A whole lot of mumbling

Today was a really miserable rainy windy and downright dull day.  It was a nice day to stay inside and enjoy the company of friends.

So....because I was enjoying that company with friends, I have nothing creative to show you today.  Instead, I will send you off to enjoy the creative things that some other people round and about the internet are doing.

1.  There is an amazing sewing room - in miniature - at THIS site.  I made one of these once and gave it to a friend I had at the time.  Wonder if she still has it.  Mine certainly wasn't as detailed as this one though!

2.  There have been three more patterns released in the band sampler series being offered on the EAC blog.  They're HERE.

3.  Kathy Shaw (of Shawkl) has an important announcement on her blog concerning some big changes that will be coming regarding her online crazy quilt classes.  Kathy has been so kind in offering her very extensive classes free of charge but has come to the realization that she simply cannot continue to do so.  It's no wonder, when you consider how much time she puts into each class...her own work is suffering.  Over the next while she will be converting her classes into a print format which will be available to purchase.  She will continue to offer the beginners class and the Dyeing/Painting class free online, but the remainder will be converted to print.  She will offer each class one more time, so if you have been thinking about taking them, you'd better act on it.  Go HERE for her post about the changes and to find out more about the last sign-ups.    AND, the last offering of the ICQC-101 (Designing & Piecing Crazy Quilt Blocks) is currently open for registration (until midnight Oct. 28th) and you can find that HERE.

4.  For those of you who enjoying peeking into what other people post, particularly about needlework, Mary Corbet has done an update on her blog roll and has posted an amazing list of fun places for us to visit (wonder of wonders, this blog is included!!!).  You'd better make yourself a whole pot of your favourite beverage 'cause you're gonna be awhile.  It's HERE. 

5.  There's an interesting article regarding lighting for photographing things for your blog posts HERE.  

6.  I know that NONE of us are clean freaks when it comes to housekeeping (after all, isn't stitching and creating much more important??)...ahem....cough.....however, if that family member that IS a clean freak is coming for a visit, perhaps you might want to check out the easy tips for cleaning that can be found HERE.  

7.  If you have a toddler about and you'd like to spend some time sewing, perhaps one of these fun little baskets might be just the ticket to keep busy little fingers busy and out of your sewing supplies!

8.  And, if that toddler needs a time out, perhaps one of THESE might be the answer!

9.  For those of you who are looking for a pretty crazy-quilt themed calendar for 2016, there are two options available.  Pam Kellogg has hers available HERE and Pat Winter has just announced the availability of hers HERE.  These make wonderful gifts too!

And finally, a couple of notes to some people who left comments and are set to 'no-reply'.... Lesley in UK asked about the availability of my family diary books in UK - Leslie, the cost in postage alone to mail the books to you would make them beyond the reach financially of most people.  If you are truly interested, I would be happy to talk to you about it and you can email me (marmic1954 AT hotmail DOT com)......and there was interest expressed in the slow-cooker potato recipe I showed you.  So, ask and ye shall receive...

GARLIC BAKED POTATOES
4 large baking potatoes, skins on, washed and  patted dry
8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 tsp. each of salt and black pepper
2 T. melted butter
2 T. olive oil
sour cream, for garnish
           Slice each potato crosswise every 1/2 inch, almost but not all the way through.  Shove as many garlic cloves as you can into each slit. Place potatoes into slow clooker.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Combine butter and oil and drizzle over top of each potato, trying to get it into the garlic-filled slits.  Cover and cook on low for about 6 hours, or on high for 2-4 hours.  Top with sour cream to serve.
             - Recipe from 'Make It Fast, Cook It Slow' by Stephanie O'Dea.

Phew.  Now you've made it this far in this post, I will reward you with the daily quote... "The food that enters the mind must be watched as closely as the food that enters the body"  (Pat Buchanan)