Take a peek at Sue’s latest collection, Sweet Stems and learn a bit about English Paper Piecing!
You’ll find navy, pinks, greens, and greys in Sue’s Sweet Stems collection. A beautiful palette filled with lovely florals and vines. This line is so sweet, it comes with its own stories! Pick up the pattern, papers, and templates packets to unfold the designs of sweetwater, dragonfly, or hamlet.
Here is Sue at last month’s Missouri Star Academy event showing off some of her designs using Sweet Stems.
Learn to create fun, new designs by following any of Sue’s Sew-Alongs on her blog. They are easy step-by-step guides that will be super helpful, especially if you’ve never paper pieced before!
If you’re new to paper piecing, let Sue and Jenny introduce you in this short playlist of tricks and tips to get you started!
Valori Wells’ new collection is used in Jenny’s latest tutorial, the Roadmap Quilt. This collection is perfect for the spring/summer seasons and just absolutely beautiful. With so many stunning collections under her belt, we got curious about the inspiration behind Valori’s lastest designs.
Here’s what she had to say about getting her start in fabric design and working her way to her latest collection, Murmur.
“Murmur is my 41st collection of fabric, I have been designing for twenty-one years. My first collection released in 1998 and the fabric was inspired by my black and white photography. Over the years, I have grown as an artist and a fabric designer. I truly didn’t have a clue when I started just out of college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Photography. I have worked in a variety of different styles and techniques and about four years ago, I decided to mix it up… The first block printed collection was called Marks, designed with my mom, Jean Wells. I haven’t turned back since. I love creating blocks and panels of layered color and design, then interpreting the work into fabric design.”
“Murmur started with the hummingbirds that visit my garden every year. I stand on my chair patiently with my camera, capturing all their glory. By the end of the summer, I tend to have a bazillion images and definitely something magical. Among the hummingbirds, my kids and I plant over 300 sunflowers in our backyard and in pots on the deck. My camera ends up being filled with happy flowers and magical little birds!…”
“When I set out to carve my blocks, I found myself just creating without any fear or demands. I never know what I am going to get. I carve and print and print some more until things start appearing and coming together.”
“… My colors are inspired by nature, mixed with Pantone Home and Fashion colors, and my obsession with indigo and turquoise.”
Happy Birthday Jenny and to all of you who share in the summer birthday season! Start planning your next party as Jenny shares her favorite birthday foods along with some fun, summer recipes from our Missouri Star employees! Find quick and easy sewing projects to decorate your party, and don’t forget to download some of our printable photo booth props to make your summer celebration a blast! Grab your friends and let’s party!
Jenny’s Favorite Summer Recipes!
Jenny’s absolute favorite is a Strawberry Pie that she makes on her birthday year after year to treat herself to something yummy!
Here’s how she makes it:
1 9″ frozen pie crust, baked
1 cup of sugar
1 1/2 cups of water
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 lb of sliced strawberries
1 (3oz) package of strawberry jello
Bake pie crust according to package directions, remove and then let cool.
While the crust is in the oven, add sugar and water to a large saucepan over medium heat, whisk the cornstarch in slowly and make sure there are no leftover lumps. Stir continuously for about 4-5 minutes until the mixture is thickened and turns a little clear.
Remove from heat and whisk in the strawberry jello mix until completely dissolved. Let this mixture cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, toss in the strawberries and make sure they are evenly distributed. Pour into pie crust.
Place in the refrigerator to set for about 2-3 hours and then serve! (Add whipped cream if desired!)
Jenny loves a good summer barbecue and for her, the must-have at any BBQ is the beans! Cowboy Beans is her go-to and here’s how it’s done:
1 lb hamburger
1/2 onion, chopped
5-6 cans of beans, drained (red, black, and pinto) mix em’ up!
1 green pepper, chopped
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cans chopped tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Brown the hamburger and cook the onions, then mix it all together in a crock-pot and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours!
Captain Dwayne’s Jambalaya
3 pounds peeled shrimp
1 pound crab meat
1 dozen oysters
1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
3 cups rice
1 small can tomato sauce
1 large onion, chopped
2/3 cup chopped parsley
2/3 cup chopped shallots (cross between onion and garlic)
2/3 cup bell pepper chopped
2/3 cup cooking oil
1/2 tbsp garlic powder salt, black pepper and red pepper
In a large mixing bowl, mix together pink lemonade concentrate and sweetened condensed milk. Fold in Cool Whip. Pour mixture into graham cracker crusts. Put in the freezer for 6 hours or until stiff. – Lauren Dalton
Make a 3D Pinwheel Table Runner! A three dimensional table piece helps to create the a fun/creative environment that all birthday parties deserve!
Fabriflair Centerpiece These joyful centerpieces really bring the party to life! Make several colors or mix and match to go with any theme!
Micro-safe Hot Holders 2 (8 ounce) packages of softened cream cheese, 2 jars of pineapple cheese and 2 jars of old English cheese all mixed together makes the perfect dip for any gathering! *Recipe by Tammy Baker Make this yummy dip using stylish hot holders!
Printable Photo Booth Props!
Download the props, print them, cut them out, and then come back here to post all your fun pictures so we can see!
Do you have a June or summer birthday? What is your favorite way to celebrate?
Our acrylic tumbler templates are a huge hit in the quilting community! Made in three different sizes, you can find a template for projects using 10″ squares, one for 5″ squares, and even a tiny one to use with mini squares and 2.5″ strips! Each of them are easy to use and the shape helps to reduce fabric waste!
Can’t decide which one to get? Pst! We have an exclusive bundle that includes all three! You will even save $3.90 compared to buying each template individually!
To learn all the different ways you can use your new templates, go to our YouTube channel for fun tumbler tutorials!
We are known as Quilt Town, USA, but we are so much more than that. When you plan your next visit to Missouri Star, be sure to add some of our other local businesses to your itinerary so your trip to Hamilton will be extra special! Our most recent Local Business Spotlight segment will have you craving a nice cold beverage and adding another stop to your bucket list!
Formally a college professor, Scott Falke now owns a beautiful industrial style micro-brewery located inside of an old brick building. We sat down to talk with Scott on an early Friday afternoon and people were already pouring in to start their weekend with a good brew and good conversation.
As Scott kindly offered up the story of how Levi Garrison & Sons came to be, we learned that he has a deep passion for service and giving back. Before the brewery, Scott was an associate professor of biology at William Jewell and a major in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 2010, Scott was called to active duty in Afghanistan and received a Bronze Star for his service. Serving his country, family, and community is very important to this brew-master. He is definitely the type of person you want to see as you stop in for a drink at your local brewery after a 40-hour work week or if you are just passing through town.
After Afghanistan, Scott realized he needed a change and so he took the plunge into opening a brewery. It was a risk that really paid off! Scott now runs the business with his cousins and nephew. The family owned company has become tremendously successful in it’s almost five year life span. The name, you are probably wondering, was inspired by the family’s history. Scott’s great-grandfather owned a sorghum business in Osceola, Missouri some decades ago named, Levi Garrison & Sons Country Sorghum. After a trademark issue with the brewery’s original name, this little family history made its way into today’s local brewery in Hamilton.
Levi Garrison & Sons is home to several fundraiser events throughout the year including Harry’s Brews & BBQ in which funds are given to the Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department, a Kegs & Eggs Oktoberfest in which proceeds go towards the Caldwell County Foundation Cancer Assistance, and the Cornhole Tournament which helps provide the Hamilton Park Board with the means to support sporting events and field updates.
When you first walk into the building, you will see friendly faces, comfy furniture, messages of thankfulness on colorful glass windows that lead right into the brew rooms welcoming you to a good beer and cozy atmosphere. If you are hungry, you can even order food from two of our local restaurants, J’s Burger Dive and Hank and Tanks BBQ, which will be delivered to you right in the tap room!
“Oatmeal cream stout hands down is my favorite beer ever! Second amendment is pretty good as well.” Mikayla Novak, resident of Hamilton and Mug Club Member
“My favorite brew is Zach’s Wheat… I enjoy the laid back atmosphere… and the other brews that perfectly [represent] Hamilton.” Kristopher Bruce, Mayor of Hamilton and Mug Club Member
So next time you are in town, make your way over the brewery for some of the best beer in the Midwest! Be sure to like their Facebook page to keep up with opening hours, events, new brews, or mug club happenings!
