Spice Turn-About

Among other things, I'm an Independent Consultant with The Pampered Chef. When I got my new paperwork and catalogs for Fall /Winter 2010 and saw the new Spice Turn-About, I knew it would be something I'd have to get for myself right away (because my cupboard looked like this, only worse):

When I got it, my intention was for it to sit on the counter next to my Tool Turn-About - not a big deal, but I would rather keep my stuff in the cupboard if possible. Imagine my surprise when I loaded up my Spice Turn-About and thought "hmm, I wonder if this will fit in my cupboard?" So I try it, and it did! The cupboard that I have it in is only 12" wide so it really doesn't take up much room at all.

Not only does it perfectly hold the yummy sprinkles, seasonings and rubs from The Pampered Chef, but it can also hold many other brand spices as well:

(PS I was not paid by The Pampered Chef to do a product review, just wanted to share my love for a great product - let me know if you'd love one too!)

Quilting with Curves

Oh boy, it's been awhile again!

I saw a post awhile back on Ryan's blog to visit Elisa's Backporch Design blog and store. Then, go to her facebook page and "like" her and she was going to be doing a drawing for $100 worth of merchandise to her store for one of her fans. So, I though, that's easy enough (some of those giveaways where you are asked to jump through hoops drive me a bit bonkers after awhile) and I headed over. A few days later, I came home from a hunting trip (more on that in an upcoming post) and was checking my facebook and was so excited to learn that I had won the giveaway!

To be quite honest, I hadn't yet looked around her shop to even have an idea of what I would get. So....I headed right over and, to be even more honest, I was a bit intimidated. I can barely sew straight, let alone attempt something so round! BUT, I love the idea of a challenge and I'm so excited to start sewing curves!

My prizes arrived today, here's what I chose (all photos from backporchdesign.com):

Small Paths 3 1/2" Template

8" Rainbow Block Template

Crazy Curves 7" Template

"Only Nine" Pattern

"Friends & Flowers" Pattern

"Chocolate Go Round" Pattern

"Berry Strudel" Pattern

"Sew Easy Tweezers"

(because I'm going to need everything I can to make this easier)

PLUS: 3 additional patterns that came with the templates!

As I said, my products arrived today and I was so excited to cut something round and attempt to sew it up. I got some scrap fabric and my rotary and mat out and used the 3 1/2" template. Right away I slipped with my rotary while going around the curve and sliced my finger open...nice, real nice! A dab of new skin and one bandage later I was back to cutting (more carefully this time). So, they were cut. Now, to the machine! Elisa's patterns have wonderful sewing tips for sewing with curves. It says, at the top, "Sewing Curves is Sew Easy!" And it was! Easier than I would have thought, but I know it will take awhile to perfect.

I'm ready to go buy some fabric and get one of these quilts going! Which pattern is your favorite? I don't know which one to start with!

Go visit Elisa's store, it's fabulous and everyone that I dealt with via email was fabulous and so very nice! They offered up advice at any time during my quilting with curves experience. Don't forget to like her facebook - you never know when she'll do another drawing for her fans!

Thanks, Elisa and staff!