Basting Remix

I’ve been pulling out UFOs and trying to get a few things finished before this baby comes. One of the UFOs that has been niggling at me the most is this Single Girl I have had pieced together and ready to quilt since last summer. Well, sort of ready to quilt…

I have had it basted with these butterfly pins. Each time I sat down to quilt it, I drew blood. Not to mention fighting with all of the pins that fall on the floor, come loose, or just generally make my life miserable by pricking me over and over!

So, while my sweet husband cozied up with our little girl on the couch, I went through and replaced each of the pins with my brand spankin’ new basting pins. I have seriously been missing out! How in the world did I not think these were worth the $6? (50% off coupon at Joanns!)

And now, this quilt is re-basted and I have already made it through 1/3rd of the straight line quilting! Whoo Hoo!

In other news, do you like potato bars? I found the greatest recipe. I think it is a version from Alton Brown, but it gives you the PERFECT crispy, salty skin. Go to the store and buy the biggest potatoes you can find.

Preheat the oven to 425. Wash the potatoes, then dry. Poke with a fork several times each. Baste (ok, rub down the skin) with vegetable oil and then cover that with kosher salt. Place them directly on the oven rack. Cook for one hour and your dinner is ready! Easy peasy, especially when you are, um, a little larger than usual.

PS: Here is me @ 35 weeks. 5 weeks to go until we have a new little boy to snuggle!