Block #4 visual directions: see written directions below this entry

Mystery Quilt Quilt of Valor Block #4

Block #4 is so pretty. You only have to make 4 blocks. Remember to use SCANT 1/4" seams on this one. Friend of mine said that she always added a 1/4" extra on outside squares to be assured of having a 12 1/2" block when she squares up. Now, there is one smart lady. For some reason, some 1/4" foots for some machines, do not actually give you a 1/4" seam. BE SURE TO CHECK YOURS!
Follow the directions carefully.

Halloween pumpkin delight

This is absolutely to die for. I gave the recipe last year, but some of you haven't tried it, so here it is again. This has replaced pumpkin pie at our house. It is much better and even better for you!
1 15oz can pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar or Splenda or sugar substitute that you use
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 (18.25oz) package butter-flavored yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped pecans (if you like nuts)
1 cup butter melted
sprinkle of ground nutmeg
Lite Cool whip optional
Stir first 5 ingredients together. Pour into a lightly sprayed Pam 13 X 9 in. baking dish. Sprinkle entire box of cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle pecons on top. Drizzle butter evenly over top of all.
Bakd 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 min. or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and let stand 10 min. before serving. Serve warm or at room temp. with Cool Whip or whipped cream if desired. sprinkle nutmeg on top of topping.
I used a Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Yellow Cake Mix.

Applique Project Album

This applique project album is sooooooo easy to make. I love antique sewing notions, however, I made an
appliqué album to carry around with me with all of my appliqué projects in it. I found a beautiful flowered fabric that has an antique look to it that I used for the cover material.
Here are the directions: Cut the outside cover fabric 22 1/2" X 13 1/2"; cut lining fabric the same; cut polyester low loft batting, the same. Before sewing the cover fabrics together, cut a pocket of the flowered fabric 22 1/2" X 6 1/2". Turn under 1/4" at the top and then another 1/4"; stitch down to finish pocket.
Pin the pocket to the lining fabric; layer the cover and lining right sides together with the batting under the cover fabric. Stitch all around using a 1/4" seam starting at a side, leaving an opening of at least 4" to "flip and turn" right side out. Blind stitch the opening together.
Cut 4 pieces of fleece that fit inside the cover without showing. Stitch down the center of the sheets of fleece, attaching all 4 pieces to the cover. This makes 8 single sheets of fleece.
Ribbons are attached for closing album.

Mystery Quilt of Valor Block #3

Block #2 of Mystery Quilt of Valor

Block #2 is a piece of cake to make! Cutting 4 1/2" squares is so simple. This block is named a "9 patch" block as it has 9 patches in it: 3 across and 3 down. For row 1: I used blue, white, blue. For row 2: white, red, white. For row 3 same as row 1. Couldn't be easier. This finishes to be a 12 1/2" block. Make 4 identical blocks using this pattern. The top picture shows the back of the square finished. The 2nd picture is showing which way to press the seams so they fit together nicely and corners meet nicely. Remember, PERFECTION is the key to a pretty quilt.

CONSTRUCTION SLIDE SHOW OF BLOCK #1

Construction of Block #1 is "old hat" for a seasoned quilter, but ones of you who are new to this game, will enjoy seeing a slide show I made of the construction of the first block. The main thing is to mark your sewing machine presser foot plate with a Sharpie permanent pen where to line up 1/4" seams. This makes it so easy to keep a quarter in. seam through the whole quilt. It's your machine, and marking on it is your privilege! I do it all the time! It finally wears off, but, just mark it again! Another thing to remember on this block, but sure that all 8 blocks have the 3 1/2" red block in the BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER! It's ok to have it another color, but be sure that all of them are exactly alike. Your Mystery quilt will not work exactly any other way.