PHd progress and steppin' out of my box into The Salt Box

In December I mentioned that I was going to be working on my PhD (Projects half Done) this year and I am happy to report that some are completed and others close enough to see the finish line. They range from pot holders to a queen sized quilt top. The potholders were made to use up stray blocks and practice my machine quilting. I only have one  pot holder because the other was given as a gift in our Secret Sister exchange at retreat.

Please keep in mind that this was done about 8 years ago when I got my new Janome 6260 (which is now my old machine) and instead of starting out with a simple grid pattern to teach myself machine quilting I thought I would just try a "simple" feather design. Boy did I have a lot to learn! I finished the quilting part of it and was less than thrilled and it was relegated to a basket of unfinished projects. I had a friend visiting me this winter who encouraged me to get some of that stuff out of my basket, so I bound and finished them and something as simple as finishing those 2 pot holders spurred me onto the next project, so gradually I am pecking away at them. 

You may remember seeing this on my design wall a ways back; well it is finally finished (not quite to what I had planned) and as soon as I finish piecing the left over fabrics into the backing it will be off to the long armer to do her magic.

After that, a simple binding and this puppy is ready for the bed at the cottage.

I have finished all the top stitching on this wall hanging and it is now ready to sandwich and quilt...

While Mr. O was away in San Antonio Texas on business 2 weeks ago he did a bit of site seeing and shopping. He visited a little shop called Las Colchas

After spending considerable time browsing the shop he decided I would like the fabrics in this quilt and bought me the kit to complete a Queen sized quilt. He also bought me a lovely needlework magazine. What a guy!

Although the pattern is more modern and a bit outside the box that I tend to work in, I do love the fabric! It is Salt Box harvest by Deb Strain.

Last week I cut all the "bricks" for my Autumn Bricks quilt 

and last night after supper dishes were done I cut the connecting strips and thought I would assemble one row; just to see what it would look like...sometime after 1 a.m. this is what was on my design wall.

5 Rows completed and just 7 more to go! Sashing strips between the rows and this puppy will be off to the long armer too!

Yesterday Linda  said if it's chocolate, she wants the recipe...so Linda this is for you!

Easy Chocolate Ganache

2 cups (half a large bowl) of Cool Whip

6 squares of Bakers Chocolate

Microwave the frozen whipped topping and chocolate in a medium microwaveable bowl on High for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute and then stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is shiny and smooth. Dip the tops of your cupcakes and your done! Makes about 1 1/2 cups and is easily doubled.** I used the whole bowl of whipped topping and 8 squares of chocolate for my cupcakes but had a lot left over. Would be good for a double layer cake.  Enjoy

"I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process.... It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?"