1 Thing I like about Greece

Halva

Halva is yummy buttery caramelized gooeyness that taste a little like a marshmallow after it has been toasted by an campfire.  How it is made or where it comes from I can not tell you, but I can tell you to buy it if you see it.

they generally offer you a taste of Halva as you walk by.

  I like the kind with Almonds and it definitely has to be made with REAL butter, of course you can find it with out Almonds and I think a few places use non butter, but trust me the real butter is much, much better.  A kilo cost a little less than 10 euros we normally go for 1/2 a kilo for 5, it's really not enough and is eaten very fast, my children just gobble it up, we even had to go to the fair a second time around because they wanted more and my daughter wanted her "own" wheelie thingie.

Kai Kati, is by far the best brand of Halva, but you won't be able to find this everywhere in Greece.  Look for it in the sweet shops, they keep it under heat lamps because this is the wet/warm halva, not the dry cold kind, it has a mealy texture like ground up sesame seeds ( I don't like that kind, but definitely give it a try to).
I was so busy taking pictures and excited to take a piece home that I almost forgot to pay the lady, ooopps, have you ever done that?

Thank you, I am blessed!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!  Warning this post is loaded with photos :)

I want to say a special Thank you to Dad and Rhonda for their support of my fabric addiction, and Mom for all of the lovely boxes filled with fabric.

Mrs. Bobbins

For my birthday Mom sent this little box of joy filled with fabric and a few birthday gifts for Katerina, Love you Mom.

How did you know that the kids have been begging for one of those worm things?

Dad and Rhonda gave me $40 for my birthday and I immediately bought some fabric, thread and stabilizer, all from one shop to save on the postage (crazy postage prices)

I got the little buttons on the bottom right of this photo from my favorite button company Button Mad, they are handmade buttons made by women in South Africa, and they are always beautiful.
And I made this...

It is a crib organizer that I have made for a friend of mine that is expecting a baby in September in Portland Oregon.  I asked people who have Pinterest to pin it for a Challenge and although I did not win a popular vote, at current I have 32 repins and 53 Likes, but I think it was less at the time of judging.  So I did not win the most pins, that belongs to this wonderful quilt.

Kelli Fannin of Seriously... .I think it needs stitches made it and not only is she a great quilter but she is also a great person, we had chatted before the challenge was due and I can see how she got almost 200 repins and 200 Likes, not only is it a fantastic quilt but she is a fantastic person.
Then there was the second and third most pinned and liked Pinterest projects, you can see them here.

And then there was the winners in the superlative categories:

1.  Most creative -  In the Mist of Falling Rain by Lynn Kline

2.  Best use of color -  Tumbling Hexies by Ramona Putnam

3.  Best technique - Pillow by Jana O'Brien

4.  Most creative use of thread - Quilted Table Runner by Susan Slusser

5.  Most functional - Crib Organizer and Diaper Clutch by Mara Capron

That's me #5, - JUDGES, JUDGES, thought my project deserved the prize for most functional, wow, really?  I love it don't get me wrong, it is what I wanted to make for my friend and is pretty cute.
See these baskets (the tutorial can be found here.)

Not only do they hang on the organizer from the buttonholes in the middle.

But they can also hang on your door knob, so you can have one in another room if you want.

And then the clutch I used the selvedge (the end piece of fabric that some people throw away) to create a strap.

It can hold a few diapers and the diaper wipes.

The panel I used my machine to quilt a vase filled with Cosmos, they mean Peaceful, because I hope the baby brings them peace and is peaceful!

So that is what I made, Katerina had great fun helping me photograph it.

The last 3 was another day and I told her stay right there (pic on left) but she couldn't resist coming in and checking it out again.

I wanted to give a special Thank you to friends and family who have supported me, THANK YOU!
A special Thank You to Lisa, Marjorie, Stacey and Fenna, I have little surprises coming in the mail for you.
And Thank you to AGF (Art Gallery Fabrics, love the texture and feel of their fabric) Angela Walters the designer of the panel and all of the sponsors of the Challenge and especially the Judges, hehe.

MARA