I'm really into these giant block quilts lately, and one of my favorite magazines, Quiltmaker, is having a new one in each issue! I made this for my friend and former craftster mod retroeva's new baby boy!



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Closeup to see the Momo Tiny Deer.

So I am not a big fan of boxed Mac and Cheese, but I'm also pretty lazy/short on time, and today I was craving mac and cheese bad, but didn't have the time to make a white sauce and bake it and all that jazz before I had to start working. This is my compromise~

1 box Mac and Cheese (I actually loathe Kraft and will buy any store's generic over it)
1/4 cup butter
2 T milk + 2 T half and half/cream
1 slice Swiss Cheese
2-4 T shredded parmesan
red pepper flakes
fresh ground black pepper

Topping:
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 T butter


Bring your water to boil and add salt and macaroni. My box said to cook 7-9 minutes, but it was done to my liking at 5.

While that is coming to boil, mix Panko and 1 T butter in small microwave safe bowl. Cook on high in microwave for 30 seconds and then stir. Cook and stir in 10 second intervals until as brown as you like. 50 seconds total worked for me in my microwave.

Drain pasta and return to pan, turn heat to low. Add cheese sauce packet, butter and milk/cream. *Cook over low heat, stirring until sauce thickens. Add swiss cheese and parmesan and continue to cook and stir. If it sounds/looks like it's getting too hot move it off the heat for a bit and then put it back. As soon as the cheese is melted and yummy stringy looking you are done!

Season with black pepper and red pepper flakes to taste and top your bowl with the browned Panko bread crumbs. Almost homemade tasting mac and cheese in <15 minutes!



*When I was little, we never cooked the sauce and it was always runny and gross. We just added the butter and milk and sauce pack and mixed it together in the pan with the heat turned off, the butter melted from the heat of the pasta but never thickened. Possibly that's why i think boxed mac and cheese is kinda gross. Or maybe it just is.

I can't wait to see your hexie project, sloth! One of my guild friends made the most amazing hexie dragon, it is so cool! I don't have the patience to do much with those.

I knocked a project off my list tonight and finished two other things! Woo-hoo! I finished my Matryoschka mini quilt for mcook (no pics until she receives it).  I'm making two blocks a month for do.Good stitches and am pretty proud that I got the January blocks finished already. I won't post them on the quilting board since they'll never be a finished project for me, but thought I'd post to share.

Here are some fabulous projects from the quilting board the last two quarters!

Small Quilted Projects

Home is Best Mini Art Quilt by Leslieshappyheart




Merry Little Christmas Wall Quilt by Homerof2






Baby Quilts

Diamonds Quilt by grammardog




Chubby Chicks Baby Quilt by Rosemary1111




Lap Quilts and Larger

Halloween Lap Quilt by MissingWillow




Pinwheel Sampler Quilt by Mermonster

[Details of swap:]

Swap name: Mini Art Quilt Swap 6
Craftster member who is organizing this swap: MareMare
Co-Organizer: pjherbert
Sign-up date range: Friday, December 28, 2012- Monday, January 7th, 2013 8 pm Pacific[/b]
Date to send item by: Friday February 22nd

Gallery

Limited to a certain number of people? (optional): No

Restricted to people who all live in the same country? NO
If so, which country? n/a

Age requirement? 18

Pre-swap discussion for this round:
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=417155.0

Swap Organizer himself/herself meets these conditions:
- Has fully read the Swap Info Guide: YES
- Has successfully completed two swaps as a participant: YES
- Is not organizing more than three swaps right now: YES
- Will recruit a co-organizer or give all details to a Swap Moderator if this swap has more than 25 participants: YES
- Is at least 18 years old: YES

Swap Organizer will check each participant to make sure they meet these conditions:
- Has been a member for at least one month: YES
- Has posted at least 15 times: YES
- Has completed one swap successfully before signing up for multiple swaps at a time: YES
- Is not currently signed up for more than five swaps: YES
- Does not have any negative feedback: YES
- Participant has agreed that he/she is at least 16 years old: YES
- If within the US, understands that Delivery Confirmation number is required for this swap: YES
- If outside the US, understands that a mailing receipt copy is required for this swap: YES

Details of swap:

This swap is to make a mini quilt for your partner! We are only going to swap the mini quilt itself, no extras required, so we can focus on making the quilt. If partners agree you may send a couple of tiny extras, but they are not required and you must check with your partner to see if it is ok.  The size of the quilt should be between 1 and 2 feet square (12 to 24 inches), with any size, shape, and dimensions that fits within those parameters. So 12 x 18 inches is ok, and so is a 15 inch circle, but any one side shouldn’t be smaller than 12 inches or longer than 24 inches.

Use whatever methods you want to make a lovely art quilt for your partner! Piecing, embroidery, applique, hand dying fabric, adding beads or charms, etc.

Since this is a longer swap I want everyone to know that they need to keep in contact both with the organizer, co-organizer, and their partner. I’m not going to implement anything as rigid as weekly check-ins, but please try to post to the thread at least every couple of weeks and please don’t leave your partner or myself hanging if we pm you!  

Please make sure you post in this thread for updates as soon as you sign-up/think about signing up.  

*I will leave accurate feedback regarding sending on time, meeting swap requirements, and having good communication with organizer and partner. My definition of good communication is sending pm's to both organizer, co-organizer, and partner when BOTH sending AND receiving, answering pm's from organizer, co-organizer, and partner in a timely manner (within 1 day), and letting organizer Sand partner know if you will be out of town, if you will be late, or if you know you will be unable to communicate for a set amount of time.

*Organizer reserves the right to refuse entry to the swap based on poor performance in previous swaps with this organizer or poor feedback on swapper's profile.


If you want to participate, information to send to BOTH MareMare and pjherbert:

You must answer all questions! And please list 5 themes where 5 themes are asked for, not less. More is ok though.   Thanks!


QUESTIONNAIRE TO ANSWER:
Name of swap: Mini Art Quilt Swap 6
Craftster username:
Email address:
Your real name and Mailing address including the country, formatted for shipping:
Would you be willing to ship to an address outside your own country?
Confirm that are at least 18 years old (yes/no)

Do you live in the United States: YES/NO
   - If yes, do you understand that Delivery Confirmation number is required for this swap: YES/NO
   - If no, do you understand that a mailing receipt copy is required for this swap: YES/NO

Please state that you understand that communication is very important in this swap, and you need to stay in touch with the organizer and your partner("poor communication" feedback will be given accordingly).

Would you describe your quilting skills as beginner, intermediate, or advanced?

What are your favorite colors:

What are some of the colors in the room of the house you might display this in:

What colors do you dislike:

What patterns/shapes/objects do you like:

What patterns/shapes/objects do you dislike:

Any specific fabric or quilt patterns you really like (ie, you  have really strong feelings towards paisley fabric or star type pattern quilts)?

Any specific fabric or quilt patterns you really dislike?

Please list at least 5 themes/ideas to help your partner know the kinds of things you might like (they can be more specific, ie dolphins, or less specific, ie the ocean) More than 5 is allowed, but 5 is the minimum:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Are you someone that really wants to have one of these themes crafted for you, or are you ok if your partner does a little stalking to come up with other themes you might like?

Are you someone that is really helped by having a set list to craft from, or do you prefer to be a little freer and do some research/stalking?

Would you be ok with your art quilt containing 3D elements such as beads, sequins, charms, etc? This might have to do with how you plan to use it (ie, if you might use it as a centerpiece/table runner maybe you won't want  3D elements).

Do you plan on or think you might possibly use 3d elements in the art quilt you make?

Do you have an idea what you would use your art quilt for?

If yes, is there anything specific that the sender needs to know/do? (ie, a loop put on it would be good if you plan to hang it, please don’t use 3d elements if it’s for a table, etc)

Do you have a Pinterest that shows quilts/mini quilts/fabric that you like? If so please list if you would like to show your partner:

Do you have any allergies severe enough to prevent you from being partnered with someone? (ie, if you are only a tiny bit allergic to cats like me, don’t put it down, but if someone sending something from a house with a cat will make you sick, please list it)

Do you have allergens like pets (list specific animal please) or smoking in your house?

Have you done previous rounds of this swap before? If you have please list your partner(s) Please DO NOT skip this step if you have participated before, your sign-up will not be approved until we have this info:

Anything else you would like your partner to know?




IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER TO SEND YOUR INFO TO ORGANIZER AND CO-ORGANIZER VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE AND NOT TO REPLY WITH IT HERE.


Also remember to read the Swap Info Guide to find out how to ship your item and other details about participating in a swap.


Links to Previous Swaps:

Mini Art Quilt Swap
Mini Art Quilt Swap Gallery
Mini Art Quilt Swap 2
Mini Art Quilt Swap 2 Gallery
Mini Art Quilt Swap 3
Mini Art Quilt Swap 3 Gallery
Mini Art Quilt Swap 4
Mini Art Quilt Swap 4 Gallery
Mini Art Quilt Swap 5
Mini Art Quilt Swap 5 Gallery
Mini Art Quilt Swap 6 Gallery



Mini Quilt by luckdragon for wendiek in Round 5

[Challenge 1: Old(est) WIP ChallengeTo be entered into this challenge, finish one of your older, or your oldest, WIPS by January 31st. Post a pic and/or link in this thread to your Craftster post. Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing for a prize. There will also be a prize for the oldest WIP, so be sure to state the year you started it!]

Yay, new quiltalong thread!

To join our Quilt Along, please post a list of the 13 quilt projects you will be working on this year. It's ok if you have more or less than 13, but we're shooting for 13(ish). Feel free to join any time throughout the year!

I'll keep track with links in the second post of people's lists. When you post a project on Craftster from your list, strike it out and be sure to share a pic with us of the finished project, or post a link to where you posted it on Craftster!

Challenge 1: Old(est) WIP Challenge
To be entered into this challenge, finish one of your older, or your oldest, WIPS by January 31st. Post a pic and/or link in this thread to your Craftster post. Everyone who completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing for a prize. There will also be a prize for the oldest WIP, so be sure to state the year you started it!


2012 QuiltAlong Thread
2011 QuiltAlong Thread




Corners Don't Meet Quilt from Waggonswest, 2012

Since our city has gone plastic-bag free and I often forget to take my fabric shopping bags, I have a ton of brown paper grocery bags! This fact combined with my middle nephew always wanting to do "a project" made me decide that we would make some wrapping paper. All you need is:

brown paper bags
scissors + child safe scissors if working with kids
markers and/or colored pencils
ruler (extra long quilting rulers work great for this if you have some)
stamps
stamp pad

Cut up the side seam in the grocery back and then cut the bottom off. You will end up with a long piece of paper. Turn it over so whatever words printed on it don't show and decorate as you and the kids like with markers, colored pencils, and stamps! What we ended up doing a lot of, as you can see, is that I would use the ruler and markers to make a kind of argyle pattern and then let the kids fill in the spaces with stamps.

I love doing this and it's so easy! Turn any pictures on your wall into "holiday packages" with some wrapping paper, tape, and garland or bows.

Just take it off the wall, wrap like a package, stick a bow or garland on, and enjoy! I've found that on the larger pictures it works better to use packing tape than scotch tape.



Before


Tiny Pictures

My quilt guild does a swap every year in December where we put some fabric into a baggie and exchange them. We make something and give it back to the owner. This year I got a lot of polka dot fabrics, one that kind of reads as a solid, and a floral. I ended out sketching out a little chevron pattern and turning it into a table runner. Some of the fabric pieces were small so I had to keep changing the size of my starting blocks, but I think it turned out cute, and the gal who received it liked it! We were "allowed" to add one more fabric to what we received, and I chose to interpret that as adding one to the front, and then using another piece from my stash for the backing







I just quilted along the lines created by the pattern, and I lightly drew the lines out into the border so I could follow them and not have crooked quilting in my border.




Also, I've been trying to figure out what my "thing" is in quilting, or what makes my quilts unique to me, my personal signature. I know someone that puts a red square in all of her quilts, and someone else who puts a tiny piece of contrasting fabric in her bindings. The last few projects I've worked on I've switched a few fabrics out for other ones somewhere in the pattern, you can clearly see in this project I put in five triangles of the red dot in place of the fabric that should be there. Anyhow, I think this might be something I continue to do, as long as I can keep doing it in a thoughtful manner (for this one I carefully thought about where to place these and tried to do it in a way that causes the eye to move across the quilt) instead of just because.

I have a potluck to go tonight and wasn't sure what I was going to take. But I had a pre-made pie crust in the fridge, so I came up with this!

1 refrigerated pie crust
flour for counter/rolling pin
half of a 10 oz package frozen spinach, defrosted
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400* F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with Pam

For filling, mix softened cream cheese with spinach, cheeses, garlic, and pepper. I used a hand mixer to get everything nicely combined.

Sprinkle a little flour on counter and on rolling pin and roll out evenly, just so you gain a few inches on each side and the crust isn't so thick since it will be doubled over on the edges.

Use a small round glass (I used lid of the Pam spray, washed) to cut small circles out of the pie dough. With the size I used, I got about 25-30 circles from one pie crust. (after cutting once, re-rolling scraps, and cutting again)

Place pie crust rounds on lined baking sheet and dollop a scant teaspoon of filling mixture on each round, slightly offcenter. Fold each round in half, over the filling, and seal edges with fork.

Bake in preheated overn for 8-12 minutes, until lightly golden on top and lightly brown on bottom.

Try not to eat them all if you are supposed to share with others.

*I only had 1 pie crust, they usually come in a 2 pack but I had used the other one in something else. Easily double this recipe by using both pie crusts, the full 10 oz package of spinach, the full 8 oz block of cream cheese, and double the remaining ingredients.