Why Do I Love Them So!

Pincushions definitely are addicting to me! I like the whimsical cute ones and I have three new ones to show you. Is there a pincushion anonymous out there? Do others collect these things? Do I really have that many pins that need storage? Where will I put my growing collection? I might need a new piece of furniture....which will lead me back to the antique store where these little things live. I might need to buy more. It is a vicious circle!





This last weekend I had a near crying moment! I took my sewing machine in for a tune-up because it was not cooperating with my sewing schedule. I got it back home and started sewing. I looked at my wall hanging that I was getting ready for Quilt Market. It had black sewing machine oil stains in four places. To make a long story short I tried several things. Do you know what finally got it clean? Automotive bug and tar remover. I lost a few brain cells smelling the stuff but my wall hanging is stain free and at Rosie's (my quilter) now. I also tried putting my wall hanging in a plastic bag with baking soda and a dryer sheet. I then sprayed it with Febreze to try to get the lovely solvent smell out it. So if this happens to you...don't go to your laundry room...go to your garage.

Guess What I Found?

In Harrisonville, Missouri at "Keepers Antique Mall"( http://local.yahoo.com/info-17824815-keepers-antique-mall-harrisonville) I found four of these stained glass windows. I was so excited I almost started hyperventilating!!! They look like quilt blocks. I just love, love, love them! I just had, had, had to have them! I am getting closer to having the studio that I always wanted and these will look so cool to have in the plans.

Today was also a good day because I ran 2 1/2 miles without stopping. My goal is a 5k. Half of the run today was up a long hill. I run slow but I am .... moving. I am sure there are buzzard circling overhead waiting on me!

I also shot the rest of the photography for my new patterns outside today. This was quite a feat since the wind was trying to blow the quilts and the photographer (me) to the next county! I can't wait to show you. Market it at the end of this month where we debut them all.

Have a great weekend! Amy

Happy Halloween Giveaway

Thanks to everyone who responded, great costume ideas! The winners are:
Mom2RyandSis
YankeeQuilter
Deb G. in VA (Deb, please email us at info@amybradleydesigns.com Your profile isn't public so we can't find your email address. Thanks!)

More Decorating!

I decorate our veterinary hospital ( Bradley Animal Hospital ) for every major holiday. The clients love it...at least the two legged ones.

It was time to bring out the big orange and black tubs for Halloween. I love that you can buy color coordinated tubs for your holiday decorations. It is much easier to find things.


The kids like to drive the receptionists crazy pushing the button on the "Dancing Snoopy". The x-ray shows a sewing needle that was swallowed. Ouch! My husband has gotten those out with a endoscope still threaded before. Amazing.


In case the kids missed the "Dancing Snoopy" they can push the paw on the dancing dog in the ghost costume. Another earful for the receptionists....over and over.....and over


This is our Halloween tree.


I put things up high on book shelves.


I even put things in plants. I can go on and on but I won't. Decorating for holidays is F-U-N!!!!



Leave a comment about your favorite Halloween costume that you dressed up in and we will have a random drawing for three of my "Happy Halloween" patterns this Friday Oct. 7th.

New Yummy Recipe!

My family has been making a butterscotch brownie recipe for years. I think I finally found a recipe that out does the long standing family favorite. How can this recipe go wrong...2 sticks of butter, coconut and pecans!!!!! Hide your bathroom scales!!!!


Coconut Pecan Blondies

2 eggs
1 3/4 packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted and cooled
3 tsp vanilla extract
1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 chopped pecans, toasted
( you wouldn't have to toast them)
1 1/3 cup coconut
8 oz. white baking chocolate coarsely chopped
( I used 1 cup white chocolate chips)

In a large bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar for 3 minutes. Add butter and vanilla;
mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the brown
sugar mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in pecans, coconut and white
chocolate.

Spread into a greased 9" x 13" baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 - 40
minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs
( do not over-bake ). Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Family Weekend

My family minus my husband (he couldn't come) all went to the Indian Peace Treaty in my home town, Medicine Lodge, Kansas. The pageant commemorates the great Peace Council of 1867 between the U.S. Government and the Plains Indians. It is a action-packed weekend of reenactments, rodeos, parades and Indian dances that they put on every three years. My Mom and Dad hosted all their kids and a majority of the grand kids and great grand kids. It was total pandemonium and it was wonderful!


We all went to the parade on Saturday. I loved it but my granddaughter Rowan really loved it because she found out that parade floats sometimes throw out candy. She was in sugar high
heaven!

We got to see a wagon train go down main street.



There were Indian dances.



The usual 0ld cars and trucks.



One of my highlights was seeing my old band instructor Jim Schnoebelen leading the alumni MLHS band. They sounded amazing!



An ox cart



A Cowboy and his sidekick.

We had a great time and I am paying for it today....sooooo tired. You know how family weekends are...lots of food, talk, games and little sleep. ZzzzzZzzzZzzzz

I Had A Wonderful Time in Springfield, Missouri

I was invited by Merrily Parker to come to her shop in Springfield Missouri "Merrily We Quilt Along" to teach a workshop. I was excited to come because I remembered her the first time I met her. My maiden name is Parker and it was easy to remember her name. Her shop is lovely! At one end is a tea shop which has desserts to die for (literally). They provided our delicious lunch. Next to that is the large quilting machines. You can even rent one to finish your own quilt. Then there are all the wonderful Berninas for sale. Following that is the quilt shop with all the fabric that you will want to buy. Then at the far end of the shop is a classroom with its own entrance. That was really handy because we had our usual workshop haul to bring in and it was raining. Holly, her daughter, was helping us which was amazing because she had a hurt arm. I hope the arm gets better soon!


It rained all night before and all day which is wonderful for so many reasons in our dry area! I think a rainy day is a great excuse to sew, read, or bake and we SEWED! These girls were on a mission and they got a lot done. I was so impressed.



Charley Benton who worked in the shop made my Snowday Sewday pattern up for the shop and I just love it! She used Shagged Shannon Fabrics for the earmuffs and the stocking cap. She also used Benartex Minkee on the star to give it more of a 3-D effect. She did each of the snowmen in a bright color. I did my two versions more traditional with 3-4 main colors so this is a great look.

I even got to hit some antique shops on the way home. What a great trip!


I found this signature quilt above. If only I could meet all the ladies that signed their names to this quilt to know what is the history behind it .



My new sewing machine above...doll size that is.



Two new glass dogs. Company for the other two, of course.

I hope you all had a great weekend too! Amy