Spirited Cherries

Finished Product

   I had a surplus of sweet cherries.  I started paging through my            Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving book to get some ideas     of what to do with them.

   I came across a recipe for Spirited Fruits!

   Here is the recipe for Spirited Cherries

   1 cup granulated sugar
   2 cups water
   5 cups cherries with pits, washed and drained (use 7 1/2 cups if                     you prefer to pit them)

Sweet cherries    

 
   Per Jar:  1 TBSP rum, brandy or vodka
 
    Prepare canner, jars, and lids

    In a large stainless steel saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water.  Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.  Add the cherries, stirring constantly and return to a boil.  Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes

Canning process

     Using a slotted spoon, pack cherries into hot jars to 1/2 inch of top of jar and add the spirit of or your choice.  Finish filling with the hot syrup.  Remove air bubbles and wipe the rims.  Center lid on jar, screw band down to finger tight.

     Place in canner and ensure the jars are completely covered with water.  Bring to boil and process 10 minutes.  Remove from canner.
 
 

Finished product

Ready to add the spirit

July Quilt Block of the Month

Traditional Dresden Plate Block and Modern Dresden Wheel Block

Yahoo!   Finished July before July was over!

These blocks scared me!  They look very complex and I was always in awe when I saw a quilt done with this pattern.

Ha!  This technique is so easy!  I could see doing a whole quilt using scrapes!  

I did zig-zag machine applique, but other options are blind stitch or straight stitch.  I have learned so much from this block of the month series.  It is at:

craftsy.com

This course was a free block of the month course that includes a video demonstration along with patterns you can print out.  This course has really kept me going.  I love learning the cool techniques!  

June Quilt Blocks

Greek Cross block and Octagon Block

I am running a little late on getting my June quilt blocks done.  Better late than never!

These were pretty easy blocks!  The pattern is available at:

craftsy.com

I have been taking the free block of the month lessons offered on this site.  It is a fun sight to explore!

Happy Fourth of July!

Check out this link for a wonderful e-card.

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=3559445041333&source=jlfb&cont=2

Hope everyone has a safe and sane Fourth of July!

Finished Project!

My four year old grandson came up to me a few months ago and said he had something serious to talk to me about.  What could be so serious with a four year old.  I kneeled down and asked what was on his mind:  he said he really needed me to make him a quilt!  How do you say no to that?

So we talked about what he would like on his quilt:  he wanted stars, planets, spaceships and astronauts.  

I had a blast shopping for the fabric.  There is no set pattern for this quilt, it was made as I went.  It has constellations, rocket ships, suns, moons, and astronauts.  A labor of love!

His birthday is July 4!  I was able to finish it in time for his birthday!  I can't wait to give it to him!

Now to think of a new project!

top left corner of quilt

top right corner of quilt

bottom right corner of quilt

bottom left corner of quilt

Hard to get a picture of the whole quilt!