Fleece Blanket

I got a sweet deal on the perfect fleece for my daughters' rooms and sewed them up just in time for their birthdays. Here is a little tutorial on how I put them together. With a single fold hem these were really simple and quick to make. I added a mitered corner for a little extra polish. Enjoy!

For starters, square up your fabric and cut to size, making sure you fully remove the selvage. I made this blanket out of 2.5 yards of fabric for a twin bed. Since we're doing a single fold hem, take care to make a nice straight edge.

Once your fabric is ready, mark 1.5" all around on the wrong side of the fabric. Fold the edge over to meet the line and pin in place. Mark to the edge, but leave the corners open.

 Trim the corners at the diagonal, leaving a slight allowance. Fold right sides together so that the two points meet. Sew along where you've just cut. Unfold, reversing the corner, and pin to the wrong side as shown.

Select a stitch to finish your blanket with, and ensure the stitch width is wide enough to consistently catch the unfinished edge. I used a decorative stitch for this blanket, but a simple zig-zag or blanket stitch would work fine for this. Sew over the unfinished edge being careful to keep the edge at the center of the foot and the fold even with your 1.5" mark. Trim edge as you notice any uneven cuts.

I rolled the blankets and secured with a decorative bow before giving these to the birthday girls. Doesn't that look nice?

Copper jewelry

I picked up a beautifully wrapped petoskey on my trip up north this summer, and immediately set out on a mission to find a piece of beach glass to pair it with. I picked up a number of interesting stones which should inspire some crafting (eventually). As soon as I had a free moment back home, I was off to the bead store. I just received a great pair of copper earrings (7th anniversary), so I picked up some copper chain and wire, and a sterling clasp. After a few test wraps, I decided to pair the petoskey pendant with a small piece of blue beach glass. I hammered the copper wire prior to wrapping which I think gives it a classier look.

Plum ice cream with ginger and mint

So rather recently my father has adopted a (mostly) vegan diet for environmental and other reasons. For Father's Day this year, I decided I would make him vegan ice cream. The first attempt was peanut butter chunk with cocoa chips. It was pretty good, except that the 100% cocoa bar wrapping was so much like a candy bar that I failed to realize that it was unsweetened and VERY bitter (I recommended he avoid the chocolate chunks in that one). Ok, so lesson learned? Inspired by the seasonally good price on plums at the local grocery store, I decided to revisit Ginger-Plum ice cream and give it a vegan twist. Well, ok, so remember the "mostly" part? I am using honey in this recipe which technically isn't vegan but was given the green light by dad. You could substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar for a fully vegan recipe.


Ingredients:
4 black plums, chopped 
1/2 cup (vegan) sugar 
1/2 cup honey or vegan alternative
2 sprigs spearmint, stems removed
1 inch disc of fresh ginger, peeled and diced
2 cans organic full fat coconut milk 
1 dash cardamom
1 tsp arrowroot powder (optional)


Directions:
Combine plums, ginger, sugar, honey, and mint in a saucepan (1) and cook over medium high heat until plums are soft and sugar is absorbed (2). Puree in a blender or food processor and strain, discarding skins (3). Chill puree and cans of coconut milk in the fridge (at least 3 hours). 

Combine puree with coconut milk and arrowroot powder* and whip until combined and somewhat increased in volume. Once mixed, transfer into the bowl of your ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove to a freezer safe container and store in freezer for 1 hour or until ready to eat.

(1)  (2)(3)      

* Arrowroot powder, or a similar starch, can be used to decrease formation of ice crystals in the final product and is often recommended in vegan ice "cream" recipes.

Serving Suggestion: This treat has a refreshing flavor that may be too strong alone. However, paired with a slice of angel food cake, fresh berries, and whipped cream you have a perfect treat for a hot summer day.

Baby Shower Magnets

I have posted previously about the super cute marble magnets I made for my office. I have since made several batches of these as gifts as well as to sell for fundraisers. Around last November I was selling these at work to support one of our fundraisers, and a friend and coworker joked I would have to make some for her baby shower favors (we didn't know at the time she was or was about to be pregnant!). Well, I took her seriously and a few months later happened across an adorable print of girl dolls that was just about the perfect size for these magnets. Since I still didn't know she was pregnant, let alone that it was a girl, I bought it as I could always use it for my daughter's scrapbook or for future fundraisers. As it turns out she is pregnant with a girl and I put this paper to good use. 

Supplies:
Disc magnets (diameter should be smaller than size of marble)
Flat bottom clear marbles (not irridescent)
Elmer's ceramic and glass cement
Scrapbook paper
1/2" circle punch (diameter should be similar to size of marble) or scissors
Optional for packaging:
Jewelers bags
Card stock
Printer
Paper trimmer

Instructions:
Punch out desired patterns from paper using the circle punch. Apply one drop of glue to design and press onto bottom of marble. Center design onto marble and then hold firm for 30 seconds, pressing to make sure all sides are sealed. Add another drop of glue to back of paper and apply magnet. Hold firm again. Let set for several minutes.
After glue has set, use a slightly damp washcloth to clean any excess glue from the magnet (this is a great time to do a quality control check on your glue application). Repeat as desired. Using 3 areas of the design on the 12 x 12 paper I selected, I was able to make 35 sets of 3 magnets each.

To package, cut a sheet of cardstock approximately 1/2 inch shorter and thinner than the size of your bag. I find a small jewelers bag (2 x 3.75 inches) is a great size for 3-4 of my magnets. Insert the cardstock halfway into the bag and then arrange marbles. Push cardstock and magnets into the bag and seal. The cardstock will discourage the magnets from shifting and attaching to one another. For the baby shower gifts, we printed the front of the cardstock with my information and the back with a personal message. What a cute way to welcome a new baby!

  

 

Kennel Quilt

OK, so this post is going to be a test of using my tablet. Let's see how it looks.

A few months ago we started a quilting group at work. We started out with a couple of string quilts funded by the company. Our next project was making kennel quilts for animals displaced by the tornados in Oklahoma. These are very small - 12x18 inches. I decided to try some more strip quilting.

Materials:

Strips of 3 or more coordinating natural fabrics

13x19inch coordinating fabric for backing

12x18inch or larger cotton batting

Coordinating thread

Prepare strips of equal width (1.5in or so). Sew 3 to 6 together along long sides. Repeat, assembling strips in a different order. Cut perpendicular to the seams in 2.5 inch widths. Nowalternate strips  from the two unique sets and reassemble. I was able to create a nice basketweave effect using this method.

To finish, I cut the assembled front and back to size, and sewed together like a pillowcade. I basted together scraps of batting, inserted, and stitched closed. I used a wavy line to quilt in order to enhance the basketweave effect. This was only my second attempt at machine quilting, and first attempt at free form. My standard walking foot was not ideal, but got the job done! What do you think?

Oversized Ruffle Tote

I stumbled upon this pattern from Parasol Co a few months ago and just had to make it. I purchased a few yards of quilter's cotton on sale at our local fabric shop and had at it. The directions attached with the pattern aren't the most helpful, but it does include a nice graphic of how the pieces fit together. I added a patch pocket to the interior to help keep track of all those little necessities that will inevitably get lost otherwise in such a large bag.

Toddler Pumpkin Costume

So I don't know about anyone else's toddler, but mine is obsessed with pumpkins. Not just Jack-o-lanterns, the kid loves pumpkins. This year he decided that is what he'd like to be for Halloween. I was excited since I wouldn't need to make another elaborate one-time-use costume again this year. I decided to go for a two-piece pajama style costume made out of cotton jersey. Since the local fabric store failed to have orange jersey (or any color that was reasonably priced, for that matter), I got everything I needed at Michael's.

Materials:

small plain white or orange t-shirt (for your child)
large plain white or orange t-shirt
1 box orange rit dye (if you are using white shirts)
black fabric paint & brush
needle & thread
scissors
elastic
pattern for toddler pajama bottoms



If you are using white t-shirts for this project, dye fabric according to the instructions on the box. Draw or print out a Jack-o-lantern template for your child's shirt. Carefully paint the pattern on the child's shirt according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Lay the adult shirt flat on the floor. Lay out the pattern for the pants so the bottom of the legs sit 1 to 2 inches below the hem of the shirt (this eliminates the need to hem the pants). Cut the pieces from the shirt and assemble according to the pattern instructions (omitting the hem).

For the hat, I cut just above the hem, making a dome shape that was as tall as the sleeve. Then, just sew along the dome. (Note: larger heads may require an additional shirt. You will want to cut the dome from the bottom seam of the t-shirt. Make sure you check in advance whether the sleeve will be sufficiently large for your toddler's head. If not, make sure to add an additional shirt to the dye bath).

Here is the finished outfit, made from white T-shirts. I don't think he'll wear his mask, so I plan to knit a green stem to add to the hat. He's going to be a cute little pumpkin!

Chocolate Almond Ice Cream

Warm weather is here, so it's time to start making ice cream again. I braved my first chocolate recipe, adapted from http://www.thatsmyhome.com/. If you love amaretto and chocolate as much as I do, this recipe is for you.



Ingredients:
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey
2 cup half and half
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
(or 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla liquor)
1 tsp almond extract
(or 1 tbsp almond liquor)

Directions:
Whisk sugar, honey, and egg yolks until well combined.
Heat cream and half and half over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently. Gradually whisk 1/3 of hot cream into egg mixture. Return cream with egg mixture to the stove. Sitr cocoa into the liquid, and continue heating until slightly thickened.

Whisk together cream and eggs with sour cream and extracts (if using liquor, do not add at this point) until well combined. Chill thoroughly for several hours or overnight.

When mixture is chilled, add to ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. When ice cream is nearing a soft serve consistency, mix in any liquors (this, along with the honey, will help prevent a hard freeze) or add ins. Enjoy!

Cute & Custom Magnets

For the past several months, I have been calling an office cubicle home for 40 hours a week. It's a nice little cube, not too small and several nice storage features. If I could pick one thing to complain about, it would be that the walls of the cube are made of metal which makes it very difficult to decorate. Magnetic picture frames are nice, but what do I do when I want to hang up a memo or a treasured piece of toddler art? Scotch tape only holds for so long...

I looked around online for magnets and if you are looking for something with decorative appeal expect to pay for it! I found some attractive magnets from iPop on amazon.com - for ~$3 PER MAGNET!!! You can also find several crafters on Etsy.com selling handmade magnets with a similar appeal for around $1 a piece. After reading through the descriptions at this site, I decided that I could make these myself and get the graphics I liked at a better price. It turns out these are really fun to make as well.

Supplies:
Several disc magnets
Flat bottom clear marbles
Strong, clear drying glue
Scrapbook paper

1) 2) 3)

Instructions:
Select your favorite printed paper. Keep in mind that the print should be small enough to display behind your marble. The paper and ink should be strong enough to resist bleeding when you apply the glue. Position the marble on the paper where you like it, and trace the outline. Cut inside these lines (the paper does not need to reach past the edges of the flat surface of the marble). Place a drop of glue on the paper and drop the marble on top (you don't want to smear the glue around if there is any concern that the ink may bleed). Press the paper firmly against the marble. Cover the back of the paper with glue and press the magnet onto the back. Smooth the edges of the paper against the marble. Press the marble and magnet together for 30-60 seconds (or longer depending on the glue you have selected). Wipe the clear surface with a damp towel to remove any excess glue. Once the glue has cured, use and enjoy or give as a gift to a friend. These would be great given as a gift to a coworker, for a housewarming, or as favors at a baby shower.

In the photos:
1) Excess scrapbook paper (previously purchased on clearance at Michael's)
2) A print-out of my son's first paining (you may notice some blurred ink)
3) Excess scrapbook paper (small butterflies were punched separately)

Nuts & Berries Buttercream Frosting

So once again I was looking for a way to fancy up a box of cake mix... chocolate this time. Since I have a bottle of chambord, I thought raspberry frosting and oh what about the half dozen bottles of various extracts sitting in the spice cupboard? Nuts and berries frosting it is! (OK, I confess. I didn't have hazelnut extra, but almond works too right?)

Ingredients:
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp Frangelico or 1/2 tsp hazelnut extract
1 tsp Chambord or 1/2 tsp raspberry extract

Directions:
Cream butter until smooth and light. While mixing at medium speed, slowly add powdered sugar. When combined, add liquor. Whip at high speed unitl thick and creamy. To adjust consistency, add a tablespoon of milk or powdered sugar while whipping until desired consistency is achieved.

T-shirt Jewelry

So Body + Soul magazine had a great upcycle idea this month - t-shirt necklaces. It was actually quite fortuitous, as the husband had just decided to purge the closet of his worn out t-shirts.
The process is quite simple and needs no special tools (or any notable skill for that matter), although a rotary cutter and cutting mat are preferred to scissors.

1) Cut out several 3/4" wide strips from the bottom of the t-shirt (discarding the hem)
2) Pull the loops taught, causing the raw edges to curl in
3) Use a scrap of material from the t-shirt or otherwise to wrap the loops together at the seams (if any) and tuck loose end of scrap under itself (I wrapped the loops once before binding in order to make a shorter necklace)

I also applied to same method to the sleeves and made a bracelet:

Simple Valentine's Pancakes

So for Valentine's day I wanted to make a special treat for my boys. I have some pancakes molds but they are such a pain to work with. I tried out an experiment that turned out really great... after letting the batter sit on the griddle momentarily, I pushed a cookie cutter through, let it rest on the griddle briefly (about 10 seconds), and then pulled straight out of the batter before it began to set. When I flipped the pancakes over there was a clear outline left... a simple upscale to Sunday morning pancakes.

Jewelry

One of my secret childhood dreams was to become a jeweler. I came across some old jewelry today that I made back when I had the time and resources to do such things. A few of these items I still wear upon occasion, but most of them are rather tarnished.

'Harvest Moon' - This is the only piece I ever officially named. I believe this is a carnelian cabochan set in silver. The band is made of half round wire and wrapped with brass.


Left: Copper necklace with glass and plastic beads
Right: I believe the center cabochan is garnet, the outer moonstone, set in silver. I intended to work this into a y necklace but never did.

Silver slave bracelet with what may be ametrine cabochans. The silver pendant at the end was purchased.


Left: Brass cuff bracelet. The mold was made from melting a plastic fork.
Right: Copper and brass dress pendant.


A fossil I found at Lake Michigan, lightly polished and set in brass.


Silver labradorite ring alongside a silver heart "charm" bracelet.