Mother's Day Quilt

Just a quick quilting post today. I decided my sweet Mother-In-Law needed a quilt for Mother's Day. I picked some happy colors and went to work. I love how a quilt evolves. I started with a pattern in mind but quickly realized that to get the most out of my fabric choices I needed to adjust. A two inch squared just didn't do justice to the fun prints I wanted to showcase. So, I added some larger pieces and was very happy with the results.
Happy Mother's Day Geneel--this quilt was stitched with love!

It's a Quilt--for Henry.

This fun quilt was perfect for 7 year old Henry. He is full of spunk and a joy to be around. We love Henry! I stated a quilt for him before he was born--7 years later I finished the quilt. It was sweet but not the right quilt for a seven year old!
Hopefully this suits him a little better.

Happy Birthday Maren

I just finished the cutest quilt for granddaughter Maren. Last summer I took Maren to visit a friend of mine. She lives in a beautiful home and is an excellent decorator. Maren walked in the living room and whispered 'Nana, I love these colors'! The front room was decorated boldly in yellow and gray.
And just like that a quilt was born! I started with just yellow and gray--striking yes but I wanted the quilt to have a pre-teen feel so I added a few floral prints and a bit of red and pink.
This is a happy quilt. Maren is bright and energetic; she loves to chat, read and bake cookies. I also like to chat, read and bake cookies. I love to spend time with Maren--she is a delight!
This quilt was so fun to make. I learned the importance of a perfect 1/4 inch seam. Being just a few threads off adds up quickly. I have a few blocks that didn't quite make it into the quilt. They are reminders of what happens when one gets just a little off track. Small mistakes add up in quilting as they do in life.
The pattern for this quilt is in Growing Up Modern by Allison Harris. It is not a difficult quilt but it did take time, probably because I am just learning. Actually this is a great pattern to learn basic quilting skills--rotary cutting, straight stitch sewing and pressing. Happy Birthday Maren!

It's a Quilt!

Sweet Lydia turned 8 a few months ago. She has patiently waited for me to finish this quilt. I purchased a yard of cute dog fabric years ago--thinking I would make a boy quilt with it. Lydia saw the fabric and fell in love with it (she is a dog lover), she wanted her quilt to include this fabric.
The challenge began--how do I turn a small amount of doggie fabric into a quilt for a cute 8 year old gal. Thanks to the help of my friends at The Quiltmakers this is what I came up with. I'm happy with it and I think Miss Lydia will love it!
Several years ago after a back surgery my sweet friend Linda stopped by. She gave me a beautiful quilt, I have loved it every day. It says 'comfort' every time I snuggle up in it. This quilt provided the inspiration for Lydia's quilt.
Finished quilt is 40x60 inches. Fabric and long arm quilting from The Quiltmakers. Soft minky fabric is on the back and I love the striped bias binding. I had to refer to the binding tutorial on The Old Red Barn Co. This step by step tutorial helped me achieve beautiful mitered corners.  Oh it is good to finish a project!

 

Lydia in Savanna Georgia about 2110??

Lydia is on the right--quite grown up! At Uncle Packers Wedding in Utah, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Craft

 

My sweet neighbor gal knocked on my door--apron in hand wanting to know if we could bake today. Emma likes making cookies as much as I do. I was ready with a fun food project that is easy and tasty. Kids can do more than just watch--Emma was happy to separate mini M&M's, dip Oreo's, decorate and clean up. This project takes under an hour--it is fun for the entire family.

 Supplies needed:
Oreo Cookies--we chose Mint because we were going with a green theme, you really could dip any cookie or pretzel. How about dipping Thin Mints--yummy.
White, Milk Chocolate or Semi Sweet Melting Discs--purchase at craft stores, Winco or my favorite, Gygi's
Sprinkles--green for St. Patrick's Day
Mini M&M's--we picked out the green ones
Edible Eyes--purchased at Gygi's
Melt chocolate discs in the microwave. Dip Oreo a little over half way. Put on parchment lined sheet. Decorate dipped cookies as desired. We had a great time--you can too. This activity can be adapted to any holiday or season. Sprinkles are inexpensive and come in a variety of designs. Have a package of Oreo Cookies in the storage room and you are ready for a quick activity. Chocolate melting discs are a staple in my kitchen--a chocolate drizzle can make most anything look and taste better!

Road Trip Quilt

I spent many years making clothes for my children (ages ago) but find myself a very beginning quilter. Using a rotary cutter and sewing a precise 1/4 inch seam takes practice. The Road Trip Quilt is a perfect place to begin. This scrappy quilt is full of fun prints, bright primary colors and a cuddly minky back. I think 3 year old Gregory will love it!
There is a great tutorial for the  Road Trip Quilt  on the blog,  Cluck, Cluck Sew. Detailed photos tell the story with great instructions. So easy a very beginner can follow along and be successful! I know.

  I'm sure Gregory is really very excited!

I was a bit scared of the binding but my local quilt shoppe was happy to cut strips of striped  fabric on the bias. I love the results! I found a tutorial on  binding a quilt on the Old Red Barn Co. Blog. The step by step photos walked me through the entire binding process. I learned to sew strips on the diagonal making a continuous binding. I also made a beautiful mitered corner (I was quite proud of it). I turned the binding and hand stitched it. One can learn so much on the Internet!
My quilt isn't perfect but it will be loved no less. I am afraid the quilting bug has bit--I have about 3 more quilts in progress and am learning much on a Block of the Month Club, this is a stretch for sure!
Hopefully you will see a few more quilts in the coming months. Quilting--it's a great thing.
So friends, if you have the desire. check out my Pinterest Quilt Board--lots of beginner ideas.

This is the way you give a loaf of bread!!

When I give a food gift, I want it to not only taste wonderful but I want it to look amazing. You taste with your eyes first. I was going to lunch at a sandwich shop--they sell amazing breads and treats.
 I was taking dinner to anew mother and had made Veggie Lasagna. A loaf of their Asiago Cheese Bread would certainly compliment the meal. I purchased the bread and while we were eating and chatting I happened to have a perfect view of an employee making beautiful gift baskets and gift items. I took the my purchased loaf of bread and this is what she did! The bread is wrapped in a fun kitchen towel, looks like a bandana--perfect for a little boy. The ribbon is bright blue, white on sheer polka dots and a splash of lime green. I love it! Pretty classy, and I think I could recreate too.

It's a Craft! Classy Cake Plate

We had a Girls Weekend last week. Jess was kind enough to bring the supplies to make this  darling cake plate. I often see cute project like this on Pinterest--I might even pin them. But Jess actually purchased the supplies AND we finished them! I will admit I do have a few unfinished projects.

But this project was easy and quick and the results were very classy. Jess purchased the plates and cups from Tai Pan (yes, you could use cups and plates from Goodwill). The most difficult part of the project was getting the price tags off! We finally resorted to Goo Gone to finish the sticky job. We then used a Gorilla Epoxy to glue the cup to the plate.
The results were darling. Thanks Jess for sharing a fun project with us.

Look for these yummy Chocolate Sugar Cookies on my blog next week!

One Year Ago------Just Delicious Meat Loaf
Two Years Ago-----Thick and Chewy Cookie Bars
Three Years Ago----Banana Coconut Ice Cream Pie
Four Years Ago-----Cheesecake Bites

Linked to The Creative Home Acre

Craft Day and Hot Dog Cookies

I am the lucky Aunt to several cute little gals. We enjoy getting together for a craft day. It was Spring Break so the timing was perfect, we had a whole afternoon to enjoy. Luckily Candise was in town so I had help--help is always good when it is 6 to 1!
We started the day by making collages. We scoured the craft section at Walmart and found plenty of choices. Half sheets of white core board provided the canvas, tacky glue was thick enough to hold things in place. After a few minutes of inspiration the girls were ready to create, and creat they did! I was impressed with their creativity and thier ablilty to stick to a task.

 

While the collages dried and the little girls played Rachel and Mandy--both budding bakers were game for making 'Hot Dog' cookies. I had the dough made and the girls created. I saw the cookies on Erin's Blog, Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another. It is part of her blog header and every time I open her blog I had to smile--hot dog cookies!
The girls had fun and the 'hot dogs' were really just yummy butter cookies with 'ketchup' and 'mustard' frosting! Check Erin's Blog for the complete recipe.
We had a great afternoon and left with the promise together again soon.

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Pepper Jelly

In my quest to be organized for Christmas this year I have been making a few things that can be made ahead. Pepper Jelly is the perfect make ahead treat. One batch makes 14 mini jars. I will give a jar of pepper jelly, a block of cream cheese and a package of Wheat Thins. Tied with a festive ribbon this will make a wonderful little Christmas gift.

The recipe comes right off the Kraft site. When it comes to canned goods I stick to the recipe exactly. So check out Kraft Pepper Jelly made with Certo, it came together quickly and was delicious. Be sure and wear food grade rubber gloves when cutting hot peppers. I've learned the hard way!
Good luck--just try and save some for Christmas! Or make a second batch and just enjoy.

1 year ago--Crock Pot Potato Cheese Soup (one of my most popular recipes)
2 years ago-Black Forest Brownies (my favorite treat, I make them yearly for my birthday)
3 years ago-Baked Potato Soup (hands down family favorite--even those that don't love soup like this)

Pecan Chewies in a Jar

I needed a quick birthday gift--by quick I mean something that I could make at home! I'm also testing some Christmas gift ideas. So out came my Cookies in a Jar Cookbook by Jackie Gannaway. It is dated 1997. Mason Jars are trendy now--check Pinterest--I guess this book was before it's time, it is 15 years old. But age matters not, I layered a Jar and it was beautiful; then I baked a jar. I was not about to give away a cookie mix that wasn't delicious! I'm happy to say this recipe was a winner. I think it would be a good idea to always have a jar or two made. They could be used for unexpected birthday or hostess gifts. The lady I'm giving it to has Grandchildren that visit often--this would be a perfect activity. Kids would love making these cookies.
There are 26 recipes in the book. I made Pecan Chewies--you can too!

Pecan Chewies in a Jar
In a clean wide mouth quart size canning jar layer the following ingredients in the order given. Using a Tart Tamper compress each layer, this is a must. If you don't follow this step all the ingredients will not fit in the jar. Let's layer:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (3.5 ounces), yes I do weigh my brown sugar. I found I was using a heavy hand at the 'firmly packing' step. Cooking by weight has improved my baked goods
1 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup crisp rice cereal (this also got packed down a little)
3/4 cup flour mixed with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Cover with a clean lid--top with a fun tag and instructions.
To make cookies, in a large bowl mix together 1 square very soft butter, 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoon vanilla. Add contents of the jar and mix. You will need to finish mixing with your hands!
Using a medium Pampered Chef Cookie scoop put dough ball on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until edges are lightly brown. The recipe makes about 2 1/2-3 dozen cookies.
 I couldn't help myself--I did drizzle some of the cookies with white chocolate. They were both delicious. These will be part of my Christmas gifts this year. I will make them a week or so before Christmas. They are best used within about a month. They can be stored longer--the brown sugar may harden a little. Enjoy. These are a fun treat!

Witchy Pillow!

I've always enjoyed doing needlework. Sometimes more than others. My sweet friend introduced me to this cute pillow. I went right to the fabric store and bought a couple of kits. My daughter spent a few days with me so we started these cuties.

As with most cute projects I want to share them with my daughters and daughters in law. Before I know it I'm thinking I need to make 6 or 7 pillows. I' ve got two done--several more to make. But aren't they darling.
Better get busy!

Sponge Fun--Happy Mail

School has started for my Grand Kids, it's still hot and the pool is closed. So I sent them a 'water fight'! Each child will receive a sponge, all they have to do is add water. It will be a perfect way to cool down after school. Each sponge weighed in at 3 ounces. A 3 ounce package costs $1.95 to send. Hopefully this will bring a smile to their sweet faces.
Giverslog has a lot of fun ways to send mail. Keep it under 13 ounces and drop it in any mailbox. Brighten a child's day with 'happy mail'!

"Now That's Eggciting"

I have been playing with rubber stamps for the better part of 20 years. Just something I like to dabble in. I'm not really a saver--my craft room can only hold so much. So I'll purchase a stamp set play with it for a time and when I get tired of it I will give it to someone else who will love it. Styles change--designers are always coming out with something new and different.

 I had a set years ago, played with it for a time and then passed it on. Guess what I missed that set! Of course it was not available. So I scoured E-bay (most everything is on E-bay) and found it for a fair price. What is this set that makes me smile every time I use it?? "Best of Cluck" by Stampin' Up!

For some reason having chickens seem to be the 'in' thing today. So I have plenty of friends that will enjoy these 'corny' cards!

 

It's a Grad!!

It's that time of year when graduation announcements fill my mail box. I love to see their smiling faces and look into their eyes and wonder what the future holds.

I do know the future holds a card from Greg and me with a gift card to Chick-Fil-A, my favorite fast food restaurant. Good luck Grads!

Just Being Crafty

I come from a large family, my Mother has 39 grandchildren. That means we have plenty of events. Birthdays, graduations, weddings and showers. I often give cash, every ones favorite color is green. But occasionally I get creative!
I had two baby showers today and I had fun. Thanks to the blog world there are many creative ideas. I was checking out one of my favorite quilting blogs 'Diary of a Quilter' and found a tutorial for these cute burp cloths. She promises they are easy and they were. I have done little sewing in the past 20 years and needed a successful project. They were super easy and made a fun gift.
Next project a quilt, according to 'Diary of a Quilter' I can do it. I'll keep you posted.

Love

Hello! It's Cindy's daughter, Candise, taking a turn on the blog. My husband and I recently purchased our first home. 2400 square feet of bare walls, vaulted ceilings, and empty floors. We are thrilled to have our own space, and are looking forward to the challenge of making it "home".

Eliza Jane, at the ripe old age of five, is quite excited about holidays and decorations. I have great memories of a fun mom who decorated for each holiday and I am excited to do the same. I decided that I needed to add my creativity to the kindergarten art that decorates each room in our home! Enter Pinterest, with a wealth of ideas and info. I found the idea, read a number of comments and set to work creating my own.

I used a Big Shot to cut the scalloped circles, and attached them to the stryrofoam heart form with small pins. I opted for the pricier wool felt with the hope that it will bring love into our home for years to come!

The idea and general information came from The Idea Room . I found her estimation of 3/4 of a yard to be incorrect. I used close to 2 yards. The wool blend felt is not nearly as wide, and I probably placed mine closer together, a matter of personal preference. Overall I am pleased with how it turned out! (And yes, I counted the circles. I used approximately 185). For more info and instructions check out The Idea Room, this wasn't the only project on the site that made my list!

Christmas Countdown

I'm so excited to participate with Krista and these other fabulous bloggers as we share a Very Bloggy Christmas. Enjoy these fun ideas - and Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

I am the lucky aunt to several darling little gals. They are happy, innocent, excited, and just fun to be around. Kids are so enjoyable when you no longer have a house full of your own! We can make a mess, eat treats, create till way past their bedtime--and then they go home. I win the 'favorite aunt' status.

We have had several 'craft days' over the years but last year I hit on a winner. I thought about trying to top it, but after about 10 minutes I quickly decided to just repeat it. It will probably be a yearly activity for many years to come.

What is the great activity? It is very simple advent calendar that even the youngest crafter can create. It starts with envelopes and sacks (that's what I had) and from there the sky is the limit. The envelopes and sacks were decorated with stickers, stamps, ink, punched shapes, markers, stencils and anything else they could find in my craft room.

Decorated envelopes were then filled with small treats. Of course you could also put an activity in the container. Read a Christmas Story, bake cookies, sing carols at a rest home etc., there are so many ways to celebrate the season. But candy is safe, I'll let the Mom's choose their activities!

We used clothes pins to hang the envelopes on a length of cord. The girls opted to make 25 envelopes--a perfect way to count the days until Christmas. We had a great evening--with talk of what we would do next year! This was the perfect way for me to start the Holiday Season.