Halloween

I had great intentions this halloween to make another homemade costume but could not find a yellow rain jacket or rain boots (you'll just have to wait and see who she'll be next year)!  So, we decided to revamp last year's costume--

a hot fudge sundae

Imagine, if you will, a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a large drizzle of hot chocolate (which pools at the bottom of the bowl) along with whip cream and a cherry on top! 

The hot fudge drizzle is an old shirt of mine that I took in and cut to create "drizzles."  Although you can't see it, I weighted the drizzles with some brown beads so the material wouldn't curl up.  The tutu is about as simple to make as they come- I used this tutorial.  The whip cream hair clip is my own creation- I made a tube of white material, stuffed the front part of it with batting and curled it around itself (like a snake) to create the whip cream.  I used red felt and a little brown ribbon for the cherry.  Really easy.  Paired with a white onesie and brown pants, this costume cost me about $5.00 (for the beads and tulle).

Ever seen a hot fudge sundae go down a slide-- well, now you have!

Homemade Butter . . . really.

My friend, Krystal, posted the neatest link on how to make your own butter.  I've always wanted to try it, but never got around to it.  After seeing how easy it is, I decided to give it a go.  I happened to have heavy whipping cream in the fridge (doesn't everyone keep that as a staple?!), so I poured about a 1/3 of a quart into my chilled mixing bowl. 

After about 7 minutes on high, I realized that my mixing bowl wasn't scraping the edges properly to form butter, so I switched it to a mini food processor (just like in the video). 

It took about 30 seconds for the butter to separate and form.

Then I put it through two cold water rinses (see the video link).  I added a touch of salt and mixed it some more.  Then I transferred to a small dish and squeezed the excess water out with a spoon.

It was so easy and it really does taste so much better than store bought butter- much creamier.  I don't know what the cost analysis is yet, but it may be worth it in the end.  In any event, it tastes divine.

This is one super easy and super tasty treat that is sure to impress people at your next dinner!

Cason

And here is the finished quilt with Mr. Cason's name appliqued on it!  It's on its way to its new owner!

Stars and Stripes Quilt

Every time I sell a quilt on Etsy, I have a major itch to sew another one.  So here is my "other one."  This quilt top took me a long time to finish, not because of complications, but because I forgot about it and then had a baby, and then forgot about it again.  So, it is finally done.  I love the fabric.  It's called All Star by Riley Blake.  It's definitely boy inspired!

Here is the back of the quilt.  I love how the charms pop against the white.  However, I have learned my lesson- I can't have a dark quilt top and white backing, because it's too hard to make the thread work with both (I don't like using two different color threads because if the tension is off on my machine you can see it in the back.)  Lesson learned.

Aren't the colors great!

And this just in-- My cousin is going to buy this quilt for her little boy Cason!  I'm going to applique his name on the bottom- will have to get a picture of it when it is done.

So, since this one just sold I will get another one up soon!  I'm working on the top part right now!

Linking it up to Tea Rose Home Link Party- check it out- lots of homemade goodies!

Like making bread?

Then you must get this book-- Artisan Bread in Five Minutes A Day.  Every thing I have ever made out of this book turns out fabulous and delicious.  The best part is there is no kneading or proofing involved.  It's so simple!  And you always have some dough left over to refrigerate or freeze for later.

We made french toast out of this Challah loaf- delicious!

Fabric Flowers

Fabric flowers are super easy to make and very chic right now. 

1.  Just cut a strip of material about 28 inches long and 2 or 3 inches wide (you can play around with length and width for different size flowers).  You can cut the material in straight lines or put a little wave in it for added texture.

2.  Fold your strip in half

3.  Start wrapping your flower.  Put some scrunch into it to create some body.

4.  Sew the bottom of the flower together as you go.  Each wrap/layer will need to be sewn together.  Continue wrapping and sewing until you reach the end of the fabric.  You are done!

One alternative is to create a ruffle with your fabric.  Use your sewing machine and sew down the middle of the fabric with your largest stitch setting. Pull one of the ends of the thread to create a ruffle.  Use the same colored thread as your material (I used black for illustrative purposes). 

Continue with step 2 above-- fold material in half, wrap your flower (you don't have to add any scrunch because that is what the ruffle does) and sew all the layers together.

Done!  You've got a cute accessory now.  Sew it on a shirt or put a hair clip on the bottom for a cute hairpiece.

These are hair clips I've created.  Same technique but I used cotton t-shirt material for the white flower and a gauzy material for the beige flower.  You can hot glue or sew a button or sequin in the middle of the flower for extra bling!

***

UPDATE: To make a hair clip- I trace the bottom of the flower onto a piece of felt and cut it out (make sure the felt is slightly smaller than the bottom of the flower). 

Hot glue the felt to the bottom of the flower- the felt gives it some stability, a finished look and seals up any frays.  Then I took an alligator clip and hot glued it to the felt. 

Note: You have to open up the alligator clip and put a small strip of felt in between the clips so that the hot glue doesn't glue the whole clip together.  

See how the felt is smaller than the flower (this is a crocheted flower, but it is the same idea with fabric flowers)

Hard to see, but there is a strip of felt in between the clips of the alligator clip to prevent the hot glue from gluing the metal clips together.

Any questions?  Just let me know.

Coraline Quilt

So, I finally got around to making a quilt for Coraline. I love how it turned out.  I really fell in love with the pattern when I saw it at the Moda Bake Shop.  A very simple pattern that really shows off the fabric.  I used the Wonderland series by Momo for Moda Fabric.  I've had this fabric for awhile and am glad I got to use it.  I have another quilt in the works with some of the remainder of the fabric.

Her new tummy time blanket!

I think she likes it. 

Craft Fair

Have I got any readers left???

If so, I have a great excuse for being absent for so long. I had been furiously stamping away creating greeting cards, notebooks, calendars and quilts for a craft fair. Oh my, the craft room was outta control these past few weeks. But I was able to pull together quite a stash of cards.

It was a ladies' retreat as well as a craft fair, so I got to hear some neat speakers and sell my stuff. It was at my sister's church, so added bonus is that we got to spend Friday and Saturday together (a rare event with my working schedule and her 4 kids)!

Can I give a shout out to my sister who is the best salesperson in the world! She's not pushy but she tells you what you need to buy! I sat like a lump most of the time nodding and smiling. I can create it, but I can't sell worth a darn. It's the way God made me- so there. Thanks Rhea, I never would have sold anything without you!

Here are some pics of our booth:

The quilts. I didn't sell any, but got lots of compliments. Several people took my card, so maybe they'll remember me in the future!

Oh, the cards. The many, many cards.

Gyro Recipe

I've been asked for my gyro recipe after a post on the tzatziki sauce. For this recipe, I don't use measurements per se- it's one of my throw it all together and hope it works kind of recipe.

* Steak (i.e., flank steak-- anything that is sort of flat)
* Cavender's Greek Seasoning (I use this seasoning in almost everything)
* 1 or 2 cloves of Garlic, minced
* Worcestershire
* Whole Wheat Pitas
* Mild Banana Peppers
* Tomato slices
* Tzatziki Sauce (yogurt sauce)
* Paprika

I like to pound my steak to make it thinner (or buy some from the butcher already sliced thin). I marinade the steak with a little splash of Worcestershire , minced garlic and generous sprinkling of greek seasoning. Let the steak marinate for as little as 30 min. to overnight. Then I sear it/cook it in my cast iron skillet with a little olive oil over medium high heat. After steak has rested it for at least 10 min., I like to slice it.

Then I put the steak in a pita pocket with a generous serving of the yogurt sauce, some banana peppers and tomato slices (sometimes cucumber slices too or a little lettuce). I like to sprinkle a little paprika on the pita (specifically the yogurt sauce) for a little extra color!

That's it. Super easy and yummy. I have also done a loaf style gyro with hamburger meat and spinach. I don't like that as well, because it seems like meatloaf in a pocket (not as authentic to me).

New Laundry Detergent

Awhile ago I gave you homemade recipes for laundry detergent and dish detergent. Both formulas used Borax, a substance which is found in many homemade cleaning recipes. Borax has had some bad press lately which leads me to believe it is not the best thing to use around the house. Read this entry here from Passionate Homemaking about Borax.

I decided awhile ago to quit using/making the homemade laundry detergents and dish detergents until I was able to find a recipe that was easy to make and store. Until that time, I have been using Charlie's Soap as my laundry detergent. I love this product. It makes my clothes smell "clean" without using any fragrances. It is non-toxic, biodegradable and hypoallergenic. It is gentle enough for babies' clothing and strong enough to wash cloth diapers! I know it might not work for everyone with super sensitive skin, but it works for us.

Soap nuts are another option which I have yet to try, but am very curious about. I have heard good things about these nuts. They are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree. How cool is that? A 100% natural option. Check out Passionate Homemaking's review here and here. My friend also tried these and liked them-- see her post here. I think once I run out of Charlie's Soap I will try this option.

I haven't discovered a great dish detergent product yet, so I don't have much to offer on that subject. However, if you are interested in making your own dish detergent, here is a recipe you can use (courtesy of Passionate Homemaking again). I haven't made that recipe yet, but hope to soon enough.

That's it for today.

Green Potato Chips??

No, but the best alternative to potato chips. I would never, in a million years, believe that kale chips taste pretty much like potato chips. These little beauties are crunchy, salty and green. What could be better. Seriously, they lose the "kale" flavor when baked, so don't worry about it tasting too funny. This is a wonderful alternative to chips. And another great way to use the ultra nutritious kale.

The recipe

Kale-- cut or tear the leaves from the stalk into bite size pieces

Sea salt

Olive oil

* put the kale into a plastic bag or tupperware.

* drizzle olive oil over the leaves-- just enough to coat.

* sprinkle a little sea salt onto the kale (just a little- for some reason it gets seriously salty after baking)

* shake the bag or tupperware and get the kale coated evenly with the salt and olive oil.

* spread on baking sheet and bake for approximately 17 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Bake until leaves are crispy.

* enjoy!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Yum, this is one of Grant's and my favorite Sunday morning breakfasts. I find it fun to try and make a recipe a little bit healthier and I can honestly say that these pancakes taste fabulous all healthied up and stuff!



Whole Wheat Pancakes


* 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (freshly ground is the best!)

* 2 tablespoons honey, warmed so it runs smooth (raw and filtered for more nutrients)

* 2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder (aluminum free, please)

* 3/4 teaspoons salt

* 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil (olive oil will work too)

* 1 1/3 cup milk

* 1 egg, slightly beaten


Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside. Then mix the honey, coconut oil, milk and egg together (make sure that the mixture is smooth, no honey glubs). Then mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix just until flour is moistened. Then melt a pat of butter into your medium hot skillet and pour batter (about 1/4 cup) into the skillet. Don't flip the pancake until the batter is bubbly. Then flip and cook a bit more. Then slather with real maple syrup and enjoy!


Makes about 12 pancakes.


Here's something smart-- make a double batch and freeze the extras. Then pop the frozen pancake into the toaster to reheat and enjoy!

(Double Batch)

Homemade Detergents

I admit it-- I love the smell of Tide laundry detergent. It's glorious, strong, fresh and CLEAN smelling. I think this love affair happened while I was living on my own and able to buy whatever laundry detergent my heart desired-- see, growing up my family did not purchase the good stuff (we went for cheap) and one family member had sensitive skin, so we always had to purchase the non-fragrant type of detergent. This did not sit well with me, so as soon as I was away from home, the good stuff was bought.

However, in my quest to find alternative solutions to household chemicals, I thought I should try to find a recipe for homemade laundry and dish detergent. I felt that if I am requesting Grant to give up his need for the Clorox spray cleaner then I should sacrifice something in return. Oh, sweet Tide, it's been a great ride! Sidenote: I am not nearly in love with my dish detergent- in fact, I find it quite a nuisance when it runs out and I have to purchase more. No love affair there.

Besides reducing the amount of toxins that I am putting into the earth and against our skin, it is cheaper to make your own detergents.

I have made and used both recipes and can report that they work great. My clothes are clean and smelling of peppermint and my dishes are clean and clear!

* * * *

Herbal Dishwasher Detergent (recipe courtesy of Frugal Granola)

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
2 drops essential Tea Tree Oil (optional)
2 drops essential Lavender Oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a tightly lidded container, stirring well to combine the oils into the powder. Use 1 Tbl. in each dispenser cup in my dishwasher (a total of 2 Tbls).

Tip: Fill your rinse aid dispenser with white vinegar. I have tried this and it works great!

* * * *

Peppermint Laundry Detergent (recipe courtesy of Healthy Vegan)

(Small Batch (18 loads)- I went ahead and doubled recipe)
½ cup Borax
½ cup Washing Soda
½ bar of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint (or Lavendar) Organic Pure-Castile Soap grated (or you can use any bar of soap)

Grate the soap with a carrot grater or food processor. Place all ingredients in an airtight container and shake. Use 1 tablespoon per load (note: I have found that I need 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per load).

Healthy Vegan's disclaimer:
Scary Stuff – If you read all the info on Borax and Washing Soda, you may decide that this recipe seems too toxic, but if you research every single ingredient in commercial detergent (that is if they fully disclose the ingredients - most don’t), you will find lots of bad stuff. I believe everyone should be an informed consumer, and I am happy with my three little ingredients.

* * * *

I found all the supplies right here in my area.

Borax- can be found at Target, Kroger in laundry section (about $2.95 per box- and this is a huge box)
Washing Soda- I found at Kroger in laundry section (I bought the Arm & Hammer brand) (about $2.00 per box, again a big box)
Dr. Bronner's Soap- any health food store, Kroger ($3.91 per bar (get two batches with one bar))
Essential Oils- health food store (prices vary)

So, there you have it. I encourage you to try this recipe if you are looking for a way to save some money and perhaps be a bit kinder to the earth and your skin!