Fabric Addict Doll Show and Tell

Denise Miller just sent me photos of her doll that she made from my "Fabric Addict Doll" pattern.
She named her Dorie.  I loved her fabric choices that she used!

Even her undies coordinate with her outfit.  I hope she had as much fun as I did making my doll.

I love polka dots!  I found these polka dot cupcake liners at Hobby Lobby.  I thought this cookie bar recipe would look so cute with the M & M's on top....plus they are delicious!  My friend Rosie gave me the idea to use the cupcake liners inside a tin for a gift idea.  My neighbors get the tins tonight.

Fudge Filled Bars
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can (14ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons shortening
1 cup milk chocolate M & M’s

1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar and salt.  Add butter and mix until crumbly.
Stir in the pecans.  Set aside 1 - ½ cups for topping.  Press remaining crumb mixture into a greased
13” x 9” baking pan.

2. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, chocolate chips and shortening. 
Cook and stir over low heat until chips are melted; stir until smooth.

3. Spread over crust; sprinkle with the reserved crumb mixture.  Top with M & M’s.  Bake at 350
degrees for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Animal Whimsy Show and Tell

Look at what Chris Sass sent me from her store quiltfabric.com.  I am excited to visit her shop in March.  Her sample maker went beyond my pattern and added the sounds each animal makes around each block with appliqued letters.

I LOVE IT!

AND

WHY  IN THE WORLD DIDN'T I THINK OF IT!!!!

It is not too late for you to do it though. 

Go to http://www.quiltfabric.com/shop/Original-Kits/p/Amy-Bradley-Animal-Whimsy-Kit.htm 

for your kit to make the version above.

 I hope your week will go smoothly for you.  My list is getting shorter as I am knocking items off most of my Christmas shopping and baking. Yea!

Day Trip to Leavenworth, Kansas

Me ... the grown up kid riding on a restored 1913 carousel. It is also the second fastest carousel in the country. 

 

 

 

In our local paper there was an article full of places to see in Leavenworth, Kansas.  http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/nov/19/daytripper-first-rate-attractions-first-city-kansa/

One place they recommended was the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum.   It was named one of the "Eight Wonders of Kansas" by the Kansas Sampler Foundation.  C.W. Parker was once the largest manufacturer of carousels and amusements rides in the world.

 

 

Above is a photo of the worlds oldest working carousel. It is an 1850 hand cranked carousel.  This is a look but not ride carousel because of how old it was.

 

 

Both K-State and KU were represented on carousel horses.

 

 

 

You can go just for the carousel ride on the 1913 carousel or take the tour like we did.  The tour was at least 2 1/2 hours long but we really enjoyed it.

 

We also stopped by three other stops featured in the article.  The Corner Pharmacy which has a old-time soda fountain.  The Pullman Restaurant where we had a nice lunch amidst all the train memorabilia.  The Book Barn where we bought some great books. 

 

Not on the list were the two really nice antique stores that we visited also in the downtown.

 

We had a great day and I recommend a day in Leavenworth, Kansas!

 

Show and Tell

Barbara Ross just emailed us these photos today of quilts that she made off my patterns.....and you know I just love show and tell!  At my Quilt guild it's not the business meeting that I am excited about it is the SHOW & TELL.  When we finally get to stand in front of our peers and say Wa-lah!   I did it!  I finished it!  We as fellow quilters (unlike some of our family and friends) know exactly the time, toil and cash that it took to complete this amazing feat.  Yea us!  Yea Barbara and thanks for sharing.

Nutcracker

Josephine just shared this photo with me today.  She made her own version of the nutcracker quilt to fit her wall above her stairs. 

Gingerbread Houses

 

My Granddaughter Rowan and I went to see the Gingerbread House display here in Lawrence, Kansas. We are never disappointed.  The houses were great!   I can only imagine the time involved to make each one.  It is so generous that the artists/bakers of these houses donate their time to help out the Big Brothers Big Sisters here in our town because we all so enjoy it!

If you pushed the button the water wheel would go around.

 

 

I loved this guy!  I loved that they put nuts around his base.  They used the curved part of the candy cane for his arms.

Have a great week and remember to stop and put your feet up and have some hot cocoa and chocolate between shopping trips.  Amy

A lot to be thankful for

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  I made sure I didn't have just one piece of pecan pie ...but two!  When you only get it once a year you have to live it up. 

I even talked some of the football viewers into playing a board game.  Score!

After the big dinner a bunch of us went on a walk through the pastures to look at a group of my husbands Herefords.  My four year old granddaughter Rowan got to drive the old Ford tractor for the first time.  She did have lots of help from granddad John and our nephew Ben.  She also got to throw hedge apples in the pond.  She was in heaven.  It was in the 70's, sunny and beautiful here in Kansas.

I even ventured out on Black Friday to one whole store.  I bought a sequined sweater....so unlike me.

Have a great weekend!!!!!  Amy

Back from St.Louis

 

I just got back from St. Louis, Missouri where I was invited to give a trunk show and workshop at Merrily We Sew Along.  http://www.merrilywesewalong.com/bernina/   This shop is only one year old but you would never believe it if you walked in the door.  This shop is lovely!   What a bunch of fun ladies.  Merrily Parker has now invited me to both her shops.  I went to her other shop Merrily We Quilt Along in Springfield, Missouri.  http://merrilywequiltalong.com/  I love her customers.  I would go back to both of her shops in a heartbeat!!!

Fun Show and Tell

First thing I want to tell everyone is that my Mom is recovering wonderfully from her quadruple heart surgery.  Family and friends have come through with visits, meals, cards, flowers and plants.  It is nice to have such caring people around because my Mom is at the top of the totem pole for "caring about others".

Every once in awhile I get a surprise in the mail from a fellow quilter.  This is my granddaughter's new doll quilt that Juni Bailey sent me to give to her.  It is an "I Spy" doll quilt.  She makes "I Spy" quilts for charities and she made a miniature one for Rowan.  I love "I Spy" quilts and have been saving scraps to make one some day.  My "some day" list is HUGE!

Thank you Juni!  My granddaughter Rowan gets this tomorrow when she comes to visit.  She will love it!

Jennifer of  http://thequiltedcat.wordpress.com/  just completed my Happy Halloween design.  I love the cool block background material that she found.  She finished it in time for Halloween 2012. Yea!

Thank you Jennifer for sharing your photo!

Christine Fager sent me a photo of my Cowboy design that she made for her grandson.  Lucky grandson! I have not seen the pattern made up in the cowboy twin quilt.  I made up the twin quilt pattern in the cowgirl design for the pattern cover so this was really fun to see.

Thanks Christine for sharing!

Three weeks ago my electric hedge trimmers and I were attacking my bushes in front of my house.  At least that's what these two praying mantis thought as I took off the top layer of their home.  My husband hates how I make neat little squares and circles out of our bushes.  He likes the natural look and I think this couple would agree!  What exactly were they up to under those leaves!!

This is my go-to-bar for scrumptious delicious calorie laden goodness!  They are called S-more Bars and you can find the recipe here.  WARNING:  do not make these for home consumption!!!  Take them somewhere to share.  Your thighs and hips will thank you.  http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/S-more-Bars

Have a great week!  Amy

Thankful This Week!

 

Mom wanted to get knee surgery.  Her doctor prescribed all these tests to make sure she was healthy for the surgery.  Will those tests showed that she should see a cardiologist.  The cardiologist prescribed another test this last Monday.  It showed she had three blocked arteries and one was 99%.  The next day she had quadruple bypass surgery.  Two days after that she was up walking.  Modern medicine is wonderful!  I can't even think what might of happened if this wasn't caught.  I am so glad for all the preventive tests that these two doctors performed.  My Mom is doing well and she should have so much more energy.

My Mom is sad though that she will miss Market in three weeks because she has gone to every market except one in the last 10 years.  My daughter Ashley, Mom and I have so much fun gabbing all the way to Houston and back.  Yes, we can talk for 12 hours straight. That is our drive from Lawrence to Houston.  I believe there will be many cell phone calls to Mom!

Twice A Year

 

Twice a year I get a postcard in the mail telling me it is time for the Pilot Antique Sale at the fairgrounds.  It gets taped on my mirror and I look at it everyday in anticipation.  I love this sale.  It is booth after booth of really unique antiques.  They also sell homemade pie and lunch.  Yum. I always find things to buy of course.  I am super busy right now getting ready for fall market in a month so this was a great break in the chaos. I have two new fabric collections coming out and I just now received one of the collections yesterday to start making my quilts.  Yikes!!!  The other fabric collection is due to come a week and a half before market.  I will need a small miracle and the help of friends and family to get those quilts done using that fabric.

Above and below are two new pincushions that I found for my pincushion collection.

 

I also found another little antique doll toilet for my shelf in my guest bathroom.  I hardly ever find these.  Score!!!

 

I fell in love with this....the old woman who lived in a shoe and she had five little children that went with her.

 

My new bride and groom salt and pepper shaker set for my bride and groom collection.  They are only 2" tall.

 

I love this little pitcher from Germany with the sweet silhouette on it.

 

I love yellow quilts so I had to get this one.  It is already folded over my railing.

 

I always have fun having show and tell with my family because they know that I have fun at this sale.

 

My sister sent me the recipe for Lemonade cake.  It was a big hit at my husband's clinic this week.  If you like Lemon and homemade you will love this!  It calls for 9" inch round pans and I will use 8" rounds next time.  I will also add a 1/2 cup more powdered sugar.  I thought it was delicious. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Lemonade Layer Cake

Cake:
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
3 tablespoons thawed lemonade concentrate
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups fat-free buttermilk

Frosting:
2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons thawed lemonade concentrate
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°.
To prepare cake, place first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until
well blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs and egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; stir well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat well after each addition.
Pour batter into 2 (9-inch) round cake pans coated with cooking spray; sharply tap pans once on
counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pans. Cool completely on wire rack.
To prepare frosting, place 2 tablespoons butter and the next 4 ingredients (2 tablespoons butter
through cream cheese) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, and beat at low speed just until blended (do not over beat). Chill 1 hour.
Place 1 cake layer on a plate; spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread
remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Store cake loosely covered in the refrigerator.

Bountiful Beauties Winner

Thanks for your posts!  The winner of the Bountiful Beauties give-a-way is RandiSue.  RandiSue please email us your mailing address so we can send your pattern info@amybradleydesigns.com

My Trip to Atlanta

I just got back late Wednesday night from a fun filled trip to Atlanta, Georgia.  I was asked by two wonderful guilds to come and visit.  The first day I traveled two hours from Atlanta to Franklin, North Carolina to the Smoky Mountain Guild for their evening meeting where I was the speaker. 

Cindy Williams is the president of the guild.  She wore her Quilt Diva long jacket that she made and of course I loved it!  One of the things that I also love is going out to dinner with quilters before or after my guild talk. They took me to a wonderful place.  I love getting to hear about their guilds and what they have been up to.

The next day I was the speaker for the Gwinnett Quilt Guild in Snellville, Ga.  They dressed up in polka dots and glasses in honor of my visit. Below is Ginny Manning the president of the Gwinnett guild.

Below is a photo of Becky, Susan, me and Debbie. These women are the program chairs past and present for the Gwinnett Guild.  I think this job is the hardest job in a quilt guild but the most
rewarding.  These three women ran me all over the place.  I would head out on a long road trip with them tomorrow!  After meeting them I felt like they were my long lost friends immediately.

Susan even brought her two Bountiful Beauties for show and tell for me to see.  The first is her Christmas version that she made for her Mom.  The second one she added two borders and won a ribbon prize.

After the Gwinnett Guild I went to see the Scarlet Thread Quilt Shop http://www.ascarletthread.com

in McDonough, Ga.  They are just 25 miles south of Atlanta. They were featured as a top 10 shop in the 2012 Spring/Summer Quilt Sampler magazine.  Over 10,000 square feet!!!  I wanted to meet one of my biggest cheerleaders...Sherrie.  She has made so many of my quilts.  Because of her .... there is a Amy Bradley corner in the shop.  Sherrie and her husband Dick drove me the hour long trip back to my hotel. I was thrilled to have even more time to visit. Yea!

This shop is amazing!  I love polka dots and they have the biggest selection ever!  Heck, they have a huge selection of everything!

Elise who checked me out at the register made this cute pin.  It is her own design. It is made up of a measuring tape and a button.

I fell in love with this sample that was made up in their store. The pattern cover is below.

I also loved this sample that was maded up in their store. The pattern cover is below the photo.

The next day I taught a six hour workshop with the lovely ladies below.  I love to teach workshops because I actually get to be around the people that buy my patterns. 

In honor of Susan and her two Bountiful Beauties quilts I am giving away a Bountiful Beauties pattern.  Just leave a comment on the last workshop that you participated in.  We will draw a winner this Monday.