New Items Online

My friend, Connie, and I worked on Monday on our SeWhat business. I have downloaded a lot of new items, including barrettes (large and small) and hair pins. If you get an opportunity, stop by and give it a look.

Here is a sneak peek at a few items.

Large snap-clip barrette with 7/8" covered button. This size is great for anyone older than a toddler up through adult.
Infant - toddler snap-slip barrette with a 7/8" covered button.

I love how these turned out.

They are an all day no-slip grip hair pin with a 7/8" covered button.

http://sewhatinc.artfire.com/

Tuesday Tutorial

Buttercup Bag

The Buttercup Bag is a free tutorial by Rae at Made by Rae. She has designed this great bag and has graciously shared the pattern. Click on the following link to get the free tutorial. Isn't this the cutest bag?
http://madebyrae.blogspot.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

*permission was given by Rae to post this tutorial and use her pictures.

Recipe Monday

Red Velvet Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients needed:

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 1/2 cup Wesson oil

4 eggs

1 ounce red food coloring

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vinegar

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour everything in a large mixing bowl. Beat on High Speed for 5 minutes.

For cake: grease and flour three cake pans and pour batter evenly into each pan.

Bake for 15-17 minutes.

For cupcakes: grease and flour muffin pans or use paper liners.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until top springs back and a tooth pick comes out clean.

Frosting

1- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature

1 stick of butter softened, to room temperature

1 box powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add vanilla. Slowly add sugar while continuing to mix. Spread frosting between layers of cakes and the sides and top or on to the top of the cupcakes.

Makes 24-30 cupcakes depending on the size of muffin tins.

Now get a large cup of hot coffee or tea and enjoy!

A Day In The Life...

This is one of my favorite current pictures of my two kids, Cody and Hanna. It was taken last July.

Happy weekend! I have had a busy day but no sewing. First I went to a bridal shower. I love being able to attend bridal showers. There is such hope and joy in the moment and it is such a sweet occasion. Upon returning home, my son, who graduates from college May 7, and I went shopping. Now normally this is not a fun experience. Usually we disagree on what is needed (I always want to buy more for him than he does. Go figure.) and on what style of items are needed. But going with a particular purpose, I had a great time. Cody is always fun to be with and is always making me laugh. He has the driest sense of humor and can strip hide with his sarcasm but dang it, he's funny. :) Well, in 2 1/2 hours we purchased a suit, a new dress shirt, two ties and two pairs of shoes, one dressy and a pair of Vans! Now that is pretty good work and we bought everything in different stores. You see, my son is tall and lanky. 6 foot and 155 pounds and he has 35" length sleeve but only a 15 1/2" neck. So shopping for dress clothes can be a challenge but we won today! Yay! Now, if I can only get a picture when he is wearing all the new duds. Oh by the way, Cody lives in jeans and tee shirts and really hates dress clothes but some new ones were needed for interviews (hopefully) and graduation. He will look so terribly handsome.

I will not be at the sewing machine tomorrow either. We have church, a lunch afterward and then we help some of our sweet young friends move in to their first home! I am so thrilled for them.

I hope your Sunday is a blessed one.

Beautiful Spring

Apple Tree

This morning, as the sun was rising, I looked out my back door. My apple tree is in bloom and seems to be glowing from the sun's rays. I just had to take a picture and share. I love Spring. The green is so intense and there is newness everywhere. Our weather is sunny and warm here in SC. Highs are to be close to 80 degrees! Woohoo, I LOVE SPRING!

I haven't had much time this week to sew. Yesterday I worked with my friend and business partner on our jewelry. We have had several orders for Mother's Day. We received our first order on ArtFire yesterday! It was so exciting.

Tutorial Tuesday

Cloth Baby Shoe

Today's tutorial is a cloth baby shoe, size 0-6 months. The tutorial is found at www.stardustshoes.blogspot.com. I have been wanting to try this out for a while and yes, one shoe is photographed because I haven't completed the second shoe. I have had many interruptions this afternoon and I was losing light to photograph and decided a picture of one shoe was better than no picture.

This tutorial was easy to read with printable pattern pieces. It calls for fleece or suede bottom but I used two cottons with a fusible fleece between them. The bottom is thicker and appears to have worked just fine. There is no need for leather or any thing heavier because this pattern is for an infant too young to walk.

I have several pairs of these to make for friends with new babies. I hope you enjoy this free tutorial.

Recipe Monday

Impossible Quiche

1/2 lb. bacon, fried and crumbled (the Real Bacon in a bag that is pre-cooked works fine for a quick fix)
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
2 cups milk
1/2 cup Bisquick baking mix
4 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 or 10 inch pie plate. Sprinkle bacon, cheese, and onion evenly over bottom of pie plate. Place remaining ingredients in blender. Cover and blend on high speed for 1 minute. Pour into pie plate over other ingredients. Bake until golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Serves 6.

It is not true that real men do not eat quiche. Both my husband and son enjoy a good quiche, even for a light dinner. Add fruit and a salad and you have an easy dinner or serve with fruit and muffin for a delicious breakfast/brunch.