iPad Case

You know I was thrilled to get this for my birthday, and I've been carrying it in my purse so I always have my calendar with me.  Anyway, I noticed that sometimes my cover gets caught on something in my purse, so the iPad turns  on.  I knew then I needed a case to protect it, so I went first to the computer to search for a pattern, but didn't find one that was quite right.  So, with iPad in hand, I headed  to the sewing room.  This is what I came up with.

I had made one a year ago for a friend, but that pattern didn't have anything for a closure, so I added that.

I used scraps and straight line quilting.

And now my iPad is happy when it's in my purse!

And Happy 36th Anniversary Bud!!

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Are you looking for an easy peasy, but YUMMY dessert??  Well this is it!

Ingredients:

19 ice cream sandwiches(I use 24-2 boxes)

1 12 ounce carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 jar (11 3/4 oz.) hot fudge ice cream topping

1 cup salted peanuts

Place half of ice cream sandwiches in bottom of 13 x 9 inch pan.  

Spread with half of the whipped topping.  Spoon fudge topping by teaspoonfuls onto whipped topping.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup peanuts.  Repeat layers with remaining ice cream sandwhiches, whipped topping, and peanuts(pan will be full).  

Cover and freeze for up to 2 months.  Remove from the freezer 20 minutes before serving.  Cut into squares.  Yield: 12-15 servings.

I often don't follow the recipe, so if you think this looks a little different.....it is.  First, I used Dream Whip instead of Cool Whip because I didn't plan ahead and thaw the Cool Whip.  I also put some carmel ice cream topping on top just to empty the bottle. 

YUMMO!

Catch Up Time!

Wow!  Where has the month gone????  I am going to try to post each day this week to kind of "catch up".  I actually have a few posts started, but none completed, so I'll work on finishing and posting those.

What have I been doing you ask?  Well, yard work has consumed a large amount of my free time in between school, meetings, and working in the basement.

Let's go back to Easter first!

We had dinner here on Easter Sunday, and all of the kids were here.  That rarely happens, but it makes me very happy when it does!

Chance got a pinwheel in his basket and is doing his best to make the darn thing work!

Grayson did a great job finding eggs for his basket!

Clara was a cute little flower!

Nate couldn't leave his Momma, as usual.

Payton and Cael had to work for their baskets by completing a scavenger hunt.  Here Cael has found his, but it's too high for him.  Help was on the way.

Here Payton finds clue #2 on his way to find his basket.

Another great day!

Finally.......Spring!

Signs of Spring.......

*The temperatures are a tad bit warmer. 

* The sun is peeking out now and then.

*I had to refill my bird feeder for the goldfinches.

*The tulips are looking great!

*The hostas are on their way.

*And (my favorite) phlox is looking gorgeous!

*Bud's baby magnolia tree is looking good!

And the last sign of spring around here is that.....

I spent five hours working outside Saturday, mulching, raking,

pulling weeds, etc.  My muscles were so sore I could hardly sleep that night!!

Happens every year, so you'd think I'd learn.

I love spring and flowers, but it sure takes a lot of work.

Kalona Quilt Show

This past weekend was the annual Kalona Quilt Show.  I ran down to see the quilts with a friend right after school.  Most of the quilts are hanging so we walked through a maze.

Kalona is home to the largest Amish settlement west of the Mississippi.  (If you want to know more go here.)  The Amish are known for their hand quilting skills, and many of these quilts were made by Amish women.  There was not one machine quilted quilt in the place!  

There were small quilts such as this one which measures 35" x 35".  But each flower, leaf, and heart was handturned!!  What a lot of work for such a small quilt, but it is gorgeous!

There were antique quilts such as this one:

An 1850's quilt, all handturned, pieced, and quilted.  I can't imagine the hours and hours this quilt took to make!  Oh, and the price????

Yes, that would be thirteen THOUSAND, seven hundred fifty dollars!

It was fun to see the quilts and the exquisite hand work that was done.