oven are these yummy homemade gluten free cranberry cinnamon rolls.

Gluten Free

You guessed it...I'm having to learn "how to cook" all over again! I've not had gluten [except for accidental contamination] since July 2013. Oh what a difference, and all for the better, minus having to relearn cooking skills. If you have questions about a Gluten~Free lifestyle and the need to eliminate gluten just ask...

I'm Carol a.k.a. Beulah an artist working with thread and fabric, ink, paint and whatever else catches my eye. An organic gardener, Gluten-Free, dreamer and does, consumer of tea and chocolate along with lots and lots of salads! My family calls me the 'leaf eater'. I try to sew or create several hours each day and especially love the days when creating begins at sunrise and ends well into the night. What you will find here on the blog...a bit of everything...I don't have set days for posting, and write often about what is consuming my time at the moment.
 
2014 began like every year, a blank canvas but is rapidly filling with an ever expanding creative list of projects and new adventures!
Blog Tours, Online Quilting Bees, Publications, Wedding Quilts,Writing,Gluten-Free Cooking, Charity Quilts,Gardening, a New Business...more on each of these in the coming weeks.

I won't 'keep you' as I know you, like myself are just 'itching' to pop in and visit with everyone! Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to our visits in 2014! But before you go I have something to share...my first giveaway of 2014!

Just leave me a note and let me know you were here and where you call home, that's it! :) And on February 7,2014 by random selection one of my guests will be notified by way of email [make sure I have your email]and posted here on the blog, to be on the look-out for some 'happy mail'. The giveaway...now that's a secret...what fun is a surprise if you already know what it is???

If you would like 'extra' entries there are several options for a total of 4 'extra' entries.

1. Become a follower of my blog via GFC and leave a comment telling me that you are a new follower = 1 additional entry

2. Become a follower of my Twitter@sowingstitches https://twitter.com/sowingstitchesand leave a comment with your Twitter 'handle' = 1 additional entry

3. Become a follower of my Pinterest Boards
http://www.pinterest.com/sowingstitches/and leave a comment with your Pinterest url = 1 additional entry

4. Become a follower of my InstaGram @Sowingstitches and leave a comment with your IG name = 1 additional entry.


Until next time....
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Stay warm and cozy,
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah


The complete listing of all participants in the Grow Your Blog Tour 2014 can be found here on Vicki's blog, she is the one who gathered us all together! :)

http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/

YIPPIE! Grow Your Blog Tour 2014 Starts Tomorrow!!!

Less than 24 hours.....and the FUN begins!!!!
A perfect weekend for visiting too!
I can't think of a better way to spend a bitterly cold weekend!!!
Hope you are able to join the fun......there are over 500 participants this year.
Talk about good chats and giggles with friends....
This is the best cure for those 'winter blues'.

Happy Friday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Growing

It's the most wonderful time of the year....... Nope, not Christmas....
It's time for the 2nd Annual Grow Your Blog Tour!
I participated last year and it was LOADS of fun!
Perfect visiting during the dreaded cold days of winter!
Thinking that YOU might like to join the fun, I am providing the link but you must hurry and sign up, as the deadline is but a few days away!

http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/2013/10/grow-your-blog-2014-this-is-official.html


Happy Friday!
with LOVE as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

The Itsy Bitsy Spider.......

 This post is NOT about spiders...just the song. I keep singing it over and over in my head as I work on these blocks for my Postage Stamp Quilt!

Progress is occurring with these lovely blocks as the box of 1 1/2 inch squares is slowly emptying!

Happy Wednesday!
with Love as always,
Carol a.k.a Beulah

"Go for the Gold" Block Challenge

     "Go for the Gold" Block Challenge
In celebration of the spirit of the Olympics I plan to challenge myself to create a quilty project as I enjoy the Olympic coverage.
A project to use my highest level sewing and quilting skills to push me to achieve a higher level.

You are welcome to join the fun!
Take a few days, think about what you would like to create and we will 'get together' here sometime next week and cheer each other on as we prepare and train for our "Go for the Gold" Block Challenge.

We have a few days to come up with a project and set fabric aside, clean our work areas...

But I need your help!
I'm not sure what I want to create!!!
I can't decide if I want to create a total project or just the blocks for a quilt...
 
What has been your most challenging project or skill when quilting?
Where do you go for inspiration when it is time to create a new quilting project?

Time to flex my fingers, sharpen my scissors, load my bobbins, clean the sewing room....

Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Scrappy New Year!

Scrappy New Year!
That's right...
Scraps are the theme for 2014 here at Sowing Stitches.
The sewing studio is overflowing with scraps and snippets of every size, shape and color imaginable!
There are boxes, bags, totes, piles, shelves basically mountains of scraps that must be used! (No sense in letting good fabric be thrown out in the trash.)

I've spent hours researching, gathering ideas, pining inspiration, all on the topic: Scrappy Quilts.[500 quilt blocks should put a dent in my scrap pile...right?]

Honestly, now is the time to tackle the abundance of overflowing scraps!
So for every creative adventure in 2014, 1 new quilting project created means that it will be mandatory 2 scrappy quilting projects must be created BEFORE starting the next 'new' project.

[We shall see how long this lasts...just like all well intended New Year's Resolutions...life may well happen...and something more exciting may come along! :)]

*No fabrics were harmed in the production of this post.

Happy Scrappy New Year!
May 2014 be filled with many happy hours of sewing, blog hops, quilting bees, laughter, and friends! May everything you set your hands to prosper and may you be blessed with Love, Joy, Hope, Peace, Prosperity and Perfect Health.


with Love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Sowing Stitches: Calico Dots and Gingham Quilting Bee

Greek Cross

I decided to go 'simple' for this bee block..thinking 'simple' is best for putting the fabrics in the spotlight. Then, I fell in love with this block, (Greek Cross). The block makes up fast with nice clean lines and the fabrics just sing! I'm pretty sure that the next baby quilt I make, the Greek Cross will be my block of choice.

Below you will find the tutorial for this fun little block.

You will need the following:
2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangle template
4 3/4 inch square rectangle template
4 1/2 inch square rectangle template
scissors or rotary cutter
pencil
ruler
iron
pins

Fabric: 3 different pieces:For this bee I selected: calico, dots, gingham

Creating the block:Cutting the fabric you will need to cut and place pieces by unit.

Fabrics stacked and ready to assemble

Cut 1 calico 4 1/2 in square [for center]


Unit #1 creates 4 
Cut 4 calico 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectangles
Cut 4 gingham 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch rectanglesUse 1/4 inch seam, press open

Unit #2 creates 4
Cut 2 gingham 4 3/4 inch squares
Cut 2 dots 4 3/4 inch squares

Place facing fronts together using one gingham and one dot fabrics, draw a diagonal line corner to corner then stitch 1/4 inch from the line on each side. After you've stitched 1/4 seams on both sides of the drawn line, cut along line to create two completed units.

Unit 2

Units ready to layout

Ready set Row! Using 1/4 inch seams.

Press seams open.

Why I press seams open. It's a simple tribute to my grandmother who taught me to sew when I was only 4. I have tried over the years to press towards dark or gasp even avoiding the process all together. I just can't, so help me, press my seams any other way than with a hot dry iron pressing the seams open and flipping and pressing the seams from the front as well.

Almost done! There are only 2 remaining seams! I told you this was a quick and easy block. :)
Now for this step, I pin! I'd rather take the few seconds to pin matching seams than to dig out the seam ripper dealing with drifting stitches. I think it might take a total of 45 seconds to pin the rows together matching seams.

Pin matching seams! This prevents drifting stitches!!

Press open your row seams and ta~da! You have a brand new Greek Cross quilt block.


Enjoy!
Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

We Bee With It January - June 2014

January is my month to be Queen Bee
in the We Bee With It online quilting bee!
For me, the hardest part of quilting bees is choosing the block, there are so many wonderful blocks to choose from!!! Finally I have decided which block I will be using, thanks to "Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe"

(I just love this book!) I was inspired by Kati Spencer's "Improv Color Blocks", immediately I thought these blocks would be a great way to use many of my scraps, Kati's quilt is on page 72 of the book. My blocks will be Scrappy Blocks instead of Color Blocks with at least one piece of solid white or muslin per block. As I stated earlier, I was inspired by Kati's Improv Color Blocks...my blocks will be 12 1/5 inch square and not 10 inch square.  

Once all the blocks are completed I plan to sash them with very narrow dark sashing add a border...create a scrappy back and hand quilt. I hope to have it completed by the first warm Spring day so I can celebrate with a picnic! :)

 
Making the Improv Scrappy Blocks[the best part: no 2 blocks are the same]

You will need:
12 1/2 square template[I made one using copy paper]
fabric scraps
iron
sewing machine
thread
scissors and or a rotary cutter


1. Gather fabric scraps, you may need to iron them if you are like me...wrinkled fabric doesn't trim well.
2. Make sure that there is some white or muslin fabric in your scraps.
3. Prints, solids, florals, plaid, dots basically anything goes.
4. Lay out your fabrics, in the shape of a square roughly 16 to 20 inches. Don't panic, this allows for seam allowances and trimming.
5. When assembling the blocks, work in small sections, pressing seams open after each seam is stitched...this prevents 'bulk-build-up'. After the individual unit sections are completed the assembly of the block is a snap!
6. Once the block is in one piece, press again [so it will lay nice and flat] pin the 12 1/2 inch template in place and trim. The remaining scraps can be used in your next scrappy improve block or yet another creative adventure!


                 ::TIP::
        Y Seams are your friend!
When creating improve blocks, let's face it, seams don't always line up nice and neat. Y Seams allow for what I like to call 'broken seams' and mismatched shapes.

When creating Y Seams, it helps to leave about 1/2 inch un-stitched where the seams come together temporarily as you fit the sections to each other...this makes joining the seams much easier.

To help if you have never sewn Y Seams here are a couple of tutorials, the first one is 'still shots' and the second is a video.

http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=1373



http://www.jinnybeyer.com/quilting-with-jinny/tips-lessons/detail.cfm?instanceId=71DAA699-0AFE-8A90-85D38BA999BD18D8

These blocks are a fun way to use bits and pieces of fabrics scraps of almost any size can be used! I am looking forward to being able to use many of my favorite fabric scraps...I'm sure you have some too! You know the ones...the fabrics you love and just can't part with even the smallest scrap.

Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

Chasing the Winter Blues: 39 days to Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics!

No winter blues allowed in 2014!
The mulli-grubs, winter blues, hibernating, longing for warm sunny days will not be tolerated this year!
There is just no time for the energy sapping brain drain of the winter blues!
On tap for January: We Bee With It quilting bee, Calico Dots and Gingham quilting bee, purging fabric scraps, once a month bake off, details next week for the Sowing Stitches "Go for the Gold" Block Challenge [in celebration of the Winter Olympics February 7 - February 23 2014 in Sochi], making my nephew's wedding quilt, hand quilting my Valentine's quilt, teaching sewing classes...and this is just the beginning of many great creative adventures.
I feel like I'm forgetting something.....
 
Enjoy the last few days of 2013!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah

In the Stitch of Time

Trimming blocks and snipping threads was the 'theme' last week as I put together my bee blocks from a recent online quilting bee. I so enjoyed creating these blocks and found it quite difficult to stop making them after I had completed the blocks for all of the other bees. Which I am now thankful I kept on making them [sadly, many of the bees dropped out]had I not made all of the additional blocks this lovely quilt top would still be drifting along in my imagination! I keep hoping the missing bee blocks will arrive in the coming days...I plan to use them to create pillow shams or a matching baby blanket!

Now to decide on the border...and the backing! This is going to be a large quilt when completed, roughly 96 X 96 inches.

Curiosity is getting the better of me!
What would you choose to create the border and the backing?

Merry Christmas!
May your week be filled with Joyful Delights, Love and Laughter,surrounded by Family and Friends!

with love as always!

Sewing Machines and Ministry You Bet!

I have a dear friend in the ministry, her name is Bess of Bess Graham World Ministries. She will be going to the Women's Ministry Graduation in India, January 2014, just a few weeks from today.
At that time there will be 23 women graduating from the Tailoring School.
She hopes to gift each of the graduates with a sewing machine so they can have a way to take care of themselves.
These women are widows and abused women.
A sewing machine cost $150.
If anyone is interested in helping please message me and I can give you Bess's contact information.
I appreciate any help you can give towards these machines, our sisters in India will be greatly blessed!
Together one stitch at a time we are binding up the wounds and spreading LOVE around the world!

with love as always!

The Adventure began Sunday December 9, 2012

It has been a year since I decided to join the blogging family...One whole year! 
December 9, 2012 I made my first post a huge step for this pencil and paper loving girl!
Looking back, I'm glad I took the plunge. Regrets?
Certainly, wishing I had a set schedule to post regularly...but...as I see the learning curve from here, there is always tomorrow or next year in this case.
I plan to be more organized in 2014!
This was a huge 'technology/social media' year for me.
Not only did I take the plunge and start blogging but I also started hanging out at Sowing Stitches on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Flickr!
I tested quilt block patterns for Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Magazine and various designers, pieced a quilt top that will be in John Adams [Quilt Dad]new book to be published in the spring, hosted and participated in several other online quilting bees, hopped in blog hops and still found time to sew!
Don't panic! I am still very much in love with my paper and pencils, I filled up countless journals this year...writing new books, creating designs, and recording dreams and my doodles.

Thanks to each of you who have made this journey into the cyber world an easy transition! I could not have made it this far with out you!!!

with love as always
 

Official Clothing and Fabric Recycling Center

Creating Space in Landfills in a round-about way....

My sewing studio is now an Official Clothing/Fabric Recycling Collection Center.

I will gladly take your discarded clothing [shirts, pants, suits, dresses, shorts, scarves...]  fabric or other sewing notions [even table linens, curtains, bedding] and use these resources to create items to be given to those in need locally or make items to be sold to raise funds for overseas missions.

Old or new, tattered or torn, even stained as stains can be avoided...please no undergarments or items with oil/fuel spills as they can not be cleaned.
If it is fabric...it can be used! :)

Spread the word....together we can meet the needs of many!



with LOVE as always,
Beulah

Day 100

 

This is the block everyone is working on for November in the Sowing Stitches Calico Dots and Gingham Online Quilting Bee. A fun block! And come January, when I am hopefully 'caught up' on all of my projects, I am planning to make a scrappy star quilt using this block.

You heard it here first, in January a new online quilting bee will be starting...details will be forth coming in December.



Today is day 100.100 days on the journey to better health. 100 days of no gluten...well almost...gluten hides in very strange places. And there were days that I thought what I ate was gluten free when in reality was loaded with the stuff...and yes, I paid the price. But life hasn't been all bad going gluten free, there are many perks and advantages...and one very welcome aspect...5 inches have vanished from my waist and 27 pounds are no longer mocking me when I step on the scales!


I am NOT in anyway suggesting anyone go gluten free as means of a 'diet' to shed extra pounds. The reason I've lost weight is simple...in a scientific manner...My body does not process grains that contain gluten, gluten is used by the food industry for a variety of reasons and can be found in many foods. My body reacted to the gluten like many allergic reactions...the tissues in every cell of my body tried to  flush the gluten..since I was constantly eating foods containing gluten...the cells were constantly irritated and filled with excess fluids. That is a simple view of what was going on.

Now my body is being restored and is healing as I monitor closely the foods and drinks I allow to enter. I take time to 'listen' to my body, I document everything that goes into my mouth and make notes of how if any reaction occurs.

Happy Quilting!
with love as always,
Carol aka Beulah

Sowing Stitches Calico Dots and Gingham Quilting Bee

 This is our second month of our creative journey with October's Block selected by Stacy.
A very fast and easy block to create lots of possibilities!
Can't wait to see her final project!

Good Morning October!

Good Morning Friends! Happy October!
This beautiful view was captured recently from my sewing studio.
I so enjoy starting my day watching the sunrise!


Now to reveal the completion of the Summer 2013 Quilting Challenge, you may remember the earlier post back in July.
I asked for your input concerning fabrics and quilt patterns...then with the information collected I created an original design for a new table runner!
I combined vanishing 9 patch blocks with a star block and tons of scrappy fabrics...
I love the pattern so much, now I am collecting scraps so I can make a full size quilt!

Vanishing 9 patch with Evening Star
Original Design by Sowing Stitches

Off to clean the sewing area...sewing class today at 'high noon'. Teaching children to sew is never boring! :)

Hope you have a delightful day!
Happy Sewing!!

Feast and Flop Day: Brownies

Gluten Free Brownies.

Fast and Easy to Make!
I thought Gluten Free meant no more chocolate brownies. What did I know???
I made these from simple ingredients, NO grains or flour in these yummy chocolate treats!



Gluten Free Brownies
1 15 ounce can rinsed and drained Black Beans
3 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup ground almonds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup sugar [I used brown sugar]
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

The easy part: put all ingredients in a blender or food processor! Blend until smooth and there are no 'bean lumps'.

Place batter into lined muffin cups and bake at 350* for about 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 - 20 minutes before eating. Makes 12 Gluten Free Brownies!



Books.

This is one of the best books I've read in the last few weeks! If you have been considering a Gluten Free lifestyle but are not sure if you would benefit...Get your hands on this book! An easy read, very informative and encouraging to know that it is possible to be free of so many ailments directly related to the consumption of wheat and other gluten.




At the Dinner Table.

MENU:
Wild Caught NC Shrimp
Steamed Squash
Kale Chips















Lists from my phone.

A Quick Glance what to Avoid!
Wheat,Wheat Germ, Bran, Bulgur, Couscous, Male, Malt Vinegar, Barley:barly grass, malt, groats, pearl barley, caramel coloring, malt vinegar,"Natural Flavors", Durum, Vegan protein sub sriram, Einkorn, Emmer, Farina, Farro, Cream of Wheat, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl, Triticale, Tritcosecale, Tritium, Graham Flour,Matzo, Orzo, Panko, Seitan, Semolina, Spelt, Udon, Rye, Oats[many are cross contaminated], Dextrin, Brewer's yeast, Modified food starch, Smoke Flavoring, Softener [in foods],Vegetable starch:many are created from gluten grains, Citric Acid:in USA in most cases is created from Wheat and not citrus fruits.
Disclaimer: this list was created from reading many many books and much research on gluten. It is not the 'end all' list and most likely many sources have been eliminated.



Breakfast.

Carrot Juice! Each morning I start my day with Carrot, Apple Juice...somedays I add spinach, celery and cucumber to the blend. I use a Champion Juicer to make the juice fresh and blend crushed ice into the juice to create a festive start to my day. I also drink a large glass in the afternoons to which I add fresh spinach...the color is not as bright or beautiful but the trace elements in the spinach = a better night's sleep!


Flops:
*The gluten free brownies mold when not stored in the fridge.
*Gluten hides well in many foods...I paid the price for a hasty lunch when I didn't read the food label. I'm learning to ALWAYS READ ALL LABELS!

Hopping you have a wonderful weekend!
 

5 x 6 = 30 Or so I thought!

I was preparing my blue and green churn and dash blocks this morning for a simple 5 x 6 [30 blocks] small quilt.
When I realized the blocks were beginning to multiply! 

I had originally cut out the pieces and assembled the pieces for 30 12 inch completed blocks yet there are now 52 blocks!

I could understand 1 or 2 extra blocks...but 22 extra...I have no idea how this happened!
The only logical answer at the moment is that the elves visited last night and created the extra 22 blocks!
Now if I could get my chocolate supply, my fabric stash and bank account to multiply like this...oh what a happy day! :)

I shall now be making a nice big quilt 7x7 with 3 extra blocks to be used creatively in another quilty project.

Happy Tuesday!

Feast and Flop Day

Knowing that there are others besides myself who have had their world changed overnight by health issues or the resolve to live a better healthier life, knowing the need for support and understanding...
I have decided that beginning today, Friday will now be known as Feast and Flop Day here at Sowing Stitches.
Pretty much, I went 'cold turkey' eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs, artificial sugars,meats that are not wild caught or organic and corn.
Each week will have spotlight something different and primarily I will dedicate this time to share tips [what works & doesn't], support, book reviews, helpful websites and blogs, recipes and be available to answer questions....and if I don't know the answer we can research together! :)

Thankfully the local Public Library has a wealth of information! [And if by chance your local library doesn't have these titles, if you ask, they may just order the book! Our local branch has ordered several books just because I asked!! One of the great things about public libraries, they truly do like to have available the books patrons want to read!]These are a few of the books I have been reading since July. Unfortunately I didn't record the first dozen or so stacks of books...I may try to check them out again so you can have more titles available.

 

And if the library is 'not your cup of tea' the internet has loads of information! I will have a list of internet resources available for you soon.

First of all...eating a diet free of Gluten and other foods mentioned above is not a 'death sentence' there are many great tasting foods free of Gluten! One of my favorites, wild caught shrimp. One just has to be very dedicated to read labels...and when in doubt...do without! The effects of hidden gluten can be quite devastating.

I have found weekends to be the most difficult with the transition to a better healthier lifestyle. It does require a bit more planning for grab and go meals...but...I am new at this and with time comes knowledge and increased speed of preparation!

  One of the biggest helps is the list "Foods to Avoid" in my phone so that no matter where I go I have a handy reference. I have another phone list of every imaginable name for gluten,corn, dairy, eggs etc... this has been a 'life-saver' when reading labels in the grocery store! I also keep a list "Feast and Enjoy" foods that are 'user friendly' to my body.

Happy Feast & Flop Day!
with love as always,
Beulah

National Sewing Month!

Yippie!
An entire month to celebrate the love of sewing!

September 1st marked the launch of Sowing Stitches' Calico Dots and Gingham Online Quilting Bee!  
 

Block Design selected by Nan

Block Design selected by Sharon

My health continues to improve as I learn to recognize the hiding places of the 'no-no' foods. All gluten, corn, oats, dairy, eggs some meats are the worst offenders. I am currently juicing like crazy with my Champion Juicer and progressing towards a more vegetarian lifestyle. [Eating meat = no sleep...unless it is wild caught fish/seafoods.]
Personally, I feel that the food industry should provide all food sources on their labels....The vague labeling practices of such as 'spices' 'natural flavors' etc...really should be eliminated. I've also learned that citric acid in the US comes primarily from corn and wheat and not from  citrus fruits as one would expect.
It continues to be an eye opening journey...food can be fuel for the body or poison. Ditching the 'toxic foods' has made such a difference!

with love as always,
Beulah

Summer is Over...Life is Back to Normal

Mercy! The last 23 days have been a blur of activity! Brainstorming, a trip to the Zoo, painting, sewing, gardening and creating new flower beds, waiting at the hospital, changes, anniversary #29, stargazing....

What a difference a meal can make!
A chance viewing of a news story inspired me to brave up and make some changes to my diet. Since that wonderful day when it all came together in clear focus...I now no longer consume, eat or even taste foods containing Gluten or Dairy or Eggs or Corn or Tomato or Onion or Peppers...meats are limited to chicken or fish. My day now begins with a Smoothie created from Carrots, Spinach, Celery, Apples and Cucumber. I eat real great tasting foods just not the ones I used to eat. Yes I miss breads and the other foods I have removed from my diet. But I LOVE the way I am feeling more!!! GONE are migraines, swollen joints, muscle pain, fatigue, sleepless nights, extra weight is melting away and reading glasses are no longer needed to name a few...In just 3 weeks my health is rebounding!!!

With all of the extra sleep I have tons of energy and creative ideas are flowing like flood waters and raging rapids...I am now writing and sketching ideas down so I can get back to them when I have more time. I've been busy!

 I painted the front door and replaced the doorbell
earlier this summer.

Which got me started on a mini-makeover of the front porch...one of my favorite thinking spots.

This is the spot where dreams come to life.
I added a few fresh coats of paint and a bit of varnish to create my
"new" porch bench.

A quick peek of some projects from the last three weeks. With all the extra energy I cleaned out closets...and then had to decide what to do with all of the discards.

 

A new messenger bag created from an old shirt.

Inside, lots of room and 5 hidden pockets!

A new project bag..created from an old shirt.

A perfect size to hold multiple projects and snacks!

There's more to share in the coming days. I'm off now to start a few new projects and catch up with my Blog-Land Family. 3 Weeks away is far to long!

You see an old blue shirt....I see a new market bag.

Happy Saturday!
with love as always,
Carol a.k.a. Beulah