Sew Cherry Designer

My Friend, Lori Holt had her BIG debut at Quilt Market and it was so fun to visit her at her SPOT in the Riley Blake Booth. I just had to take pictures to show you how great it turned out. I think I need a red and white kitchen to go with all of the darling quilts. You will have to go to her blog to get a closer look at some of her quilts that she's recently post about. I loved her Cake Walk Quilt, Her Dresden Quilt (I'm not sure what she named it), and her Vintage Dishes Quilt. Look for her fabric and patterns in your local quilt shops. If you need it fast I know you can order her fabric right now at The Fat Quarter Shop.

You are going to love Lori's 1 yard Apron Pattern. It is one pattern with 8 different varieties. They were all so cute I could hardly decide on a favorite but, I love her red gingham apron with the blue pockets (see 2nd apron from the left on the bottom row). I'm sure you'll be able to see them soon on Lori's Blog. You'll just have to become a follower of her blog and then you'll get a first hand look at them.

I also loved the pillow with the Hexie's in done in the traditional grandmother's flower garden design. The pattern is called "SEW HEXIE" Go check out Lori's BLOG POST today and read more about this great pattern.

Have fun sewing and creating with "SEW CHERRY"

noreply-comment@blogger.com tutorial

Have you ever wondered why bloggers don't reply to your comments. Well, there is a simple reason why bloggers don't reply to your comments and that's because they CAN'T! Here is the solution to fixing the problem. . .

Not too long ago my friend Jodi from Pleasant Home did a wonderful tutorial on being a noreply-comment@blogger.com. If you have a minute go check your blogger account to see if you have it set as NO REPLY.

The reason I'm mentioning this is because with over 1200+ comments on the Moda Progressive Dinner Giveaway I had nearly half of the comments (595 comments) that were set as noreply-comment@blogger. I'm not sure how many of the 595 no reply comments will read this post but if even a small portion read this it will help the blogging community continue to function as it could and should. It's a really simple fix and then you'll be able to receive a reply in response to any of your comments or questions.

It's so frustrating to be unable to respond to a question or comment from your readers and it will make me so happy if you check out Jodi's Tutorial. Thanks!

Book Signing for Paranormalcy

It's been more than a few weeks since we went to the book signing of my daughter's friend and writing buddy, Kiersten White. It was such a blast. I have to say that this is the 2nd book signing I've been to and it was a lot of fun being with my daughter, her husband, and her friends.

Go HERE to check out Kiersten's blog

The first picture is of Sara (writer friend) who flew out from Ohio to be there for Kiersten's debut at King's English Bookstore in Salt Lake City.

The Amazing Book!!

Giving Kiersten the Quilt I made for her.

Kiersten doing a reading for the group that gathered.

Several of the Utah Writer's that gathered to Celebrate Kiersten's Big Day!!!

Kiersten signing Natalie's book.

Best Friends!!!

I love this picture!!!

This a great picture of Kiersten signing her autograph to Natalie's book.

This is Kiersten's very Proud father standing outside of the bookstore.

Book Debut

Just a reminder that my daughter's best friend, Kiersten White's Book "Paranormalcy" DEBUTS TODAY!!! You can find it HERE on AMAZON or at your local Barnes & Noble and lots of other bookstores near you. I recently finished Kiersten's book and I can highly recommend it to young and old alike. It is fresh, exciting and captivatingly romantic and funny. You will love Evie's voice in the book. I'm not going to tell you anything because I don't want to give anything away. Just know that you will love it.

We are SUPER EXCITED for Kiersten and we've recently heard news that she just signed a Movie Deal for film rights to her book. That is really cool news!!! You can read more about the excitement at Kiersten's Blog.

If you're a writer my daughter is having a Paranormalcy Party and is giving away a FULL Manuscript Critique on her blog. Go HERE to read more about the Party. Her contest will end September 7th. Kiersten is also having a contest and giveaway that will end September 12th so run HERE and enter her contest.

For those of you who would like to meet her in person and have her sign your copy of her book you can go HERE for TOUR information. A few other author's will be traveling with Kiersten.

Kiersten will be here in Salt Lake City, Utah at King's English Bookstore on September 11th at 2pm for a book signing. If you come look for me and say HI. I just may have something for you if you tell me you read this on my blog. I'd love to see you there!!!

Will Work for Fabric

Yesterday, was officially my last day of summer and at 8am this morning we started a new school year which I'm really excited about but I am going to miss my free time. I'll still have time. . . just not as much. . . you know how it is, right? Anyway, I had a blast yesterday with one of my dear friends Diana. We met at Material Girls and had fun shopping and we each even made a second purchase. Do you ever do that? Amongst all of my quilting friends I think 3's the max. lol. You can correct me if I'm off a bit. Sometimes you see something that you didn't see when you came in the store or a friend shows you something you need right after you made your purchase. I'm sure you've all experienced this before. Right? I hope I'm not the only one.

Don't you just love the sign that says "Will Work For Fabric" (as seen in the picture below). I told Diana I will really "Have to Work for Fabric" after all of the shopping I've enjoyed lately. It's time for me to get back to work. Thanks to one of the girls in the shop for taking our picture. I really appreciate it!


After shopping we headed across the parking lot to "The Pie" it's a great pizza placeand the first restaurant originated at the University of Utah.



Here's a look at our HUGE $3 a slice pizza. I got the Chicken Ranch Pie and Diana got the Tomato Pie. It was really good and the salad was really yummy.

I liked this picture!
I held the camera and Diana pressed the button.
What a team!

After lunch we headed to JoAnn's.

I needed to pick up a few notions for a secret project and Diana picked up a couple rulers. While Diana looked at ribbon I started looking around and found myself a sewing basket. It wasn't too long ago that I bought my youngest daughter a sewing basket. I started using her basket and realized. . . Hey, I want one too. I especially fell in love with Lori's House Sewing Basket when I first saw it at our American Quilting Quilt Retreat Earlier this year.


She's the proud owner of a Cath Kidston House Sewing Basket. It was not long after that that I started looking around for a sewing basket too. . . Thanks for inspiring me, Lori!

Yesterday, at JoAnn's I found it! Yeah!

I've seen Alexander Henry's Sew Now Sew WOW! fabric around blogland and most recently on Jodie's blog post about her Creating Space and it reminded me how much I love this fabric but sometimes, I often get behind on things and thought I might have totally missed this fabric but recently found some yardage online. This is one fabric that I hope they reprint. . . it's so cute.

Anyway, when I saw this sewing basket done in Sew Now Sew WOW. . . I just had to have it!! I didn't care that I had used my coupon the previous day. I loved it so much I was willing to pay full price for it. You should have seen my excitement when it came up on sale. Yippee!! I've already filled it with all sorts of notions along with my Hexie's. So fun!!!


Since, it was my last day before school my oldest daughter and my grandkids were coming over at 2pm but I was 40 minutes late due to over shopping (lol) and traffic. I got a bit antsy having to follow this very large piece of farm equipment (since I couldn't see beyond it) through a very big construction zone but, I took a few pictures of it while I was waiting, especially since I had my camera sitting right next to me.

Utah is known for their endless construction projects and the one I passed through to get home is one that should be avoided at certain times of the day. It happens to be a MAJOR thoroughfare and it will be really nice when they finish it next year.

Le Cordon Q

Would you like to know where you can find
the recipe for this yummy salad?


...then read on...

Brie & Raspberry Salad with Chicken
and Fresh Raspberry Vinaigrette

If you absolutely LOVE to COOK and BAKE and CRAFT
but... not all at the same time... of course... lol...
...then this POST is just for YOU...

Let me INTRODUCE you to...

Kayley...


from...

Le Cordon Q...

I've known Kayley since she was 15 years old when she and her family were our neighbors. Her family moved soon after she graduated from High School. Kayley and my oldest daughter were good friends and continue to keep in contact. I was lucky to watch Kayley grow up and see her many talents blossom.

I started to think that all of you would enjoy sharing in the results of her talents so, I emailed her and asked her what she thought about doing an interview and letting me do a post about her new cooking blog. She was very excited to let me do that for her.

The name of her newest blog is called Le Cordon Q and the pictures alone are worth having a look. I have yet to try one of her recipes (since her blog is still really new) but, there are several recipes that I want to try my hand at. If you get a chance to visit her blogs I know she would love you to leave some comments and become a follower. Also, I'm sure she would enjoy hearing back from you whenever you make one of her recipes.

Kayley also has two other blogs you'll want to be checking out...

Her crafting blog is Frayed & Fancy...
You can also link to her Etsy Shop HERE...

Her Cake Blog is Cakes by Kayley...

Here are a few pictures of her cakes.

I could eat this cake right now.
It looks so yummy!

I recently did an interview with Kayley so I could introduce her to you...My Blogging Friends. I hope you enjoy the pictures of her wonderful food as much as I did. I'm really HUNGRY, now! I better go make dinner...if only...I had the ingredients handy to make one of her entrees, soups, salads, or desserts.

Questions • Answers • Pictures • and Links

Me: How old were you when you discovered your love for cooking? Describe the memory.

Kayley: I remember being about 7 or 8 years old and being absolutely convinced that I had concocted a new dish never seen before by the culinary world. It was sliced hot dogs, pan-fried and served on toothpicks. Gordon Ramsey would have been proud.

Chicken Fricasse

Me: Tell us about your journey to Culinary School and how long it took you to finish?

Kayley: I decided to go to culinary school because I really wanted to have a useful education that could provide a career that I would enjoy. So I took a look at all the things I like to do and decided that culinary school made the most sense. I chose to go the self-paced route so that I could focus on school and get done as quickly as I'd like. The average length of culinary school to earn an associates degree is about 2 years. I focused only on school and pushed through in about a year. I know that many culinary programs offer beginner and intermediate classes for those who are interested in learning a little more.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Me: I know you have a passion for creating beautiful cakes and desserts so, what is your favorite dessert(s) to make?

Kayley: Hmmm. Chocolate has always been my one true love and the epitome of a "real" dessert to me. My favorite dessert to make is my chocolate truffle torte. It's a flourless chocolate cake covered in ganache and has the texture of a truffle. It's so yummy! When I lived in Utah, I would enter it in Cache Valley's Chocolate Festival in various forms and it won the contest three years in a row. Chocolate never lets you down.

Velvety Carrot Soup

Me: What has been your most asked for recipe? Tell us about it.

Kayley: My Key Lime Curd Mousse Torte has always been a popular one. It consists of a buttery shortbread crust filled with a mousse made from key lime curd, whipped egg whites and whipped cream and then topped with more key lime curd. I took it to a company party once where utensils had been forgotten and folks were walking around eating it with tortilla chips or giant spatulas as their forks. I've been wanting to make it recently, but I can't eat it because of the raw egg whites. Pregnancy food restrictions are the hardest part of the whole 9 months, I've decided.

Strawberry Pana Cotta

Me: What made you decide to start your newest blog?

Kayley: Now that I no longer am working(if you count chasing after a two year old and keeping up a house with a billion flights of stairs not working), I really miss having a job where I can be involved with food to the same extent that I am used to. So, I started Le Cordon Q to give me an outlet for my passion for cooking. I love sharing culinary creations with others and seeing what others create.

Mediterranean Tomato Phyllo Tart

Me: Would you share with us a little about your two other blogs?

Kayley: Well, my cake blog is a blog where I post pictures of the cakes that I make to kind of advertise options for those looking for a special occasion cake. My Frayed and Fancy blog is my crafting blog where I get to post all of my crafty creations, whether it be furniture refinishing, paintings, home decor, or accessories from my Etsy store.

Heirloom Tomato Bisque with Basil Butter

Me: I know you are a very creative person so, tell us a bit about what you LOVE to do.

Kayley: I think I love to do too many things, which is exactly why I have too many blogs. Besides cooking, cake decorating, and crafting, I also love to sing and play the piano. Music is HUGE to me. I also just love getting to be a mom and be with my little family. I love life. Life is great =).

Flourless Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Me: Do you have any insights or experiences that you'd like to share with us?

Kayley: Ha. I don't know about insights, but I will tell you one of the biggest secrets to cooking: Presentation. If you can make your food look nice, people will think it tastes better, even if it's terrible! I used to work with eating disorder patients who had about as much interest in eating as my two year old does in potty training. But I found that if I presented their meals to them in an asthetically pleasing way, they were much more excited to eat it. The mind can trick the stomach sometimes. Please note that this theory does NOT work on young children. Or Gordon Ramsey.

You will find more of these kinds of delicious recipes and more on Kayley's Cooking Blog.

Paranormalcy Contest

One of my daughter's dearest writer friends, Keirsten White is having a contest to win the ARC of Paranormalcy along with three other new books, all coming out really soon. I planned on buying the book and already have it on reserve at Amazon but, if I could win it, that would be even better.

So here's my contest entry. . .

This is the front cover of Kiersten's book which debuts August 31, 2010.

Isn't it just amazing?

It's so beautiful and gorgeous.


As you scroll down you will see a few closeups of the quilt I designed for Kiersten's Contest. I know a little about the book and my daughter filled in a few gaps for me.

The main character's name is Evie and she loves her pink boots and her Zebra print wrap dress. So, I had to recreate the boots for her along with putting the book cover in a picture frame. I also used zebra print here and there throughout the quilt.

The "E" stands for Evie.

In the book she works for IPCA and carries a pink taser that she calls "Tasey" so I put "i heart Tasey" in one of the hearts.


There are black hearts with pink yoyo's and black buttons in each corner of the quilt.

"E" is for EVIE

Notice the TV set?
Well, in the book "Easton Heights"
is Evie's favorite TV show.

For Kiersten...We just had to take this picture for you.

Me, Kenna, Natalie, and the kids went on an adventure this afternoon to our favorite bookstore and we snuck a picture of the quilt in the teen section right where your book will be in the W's.