The big red blocks (10 inches) are getting sashed. Four rows are done, and sets of two are sewn together. I have to use a ladder to reach the top of the design wall, so I won’t sew those two top rows to the others until the last rows are done and connected.
I looked at some of the selvages more closely while cutting, and not all of these fabrics are Kaffe Fasset, which is ok. Remember that I bought two kits 18 or 19 years ago in Maine as I wanted to make a big red quilt, but never made the kits. I am using most of the kit fabrics, but not following the kit plan. I wanted something more modern–and I think I have a “modern traditional” quilt going here. The label doesn’t matter to me really as I am liking the quilt.
I’m really liking the soft lavender sashing–and I learned a way to set a long sashing strip so that the vertical lines match from videos on the Modern Quilt Studio web site via their Summer Camp mystery quilt. (They have a you-tube channel for their videos and these videos are very helpful for all levels of quilt competency.) I will bind with the lavender (Kona Thistle). And I have a soft grey wide-back for the backing and can use a medium grey to quilt.
Oh my! I am in huge trouble diet wise. I tried air frying French fries yesterday –I cut my own russet potatoes, soaked them in ice water for 30 minutes, dried them in a towel, and used a little duck fat which I melted for the fat coating, and salted them. I had preheated the air fryer–and 15 minutes later, and after shaking the drawer hard a few times, I had these DELICIOUS fries.
In the other drawer, I reheated a hamburger patty and the zucchini rounds I air fried the other day. I over-cooked the hamburger pattyies I made and should have paid attention to my own instincts. But the reheating went well and didn’t ruin either the zucchini rounds or the hamburger patty by cooking them more beyond warming them. LOL, ketchup helped. (I don’t like well-done meat.)
We got about an inch of rain here in two nights and with a shower yesterday. And the temps are now falling into the 70s at night–with daytime temps in the 80s and low 90s. Still, I will water the new little tree out front later today–just to make sure. It is looking ok for now.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! I am hoping for a beach walk, but the high tide is now in the morning, and I sew late afternoon.
Louisa Enright's Blog 
The quilt is stunning! You are absolutely correct — the soft lavender makes the blocks really pop. Amazing what sashing can do to a quilt. I love my air fryer! I usually use olive oil, but using duck fat on those fries…… you made my mouth water!!!! yum!!! I pretty much cook most things in the air fryer. Baked potatoes are fantastic cooked in it!!! I’ll do that for dinner sometimes — baked potato topped with broccoli or broccolini. Please send some of that rain down here to Florida….. we need some and my yard REALLY needs it! The hose water never seems to be the same. Have a wonderful day!!!
Oh! I didn’t know you could bake a potato in an air fryer. Do you use the bake function? YOU have a wonderful day too.
I do not use the bake function. I poke the potato, rub with olive oil (I pretty much only use olive oil) and then season. To season, I use the Paula Deen house seasoning (mixture of salt, pepper and garlic powder) but you could use salt/pepper or none – whatever is your preference. I then cook at 400 for about 40-50 min (usually 40) and turn at the 20 min mark.
Oh, that red quilt is going to be just beautiful! I love the lavender and the green with the reds. Really nice. And your fries sound amazing! I’ve never had duck fat. I do have beef tallow in the freezer though. Hmm, I’ll have to try these. I’m going to try sweet potato fries as well – some day! My Ninja does both air fry and pressure cooking. I usually steam my garden green beans and did this year as well but when they get a little bigger they take longer to steam so recently we are pressure cooking them! They come out great! They actually don’t get pressure cooked, you set it to “Zero” so it’s the coming up to pressure that cooks them. Very happy with that method. I’m going to have to try the zucchini in the air fryer next! Jan in MA
Duck fat is in a lot of stores now. And easy to find online. Back in the day, McDonald’s used to use beef tallow for their French fries–until the veggie market “shamed” them into changing to veggie oils that we now know are not healthy for humans for lots of reasons. There has been a lot of research on that whole story of how industry labeled animal fats bad and veggie fats good–based on rigged science and a ton of advertising. My beef tallow lasts forever in the refrigerator–the duck fat too. They don’t go rancid in the refrigerator. Love your story of the beans in the Ninja.
Welcome to Mt. Pleasant where everyday is like being on vacation. My family moved here for a career change 25 years ago. There is a great sewing and quilting community here and a couple of nice fabric stores right in town. The All Carolina Shop Hop starts next month too.
Hello, hello, hello!
I private messaged you. Thanks so much for reaching out.