News and Happenings
Belting birds, blooming daffodils, budding trees, and bright sunny days will never cease to excite us every Spring. Every time Spring comes around we are reminded of the glory and beauty of God’s creation. From sunrise to sunset, all of creation awaits His commands and ordinances in anticipation of the next season. Not only is He a God of beauty and glory, but He also reveals this beauty and glory in His own time, which makes the climax and culmination all the more exciting.
In the spirit of the upcoming season, there are several additions that have been made to our shop…
The color scheme of Field Notes is muted enough for the more subtle, warm-toned taste, yet providing the feel of a spring garden at the same time. We enjoyed working with this line for a customer…
We’re also excited about another line… Indigo Crossing. This line would make a perfect gift for the men in your life – Father’s Day, anniversary, graduation, birthdays etc. At the same time, it is not too manly for the country girl.
One of our custom quilts made from Indigo Crossing…
God bless you in your Spring endeavors. I’m itching to get out in the garden in the fresh Spring air…
Blessings,
Brittany
This month marks the beginning of another year with new goals, new projects, and new challenges. During this time of year, everything surrounding us lies cold and dormant for its winter sabbatical. But, in our little workshop, the ball keeps rolling and the clock keeps ticking. The hum of a longarm, swipe of the rotary cutter, prattle of computer keyboards, aroma of fresh-baked apple cake, and chatter among various members of the family keep the otherwise dormant environment upbeat and lively.
However, for us, the new year is not just a time to get out the notebooks and get business done. The dawn of another year is one more reminder of God’s faithfulness in the previous year. His faithfulness is demonstrated through the good things … abundant provisions, rich relationships, healthy bodies … and the hard things … sanctifying trials and previously unseen areas of personal sin.
Hebrews 12:6
For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.
The trials and tribulations are a sign, for our family, that God is displaying His love for us as sons. We welcome another year full of them in expectation of a closer relationship with Him and greater sanctification in our day-to-day lives. Therefore, we enter 2013 with renewed vision and thankfulness for God’s faithfulness in everything we do.
A Taste of God’s Faithfulness…
Grain-Free Apple Spice Coffee Cake
Ingredients (serves 6)
For the Cake
2-1/2 cups blanched almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup honey, liquified
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 pound gala apples (peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Cinnamon Swirl
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1-1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
2 tablespoons honey
For the Glaze
1 tablespoon coconut oil, softened but not melted
1/2 tablespoon unfiltered apple juice
1 tablespoon raw honey, in its solid state
2 tablespoons coconut cream (the solid fat that rises to the top of a can of coconut milk)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a round piece of parchment paper at the bottom of a round cake pan, then lightly oil all sides with a little coconut oil.
Toss together the apples and lemon juice. Set aside.
Mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, and salt in a medium sized bowl. Mix the coconut oil, eggs, honey, and vanilla in another small bowl, then incorporate the wet into the dry ingredients.
Fold in the apple mixture, then spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. The batter will be pretty thick.
Mix the cinnamon swirl ingredients in a small bowl, then drizzle around the cake. Use a toothpick or a skewer to drag the mixture around and make swirly patterns in the batter.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack, then use a knife to loosen the sides from the pan. Invert the cake onto the rack and peel off the parchment paper.
Flip the cake so it’s right-side-up, and continue cooling either on the rack or by placing in the refrigerator.
Mix together all of your glaze ingredients in a blender or small food processor. If it’s a little too runny, place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to thicken it up a bit.
Drizzle over the cake, then serve immediately or store in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Note: Recipe is from this webpage, http://www.againstallgrain.com/2011/12/10/gluten-free-grain-free-apple-spice-coffe-cake/
Have fun and enjoy!
Blessings,
Brittany
As the winter months grow colder and colder, our shop becomes busier and busier. A few of our custom quilts have made it to the finish line in time for Christmas. We are particularly surprised and delighted with the results on these two tulip quilts.
The color scheme of this quilt excentuates the charming character traits of a dairy dutch style. With this piece added to one’s quilt decor, the 21st century suburban home turns into a classic dutch farmhouse – complete with wooden shoes and bright, blued-eyed children.
This is a quilt that will melt any country heart…
However, for the more sophisticated palate, we have also created the elegant tulip…
This piece was made from Moda’s “Little Black Dress”… perfect for those with a more regal and refined style.
Soon enough, these quilts will be on their way to the heart of Southern California.
Blessings,
Brittany
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Congratulations, Hannah Burton! You’ve won our layer cake giveaway!
Please respond before midnight tomorrow to claim you prize with your name and mailing address. We’ll send out your favorite layer cake as soon as we can.
Also… Look at what we’ve been up to…
For several weeks, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The heat rose to about 110 degrees outside … and our AC was struggling inside. But, lo and behold, we were blessed with a whole week of rain! After days of high temperatures and dying brush, we are so thankful to have the luscious, green beauty of Middle Tennessee revived. Right now is the perfect time to go out in the backyard and enjoy the gorgeous scenery with a good book… on a very cute quilt.
The quilts pictured above and below are custom orders. While we didn’t get to use these for our book outing, we were very pleased with how these quilts came out for our customer. Hopefully, she will be able to enjoy a good read or two with them for many days to come.
The pillows add a great decorative interest when using fabrics from the same line as the quilt, which, in this case, was Lucy’s Crab Shack. The long pillow, in particular, is geometrically intriguing and interesting.
Also, we’ve extended our layer cake sale until midnight tonight… so be sure to snatch up some of your favorites before the deal is over!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CottonBerryfabrics?section_id=10859062
Blessings,
Brittany
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Giveaway
This week at Cotton Berry Quilts we’re putting on a Layer Cake giveaway! Here are a few ways to enter:
1. Comment on this post with a link to your favorite layer cake in our shop at this link (1 point… only allowed to post one favorite)
2. Tell your friends about this giveaway on Facebook, Google Plus, or Twittter (each post counts for 2 points)
3. Pin a picture from our blog on your Pinterest (each pin counts for 3 points)
The winner will be announced next Wednesday and will be sent their favorite layer cake… so choose wisely.
Layer Cake Sale
Also, don’t pass up our latest layer cake sale! All layer cakes are $29 until July 15th. Be sure to visit our shop to snatch up a layer cake or two for your next project. These pre-cuts are great for decorative bunting at Birthdays, Weddings, Holidays… and so much more. Here is a sample of our Independence Day bunting made from one Prairie Paisley layer cake:
Keep an eye out for a fabric bunting tutorial in weeks to come. They’re quick, easy, and SUPER cute. You won’t be able to resist this project for your Summer events.
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Do you have bins, boxes, and bags full of scrap fabric? If so, it’s time to turn those extra scraps into something useful … such as yo-yos! Most of us know the traditional method of making yo-yos. But, today, we would like to show you a new way to create yo-yos, namely, the “Quick” Yo-Yo Maker. Our latest giveaway was made using this tool for the numerous amount of yo-yos on a quilted pillow cover. Not only is it quick, easy, and fun, but it is also a good way to create yo-yos that look exactly the same. You can create professional and sharp-looking yo-yo projects with this affordable, handy tool. Here’s how it works:
1. Pull apart the inner circle (disk) from the outer circle (plate).
2. Place scrap fabric between both circles making sure the disk lines match up with the plate protrusions. Secure the disk and plate together with the fabric sandwiched in between.
3. Cut the excess cloth, leaving about 3/16 of an inch seam allowance.
4. Fold over the seam allowance toward the inside of the circle and hold it with your fingers.
5. Identify your staring point at one of the protrusions on the plate.
6. Push needle and thread (knotted at the end) through the the disk side and out the first slot on the plate side. Your needle should catch the seam allowance.
7. Now, Push needle through the left side of the same slot toward the disk side.
8. Continue in this manner with each slot until you come back to your starting point. Be sure to hold down the seam allowance as you go along.
9. Once you’ve reached the last slot, stitch into the first slot one more time.
10. Your stitching is now complete.
11. Pull apart the disk from the plate.
12. Remove the cloth from the disk by gently tugging on the seam.
13. Scrunch up the yo-yo by pulling the thread. Make sure the seam is neatly folded so as to make creases.
14. When the opening is closed, make a tight knot with your needle.
15. Cut the remaining thread close to the cloth. Fidget with the yo-yo to make it neatly round.
16. … And there you have it! Now, you can make yo-yos to your heart’s desire (or until those scrap bins are empty).
There are so many things you can do with yo-yos. Use your imagination!
Pre-Order Sale!
In honor of our readers, we will be taking pre-orders for the yo-yo maker featured in this article. You can purchase this handy little tool at this link:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/101625643/pre-order-for-one-extra-large-quick-yo
We are also offering both a yo-yo maker and a charm pack for the special price of $14 (non-sale price: $16)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/101624997/pre-order-for-one-extra-large-quick-yo
All pre-ordered yo-yo makers will be sent out on June 20th. This sale will end June 13th at midnight, so be sure to get your order in right away!
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Drum roll please! … as we grab the winning name out of our mini tote.
… and the winner is…
Kimberly Swafford!
Congratulations Kimberly, please contact us before 11:59 pm tomorrow to claim your prize! After that time, the pillow will go to the second place winner. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it:)
Come back for upcoming tutorials, reviews, and giveaways.
Also, be sure to take a look at the latest addition to
our quilt shop. Visit this link to find out more.
