A Note On Nightmare

First, I thought I'd share an update with you on my Red & Black crazy quilt purse:

As you can see, I've done quite a bit of work on it over the last few days and hope to have time later to stitch on it a bit.

I also wanted to mention that my precious little Nightmare has been diagnosed with Kidney Failure:

Yes, I have him wrapped up in a quilt.  He's always liked that.  Anyway, I lost my Francis kitty to Kidney Failure back in 1996:

Having been through Kidney Failure with one kitty, I already know that it's a disease that tends to go quickly.  It's just a matter of time.

Needless to say, I'm heartbroken and devastated.  I just lost Simba in May and then my mom's Lakota in August.  I had been planning on adopting a kitten in the Spring of 2013 but depending on when things happen, that might have to move up a bit.  We'll see.

Nightmare has been with me since he was 3 weeks old.  He thinks I'm his real mother and has separation anxiety anytime I go outside or leave the house.  He's the one who's always been in my face under my feet.  Constantly.  But he is strong willed, stubborn and determined so who knows.  He'll be 17 in October.

Purses Finished

I did some finishing over the weekend on the last 2 purses I made:

It feels good to be getting a few things done.

Red and Black Purse

I have some progress to share on my red and black purse:

The beaded piece was too big as a whole so I cut it and used it in 2 places.  I think this balances out nicely.

I also (painstakingly) restrung every bead and rhinestone on them to be sure they didn't loosen up.  It is a vintage piece and it was handmade so I wanted to be sure that they stayed put.

German Raw Apple Cake

I mentioned in my post yesterday that I was going to make some Apple Cake.  I tried a recipe that I never tried before and I must say, this cake came out awesome!

Yes, I put sprinkles on everything! 

The recipe came from a cookbook that I bought many years ago when Scott and I were in Lancaster, PA.  It's called, Lancaster County Cookbook by Louise Stoltzfus and Jan Mast.  The copyright date is 1993:

Here's the recipe:

German Raw Apple Cake

2 1/4 cups cake flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup sour milk or buttermilk
2 cups diced apples

Topping: 

1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1.  Sift together flour, salt and cinnamon.
2.  Cream together shortening, sugars and eggs.
3. Stir baking soda into sour milk.  Add milk and dry ingredients alternately to creamed mixture.  Fold in apples.  Spread into greased 9 inch X 13 inch baking pan.
4.  To prepare topping, combine all ingredients and sprinkle over cake batter.
5.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes or until done.

I didn't have cake flour so I used all purpose flour and I didn't have any nuts so I just did without them.  I made a simple glaze of powdered sugar, milk, cinnamon and vanilla and drizzled it on the cake after it was cooled.  Then I added the sprinkles.

I don't know if this book is still available or not but every recipe I've tried from has been excellent!

Black and White and Red All Over

I did some sewing yesterday.  I assembled my last 2 purses and just have to do the hand finishing on them.  I also pieced up an new purse:

I found that beaded piece at a flea market last Summer.  It was cut off of a vintage dress.  I think I only paid $5.00 for it.  I'm attracted to anything that sparkles and even though I'm not huge on red, I had to have it.

Anyway, I pieced this up yesterday and will pull some lace and trim for it today.

And now that it's September (Scott and I have been married 24 years today) I am craving apples so I think I'll make some Apple Cake.