Cupcakes 'n Daisies: 4th of July Blog Tour

Or as I like to say, "My Day" !!

Welcome to the last day of the 4th of July Blog Tour organized by Monique of Open Gate Quilts.

I was pleased Monique asked me to join in the fun for a week of 4th of July blogging, but I have to admit, when I saw the list of participants and that I was the last day, I was feeling a little pressure to measure up. After all, I was following well known and famous fabric and pattern designers, and quilters who have quilts that don't just adorn their beds and couches, their quilts are on the covers of patterns and books. I've been trying to think what my claim to fame is . . . and the best I could come up with is that David Letterman's Mom once baked me an apple pie. Yes that's it, nothing really to speak of on my quilting resume, but I'm not going to let that dampen my enthusiasm for the task at hand.

So here we go on to the last day of the 4th of July blog tour by me, a simple quilter and blogger, just like you!

Today I'm going to share with you how to make those yummy bars and my Stars and Stripes table topper.

I got Monique's Fit to be Quarter ruler back in May, but hadn't really had the chance to use it so I figured this was the perfect opportunity to come up with a pattern where I could cut different sized half square triangles and quarter square triangles, to get a good feel for how to use the ruler, and determine its helpfulness.

It was a breeze to use on my half square triangles.

Same goes for the quarter square triangles.

I easily and accurately cut large, medium and small pieces. I'm hooked on the Fit to be Quarter ruler!!

When I started thinking about what to make for my project, I wanted something that had small, medium and large pieces and I wanted something that would allow me to use my blue star fabric right next to my red and white stripe fabric, for a stars and stripes feel. Once I figured out how to work the stars and stripes, everything else just sort of fell into place.

Step one, make a 3 1/2 inch star block.

It is comprised of four 1 1/2" inch hsts, four 1 1/2" qsts, and once 1 1/2" center square.

Step two, make a 9 1/2" block using the step one block as your center.

It is comprised of four 3 1/2" inch hsts, four 3 1/2" qsts, and one 3 1/2" center square.

Finally, step three, make a 27 1/2" block using the block you made in step 2 as your center block.

It is comprised of four 9 1/2" inch hsts, four 9 1/2" qsts, and one 9 1/2" center square.

Ta da, just quilt and bind! I used just 4 different fabrics for this project, and if you don't want to make the star in the star, just substitute a piece of fabric, but I kind of think the star, in a star, in a star gives it a an interesting look, even though I covered that portion up with a flower vase or cake plate on my table!

This table topper finishes at 27 inches square and has approximately 75 pieces. I think any fabric would work, for any theme or color scheme, but I think those stars and stripes corner blocks make for a nice patriotic feel for this 4th of July table topper.

And now for the recipe!

Really, I'm not very creative in the kitchen, and have 3 different dessert recipes that I make depending on the event. I make a nice Texas Chocolate Sheet cake, but I think everyone has a recipe for that cake. I also make an out of this world poppy seed cake, but I don't share that recipe with anyone, not even my closest of friends. I will bake them a poppy seed cake if they need one, but when you only have 3 desserts in your repertoire, and only one of them is amazing, you just can't be giving that recipe out! I also have a yummy bar recipe that's good for all sorts of occasions that I normally don't share either, but since we're not going to be showing up at the same quilt guild or cookie exchange, I'll go ahead and give the recipe to you.

Here's all you need to make Thelma's Delicious Carmel Pecan Dream Bars

Base: 1 package yellow cake mix with pudding added to the mix, I prefer Pillsbury.

1/3 cup margarine softened

1 egg

Filling:

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (don't go with the low fat or no fat versions, why make dessert then skimp on the good stuff!)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup Heath Bits O Brickle Chips. (you can get regular brickle chips or brickle chips with chocolate, either work but I prefer the no chocolate bits)

Heat oven to 350, Grease 13" x 9" inch baking pan, I prefer glass.

In a large bowl combine cake mix, egg and margarine. Mix with hand mixer at highest speed until crumbly. Press into prepared pan.

In a small bowl beat sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla until blended. Stir in nuts and brickle chips. Pour over base in pan- spread to cover.

Bake at 350 for 25 - 35 minutes. Center may appear loose but will set up upon cooling.

This is why I use a glass pan, it's easy to tell when the base is done, it turns a nice golden brown color. My oven bakes my bars in 28 minutes.

That's it, just cut into bars and enjoy. (the corner pieces are the best!)

Now for the giveaways!

When I made my Stars and Stripes table topper I made one for me and one for you!

My quilter, Dawn, at The Sewing Basket, was nice enough to quilt both toppers in time for this blog and my giveaway, and she did a wonderful job.

Thanks so much Dawn!

So next year, when you're getting ready for the 4th of July, you'll be ready with your very own table topper. You also get one of Monique's fabulous Fit to be Quarter Rulers.

The second prize is this,