Thursday 6 February 2020

Quickest, Easiest Quilt Project, Newfoundland Raisin Buns

It's almost a year since Hubby's incident on Valentine's Day when a lung embolism caused an emergency ride to the hospital and a subsequent 4 day stay.  Yesterday we had his last visit with the Thrombosis Center downtown where he was given a clean bill of health.  We are so thankful!
And here are a few other things that made this week a good one too.

I made a batch of Newfoundland Raisin Buns last weekend.  I shared them before with you way back in 2016 when I used coconut oil to grease the pan and it made the bottoms crispy. I forgot about that. I used Barry's recipe found here at his Rock Recipes site.  This time I did add vanilla but I still lessened how much sugar I used.  They were really good. I ate three and I can't remember when I ate three of anything sweet in one sitting.
See that odd shaped one sticking out on the bottom right...that's the cook's bun.

 In that same post I also showed you this wonderful knitted tea cosy featured at the  Tea Cosy Folk site. Her Majesty in her early years.
                    
 This one is there too-so cute.
                                  
                 Firefighter
You can see the most amazing depictions of every job, hobby, activity, sport, etc. at the site.

 I use a lot of little journals and notebooks for all the things I like to keep track of. Each year I go through a phase of thinking I will use one larger diary to hold it all and there are so many beautiful ones around.  Lucy at Attic 24  often shares how helpful her journal is. I looked into it but couldn't bring myself to pay the bucks for it.

 So I bought this one last year at the after New Year's markdowns...made by ban.do
 I had spent ages looking through the diary section at several stores before settling on it...Pretty and with inside pockets, a sturdy cover and places for notes,  it seemed to tick most of the boxes but upon putting it to use, the illustrations and stitckers seemed too youngish for me. And I found the sayings dotted here and there...You couldn't be cooler if you tried or You are the sunshine in your days, didn't suit me at all. ( I feel badly about that because I know someone put a lot of thought and effort into choosing these sayings.)
 But I found it in a drawer and decided that though it is not correct calendar wise, I could put it to use as a food, sleep and stress diary.  This I've been doing since Christmas. For instance,  I've given up coffee and immediately could see a pattern I was sleeping better as duly noted daily in the journal. My stomach seems to feel more settled as well.   Could my occasional sleep issues be caused by something so simple as a cup of coffee? Can you develop a sensitivity to caffeine just like that?
Kind of breaks my heart because I loved a cup of coffee in the mornings and as a treat out and about.

But I've discovered Decaf and it's been a worthy substitute so I'm not complaining,
 no sirree, not me.

The Quickest and Easiest of Quilt Projects
I had a squirrel moment this week and went off on a tangent after seeing some of the wonderful heart/valentine projects cropping up.  I decided to make two mug rugs for us- the lovebirds at the wooden house, LOL.
But first I had to join some of the smaller pieces of batting.  I just use a loose zigzag stitch on my machine and it seems to work well without leaving a bulky kind of seam.
I found the above little video from Patchwork Posse helpful.
I didn't follow a pattern, big surprise, just winged it.  But did use two orphan blocks from that Scandinavian Redwork project as a start.  Added a couple of pretty fabric strips and outline quilting with a little embroidery using perle cotton.
I was pleased with how they turned out. A great way to use up scraps and orphan blocks too.

Hope this Thursday finds you all well and doing all it takes to stay healthy. Hydrate!

So happy to share this post with Not Afraid of ColorMy Quilt InfatuationConfessions of a Fabric AddictAlycia QuiltsGone Stitchin'Sarah Goer Quilts and Quilt Fabrication.

29 comments :

Nana said...

The scones... I can smell them and how I love the crouchet things for the pots... how sweet.

Nana

Libby in TN said...

Really cute cosies! In my much younger years I drank coffee all day and was known to fall asleep with a cup of coffee in my hand! Now coffee eats my stomach up if I drink more than one cup in the morning. Hard habit to break. I think it's the wine that affects my sleep ...

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Mmmmm - those buns do look good! Now I'm hungry (thanks for that!). Nice tea cozies - so many cute patterns out there. We just make our tea in a mug so no need for a cozy.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

So happy for you and hubby to be a year past that scary health crisis! That's a good anniversary to celebrate! Your buns definitely look yummy. Aren't those tea cozies creative and fun?! It amazes me what people can do with a crochet hook and yarn. I love your heart mug rugs, and especially like seeing how you're hand quilting them. I've been working on doing some machine quilting on my hearts and nine patches tablerunner, but want to add some hand quilting to it also.

Out To Pasture said...

Glad your partner got a clean bill of health after the scare of a year ago. You must all be very relieved! Those raisin buns sure look yummy. I love the queen tea cozy as well as the fireman. Gosh, I would not have suspected a single morning coffee would have such a lasting effect! Good for you for adjusting to decafe.

PaintedThread said...

Buns! Those tea cozies are hilarious.

Brian's Home Blog said...

I'm very happy to hear that your Hubby got a clean bill of health, that's wonderful. Those raisin buns look pretty darn yummy.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I had to look at the recipe and then printed it out - looks very good! So glad you hubby is out of the woods and had a good check up with the doctor for that scare last year - the tea cozies are all so cute!

Karen said...

I made Newfie Buns last weekend. We ate half and the rest are in the freezer, because, um, we're dieting this week. Maybe?

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Yay for a clean bill of health, I bet that helps the stress level around the house a bunch. Cute tea cozies, and your mug rugs are very cute.

loulee said...

Your valentines mug rugs look cute.
I use two journals, one in the kitchen to plan our menu and note any late finishes or absences. The second is a new thing for me this year. My brother bought it as a Christmas gift and it is just perfect for nothing what I've been working on, starts and finishes etc. I might keep it going.
Its5not coffee that breaks my sleep, I never touch the stuff! Maybe it's just my age.....

Home Sewn By Us said...

Good morning Jocelyn! What a fabulous idea for the Valentine mug rug. It's a great use for blocks that didn't have a purpose and they look cute too. Those Raisin Buns look deeeee-licious. YUM. I used to faithfully use a journal from my teens to late 20s. Then I got involved deeply in computers and they fell by the wayside. There's nothing like a pretty, new journal to start the new year to keep important ideas, lists, etc. And, I wonder if I have a sensitivity to coffee. I think sensitivities can start at any time just like allergies can. Happy Friday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne

Jenn Jilks said...

We're struggling with health issues. I'm glad yours are done.
Great projects. The colours are so good to see.

Michele McLaughlin said...

Valentine mug rug--Wow! Great way to use up scraps! It seems like most of us are trying to use up some scraps these days. Love the red stitches around the heart!!! Those tea cozies are sweet and your buns sound yummy! Not sure I could give up coffee yet but I sure admire you for doing so!!! Have a wonderful week!

Su-sieee! Mac said...

Your valentine blocks are so sweet-looking. Very cool. I've imagined myself eating a couple of the buns so off to read the recipe I shall go. Thanks. :-)

Karen's Korner said...

Great news about your hubby. Love those pretty heart blocks.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those raisin buns look so tasty.

Pat .F in Winnipeg said...

I have developed a sensitivity to caffeine as I age. I can consume one caffeinated drink per day, but if any more creeps in, I get headaches and have difficulty sleeping. As someone else mentioned, sleep also can become a problem as one ages, so no sense in aggravating it with caffeine.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a fun squirrel!! And hearts are just perfect timing - both for Valentines day and to celebrate your husbands progress!! thanks for adding your link to FONF - I love seeing these projects!!

moosecraft said...

Those biscuits look delicious! Today is a great day for baking!

Linda said...

Oh those buns look so good (minus the raisins for me!) The recipe looks much like one I used to bake scones for a local coffee shop several years ago.
Your mug mats are so pretty. What a great idea for using orphan blocks. I was just looking at some yesterday wondering what to do with them.
I went off coffee for about a year and had tea instead but not because of the caffeine. I finally went back to coffee, but I still love tea too.

Rosemary Dickinson said...

Good health news is the best news! The biscuits look great! It's making me hungry. I love your Valentine's Day blocks. So pretty!

Eva H. said...

I´m very glad to visit your blog.I baked today "bábovka"for my dear grandson.He eat some little and took it at home :)
I will visit this blog very offten.
My best greeting Eva from Czech Republic

MissPat said...

Good news on the health front is always welcome. Making use of the leftover hearts in the mug rugs was a great idea. I'm not a raisin lover, but I bet Craisins or chocolate chips would work just as well.
Pat

Cheryll said...

OMG... those tea cosies are CuTe... xox

Michelle Ridgway said...

Great news for dear hubby. The tea cosies are very cute. Very nice heart mug rugs and your buns look delish!

LA Paylor said...

I've been reading through your blog this morning, but as to the likes post... I like too. If I gave up coffee I might sleep all day, except the new neighbor's loud car would keep me awake. those tea cozies!
I like the idea of keeping one diary for the year but I know what you mean about the sayings. Cover them with ones you love that week, printed out and taped over. DH used to keep a little notebook by his desk at work and noted when and what he was working on, phone call notes, etc. I like to keep a book style calendar by the computer for lists, events, things I want to do or books to read. All in one place.
LeeAnna

Raewyn said...

Cute little mug rugs - a nice squirrel moment to have - one that doesn't take too long to complete! Your currant buns seem a lot like the scones we make (without the currants!) - yum. Hubby's clearance is great news!

MELISA JORDAN said...

BABA GOODMAN IS THE BEST SPELL CASTER ONLINE WHO RESTORED BROKEN RELATIONSHIP AND I HIGHLY RECOMMENDS BABA TO ANYONE WHO IS IN NEED OF HELP! 

My Wife left me for another Man 4 years ago and ever since then my life has been filled with pain, sorrow and heart break because she was the first Woman I ever loved. whom i have spent my entire life with. A friend of mine told me he saw some testimonies of a Great herbalist called BABA GOODMAN that he can bring back lover within 48 HOURS, I laugh it out and said i am not interested but because of the love my friend had for me, He consulted the great spell caster on my behalf and to my greatest surprise after 48 HOURS my wife called me for the very first time after 4 Years that she is missing me and that she is so sorry for every thing she made me went through. SHe came back to me and now we are happy together. I still can’t believe it, because it highly unbelievable. Thank you BABA GOODMAN for bringing back the love of my life and also to my lovely friend who interceded on my behalf, for any one who might need the help of this great spell caster here is the email address: IFABABALAWOSPELLTEMPLE@GMAIL.COM
WHATSAPP: +2348079336082