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Sara's Blog: Helpful Hints

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Necessity is the Mother!

OK, so all of the really great bloggers (who I aspire to be like one day!) give recipes in their blogs... So I thought i'd share my new "recipe."

Admittedly, my brain generally isn't running at full operating speed until I've had a couple of cups of coffee!!  Some of my worst sewing disasters were the result of me turning on my machine before turning on the coffee pot.  Tragedy struck today - I ran out of cream and milk!!  One of my favorite things about a visit to London was that each time I ordered a cup of coffee, they asked if I wanted it black or white.  White = lots of cream, yes please!!  I don't prefer black coffee; however, being heavy into a quilt project, the last thing I wanted to do today was to run out to the store for milk...time to experiment.

I made my normal 4 cup pot of Kona, but to the grounds I added about 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and a couple healthy shakes of cinnamon.  Ooo, the smell as it brewed was delicious!  It's pretty hot today, so I chilled the coffee and then poured over ice - YUMM-O!!!  How delicious, i've now discovered my new summer drink!  I did make the coffee a little extra strong thinking I might ice it.  Try it and let me know what you think!  It would definitely still be good with cream, or ice cream maybe a little Baileys in the blender - Oh yeah!

I know, I know, this is a sewing site - not a coffee site!!  I'm currently working on the "Garden Globes" quilt from Jason Yenter's Floragraphix II collection, check him out at www.inthebeginningfabrics.com.  Jason and his mom own the fabric company and I am really digging his latest collections.  You'll be seeing this quilt in the background of one of the upcoming episodes of Behind the Seams!!

A tip - Jason suggests using freezer paper for the appliques, I really like using Sulky Totally Stable.  It does iron on to the fabric nicely and can be re-used.  I really like the weight of it.  Also, the book has us hand sewing the applique.  You know that's not my style!!!  I'm thinking I will play with some of the decorative stitches on my machine and use several coordinating thread colors... we'll see!

Try my coffee drink (whichever version you prefer!), check out the site, and have fun sewing!

Sara

Free Pattern Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!!

Today is an exciting day for me...I get to share a few free patterns!  Our NowSewing Sewlebrities are so generous and like to keep us posted on what's new.  Lorraine Torrence from Lorraine Torrence Designs and Grainline Gear Patterns has sent a few patterns for me to share with all of you!

Be sure to check out her webisode of Behind the Seams, "Creative Vest Patterns."  I have 5 assorted patterns to give to the first 5 Community Members to email your name, address and favorite sewing tip or trick to me at: behindtheseamsinfo@gmail.com

Just type "Contest" into the subject line.

Learn more about Lorraine and her two pattern lines at www.lorrainetorrence.com

Good Luck!!!

Sara

Help Out a Fellow Community Member!

Hi there NowSewers!

We got lots of emails from our Community Members asking for sewing tips.  We just received a very special tip request and I thought I would share it with the community and find out if any of you have a great suggestion!  Remember, you can comment on any of my blog postings, let us know if you have any experience with this!

Paula, from Raleigh, NC, will be hosting a kids sewing event with some very special children from Chernobyl.  She is look for some cute, simple projects that she and her ASG group can help these kids create and personalize.  Have you or any of your friends hosted a kids camp?  If so, what were some of your most successful projects?

I taught a Kids Club in my mom's quilt shop in MI a few years ago.  One project that my group loved was the "Smart Bag" from Quilt Smart.  In each package, you get the interfacing for 2 bags, they are fully reversible and, best of all, all sewing lines are printed on the interfacing!  The girls had so much fun picking out fabric, sewing their bags together and then showing off to their friends! 

Let's help Paula out, share your ideas and suggestions by commenting on this blog.  And, remember, if you are ever looking for some help with the project, send us an email and we will try to help you, too!

Thanks!
Sara