chocolate, Chocolate and more CHOCOLATE

It seems that I always have some snack sitting on my sewing or cutting table.  A lot of times it is CHOCOLATE. (OK, most of the time it is chocolate.)  I've tried "healthy" snacks and they just don't seem to do what chocolate does.  Carrot and celery sticks don't fit in my "Fabulous Folded Bag" very well and the cheese and crackers just made a mess! I tried sucking on hard candies (to make them last longer), but like that old Tootsie Pop commercial (How many licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop), I end up biting them.  Not good on the teeth!  So, I will just stick with the chocolate.
















My grandson thought my "Fabulous Folded Bag" was a great hat!  Thank goodness it is washable.  The pattern for the bag is by Desiree's Designs and is great for a treat bag, a gift bag filled with notions, a baby shower gift or dozens of other things.

So, seeing as how I am a "Chocoholic", I am including a recipe for the best fudge ever!  This recipe was given to "My Sister's Quilts" by Jo McPherson and it is just fantastic!  I like to use the Toffee Symphony Candy in it.  I made it for my neighbors for Christmas and was informed by a couple of neighbors that they don't like fudge, but they LOVED this!  One neighbor kept it all for herself and ate it for breakfast!  She said it lasted about a week.

Symphony Fudge
4 cups granulated sugar
2 cups cream
1 cup butter (2 cubes)
16 oz. Symphony Candy Bar (approx. 2 1/2 large bars)

Bring sugar and cream to a boil, stirring frequently, over medium heat.  Add the butter.  Stir until butter is melted but DO NOT TOUCH BOTTOM OR SIDES OF PAN WITH SPOON.  Stop stirring when butter is melted.  Cook to 230 degrees.  Remove from heat.  Add the broken up chocolate pieces.  Beat with hand beaters about 5 minutes.  If using a stand mixer, pour syrup into mixing bowl, then add chocolate to it.  Pour into buttered 8" x 8" pan.  Cool and enjoy!

Neighbor Gifts

Don't know what to give a family member or neighbor for Christmas?  Check out our fast and easy kits!

  Pillowcase kit - $12.95 each





"Thread Catcher" & "Pear" Pincushions - $7.50 each

"Snap Bags" (great for make-up, sewing supplies, etc.) - $4.75 each
                "Pie Carrier Tote" (also fits a square pan) - $12.95 each
                                 "Christmas Place-mats" (Quilt as you go - set of 4 - includes binding) - $26 45 each
                                                     "Catch-All Can" (sewing supplies, make-up, baby table,
                                                                              bed side - includes can) - $12.65 each                          

"Crayon Roll-Up" (crayons not included) - $4.40 each
                 "Mug Organizer" (mug not included) - $5.75 each
                                   "Snowman Pillow" - $7.95 each
                                                 "Christmas Tree Napkins" (set of 4) - $17.39 each

"Christmas Star Pincushion" (English Paper Piecing) - $7.50 each

Come in and see for yourselves!

December Pincushion of the Month

It's here!  Our December Pincushion of the Month, Christmas Star.

No sewing machine required for this pincushion.  It is English Paper Pieced!  The kit comes with everything you need to make it (except the needle and thread). A great pincushion to give for Christmas, or give someone the kit.  Check out our other pincushions that you may also want to give.

  The red and brown pincushions sit under the edge of your sewing machine and have a removable "Thread Catcher" bag.  You can make two large pears (striped or one color) or a large and a small pear with the Pear Pincushion kit.  Fast and easy!  Who can't use another pincushion?

Pincushion of the Month

By popular demand, our October Pincushion of the Month, is one that goes under your sewing machine and has a thread catcher attached.  The "Thread Catcher Pincushion" comes in either Red with Red Stripes or Brown with a Blue Floral.  The thread catcher bag is attached to the base with Velcro, so you can empty it without moving your machine.  Kits are $7.50 each and when they are gone - they are gone!  We also have some Pear Pincushions left from last Month.  These will make GREAT Christmas Gifts!