Kristin Shields Quiltmaker

Snow Day

 

It's been another crazy, busy week.  I finally got a breather today, but woke up to a fantastic snow storm.  It was so pretty today that I took two photo walks and haven't gotten to the sewing yet (I will in just a minute though).  Tomorrow I'll post about the sewing stuff that's happened lately!

A Neighborhood Walk

This morning I was drawn out the door by this scene above that I can see from my kitchen window.  Scrabble is now to the point that only very short and very slow walks will do.  However, slow walking is difficult for me unless I have something to do.  Taking my camera on this little walk was just the perfect thing.

I loved taking a good look at my neighbor's Halloween decorations.  Most of which I hadn't really seen as I walked briskly by.  

I loved seeing the local Little Free Library with an autumn backdrop.

Back at home, I noticed the last stragglers in the flowerbed.

Also, the beautiful little Japanese maples are turning red. I didn't know they'd do that!  Here they're backed by the yellowing hostas.Lastly, there's a hint of things to come.

A Digression :: The Countdown Begins

Today is October 26.  In one month I will be 50 years old.  Sounds like a big number, but in the grand scheme of things it's not so big.  However, I find myself reflecting on how I got here and the things that happened on the way. I probably would not be here without the marvels of modern medicine, that's a big one.  I also wouldn't be the person I am without the family, friends and opportunities I've had.  I'm feeling grateful for the wonderful things that have happened over the years and even the not so good things that brought me closer to my community.  I don't want to get maudlin here, but I do want to start a little celebration.  Now through November 19, I am offering a 25% discount in my Etsy shop.  It's a good time to shop for holiday gifts or something for yourself.  Please use the coupon code "Birthday25".  

In other news, my Undercover Quilters retreat was lots of fun, though I didn't get much done.  I decided to start a new project for a new challenge and it involves lots of little tiny pieces, so I didn't get far.  I will post more on that soon.  

A digression :: Pumpkin Pie

On Monday I had a really great day.  Finally was feeling better and had enough energy to clean the house and rearrange some furniture (thank goodness!) and also needed to make something for my book club that evening.  I decided it was time for the first pumpkin pies of the season.  

My recipe starts with homemade pie crust.  I use the recipe for American Pie Crust in The America's Test Kitchen Cookbook (2001).  You might notice the chunks of butter in the crust. I've been making pie crusts since I was a teenager and I think I make a pretty good crust. I think the key is not overworking and leaving those big chunks of fat.  Fat in the dough = flakiness in the crust. 

The next thing is the filling.  I use canned pumpkin.  I know others swear by fresh cooked pumpkin, but I've never gotten a good result that way.  In my mind the most important part of the filling is the spice balance.  I grew up with my Mom's recipe (and her mother's before that) and didn't realize until much later that this one is spicier and less sweet than many recipes.  I still remember the magic of pie making with my mom.  I always loved the heavenly scent of the spices and the look of them too.  All those different colors, so pretty!

The filling goes into the pie crusts and they head into the oven.  Meanwhile, the house starts to have the most incredible smell.  Mmmmmmm....The finished pies were fantastic.  I always serve pumpkin pie with real whipped cream, just very lightly sweetened.  The book club ladies loved it and Ryan and I have been eating the leftovers.  

I was born on Thanksgiving and so my birthday is always associated with that holiday.  In the US, it's the fourth Thursday in November so the date changes each year.  Anyway, my birthday "cake" was often a pumpkin pie and I was just fine with that!  I have also grown up with the notion that pumpkin pie for breakfast on the morning after Thanksgiving is the best thing ever and a tradition not to be messed with.   My husband has never, ever liked pumpkin pie, but my kids do, so I'm thrilled to be able to continue the tradition. 

Here's the recipe for those who might want to try it.  I hope this warms your home and fills your senses this autumn! 

Mom’s Pumpkin Pie 

2 eggs, lightly beaten
14 ½ oz can of pumpkin (2 c)
¾ c sugar
½ t salt
1 t each, cinnamon and nutmeg
½ t each, ginger and cloves
1 can evaporated milk (whole milk would probably also be fine)

Mix together.  Pour into 9” unbaked pie shell.  Bake in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then decrease to 350 for 45 minutes.

Happy October!

It's been a glorious month here in Oregon!  Well, except for yesterday when we had pretty horrid weather.  It's been several continuous weeks of warm, sunny days and cool nights.  Just perfect for making great fall color.  

I've been able to get out and enjoy the weather despite a full week workshop with Rosalie Dace (magnificent, by the way), a terrible cold with asthma that lasted about a month, and a project deadline.  

The asthma is under control now and the project on deadline is nearly done.  I'm working on a facing as I put this post together.  Things are finally falling into place.

Meanwhile, Halloween is approaching!  I do love Halloween even though I no longer have kids to go trick-or-treating with.  I like to answer the door and see all the fresh faces coming by.

And I still love to decorate.  Oh, and the candy.  Everyone likes that!

Enjoy some spooky fun.  Happy Halloween to you, where ever you are!

Fabrications Exhibit

Here's some exciting news that I just realized I never mentioned.  I have my first acceptance to a juried art exhibit!  Autumn in New York is my Novel Idea quilt from last year.  It is inspired by Rules of Civility by Amor Towles.  This small slow cloth piece was a joy to make and I'm so pleased it has another venue for showing! 

From the Fabrications website:

The second Annual “Fabrications – the Art of Quilting” exhibit will open with a First Friday reception on March 1 from 5 – 8 pm.  Join us at Franklin Crossing, on the corner of Franklin & Bond in downtown Bend for the opening or stop by any day to view the juried show of art and contemporary quilts. 

Fabrications is the only juried exhibit of art and contemporary quilts in Central Oregon.  Quilts were submitted from Oregon, Washington, California and Arizona for consideration.  Jurors selected quilts that represent original design, excellent composition, and unique surface and finishing techniques.

I am so thrilled to have this quilt included.  If you are local I'd love to see you at the reception tonight at 5pm!

Goose Time

Sorry for all the photography lately, but this seems to be where my creativity is going right now.  I'm so inspired by fall color and the autumn light.  I continue with Ryan's baby book (I'm past his first birthday!) and I started a little project the other day that I hope to show soon.  Oh, and the November AAQI quilt. I forgot to get a photo before sending it, but I can show an earlier version of it.  That will come in a later post!

Neat and Tidy

I got my studio all neat and organized and boy it feels nice!  I'm also up to Ryan at 9 months in the baby book.  Now that I can easily find what I need, the rest should go much faster.  

In case you are wondering why I'm not showing the rest of the studio, take my word that it's also neat and tidy.  I actually have two super secret projects on the design walls.  I am looking forward to some winter sewing time!

We got some snowflakes today and there is talk of more.  The leaves are fading fast and the trees are going bare, but I do love my studio view.  Here's to a creative weekend!

A Little Leaf Story

This photo slideshow made with Smilebox

I have been a mom with a camera for a long time, but now I am trying something new.  I'm using Mark's Nikon D300 which we've had for over 4 years and haven't used much.  I was afraid of it (sort of, you know) for a long time.  It was too heavy and too complicated in my mind.  In the past couple of weeks, I've decided it's time to tame the monster.  I mostly started by picking it up and trying stuff.  Then a read a little bit of the Nikon D300 book we have, but that gets old fast.  The best resource I've found so far is the blog, Mom and Camera.  If you too would like to conquer a DSLR camera, or would like to get started, go on over and check out Gayle's posts.  I guess for me, part of the reason I like it so much is that she's using Nikon as well.  I'm sure there are lots of other blogs with similar content and if you happen to have a favorite, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.  And, yes, I know I have a long way to go to really have a handle on this camera, but at least I can make the attempt now.

I am now toting this camera around as much as I can.  I won't give up my iPhone camera which I love, or my Nikon P500, but there are many good reasons to know how to take really high quality photos yourself.  I don't think a hired photographer could have gotten Ryan to open up as much as I can myself.  How I wish I had had some of these camera skills when the kids were little.  I really am noticing, as I do Ryan's baby book, how poor the photo quality was a lot of the time.  Well, back to the baby book, and, good news, the studio is close to being under control!  I will post a photo for evidence soon!

Oh the Cuteness!

Scrabble and I had a marvelous morning walk today.  The weather has been spectacular these last few days.  I managed to get a lot of household chores done over the weekend, including rearranging furniture and planting 200 bulbs.  Today I began to tackly my studio.  I've still got lots to do, but it feels so good to get organized doesn't it?