Fa La La

I have been putting together some Christmas cards today. I love projects that use sheet music and I had a scrap piece of scrapbook paper that incorporates sheet music. I traced stars and then used stamps to decorate these Christmas cards. I also finished a crochet cowl tonight and I sewed a wool and flannel cowl, but need to figure out some finishing touches for that one. I want to get some pictures of them outside because the lighting is so much better, but we have had solid rain for 2 days. What about you? What Christmas goodies are you working on?

Muslin Bag Advent calendar

I just finished this order tonight and I thought it turned out pretty cute. I think the idea of having treats every day as you count down to Christmas is very fun. It would be a neat way to give hubby or kids a special surprise everyday for 25 days of Christmas. This project was fun and I hope the customer likes it as much as I do!

Wedding favor bags

I have been working on multiple orders for these muslin bags for Christmas, but this one is for a wedding. These are so sweet as wedding favors. She wants them in peach, but said gray would work too. I like them both. Can't wait to experiment with some other stamps and colors. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and survived Black Friday.

I want to try it all!

This seems to be my attitude lately when it comes to crafts. I have refused to get a pinterest because I know I would spend way too much time looking at everything and wanting to figure out how to do it myself. Etsy isn't helping me much either.  I see such cute ideas and want to try them too. I have made a few crochet bangles, a ruffle fabric scarf, owl burp cloths and have also been decoupaging cute baby themed clothespins. Then I saw these cute little drawstring muslin party favor bags and wanted to stamp some myself. It is all fun but way overwhelming. I have stuff everywhere! I am no longer an organized crafter. I need to spend less time crafting/sewing and organize my goods! Hope everyone is planning for a great turkey day! I get to go see my mom which is super exciting. I am also getting my hair chopped today before the holidays come. Going back to super short after my kids actually took a vote in the car and said get rid of the long hair. I must be the short sassy hair type.

Baby Wall Tile Art

My husband's cousin is expecting a baby boy in January and I wanted to do something special and different than the typical baby gifts. She is registered at a couple of places, but I thought a personalized gift would be much nicer. I am working on doing his name on wall tiles for his nursery. She is painting the nursery chocolate brown and the bathroom baby blue. I used some very handsome and boyish scrapbook papers along with some decoupage, Stazon and distressing ink to do all the letters of his name on natural tiles. It isn't done yet, but I like it so far. They will have blue or brown ribbon to hang them from. I will try to remember to take a picture of the final tiles. Hope to have them on Etsy for custom orders if they turn out nicely.

My own little "block" party

After I read Samantha's post over at The Handmade Dress about "blocking" her knitted items, I decided to do a litlle investigating. I read several articles on blocking your hand knitted and crocheted items and I now understand the purpose behind it. So I set up my padded quilt board and put a flannel backed tablecloth over that. Then I laid a towel down and proceeded to pin my items into place. I sprayed mine with lavender water until saturated and then waited the whole weekend to let them dry completely. They will keep their shape now. It makes things look handmade with care rather than homemade messes. They smell good too.

Love this thread holder

I saw this cute tutorial today over at Ucreate. It is a framed thread holder. I like this because you can make it the size you need or you could do a couple of them in contrast colors. I want to do this soon.

I did manage to "block" my headwarmers I made this weekend. I have never blocked any project. I used lavender water like Samantha over at the Handmade Dress. The house smelled so good.

I plan to get that sweet potato casserole recipe up to day in case you want to make it for Thanksgiving.

I made potato soup yesterday and wanted to share a few tips. First I sweat onions and celery in butter in the pot I am using for the soup. Then add chicken stock and chopped potatoes. Boil just until fork tender. In another pot of water boil additional chopped potatoes for mashing.  About half the amount you use for the soup.  I drain these and then mash them until fairly creamy. Add this and 1 can cream of chicken soup to your soup pot. Once incorporated, add milk, salt and pepper. Just before serving I add sour cream thinned with milk (otherwise it clumps). I serve with bacon bits and cheese. The mashed potatoes help to give the soup more potato flavor and also gives it a thicker consistency. Enjoy!

Vintage Sheet Coasters

I really wanted to do something with some of the vintage sheets I have accumulated. Although I didn't use a whole lot, I did cut out and make a set of four quilted coasters. I love vintage sheets. They are usually so soft and worn and they make the cutest things.

Finish what you start

I finished my knitted headband/earwarmer and have started another one in mulberry wine yarn. I also made some funky crochet bangle bracelets today. I put a pic in here of a scarf I made from Bernat puffball yarn in Breast cancer awareness pink too. I love getting projects finished. I am working on some crocheted boot cuffs for my daughter now. Couldn't find too many crochet patterns for them so I am making my own. They look pretty cute so far. We had our first fire of the season tonight. So cozy to knit and crochet by the fire. Put quite a few things on Etsy tonight. There are so many talented people out there! Love looking at all the goodies. Hope you all are looking forward to an excellent weekend.

Back to the knitting board...

I feel like I have almost been cheating on my knitting needles with all of this crocheting going on. I found a cute cabled ear warmer on Ravelry yesterday though and the pattern is pretty simple. I can't wait until it is finished. I also completed a hat with crochet flower order from the local craft fair. I stamped some cute hoot owl coasters yesterday as well. Will be listing those today on Etsy. We finished 2 more walls on our barn last night-Yahoo! It is so exciting to see it come together. We had our 1 family meal for the week last night. Everybody is running in different directions the rest of the week, so I made some yummy comfort foods. One of them was sweet potato casserole-YUM! I will be posting my recipe for that tomorrow. Off to a college dinner this evening for the son. Hope to get more info about the engineering program and also about additional scholarship money. Looking forward to it. Praying for my mom who is having a second surgery today on the shoulder she broke last year when she fell on ice. Have a great Tuesday.

Pumpkin Muffins

I made these the other day for breakfast and I think they are pretty good. I really like the streusel topping. You could easily make these a dessert by adding cream cheese frosting or whipped cream.

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp. cold butter cut into pieces
1 1/4 cups pumpkin
1/4 cup apple butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 large egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400. Grease 12 muffin cup pan. Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt into medium bowl. Cut butter in with pastry blender.
In another bowl, combine pumpkin, apple butter, evap. milk, egg and vanilla. Combine this with flour mixture. Fold gently-don't beat this to death!
Fill muffin cups 1/2 to 2/3 full. Make sure they are all pretty evenly filled so they cook at the same rate. Sprinkle with topping below.

1 Tbsp white sugar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Bake about 20 minutes then check with cake tester. If not done, check in 5 minute intervals until tester comes out clean. Let cool. Enjoy

A crocheted flower garden

I promised I would post some of the work I have been doing of late. Yesterday after church, I came home and finished up making a few crochet flowers into pins and snapped some shots. I have already listed a few things on my Etsy, but I am waiting to get some pics with my girls wearing the pins to list a few.  I haven't taken a picture of my skirt yet, but I have already worn it. It was a simple 4 panel elastic waist skirt that I made from a really soft tweed like knit. I will try to get some pictures today. Hope everyone has a great Monday!

Barn Raising

Busy weekend. Haven't posted much lately because we have been busy trying to get our new barn up before it gets really cold. It always takes longer when you do it yourself. I have made many things over the last few days-a vintage skirt, several hair clips, yummy pumpkin muffins and more large crochet flowers. I'll be sharing pics and recipes soon, but for now here is a look at our barn in progress! These are mainly walls for the 2 story apartment/office that will be in it. It will have a full bath downstairs and a room upstairs. I will be so happy when hubby has a new home for all his tools.