Welcome to Deb Strain's studio...

Welcome to Deb Strain's studio...

Monday, March 21, 2011

Springtime Palette

Hello Dear Friends!

So sorry that I haven't written in a while.  Like many, I am working on a new fabric line and getting ready for Surtex.  What a busy time of year!

I did take the time to go for a walk and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having in Ohio.  Spring is definitely in the air!  As I was walking, I began noticing that the colors popping out of the ground, budding from the trees, were the same colors that I am using in my next spring fabric group!

Do you do this when you are creating?   I surround myself with the colors that I am working with and begin noticing them everywhere. I even looked down at church Sunday and was WEARING the colors from the line!  I am totally immersed in the colors and even dream about them when I sleep!

So, I grabbed my camera and thought I would give you a little hint at what to expect next spring.  You might have to look hard to find some of them!  I was sneaking into backyards when I caught a glimpse of a certain color, just to take a picture.  What an adventure!









I love these colors and love working with them.  Can't wait for you to see the group!  (next year!)

Happy Spring Everyone,
Always,
Deb

Friday, March 11, 2011

Cookie Drawing!

Hello Dear Friends,

At the end of my last blog, I mentioned that if you baked the cookies that I gave the recipe for, and left a comment, I would put your name in a drawing.  Well....how about we make this drawing last all month?
If you read the "Super Easy, Super Good Peanut Butter Cookies" any time this month, please leave a comment.  If you actually bake the cookies, please leave up to five comments! (You and your family will be glad that you baked them, even if you don't win!) On March 31st, I will draw a name to win this recipe box, mug and coaster!


It is one of my designs, manufactured by Legacy Publishing and certainly reminds me of spring.
Happy Baking!
Always,
Deb

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Quotes and Cookies!!

Hello Dear Friends!

At 9:00 tonight, as I was winding up my day of drawing.....


working on taxes (not very creative!).......


and watching our little sweeties for a couple hours.....


my 18-year-old son mentioned the cookies that I had promised to bake him today.  I LOVE cookies and was pleased to have an excuse to whip up his favorite, super easy, super good peanut butter cookies!
I also love quotes....one of my favorites is:

"A Recipe not shared, is soon forgotten."             

So, I thought that as I was baking, I would share this great recipe with you (for when you are craving cookies at 9:00pm.)  They really are wonderful and soooooo easy.  

Ingredients:  1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
                    2 large eggs
                    1/3 cup milk
                    1 (18.25 oz.) package yellow cake mix
                    1/3 cup granulated sugar

(That's it!  These are all the ingredients!  I just pick up a yellow cake mix whenever they are on sale.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Position oven rack in the middle of your oven and spray cookie sheet
with cooking spray.


Mix peanut butter, eggs, milk and 1/2 of cake mix in large mixing bowl.  (Don't add the sugar!)


Mix in remaining cake mix until blended.  Dough will be very stiff.


Place sugar in shallow dish.  Drop dough by tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheet.  


Dip fork into sugar and gently press crisscross pattern on top of each cookie.


Bake 10-12 minutes until set and edges are barely golden brown.  Don't overbake though! Our family loves soft cookies and everyone makes sure that I don't get distracted when the cookies are in the oven!


They are definitely best when still warm!  


Let me know if you try this recipe!  We will have a drawing next Wednesday for anyone
who trys it and leaves me a comment about what they think.
I'll let you know what the prize is tomorrow.....
It's late and I'm ready for a cookie!
Always,
Deb














Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Quilts with "Meadow Friends"

Hello Dear Friends!

Hope that signs of spring are coming your way!  The sun is shining here in Ohio and it even smells like spring is on its way!

I just wanted to share a couple of incredible quilt patterns featuring my July introduction fabric line, "Meadow Friends!"  Coming soon to Coach House Designs, is this whimsical creation featuring the little girls coordinates of the group.  Barb Cherniwchan, owner and designer of Coach House Designs has titled this  "Butterflies in the Meadow" and has certainly captured the whimsey and fun that little girls have chasing butterflies!

"Butterflies in the Meadow"
by Coach House Designs


For little boys, Barb has created "Turtles in the Meadow." This reminds me of the turtles and other little friends that my son would bring home from our creek.

"Turtles in the Meadow"
by Coach House Designs

 I love both of these!!  The patterns will be available soon at Coach House Designs.  Barb designs patterns for several of Moda's designs and we all appreciate her talent and kindness so much!  Thanks Barb!

Have a wonderful day!
Always,
Deb