My grandmother was an excellent cook except for two things. Fudge frosting and seven minute frosting. Her fudge was grainy and her 7 minute was marshmallowy. But I always thought that's how they were suppose to be. My mother made them the same way. Now I want grainy fudge frosting and marshmallowy 7 minute.

Tessbug, that goes to show how we attach things to our memories. That is sweet.

My mother was a cake decorator by trade. I have so many fond memories of her cakes and the process. Tinting frosting, holding frosting bags for her to fill. I was the only girl in my school that had perfect frosting rose buds on my birthday cupcakes. (Back when you could bring treats from home) She also made the best cookies! Everyone in the family looked forward to her Christmas trays of treats!

Hope you'll indulge me. I wanted to share my first 4 blocks (just finished) of my Baby Jane. New experience :)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]504966[/ATTACH]

Very nice. Great job! :thumbup:

Teresa those are very nice blocks. I like your story about your mom's baking, and cake making too.

Tesspug,
Ahh, the memories of grainy fudge...lol. And peanut brittle that is a goopy inedible mess. Though said peanut brittle may actually have been my 1st attempt..lol
I only cook fudge and peanut brittle in the microwave. Honestly every time I tried to make either on the stove, even with stirring all the time and using a candy thermometer, they were terrible. I have it down to a science cooking it in the microwave. I figure as long as it tastes good, doesn't matter how I cook it :thumbup:


Tlambing,
Sweet memories of your mom.. in our house it was my dad who actually made beautiful frosting roses. Though any cake he would've made would probably not have been edible..
I love your blocks! I had never heard of the Dear Jane quilt until I joined QB. Even then, I never had looked into it until a couple of months ago. WOW! is what I thought when I did...
Can't wait to see how yours progresses...

JuneBillie,
That quilt in your avatar pic is great! I "un-pinched and zoomed" on my Kindle, could see it pretty well, but would love to see a bigger pic. My eyes are really acting up today. Dry, blurry eyes, cold weather, and I have put it off too long, so I have to venture to town for groceries. Just hoping the ice on the roads has melted.

Regards,
"Kranky Krotchety" Kif

All the stories of the cakes and goodies are making me drool! I remember those 3-4 layer cakes with 7 minute frosting and the coconut cakes! MMMMM, good. We are always watching our weight around here. What a chore!!

Am excited about joining the swap!! Here's a peek!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]504983[/ATTACH]

Wow! Beautiful! Quiltjoey

I know what I'm going to do...now just have to start.

tlamblingglambing,those baby Jane blocks are pretty,is that the dear jane blocks?

quilt jokey love that pattern,always have loved redwork

I'm sorry. That's suppost to be quiltjoey

lol....Letsquilt I thought you were giving everyone funny nick names. I thought it was kind of cute.
Quiltjoey that is a very pretty sneak peak. I can only imagine when it's finished.

Kiffie, I will look for that picture and try to show it better. It's a quilt block. I was suppose to make one that month 'of a block that would make a child smile." Most kids like animals so I went that way.
Also, thanks for the nice comments on my pics. It would have made mom's day what you said. I told my husband I think I will take the laptop with us next time to see dad and show him.:)

Here is a bigger pic of the quilt block Kiffie that you were asking about.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]505018[/ATTACH]

The kitty on the top was appliqued. The kitties on the sides were pieced down the sides from kitty fabric, and I embroidered whiskers etc. on the kitty in the middle on the center white piece. It was fun.

June Billie, I just love the kitty quilt!! Our old kitty (19) passed away a couple of years ago. Her name was Cupcake!
It's going to be cold here tonight in the 30's and down in the teens tomorrow night! That is way to cold for us here down South!! My heat is up high!!
Y'all stay warm in those up North places!!

Wow quiltjoey, that is really cold for where you live.
Sorry to hear about the loss of Cupcake. About 1 1/2 years ago we lost our old cat Charlie too. We miss him so much. He was a big ole white fluffy boy.

I have a sneak peek for you quiltjoey. I had planned on red, but just couldn't find the right combo...so, your getting pink :) I have it all sandwiched and ready to quilt.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]505030[/ATTACH]

Funny how that posted so big! Hmmm look at that fabric quality! Haha

That looks so pretty Teresa. I can't wait to see all of it, and it's not even mine. :)

Quiltjoey,
Beautiful job on your mini!

JuneBillie,
I think that's a fabulous idea to show your dad stuff on the laptop.. I'm sure it'll bring a smile to him, and you.
And thanks for the larger pic of the cat quilt, it's terrific!

Tlambing,
Great sneak peek...

I am on my 3rd idea for the mini this month. Wish I knew why I'm so indecisive..
My ddil told me if I had less fabric, it'd be easier to choose stuff.
Now I love that girl, but I had to tell her "Grammy's Fabric Shop" has nothing to do with me and my changing my mind...not one lil thing...:p
Kif

I'm planning on getting my mini going this coming weekend. If I'm real motivated, I can get it knocked out in 2 days and then be ready to mail!! Anyway, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it! (I already pulled fabrics for the center piece but still ruminating on what I want for outer borders).

Cant wait to see sneak peeks everyone!

Just mailed out Cuppy's little mini package! Tracking # is 9505511109425007383958 It should be there by Friday!

Love, love, love it already!! The print fabric is beautiful! isn't this the most fun? It like getting a surprise! I never could wait to open presents so my family always hides them from me!!

Look what I got today from jaba. I LOVE IT she is fast. I also got some candy, it didn't get in the picture.

Here is a sneak peek of yours jaba going to try to get it in the mail tomorrow if all goes well. Hope you get it before you leave. Have fun on your cruise.

Juanitabean that is a beautiful mini from Jaba. Great job Jaba.

I love the sneak peak you made for Jaba. Lucky Jaba going on a cruise. Maybe we could all hop on board with her.:D

I already tried sigh said I would carry her bags and everything. nope no such luck. she is leaving town without any of us! and its a lovely journey she is going to take.

I haven't started my mug rug but its in the plans for Friday. I had one started but its a more modern one and we agreed we both love vintage so.. that will go to the side lol and plan b will take place. the question being should it be vintage aka 50's or vintage aka 1880's? see vintage has different colors and themes. but will get it finished by Monday so it gets there as fast as it can! I have 20 things I need to do in a week. hah! priorities this goes first :) then one at a time on the rest. booms, another boom, mug rugs and wall hangings. nope I am sitting around on my tuffett bored as all get out. should have signed up for MORE! lol. klaws what do you say Victorian slightly or 50's another slightly lol

Linda, I would love whatever you send me whether it be modern or vintage. It's coming from your heart and that's all that matters. <3

Glad you like what I sent Juanita, love the sneak peek :) 1 more week until warm sunshine, I can hardly wait

JuanitaBean and Jaba, nice pieces! You both have me totally nervous now.

I have sent my partner Dabbler312 a pm this morning. Looking forward to hearing back from her so I can get started on this project.

We are in the early stages of house renos and I found myself needing a different focus, so this month I committed myself to three swaps. Tuesday the contractors finished moving my cabinets and counters from one room to the new space and in between unpacking boxes and putting things away I finished one of my swap comittments and am working on the second. I think I'm going to love the new (old) room- the lighting is different and it puts me closer to the hub of the house.

Thanks for letting me play in this swap.

best,
deb

Beautiful job, Jaba!
And JuanitaBean, just how did you get those feathers so perfectly quilted? Or it looks like feathers in your sneak peek pic??...either way, just lovely!

Let's see, what does Klaws really yearn for from Brat???... I'm trying to subtly ask, for Brat. See I heard somehow, like I have "ESP-N" that Brat's having a tough time deciding... So my brilliant idea was just ask Klaws! But in a sly sneaky "no way will she know I'm fishing for hints" way ;).

So Klaws, Victorian or 50's? Which one do you like best? See, if you give a specific answer, I think Brat will send me the 2nd choice one as a reward for my subtlety. Riiiight...

Whigrose,
How exciting on the house renos! I know not fun to live thru, but oh so fun when done!!

I have my mini ready to bind, then it's time for it to jet on out to it's new home. Will post sneak peek in a bit.

Kif

Thought I would share out MN sunset from yesterday
 

Our temps yesterday were -12 below zero yesterday when the sun set - wind chills were minus 30 - check out the sun dogs; they are absolutely beautiful.

Dabbler312, I sent you a pm. Is your mailbox full?

Best,
deb in Maine

Beautiful picture of the sun dogs.

Deb - aka Whigrose I sent you a reply - hopefully you received it.

Dabbler312,
Just checked my in box, No message from you:( I know the box isn't full because there are only a handful of messages in there.)

We'll connect, I've no doubt. Busy day lined up today here so I wouldn't e getting a chance to do anything in the sewing room anyway.

Best,
deb in Maine

Breathtaking! Thanks for sharing...

I have my partners mini finished. But the design lends itself to being one that could easily have some hand embellishments done to it as well... So I went through all of my "crazy quilt decorating stuff", and found several Valentine's items. Now deciding do I add them, or not???
I'll try and post a sneak peek later today, time just got away from me yesterday..

Kif

I am working on mini quilt for my partner. Pinks and reds