Sunday, February 8, 2015

the first exchange

Thursday we finally exchanged our row-by-row boxes.  We had a crazy-busy meeting in addition, but the rows were what I was waiting for.

The original plan of the coordinator was to not show even our original rows.  We talked her into letting us share.  (I think this was better - those who didn't participate got to see a little and those of us participating got a chance to hear in the words of the row owners their thoughts.)

We had 10 members with rows.  Since this was planned to be groups of 5, we couldn't have done that better if we'd tried!  So we counted off and determined our groups.  I was a little disappointed my friend Colette wasn't in my group because I had an awesome idea for a row for her already (we'd chatted about our rows in advance), but I'm sure she'll get some awesome stuff anyways.

Since we showed our first rows, I think I can share those here...  I'll save photos of my rows for the end.

The first box theme is "quilting" and she included a lot of bright fabrics.
Her row:



The center is embroidered on her (very fancy) embroidery machine.  I already have an idea for my row and drafted it last night.  It's on the order of the hedgehogs with number of pieces per block, but it's going to be great and worth the trouble.

I think it's probably safe to show the stash she put in with her row...



I think the smallest cut in there is a quarter yard, but other than the solids, all have more.  This is going to be one busy quilt, but there's so much to choose from, I'm having trouble deciding if I want to lean towards solids or go crazy with the prints...

Today I do plan to at least make the first block.  I'll need 5, so hoping the first goes well and I can move on.  They're due the 26th, so I have a few weeks, but this is not a project to procrastinate now that I see the number of pieces per block!

My AQS challenge has had little work done.  The snowstorm predicted last week hit.  And we got probably 14 inches of snow.  And our road didn't get plowed.  Our driveway did, though, so I made an attempt to go to work.  And got stuck at the intersection a mile up the road.  Seems all the snow from the more major road I was trying to turn onto was plowed into the intersection of my road.  I had to call a tow truck because I was really hung up.  I talked him into towing me the mile back home (road still unplowed and nerves of steel long gone after the trip down it nearly two hours earlier) and called it a forced snow day.  So I did work a bit on my challenge quilt, but I'm not loving it right now.  It's not going as quickly as I'd anticipated and I'm having more trouble than I thought I would, so it's just a thorn in my side right now.  But I will get it done.

Yesterday I was planning to lots of quilting.  And I kept getting sidetracked.  As it turns out, all I did was draft the block I plan to make for the row.

But I did make these:



The recipe came from facebook and I can't figure out how to link to that page...so here it is:

KISS ME COOKIES 
heart emoticon

from Coutney Luper
You Will Need:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup of powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp. almond extract
6 drops of red food coloring
2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries
approx. 50 Hershey kisses
Preheat Oven to 350
In a large bowl beat your butter, powdered sugar, and salt...till well blended...add in cherry juice, almond extract and food coloring...Gradually Beat in flour...stir in cherries.
Shape into 1 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake 8 to 10 min. or until bottoms are light brown. Immediately press a chocolate kiss into center of each cookie...it will crack around the edges...cool on pan for 2 min. then move to a cooling rack.

They aren't bad, but I don't think this recipe qualifies as a keeper...

Off to make some rows!

Happy quilting,
Katie

6 comments:

---"Love" said...

What a stack of fabrics to work with!!!
I wouldn't know where to start, but I'm sure you will come up with something really cute to follow the really cute row you received. Wish I had one of those cookies right now; I'd give it the "keeper" test very quickly! I'm thinking the cookie would be gone, thus not qualifying as a keeper, but the recipe probably would be a keeper for me! I'll have to try it soon as I get some kisses. (You know me and chocolate, don't you?) ---"Love"

Ruth said...

That row quilt looks like fun! We have been getting plenty of rain, but it's not cold enough for snow. I don't really mind, although I love the look of snow. :-) The creek in the nearby ravine has overflowed its banks. Temps have ranged from the 40s at night to the 50s during the day.

Marsha B said...

The first row is super cute and the fabrics she sent along are so bright and happy! This looks like a fun project, can't wait to see the final results for everyone. We had temps in the high 60's today, way warmer than normal for this time of year, but on Wednesday all that will change, again! Those cookies look good. I have a recipe for Kiss Cookies, I love chocolate and peanut butter together!

a good yarn said...

Sitting here in the heat and humidity I struggling to imagine being trapped in the snow like that. We are shown images on the new of the big freeway pile-ups they are extraordinary. Your box swap is exciting and I can't wait to see how it all goes. What a challenge! Those biscuits (cookies) look rather delicious. We get a lot of USA chocolates here but no Hershey Kisses.

Beth said...

That stack of fabrics is lots of fun! It will be a bright quilt.
I am glad you made it back home with your car in tow. We got 16 inches of snow. And I do not have a garage spot. I can't imagine trying to get anywhere in all that mess.
The cookies look yummy.

Unknown said...

I am so thankful that we have not had any snow here this year. I will take the rain for weeks on end anytime.
That row quilt looks like it will be fun:) Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Happy Quilting!!