RAFFLE!

I would like to offer a raffle prize to anyone who comments on the Dark Horse Farm Designs blog this week,and clicks on the "OPEN SKY" store icon. The inventory is limited at the moment, but soon I hope to have all of the unique and necessary items that I need to make my crafts, quilt, cook, and garden, horse-keep and house keep. The raffle begins today October 25th, and ends Friday October 30th. There will be 3 winner.
Winner #1 gets a 40" x 60" whole cloth quilt made with Sis Boom fabrics- you let me know what color scheme you like.
Winner #2 gets a jar of Rudy's Rub - check the blog 2 posts ago for a great recipe!
Winner #3 gets 10% off any Open Sky store item.
EVERYONE is eligible for free shipping until Tuesday, October 27th.
So start commenting- this won't last long! And please, stop in again, soon.

Raw Edge Applique Tutorial

Give thanks! I must remind myself whenever I moan and groan. Especially with Thanksgiving approaching. I was inspired to make this post for my blog buddy, (at Fire Fly Hill Designs), and attempt yet another tutorial. I was going through the kids old artwork and was thinking about how the "hand turkey" has really become an icon for the Thanksgiving holiday and how it is really very folk-art-esque. If you have your little ones at home, use their hand prints, or maybe have everyone in the family make their own. If that's the case, skip the template plastic and just draw around ever hand directly onto the paper side of the Wonder Under (iron on adhesive).

Materials:
Here is what you need to make 6 place mats for Thanksgiving, or really anytime you want to count your blessings.

1 sheet Template plastic (always good to have on hand)
505 Spray or similar spray adhesive for fabric
Wonder Under (or similar iron on adhesive like Steam a Seam 2)
1/4 Yard fabric with print
1 1/2 yards muslin
1 1/2 yards for the backing
1/4 yd. fabric for binding
cotton or bamboo batting
Water proof stamp ink
Stamps (Stampington.com has an incredible assortment!)
Wash and dry the fabrics. Start by pressing your fabrics so you have a nice smooth start to the project. Cut the muslin and backing to 20"x 16" rectangles. You should have 12 pieces- 6 of each.

Then cut out the outline of your hand on the template plastic, and also an acorn. You can use the over and over.Next, press your Steam a Seam or Wonder Under to the wrong side of your print fabric you are using for the "turkey" and the acorns. Draw your outlines of the hands and nuts and then cut them out. (Follow the manufacturers directions.) Carefully peal off the paper side and place the sticky side of cut outs, right side of fabric facing you, and press.

Now , using the zig zag or button hole stitch, stitch around the applique pieces. Trim threads or any fraying edges. It does not need to be perfect.

Next, stamp or paint on with waterproof ink or fabric paint the message you would like to share:
Peace on Earth
Blessings
Give Thanks
Thank You, etc...

Now, sandwich the mats together.
Backing- wrong side up, spray with 505, lay down the batting next, spray batting with 505, carefully place top of appliqued mat on top of that. Pin randomly, where you will NOT be sewing. Pull the pins out just as you approach them. You can sew in a pattern around the turkey and acorns, or just do some type of grid. Whatever. The size of the mats is quite managable with any sewing machine.

Trim the edges so that the final size is roughly 19" x 15". Bind the edges.

Roast a turkey!

No Grill Tennesee Texas Road House inspired Baby Back Ribs

We shot the promo with Bobby Bare at The Texas Roadhouse. While inspired by the ribs that Tony served us at his restaurant in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, The recipe comes from Tim's golf buddy (and super food "Foodie") Glenn Bourland. Thanks Glenn, I hope I did them justice.
Pork Baby Back Ribs
Rudy's Rub (or similar dry rub mix)
Liquid Smoke
BBQ Sauce-
Nancy's Special Sauce
(Our son prefers Masterpiece BBQ, But I made up this one and it was dang good!)
1 cup ketchup
1 cup coke or Dr. Pepper
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbs. cider vinegar
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbs. Worcester sauce
1 whole chipotle pepper from can-(to be removed before serving)

Add all ingredients to sauce pan and cook on low heat for about an hour until thick and dark and syrup like in consistency.

I first use pork baby back ribs. I remove the membrane on the back of the
ribs, and rub them well with a spice mix. Rudy's Rub should did quite well.
We first learned about "Rudy's" from another musician- Harry Connick Jr.!
Wrap them in saran, for a few hours or even better overnight. Remove them
and place ten in a shallow roasting pan. I usually put 3/4 cup of water in
the bottom of the pan and add 2 tbs. of liquid smoke. Cover the pan with
foil, punch a few small slits in foil, and bake at 225 degrees for 5-7
hours. You can raise the temp to 240 degrees if time is a factor. Remove
the foil for the last 2 hours. Heat a grill just before serving and sauce
Ribs. If you have a grill available, place on grill for 1-2 minutes a side so they mark without burning. Or, pass them under the broiler for 3-5 minutes- or, not.

I'm back.

In so many ways! We just returned from a very inspiring trip to Nashville. We went down to do a promotional video with Country music legend Bobby Bare for our old friend Gary Shiebler.( Gary was a male model and was on my first SEVENTEEN Magazine cover with me!) My husband Tim photographed Gary and Linda's wedding almost 30 years ago, and while we have spoken a handful of times, it is once again Facebook that has reconnected us. I am so grateful to have had this chance to get close with them both. Linda is taking her first break in years from a full time job counseling military families, and enjoying settling into their new farmette with their 4 horses and 4 dogs. Gary is a singer/songwriter/producer who has worked with Bobby Bare, Mel Tillis, George Jones, Allison Kraus, among many others. He has also written several books about the bond between animals and humans.We also ended up shooting a music video for Gary's single, "I'm a local".

My object of desire.

After helping my friend, talented artist Jennifer Paganelli, in her latest endeavors, I was rewarded with my object of desire. The girl in the shadow box. I have hinted, not too subtly at times, at how I love this piece she made a while back. This shadow box lined with the vintage Barbie image, embellished with her signature glitter and a glamorous brooch at the hollow of her throat is the perfect addition to my dressing table. I love Jennifer's fresh spin on folk art... so inspiring. I'm ready to glam it up once again!

And now for something different.

Just in case you thought that all I do is baby quilts and dorm sets for college bound girls- here are a few pillows and throws that I have made up recently. I'm always looking for something new to work on. Wouldn't these look great in a bachelor pad? The found objects, like the horse skull, the lobster buoys, riding boots, etc. , give the room a more individual flair- uncommon products for the unique room. My favorite pillow is the zebra pillow. I used Steam a Seam fusible bonding to iron and then raw edge appliqué the zebra onto the vintage Vera tree fabric. I love raw edge applique- instant gratification at it's most gratifying! A cat is always a nice touch.

Back in the saddle- literally and figuratively.

Don't know why I've been singin' the blues lately, but I have. I have been pulling out all the stops to try and pull myself out of the mire, short of eating ice cream out of the carton. My usual mood elevators weren't working, so after a visit with my buddy Jennifer Paganelli, I pulled myself up by the boot straps, (really, here are my boots!), went for a ride, and got out my glue gun. One great ride, 6 hours, and a gold leaf mirror later, and I think I feel a bit better. This is my affirmation mirror that is in the hallway, where i keep my boots. Now, before I go out to ride, I will look in the mirror and say my mantra, "Ride with wild abandon!", and do it! And I will have to put Burt Bacharach and Billie Holiday away for a while... they were not helping! Jennifer, you did. Thank heaven for good friends.

I've been back at MaryJane's Farm.

This month treat yourself to MaryJane's Farm magazine and enter her world of down- on- the farm, nostalgic, organic goodness. It's not just me who checks the mailbox early every other month to see what knits and purls of wisdom she has to offer. Even super model Carolyn Murphy takes MaryJane to the beach on the days she has to indulge in her favorite things. This issue she has one of my saddle pads that has "repurposed" an old wool blanket. I've had the pleasure of doing custom work for her in the past, and she always sends me incredible vintage goodies to work with. In the the time you have to wait for your subscription to arrive in your mailbox, you can go visit her website http://www.maryjanesfarm.com/and watch her videos, read her recipes, order her baking mix, and wonder - like me- how long would it take to get to Moscow, Idaho???