{SEW EASY} Fleece Blankets & Bindings

Another addition to my {sew easy} blog posts

My 2 year old needed a longer blanket as she grew taller then the mini baby blankets she has had. I found some ultra plush fleece and got a yard and a half, That should keep her nice and covered up. I then decided to just simply use satin binding and bound the edges. So seriously simple, but something she really needed.

Vintage Fabric Dolls

When I found the fabric to do the fabric version of the magnetic paper dolls I found this fabric as well. I fell in love right away, as it reminded me of the cloth dolls I had growing up. I only bought one panel, and wished I'd got more, but here are the 4 that my girls fight over.

Its another Blue Hills Fabric line, Aunt Lindy's Paper Dolls.

Pillow Books

I have had these fabric book panels in my craft storage for years and finally decided to whip them up this holiday. Its a shame I waited to long, because my 2 year old is in love with them. She carries them all over the place; the car, store, to nap time, ect. Good thing the bonus of them is they are washable. These are so darn simple as they come with the step by step instructions on the panel.

Worked out perfect for me, as I had a bunch of batting laying around in smaller stripes and sizes too small for blankets. What a way to use up the random scrapes in my stash.

Silly Sock Monkeys

I adore these silly Monkeys. My kids went nuts over them. I used this tutorial which I think laid it out in a very simple way.

http://craft-with-confidence.blogspot.com/2010/10/sock-monkey-tutorial.html

The only thing is I can never find the sock packs at walmart, but Target has a HUGE supply of them in the women's section for $2.50 a piece. The are knee high length, but just cut accordingly and they will turn out so fun.

I have to admit my free hand stitching stinks, but in a way I think that is what makes them cute--is that they are not perfect.

Ceramic Childrens' Art

I love finding creative ways to display my children's art and personalities.
Not that I don't adore fridge art, but sometimes I like something a little more "artsy"
I went to Walmart and bought some square white plates. You can pick any you want, I just thought the squares were easier to hang or place on a plate holder.
I had them go nuts on the plates. We used acrylic pants.
These were done when my older two where little, and they sit on my hutch on display all year round.

That same year we did a ton of them as gifts for grandparents and others.

Holiday Dresses

Over a year ago I found a cream and black holiday dress for my youngest daughter at a second hand store that I paid $3.50 for. That same year I bought some taffeta cream and black material. Of course, it sat in my fabric stash.
This year the store bought dress still fit. Clearly, I got lucky.

So I went to the fabric store and bought some black velour and got to work. My middle daughter went together like a charm. But coming to the older daughter's, it appears waiting a year means you would have need more fabric then the year before. Heaven forbid, kids grow.

I just barley made it with making a single skirt. Having to compromise I used very thin and the tiniest elastic roll over, and was only able to hem it once.
Luckily I had plenty of velour, obviously I bought that considering this years current sizes. With that I made a tank and shrug. Once on you cannot tell I had to scrimp for enough fabric. But it all worked out.

Homemade Apple Butter

One of my most favorite things to make is

HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER

I do mine in the crockpot. It comes out so yummy.

Here is what you need:

12 Apples-Granny Smith or other cooking apples sliced in 4ths. (I just use whatever I have on hand)


1 1/2 cup of Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Apple Juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon all spice


1 teaspoon nutmag


1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:


Mix all ingredients together and place in slower cooker. A 5-6 quart is making a single batch.


Cover and cook on MED for 8-10 hours. The apples need to be very soft and ready to mash.


Mash apple sauce with a potato masher or large fork.


Slow cook on low for an additional 1-2 hours, uncovered.


Remove from heat source and cool for another 2 hours.


Now it is ready to can. Place in refridgerator, it will last approx 3 weeks.


I usually throw it in the crockpot for the initial long cook over night. Once morning comes its ready to mash and continue. Also makes your house smell very yummy come breakfast.


>And there you have it, yummy apple butter to share and to eat.

We love ours on pancakes, toast, oatmeal. I have even marinated chicken with it.