Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Valentine table runner, simple Bread, and more Blue Leftovers

Since I've been finishing up so many projects, I decided it was time to take a break and start something new.  And since it's for Valentine's Day next Monday; I'll be finishing it so it doesn't become another project in the "finishing pile".
Just a peak; I still need to quilt it & add binding (as shown), but that will have to wait till tomorrow.
And, since I just started making hearts and din't do anycalculating, I have some leftover hearts!  Thinking maybe some hotpads or placemats?

I have been using a simple bread recipe that is somewhat healthy but tastes delicious!  Of course I've modified it a little from the original, but it's super-simple, seriously- I promise you could do it, Kylee!

It works best for toast, and is super moist.
For some reason, at least one loaf always looks like this within the first 5 minutes of being out of the oven.
So here goes:

Stir together and let cool to luke-warm (between 100-130degrees):
3 cups boiling water
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1 TB. salt
2 TB. butter
1 small can sweet potatoes, mashed

When mix is lukewarm, disolve 3 tsp. yeast in 1/4 cup warm water (120-130 deg.) and then add it to the mix.  Also add 6 cups flour (I've tried all white, half & half, you choose).

Next you let it rise till doubled, and I do the mixing in the large kitchenaid bowl so I just leave it in there covered with saran-wrap.
When doubled, form into loaves, rolls, or roll out for cinamon rolls; and let double again.  Bake at 375deg. for rolls: 15 mins, bread: 20-25 depending on size.  It will make about 4 loaves of bread or 3 pans of rolls.  It lasts best frozen (extra loaves), but I think it's fun to share with friends too.  So far I don't know of anyone who doesn't like it.  =)
And since my goal is to use up scraps, and I had various tiny pieces from the Blue Leftovers quilt, I decided to make a small doll quilt or wall-hanging.

Someone mentioned here about a disappearing 4-patch, and so I googled to find some more ideas.  Even neater, was this disappearing 4-patch pinwheel!  Absolutely no triangles to sew, yipee!
Then I added some borders
And some more:
Now it needs quilting and binding, and I get to keep a sample of the fabrics I loved so much in the other quilt.  And best of all, none of those scraps went back into the "blues" bin!

7 comments:

KatieB said...

Wow! You've been busy! Please move to Idaho! We need to spend some time together. :)

-K

JKLMNOP said...

Love them all!! Must try bread!!

Shay said...

Love the table runner. Every year i say Im going to do something pretty for Valentines- I never do...

Do you think if I mashed my own sweet potato that would work - cant get canned here ..I wonder where I can buy flax seed . Do you get it at the supermarket?

Love the windmill blocks Lisa. Your blue posts this week have got me thinking a blue quilt might have to go on my bucket list.

Marla said...

Great job on your table runner and quilt. Thanks for sharing a healthy bread recipe. I will give it a try!!!

Evan and Clover and Co. said...

Love the look of that bread! Your quilt is very appropriate for Valentine's Day.

Sue said...

You did not say anything about kneading the bread. So I take it that is one thing you do not need to do with this. I have never had any luck with bread so will try this. I do you use my bread machine to make bread and have good luck with that.
I love all your quilting projects. You surely are one very busy lady. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

I love the table runner and the quilt is beautiful!! Keep up the good work!