I was a frustrating child. My Mom doesn’t acknowledge that a lot now. I’ve grown up and I have two children that she gets to enjoy and I think she’s been able to breath a few generous sighs of relief that I turned out okay. So far. In most ways we “get” each other now– quite a different relationship than the one we had when I was, ummm, about 8 to about 20.
Thinking about her birthday gift, I wanted to make something that coordinated with her quilt but included a message. I could go with a simple “I love you”, but I wasn’t feeling it. I do and all, but that’s a little too straightforward for my family. We deal mostly with humor and sarcasm.
I decided to go with “I love you more than derby pie” because only she (and a few other members of our family, and Adrianna, who said “wow, that’s a lot” when I showed her the pillow) get what that means. The derby pie is a classic piece of our family’s culinary history. It’s rich and sweet and delicious and one of those I-beg-her-to-make-it-for-me-any-chance-I-get recipes. Even though I can make it for myself with her recipe. It’s still better when she makes it.
To make the pillow, I used my Silhouette to cut a freezer paper stencil. You could certainly do this design with a craft knife… it’d just take you a looooooong time. And if you’re one whose hair grays from stress… this’d further that. I ironed the stencil onto some linen fabric and then painted in the spaces. I’ve not done a freezer paper stencil on linen before, and the lines definitely aren’t as clean as they would be on your average knit tee or a quilting cotton. But given that this is an ooey, gooey chocolate pie we’re talkin’ about, I decided it worked here.
After the paint dried, I embroidered the places where negative spaces would have been inside the lettering. Kind of a modern, funky and still folksy look to go along with the fabrics.
In making the pillow, I pieced a scrap of one Good Folks print into the band of another on the top edge. And a third Anna Maria masterpiece on the back.
Because my mom was coming to visit, and the pillow was in the works, I haaaaad to make the pie too. If you love chocolate and at least like pecans, you’d be hard-pressed not to lick your plate after trying this recipe.
Pawley’s Island Derby Pie
9″ deep dish pie shell, unbaked
2 eggs, beaten
1 c sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 c butter, melted
1 t vanilla
1 c chopped pecans
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
Bake pie shell for 5 minutes at 350. Set aside to cool.
With a wooden spoon, blend together the ingredients in the order given. Pour filling into pie shell and bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes until firm.
Allow to cool before serving. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
I hope you like it as much as I do. Which is quite a lot.
Dominique @ Craft Couture says
January 24, 2011 at 2:27 amWhat a cute idea! I love it!
you should link up to my party :)
http://dominiquescraftcouture.blogspot.com/2011/01/craft-couture-mondays-1.html
Stacey says
January 24, 2011 at 2:58 amBeautiful!
Caren @ The Attic Studio says
January 24, 2011 at 7:34 amI don’t even know you and I said, “wow, that’s a lot!” lol I’m from Kentucky though and grew up learning to appreciate a good derby pie. Awesome pillow!
Corinnea says
January 24, 2011 at 10:52 amSo much better than a plain I love you. Great idea and beautiful too!
Kelly's Korner says
January 24, 2011 at 11:25 amSusan, that is so cool! I love the idea – just have to think of something our family says…. Nothing that clever. I especially like the embroidery in the letters. Nice touch!
Bolo heads says
January 24, 2011 at 11:28 amI make a pie just like that, we call it the cookie dough pie. I add butterscotch chips for a brown sugar taste. My brother is the one who named it cookie dough pie. He thought is was brilliant to his two favorites cookie dough and pie.
I also like your pillow.
RidgewoodMom says
January 24, 2011 at 12:38 pmI really love, LOVE the pillow!!! I love the choice of the linen color, and I think it was definitely more effective in the linen than in anything smoother! You need to stop coming up with such great projects… my crafty to do list is a MILE long now.
Martha Winger says
January 24, 2011 at 1:36 pmWonderful post! Reminds me of a game I used to play with my kids at bedtime. “I love you all the way to the moon and back.” Then it became, “I love YOU all the way to Mars and back.” And so on until we’d run out of planets. This gives me lots of gift ideas! Thanks!
viento says
January 24, 2011 at 3:55 pmOh my gosh, I am so hungry right now and you have me wanting to use nap time to make pie! Love the pillow. Aside from the great lettering and the embroidery, I really love the use of piecing fabric for such a great border. It takes the pillow to a much more fun place than lettering alone. Just might try this but I am one of those who turns a bit more grey every time I cut out freezer paper stencils and no silhouette over here lol.
Christie says
January 24, 2011 at 8:17 pmGorgeous pillow! I love derby pie and can’t wait to try out your mom’s recipe – thanks for sharing it!
Tara @ Tara Being Tara says
January 24, 2011 at 9:56 pmDerby pie is the BEST! Are you from Kentucky, too??
crafterhours says
January 24, 2011 at 11:21 pmTara, I am not from Kentucky. But if the pies are a valid point of reference, I think I wish I was. :) Susan
joyfulploys says
January 25, 2011 at 11:45 amLove the pillow…I’d forgotten about Derby Pie…yummers!
Julie says
January 25, 2011 at 3:37 pmDangit, now I want pie!
Sarah Faith says
January 25, 2011 at 10:12 pmThat sounds so easy and looks so good!! I’d try it right now if I had some pecans on hand! I’ve got about every other kind of nut right now. :(
Rissa says
February 3, 2011 at 5:48 amHahaha! That is really cool. Cute and personal, love it!