New Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Pattern - Halloween Ghosties

Halloween Ghosties have arrived just in time......

You may purchase this pattern at Prairie Cottage Corner.

Oriental Chicken Soup - Another Quilt Retreat Treat

Great Quilt Retreat Recipes

"Oriental Chicken Soup"

Place in a crockpot:


2 qts. chicken broth

2 c. celery, thin-sliced on the diagonal

1 c. carrots, thin-sliced on the diagonal


When these are tender, add the following:


1/3 head of fresh green cabbage, cut in 1" pieces

1/2 c. sliced fresh or canned mushrooms, drained

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained

1 can chopped mild green chillies

6 cloves fresh garlic, sliced thin

2 T. fresh ginger root, crushed
2 c. cooked chicken, cubed

1 t. sesame oil

1/2 c. soy sauce

2 T. oyster sauce

1/4 c. Mirin wine


Let cook until cabbage is tender and meat is heated through.


Ladle into bowls of dry Ramen noodles or serve with hot garlic French bread on the side.

Quilt Retreat Recipes

When we get together on a quilt retreat*, there's nothing like a crock pot steaming away in the other room, cooking up something we can nosh whenever it's ready. Here's a recipe that travels well:

Kathie's Krockpot Kassoulet (an American version of French baked beans)

Serves 12

6 cans Navy or Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
water to cover beans in crock pot
4 large carrots, quartered lengthwise and sliced
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 t. of each of the following dried herbs: basil, chervil, tarragon, thyme, rosemary
4 large whole cloves garlic, peeled
2 yellow onions, carmelized***
3 lean German sausages, quartered lengthwise and sliced
20 thin slices pepperoni
1/2 c. deli beef, chopped
salt to taste

1. Place beans in the crock pot and pour over them enough water to cover them. Add carrots, celery, herbs, garlic and about 1/3 of the German sausage. Set crock pot to high for 3 hours.

2. When beans are hot and veggies are tender, add all the remaining ingredients, except the onions, and heat through. Taste the broth for salt and adjust seasonings. More herbs will probably not be needed but a teaspoon of crushed fresh garlic might be desirable. Add the carmelized onions just before serving.

Serve with a green salad, fresh veggie relish tray and/or toasted tortillas**

*What IS a 'quilt retreat'?

A quilt retreat happens when 2 or more quilt friends decide to divorce themselves from the world for a few days; gather in a cozy cottage at least 50 miles from home and sew quilts together. We eat, sleep and live quilting......for a while. To find a quilt retreat facility near you, Google 'quilt retreat [your area or state]'.

**Toasted tortillas

12 flour tortillas
1 pkg. shredded Italian blend cheeses (romano, parmesan, etc.)
garlic granules or powder

Place 1 tortilla on a baking sheet and sprinkle with cheeses and garlic. Toast under the broiler until well-browned. Remove and cut with a pizza cutter into wedges. Continue to prepare and toast the tortillas until there is enough for each person to have 3 wedges each. Place the wedges in a napkin-lined basket and serve with soup or any main dish.

***Carmelized Onions

Place 2 roughly chopped onions in an electric frying pan with 3 T. butter on medium heat. Cook until they turn golden, turning them when they are golden. Remove when all the onions are a deep golden brown. Store in a ziplock bag until ready to use.

Prairie Cottage Dolls Make Their Debut

Here's a fast and simple pattern to make a toy for your best little girl friend, daughter, niece, grand daughter, etc. The pattern includes traceable drawings for the doll bodies and wardrobes of Sue, a Civil War-era character and her little daughter, Sally.

All the dresses and accessories are easy to make with any sewing machine. They have to be because I had to sew them, and I am not that great a seamstress. The dolls are soft and slightly floppy, so they are easy for little hands to dress and play with.

The pattern includes a little 4-patch decorated purse which will hold Sue and Sally and all their stuff. It's a great toy for church or travel.

Future doll patterns and stories will include the rest of the family: Sue as a teen ager (SuzyQ); Sue as a bride with the groom, Paul; Sue's new baby, Patty; and Jacob, Sue's cousin who comes to help her during the last stages of the war. Inspired by the wide range of new Civil War retro fabrics and the wonderful journals being brought forward from that very difficult time in our nation's history.

You can purchase the pattern at http://www.prairiecottagecorner.com/free

Happy Stitching!

New Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Pattern

Today, the Hawaiian Sue quilt pattern made its debut. Twelve precious little Sues in bright Hawaiian colors mixed with Splash fabrics by Blank. Susan Ryan quilted the quilt with huge lilies inspired by one of the Sunbonnet Sue's dress fabrics. (Lots of Sues and Susans in this story!). See my earlier post on this quilt for more details.

This quilt is fast and fun to make. The Sues were sewn by Norma Downing who sells them on ebay under the name, Norrich. Look for her many pre-made Sues on Ebay. If you find you don't want to buy the Sues, though, a traceable pattern is included with ideas for fabrics etc for the little ladies.

To buy the pattern, go to http://www.prairiecottagecorner.com/free

Happy Quilting!