Learned something new....

 

I've been wanting to try my hand at some of the cute little things made from pre-cut jelly rolls, layer cakes, charm packs, etc.

 

 Mr. Fisherman purchased gift cards for me at Christmas from a local quilt/fabric shop. 

 

Yes, I said Christmas.

I just haven't had the time to shop until now.

 

 I thought this might be a good opportunity to try something new.

 

My jelly roll...

 

 After purchasing my jelly roll I learned not all jelly rolls are alike.

 

I checked out a few of the patterns I had in mind and found they took

 40 -  2 1/2 x 44 inch strips to complete.

My jelly roll has only 30 - 2 1/2 x 44 strips.

 

After a bit of (jelly roll) research, I found out the number of strips in a roll may vary by manufacturer or collection.

Some manufacturers have as few as 11 strips and some as many as 41.

 

All I'm saying is...  just be careful when you purchase your jelly roll and make sure you have as many strips as needed for your pattern.

 

This is still a really cute and usable jelly roll, I just may have to rethink my plans for it.

 

I also purchased a box of 50 Clover binding clips.

 

 

I love using bias tape, binding and piping and have been wanting to try these for sometime.

These little clips are a bit pricey and I would probably not have purchased them without a gift card.

 

 But, hey....

Isn't that what gift cards are for -  to buy something you would normally not buy for yourself?

 

 

Have you used these clips?

How do you like them - verses pins?

 

I'm thinking about another washcloth...

 

 

dishtowel...

 

 

mug rug...

 

 

Or, maybe even a new Sorbetto...

 

 

Whatever I decide...

I can't wait to try them.

Crying over spilled....... coffee?

 

 

Not me.

I just cut the stain off and keep going....

 

 

Before the coffee stain this was a perfectly good (almost new) bar mop towel.

 

Rather than throw it away, I chose to repurpose this baby into a new washcloth using a bit of bias tape and embroidery.

 

 

Here's how it went...

 

After cutting off the stain I had enough left to cut an 11 1/2 square from the remainder of the bar mop.

 

I then rounded my corners using my fancy schmancy French curve.

 

 

If you don't have a French curve, you can use a coffee cup or saucer to round the corners.

 

 

I serged the edges to keep the towel from raveling.

 

 

 If you don't have a serger, a zigzag stitch will work just fine.

 

  Open your bias tape and pin it right side down on the serged edge.

 

 

Pin all the way around leaving about 2 inches overlap at both the beginning and end of your bias tape. 

 

 

Pinch the overlapped ends together as below and mark the point at which they meet.

 

 

Stitch across this line and trim to 1/4 inch.

 

 

Lay your bias tape flat again and continue pinning.

 

Using a straight stitch, stitch on the fold all the way around.

 

 

Once you have stitched the whole way around, wrap the bias tape over the serged edge to the other side and pin.

 

 

 I usually use the "stitch in the ditch" method to finish sewing my bias tape, but decided to try something different. I used a small zigzag stitch and stitched from the pinned side. I zigged on the towel and zagged on the bias tape....in other words, make sure you catch the bias with one stitch and the towel with the other.

 

You can barely see my zigzag stitches from either side.

 

 

You can stop there and have a perfectly cute washcloth...

 

 

....or add a bit of embroidery.

 

 

And have an even cuter one!

 

 

I'm thinking about stitching up a few more to have on hand for quick gifts, adding

 facial cleanser and a head band.

 

 

 See....

 

 

no need to cry over spilled.... coffee.

 

 

Just cut it off and move on....

 

Happy Monday!

 

 

Linking today to:

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

http://tatertotsandjello.com/

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/

http://lilluna.com/

http://www.avisiontoremember.com/

Beautiful Easter tulips....

from a friend.

Thank you, Bettina.

Don't you just love spring?
 

Wake up...

it's Monday morning...

 

 

Have a great day!



Hippity Hop Easter's on its way.....

 

I thought I would show you quick and simple pillow idea my mother made many years ago for my daughter.

 

 

All she did was embroider on a plain white napkin, stitched around three sides and added snaps to the top to be able to remove and wash.

 

 

Since all four sides are already hemmed all you need to do is fold the top of the napkin down once making a wide hem for the snaps.

 Add the snaps and your done!

 

If your not sure how to add the snaps, check out my post here on the Snap Setter.
 

 

How easy is that?

 

You can find napkins in all colors and sizes so there is no need for any embroidery work.

Without the embroidery, it only takes about 20 minutes to make.

 

This napkin was 19 inch square and fit into a 16 inch pillow form perfectly when completed.

My napkin started out as a 20 inch square, but after washing and drying, it measured 19 inches, so be careful and measure your napkin before purchasing your pillow insert.

 

Ain't he cute?


Linking today to:
http://www.skiptomylou.org/

Almond flavored pound cake

Remind me again....

 

 Why DO I like to bake???

 

 

I always make such a HUGE mess!

 

Maybe, it's eatin' the end result, I like so well...

 

 

This is THE best pound cake EVER!

(I'm thinking it's due to the almond flavor)

 

I've made it a million times.

 

I'm not gonna lie, it's not something you quickly throw together, but it's well worth your time and dirty dishes.

 



Sour cream - almond flavored pound cake



1 cup butter or margarine (I use butter)

3 cups sugar

6 eggs, separated

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 carton (8 ounces) sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 

 

 Cream butter and 2 cups sugar.

 Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift flour, baking soda and salt twice.  Add to creamed mixture alternating with sour cream.

Beat egg whites and remaining cup of sugar until stiff.

Fold gently into batter. Blend in vanilla and almond flavorings.

 

* Bake in a greased and floured tube pan for 1 1/2 hours at 325 degrees.*

 Cake should have a nice, brown crust. Let stand for 15 minutes before removing from pan.

 

* NOTES *

I find 1 1/2 hour baking time a little too long in my oven; it tends to dry my cake out.

 I suggest you check for doneness around 1 1/4 hour.

 

I use 1 tablespoon flour mixed with 1 tablespoon powdered sugar to coat my pan.
 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Linking today to:

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com

Braelynn turns 2

For Braelynn's first birthday her mom wanted her dressed like a princess.

 

(You can read original post here.)

 

This year Miss Braelynn will be tossing that tiara for a cowboy hat!

 

 

This little cowgirl dress started as a plain white tee shirt.

 

All I did was add ruffles, ric rac and embroidery.

 

 

Now, all she needs is a cowboy hat and boots...

 

 

Happy Birthday, Miss Braelynn!

 

 

Linking today to:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

http://www.skiptomylou.org/

http://www.bystephanielynn.com



Pinch proofing my grandbabies...

May your troubles be less & your blessings be more

& nothing but happiness come through your door.

 

Happy St Patty's Day!

Gianna turns six

 

 My neighbors daughter, Gianna, turns six tomorrow and I wanted to do a little something to acknowledge her birthday.

 

I started with a purchased tote and got to work on a simple design.

 

 

 

 

I think it turned out pretty cute.

 

 

I stuffed it with goodies...

 

 

...and it's now ready for delivery.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Gianna!

 

 

Linking today to:

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

The ballerina

 I'm always on the lookout for blank tee shirts to embroider on.

Believe it or not, they are not always easy to find.

Most children's tee shirts already have some type of embellishment.



I wanted a bit more...

....a personal touch.

Just for Shaylin.