A note from Kimberly Einmo, author, designer, and teacher:

Now that the weather is cold and the days are short you're probably spending more time inside. Considering how busy our schedules tend to be, how would you like a little extra time to enjoy sewing on your BERNINA and less time cooking in the kitchen? If so, I've got a fast, fun, (inexpensive) luxurious pillow project just perfect for gift-giving and a delicious slow cooker recipe you've got to try! (Recipe at the end of this blog.)

You can whip up this luxurious, yet quick-to-stitch pillow in just a few hours on your BERNINA and it will look like something from an expensive designer showroom. Perfect to give to someone special for a birthday, shower, or house-warming gift. Many furniture stores will give you their upholstery samples and remnants when they have been discontinued. Just ask the next time you're out shopping for furniture, or give the manager of your favorite store a call.

1) I combined all the soup ingredients and put them in the slow cooker.

2) I sorted through upholstery fabric samples and came up with an eye-catching palette.

3) I cut them into 5" squares...

4) ... and stitched them together in a simple patchwork pattern using a 1/2" seam allowance.

5) After pressing, I used a lightweight, fusible interfacing to keep the seams open and to keep the fraying edges from raveling too much.

6) I topstitched the seams using a variety of decorative stitches on my BERNINA 730E with rayon thread. I added fringe for a special touch. Perfect - fast and fun!

7) Now, I'm off to enjoy a bowl of delicious Yummy Cheeseburger Soup!

Prep Time: 20 minutes; cook 8-10 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high); makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tbsps minced garlic
• 1 small bag frozen cut carrots
• 1 large potato, cubed (optional)
• Two 10.75 cans condensed cheddar cheese soup
• Two 14 ounce cans beef broth
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 dill pickle, diced (optional)

Brown the ground beef, onion and garlic in a skillet and drain off excess fat.

In your slow cooker, add beef mixture and all remaining ingredients except shredded cheddar cheese and pickle.

Cover and cook on low or high heat as directed above.

Now go sew until the soup is ready!

Top each serving with shredded cheese and pickle. Serve and enjoy!

Here's a sweet little project you can keep for yourself or give as as a housewarming present. Instructions are in Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing book, along with 23 other easy sewing projects. Instead of the recommended wool batting I used one layer of Warm & White and one layer of Insul-Bright, both from the Warm Company. Stitching through all those layers is great practice for making a real quilt! I did a big swirl on one side (my favorite) and squiggly lines on the other - both turned out fine :) Next time I'll bind the edges by machine before sewing the two halves together; the wrist is too small and stiff to stitch by machine after they're sewn together, so has to be done by hand.

This weekend I decided it was time - after moving into my house a year and a half ago - to make some window treatments. This was quick and easy and I don't know why it took so long!

Measure the window and buy 1 yard more than the width of the window. Cut the yardage in half along the lengthwise direction. Set your serger for a 3-thread rolled hem and stitch along each edge. Trim the threads and you are ready to install your valance.

Install a drapery tie back at the top of each side of the window. Place the valance in the middle of the window and wrap the end of the valance around each drapery tie back. Tie the ends and shape into a "rose" at each end. Enjoy!