Zig-Zag Quilt

I just finished another baby quilt for a co-worker (every time I turn around someone new is pregnant!).  This pattern came from Cluck Cluck Sew, an amazing website where you can pay for the pattern and they will simply email it to you the same day!  The pattern was surprisingly easy, and it turned out so cute!

Here is a close-up of the front and back separately:

Now if I can just figure out how to make a King-size one for myself...

Happy Quilting!

"Lennon" Baby Quilt

I have been making baby quilts left and right for some of the people I work with.  Here is my latest creation:

As you can guess, the baby's name is Lennon, and they have the nursery decorated in elephants.  I found this applique by googling "elephant image".  You can find the pattern at Moda Bake Shop

Happy Quilting!

Window Project

I got an old window frame from my grandparent's farm, and I wanted to do something fun to display it.  After surfing on Pinterest for awhile to get some "pinspiration", I decided to make it into a picture frame.  Here is the finished result:

If you would like to create a similar project, here is what you will need:

• An old window frame
• Wire Brush for cleaning
• Acrylic Paint (remember you will be glazing over this, so go for something bright)
• Brushes
• Glaze
• 12x12 Scrapbook Paper
• Three Knobs
• Old rags and throw-away cups

Here are the steps:

1. Clean the window using soapy water and a wire brush.  Let dry. (You may have to re-caulk the glass if needed, or you can take it in to have the glass professionally replaced.)
2. Apply a good coat of the acrylic paint.  Depending on the color of your window and the paint you choose, you may need to apply two coats.  Let dry.
3. Glaze the window frame.  I got my instructions from "The Speckled Dog" blog, which you can find here http://thespeckleddog.blogspot.com/2011/01/glazed-but-not-confused-glazing-101.html.  You will need to have your old rags, brushes, and throw-away cups ready for this step. Let dry.
4. Cut the scrapbook paper to fit inside your glass.  Use strong photo tape to secure pictures centered on each piece of photo paper.  Tape the scrapbook paper to the back of your window.
5. Add knobs and hanging hardware, and you are complete!

Here is a close-up of the finished project- happy crafting!



Apron Project

One of my good friends, Brandi, commissioned me to make some aprons for her kiddos.  After searching Pinterest for some inspiration, I found a pattern I liked from the book: Gooseberry Patch; Sweetly Stitched for Kids.  Since the book has a copyright, I cannot post the directions on my blog, but here is a picture of the end result!

I did make one small change from the directions in the book.  It calls for the measurement of the bib to be 7x7.5", and I found that to be pretty small.  If you want a larger apron, I would suggest making the bib 10x10.5", which is what I did on the picture above. 

I hope Brandi and her kiddos love their new aprons!

Spring Wreath

Today I got out my Easter/Spring decorations, and felt something was lacking.  I saw a wreath on Pinterest http://makingitfun.blogspot.com/2011/12/quick-and-easy-wreath.htmlthat I wanted to copy, but the directions weren't great.  So, I put my creativity to work, and here is what I came out with:

Pretty cute, if I do say so myself!  This project does not require any sewing skills- here are the directions:

You will need

•  7 Assorted Fabrics- One Fat Quarter each should do
• 1/4 Yard of Fabric for Wrapping the Wreath
• 14" Wreath (mine is Styrofoam)
• 12 3" Styrofoam balls
• 12 2" Styrofoam balls
• Fabric glue
• Hot glue gun
• 48" ribbon



1. Tear the fabric for your balls into 1" strips.  Start by cutting just a small snip at the 1" mark, and then tear.  (A great way to relieve stress!).  Remove all excess threads.
2. Wrap the strips around the balls.  You may need more than one strip per ball, just overlap where you left off when you start a new strip.
3. 
   Glue the end of the last strip on the ball with the Fabric Glue.  Let dry for 1 hour.  Here is what the finished ball will look like:
4. 
5. Tear the fabric that will wrap around your wreath into 3" strips.  Tie the ends together, and then wrap around your wreath, using the fabric glue to secure the end.  Let dry one hour.

6.  Place your balls around the wreath, to determine your layout.  I would recommend taking a picture after you do this, so you remember how you want it if they start to roll around. 

7.  Hot glue the balls to your wreath.  I glued the large balls first, then alternated the smaller balls inside and outside the wreath.  I glued the small balls both to the wreath, and to the larger balls.

8.  Cut your ribbon into two 24" strips, and then glue each strip to the back of your wreath. 





KU T-Shirt Throw

If anyone knows me, you also know my husband is a HUGE KU fan.  We were finally able to replace some of his most beloved t-shirts, so I decided to make him a T-Shirt quilt.  Here is a picture of the finished quilt:

Here are the directions, in case you would like to make one of your own!  The finished dimensions are approximately 55x71".

You will need:

• 12 T-Shirts (you can use fewer if you have some that have print on both sides)
• 2 yards of fabric for the border
• 3 1/2 yards of fabric for the backing
• 3/4 yards for the binding
• Interfacing
• Twin size batting

1.  Using a rotary cutter and mat, cut each t-shirt down to 14" squares.

2. Cut interfacing into 14" squares and iron onto the back of each piece.  This will keep the t-shirts from stretching out as you are trying to sew.
3. Lay out your quilt, and take a picture so you remember for piecing together later. 

4. From the binding fabric, cut:

• 2 pieces that are 6x46"
• 2 pieces that are 6x72"
• 3 pieces that are 4x46"
• 8 pieces that are 4x14"

5. Piece rows together, so you have 4 rows each.

6.  Add the 4x46" strips between each row.
7.  Add the 6x46" strips at the top and bottom.
8.  Add the 6"72" strips along the sides.
9.  From the backing fabric, cut it into 2 pieces that are 45x65", and then sew together to make a 65x90" larger piece.
10.  Sandwich together the top of your quilt, the batting, and the backing.

11.  Pin all layers together for quilting.

12.  Quilt together.  I stitched in the ditch around each t-shirt, and then halfway between each square on the binding and along the edges.
13.  Bind the edges using your favorite method.  (I used 3" strips and hand-sewed my binding)

Here are some close-ups of the finished quilt!

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

It is a cold winter day in Michigan today- 6+ inches of snow and still going strong!  I am in the mood for some warm soup, and this is one of my favorites.  I hope you enjoy it too!

You will need:

•  3-4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
• 4 C. Chicken Stock
• 2 C. Half and Half
• 1 stalk Celery, diced
• 1/2 Carrot, shredded or diced
• 1/2 Onion, diced
• 1 C. fresh Spinach, chopped (I use 1/2 a package of frozen spinach)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Thyme
• 16 oz. Potato Gnocchi (In the Italian aisle by the pasta)
• Salt and Pepper

1. Saute the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until the onion is translucent.
2. Add chicken, stock, half and half, salt and pepper, and thyme. 
3. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi.
4. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.

Delicious!

Mercury-Style Glass

I LOVE mercury style glass- lamps, vases, candlesticks, you name it!  However, I do not like the price tag that comes with it.  So, after checking out the internet I found a great way to create the mercury glass look at a fraction of the price. 

Here is what you will need:

• Krylon "Looking Glass" Spray Paint (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $11.99)
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Any type of clear glass.  (I got all of mine from Target for $12.95)

1. Start by cleaning and drying your glass, removing any stickers
2. Work individually with each piece of glass- Start by misting with water from a spray bottle.
3. Spray the piece with the Looking Glass Spray Paint, getting all sides.  You may need a couple of passes to cover.  It will look drippy and uneven- don't worry, that is the effect you want!

Allow to dry, about 1 hour.

Display and enjoy!

I added mine to my mantle with my Valentine Banner- Check it out!

Valentine "Be Mine" Banner

Want to learn how to create this cute banner for Valentine's Day?  I am including instructions for both sewers and crafters- here you go!

You will need:

• Scissors (regular and pinking)
• One package of coordinating bias tape
• 1/2 yard of heavy duty fabric for the pendants (I used a twill, but burlap would be cute too)
• 7 scraps of fabric that are at least 6x6"
• Sewers- thread and light weight interfacing
• Crafters- 1/2 yard of heavy duty Heat & Bond, as well as a roll of Heat & Bond that is 5/8"

1. Print and cut out the letters that you will use for your banner.  I got mine from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/02/16/simple-applique-monograms/
2. Cut out the pendants.  I made a pattern from a paper bag.  I started by drawing a line that was 9 1/2 inches across the bottom.  I then found the center of that line, and measured up 10 inches to create a mark.  Lastly, I joined this into a triangle by connecting each end of my first line to the 10 inch point.  I traced my pattern onto my twill fabric, and then cut it out with pinking scissors so it won't fray.

3. Cut your fabric scraps to 6x6 squares.  Then, apply either the interfacing (if you are a sewer) or the Heat & Bond (if you are a crafter).
4. Trace each letter backwards on the interfacing/heat & bond side of each of your squares.  It is important that you flip them backwards, or your letters won't be right.

5. Cut each letter out of your fabric, and pin to your pendants.  I centered mine 1" from the top of each pendant.
6. Sew around each letter, staying as close as you can to the edge.  If you are a crafter, you can now iron the letters onto your pendants.
7. Measure how long you want your banner to be, and add 6".  (Mine is 58")
8. Lay out your banner, and pin the pendants together. 

9. Baste along the top if you are a sewer- if you are a crafter skip this step.
10. Measure the bias tape to leave a 12" tail at each end of your banner. (mine was 82")
11.  Iron the bias tape flat, removing the folds that were originally done for the packaging.  (If you are a crafter, iron your 5/8" strip of Heat & Bond on one side.)  Then, fold in half and iron again. 
12.  Sewers- fold the bias tape over the edge of your banner and sew the width of your presser foot down the entire length of your bias tape.  Crafters- remove the backing of the Heat & Bond, and then fold over the top of your pendants and iron on. 

Hang and Enjoy!

Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies

My mother-in-law made these delicious Chocolate Cinnamon Brownies for my husband, and they are one of his favorites!  I made them the other night to take over to our neighbors when we played cards.  Here is the recipe, enjoy!

1st Mixture:

• 2 c. Sugar
• 2 c. Flour
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. Salt

2nd Mixture:

• 1 stick butter (I use the unsalted sweet cream)
• 1/2 c. oil (I use canola oil)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 1 c. Water

Bring 2nd Mixture to a boil, then add to the first mixture

Then Add:

• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 c. Buttermilk
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (it will have a cake-like texture).

For the Icing:

• 1 Stick Butter (again the unsalted sweet cream butter)
• 4 T. Cocoa Powder
• 6 T. Milk

Bring to a boil, stirring often.  Remove from heat and add:

• 1 box Powdered Sugar (about 2 1/2 cups)
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/2 T. Cinnamon

Spread on hot cake- it will set up as the cake cools.