T-shirt Turned Toddler Dress

I had just a quarter yard of some really cute fabric. Not a lot to anything with. So I decided to attach it to a plain t-shirt to make a cute dress. Leggings under for spring/fall, then just the dress for summer. I didn't use a pattern. All I did was use the length that I had. Laid out length wise long enough to be sure I would gather it. 

Quilted Wine Tote

I have been inspired for some time on these cute pinterest wine totes. I have awed over these quilted ones seen here on this fabulous blog. http://www.needleandspatula.com/2011/01/quilted-wine-tote-sewing-tutorial.html


In the interest of never being able to decide on a fabric, I decided to use some of this pre-quilted fabric that I had laying around. 
While I found the mentioned bloggers tutorial fabulous, my "shortcut" by using ran into a few loopholes, though time wise- it was a breeze.
The first was that if I cut the fabric on the fold, I only had 2 pieces to deal with. That was easy. But when it came to folding under the seem allowance on a pre-quilted piece of material was more tricky then I had expected.


Here it is from the beginning. I cut the circle just a touch larger to insure my tote "sat" well without any bottle in it. 

I also then measured the size of my bottle (not an exact science) and then attached the length of one whole piece of paper to the bottom of the pattern piece provided by the tutorial. This worked really well for me.

See--here is where I ran into issues with the pre-quilt. After sewing it around two times, I decided to leave it instead of fussing too much.

Also because I had one piece instead of two, I went ahead and put the bias tape on before stitching it together. I chose to use a coordinating orange thread on yellow, after I messed up on the handles--I decided that was what I was going for ( lol ) the "yeah, I so meant it to look like that, look"

Here is it all finished. After all, I did end up loving it. It will be in the mail soon to a very special friend of mine, whom I miss our wine nights :)

No Bake Granola Bars

We just l-o-v-e these granola bars. I make them about 2x a week and the kids just love to snack on them. They are very easy. Just add the ingredients, mix and set. No oven needed for these delights. 


Here is what you need:

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup crispy rice cereal
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Ive also done half peanut butter and half nutela. I have even added some cran-raisins to add some "punch" 

Puppy Walking Jacket

I made this little jacket for the most adorable little poodle I know. She needed a fancy coat. I chose to make this in snuggle flannel to keep her warm. I got the pattern out of "One-Yard Wonders". I literally took me about an hour. I was sure to add some buttons to the belt to make it extra special. She looks so very stylish in it, don't you think?

Pallet Americana

After searching for some time for a used pallet (free)...I finally got one the perfect size to paint an Americana style flag on it. I wanted to make this as simple as can be. All I did was wash of the wood. Once dry used spray paint and went to town. I chose spray paint to get a more rustic look. Here it is. It sits up along my house, and I love the simplicity of it.

Pots/Pans Protectors

For my birthday I finally got a brand new pots and pans set. I just adore them, so much so that I wanted to be sure to protect them from being scratched in storing. I made one for each of them. There are a couple ways to do this, I chose to just have two pieces of fabric cut and zig-zap them together. I did this rather then sewing the right sides together. My thought in this is even though they don't look "as nice" they were also not flap heavy and would stay up along the sides of the pans/pots easier with less weight. Either way you chose they are a nice touch. I coordinated mine in the lemon yellow that I have my kitchen decorated in. 

Hooded Towel / Beach Tote Tutorial

Here is such an easy way to make a hooded towel and beach tote. Makes a great gift.
Here is what you need:

1 Large bath towel
2 Hand Towels 
1/2 yard of matching or coordinating fabric
Small rope. I got mine in the camping section, the ones used as a clothesline.




For the Towel:
First I took the fabric and starched it to keep in nice and stiff. Then I folded down the seem allowance. This way I only had one stitch line. I then attached it to the hand towel the long way, I placed this about 4 inches from the side. 
Next you fold the hand towel in half (inside out) and stitch the short side together, this will make the top of the hood.
Once complete lay it out, being sure to center it exactly in the middle of the towel. Both placed the long way. Open up for hood to lay flat. Putting right sides together, stitch. Just be sure to have a strong stitch or go over it a few times that way it will hold sturdy.


For the Tote.
Fold the other hand towel the short way, having the folded end be the bottom of your tote. Take as much fabric as desired and attach to the top end of the towels. Be sure to do this the right sides together. Once this is done take the un-stitched part of the fabric ends and fold under one inch and stitch across, This will be the casing for the closure rope. 
Next is the only tricky part. Fold the bag again so the right sides are together and pin up along each side. Once this is done take 2 equal length of the rope and run through top casing....then take the ends and run to the bottom edges of the bag and tack in at the bottom of the bag to attach as you sew the sides shut. This string will want to be just a touch longer the the casing run down to the part that attaches to the bottom bag. This way when the tote is cinched it will be just long enough to wear on a child's back.
 Now that we are ready to attach the sides, go ahead and do so. Be ware to not sew all the way past the casing, You will want to stop and the stitch line (otherwise the cinch will not be functional).  Turn right side out, and done. 
Now all you need to do is fold your hooded towel and you are ready for the beach or pool. Just enough room in the bag for some goggles and a suit. 

Homemade Graham Crackers

These are so very delicious. Very simple and easy to make. The only issue I had was that we couldn't make them fast enough for everyone to enjoy.

Makes about 18 4x4 inch crackers

2 1/2 cups all purpose, un-bleached flour, plus more for dusting
1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes then chilled in the freezer
1/3 cup honey
5 tablespoons whole milk
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract


Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


Make the Dough:
Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low to incorporate. Add the butter and mix on low until the mixture resembles coarse meal. 


In a small bowl whisk together the honey, milk and vanilla. And to the flour mixture and mix on low until the dough starts to come together. It might look crumbly and soft at this point so work it with your hands and form into a ball. Let sit in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to firm. Meanwhile prepare the topping by mixing together the cinnamon and sugar. 


Divide the dough in half and roll out unto a lightly floured surface into a long rectangle, about an 1/8" thick. Flour as necessary to keep from sticking. Trim the edges to make the rectangle 8 inches wide and 12 inches long. Thus make a 3x2 of 4x4 inch cookies. This will give you the traditional graham cracker shape. 

 Make a vertical line down the middle of each cracker being very careful not to cut through the dough. Using a toothpick or skewer, prick the dough to form two dotted rows in each half, 10 total. 


Transfer to a lightly greased or parchment lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle lightly with the cinnamon/sugar mixture. 


Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Rotating halfway through and checking on them erring on the earlier side as not to burn the crackers. You will want them to be slightly firm to the touch.


AND ENJOY!!

Scissor Storage

In the forever attempt to organize my sewing box, Today I made a free handed scissor roll up organizer. All I did was take a scrap piece of fabric and some interfacing. Sew it about the size of a place mat (depending on how many scissors you use and how many you want to place inside the roll) Then I just placed the scissors out like Id like it laid out, and stitched elastic for each one. Once finished I attached some pretty ribbon and all-done!! Fits perfect inside my sewing box and I no longer need to dig with the fear of getting poked.