Off I go on vacation!!

How to make a Maxi in less than 2 mins for the Beach!

Found this video and this is very neat!  I tried it and it works!  :)
 
http://youtu.be/fsdy2MccSTo

Quilting done for now...

I've made a couple more blocks on my quilting class and I've called it done with that.  I think I have the "just" of it now and might try making my both of my sons a quilt sometime in the future.  It was a nice time to enjoy with my mominlaw in the classes but we both find our schedules a little hectic to continue the classes.  We both work fulltime so our weekends - well we want them!  LOL.  Its summer time - so you should see a little more sewing out of me.  Both of my sons are at the grandparents in the summer time due to my schedule of work.  They come home on the weekends though - another reason I quit the class and so I can spend time with them.  I've been checking out the site Pinterest.  Very cool site.  I did make a mod podge photo flower pot for my mominlaw for her birthday that I found out how to do from Pinterest.  I plan on making one for my mom too as a big old thank you for helping out with the boys this summer.   My youngest son, Conner, just finished up with Tball season and thats come to an end.  He's graduating to 2nd grade this next school year.  My oldest son, Casey, has graduated to 6th grade -Middle School here we come.  Well check back soon and I plan to have a few more updates and photos.  Maybe I should call my blog something about sewing with the seasons..lol...since I find myself here and there with sewing...but I am enjoying it when I find the time. 

Quilting!!

Been a while - I know!  But here I am.  So in January, I get a call from my mom-in-law and she's headed to a quilting class that started up in 2012.  She asks would I be interested in joining with her.  So long story...I say yes.  Here I am...quilting now.  Not only a beginner to sewing..but here I am tackling the art of quilting.  WOW!  Yes I'm nervous about it.  So each month I'll be making a square for my quilt and at the end of 12 months, I'll have a full 12 squares that go in this really pretty quilt - well I hope it is when I'm finished!  I have completed January's square.  Everyone says it was hard - that made me feel better!  I think I did a good job...being a beginner sewer and starting on a hard block for an "also" beginner quilter!  I think I liked it too!

So here above is what the completed quilt should look like.

My January Square...

   

Coaster

So here is a coaster I made - making 4 in all as a set of course.  I'm giving these to someone for Christmas - BIG LSU fan!  Now in the pic - I know it looks blue - but its really purple.  I guess my phone camera doesn't recognize purple?  However, I guess you can see the idea.  This was super fun and anyone can do it!  This was done with an LSU napkin.  I opened the napkin and in my case - one napkin had 4 LSU squares.  So I was able to make my 4 coasters out of one napkin.  All you need are 4 tiles - which I found mine at Home Depot for .16 cents each.  Then you need a bottle of Mod Podge.  A small sponge to dab with.  And then you need some of the felt circles to go on bottom.  So simple.  You can see below in my other posts another link showing you in detail how to make them.  Very fun - simple - and really - anyone can do it!  And I want to add that I used napkins on this instead of paper - so that may be the reason for the more textured look - but it doesn't bother a glass at all and doesn't wobble.

Great cake - Cinnamon Roll Cake!

Ok - below is the recipe I used last night making Cinnamon Roll Cake.  Below are not my photos either - its strictly copied from another site, http://sewfantastic.blogspot.com/2011/11/amazing-cinnamon-roll-cake.html.  I do have to mention - I used Self Rising Flour instead of having to add the baking powder and salt.  BUT when omitting those I looked right over the sugar to add in the batter!  I had to cook mine like 10 mins longer than she states below and I also had to add a splash more of milk in my powder sugar glaze than she states.  I'm wondering if me omitting the sugar in the batter was the reason I had to cook it 10 mins longer.  BUT I didnt even realize I left out the sugar until I was raving about this recipe and showing it to a friend and talking about how good the cake was while sampling!  LOL.  So hey - omit the sugar in the batter and it still comes out great and yummy and moist!  ENJOY!

Cake:

3 c. flour

1/4 tsp.salt

1 c. sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 c. milk

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 c. butter, melted

Mix everything together except the melted butter, mix this in last. 

Then pour into a greased 9x13 pan. (I only made half this recipe so I put mine into a smaller pan)

 Topping:

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

For the topping mix all the ingredients together until smooth

 and then place it evenly on top of the batter 

and then swirl with a knife Then bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. 

Glaze:

2 c. powdered sugar

5 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Combine the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the cake while warm.

Homemade Coasters

Ok - so I'm "so" making these for Christmas.  This looks fun and neat and even something I could do with my Sunday School class too!  Check it out....

How to make these beautiful drink coasters...

(The finished product)

Supplies Needed:

4 plain bathroom shower tiles (Hardware Store)
Various colors of scrapbook paper (12" x 12")
Mod Podge clear coat paint
Adhesive backed felt circles or cork pads
Glue (stick glue works best)
Scissors, exacto knife, ink pen, paint and/or foam brush

Here's how to make these handmade drink coasters:

	Step 1: Purchase plain shower tiles at your local Hardware store.  Price ranges from .13 - .20 each or less.
	Step 2: Purchase scrapbook paper, the 12x12 is the best as you can get more squares out of it, any color or design that you like best to go in your home.
	Step 3: Take the scrapbook paper and turn over so you are on the back side, line up a tile in the corner edge of one side and push down to make imprints of the tile on the paper.  Do this in all 4 corners of the paper.
	Step 4: Take the imprinted paper and a pen and lightly mark guidelines where the imprint is, this will make it easier when you cut them out.
	Step 5: Once all of the squares are marked, your scrapbook paper should look like this.
	Step 6: Cut the paper into the 4 squares using your guidelines.
	Step 7: Take 1 tile, 1 paper square and glue.  I use a glue stick as it is easier to use and its colored so you can see where you have been, but any glue can work.  If you use bottled glue make sure you smooth the glue out so you do not have any glue bumps under the paper when it is dry.  Apply generously to the edges of the tile, this is where the paper can pull if not glued down well.
	Step 8: Cover tile completely in glue.
	Step 9: Neatly place paper square over tile so all edges are lined up and push to adhere paper to tile.  Make sure it is attached well and smooth.
	Step 10: Once glue is dry cut any overlapping paper from the tile edges.  Scissors or an exacto knife do this very well.
	Step 11: Gather your paper covered tiles, a small sponge or paint brush and glossy Mod Podge, apply a thin layer of the mod podge over entire tile and edges.  This dries completely clear but take care that the coat is even and smooth, it will make the finished product that much more beautiful.
	Step 12: Allow to dry completely, I let mine dry overnight.  Place felt circle pads (pictured) or cork circle pads in all four corners of backside of coaster, this will help prevent damage to furniture when coaster is in use.
	Step 13: You can group together the four coasters, tie a bow around them and give them as a unique handmade gift as show to the left