Simple Squares & Rectangles = Spectacular Quilts

This block is called Steps to Glory!

 Turn the blocks and viola!

The instructions for a single Steps of Glory block are available for $2.99, this is the link.

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

From One Simple Quilt Block . . .

You can create the most beautiful quilts!

Spin that same single block for another look!

 Spin it again for yet another entirely different quilt!

This Block is called "Sail Boat" and is available as a download for only $2.99. Let's see what you can create with it! Single block instructions, PLUS coloring sheets are included so you can play with your own color palettes too. 

See this and other downloadable quilt patterns by clicking this link.

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

From One Simple Quilt Block . . .

You can make the most beautiful things . . .

A simple twist of the block and you've created another beautiful variation!

This is a downloadable pattern for a SINGLE quilt block, let's see what you can create!

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

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New Scrap-bags™ Website

I have re-vamped my website to reflect a new direction.

I will only be selling printed patterns via my retail customers. This means if you want to purchase a printed sewing pattern you must purchase it at your favorite independent quilt or fabric shop. Please ask your favorite shop to special order if they do not currently carry my patterns, most shop owners are more than happy to do that for you.

My new site will feature downloadable patterns only (PLEASE NOTE: not all Scrap-bags pattern are available as downloads) - visit my new site here Click on "SHOP RETAIL".

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

You are invited!

You are cordially invited to have some fun, eat some goodies, sip a little wine, increase awareness and of course, raise lots of money to:
Help stomp out cancer!!

What:    Three Wishes Third Annual "Paint the Town Purple" Party with goodies, food, drinks, raffles, shopping, and FUN.  

I will have three bags in the silent auction! See the sneak peek photos below.  

Where:  Three Wishes

820 East 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452-2411
(715) 536-5490

When:   Thursday July 28, 2011
Time:    5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Why:     To raise money for Relay for Life.

Here's the scoop:
·         Snacks and Drinks to keep your energy up while you're shopping and partying!
·         Raffles and Silent Auction Items to bid on.
·         20% of all your purchases during the "Paint the Town Purple" party go to "Relay for Life"

We really hope to see you at the party Thursday!  Your support is really needed and appreciated.


P.S. If you would like to forward this email to your relatives and friends feel free to do so.

 

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

Quilted iPod Touch Case - 25% off your first case! Use Code: ZAZZLEIPODME

My Clematis Fan Quilt Design is now available on iPod Touch Cases!

 iPod Touch Cases! 25% off your first case!    Use Code: ZAZZLEIPODME

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

The world's great hand-block printing artisans

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

Scrap-bags™ Braided Bucket Sewing Class at Calla Lily Quilt Shop, Blaine MN

I thought I'd share photos from the Braided Bucket Sewing class that I taught recently at the Calla Lily Quilt Shop!  The class was from 10 am - 4 pm and all five ladies finished their bags on time! It was a blast. Thanks for the opportunity to laugh and enjoy a day of stitching together!

Get the downloadable pattern here!

Click Here to visit the Calla Lily Web Page

"Love what you create! Let my patterns be the canvas for your creativity." Jamie Kalvestran

Making Currant Jam - Who knew it was this easy? It only took 1 hour 20 minutes!

Yesterday, I discovered that the bushes in my yard were currant bushes. So I 'googled' and found out how to make currant jam. Now, as you know if you google something you will find lots of sources and lots of opinions. After reading everything I could find I decided to do it this way.  Here is my photo tutorial, enjoy!

I have one bush with RED CURRANTS.

I have one bush with WHITE CURRANTS

And two bushes with BLACK CURRANTS

The recipes that I found were for either red or black currants. I decided I didn't have enough red ones to make much jam so I picked both the red and the white.

Pull off the stems and leaf bits.

Rinse under cool water.

Weight it . . . you'll need to remember the weight. I wrote it down.

1 pound 4 ounces (Let's see how much jam this makes?)

Measure out the same weight in sugar.

Place the currants in a kettle to cook.

Place your canning jars in water to boil and sterilize.

I did not add any water (though some recipes tell you too) This is in the beginning stages of cooking.

I wasn't sure if I would make jam (with skins & seeds) or jelly with out the seeds and skins. But I am ready with the strainer. In the end I decided not to strain it, thinking the fiber from the seeds and skins would make a healthier jam. But if you don't want the seeds then be prepared with your strainer or colander.

When I am in the kitchen I usually make my dog stay out and he lays in the doorway to the dining room. BUT, today it's storming out and he like many dogs is afraid of the thunder. So, I am making an exception and allowing him to cower in the corner of my kitchen. Poor guy.

A little stir here and there.

Hot, bubbly, smells good!

Jars are out and still hot waiting to be filled with hot goodness.

Now it's getting close to done. Foam is forming on the top. You will spoon any leftover foam off before filling your jars.

How do you know when it's cooked long enough? Place a spoonful on a chilled plate, let it sit a minute, then push it with a spoon. If it has formed a light skin and wrinkles slightly then it's done!

Fill the canning jars - OK now we know 1# 4 oz equals three 8 oz jars of jam.

Beautiful!

Using your lid magnet remove the lids from the hot water and place on top of jars then tighten with the lid rings.

Place back in the water bath and bring water back to a boil. Make sure the jars are covered with an inch of water. Boil for about 10 minutes.

This is what was left over in the kettle. I put it over a scoop of ice cream.

Perhaps I should have had it with vanilla yogurt instead? It is only 10:20 am. Oh well, next time, I just didn't want any of it to go to waste.

Remove the jars from the hot bath and store upside down on the shelf or in the refrigerator. 

Not bad for a project that only took one hour and twenty minutes (to get to the ice cream eating part)

I will certainly do this again! Now I want to plant more currant bushes in my yard!