It’s this time of year that I start to think about settings -
I have amassed a stack of blocks – and I am LOVE LOVE LOVING them!
I love them so much I can’t stop making them.
But it is time to think about how I’m going to set them, how big the quilt is going to be – and start working toward that end – All the while thinking about our NEXT Leader & Ender challenge down the line to start this coming July.
The photo above? I think I’m going with dark sashings and neutral cornerstones, but – I’m not happy with this kind of “add the sashings as you go” kind of assembly method.
Oh, I can assemble the rows with sashings added just fine, but then the row will not nest with the next row down unless I press every-other-row in opposite directions, and that means I am pressing sashings TOWARD those bulky triangle corners. I am not a fan.
I just reconfirmed to myself why I like to lay out the blocks along with the sashing pieces and cornerstones and sew the whole quilt top into rows with the webbing method so the whole thing nests throughout.
I’ll be seam ripping to get these apart, and then back to the drawing board I go.
I still like the sashings and cornerstones, though! That will continue to be the plan.
My basket is full!
I haven’t counted yet -
It’s time to pin things in sets of 10.
I can pull many cornerstones from my box of 1 1/2’’ squares!
New Instant Pot user that I am -
I found this packet at the grocery store with the Instant Pot photo on the upper corner. I thought we’d give it a try.
I followed the directions to a T!
Winner, Winner – Roast Beast Dinner!
Everything was SO tasty, and it only took about 1 1/2 hours. 30 minutes to prep the veggies and brown the meat and get the cooker up to pressure. Then 60 minutes to cook, with a quick release at the end.
My only issue is that it had me put the veggies on top of the meat when cooking for the whole 60 minutes. The carrots and potatoes are mushy. It didn’t stop us from eating them heartily, but I would have loved them not so overcooked.
So this is when I will make a note next time to add them only the last 20 minutes of cooking or something.
Instant Pot Users – what is your plan of attack to keep veggies from over-cooking?
“What? Am I in your way or something?”
Dresden can evidently read license plates. He’s sitting on the one that says Big Cat Quilts. LOL!
Binding is finally on the last 6!
Check out these adorable placemats made by Louann!
Are you making some? I also have some ideas for a cute table runner to go with them - yet to happen as I am happily buried in filling orders for my new Quilty Password & Quilty Coupon Keepers!
This hit the USPS yesterday after the long holiday weekend.
There is more to go out today!
The remainder of my day will be spent packing the van in preparation for tomorrow’s jaunt over to Bedford Virginia for my workshops with the Peaks & Pieces guild happening Friday and Saturday. It’s a short but jam-packed and fun-filled trip! it’s been 2 years since I have taught for this group, and I am excited to see everyone again.
Oh, and before I forgot – don’t YOU forget!
For two weeks only - 2/15 to 2/29 this pattern booklet is available at 50% off for only $6.00. No coupon needed.
And while I was at it - I also placed ALL previous Quiltville Mystery patterns at the same price.
Allietare, Celtic Solstice, En Provence, Good Fortune, Grand Illusion and On Ringo Lake are all included in this sale!
You'll find them all in the digital patterns category of the Quiltville Store.
This sale only lasts for 10 more days, so don’t delay!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
I hope you take time today to recognize the creative person inside of you!
I hope you read this quote while telling yourself "Hey, that's me!"
Now, get out and do it!
I usually do not cook the veggies in with the roast as they get mushy - your other option is to not cut the potatoes but leave them whole maybe then they won't be mushy - or like you said cancel the cooking half way through, steam off, add the potatoes cut in half to keep them large and whole carrots, put lid back on and secure and finish cooking time - pot will get back to temperature quickly as it will already be hot.
ReplyDeleteLove your little Shoo Fly blocks--I like how you are always planning out how to get quilts together more easily--I don't like all those bulky seam crossings--they keep me from making a lot of blocks actually...Thanks for sharing hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeletePut your carrots & potatoes in separate foil wrapped parcels on top of the meat in your insta-pot. They won’t be mushy. Got this tip from a YouTube video, and it works. Yummy but not mushy veggies.
ReplyDeleteTo keep your veggies from getting so mushy, your IP should have come with a trivet. Put the veggies on the trivet, to keep them up out of the liquid. As the liquid will become steam inside the pot, the steam will rise up and steam the veggies, without making them mushy. You can put the meat on top of the veggies, still... just make sure that the level of contents doesn't prevent the lid from being put on and secured tightly so the seal doesn't leak.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I made a pot roast in the IP, I cooked the meat by itself and then while it was 'resting', I cooked the vegetables by themselves. The vegetables only took about 6 minutes at pressure.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to need a bigger U.S. post office in Mouth of Wilson!
ReplyDeleteThose placemats are SEW cute!! Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind for the table runners.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of dark sashing a neutral corner stones I’ve been thinking of putting mine on point. Not sure what do you think? Could this work
ReplyDeleteLove and quilty hugs
Anne xxx
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ReplyDeleteI love your blog. Always something interesting and cute blocks as well. Good solutions to the Insta-Pot mushy veggies problem as well. I don't own one but have cooked in my cousins. Fast, tasty meals.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a super Thursday. I enjoy your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteThat Dresden is a smart kitty! :)
ReplyDeleteI need to finish a Apple Core quilt in my UFO box, so that is my leader and enders. A nice way to work on two at a time.
ReplyDeleteIt was so clever of you to teach Dresden to read. Loved the picture.
ReplyDeleteYour process is what I enjoy hearing/seeing. It takes a lot of time to take photos step by step; so thanks. Regarding the instapot, try using larger pieces of carrots and potatoes. The little carrots tend to be more tender than a regular bunch of larger carrots. I copied this from the web: "White Potatoes
ReplyDeleteSimilar looking to Russets, use these guys when the recipe calls for boiling potatoes. Because they hold their shape so well, they’re also great in casseroles, soups and stews."
Back in the day when my mom would make pot roast in a pressure cooker, she added them for 10 min at the end. I recently made a roast in my IP, halved potatoes went in on top, carrots were added at the end. Potatoes were pretty mushy, carrots were fine! (potato soup will be on the menu this weekend ;-) )
ReplyDeleteI love my InstantPot! For a 2-4 lb beef roast, I cook the roast 45-50 minutes on the manual setting. While that is cooking prep the potatoes and thick cut the carrots and put them in a bowl and cover them with water. When time is up on the roast, quick release the pressure and quickly add veggies (I cut an onion in wedges and add too at this point) close and lock the lid and set for 10 minutes on manual setting. When time is up, again, use the quick release. Perfect meat and veggies every time! Enjoy 😁💖✨
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