Peach-Raspberry Jam

Lately I have been experimenting with canning and preserving food. I have tried the water bath canning method with great success. But the process can be time consuming... and I do still find it a bit daunting. Then, I discovered freezer jam. It is so easy and much faster than the traditional canning  method since the jars go into the freezer all the processing time is eliminated.
This is my go to recipe for freezer jam; it can be easily adapted for other fruits and so far it has given me excellent results every time I make it.

Peach-Raspberry Jam

Adapted from Everyday Food Magazine

Ingredients

4 cups peeled and crushed peaches

1 cup raspberries

1/3 cup lemon juice

1-1/2 cups sugar

1/3 cup low or no-sugar pectin
Freezer safe jars* (plastic or glass) thoroughly rinsed and dry.

* I like to use my mason Ball Jars with these Lids

Method:
1. In a pot over medium-high heat combine the peaches, raspberries and lemon juice and bring to boil.
2. In a bowl combine sugar and pectin ans whisk to combine. Add sugar mixture to fruit and stir to combine. Allow to return to boil for 1 minute and remove from heat.
3. Fill jars leaving 1/2 inch of head space. Put lids on the jars and let jam cool and set at room temperature for about 3 hours. Label jars and store in the freezer.

-Jam can be stored for up to a year in the freezer. When ready to use thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Enjoy!

Martha.

A Picture... A Moment

Dahlias: my new addition to the garden.

Martha

Work In Progress - Baby Quilt

I have been working on a quilt for my goddaughter for the past two weeks. I made a lot of progress over the weekend and the quilt top is almost finished. I hope to start the quilting this week, so my goddaughter can start enjoying her quilt very soon.

Martha

A Picture... A Moment

Picking vegetables from the garden. The zucchinis are producing so much... Oh what to do with so much zucchini?

Martha

Scrappy Mug Rug and Some Quilting Tips

Have you ever gone shopping for a specific item and you end up walking in circles and not finding what you were looking for? Well, that is how I spent most of my day today. I went shopping at the mall and came back empty handed because I couldn't find what I was looking for. All the stores were crowded and it was almost impossible to find a parking space. Maybe everyone went to the mall to get away from the heat; it was almost 100 degrees!

Since most of may day was spent at the mall my quilting project got a bit neglected. But after I came home I played around with some fabric scraps and I made a mug rug. All the scraps were random fabrics I picked from my scrap pile and they ended up working really well together. I specially like the fussy cut of the little piggy. As soon as I finished my mug rag I put it to good use holding my glass of water. It was still very hot outside...

Also, I want to share with you some practical quilting tips I have learned from experience and from my fellow quilters over at Plum and June's Blog Hop:

• To prewash or not to prewash fabric: It all depends on the use you are going to give to your quilted item. If it is going to be a decorative item it is not necessary to prewash the fabric.
• Measure twice before you cut into your fabric
• A 1/4" foot makes for easier piecing. If your sewing machine doesn't come with one it might be a good idea to invest in one.
• Press your seams either open or to one side; there is not an universal rule, it all depends on the project.
• Do not use your fabric scissors to cut paper.
• A seam reaper is your best friend. We all make mistakes when sewing or quilting and a seam reaper makes it easier to correct them.
• Iron your fabric before cutting.
• Always have fabric starch on hand.
• Have fun sewing.

This is this week's Hop Calendar, please visit these bloggers and see what they have prepared ;

July 7

Katie from Kati's Quilting

Claire Sewing Over Pins

Caroline from Quilting in the Cold

July 9

Jamie from Sweet Baby Jamie

Janine from Rainbow Hare Quilts

Happy Sewing!

Martha

Summer Bag and W.I.P.

I was in need of a new summer bag. A roomy catch all bag with a care free feeling. Today I finished my new summer bag. I got the pattern from the great book: Bags, the modern classics. The patterns in this book are easy to follow and this one was no exception. The book recommends using fusible interfacing for the exterior layer of the bag. I chose to skip the interfacing since the outer fabric I used on my bag is a heavy cotton (canvas like), so I think the fabric has enough body on its own.

I already transferred all of my stuff to my new bag. I want to wear it to work tomorrow.

I also started a new project... I bought this yummy fabrics at my local fabric store. It is meant to be a present for my goddaughter.

I got the planning of the fabric placement done and began cutting the fabric. I will show you more details as the project begins to take more form.  Stay tuned...

Martha.

Colors from the Garden: July 2012

Another great day working outside in the garden. All the plants are loving the warm weather and everywhere I look in the garden there is color. The lilies were a late bloom this year, but the wait was worth it... They look quite spectacular.

Many visitors are coming to the garden to enjoy the nectar the flowers produce. A constant visitor is this hummingbird; it flies so fast I have been trying to snap a picture for a few days and today I got lucky.

The first sunflower opened up. I love sunflowers... they remind me of my mom (sunflowers were her favorite flower).

I'm very excited that this year the cucumber plants are looking healthy and promising a very good crop. Last year we weren't so lucky.

This variety of tea roses is thriving. It produces large clusters of very fragrant roses. When I bring them into the house their perfume fills out the room

I hope you are having a great weekend and are enjoying the beautiful summer whether.

Martha.

Small Sewing Projects

Over the weekend I finished some small sewing projects. I love pincushions! And I don't think one can ever have too many of them.  So, I added a few to my collection. I really like this flower pincushion, it reminds me of a sunny day.

This little pear pincushion has been in my mind for quite some time. I wanted to make it ever since I saw a picture at Mollie Makes a while back.  I didn't have a template so it was a bit of a trial and error. It is not as perfect as the one shown in the magazine, but I think it is charming.

And this little one reminds me of a girl's dress. I made it a bit over-sized compared to standard pin cushions. I just wanted to see how practical a larger pincushion would be.

Finally, I finished these two zipper pouches using a template I drew myself...

I hope you are all having a great week. Come and see what the very talented ladies participating in the Blog Hop (by Plum and June) have prepared this week plus some great advice from Sara from Sew Sweetness.

This week's Blog Hop Calendar:

Tuesday:     Di from Willowbeck and Jennifer from Knotted-Thread

Thursday:  Sara from Sara-Lou and Catherine from Knotted Cotton

Martha