Airy Voile Scarf

I try to be a scarf wearer - they are cute and look so great . . . . on most people.  But most of the time I don't feel like I can really pull a scarf off - I'm not one of "those people".  That doesn't keep me from buying and making all kinds of scarves.  I found this really cute voile scarf "kit" over at Anna Marie Horner's shop and couldn't resist ordering one.  The fabric was even prettier in person.   The fabric cuts are perfect - 12" x 88".  I could have made an infinity scarf with it, but I went with just a plain old "flat" scarf. 

The fabric is so light and airy.  And it was easier to sew than I thought it might be.  (Hint - the key is lots and lots of pinning!)  I wore it yesterday to work and it was perfect.  And it worked up in all of about 30 minutes max. 

I love quick, easy, and cute projects!

Prepping for Valentine's Day

So I know my family and friends are going to see this and just shake their heads! 

 

I really do have a lot going on over the next few weeks and I wanted to get a head start on the boy's Valentines for school.  We did some web surfing to get some great ideas for cool boy Valentines and they each chose something they loved.  I spent some time yesterday getting all the supplies together and we finished them up tonight. 

 

So - YES - we're all done and ready for Valentine's Day!  And you know what - I'm not embarrassed!

 

Here's the information on what we did:

 

Son #1 choose these adorable "LOVE BUG" valentines.  Dandee Designs created these and so graciously shared them on her blog.  I absolutely love these - and I am not a big bug fan!  Tan card stock, a printer, glue dots, and some cute Toob insects are all you need.  They were super fast and a huge hit with the boys.

Son #2 wanted to give away Pop Rocks.  Actually, truth be told, he probably was most interested in having some Pop Rocks for himself.  Regardless, he choose these "YOU ROCK" valentines.  The Fickle Pickle created these and we printed them out.  Then we glued them to some fancy card stock (mat sized) and stapled on the Pop Rocks.  Hint - you can buy a package of 3 Pop Rocks at the Dollar Store.  

I love the blog world and I love people who are so creative and are so willing to share ideas and free printables.  My life has been made so much easier!  And now we're ready for Valentine's Day!  And that feels great!

A Winter Quiet Book

 It's no secret that I'm addicted to Quiet Books!  I've made a big custom one for my boys (see my side bar) and then made five smaller themed quiet books as well.   This is my newest one - Winter Wonder. 

 

And because I feel like it, I'm going to get on my soap box about quiet books for a second.  They need to be interactive - - not just cute to look at!  This one is slightly more interactive than the last few that I've made.  My boys are getting a little old for these simple themed ones, but they still LOVE their big book like crazy!  I'm too lazy busy to come up with my own patterns, but I sure wish those wonderful people who do offer up their patterns would make them more interactive.  I'll take what I can get though - I'm done complaining providing feedback for now.

 

I have a few patterns and kits set aside that I just haven't made time to get to, even though they are pretty basic.  I didn't want them to go unmade.  So I broke this Winter  Wonder kit open and ta da - a new book.  Sorry - the pictures are horrible - in the house at night, lots of white and a camera flash.  But the book is cute!  And son #1 did enjoy it for about 5 minutes at church today. 

 

The pattern and kit are from Shelley Wallace and you can find her Etsy shop here.  I find her patterns easy to follow and her kits are adorable.

 

 Here's the front cover.

 

 

 Button a snowflake.

See if the mitten fits.

 

 

 Lace up the ice skate.

Put some marshmallows in the hot cocoa.

 

 

Build a snowman - all the parts and pieces are inside the little blue pocket on the right hand page.  Son #1 gave this page his stamp of approval today.

 

And the back cover.

By the way . . . . I'll be attending a local QBA meeting this week if anyone wants to join me. 

QBA = Quiet Books Anonymous.

Yummy Gooey Caramels

One of my most favorite things in the whole world is gooey, chewy, ooey caramels.  I've always wanted to learn how to make them but never had the chance.  Maybe a year ago, I decided to just jump in with both feet and try out a recipe on my own - the outcome wasn't great.  Well this year I came across another recipe that seemed too good to be true.  Make It - Love It's Microwave Sea Salt Caramel recipe was everything she promised it would be!  I made it WITHOUT the added salt - no need for more sodium in my life, plus my family wouldn't have touched them with the salt on top (hum, maybe I should have added the salt :-)).  Anyway - I've successfully made two batches within the last week and both have turned out sooooo good!  It is ridiculously easy!  Put the ingredients in a bowl, pop it in the microwave, stir every two minutes (have son #1 watch the time - good practice for his digital time-telling skills), and dump it in a baking dish when it is done.  Seriously easy!  My kind of recipe.  Here is my version of the recipe (without the sea salt on top):

Microwave Caramels

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 7 minutes, stirring every two minutes.  Pour mixture into a generously greased 8 inch square baking dish.  Then let cool in the fridge for 45 minutes or until hardened. Then peel out of the pan - or eat straight out of the pan if you're desperate! - and place on a sheet of wax paper. Then slice into pieces with a buttered knife and place on a plate (keep them separate) or wrap in small pieces of wax paper.


I'm not a food blogger or a fancy food photographer but here are some pics of my last batch:

Seriously - look at that gooey rectangle of buttery, sugary goodness!!!  Mmmmmmmm!

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Now I can finally post some of the items I've been working on for Christmas gifts for this year.  There are always more things that I had hoped to get to, but I'm happy with these - and I hope my friends and family are as well.  I did have one giant handmade gift flop this year, but more to come on that one later (maybe - if I can still pull it out of the flop pile and re-work it).

First - yet another ric rack baby blanket.  This one was for my friend to give to her new grandson expected to arrive in a few weeks.  I just don't seem to tire of making these - they're easy and really adorable. 

This pack-n-play fabric doll (think paper dolls made out of fabric) set was made for another of my friends to give to her granddaughter.  I don't have any little girls in my life - but I was dying to make this.  So she is the lucky winner!  The fabric is from the Happy Ever After line by Riley Blake.  This pattern is included with the large pack-n-play set I hope to make 'en mass' this spring with my sister.  This really is such a cute line of fabric - hard to resist!
Here are all the pieces - dolls, clothes, hats, a crown, and of course, the "pack".

And the pieces all fit inside the little holder.

And it folds up all nice and neat.  Adorable.  Now - looking at this picture, I wish I would have sewn a cute pink button on the outside flap over the velcro stitching.  Oh well.

And this is an eyeglass lanyard for my mom.  I was looking at these trying to find one that I liked to order for her.  Then I slept on it, woke up the next morning and went "duh".  I can make one of these myself.  So there you have it - a long silver chain with a little embellishment and a metal circle at the end for the glasses to slide in.

Everything looks better with a few pearls and a silver bead added to it. 
Simple but just enough detail to "cute-i-fy" it!

And finally - a tote bag for a friend.  I had seen this pattern for a fat quarter tote bag from the Cottage Home and had wanted to make one.  Super easy and really fast to work up - which was good since I waited until the last second to whip it out. 

Here is the inside.  And really, can you ever have too many tote bags?  I say no!

Happy holidays.

German Pancakes

One of my favorite breakfasts is "German Pancakes".  At least that's what we know them as.  My mom used to make them for us when my brother and sister and I were kids.  I've also heard them called Dutch Baby pancakes or Oven pancakes.  Whatever you call them - they are still one of my most favorite breakfasts - - call it comfort food. 

 

Well I came across a pan made just for them.  Normally I just make them in either an 8x8 baking dish or if I'm doing a big batch, I'll use a 9x13 baking dish.  This oven-safe pan has the perfect curved sides and is just the right size.  I do need to remember to lower my oven rack next time just to keep the edges from over-browning.

But here it is - my recipe:

 

German Pancakes

4 T butter - let it melt in the pan in a 400 degree oven as it warms up.

Mix 6 eggs, 1 cup flour, and 1 cup milk.  Some recipes recommend a blender for the mixing - I like just a big bowl and a good whisk. 

Pour the mix in with the melted butter and pop it back in the oven.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Top with your favorite syrup and/or powdered sugar.

Um, um, good!!!!!

Fleece Blanket Service Project

 Husband's work is doing a service project for the holidays this year - fleece blankets.  They are donating them to the elementary school where his office is.  We decided to make our own instead of buying pre-made blankets.  I love being able to choose the fabric you want - - and fleece is so much better now than it was even a few years ago. 

I cut the blankets and fringed them.  Husband was responsible for tying all the fringe.  These blankets always work up so fast.  Here is our pile, ready to go to the office.

The girl ones:

 And the boy ones:

Another Christmas project done - check!