DIY Stagecoach Blind

I just made this stagecoach blind for my son's kitchen window.  My daughter-in-law selected the fabrics and the yellow-gold ribbon really makes it pop.  It is not just a window topper but a workable blind.  I basically used directions from eHow but modified the bottom to have a placket to hold a second identical rod.

She chose a decorator fabric for the top; Rich FC Jovial Island from Joann fabrics. The robin egg blue matches their KitchenAid Mixer.

We used an Offray grosgrain 1 1/2 inch ribbon; Yelgld 9.



The lining is a cotton; Meadow Lark Circle in orange

Too Many Eggs - Make a Frittata

I had way too many eggs that needed used this week so I made a frittata for lunch.  I gathered vegetables that I had in the fridge, some cheese and 10 eggs.  Any vegetables work as does any kind of shredded cheese to equal about 1 cup.  So here's what I used.

Carrots, broccoli, onions - all chopped but since I was sauteing all together I chopped the carrots smaller so they would be tender in the same time as the larger pieces of broccoli and onion.

So I had shredded cheddar cheese and I shredded a small block of pepper jack cheese to make 1 cup of combined cheese.  I knew my hubby would like some meat so I chopped up some Virginia baked ham to mix in also.  I had a small amount of chopped turkey bacon from last weekend so I figured I would throw it in also.

I used an 11 inch skillet that can be placed in the oven for the last minutes of baking.






I sauteed the vegetables in 2 tablespoons of olive oil till tender, about 4 minutes.  Then I stirred in the ham and cooked for a few minutes more.  Lastly I added the bacon bits and 3/4 cup of the cheese.  I stirred all together and then used my immersion blender to mix the 10 eggs.

I really like the immersion blender as I can use it in hot mixtures as well as cold. It is the perfect instrument to blend lumps out of your gravy.  You just have to remember to keep it on the bottom of the pan or pot when it is in motion.              

So when my ingredients were tender and all heated through, I poured in the eggs.  Then I sprinkled the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheese on top.  I also added a few twists of ground pepper over it all.  I usually add some salt but did not this time because I used ham and bacon and there would be enough salt.

I kept the pan over medium heat for a few minutes until the eggs were getting dry around the edge of pan.  Then I pop in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.  The frittata is a perfect meal with some fruit or a small salad.  It can also be eaten cold later in the day.

Embroidered Gifts

I was asked to monogram a canvas tote bag as a birthday gift.  It is for an 80th birthday so I figured the recipient would like a classic font.  I used a font from Embroitique the Fancy Monogram 1. 


I also wanted to give some kitchen towels as small gifts at dinner on Mother's Day, so I made a design using The Fancy Monogram 1 for a 4 inch initial and then for the full name used the Embird Alphabet #23.  I used a small coffee cup symbol that I had downloaded from somewhere in the past.  I will use this combination again because I really like it.

Cheese Pop Appetizers

Happy Mother's Day to all!!  I was invited to my son's for dinner but I thought I would take an appetizer.  I had seen this on Pinterest so I modified the recipe a little and made them up.  My cheese balls are made of a combination of parmigiano-reggiano, 6 ounces of cream cheese and 6 ounces of havarti cheese.  Roll into small balls, insert lollipop stick and place in freezer to firm up for about 10 minutes.  Then roll in a mixture of chopped spinach, chopped thyme, 6 slices chopped bacon and 2 ounces of chopped pecans.  They were scrumptious and quite a hit.

Make Your Own Decorator Pillows

I always forget how easy it is to make decorator pillows until I get a request to do so.  Pillows are inexpensive and can drastically change the look of a room.  I usually make the envelope style just because it is easy to launder when necessary, but when I am short on fabric I will do panels and just sew the opening closed.

My daughter-in-law wanted to put bright pillows on her outdoor furniture so we bought outdoor canvas that resists mold and mildew.  I sometimes use it for indoor pillows because it holds its shape so well. 

First of all you need the pillow form so that you can determine how much fabric to buy.  For a 16 X 16 you will need 1/2 yard of fabric that is at least 40 inch wide.  The front piece will be cut 17 inches by 17 inches, essentially adding 1/2 inch to each side to allow for the 1/2 inch seam.  To make the overlapping back you will cut 2 rectangles 17 X 12.  So for any size pillow form, the front panel will be the width plus 1 inch and length plus 1 inch.  The back panels will be 3/4 of width and length plus 1 inch. If the fabric is lightweight, the back panel can be interfaced.

On the back panels, one of the long edges of each need to be finished as they will form the envelope. I use my Janome Coverpro because it will hem and overcast at the same time. I press under 1 inch on the length and then stitch on the front and the back is overcast.

Other options for finishing the back edge are serging the edge and then pressing under 1 inch. Also the edge could be turned under 1/4 inch and then pressed under 3/4 inch and sewn with a straight stitch.




Now you are ready to sew your pillow together.  First lay down your front panel, right side up.
Next place 1 back panel wrong side up onto the front panel matching all three unfinished edges.
The next back panel is placed wrong side up, matching the opposite 3 unfinished edges.
Pin securely.

Sew completely around the square backstitching at beginning and end.  When you get to the section where the back sections overlap, backstitch over the 1 inch section to strengthen this area.  Stop sewing 1/2 inch from end of side and pivot fabric to sew the next side.

Before you turn right side out, cut across the point at each corner to reduce bulk and allow for a nice point when turned.

Now turn right side out, use a dowel to push out the corner and press before inserting the pillow.

DIY iPad Case

Well my daughter got a new iPad and wanted a customized case.  She went to Joann Fabrics and chose a light violet swirly print cotton for the outside and a soft yellow flannel for the lining.  I looked online for a free pattern and used a combination of 2 patterns to get the look she wanted. The 2 sites for the patterns are Tablet Coverlet  by Pat Bravo and the Kindle Case by 100 Billion Stars; I used the measurements from the directions from 100 Billion Stars and the strip of lining on the outside and squared flap from the Tablet Coverlet.  She wanted a button and elastic loop for the closure also.







Instead of using fleece and interfacing, I chose to use 1 layer of Soft and Stable because it provides cushion and support without adding bulk.  I would definitely recommend using it for purses, totes and cases for electronic devices. This case only took about an hour to make but the funny part was that I could not figure out how to slip the lining inside the outside; it was like a puzzle to me but I figured it out finally!

Baby Shower Gifts

Here are my latest creations; gifts for a baby shower.


I embroidered these designs on onesies for the fall holidays- baby due in July so I figured the 3-6 months size would be good for the fall.  I got the designs from  Planet Applique; all their designs stitch out so well.  I personally like the Halloween one best!

I made this bunting from the Simplicity pattern #2165.  This is the first time I made this bunting but it will now be a staple for a baby gift.  The instructions were easy to follow and it came out perfect the first time and is truly just too adorable.  If you used a solid fabric for the outside you could personalize with some embroidery also.  It only takes 7/8 of a yard each for the inside and outside fabrics.  I used flannel for both since it will be used for the summer and fall.  If you were making for a winter baby you could use fleece or minky for it.

I also made this personalized blanket for the new baby and pacifier bib and baby wipes case.

The blanket is made of fleece with the top embroidered portion made of flannel with another applique that I think I had downloaded from SewForum but I cannot find the exact source.  The back is made of the same flannel that I used for the top of the front and also for the inside of the bunting.  I found the pattern for the bib that has a tab to hold a pacifier on the Internet as a freebie; it was made by Nicole Scott but I do not have the link any longer. The embroidered lion on the bib is fromSewforum by Robin. I actually made the bib and case from receiving blankets that were on the baby gift registry.The case for the baby wipes was a free pattern from simplicity.com Baby Wipes Case.  I hate making binding but it did not turn out too badly, although I need a no fail way to sew binding on.

The Egg Wars - 2012

And the winner is:

Our Easter tradition is the Breaking of the Eggs. My husband and daughter dutifully color our hard boiled eggs each year the day before Easter.  When the children were small, the egg wars took place right after the Easter Baskets hunt but now that the children are adults the Wars have expanded and found their place before dinner after all guests have arrived.

Each guest picks their egg; color and overall physique play a part in the selection.  The goal is to be the last Egg standing without a crack. Single elimination bouts take place.  Holding your egg, usually with individual technique, you get one hit at your contender. The Egg without a crack moves on.

We had 14 contenders this year.  Spouses sparred off first; the second round had just one woman, but she was clearly eliminated in the first bout in the second round.  Special handling techniques were used in the last bouts but a Winner prevailed!  The swirly baby blue egg, in the pearly swirl pattern, came out of the last bout without a crack and found its way to the egg pedestal where it reigned over the Easter day proceedings!

Pepperoni Rolls - Easy to Make for Easter

These yummy individual pepperoni rolls are easy to make from frozen bread rolls. I buy bags of either 36 or 72 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls and make them up in an evening.  If we do not need them for a few days, I pack them in aluminum pans, with layers separated by wax paper, and covered by aluminum foil.  Then I freeze for a week or two.

For 36 rolls you need:

36 Rhodes frozen dinner rolls
1 lb pizza pepperoni
1 lb sliced mozzarella cheese


Defrost the rolls in the refrigerator.  If I am making them in the morning, I place the bag of frozen rolls in the refrigerator overnight.

I slice the cheese so I have approximately a 3 inch square. On a floured surface, I roll out the defrosted roll into a 4 inch circle.  Layer the circle, 4 rounds of pepperoni and a slice of cheese. If you use sandwich pepperoni you only use one slice.

Overlap one side over the other and pinch to close. Using a dab of milk makes the overlap stick better.


Now place on a parchment paper lined cooking sheet and cover with a towel.  Place in a warm area and let rise for 1/2 hour.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.  Serve warm or let cool completely before packing to freeze. 

Embroidered Kitchen Towels

I wanted to do some small projects the other night so I made a few kitchen towels.  I try to keep some blanks available for fast gifts or for when I just feel like embroidering.  So I keep several white kitchen towels on hand - I like these white ones from Walmart - 70% poly 30% cotton - they wash up so nice.  I made these for 2 daughter-in-laws and a friend. I found the design on embroideryDK.com and wanted to use it on something; so I changed the colors to match their kitchens. The design is one of 10 variations under the category of Food and Drinks, so you could use several and make a set.  If you use this design on these towels be sure to use a wash-away topping because the cup will have small streaks of white show through if you do not.

Personalized Burp Cloths

Back in the day when I had babies, burp cloths were old diapers and receiving blankets or whatever was handy when the baby needed burped. Today there are burp cloths that are adorable and personalized. I looked over tutorials online to make burp cloths and found one can make them out of three layers of flannel or out of flannel layered on a diaper.  Since my niece just had a baby, I decided to try some of each. Here are a few pictures.  This is becoming my favorite gift for new moms because the possibilities for creativity are endless.

Personalized Badge Holders

My daughter needed a few personalized gifts for her nurse co-workers so I ordered a few blank badge holders and embarked on my first badge holders.  I chose a Curly font for the initial and then used small squares of fabric. I chose thread that would contrast with the fabric and set to work.

First of all I embroidered an initial on the fabric using the 4x4 hoop; initial is .76 x .78 inches.  As you can see below I was able to do several in one hooping.

I then removed the hoop and proceed to cut out the initial by placing the clear plastic circle on the fabric and just cutting around it. I took the cutout initial and trimmed it to fit perfectly inside the indentation of the badge holder.

 

Next I popped on the clear cover and the badge holder was done.  Because I am never certain that the cover will stay on indefinitely, I put a few dabs of super glue around the edge before putting the cover on.

Grandma Dolly's Hot Chipped Ham and Egg Sandwiches

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, one learns to love Isaly's chipped chopped ham.  This is a chipped deli ham that has no equal in other parts of the country. Years ago my mother-in-law gave me this make ahead sandwich recipe that people rave about. When you look at the ingredients, it may not seem appealing, but one bite and you are hooked.  I am posting this recipe on my blog because every New Year's Eve, while my son is grocery shopping for his party, he calls me for the ingredient list.  Next year, he can just browse to my blog!

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. Isaly's Chipped Chopped Ham

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

3/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise

4 slices yellow American Cheese

1 pkg. hot dog buns (use inexpensive grocery store brand, not Bakery buns)

In a large bowl mix the ham, celery, and onion well.  Now mix in the mayonnaise until well blended.  Next stir in the chopped eggs.  Cut each slice of cheese in half and you should have 8 pieces.  Now to assemble.  Prepare 8 pieces of aluminum foil large enough to fully wrap a hot dog bun in.  Lay an open bun in the center of the foil and a 1/2 slice of cheese in the center of the bun.  Now pack the prepared ham filling into the bun.

After filling, wrap the bun in foil and twist the edges.

 At this point I place all the sandwiches on a cookie sheet and put in the refrigerator, for up to 48 hours.  When I need them, I place in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until slightly toasted and cheese is melted.  Serve with a cup of soup or chips.  In Western Pennsylvania, we serve them with another local favorite, pierogies.