Sunday, May 31, 2009
Jan & Dean - Popsicle Song
A friend mentioned this song today and it brought back some memories! :) Perfect day to listen to this song! Enjoy!!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Tutorial: Fusible interfacing prolongs a pattern
Tutorial: Fusible interfacing prolongs a pattern’s life
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When reorganizing my craft room a while back... I couldn't figure out for the life of me WHY I had so much fusible interfacing... this post reminded me!!! Glad I didn't get rid of it! lol
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When reorganizing my craft room a while back... I couldn't figure out for the life of me WHY I had so much fusible interfacing... this post reminded me!!! Glad I didn't get rid of it! lol
Have I shared with you how much I love this machine?
I love my Viking. This is my third (not because I needed it) in 38 years. I would not have anything BUT a Viking. It sews like a dream! I did not take the lessons offered with the machine when I purchased it because I was working and could not fit it in but now that I have some time off, I have scheduled some time at JoAnns and I am going to refresh and learn some new things! I am so excited as I can do embroidery with this machine and I am going to learn that now! YAHOO!
I started sewing in 2nd grade or before. I learned on an old Singer treadle machine. I don't really remember my mom teaching me but she must have or at least supervised as I pinned the doll patterns on the fabric, cut them out and then sewed away on the machine, pumping that pedal! I remember that machine sitting up on the balcony of the second floor of our Lincoln, Nebraska home. When I took home ec in junior high, I already knew the basics and had no problem learning more. I have made many outfits for my children, including my oldest son who benefited when I bought my first Viking and sewed MANY overalls and t shirts for him in the then ever popular double and single knits! I love the decorative stitches and have used them for years. The second machine I purchased when my first grandbaby was expected and now had the ability of putting my "signature" on my creations. Time, life and a place to sew held me back from sewing for a few years but I am back at it with a vengence and can hardly wait to take the embroidery class! The bread liners would be wonderful with a Letter embroidered on one corner of one side of the fabric and how many cute things can I create for the grands with embroidered goodies! Etsy watch out because I have all kinds of ideas! lol
Editing for meme:
What brand and model do you have? I have the Viking Topaz 30
How long have you had it?
How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Handbags, clothing, home dec projects, embroidery
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
A LOT!
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I passionately love my machine. I would have nothing but a Viking!
What features does your machine have that work well for you? What doesn't? I love the bobbin winder, it has a self cut on the thread at the end of your seam, easy to adjust stitches and chose stitches.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? it is a workhorse. Little maintance. Viking makes quality products.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Ease of use, stitches that I will use.
Do you have a dream machine? I think that I do!
Handy little wallets!
Here are pictures of the wallet that I made today! I found this cute fabric at Joanns as a fat quarter for 99 cents. One fat quarter makes 2 wallets, I have 4 made up. They are so handy. A nice button can adorn the front or not. :)
Tutorial: Sew a Bipron for kids
I just love new and different ideas for kids. Cute and easy bib!Tutorial: Sew a ‘Bibpron’ for kids too big for baby bibs
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Tutorial: Water bottle sling for summer adventures
I think I need to make these for my grandkids! :)Tutorial: Water bottle sling for summer adventures
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Thank you, Connie, for the Award!
Connie, from Boondock Babble, gave me this Attitude of Gratitude Award along with some very kind words! I am honored to have known Connie from another board for nearly 10 years! We share the love of yarn crafting, cooking and just good ol' friendship! :) Connie has a wonderful, entertaining way with words, so I accept this award with honor. Please check out her blog and you will see what a delightful writer she is sharing her wonderful everyday life with pa and the kids!
I am on my way out to sew but will be back to pass this award along to some other deserving bloggie friends! Thanks again, Connie!!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Bread Liners
I got 2 gifts finished up today. The sunflower bread liner is for my daughter in law and the brown coffee bread liner is for my daughter, who is celebrating her birthday on June 19th. I did end up finding my pattern piece so didn't have to make one up from the wonderful pictures that Val sent to me. The bread liners are reversible so either side can be used for the outside. This is a Kwik Sew Pattern #1135. Easy and very useful! A timeless pattern actually. I made dozens of these in the 80s for gifts and for a craft bazaar that we had at our school. Today they are just as cute and timeless as then! :) If you click on the picture, it will give you a larger picture and you will be able to see more detail of the fabric.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Here is what hubby and our friend have been doing
I should have taken before pictures. You may catch a glimpse of some of the bush in older posts on here. This is our friend, Ron. He helped trim this tree that is in the hedge - which we hate! But he topped it and then they took out the lower limbs. Now our view is even so much better across the valley.
4th of July Craft Swap Pictures
Here are the magnets that I made for a 4th of July Swap that I am involved in. Bottle Cap magnets and then magnet "paper" for the others. :)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Crafting today :)
Here are some of the bottle tops that we got started today. They will be magnets, key chains and necklaces. :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Auntie sent Miss Rosie some pretty clips for her hair!
It is so hard to think that this little angel granddaughter is walking all over and going to be one year next month! Her auntie, my oldest daughter, sent her some new clips for her hair. Aren't they cute? She sells them at her etsy shop. Check it out if you are interested in seeing her lovely handcrafted items. :)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Bookmarks
This is a bookmark that I made for a good friend having a birthday this week. I am happy with the way it turned out.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
THANK YOU VAL!!!!!
My friend, Val in Nebraska, is amazing! She is a very talented crafting friend and has helped me out with ideas and other things many times! She read my post about my bread basket liner and from my vague description knew just exactly what I was talking about!!!! She found her liner and took pics so that I could figure out how to make it again! I love her bread basket fabric. Looks gorgeous! Thank you, Val so much!! Can you all see why I love the shape of this! I won't be making this week but I will post pics when I get it done. PTL for friends like Val!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Kickin' myself! lol
Last weekend when at my oldest son's home for the birthday parties, I got a great idea for my daughter in law's birthday gift. I cut the garlic bread for her and realized that she does not have a bread knife. Idea: Rada bread knife with a bread basket liner/napkin! AGES ago, I used to make these great bread basket liners for gifts and selling at our school bazaar. I loved the shape of them - although difficult to describe. Probably a good 24" square with "shaped" corners. It was all one piece, two sided. The solid middle fit into the basket and the "shaped" corners folded over the bread in the basket. So now that it has been 20 years since I have made this pattern do you think for the life of me I can find it? Nope!!!! Sigh. I will keep looking on the internet. It may have been a quik sew pattern. If this sounds familiar to any of you PLEASE comment and let me know if you think you have any ideas as to how to find the pattern to replace it! Thank you!
Rachel Ray's Taco Pockets
My hubby loves Tacos but he does hate the mess of them. This sounds like a great alternative! Click on the title of the recipe and it will take you to her website and a video!
Taco Pockets
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 1 tablespoon (about a palmful) chili powder
- 1 teaspoons (about a half a palmful) ground cumin
- A few dashes hot sauce
- 2 scallions, whites and greens chopped
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup taco sauce (whatever variety you like)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 4 small tomatoes, finely chopped
Yields: 4 servings
Preparation
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons.
In a large mixing bowl, combine ground sirloin, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, cumin, hot sauce, scallions, salt and pepper. Form the meat mixture into four patties. Cook the patties in the hot pan until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
While the burger patties are cooking, turn a gas burner onto high and blister the flour tortillas by passing them over the flame quickly. If you don't have a gas stove, place a dry skillet over high heat and lay the tortillas, one at a time, into the hot skillet, blistering them on both sides.
As the patties finish cooking, transfer them to the tortillas and top each with some taco sauce, shredded cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Fold the tortilla around the burger, enclosing it in a pocket. Cut each pocket open on a diagonal and serve.
Rachel Ray'ss Sirloin Burgers w/garlic Black Pepper Parmesan Sauce
Saw this on the show yesterday... Looks so good. I would like to try the sauce on a chicken burger. Yumm.. If you go to the website you will see the video of her making this.
Sirloin Burgers with Garlic-Black Pepper-Parmesan Sauce and Roasted Tomatoes with Basil and Balsamic Drizzle
Ingredients
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes (for four burgers), sliced about 1/4-inch thick
- 4 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 2 pounds coarsely ground sirloin
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 4 Kaiser rolls, toasted
- 1 head red leaf romaine lettuce, shredded
- 8 to 10 leaves basil, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1/4 cup balsamic drizzle
Yields: 4 servings
Preparation
Preheat oven to 325ºF.
Arrange tomato slices on a screen set over a sheet pan and drizzle with about 2 tablespoons EVOO, some salt and pepper. Roast the tomatoes until tender and caramelized, about an hour. Reserve.
When the tomatoes are ready, place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. While the pan is heating up, combine the sirloin with some salt and pepper, and form into 4 patties. Cook the patties in the hot skillet until seared and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
While the patties are cooking, place a small pot over medium-high heat with the butter. Add the garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute. Add the flour to the pan and cook for about 1 minute. Whisk the milk into the butter-flour mixture and bring up to a bubble. Simmer until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Season with salt, lots of pepper (about 1 teaspoon) and stir in the cheese. Reserve the sauce warm.
When the burgers are ready, assemble them by placing some lettuce on the bun bottoms and topping it with a burger patty, some Parmigiano sauce, a couple of roasted tomatoes, some basil and balsamic drizzle.
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