1/25/17

A Big Finish

This morning I turned the fourth corner on the binding for Stars and Stripes.


Shortly after that, the quilt was finished. 


This quilt is made from blocks created by members of the "We Bee With It" online quilting bee. I only know their online names, so thank you to NewbieJen, SuperSara20, SoSewGreen, Karmawillo, and Anita of Daydreams of Quilts for their contributions of beautiful quilt blocks used in this quilt. The back is pieced and made from some blocks that were created with the color choices reversed. I can't remember which of the ladies of the hive made these blocks, but thank you for your generosity in contributing these two blocks...perfect for the quilt back.


It ended up at 60 x 76 inches and so it's a good sized quilt for cuddling up. A few have asked me whether I'm donating it to Quilts of Valor. While that is a noble cause, the answer is no. For one thing, it has a hole that needed repair, and so it isn't really appropriate for donation as a quilt of valor. A more selfish reason is that I asked for these blocks during the bee because I'd wanted a patriotic quilt of my own for a long time, and just hadn't gotten around to it. 

Its new home will be in our fifth wheel trailer. We supplied ourselves with a couple of fleece blankets to be used in the trailer, but the kitties have commandeered those for their traveling cubbies. Hopefully, they'll let us have this quilt. Also, it makes me think of that old Simon & Garfunkle tune called "America." The red, white, and blue makes me all schmaltzy about the traveling we've done past and future and brings to mind these song lyrics: "They've all come to look for America."

Finishing Stars and Stripes was my January goal for 
Elm Street Quilts
so I'll be linking up there.

As I mentioned yesterday, it was a day for running around and that took most of the day. While I was putting away the groceries, I noticed that both of the starters had developed a liquid on their respective surfaces. I'd read about this on some of the bread-baking sites, but couldn't remember what it meant or what I was supposed to do about it.


Enter my friend, Google. According to the website, Cultures for Health:
The dark liquid is a form of naturally-occurring alcohol known as hooch, which indicates that your sourdough starter is hungry. Hooch is harmless but should be poured off and discarded prior to stirring and feeding your starter. If hooch is forming on your starter regularly, increase the feeding frequency and/or move the starter to a cooler spot (70-85ºF), to slow things down.

So, okay. Mine is in the refrigerator, and so I don't think a cooler spot is the answer. That must mean they're hungry, and so I poured off the offensive stuff and fed the starters. Now they look happier. We can't have hungry mouths around here, now can we?


I'm still wanting to make a plain sourdough loaf. The few I've tried have been unsatisfactory for one reason or another. That said, I saved the amount of bread flour starter I poured off, fed it, and now have it sitting on the counter. In a few days I'll try again for a basic sourdough loaf. For now, I'll just feed it each day and give it a chance to grow strong bones and healthy teeth before using it in the bread dough. 

Also fermenting on the countertop is another round of Cabbage and Carrot Kraut. I blogged about this a few months back. You can read about it right here. As it turns out, this is a great way to use up leftover cabbage and if you happen to like sauerkraut as much as I do, it makes a very tasty, low-calorie, probiotic-packed snack. (Try saying "probiotic-packed snack" five times fast.)


So...Stars and Stripes was my last quilt sandwich. I don't even have any more finished quilt tops. You might say I'm living in a topless world right now. For the remainder of January, I'm going to work on quilt blocks, but beginning in February, I have a few stacks of blocks to sew into flimsies, and so that's where I'll put my energy for a while, at least. Today's plan is to make the 6th of the Solstice Challenge blocks. If I have time, I'll get to work on the next block for Chicken Buffet.

23 comments:

Ray and Jeanne said...

Love the quilt! Those kitties better let you enjoy it! You could get into trouble for making your own hooch! :) ~Jeanne

Debbie said...

Love your stars and stripes....it could be called "Look for America" since it is for the camper. Anyway, enjoy the bread making, I still haven't had any time to get another batch going. I keep saying soon, but time gets away from me.

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

I tried cabbage and carrot kraut. It was a little slimy for some reason??? Any sugguestions? I am wondering if there was too little water in the cabbage?

krislovesfabric said...

Pretty finish!

Sharon - IN said...

Nice patriotic quilt and no reason to not enjoy it yourself! I love sauerkraut! 2 of my adult kids have finally decided they also like it too - now that they have decided to 'go healthy!'

Shari said...

Love the quilt and your quilting. Enjoy it!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Wonderful finish and you have every right to keep your quilt. I love that you didn't know about hooch and now fermenting cabbage??

gpc said...

So that's what hooch is! Too cool. I should try to sourkraut -- I love the stuff, but wouldn't want to share a room with me after I've eaten it. I've got stories . . .

Brown Family said...

I have heard the word hooch all my life and knew it was a form of raw alcohol. I did not know it was a bread (flour, yeast) product.

Lyndsey said...

I love your finished quilt and that it's staying with you. We have 'help for heroes' in the UK and when I said I fancied making a red white and blue quilt my friends assumed it would be a donation quilt but a patriotic quilt for the home is also important. When I get round to it I'll try and make 2.

Patty said...

Wonderful finish - so pretty. Congrats on finishing your goal and thanks for lining up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal!

piecefulwendy said...

Well, not topless here, that's for sure! I did manage to find the lost top I was looking for. The patriotic quilt is a beauty. I haven't started the 6th Solstice block yet; not sure what colors I'm going to use for that one. Hmm.

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Your quilt is stunning!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Quilts made from block exchanges are usually the only quilts I get to keep for myself. They are my 'special' quilts.

Shepherdess55 said...

So happy to read the last stitch has been taken in Stars and Stripes. And you were able to take pictures without the furry quilt police inspecting it. Perhaps that's a good omen that it will be yours in the travel trailer.

Anonymous said...

Your quilt is stunning! Love your quilting design.

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

The stars and stripes is beautiful. congratulations on your finish for january.

Karen's Korner said...

A lovely finish.

Kate said...

Congrats on a gorgeous finish! Wow, topless! You've done such a great job of working through all your NewFO projects. I need to do that. My WIP list hasn't been the same since that quilt along. But I loved it. Looking forward to seeing what's next for February.

quiltzyx said...

Stars & Stripes seen and simply seriously STUPENDOUS! Hah! It will be fabulous in the 5-wheel.

Same as Brown Family, I have heard of "hooch", but thought it was the same as moonshine. I love learning new things from you!!

Edith said...

What a lovely quilt for your 5th wheeler, congratulations on your finish.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

How beautiful - and what fun to remember everyone who was a part of making this quilt! It will looks great in your RV!!!

Jeanna said...

Your stars and stripes quilt is so pretty. I would want to keep it for myself as well.

The cabbage and carrot kraut looks delish. Made my mouth water :)