Fabric Expressions - First Visit!

I had my first visit to Fabric Expressions last Saturday.  Though I've been working on my daughters quilt for quite awhile, this was the first actual dedicated quilt store I had been in for years.  I believe I had browsed a few in Estes Park ages ago.  Anyway, this little store is tucked into a two-story mini-mall, and it actually appears small from the outside, but once you enter those doors.  Wow!  I was blown away by the colors and multitudes of fabrics.  I tell you brothers and sisters, there is a reason this fabric costs more than your average fabric store finds.  These fabrics are thick!  They feel like they could surely stand the tests of time!  I was also in luck because they were having a sale on certain bolts for $5/yard.  I bought some great reds that I think I'll use as backing fabrics for my Chimneys and Cornerstones quilt.

Red yardage from Fabric Expressions

I also picked up additional information about this year's Rocky Mountain Quilt Shop Hop.  My Mom is going to go with me and I'm so excited as they had a special fabric made for this year...I'm sure I'll buy some and be sure to post here.

I still have a few weeks to wait though for the Shop Hop!  I know I can make it!

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. ~Psalm 23

We watched "The Book of Eli" last night for the second time and again the force of Psalm 23 struck me.  These words are poetic and a profound sincerity of faith.  I intend to commit them to memory because it is difficult sometimes in our society to remember that all we need is in the LORD and his WORD.  "I shall not want".

I also found a wonderful website devoted to Psalm 23 that gives additional commentaries and hymns.

Cake Mix Doctor #3

Well, on to the third cake from the Cake Mix Doctor books.  This was a chocolate mint.  And you can guess from the picture, the mint was peppermint schnapps.  This was ok, but since the family are not huge icing fans, I left that off, and apparently that was where most of the minty flavor was :(.  It was still a delicious chocolate cake though!  I bake all these bundt cakes for 40 minutes at 350 degrees and they come out nearly perfect every time.  I'm a big proponent of flouring your cake pans too.  For the chocolate cakes I use cocoa to dust the pan versus flour so that the top doesn't turn white on me.

Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Raspberries & Rain

I spent a bit of time picking raspberries today.  It was raining, but that just made it even more enjoyable! 

Early July Raspberries

They are so pretty I almost hate to eat them. Almost :).  The kids are going to love these!  We haven't gotten to eat many for a few years.  The birds and squirrels must have been feasting.

"She provides food for her family" - Proverbs 31:15

Green Blocks Complete!

Yea!  I have gotten the green blocks completed for my Chimneys and Cornerstones quilt!  This was 49 blocks, which are a quarter of what I need.

Green Chimneys and Cornerstones blocks

I plan to make one of these quilts for each of my children as they leave home.  I am hand-piecing all the blocks so it will be heirloom quality.  How amazing to create!  I got the idea for this quilt from Jennifer Chiaverini's book The Christmas Quilt.  I'll keep you posted!

"She makes coverings for her bed" - Proverbs 31:22

Cake Mix Doctor #2

Made the next Cake Mix Doctor cake to take down to family today.  It is a strawberry coconut cake.  I again opted to bake it in a bundt pan and omit the icing.  This was another good one!  So pretty for summer.

This cake is also the most beautiful pink inside!

My little kitty seemed quite interested in a piece for herself!  Isn't she such a pretty girl?

Best wishes to you all and God bless.