Wrinkly Old WIPs: All The Tops

Before I post my Q4 Finish Along list, I thought I'd take a look at some of my quilts under construction. 

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This bright heart quilt is ages old. Earlier this year, I backed and basted it. Now to decide how I want to quilt it and if I want it on my Q4 list. 

Baby Tree of Life is a completed top but needs a backing. This is not my normal color scheme, so I'd like a back that will open it up.  I don't know how to quilt this one, either. 

I made this top from vintage squares, blues, and thrifted browns and stripes this past year during a slump. I think I know what I'd like to back this one with. 

This is the Alabama vintage top, I backed it recently and as usual, have to decide how to quilt it. This one is definitely going on the Q4 list. 

These aren't all the quilt tops I have finished, but it is a chunk of them. I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching

Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Prospect Park Zoo

It's hard to believe that in all the time I've been writing about Zoos at Home, Zoos Abroad, I haven't made an entry for one of our all time favorite zoos. The Prospect Park Zoo was our "home" zoo for many years and we visited it often. These photos were taken during our last visit which was back in August 2015. 

In the heart of Brooklyn's biggest park, this zoo is a magical little slice of zoo with wild creatures and a little petting farm. It has also become a sanctuary for the areas birds and bugs within the city. 

The Prospect Park Zoo packs a lot of wild and exotic animals into its small foot print. Some of my favorites are field mice, Pallas cats, red pandas, otters, mongooses, peacocks, and more!

The petting farm has chickens, pigs, sheep, etc... It's a nice connection of people and animals. 

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There are several buildings that contain the wild creatures, connected by meandering trails that make you feel like walking in an animal, bug, and flora filled wonderland. There's a aviary, duck ponds, a sea lion pool to walk through and around. 

The Prospect Park Zoo is truly a Brooklyn treasure and I highly suggest anyone in the area to visit it. 

September Monthly Plant Update

Inspired by Aquarian Soul, I've decided to record the plants I see around me each month. 

It has been a fun first year in Asbury Park, seeing what grows and blooms in our yard and all around us. Some things were a total surprise! I documented many plants on Instagram and in the blog in a casual manner. This coming year, I'd like to keep a closer eye. 

Here are some plants I'm seeing in September:

Beach Roses are blooming their last blooms. They smell amazing. 

Beach Roses are blooming their last blooms. They smell amazing. 

Some of the roses have already turned into huge hips. I might be researching how to forage and use these for something good.  

Some of the roses have already turned into huge hips. I might be researching how to forage and use these for something good.  

I took our oxalis out to the porch to enjoy more sun before the cold weather. It was getting very leggy inside. 

I took our oxalis out to the porch to enjoy more sun before the cold weather. It was getting very leggy inside. 

My neighbors chicks and hens bloomed weeks earlier than mine. So much so I started to think mine never would. But here they are!

My neighbors chicks and hens bloomed weeks earlier than mine. So much so I started to think mine never would. But here they are!

The morning glories that we gladly share with our neighbors went nuts this month. They are out in full bloom in all manner of colors. We will have tons of seeds to harvest, spread and share this year. 

The morning glories that we gladly share with our neighbors went nuts this month. They are out in full bloom in all manner of colors. We will have tons of seeds to harvest, spread and share this year. 

My husband doesn't like succulents but I'm planning on buying some up after seeing them at Sunset Farms, our favorite local nursery. 

My husband doesn't like succulents but I'm planning on buying some up after seeing them at Sunset Farms, our favorite local nursery. 

What plants are cropping up where you live this month?

New Block: Railroad Spike

For my September MadCatQuiltsBOM I modified a block I saw on CrazyMomQuilts. She uses it as part of her crossed canoe quilt, but mine came out a little more like a railroad spike.  

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In these blocks I'm trying to bring in the colors and fabrics that I have chosen for this project. In the last few block, I am seeing where I need balance and contrast. I will try to incorporate these ideas as I go into the final stretch of the MCQBOM. 

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Linking up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Sunday Stitching

A Week of Bowls

My smoothie bowl obsession is still going strong. Here's what a week in the life looks like:

Monday 9/5: Acai, banana, leftovers from last bowl (pitaya, bananas), spinach, cherries, coconut milk. Topped with local bee pollen, local peaches and blackberries, bananas, coconut, chia, cacao. 

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Tuesday 9/5: Acai, banana, spinach, blackberries, coconut milk. Topped with grapes, local blackberries, chia, local bee pollen, cacao nips and dried cherries. . 

Wednesday 9/7: Banana, local peach, red grapes, almond milk. Topped with cacao nibs, chia, bee pollen, local blackberries, and coconut. 

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Thursday 9/8: Acai and frozen mango with coconut milk. Nectarine, chia seeds, bee pollen, cacao nibs, bananas, on top. 

Friday 9/9: Bananas, spinach, mangos and coconut milk with local blackberries, nectarine, bee pollen, chia and cacao nibs. 

Saturday, I ate a bowl out. Sunday I ate some refrozen, then reblended left over bowl bits. And I've eaten a bowl everyday since. You can catch some on my instagram

Bloggers Quilt Festival: Orange Cat/Grey Cat Baby Quilt

The Fall Bloggers Quilt Festival is here and I'm entering Orange Cat/Grey Cat in the Hand Quilted category. OC/GC was made for a friend and finished in late February. You can see the the original post here

OC/GC uses new and vintage fabric. I dedicated it to two cats, one orange, one grey. All my quilts are hand pieced and quilted and this quilt has straight line quilting going vertically and horizontally. I used a clear thread for the quilting in this quilt. Since the the quilt top is mostly black and white I used a bright rainbow fabric for the backing.  

I couldn't get any new pics of OC/GC quilt because it's now with it's new owner in FL. I think Calvin likes it!!
I'm linking up with Amy's Creative Side and the Bloggers Quilt Festival. Please head there to check out the other quilts in the Hand Quilted category and all the others. 

Simple Matters

One of my goals in 2016 is to read more. See other books I've read here.

I love Erin Boyle's blog, Reading My Tea Leaves, so I was happy to get and read her first book, Simple Matters

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I've bought 4 books this year, and 2 of them about decluttering and organization (the other two are about sharks). What does that tell you about my head space?

Like her blog, Simple Matters focuses on Erin's methods for simplifying and organizing one's life. She uses her own life to test theories and try out ideas for decorating, meal planning, entertaining, baby raising, and tiny life in the city. 

It took me a while to get through Simple Matters. Although I love Erin's blog, I found the book to be a bit clunky and disorganized. Not everything on the blog in relevant to me but the book somehow felt less so. I had trouble weeding out things that felt useful and those that didn't. There were still many things I enjoyed about this book, but I wish it were organized more like her blog. All that being said, Simple Matters is full of gorgeous pictures and sage advice. I can't wait to read her next effort. I would recommend this book for anyone interesting in living in a tiny space, people trying to reorganize their home, or those who enjoy simple living. 

What genre of books have you been reading more of these days?

New Block: Wrench Variation

I found this block on instagram (@kerenlewistextiles) and got a screen grab so I could try it out. When I was looking for my August MadcatquiltsBOM I happened back upon it. I'm not sure if this block has an actual name but it seems like a wrench block variation to me. 

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This block was quick and easy to put together. A perfect block for one behind in their BOMs. 

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Zoo at Home, Zoo Abroad: Atlantic Farms

When we lived in Brooklyn, we went to the Prospect Park Zoo pretty often. It was our local zoo and a great zoo, too. Since we moved, we've been looking for a new local zoo. 

We love the Cape May County Zoo, but it's a little far for us to visit whenever we want. So we were happy to find the Atlantic Farms petting farm this Summer. 

We stumbled upon this little farm stand and it's petting zoo by accident but it's become one of our favorite places to visit! It's entry fee is very reasonable, which is rare. 

At the farms, there are many sheep and goats, as well as cows, pigs, llamas and alpacas, donkeys and ponies, lots of chickens, turkeys and ducks. There's even some emus! 

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The best part is the snacks you can buy to feed the animals are just carrot chips from the farm. Good for the animals, and so fun to feed them!

We're happy to have found this spot that's only a 20 minute trip from our house. If you're Down the Shore, I suggest a visit!

New Block: Equilateral (Sorta) Triangles

Here is my MadCatQuiltsBOM from way back in July. I started it that month but Summer's been rough and I just got around to finishing it recently. I have seen a lot of great equilateral triangle quilts but never attempted this block before. 

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This is another block that is made tougher by using my no-measure technique. The triangles were definitely not equal, but they came out pretty interesting. 

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I'm linking up with Kathy and Slow Stitching Sunday as well as Moving it Forward Monday over at Em's Scrapbag. 

Something New: Smoothie Bowls

When I first started seeing these bowls, in social media, or on the beach, I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. Sure, they were pretty and who doesn't like a big bowl of fruit? But what's the big deal?

In July, while my friend was in town, I finally tried a bowl. And it wasn't love at first bite, but I enjoyed it. But then a few days later I was still thinking about it. So I ate another one! Then I started making them at home. And I haven't looked back since. 

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People love smoothies, they taste good, are pretty and good for you. It makes sense that people like a smoothie, add extra fruit, stuck in a bowl. Factor in that most bowls use delicious and exotic fruits like acai and pitaya which are super good for you. They tend to be topped with superfoods, and are a great way to get your fruits and veggies, protein, vitamins, and nutrients. 

But truth be told, I don't really like smoothies. I don't like the texture. Never been a fan. So why smoothie bowls, you might be asking?
And here's the answer: The ice cream effect. 

Eating smoothie bowls are like eating ice cream, with awesome toppings, for breakfast. 

As you know, I love new ways of eating fruits and veggies (like juicing) and this is another good way. If you like smoothies or if you don't like them, or if you just like ice cream, I suggest you try a smoothie bowl! Around me, there are many places that sell them, I hear you can get them at certain Wholefoods. But also smoothie bowls are super easy to make at home!

Since I started making them I have acquired lots of superfoods for topping, and frozen fruit for different bases, but here is a super easy beginners recipe with things you might already have on hand:

For the smoothie:
3 bananas (sliced and frozen at least 4 hours)
Handful of spinach. I use cleaned fresh baby spinach
A couple of tablespoons of milk (any type you like/have in the house will do. I've used almond and coconut.)
Optionally add any other fruit you like (frozen, fresh, or a little on the old and wrinkly side will do. The key here is not to out weigh the frozen aspect of the bananas).

For the toppings:
Go nuts!
Literally, use nuts. Or seeds, or granola, rawnola, fresh fruit, frozen fruit, superfoods, chocolate sauce, yogurt, oats, oatmeal, peanut butter, any other nut butter, honey, agave, bee pollen, coconut in any form, and on and on, etc...
My current favorites are; any local fruit I have on hand, chia seeds (these guys are so healthy and give a nice little pop), cacao nibs for crunch, and goji berries for chew. 

Instructions:
-Get your toppings ready first. I almost always fail to do this but it helps you get to your smoothie bowl faster before it melts (especially useful if you plan on taking photos of your breakfast). Lay out the toppings sundae bar style, or at least keep them in arms length. Have your bowl ready, as well. 
-Into your blender (whatever kind you have works fine) put the spinach and just enough milk to get it blending. This is the time to add any other non frozen fruit you may want. 
-Once the spinach is pureed pretty well, add the frozen fruit. Add more milk for a wetter, smoothie consistency, or less for a "nice cream" style smoothie bowl. I prefer the nice cream rout. 
-Pour your smoothie into a bowl and top with all the good stuff. 
-Eat up and enjoy!

Anyone else eating smoothie bowls? Give us your favorite recipe in the comments!

September OMG Goal

As I've said before, August, and all of Summer, was super slow in the quilting department. Far too slow!! I'm so looking forward to Fall and getting back in the swing of sewing!

Although, I've had a poor showing these last few months, I'm still avidly trying to set and complete my OMG goals. For September, I'm hoping to catch up on my MadCatQuiltsBOM. I'm a few months behind and I have to decide on 2 blocks and finish 3 to be back on track. 

This seems like a great way to get back in the habit of my MCQBOM and finish an OMG goal! I'm linking up with Red Letter Quilts and OMG

August In Review

August was not mild, not in weather or temper. 

This month was mostly about work and health, some of each were good and bad. But August was also about moving forward and getting through. I'm hoping September adds more to the good column than the other, but I'll take what I can get. 

1) A neighbor in Allenhurst. 2) Tom's stare. 3) Bippi's curl (and sore chin). 4) A Parade on Main Street. 

1) A neighbor in Allenhurst. 2) Tom's stare. 3) Bippi's curl (and sore chin). 4) A Parade on Main Street. 

Although we didn't travel in August, walking around and heading to the beach was a priority. Whether it was hot or mild, I tried to make it to the beach. We tried to get out and about around town as well, and were rewarded with some local adventures. 

1) My very first at home #smoothiebowl. 2) A delicious one from Juice Beach. 3) My sweetest bowl yet! Mangos, peaches, bananas, all the fixins. 4) Easy and simple with figs from my dad. 

1) My very first at home #smoothiebowl. 2) A delicious one from Juice Beach. 3) My sweetest bowl yet! Mangos, peaches, bananas, all the fixins. 4) Easy and simple with figs from my dad. 

Since moving, my esthetic and ideals have been changing. One thing I've been more conscious about is what I eat and where it comes from. I thought summer would be my month for local foods, but it was tough to get out to the markets. I made some food discoveries in August that I hope to continue learning about and eating! 

1) A perfect angel. 2) My #watchercat. 3) new morning rituals. 4) Exploring our surroundings.

1) A perfect angel. 2) My #watchercat. 3) new morning rituals. 4) Exploring our surroundings.

Watchercats were few, and quilting was almost non existent this month. I'm hoping cooler temps will bring out both in spades soon. 

1) Atlantic Farms. 2) Thrift and vintage finds. 3) Blossom season at work. 4) Summer sky in overdrive. 

1) Atlantic Farms. 2) Thrift and vintage finds. 3) Blossom season at work. 4) Summer sky in overdrive. 

I've spent many Summers in New Jersey, but this August felt all brand new. Since we moved into our new home last Fall, the first few days of September have got me feeling nostalgic. Comfort vs newness, renewal and remembrance, the end of seasons, whatever September brings, I think I'm ready.  

Saga: Book 1 - 4

One of my goals in 2016 is to read more. See other books I've read here
I added a new addition to this goal in June, which is to read at least one comic book trade paper back per month. 

Saga by Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples is probably my favorite comic to come out in recent years.  

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Landfall and Wreath have been at war for what seems like forever. But they and the worlds they've out sourced the fighting to have forgotten what the war's about. Some fight blindly, but some are starting to see that war might not be the answer. When a feisty Landfall guard falls in love with a pacifist Wreath defector, all hell breaks loose.  

I had read the first two or three books of Saga back when they first came out. I've been wanting to pick the story up ever since. When I decided I wanted to be reading more comics this year, these were the first books I went for. I read more than my months worth and I'm glad I did. This isn't a beginner's comic, as it jumps in time and is narrated by a character that is only a baby. But the love story in the midst of struggle and strife is compelling, and the characters are really interesting, both good guys and bad guys. Sometimes you're not sure who you're rooting for. Plus there's a giant talking cat. Can't go wrong there. 
If you're a comic book fan, particularly a indie or super hero parody fan, you should be reading Saga. I would also recommend these books to people who like sci-fi love stories, wartime stories, and space adventures. If you're new to comics, it might take a little effort to get the hang of this book, but stick with it, the simple, colorful artwork, and heartfelt story are worth it!  

YOTS Check In: August & Fabric Gifts

A package arrived from Tennessee the other day... but what it contained had traveled from Alabama, via Tennessee, to NJ, to me!
Much to my delight and surprise, it was full of fabric from my brother in law and sister in law! I'm not entirely sure where they found it all, but they thought I could use it and I'm excited to try!

There were also a few good rummage and yard sales, so I added even more to my stash. 

But besides these surprises, and/or not to be passed up mostly vintage finds, I have been very good about not adding to my stash this year. Although I have been tempted a few times to buy new pretty fabric, I have abstained. 

Unfortunately, I haven't used as much stash as I would like so far this year. I'm hoping and waiting for the cool weather, the slow down of work outside the home, and getting back to sewing everyday. 

Here's what my fabric intake/usage looks like so far this year:
Fabric Added Since last Update: Approximately 15 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date:  Aprroximately 21 yards
Fabric Used Since last update: approximately .25 yard
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 8 yards