The Quilted Pumpkin

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T01:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and welcome 2012! Wishing you and your family blessings throughout the new year!

To ring in the new year I am offering a 10% coupon to be used on any item in my Etsy shop now through 1/7/12! (Not to be combined with any other coupons.) Visit The Quilted Pumpkin on Etsy and use Coupon Code: HAPPYNEWYEARS during checkout. The 10% discount is also available for use on The Quilted Pumpkin's website. I am unable to process coupons through the website checkout, however, once checkout is complete, I will refund the difference from the price of the item to you through Paypal.

Cheers!

Laura

Holiday Giveaway Winner Announced!

2011-12-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Melanie of Virginia!

Melanie, your name was picked from Santa's hat to win Snowman Sam!

Melanie, please contact me at thequiltedpumpkin@sbcglobal.net with your mailing address. I'll get this shipped out Priority Mail to you.

Thanks to my son, Jack, for his help in picking this year's Holiday Giveaway winner. Thanks to all the ladies that participated in the drawing. I'd like to hold a giveaway for Valentine's Day in January, check my blog next month for updates.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

~Laura

Holiday Giveaway Going On Now! Drawing Saturday Morning (12/17/11)

2011-12-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

Here is my Holiday Giveaway! We're running short on time, so I will be keeping this giveaway short and sweet! I would like the winner to be able to receive their item next week before Christmas, so I'll be shipping Priority Mail, too. I'm taking entries BEGINNING TODAY, DEC. 13, THROUGH FRIDAY, DEC. 16 at 11:59 PM (California time). I will select a name on SATURDAY (12/17) morning and post it at that time.

Perfect for the primitive Christmas home, I'm offering this sweet Snowman Sam busy decorating his mini pine. This primitive snowman comes from a Homespun Hugs and Calico Kisses pattern, handmade by me. Wrapped up in a knit cap and plaid wool scarf, he is adorning his Christmas tree with a gold ball ornament. The mini pine has a wrapped burlap base, tied with a little garland, and topped with a rusty star too heavy too heavy for the treetop. He's stands 7" high and snow sprinkled with mica. I attached Sam to the burlap base, so they stand as one unit.

If you would like to enter this raffle, it's easy peasy! Follow the guidelines below to be entered up to FOUR times in the drawing. Receive an entry for each one you participate in, let me know the items you've completed and I'll enter you that many times. Thanks!

1 - Post a comment below and you are automatically given - ONE ENTRY! (leave a contact email, so I can contact you immediately for a mailing address if you win OR be sure to check back this weekend to see the winner's name posted here.)

2 - Follow this Blog - ONE ENTRY! (If you are already a follower, just let me know.)

3 - Follow The Quilted Pumpkin on Facebook (The Quilted Pumpkin on Facebook) - ONE ENTRY! (If you are already a Fan of The Quilted Pumpkins FB Page, just let me know.)

4 - Mention my giveaway on your blog - ONE ENTRY! (remember to leave me the link so I can visit.)

GOOD LUCK TO YOU & THANKS FOR ENTERING!

Blog Party Sunday - Handmade Christmas

2011-12-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

Visit By Your Hands... for their Blog Party Sunday's Handmade Christmas. Click on the button below to take you directly to their blog and see today's Handmade Christmas goodies!

Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade Recipe

2011-11-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

Are we already finished with Halloween and Thanksgiving? Is it almost Christmas? These past few months have flown by so fast! It's hard to believe we'll begin opening those little Advent Calendar windows and doors in a couple days.

I wanted to post a tapenade recipe I mentioned in my August 2010 post. I know the appearance of the tapenade may not look so tasty, but it really is flavorful. With holiday parties approaching and you're asked to bring something, it's a nice appetizer to share, along with a basket of crackers and bottle of wine. You could also whip up a batch and divide evenly into decorated Mason glass jars or glass gasket/lid canning jars, attach a custom holiday greeting hang tag or label, and now you've got yourself several holiday gourmet food gifts ready to go!

Roasted Red Pepper Tapenade Recipe

7 oz. Roasted Red Peppers (deli-sliced), drain

6 oz. Artichoke Hearts (marinated), drain

1/4 cup capers, drain & rinse

1/4 - 1/2 cup parsley

1/2 cup parmesan

1 T. Lemon Juice

1/3 cup Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper

Process all ingredients in food processor until finely chopped but not smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Store in refrigerator.

Prim Harvest Blessings - A Fall Etsy Treasury

2011-09-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Fall Everyone!

Here is my first Etsy treasury of the season. This gathering of fall goodies brings to you some wonderful primitives from just a few of the talented artists of Etsy's Old Farmhouse Gathering Team. Please show these talented artists some love by taking a peek at the treasury and leaving a comment about their work, and while you're on Etsy, conduct a search for handmade primitives by typing in "OFG Team" to view more of what this team has to offer.

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

~Laura

'Prim Harvest Blessings' by TheQuiltedPumpkin

One of my favorite seasons of the year! Enjoy the blessings of harvest time featuring OFG Team's handmade prims in rich golden, red, and orange colors!

Harvest Blessings Sign,... ToleTreasures $9.95	Set of 2 Primitive Pump... ChooseMoose $5.75	Bright Autumn Earrings,... ForElephant $17.00
PriMiTiVe FoLkArt SprIn... catnapinnprimi... $44.95	Jack O' Lantern Pum... scaredycatprim... $6.00	Primitive Fall Leaves S... rockriverstitc... $7.50
Country HARVEST potpour... crowsnestprimi... $10.99	Fall Gathering Prim Aco... primgirl62 $18.95	Candle Wrap Wool felt A... KeepsakeKorner $8.50
Thanksgiving Turkey Bro... tinsandtreasur... $6.00	Fall Pumpkin Dimensiona... PaintspotsnSpl... $7.95	Scrabble Tile on Ribbon... FolkArtTree $5.00
Turkey Doll Soft Sculpt... MotherlodeToad $28.00	AUTUMN LEAVES WOOL FELT... FancifulStitch... $18.99	NEW SCENTS ADDED Fall M... MasonJarPrimit... $4.25
Autumn- The Year's ... PunkinSeedProd... $35.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Giveaway at The Olde Primitive Barn and Farmhouse

2011-01-31T11:30:00.000-08:00

The Olde Primitive Barn and Farmhouse is starting up her selling blog. She's currently having a Grand Opening Giveaway and the winner will receive these four handpainted salt dough quilt squares! Quickly visit her blog to sign up, as she will only be accepting entries up until midnight tonight! Click on the salt dough quilt square pic below to be taken directly to The Olde Primitive Barn and Farmhouse to find out how to enter! Good Luck!

Celebrate Cyber Monday!

2010-11-29T14:15:00.000-08:00

Cyber Monday Sale!

12 AM (PST) 11/29/10 - 12 AM (PST) 11/30/10

Visit The Quilted Pumpkin on Etsy or my website to receive a 15% discount on all items currently in stock. Along with your order you will receive a complimentary 1" handpainted ornament (painted by a friend) to add to your tree, wreath, or use as a gift topper.

Holiday items coming soon... Frosty Heads, Wooden Snowman Tea Light Holders, and more. (Just need to finish photographing before I list!) If you are interested in learning when I have listed these new items, please visit my website and sign up on my mailing list to receive a message of new products listed.

Click on the buttons below to shop at The Quilted Pumpkin's shops!

Harvest Festival Etsy Treasury

2010-10-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

'HARVEST FESTIVAL !!' by TheQuiltedPumpkin

Harvest Blessings PunkinSeedProd... $30.00	FALL HARVEST SCARECROW ... yellowsweetpot... $39.95	Primitive Country Pincu... primitiveseaso... $8.99
Autumn Pumpkin n Crow P... scaredycatprim... $17.00	Fresh from the garden o... PrimPatternEmp... $5.00	Thanksgiving Turkey - S... tinsandtreasur... $25.00
Harvest Kitties Shelf S... homespunannie $10.95	Fall Leaf Sweeper Mouse... Warmth $15.00	Harvest Fall Leaf Wood ... mycountrycotta... $8.95
primitive autumn gourd ... prairieharvest... $15.00	Fall Harvest barbsheartstro... $28.00	Hand Painted Slate - Au... Pipberrytree $8.00
Hand Colored Wool Felt ... FancifulStitch... $4.99	Corn Handwoven - 170 basketsbyrose $14.00	Etsy Banner and Avatar ... ewenmegraphics $7.50

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Join us at the Farmhouse for a Harvest Festival! Harvest primitives handmade courtesy of Old Farmhouse Gathering. For more handmade items by OFG... Type "OFG Team" in the Search bar, select All Items, click on Search.

Mouse over the pictures above to be taken directly to the artist's Etsy shop. Enjoy!!

~Laura

A Pumpkin and Acorn Gathering

2010-10-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a moment to share a picture a wonderful customer sent me showing how she's displaying the White Harvest Pumpkins from my Etsy shop and website. She cleaned me out of pumpkins! Brooke purchased these from me last month. Brooke's husband is a military man, so their family is currently stationed in the U.K. These little prim pumpkins have now found their way into a caring new home in the U.K.!

Sprinkled around the pumpkins are these very cute acorns she also purchased from another Etsy shop called http://www.fairyfolk.etsy.com/ These felted acorns are made using real acorn caps and beautiful, bright wool roving. Visit Fairyfolk's Etsy shop to find more of these acorns and other needle felted items!

A Harvest Gathering of Pumpkins and Acorns

Thank you so much, Brooke, for sharing your picture with us!

~Laura

Whew...Operation Adenoids Was A Success!!

2010-09-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Our son's (Jack) adenoidectomy was a success yesterday! Everything went smooth, and Jack did good for his first little surgery.

My morning started at 4:45. Ugh! I am not an early bird, but more of a night owl gal. We had to be at the surgi center at 6:30 for registration. We didn't wake Jack up until about 20 minutes before we had to leave, that way he would have less time to dwell on the procedure. He was understandably a bit whimpery and nervous initially, but was quiet by the time we arrived at the center.

My husband doesn't do well in hospitals...for a "big caveman" kinda guy he's kind of a lightweight, so I went with Jack to the pre-op area. The pre-op nurse got him all settled into his own little waiting room, changed into a gown, hooked up to the BP monitor. The nurse, anesthesiologist and his ENT doctor talked and joked with him to make him feel comfortable. About 45 minutes later it was time for him to go. Jack gave me a hug and kiss and had his brave face on, and so did I...until after he was wheeled out...then I had some tears squeeze their way out of me. I didn't want him to see me teary, for fear it would scare him, so I waited until he left. You know it's that "mom thing" of wishing it was me, not him having surgery. I'm sure some of you moms know what I mean. I'm the kind of mom that can cry watching my kid walk in a parade! LOL!! I tease my mom and blame it on her, my sister's the same way...we cry 'cuz we're proud of them, worried or scared for them...

Within 45 minutes his doctor came out and said everything went well. There was 80% blockage in his nasal area from the adenoids, and they were large enough that they were growing back into the throat (if I remember correctly what he said). Jack did good in the recovery room. While we were in recovery, the nurse brought in a remote control if we wanted to turn on the TV. I have never seen a bigger remote control. I laughed because if you ever meet my husband, he has some big hands and fingers. In fact, he gets frustrated every time new cell phones and remote controls come out that are made smaller and have smaller buttons. When he uses the ATM machine, half the time he presses buttons he doesn't mean to press. Anyway, I had to take a picture of it.

It was amazing when Jack got home and napped, and slept last night, he didn't even come close to how he snored before. I did notice his voice sounds a bit different, slightly higher without sounding nasal. Today his throat is a bit scratchy, but he's feeling better and should be going back to school tomorrow. He has to wait until next week to get back to playing soccer with his team.

Whew! I am so glad it's over with and behind us, and I know Jack is too! Now I can check this off our "To Do" list. Here's a couple pre- and post-op pics of Jack and the infamous big TV remote control...

Have a good day!
~Laura

Jack and me waiting in the pre-op room.

Jack groggy, but happy to be going home!

My hubby loving this BIG remote control.

Awesome Autumn Greetings!

2010-09-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome Autumn! For me autumn represents the season of football and soccer; pumpkins and scarecrows; foliage colors of deep reds and purples, yellow, orange and brown hues; my favorite fuzzy sweater; kitchen smells of stews and soups on the stovetop and baked goods in the oven; shorter days with my family gathered warm and inside our home enjoying our favorite TV show together in the evening.

To celebrate the season I wait until the first day of autumn to order a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte! I don't indulge in many of these when they're around, as they're not the most slimming drink out there! But it's just a little quirky thing that I like to do for myself. As you can see, I did get my Pumpkin Spice Latte this morning!!

My Yummy Pumpkin Spice Latte!

This summer has been a little difficult one for my family. It's been filled with medical worries for two of my sons and my husband. One son is doing better and healthy again, he was slightly injured during a robbery in May. (They never caught the young guys..the thieves made off with $2, a friend's old cell phone, and a credit card that was immediately cancelled. My son and his friend were hit several times with a gun. Very thankful nothing worse happened!)

In a nutshell, we're still visiting doctors for my other son and husband. My son's thyroid (hyper) and sinuses are still a problem. We thought there was an issue with his heart, but it checked out fine, his blood pressure runs high possibly due to the hyperthyroid. Regarding my husband, he's had much lab work, a colonoscopy/endoscopy, and several CT scans performed. We are being referred to a third specialist, a surgeon at UCSF, for a consultation to see if surgery may be needed to remove a hemangioma (3" diameter) on my husband's liver. Of course, we're hoping it does not require surgery.

Also, my youngest son, Jack, will be having his adenoids removed on the 28th (Tuesday). My eight-year old boy out-snores my husband and his big brothers! His snoring has become louder and he sounds like he has a stuffy nose. After having an ENT doc check him out his nasal passage is 80% blocked from his adenoids. So Tuesday is the day he has his "procedure" done. I don't use the word "surgery" in front of him because he gets scared and thinks there's gonna be blood everywhere. I'm hoping he feels better and sleeps better after having them removed.

So with all that's been going on over the summer, I haven't been so interested in crafting and sewing...I miss them. With the season change, I'm hoping autumn will be a good one all around for my family with all my boys (that includes the big one - my husband!) being on the mend, happy and healthy, with their medical concerns finally being resolved. I look forward to sewing and working on new handcrafts to celebrate autumn and the upcoming holiday season. I'm excited to be sewing a couple small items now for my other Etsy shop (Wild Thyme Threads) that I hope come out cute and would like to list.

~Laura

Celebrate Halloween The Old Farmhouse Gathering Way!

2010-09-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

'Pumpkins, Witches and Ghosts, Oh My!' by TheQuiltedPumpkin

Handpainted Goblins and... foxglovefolkar... $44.95	Primitive Witch Head Or... Rabbithollowpr... $7	Halloween Handpainted P... Primgal $4
Primitive Stitchery GHO... wvluckygirl $12.99	Happy Haunting Hanging ... YorkiesPrimiti... $18	A Touch of Sunshine - M... atouchofsunshi... $8.5
SET OF TWO CHENILLE PUM... FancifulStitch... $14.95	Folk Art Halloween Witc... raggedyjan $30.98	RUSTY ANTIQUE LANTERN primcountrycre... $25
Pumpkin Poke noise make... RustyThimble $9.99	Printable Tea Bag Envel... ewenmeprintabl... $2	Primitive Old Witch Tre... happyvalleypri... $8.95
AUTUMN HARVEST HALLOWEE... KeepsakeKorner $24.99	PRIMITIVE HAND STITCHE... harvestmoonpri... $19.95	Soft Sculpture Mini Pum... MotherlodeToad $20

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

This is just a snippet of what is being offered during Halloween Celebration 2010 by various artists of Old Farmhouse Gathering on Etsy. Mouse over the handcrafted items in my treasury of Pumpkins, Witches & Ghosts, Oh My! to be taken directly to that listed item for sale.

Grab your broom and click on the banner below to fly on over Etsy to find more Halloween decor handmade just for you by various members of my Old Farmhouse Gathering team for the Halloween Celebration. While you're at Etsy be sure to type in "OFG Team" in the Search bar to discover all this talented group has to offer!

Congratulations On Your Colonoscopy!

2010-08-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

While I was searching some Etsy shops last month, I came across this one shop called Sweet and Sassy Cards. She sells her handmade greeting cards for every occasion and handmade hangtags, also. As I was searching through her shop, I found a card to give to someone who has just had a colonoscopy. I thought it was such a unique card...straight and to the point! My next favorite card I get a giggle out of is one that gives congratulations after a breast augmentation.

Anyhow...my dear, sweet husband is scheduled for a colonoscopy/endoscopy Thursday morning. He's been having some health issues for a little while now, and since he will turn 50 next year, he's due for one sooner or later. Knowing he would be having the colonoscopy, and trying to keep things upbeat and stay positive, I bought the "Congratulations You Had A Colonoscopy" card. It arrived carefully packaged and nicely made. I've hidden the card away since then and will be giving it to my husband later tomorrow after he's back home and recuperating. I hope it puts a smile on his face, and I'm sure he will agree with the card and be glad that c*** is over!

Visit Becky's shop on Etsy... Sweet and Sassy Cards. You might find just the card you're searching for!

My Husband's Card

By Your Hands Blog - Link Party Sunday

2010-08-08T22:37:00.000-07:00

Visit By Your Hands blog for Link Party Sunday and show your fall-Halloween handmades! So far there are witches, pumpkins, and Halloween printables! I submitted my three handmades. See what everyone else is sharing, and better yet, show us three of YOUR fall-Halloween handmades!

By Your Hands is also holding a Handmade Sampler Giveaway, sponsored by Deena Davis of Ewe-N-Me Printables. Deena is offering a $20 gift certificate to her website, Ewe-N-Me Printables. A winner will be announced August 27. Good luck!

What the heck's a "Tapenade?"

2010-08-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

A tapenade (pronounced tap-en-AAD) is a popular dish in the south of France generally served as an hor d'oeuvre, spread on bread. A tapenade's base ingredient is usually black olives. The olives and capers are finely chopped. Olive oil is then added until the mixture becomes a paste. Tapenade is often flavored with other ingredients such as garlic, herbs, anchovies, or lemon juice. It can be used as an appetizer when served with crackers, crusty bread or crudités. It can also be used as a condiment on sandwiches or paninis (it's awesome on a panini!).

I learned about tapenades last year when my mom made a batch and brought some down to my son's high school graduation party. If you've never seen a tapenade it can be pretty intimidating. Tapenades do not have the most appetizing appearance. Prior to this, I had only seen them in jars in grocery stores or gourmet food shops, also, they can be slightly pricey for the small amount you get (about $6-$7 for a 6 oz. jar). Deciding to keep an open mind, I gave Mom's tapenade a taste, and I'm glad I did. I found it to be delicious and addicting! It makes you want to dip cracker after cracker into this funny-looking spread!

Mom's tapenade is more a California-Mediterranean style with a base of roasted red peppers. It makes enough to fill a 2.5 cup plastic storage container. My mom has frozen it in the past for a few months, thawed, and served it. It was great! Also, I think it tastes better if you can prepare a day or two ahead so the flavors can meld while it's refrigerated, and then let it sit out a short time at room temperature before serving. I just found these new crackers by Kashi called TLC (Tasty Little Crackers), Toasted Asiago flavor. They have a very mild flavor and pair well with the tapenade.

With the holidays approaching, add this tapenade to your list of hor d'oeuvres. It's so easy and you can prepare this a few days prior to your party. It would make a nice hostess gift packaged in a pretty jar. Better yet, you can divide up a batch into small jars, add a pretty label or hangtag and give away as gourmet homemade Christmas gifts! Make up a gift basket, include a box or two of crackers, a pretty hor d'oeuvres spreader, and a bottle of wine or sparkling apple cider.With several weeks of summer still left, it can be served at your outdoor party with no fear of spoiling under the summer sun!

To view the tapenade recipe, visit my new page ~ Sweet -n- Savory. Any questions or comments about recipes I post, please feel free to contact me. I'm moving my Sweet -n- Savory page from my website to here on my blog, so I have a few other recipes I previously posted on my website that I will be posting here soon.

Old Farmhouse Gathering's Fall Celebration

2010-08-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

August is here already and before you know it, autumn will be upon us, so the members of the Old Farmhouse Gathering team on Etsy have been busy and hard at work putting together some wonderful handcrafted items for your fall decorating! You'll find pilgrims, pumpkins, and scarecrows galore, plus much more! The celebration runs August 2-15, 2010.

Click on the banner to be taken directly to the ACOFG items on Etsy. Or, you can also type in ACOFG for a manual search of all items to view all the fall primitives this talented group has to offer!

2010-06-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

And The Winner Is.....!

RONDA OF THE CRAFTY CROW

KOKOMO, INDIANA

Congratulations, Ronda!
Winner of the prim wooden USA Stars & Stripes Peg Hanger !

You can visit Ronda at her selling blog The Crafty Crow, http://www.ronda-thecraftycrow.blogspot.com/, featuring her Simple Thyme Prims. Thanks so much to all who participated!!

2010-06-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

Shop n' Blog Giveaway Winner!

A winner's name has been drawn! I sent an email to the individual whose name was selected, so please check your Inbox this morning to see if it was you. As soon as I hear back, I'll post their name on my blog. I appreciate all who participated in this giveaway. There were many nice comments left, and I made some new friends and found some new blogs to visit. So a BIG THANK YOU to all!

I'd like to have another giveaway in late summer or early fall for a prim seasonal item. I'll get it posted here and on my website as soon as I decide what to craft :)

2010-06-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Don't miss out...Hurry...One more day to enter my Giveaway! Drawing is on Monday, 6/14/10!

There's only one more day to enter. Drawing will be on Monday, 6/14/10, 11 PM (pst). I’m offering a simple wooden USA Stars and Stripes Peg Hanger. There are several ways you can enter and for each activity you do, you can earn an entry. You can ultimately have your name entered up to THREE times in this drawing! See my earlier post of June 7, to learn the rules on how to enter. You still have time...

2010-06-07T16:37:00.000-07:00

Shop and Blog Giveaway! 6/7/10-6/14/10

This is my first Shop 'n Blog Giveaway of the year! I’m offering a simple wooden USA Stars and Stripes Peg Hanger. This giveaway will run Monday, 6/7/10 – Monday, 6/14/10. There are several ways you can enter and for each activity you do, you can earn an entry. You can ultimately have your name entered up to THREE times in this drawing!

Here are the ways you can enter:

1 - Email me at info@thequiltedpumpkinshop.com & be sure to leave your email addr so I can contact you if you should win, OR post a comment here that you would like to enter,

2 - Become a follower of this blog (if you're already a follower, you're ahead of the game!),

3 - Post my giveaway on YOUR blog (I’ll pop on over to your blog & take a peek).

**Remember, when you’re finished, let me know which activities you’ve completed to be sure you are entered the proper amount of times, and that I have your email.

A winner will be drawn late Monday (6/14) night PST.

I am leaving for vacation on the 6/19 so if your name is picked, please get back to me as soon as you can so I can ship your Peg Hanger before I leave. I want you to be able to enjoy it prior the Holiday!

USA Stars and Stripes Peg Hanger

Pattern by: Bee'in Creative with Mis

poplar 1/4" wood, painted, lightly sanded & stained for an aged look

(5 3/4" x 3 3/4"x 1/4")

(Hangs 6 1/4" - incl. hanger)

I hope you decide to enter and Good Luck!!

By Your Hands: Handmade Blog Party Sunday (5/16/10)

2010-05-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

Take a moment to visit the By Your Hands... blog. Two talented ladies, Bette and Deena, contribute to this blog that is dedicated to the promotion of handmade and the crafters who are trying to add to the family support by the work and expression of their hands. This blog offers tutorials, featured artists, handmade spotlight, advertising, and more! Bette and Deena also have their own websites you can visit - Bette's Tomorrows Treasures and Ewe-N-Me Printables, respectively.

Yesterday's Handmade Blog Party Sunday features Etsy or Artfire shops. Currently there are 20+ shops taking part who have selected a favorite item in their shop, with a link directly to their Etsy or Artfire shop for us to view their other handmades. Some favorite shop items currently showing are Primitives, Jewelry, Printables, Soaps, and Art, with more still being added. Click on the button below to go to By Your Hands... and see who is taking part in the Handmade Blog Party Sunday this week!

Mother's Day Challenge with OFG

2010-04-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Old Farmhouse Gathering team is having a Mother's Day Challenge! Beginning yesterday (Monday, April 5) and running through Monday, April 12, you will have an opportunity to vote on your favorite Mother's Day item. The following shops are entered in the Old Farmhouse Gathering team's Mother's Day Challenge:

Teresa's Prim Treasures

Primitive Season

Harvest Moon Prims

Valley Primitives

Farmers Attic

Motherlode Toad

Painted Panache

Ice House Crafts

Cats Designs

Yorkie's Primitives

Rabbit Hollow Prims

Vintage Keepsake Trunk

Since mom had rules while we were growing up, The Old Farmhouse Gathering has some rules as well. Click on the Mother's Day Challenge photo to view details and rules on the OFG blog. Let the voting begin!!!

A Penny For Your Thoughts...

2010-04-06T00:12:00.000-07:00

Let me first say to those of you who follow my blog, you may have noticed my blog template has a different look. Bebe from Off The Beaten Path Designs has made me a template that matches my website. Woot! Woot! Bebe is my website designer and her sister site, So Ez Web Design, is my website host. She's one of the best to work with, I'm so glad I found her! I just want to say, "Thank you, Bebe!"

I'm a member of the Out Of The Box Sampler Etsy Team and I'm contributing to this month's April box. My contribution to the box is a Mini Penny Ornie made from wool felt in spring colors. I made 25 of these little pennies. I think my favorite color combination is the turquoise/lime green/brown. I had an envelope custom made by Deena from EweNmePrintables so I could tuck inside the ornie and my coupon inserts. "Thank you, Deena!" Deena is a talented and wonderful lady to work with and she has a variety of awesome printables in her shop. Pay her a visit to see what she has to offer, you won't be disappointed!

April's boxes go on sale Tuesday, April 6. I've bought these boxes several times myself, and I'm always excited when my box arrives, and I open it to see what special goodies are awaiting me inside! There are yummy food samples (my favorite), bath and body, a bit of scrapbooking, personal accessories, and handcrafted decor. You never know what you'll find because you never know who will be contributing what special handmade sample that month! Pop on over to Out Of The Box Sampler and get yours before they're gone!

2010-04-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

I added a scrumptious Lemon Dessert recipe to my Sweet 'n Savory page on my shop website. With lemon pudding and a cream cheese layer, it's a nice spring time dessert! My dad and father-in-law really like this dessert a lot. If you are the one assigned to make the dessert and bring to a gathering, this is a very easy one you can make ahead and transport easily enough. I use a 13"x9" covered Pyrex with the plastic cover. I will be making this for my family's Easter dessert.

I uploaded the Lemon Dessert recipe to Box.net where you can preview and print the recipe if you like it; or download and save to your computer to print later. It comes through as a pdf file, so you need to have Adobe Reader to read it. If you have a problem with this process, email me and I can always send it as an attachment to you. This is my first time using Box.net, so let me know how you like it.

Click on Miss Suzy Homemaker and she'll take you to the Lemon Dessert recipe!

Also, I'm a member of The Hand Did Market, an an online primitive marketplace. During the month of April The Hand Did Market is hosting an Open House Celebration and offering a door prize each Friday! The first door prize being offered is one of my Spring Thyme Sheep. Click on the Open House Invite below to bring you to The Hand Did Market, take a moment to look though the list of vendors, and find out how to enter for the door prizes!

OOTBS Scavenger Egg Hunt! 3/24-3/31

2010-03-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hurry and hop on down the bunny trail to play in the Out Of The Box Sampler (OOTBS) Scavenger Egg Hunt on Etsy! You do not need to be an Etsy member to participate.

You’ll be playing for a chance to win some incredible products and gift certificates from my OOTBS Etsy team members' shops. Total prizes value over $270!! The first person to email all the correct answers will win the grand prize basket valued at $60! The Quilted Pumpkin (that's me!) donated a $15 gift certificate that's good through the end of the year and can be used at my website or Etsy shop.

The hunt starts today and runs through March 31 at midnight (est). Click on the picture below to go directly to the OOTBS Team Etsy shop for more details and to get started!!

Quilts and more quilts!

2010-03-23T01:22:00.000-07:00

Since March is known as National Quilt month, I was happy I could attend our annual local quilt show on Sunday. The quilt show is hosted by The Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County and I look forward each year to going. It's my own kinda me time.

When you arrive just inside the doors there is a group of some of the guild quilters working together hand quilting a huge quilt that is set up on a quilting frame. You can watch them as they work. Their fingers have a couple rubber thimbles on them while their fingers are busy stitching away. I'm handed a program that lists all the 124 quilts, named and numbered. There are five categories in which I'm supposed to vote for what I think is the best or my favorite in each one...but how can I? It's just too hard, they each should get a vote.

There are gloved ladies walking around ready to turn the quilt edge over for you to sneak a peek at the quilt back or answer questions about the quilts. A bit of quilt show etiquette is - don't touch the quilts and be aware of others taking pictures of quilts, take yours, and then step out of the way. (giggle) I don't know if that's all true or not. But, this is what I've seen as I've observed other admirers at the shows, and I didn't want to make a faux pas my first time out 10 years ago so I was very watchful at that time....(giggle)

Along the walls are the vendors selling patterns, fabrics, notions, and buttons, Oh My! I get excited seeing them, knowing I will need to stop and search through each and every booth to see if there is one more piece of fabric I just have to have or find that special button!

First things first, so I begin my trek in the middle where I see all sorts of lovelies hanging in a row...

As I walked through the rows of beautiful hanging quilts, I was imagining the time the quilter spent deciding what pattern or blocks should be used for the design, the adventure of searching quilt shops for just that special fabric, hours and hours of cutting and piecing, should the quilt be machine appliqued or hand appliqued, machine quilted or hand quilted...so many decisions! But whichever way the quilt is put together and finished is an amazing journey. The quilter should be proud of such an accomplishment and what a treasured heirloom they've created for their family or as gifts given to friends!

A funny thing, I mentioned to my Aunt Mae after attending the show back in 2000 that I had gone. Much to my surprise did I learn she quilted AND was a guild member! I wish I would have known sooner, but quilts hadn't caught my eye up until that time. She made me a baby quilt for my son Jack in 2001 using the 1930s fabric with a little bluework embroidery on the quilt label. It is a treasured blanket, along with the one my mom made for him, also. Both are tucked away carefully awaiting a new baby to keep warm one day. Oops, but I've digressed...

At the end of the day, I enjoyed my special time at the quilt show admiring and appreciating the handiwork of others, picked up several hand-dyed vegetable ivory and glass buttons, and a new quilt pattern. There were small-sized wall quilts to king-sized quilts that look gigantic when they were hanging. Here are several quilts I did photograph that I found something interesting about that I wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoy them...

1 - Truly Scrumptious - I like this quilt for the whimsical embroidery work and bright fabric.
2 - Nick's Graduation Quilt - A special memory quilt with a cute story, given on a special occasion.
3 - Winter Cottage - Stunning!! Angelina overlay was used to create light and snow. It's a bit difficult to see in the pic, but the overlay is beautiful, catches the light and makes the snowy areas pop.
4 - Underground Railroad Sampler Quilt - Such a remarkable quilt! Historical!
5 - What a Wonderful Life - It is a wonderful quilt filled with family photos. One to be treasured.
6 - Oopsie Daisy - One of my favorite flowers using fun fabric! I love the 1930s fabric collections.
7 - Log Cabin - Always has been one of my favorite quilt blocks!

Finally...a new listing in my Etsy shop!

2010-02-18T22:52:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh!! I was determined today to finish and list this Spring Thyme Sheep in my Etsy shop that I started last week. This is my first listing of the new year!! Better late that never...BUT to get it done, I had to ignore folding the laundry, running a load of dishes through the dishwasher, making a couple phone calls, AND I have yet to clean up the dinner dishes after making my Asian Marinaded Salmon in my new Cuisinart Electric Skillet (which I've anxiously waited to receive and finally arrived Tuesday...but that's another story).

Click on my Spring Thyme Sheep below to be taken to my Etsy listing for more details on this item...

Since I'm speaking of Etsy, there's this one Etsy shop I came across about a year ago that has the most AMAZING and DARLING pictures in their shop! The name of the shop is Lillebarn and they sell unique and stylish handmade items for tiny babies and kids, including hats, blankets, stationery, wall art, onesies, along with knitting patterns for babies and small children. Her Whoville Stocking Cap and Spring Cap knitting patterns are my favorites. But alas, I don't know how the knit, but if you or you know someone who does, bop on over the Lillebarn and look at her patterns. Just looking at those sweet babies will put a smile on your face!

Don't forget, my Old Farmhouse Gathering (OFG) Etsy Team is having a Spring Fling Celebration now through March 1. Just click on the Celebration banner below to take you to all the wonderful offerings the artisans from my Etsy Team, Old Farmhouse Gathering, has to offer. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!!

Also, visit the Old Farmhouse Gathering blog to find out how you can sign up for the Spring Basket Giveaway being held March 1! Get a preview of some of the contributions made by the artisans of OFG by watching the mini slideshow here in the right margin.

Well...I guess it's time for me to finally tackle those dishes...ugh :(

The Spring Fling Celebration has Sprung!

2010-02-14T22:21:00.000-08:00

Hurry on over to the Old Farmhouse Gathering's Spring Fling Celebration! The Celebration is currently being held February 15 through March 1. Take a peek above at some of the wonderful items the members of Old Farmhouse Gathering have been working hard putting together for you.

Just click on the Celebration banner below to take you to all the wonderful offerings the artisans from my Etsy Team, Old Farmhouse Gathering, has to offer. I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!!

That's some Fine Cooking!

2010-02-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite food magazines is Fine Cooking. Besides offering up recipes, they have great sections such as "Marketplace" (buying a specific fresh veggie/fruit and showing how to prepare and cook it), "Books That Cook" (new cooking books on the market), and my favorites - "Test Drive," "Test Kitchen," and "Cooking Without Recipes." They'll do various comparisons and give you the top five canned tunas, balsamic vinegars, canned tomatoes, etc. You'll read about the taste tests they were given and the approximate item price.

In this month's "Test Drive" section they compared electric skillets. I've been thinking of getting one for a while, so I was happy when they listed their top three out eight skillets they tested. After reading about them, and comparing them online, I'm currently waiting for the arrival of my Cuisinart Electric Skillet CSK-150! I called every store around that offers it online but no one seemed to carry it in-store...I don't know why. So I ordered it through Amazon. The reviews for that skillet were five stars...everyone loved their skillet! It's coming from back east (I'm in CA), so it's not due to be delivered until next Tuesday the 16th...rats! It's probably a long haul getting those UPS trucks through the snow right now. But when I get my skillet I have an awesome Asian Marinaded Salmon recipe I can't wait to get cooking on it! It's one of my family's favorites from The Barefoot Contessa. Yummy!!

Cusinart Electric Skillet csk-150
Waiting for my newest shiny toy!

In this month's section of "Cooking Without Recipes" they share how to braise short ribs and give a variety of flavor combinations to make it your own. They'll give you several suggested aromatics, deglazing and braising liquids to use, and then how to finish and garnish before serving. They look sooo tasty! This is a definite comfort food for the winter and I will be giving these awesome-looking short ribs a try in the upcoming week!

I couldn't resist giving the Southern Devil's Food Cake recipe a try. I've never made a four-layer round cake before where I've had to slice two cake rounds in half, and I've only made chocolate ganache once years ago for some truffles. In this recipe you use the ganache to fill and ice the cake. This cake also included mayonnaise to keep the cake moist which, according to the recipe, "is a southern touch of goodness that makes the cake extra moist."

I made the cake for my family and, for those of us that are chocolate lovers, it was delicious! But I caution you to enjoy it with a big glass of milk! It was moist and oh-so chocolatey! It was a fun cake to make and I did well with cutting my cake rounds in half equally.

Because of copyright laws I can't print the recipe, but if you're interested in trying this sinfully good devil's food cake, grab yourself a copy of the Feb/Mar 2010 - #103 issue. You can also visit their website at Fine Cooking. Here's a pic of my finished Southern Devil's Food Cake. Next time I think I'll top it with a few chocolate curls or a bit of shaved chocolate to pretty it up. I've also heard to sprinkle a bit of fine sea salt over the chocolate icing top. I've read about the combination of salt and chocolate, in that the salt brings out the various flavor aspects in chocolate and enhances existing ones. Bon Appetit!

My Scrapbook

2010-01-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't visited my website, I thought I'd share my scrapbook slideshow here with you. I've refreshed it to include some of my newer items and removed some older ones. As you may have noticed, I just can't seem to pick one type of crafting to do, maybe that's why I can't make up my mind and decide what I want to make. I want to do it all!! But it's nice to be able to jump from sewing to a woodwork project when I want a change.

Almost done taking care of personal business here around the house, updating the new calendars for the year, but I still need to gather receipts for sales tax that's due the end of the month (yuck!) I hate record keeping, and to think I use to be a secretary for 13 years. For some odd reason I was always a more organized secretary at work than what I am at home! Anyway, I hope to soon be turning out a few Valentine's Day Hearts. I'm getting ancy (sp?) to get crafting again!

If you have questions about some of the items you see, let me know!

Laura

Old Farmhouse Gathering

2010-01-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a moment to share about an Etsy Team I joined in December '09. This awesome group is called Old Farmhouse Gathering. It's a talented, professional group of artisans who create everything from Primitive to Shabby Chic with an old-fashioned flair!

I'm very excited I was able to join their gathering! They're such a warm and friendly group of folks. You can visit us on Etsy... just skip on over to the right sidebar and click on the OFG on Etsy button! After you're brought to the Etsy site, type "OFG Team" into the search bar, select "All Items," "Handmade," "Vintage," or "Supplies" in the drop down menu to see all our wonderful work. You won't be disappointed!

Over time I'll add mini etsys of OFG members to my blog so you can peek into their shops! Click on the button below to visit the Old Farmhouse Gathering Blog to learn of what's happening down on the farm!

Take care,
Laura

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

The Quilted Pumpkin would like to wish You and Yours a wonderful and blessed 2010!

My family had a busy, but enjoyable Christmas. My husband's brother was able to come down for the week of Christmas. He lives in LaPine, Oregon and had not been home for about a year and a half. He was able to visit with family, friends, spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family, and catch a couple of my sons' basketball games.

A bit later tonight I'll be taking down our Christmas tree and carefully tucking away our ornaments to store safe and sound until next Christmas. We need to place the tree on the curb early tomorrow morning so the Boy Scouts can pick it up. I'll miss the twinkle lights at night in our front room.

This weekend I'll be packing away my Christmas patterns, fabrics, and supplies. I feel a bit sad seeing them put away, I'll miss my snowman patterns and all my pretty Christmas fabric. But I'm ready for change and looking forward to making some new primitives for Valentine's Day and Easter! I really like making Valentine hearts!

Since it's a new year...new beginnings...all that kinda stuff... ; ) maybe I'll finally get moving on sewing those small pouches and clutches, and some of those cool key fobs you see around! I had hoped to start them up last year...

Happy New Year to You!
Laura

Mistletoe and Holly Shop Giveaway Winner...

2009-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm honored to make my first post (to my first blog!) to announce The Quilted Pumpkin's Mistletoe and Holly Shop Giveaway Winner.

My 8-year old son, Jack, pulled this month's shop giveaway winner (literally) from a hat before he went off to school. Congratulations to Robin of Washington! She won the Singing Snow Angel Ornament. Thank you to all the other ladies that entered the giveaway this month. You can visit Robin's blog at http://mountainmorningfarm.blogspot.com/ and read about her small sheep farm nestled in the foothills of Mt. Rainier, raising Romney/Romaldale/CVM sheep.

I'll be holding another Shop Giveaway in January/February offering a Valentine's Day trinket. I'm not sure yet what it'll be, but I'll make sure it's a cute one! Check my website later in January to find out.

If you're not familiar with shopping on Etsy you may want to stop by that site. I've picked up a few holiday gifts for my friends and family this past week. It's a site where everything is handmade, so each piece is wonderfully unique, not from a factory where everything has a cookie-cutter look. A lot of these Etsy sellers are having some good sales now as we're getting down the the last week or two before Christmas. Many are offering Free Shipping and Discounted Prices.

A Christmas gift is made a little more special when an individual receives a gift and knows it was specially handmade by you or another artisan, rather than from a large manufacturer. Why not visit a few of my favorite Etsy sellers for some holiday gift ideas ~

AtlantisDesigns, JDWolfePottery, PaperPumpkin, MsBelle

Happy Holidays!
Laura

http://www.thequiltedpumpkinshop.com/
http://www.thequiltedpumpkin.etsy.com/