Wrapping Clothesline!

When my brother-in-law, Jim,  hears what I've been doing, he's going to give me a hard time.  What is the purpose--he would say.  One time when I was "making paper" he dropped by and said I had too much free time.  But he just doesn't see my "creative side".  : )  That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Anyway, I spent the day yesterday making bowls from wrapped clothesline.  It was fun.  I probably would have made more but I ran out of clothesline!  My bernina sewed through that clothesline like butter.  My dealer had suggested using the double cord #59/59C foot, but I tried using my open embroidery #20C and had no problem at all.  Having the grooved foot would be useful though if you had one.

I used 3/16"  polypropylene reinforced cotton clothesline.  The book which I used was "It's a Wrap" by Susan Breier  You can make coasters, purses, bowls of all kinds, lids, and embellish with all sorts of things, like buttons, beads, yo yos, etc.

I may try more later, but probably not. Need to finish some old projects that I've started and pushed aside.  Sometimes you just have to stop what you're doing and try new things.  I think I do that too often.  Oh, well.  Life is too short not to do what you want when you want to do it.

Tonight we're going to my sister's house to bring in the new year.  A quiet evening of playing cards and maybe a game of Wii.   Hope it's clear enough to see that "Blue Moon".   HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Oklahoma Blizzard 2009!

Oklahoma had 14" of snow on Christmas Eve!  If that becomes official it will set a record.  I personally don't think we had that much but the wind was so bad that the drifts dealt a lot of people a lot of misery trying to get home to their family.   One being my nephew who was stranded on I-35 for 10 hours.  He made it home finally just in time for Christmas dinner.  We all were so happy to see him!

Christmas was wonderful.  Just sorry that not all of my siblings could make it to dinner.  But that is okay, rather to be safe and warm than have an accident.

Now after the snow and wind has stopped, yesterday and today was wonderful for the kids to go sledding and build a snowman!  My grandkids had a ball as you can tell from my photos.

Embroidered Eyeglass Case

 This eyeglass case was made at a "make it and take it" class at my Bernina dealer's Christmas Sale.  Actually, it was more of a "watch it and take it" deal!  It was all done "In the Hoop" except for the last step which was folding it over and sewing it together which I did at home.

It is a design by Bernina--check it out at your local dealers!  I'm going to make more after the holidays.

May all of you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Embroidered Fleece Throws

Today I'm finished some very quick easy gifts for my great nephews!  I was going to purchase some fleece and make the throws but realized just buying the throws was quite the time saver!  I used "Alice" font for their names and my Bernina whipped them out so quickly.

Four of the boys are in one family and each have their own throw now.  So they'll be no more fighting.  Each will have their own special throw.

I also made pillowcases with glow in the dark names embroidered on them.  They turned out pretty cute.  However, I already wrapped them, so no picture.

Just have one more item to make for Christmas.  Better get on it!  Hope your projects are all done!

Secret ingredient sweet bread!

This morning I tried a new recipe--a quick sweet bread.  It's similar to banana bread but no bananas.  It's also going to be a fun recipe to share with friends and family because of one special ingredient.  I'm not going to even tell them what it is.  Well, maybe I will if they like it!

Now don't be turned off when I tell you what it is, because when baked you cannot tell that it's in there.  Are you ready??  A can of Pork and Beans! The recipe is from a book by Joanne Fluke--The Plum Pudding Murder.  All her Hannah Swensen mysteries have lots of recipes in them because Hannah has a bakery, and Fluke incorporates the recipes in her stories.  Her books are quick, easy reads and I love reading the recipes. They all are a little different from the usual things I make.

PORK AND BEAN BREAD  (I'm changing the name on my recipe to "Secret Ingredient Bread")

1 15-oz can of Pork and Beans, undrained, pureed with blender or food processor
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup vegetable oil (not canola or olive)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 cups flour

Stir eggs with beans. Add oil and vanilla, mixing well.  Add sugar, then mix in soda, powder, salt and cinnamon.  Mix all this well and add nuts.  Add the flour in one cup increments, stirring after each addition.  Spoon batter into 4 small, greased and sugared loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes.

I also made the Easy Cheesy Biscuit recipe that was in the book.  Really good!  The recipe had cream of tarter, sour cream and two different cheeses.  This would really be good with stew or beans.

My local library has several of her books.  This is her website:
http://www.murdershebaked.com/index.htm

Try one, they're delightful!

Finger Pincushions

These little pincushions are so easy, quick and handy to have!

We needed a craft for our Christmas guild party and this is going to be it .  (We've done that the last few years instead of games.)  I had seen these for a long time but just hadn't made any.  I whipped up one in minutes.

All it takes is one 3 1/2" square of fabric.  Fold it in half diagonally, stitch 1/4" seams leaving opening for turning.  Stuff, whip opening closed and pull corners together to fit finger and whip together.  That's it.  How's that for something quick!

The only thing you need to remember is poke the pins in sideways NOT in the top.  If you do, you'll be feeling it!  : )