junky love in freehand

I heart S'Mores

2008-02-11T18:42:00.000-05:00

I really do. So, when I saw that people were making them completely from scratch (sorry I can't find the link and can't remember where I saw them!), I had to try it. I made my own graham crackers and my own marshmallows. Let me give the recipes and tell you about my experiences.

Homemade Graham Crackers

4 c HODGSON MILL WHOLE WHEAT GRAHAM FLOUR
1 c butter
1 c brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 c hot water, approximately
HODGSON MILL UNBLEACHED WHITE FLOUR

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut butter into flour till coarse. Add sugar, soda, cream of tartar, egg and enough hot water to make dough that can be rolled like pastry. Roll 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on a board sprinkled with a little white flour. Cut into 3 inch squares. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on rack. Brush tops with butter.

This is the recipe I decided to use. I got it from the Hodgson Mill website. The graham crackers were certainly easy to make. Pretty much the same as any cookie. I did forget to take the butter out of the freezer and I had to use a shredder to "cut" the butter into the flour. I decided I actually like doing it that way better and will try that technique again some time. The end result wasn't what I expected. They did not taste like your traditional graham cracker. They were more like those fancy thick wheat crackers - sorta a cookie sorta a cracker. Make sense? The kids LOVED them. I decided to cut the crackers into heart shapes since we are so close to Valentine's day.

Although I may make the graham crackers again, I don't think I will call them graham crackers.

On to the marshmallows.....
A while back I found a recipe for marshmallows. I decided they were way to hard. That was before I had a KitchenAid. Cooking is easy if you have the correct tools. I used a Martha Stewart recipe and I must say the end result was quite delicious. The kids loved making them and loved eating them even more. Here is the recipe and picks....

INGREDIENTS

	2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
	1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
	1 cup light corn syrup
	1/4 teaspoon salt
	2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
	Confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Combine gelatin and 1/2 cup cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer with whisk attachment. Let it stand 30 minutes.

Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, salt and 1/2 cup of water in a small heavy saucepan; place over low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Wash down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals.

Clip on a candy thermometer; raise heat to high. Cook syrup without stirring until it reaches 244 degrees (firm-ball stage). Immediately remove pan from heat.

With mixer on low speed, slowly and carefully pour syrup into the softened gelatin. Increase speed to high; beat until mixture is very thick and white and has almost tripled in volume, about 15 minutes. Add vanilla; beat to incorporate.

Generously dust an 8 x 12-inch glass baking pan with confectioners' sugar. Pour marshmallow mixture into pan. Dust with confectioners' sugar; let stand overnight, uncovered, to dry out.

As you can see, I also cut the marshmallows to match the crackers. After I made them I packaged them with some cute mini chocolate chips. They were so cute. I put them in the fridge until I got around to mailing them. Two days later I removed them from the fridge and testing one. YUCK!!! The marshmallows had turned hard and chewy. The "crackers" were soggy. I let them warm up and the crackers tasted gross (maybe from the butter you brush on!) and the marshmallows were still rubbery. The whole thing ended up in the trash. I am sorry. It is awful I know. Imagine how heart broken I felt over it. So, those of you that would expect a Valentine from us may not get a little surprise this year (remember the caramels from last year?).

Just a note....I had a ton of marshmallows left over and had put them in a ziplock bag in the cabinet. They are still yummy.

Birdseed Pine cones

2008-01-13T15:12:00.001-05:00

Last week we made birdseed pine cones. First we recycled the pine cones from our Christmas Wreath. We took them and smeared a healthy amount of peanut butter all over them. Notice Jude took a taste or two or three for himself. After we had them completely covered we rolled them in birdseed. It was a little messy but not too bad. Then we hung them on our front porch. So far I haven't seen any birds. Hopefully they will find our food soon. I have the camera ready so I can capture a picture.

Candy Wreath

2007-12-12T09:57:00.001-05:00

The ladies from our church got together and did a little crafty project. We made a candy wreath. I enjoyed it so much I made another when I came home. Check them out.

It is really easy to make these. If you are interested the directions are HERE.
I gave mine away the next day so I wouldn't eat it all.

Wordless Wednesday....Cookies

2007-12-12T09:54:00.001-05:00

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday...Christmas Lights

2007-12-04T22:22:00.001-05:00

wordless wednesday

Magnets Part Two.

2007-11-30T07:53:00.001-05:00

I LOVE photo gifts. There are so many options out there these days. I bought more of those glass beads only bigger ones this time. I tried putting photos underneath and they just seems distorted SO...I compromised and decoupaged the photos on the top and stuck a magnet on the back. I made a ton of these last night while sitting in front of the T.V. I am only showing you the ones of my kids. Aren't they cute?

Meet My Girls...

2007-11-30T07:43:00.001-05:00

I am so excited about these. I made them as Christmas gifts for some of the younger girls in my life. I think they are the sweetest things. I forget how much I paid for the clothespins but I think it was a couple of bucks for 30. I also bought a heavy duty craft glue that works on practically everything. It was also a few bucks. The fabric for the clothing was scraps I had from old stained up clothing. I used paint for their faces. I tried using sharpie markers but it bled a lot and that annoyed me so I painted the sweet little faces on.

If you are interested in making your own they are simple. There isn't really a method, though. I think you have to apply your own style. I spent a lot of time looking up these dolls on line and they are all dramatically different. If I get around to it I plan on making a doll pouch for the girls. Of course I will post photos.

Thursday 13....Crafty Books.

2007-11-15T07:34:00.000-05:00

Here is a great list of craft books that I want to use. I haven't had a chance to look at them all but I have borrowed a few from the library. I would like to own them so I can make notes and what not. Let me know if you have read any and what you think.

Thursday Thirteen

New Furniture!!!

2007-11-12T12:20:00.000-05:00

My neighbor gave me the nicest piece of furniture. I am so excited about it. I can't wait to get sewing. He does remodeling in nice homes. Someone was going to throw this out and he saved it. Yippy for me. Hopefully I will get it all organized and will get to post new projects later this week. I am already working on a few. Plus, I am going back to my Mom's next week and you know what that means..... Lots of sewing/crafting.

Please ignore the 1970's paneling in our basement.

Winner!!!

2007-11-05T07:34:00.001-05:00

The winner of my contest is......(drum roll please).....Annikke over at Mom is in the Fishbowl. Congrats!!

Step Right Up, You're the next contestant!!!

2007-11-02T16:37:00.001-04:00

Last week I saw that Rocks in My Dryer was hosting a "Contest Carnival" of sorts. I planned to get it together and join in the fun but with my sewing machine in the shop and trying to catch up after the craziness of last week I am just now getting around to it. So here I am....

This is how it works. I am giving away a 5X7 hand stamped scrapbook. If you would like to be entered into my contest just leave me a comment telling me the coolest thing you ever saw that someone made themselves. I will draw a name on Monday at 8 A.M. So you have until then. You should check out some of the other contests (although some end tonight) - there are 647 other give aways as of right now. GO HERE to see the other participants!

Wordless Wednesday.....My Budding Artist

2007-10-23T19:16:00.001-04:00

wordless wednesday

Wordless Wednesday - My Budding Artist

2007-10-17T09:46:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Thank You.

2007-10-13T09:19:00.000-04:00

I recently had a baby. I had so many people give us gifts and make meals. It was quite a blessing. After we brought Avery home and we were there for a few days, my mom and dad took the older two kids back home with them for a long weekend. It was nice to have a break. The idea was to get the older kids away and I would rest to help me heal properly. I was getting a little bored out of my mind - after all, I only had one kid left to look after. So...I handmade little Thank You's for my friends. I made a card, a heart ornament and a little bag to put them in. I made 200 of those same hearts as favors at my wedding so the people that were at my wedding didn't get the heart and I made them different cards. If you still haven't received a Thank You from me it is because I've only given them out in person. If I haven't seen you then yours is sitting on my microwave waiting to be mailed. I will eventually get to to post office. We don't mail much around here.

Handmade cards in general are very easy to make and a heck of a lot cheaper. I was at Target yesterday looking at Get Well cards (the little neighbor girl broke her arm and Jude wanted to get her a High School Musical card). YIKES. Almost $4 for a card that I don't even like. No way. I told him we could color her a picture. The bags were cheap and I already have a ton of stamps laying around - but in the interest of those who don't - I did borrow these particular stamps from a friend. Stamp pads are inexpensive ($1 at Pat Catans). I know not everyone takes pottery and can make their own hearts BUT - craft stores sell an assortment of wood ornaments or other small craft items you can make a lot of. I just thought it was a nice touch to give a small gift as a thank you. So...here are the pics.

Refurbished!

2007-10-13T08:44:00.001-04:00

About a month ago I told you about some curbside shopping I did! Here are my results! I've gotten mixed responses and my feelings aren't easily hurt so be honest and tell me what you think. The entire refurbish cost about $15. We spent the most on the knobs. We could have probably found some used ones if we kept looking but we didn't have time for that since I did need the dresser for Avery's clothes!

BEFORE

AFTER

The Glass Marble Magnets

2007-10-12T10:49:00.000-04:00

I did these this week while I was watching Criminal Minds. So easy, yet so adorable. For instructions check out Not Martha.

Shoes...Yes, I made shoes!!!

2007-10-08T08:52:00.000-04:00

One night while browsing the internet I came across the cutest shoes for babies. The site included lovely photos and a pattern so you can make them yourself! I am so excited. I used two different patterns. One came out just horrible. I didn't even sew the second one. I need to adjust the pattern or just find a different one. The other pair well...I think they are just the sweetest things. Unfortunately they are too small for my little Avery - her feet are LONG. So I will save them for a gift and make her a new pair. I want to make these everyday. Oh...I made them while watching TV - I always like doing something while watching.

These are the ones I didn't like. I need to make some changes.

This is the pair I love. Aren't they adorable???

Here are some places you can find baby shoe patterns....
Heather Bailey
Martha Stewart
Tacky Living
More Martha Stewart

New Clay Stuff...

2007-10-07T22:23:00.001-04:00

I've been working on these little "coins" in pottery. They take a lot of time to make because there are many steps to get them together. Here is my first batch. I really like them. I made some other out of lighter clay but they just aren't as appealing. I still plan to decorate the altoid containers and making them a funky little carrier for the magnets. I am going to put them in sets of 6 or 8 and give them away. As you can see....I made a few into necklaces. Aren't they cute?

My First Quilt

2007-10-07T22:18:00.000-04:00

Here is my first attempt at a quilt. Well, that isn't exactly true. I have a pieced together many quilt blocks in the past but this is my first completed quilt. It is for a baby and fairly small. I had some "issues" with one of the fabrics I picked so some of the pieces didn't line up. It was frustrating. Either way it isn't perfect but I think it is cute. Now I have been inspired. Maybe I will work on the quilt I have been piecing for years now!

Thursday Thirteen #1 - My Project To-Do List

2007-09-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

My to-do list is ever growing! I have so many things to do and so little time. Here is a list of things I want to get done soon!

1. Make cute little marble magnets.

2. Modge Podge altoid cans

3. Sew potholders. I have MANY cut out.

4. Denim Aprons.

5. Baby Shoes - OMGosh...they are so incredibly cute.

6. Baby Bibs!!!

7. More grocery bags...lots of people want them!!!

8. Fuse plastic grocery bags and sew them into bags!

9. Baby quilt for girl at church.

10. Shirt for myself - I bought a pattern and everything!!! (I only paid $2.50!!!)

11. Necklaces out of things I made in pottery. I can't wait to show you.

12. Clothespin dolls.

13. Finish the dresser!

I thought I would have a difficult time coming up with the list but I could go on and on. I plan to do a lot of stuff while I am on vacation. I have BIG plans! I want to have a posting extravaganza when I get back so be sure to stop back by!

Thursday Thirteen

Handy, Cute, Cheap & Easy Aprons!

2007-09-25T07:41:00.001-04:00

What happened to the days when women wore aprons in the kitchen? It wasn't just for looks you know - aprons protect your clothes. A couple of weeks ago I was cooking and stuff splashed on my shirt. I thought "not again". Silly me. Then I was browsing the internet and viola - everyone is making aprons. So, when I was at Goodwill I picked up a pillow case with a ruffle for 25 cents! I did a little cutting and some sewing. I came up with an apron for me and a little sweet one for Elise. I would have taken a picture of her in it but she is refusing to wear it. Once I start wearing mine I think she will like hers!

Pottery 101

2007-09-25T07:27:00.001-04:00

I can't really teach you how to do pottery online so I will show you some stuff I have made.

Who Doesn't Need New Cute Potholders???

2007-09-14T08:50:00.001-04:00

Check my latest project out! I made potholders. Not a big deal, I know...BUT these are made from my old jean leftovers. If you are interested in making your own check out the instructions HERE! They are really easy and so inexpensive to make. I think they will make a cute gift!

Wordless Wednesday...Potter Jude

2007-09-12T11:51:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Old Vinyl....Repurposed

2007-09-09T18:21:00.001-04:00

Last spring, during a pottery class, one of the ladies was talking about some of the activities she was planning to do with the kids in her summer program. I was so intrigued by one of the cool things they did with the kids...they melted old record albums and made them into bowls. They did theirs in the hot summer sun but I decided to brave it and try it in the oven. I started with four albums I snagged on Freecycle. Oh, and don't feel bad - they had some scratches and probably wouldn't have been very good to listen to anymore. BTW...when we went to get them Jude was totally fascinated. He wanted to know what records were! Ha.

Okay - here is what I did...

Looked at the pretty albums & preheat your oven at 200 degrees.

Find a heatproof bowl to set the album on. As you can see I used a metal mixing bowl. Put it in the oven. Set your timer for 3 minutes. Wait. Suggestions for killing time: eat a peach, paint your toenails, sweep the kitchen floor, flip through a magazine....

OK - time is up. Use oven mitts (so don't paint your fingernails while waiting)!! Remove the bowl. With oven mitts on your hands form the old record into the shape you like. It cools pretty quick. After a minute or two I used my bare hands (it was easier).

I did 4 albums. They make a nice set, don't ya think? I have no idea what I am going to do with them. Another website suggested lining them with parchment paper and using them as a chip or popcorn bowl. Who knows....

This one was my favorite.

Here is why I think this is a great craft...

It is unique.
Very quick.
EASY.
No clean up!

My Pink T-Shirt

2007-09-07T11:46:00.001-04:00

I am feeling my wardrobe is a little drab these days. I went to Target and picked up a few clearance items to spice things up a bit. While I was there I decided to breeze through the men's department and see if they had anything good for Jake. Apparently he has been feeling a little drab himself these days because he even mentioned that he needs a few new things. Anyhow...they had these t-shirts on clearance. From the picture you can't really tell but it is a very soft cotton t-shirt. I bought one for him and this pink one for me. After I got it home I decided I didn't like how it looked on so I cut it all up... Here is what I did.

First I cut the sleeves off. I just followed the seam. Then I used a straight edge to cut off the top. I cut it right at the neck line.

Next, I sewed the armpit area. I just folded it over twice (so there wouldn't be any fraying going on) and sewed along the line I cut. Then I folded the top over twice but left enough space to insert a ribbon!

Finally I added the ribbon & tied it to make straps. Isn't it the cutest shirt!? It only took me about 45 minutes to make. I think it will go faster next time. I can't wait to make more! Oh, and did I mention this type of shirt is SO in style now. How convenient.

just setting things up

2007-09-06T11:11:00.001-04:00

junky love in freehand

I *heart* S'Mores

Homemade Graham Crackers

Birdseed Pine cones

Candy Wreath

Wordless Wednesday....Cookies

Wordless Wednesday...Christmas Lights

Magnets Part Two.

Meet My Girls...

Thursday 13....Crafty Books.

New Furniture!!!

Winner!!!

Step Right Up, You're the next contestant!!!

Wordless Wednesday.....My Budding Artist

Wordless Wednesday - My Budding Artist

Thank You.

Refurbished!

The Glass Marble Magnets

Shoes...Yes, I made shoes!!!

New Clay Stuff...

My First Quilt

Thursday Thirteen #1 - My Project To-Do List

Handy, Cute, Cheap & Easy Aprons!

Pottery 101

Who Doesn't Need New Cute Potholders???

Wordless Wednesday...Potter Jude

Old Vinyl....Repurposed

My Pink T-Shirt

just setting things up

I heart S'Mores