Not literally. Figuratively speaking.
I was doing so well... a couple of posts in a couple of days. I was on a roll. And then pfffffttttttt. I've got to just get back on the horse, right? And stop mixing metaphors.
I'm trying to finish this up ~ a quilt made mostly from Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs. I loved this fabric when I first saw it and got an idea that I started working on. But life got in the way and now I'm back to finishing it up. It is destined for "publication" other than as a pattern, and while mine is made mostly with the collection, it is one of those kinds of quilts that will work with anything. At least, I think it will. The best part about it is that I think the quilt feels very much like "me" even though one part of it will be a surprise to some folks.
One of the things I added to the collection was pink -- a reddish-pink, almost a watermelon-sort of pink. Just a little bit. The funny part is that five of the six pink-ish prints I'm using are also from Blackbird Designs.
I'm asked sometimes which comes first -- the project or the fabric? Do I have a quilt in mind and then find the fabric for it, or do I find fabric I like and then try to come up with an idea for the quilt? Uh... both. With this fabric, I loved the fabric and immediately had an idea of how the finished quilt should look. Somewhat structured but not too formal was my thought process as I thought about blocks, setting, borders and such. And yes, for most quilts, I usually get a pretty good "picture" in my head of how the finished quilt is going to look before I start. Not always though, and sometimes it does change. You don't think every idea I have is a good one, do you? I wish. Some of them are really bad and they don't get finished.
And yes, I have published a few that I still like even though I am probably the only person who does.
So that's what I'm working on right now. That and "planning". I spent the other day making lists and organizing what needs to be finished when, and what might be in store for Market. The good news -- for me anyway -- is that I have ideas for a bunch of new quilts. Big, small and in-between... some were inspired by fabric and some are in search of the "perfect fabric". With the Schnibbles, which ones get made will depend on the fabrics and the designs that get made first... meaning, if the first two I make have a straight-setting with sashing, those will be the only two. I'm a little odd that way but I do think about how similar quilts are when I'm working on new patterns. For example, I love quilts with stars but seriously, how boring would it be if every other quilt I did had some variation of a star block in it? Or a piano-key border? And I mean -- that would be boring for me!
Two other things have been going on here... I've been experimenting with some new recipes with pretty good results. My Mom loves stuffed Green Peppers and decided that that was what she wanted for dinner so after searching through recipes online, I found one that sounded interesting -- Green Bell Peppers Stuffed with Tomato Lentil Couscous. When I couldn't find a package of Near East Red Lentil Couscous at the grocery store, I did what others did and substituted a different variety. In my case, I used the Olive Oil and Garlic Pearled Couscous mix. I also used chicken Italian sausage instead of ground beef, and I cut the peppers lengthwise as recommended -- a very nice variation.
Yes, my next career will be as a food photographer and stylist. Yeah, right. Terrible picture aside, the peppers are terrific and we'll make these again.
Remember those Pinterest recipes I mentioned? I tried one of those too -- Mac and Cheese with Roasted Chicken, Goat Cheese and Rosemary.
Not my picture but you probably already knew that. I found the recipe when this person pinned it. I made half the recipe and it was still quite a bit, enough for dinner and leftover-lunch for two people. I used rotisserie chicken, fresh rosemary, cavatappi (my Mom doesn't care for rigatoni pasta.) and a Chevre for the cheese. From start to finish, this took less than 20 minutes to make and we both loved it. It's another one that we'll make again.
But my favorite was the recipe on the side of the loaf of La Brea Sun-dried Tomato Herb bread. I will happily admit that this isn't the kind of bread that generally floats my boat. It's nice but I prefer a good crusty sourdough bread. But since there were five loaves of the Sundried Herb and none of the Sourdough, I picked up the package and decided to see what sort of inspirational temptation the side-of-the-package recipe might provide. Fried Egg and Mozzarella Open-Faced Sandwich. Sold.
Back to the deli section for mozzarella and over to Produce for a few more tomatoes. Yes, I did make one... okay, two, tiny changes -- I added some sliced tomatoes to the top of the cheese. I also rubbed the toasted bread with a garlic clove before buttering it. Then add the grated cheese and broil until melted. Top with sliced tomatoes and broil another minute or two until hot. Then add the fried egg and the basil.
If I really was a food stylist and photographer, I would have carefully arranged each piece of basil instead of just glopping it on there. Next time, right? Except that there has already been two "next times" and I didn't get pictures. All you need to know is that this is a terrific sandwich, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or whatever. And the next time I go to the grocery store, they'd better have that Sundried Tomato & Herb bread or heads will roll!
Since I didn't find the recipe on the La Brea website, I scanned the bag with the recipe and it's included here and above.
One last thing... about Pinterest. When I started the last post, some of the things I wrote were a little snarkier but I decided to self-censor. As with many things, the very nature of Pinterest says a lot about our society and culture, and it isn't all good. But much of it is. If it hadn't been for Pinterest, I might never have come across these pretty little pumpkins made by Jenny at SeaPinks.
And that would have been so wrong.
Happy Monday!
Wow, you are quite the chef! I'll come for dinner anytime or take leftovers for that matter! I am intrigued to see what you have up your sleeves for new quilt designs.
Posted by: Cheryl Miller | January 30, 2012 at 06:25 AM
Mac & Cheese & Chicken? I love the one I get at Costco (that's my go to lazy girl night dinner). But this one sounds good. Wonder if Deano will like the goat cheese? I love Blueberry Crumble. One of the vendors at the upcoming quilt show is bringing the entire line! How much do I need? Ha ha.
Posted by: Auntie Pami | January 30, 2012 at 07:04 AM
Love all your food photos, the peppers look particularly nice! And I can't wait to see more of the blueberry quilt and your upcoming designs!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | January 30, 2012 at 08:57 AM
Everything looks yummy on your post today, fabric, foodstyling, and fave pins...I want that egg sandwich NOW!
Posted by: AnnieO | January 30, 2012 at 10:22 AM
What is publishing as opposed to a pattern? Aren't patterns published? I'm confused! The recipes sound wonderful - I can't wait to try them!!!
Posted by: Mary | January 30, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Carrie, I love your new ideas for a quilt using Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs...and I can't wait to see the finished product! You are such a tease. Thank you for just being YOU! Kd
Posted by: Kd | January 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Critiquing something doesn't make you snarky. Really, it doesn't. What would be snarky would be to pick out one person on Pinterest and criticize their pins. ;p
Love the recipes....pictures and all. ;p
Posted by: ina | January 30, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Glad you are back! Worthy quilts that are good for the heart and soul is what you are best at. Have a wonderful week and here is to you getting that quilt finished so we can see it! Then tell you how wonderful you are, which you really are. :)
Posted by: Jane | January 30, 2012 at 08:29 PM
Carrie...you are such a tease..we get a glimmer and some ideas!! Now I can hardly wait to see the finished Quilt..Blues,white and those pinks..Your recipes always entice me in and then I'm hooked..thanks for more recipes. I think the cold winters we have in MN freeze my brain so nice you just unfroze it..Beth P
Posted by: Beth Paulson | January 31, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Oh Carrie, your KILLING me!!! Gorgeous fabric...gorgeous food that doesn't look like it will fit into our heart healthy habits (will it...*big schmary hopeful look on my face just now* ???) Ah, but all is well, I can't WAIT to see the finished quilt. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | January 31, 2012 at 03:24 PM
YUM! I'm coming to eat with you and your mom...your meals are way better than mine. Love the pinky reds and to the Blueberry Crumb...
Posted by: Carol | February 01, 2012 at 04:30 PM