Mmm! Iced Tea!

To some people this is a no brainer. And it was for us for a while, but now I am sort of insisting that we made our own Iced Tea.

Now, I used to put it in this giant glass jug out on the back steps in the sun, and then bring it in. But then the jug didn't fit in the fridge. Ugh. So. I stopped making it, because when it was left on the counter, it would get gunky.

So here's what I do! I fill my pitcher ( that fits in the fridge perfectly) with hot tap water, then I add my teabags. This pitcher takes five, and sit it in the pantry until the color is changed from clear to tea colored. Then into the fridge it goes.

Here's the reason for insisting, COST!  We used to pickup a gallon of green tea, at least once a week, and that was 3 dollars or so, then we would also buy a case of bottled tea to take on the go or for lunch and that only lasted a week or two, at about 15 dollars a case. So...  Let's say I was spending about twenty dollars a week in tea! I know. Silly.

Now we spend about three dollars a week in tea!  Ahhhh. Tastes better to!

Time for a new bag!

I should have listened to my sister. You cannot use your purse for a knitting bag. Well you could, if you weren't carrying a hundred other things and packing it as full as it will go! This bag is awesome, I can carry  a gallon of milk in it!

So, here is my "new" knitting bag!  It isn't new to me, but the purpose is! Gotta love repurposing!  I picked this bag up a couple years back on a trip, and it is super sturdy ( part of why I didn't like it for a purse), and holds a knitting book, cone of thread and project perfectly!

I'm still working on the big reveal, of my bedroom ( not sure if I told you thats what I am working on)...  One more piece needs to be removed from the room, and one more piece brought in. Then I can start hanging some things... Hopefully tomorrow I can start sharing!

Sneak Peek!

I'm working on one of my biggest projects yet... Here are some of the details, I'm taking tomorrow off to finish it all up... Come back next week for the BIG REVEAL!

Any ideas? I would love to hear your guesses!

Little Boy Pants!

I found this really adorable flannel remnant at my local Joann's for less than $1!

So, I thought I would whip up a pair of little boy pants, for my favorite little boy!

It's not as hard as you may think... Let me show you.

First, find a pair of pants that fit ( or are a little big) and fold one leg inside the other.  Then plan out where to lay it on your fabric.

Here's what mine looked like, but you need two so, cut one more!

Next, I hemmed my bottoms. That way they are done and out of the way, and its a lot easier to hem a straight line than to fit that tiny leg hole on your sewing machine!

Next fold your pieces right side together, to create the legs.  Now sew from your hemmed bottom to the beginning of you crotch area.  (Click photo to enlarge if you need to know where to start and stop your seam)

Repeat on other leg, and turn on leg right side out. 

Now, take your right side out leg, and stuff it up your other one. Just like in the next photo.

Then line up your curved seams,  and sew. Then add a hem on the top, insert your elastic and your done! 

( Sorry, I forgot to take pictures!) If you need help leave a comment, and I can work on another pair to show you!  OR look at your original pair to see how they were finished!

Let your little one run around in them and see just how cute they came out!

Custom Onesies

Recently, I was asked to make a couple onesies for a new baby, and how can you say no to that?

So, after some brainstorming these are what we came up with:

From the Uncle, the Pilot:

And from the Aunt:

My favorite part, the back of the Aunt's!

What cute sayings have you seen on onesies lately?  

What to do with too much cake!

After my banana cake came out of the oven last week, I realized that one had broken. Any idea's what you do with broken cake?

Make cake balls! I know, strange name, but amazing taste! It's like bite sized cake with a candy coating. Yum.  Not so good for a diet though.

If your interested in making them, you could do a quick internet search and find numerous flavor combos, or you can make your own! 

All you need is a cooked cake, a jar of frosting and a bag of chocolate ( or any other flavor) chips.  If you not using a whole cake ( I didn't) then you just add small amounts of frosting until you can create a ball. Then place in freezer to get hard. And lastly dip in chocolate!  I made mine using my banana cake, cream cheese frosting and then chocolate chips. YUM!

Mmmm. Banana Cake!

I just bought these bananas! Ugh. And already they decided to go brown.  And I think we only ate one. Instead of having them go to waste, I decided to bake up a Banana Cake, instead of another loaf of bread.  Even though I did find a new great Banana Bread recipe, shared here.

And then, another hang up in the kitchen. The recipe calls for buttermilk. No offense, what the heck is buttermilk? I don't think I have ever bought or seen buttermilk other than as an ingreadient in pancakes!  So, off to the internet I go and there I find a wonderful substitute!

1 tablespoon lemon juice, or white vinegar placed in a measuring cup, then add milk until the 1 cup mark.  Let sit for 5 minutes ( I let a little more) and TA-DA! Buttermilk ( Substitute!)

Now, on to the Banana Cake recipe. Since when do I only bake???

2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 cup mashed banana

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup shortening ( I actually used Country Crock and it worked just fine)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all ingredients. Pour batter into greased pans. Bake 350 for 30-35 minutes.

From An Igloo was right...

this truly is the absolute best play dough recipe ever!

This has been on my "craft to do" list for a while now. I felt my son was too little (he's 18 months old) but when my four year old nephew came over I knew it was the perfect thing to keep us busy!  And he loved it too!

Here's the recipe: ( As seen here on From an Igloo)
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
Food coloring

From an Igloo has directions on her site too.  But I wanted to let my nephew help so here is what we did:

I put the oil in the pan, let my nephew mix everything in the bowl. He set the timer to 4 minutes and I dumped everything into the pan to cook.  Once it was cooked I placed it on wax paper and threw it into the fridge until he couldn't wait any longer!

What is that phone number???

Are you always misplacing your frequently used numbers? Or have numbers that your husband knows by heart but you don't, and vice versa? Or how about when your not home and someone needs your numbers? Or, you can't find your cell phone with all your numbers in it? Here is the answer to all of my phone number losing issues!

A nicely organized magnet!

If you would like to make your own its so simple!  Do a search for a "frame" like this search here.  Then copy it into your word processor or photo editing program.  Once in your program,  insert your text over the image and center it down the middle.  Double check your names and numbers, and print onto your magnet!

Now when you need a number, go to your magnet and your done! Plus when it is time for an update, you can just print it out on paper, and glue on top of your magnet!

Something for me, for once!

I am always creating for others, but sometimes I want to create for me. So. I picked up this pattern for $2.99 (Score!) and the fabric for only a couple bucks.

I did it! I made something for me. Except. This pattern runs pretty small. I followed the pattern and sewing directions to a T, and this came out about 4 sizes too small.  My sister is about 4 sizes smaller than me, and she was able to put it on no problem. Ugh.  What a bummer.  I haven't decided if I am ripping it out and adding a panel, or putting it in the closest for a skinnier day.  Ha!  Here it is in all it's cuteness!  

Overall, the pattern was a breeze.  The skirt is six panels, with a waistband that is lined with fabric and interfacing, and a zipper.  The directions were very clear too. I made a dress last december and those pattern directions were horrendous!  My Home Ec Teacher friend couldn't even understand what they were asking!  

If you interested in a really cute skirt. Here's the Pattern Info: Simplicitiy 2410

Yay! I've been featured!

Make sure you stop by C.R.A.F.T today, and tell her I sent you!  She's featuring my felt sushi tutorial!

More Bread...

I don't know what it is but I find that I bake more in the summer. Must be the fresh fruits and veggies available!

 Now I know I already showed you my favorite zucchini bread.  But now, I finally found a favorite banana bread recipe. ( Thanks to Ali!) I doubled the batch, and froze the other.  

Here is an online version that I found, the only difference was that my recipe did not have chopped pecans, brown sugar or cinnamon. Other than that the recipe is the exact same!  

On my needles!

After seeing this pattern in Knit Picks Magazine, I could not stop thinking about these adorable placemats! Normally, I am patient and can scour through Ravelry for a free pattern, or enough of one to figure out the pattern for myself. ( I thought I figured this one out, but didn't have the patience to work it out enough to decide!)

But not this time! I ran to my local bookstore and found the book it was in, The Very Easy Guide To Cable Knitting. Bonus, the book has several patterns, and lessons on cable knitting.  Hopefully I can get through my first cable!

Wish me luck!

Library Love!

I love when I find a good book, better yet. I love when I find a great book.  Even better, I love when I find two great books!

These books have been in my hands non stop for the past week or so. I LOVE THEM!  They a pretty much divided into three parts.  Part One, History and Technique. Part Two, Projects. Part Three, Patterns.

I think my favorite is the Patterns. It shows you a picture, then tells you in words how to do it, and then using a chart shows you again how to do it. Love it! 

It looks like a different publisher and author makes a sewing one, I may need to check that out of the library and see if it is just as good.

Fabric Anyone?

Alright, I love fabric, and I have collected quite a bit over the years. And some of it, I just do not know what to do with, or where it even came from.

In an effort to clear out some clutter, I have decided to offer some up here. If your interested let me know,  you can have it! But, the catch would be shipping. If your willing to pay the shipping, I am willing to send it to you!  Here are some pictures of what is up for grabs, first come first serve.

1. Yellows, Blues, Greens Floral

2. Brown check, with blue and green flowers

3. Batik?  Pinks, Purples, Deep Blue

4.  Purple background with Roosters ( i know!) in Peach, Light Green, Magenta

5. Peach with Flowers

6. Pink with white, green and purple flowers

7. Peach/Salmon with flowers

Leave a comment, on which you like, and it could be yours!