So many things… however, I have kiddos on both sides of me waiting for me. So right now, I am thankful the Lord blessed us with four children. And a backyard to step out in and catch of glimpse of beauty when I am worn out.
photo from this summer.
One of my last projects in the garden was to harvest the remaining lavender-I was very late this year so I am thankful that the weather has been so warm . My plan is to make sachets-but that was my plan last year and it never happened. However, if you walk throughout our home right now, you can spot lavender drying in random spots. I know it is best to dry in a dark spot, but sometimes you just have to make choices that help a gal smile…
This was my first felting project. I have to say, I don’t know if felting is for me. I may be a bit too impatient for it. However the slippers are a super fast knit and the instructions were great. The pattern can be found at French Press Knits. She also sells them already made to fit. (If I could copy her banner-I would.)
One last thing. I spotted a really cute cupcake printable over here- for free. 
First, I am going to make a shameless plug for one of my favorite cook books, “Apples for Jam” by Tessa Kiros. There are more then 400 pages in this book with hundreds of recipes and many, many beautiful photographs. And not only are there hundreds of recipes, but almost everyone I have tried, we have liked. And one cake that I have made more then any other is the vanilla cake. I don’t really love cake. I mean, I like cake when I am in the mood, but if I am going to have cake, I would choose pound cake or a really good german chocolate cake. This cake leans toward being more like a pound cake. However it is still round and quicker then a pound cake.
Vanilla cake
2 1/4 sticks butter, softened
1 c. plus 1 tablespoon sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 c. all-purpose, unbleached flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. milk (or half and half)
Frosting:
7 tablespoons butter, softened
1 2/3 c. confectioners’ sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tablespoons milk
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 9 1/2 in. springform cake pan.
2. Beat the butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in the vanilla and then sift in the flour and baking powder. Beat well adding milk (or half and half), a little at a time. The batter will be thick and creamy.
3. Scrape into cake pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer poked into the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Cool and then frost. If you want a double layer I would make an extra batch of frosting. You may end up with extra, but I’m sure you could find some other purpose for it.
*I usually don’t even bother to slice through and make a double layer cake. I just frost the cake after it has cooled.
5. Frosting: Beat the butter and slowly add the confectioners’ sugar. Add the vanilla and then 3 tablespoons of milk, slowly adding in the remaining tablespoon if needed.
Cuts into 10-12 slices.
*I am still having issues with my side bar and categories. I really, really hope to get it fixed this week. Sorry for the inconvenience, especially if looking for other recipes. Thank you Matheau for helping me with my sidebar-you are the best!
I have photos to take of lots of felted Christmas trees and a better photo of Lizzie’s quilt. I also have a recipe I want to post, my go – to vanilla cake, so maybe this weekend that will happen this weekend.
I do have some sample Christmas cards though… The photos were taken by Amy Biggerstaff, I designed the cards with some digital supplies from the digichick store and some of my favorite fonts.
This morning there is snow mixed with rain. And the good thing about it is that it makes me really want to focus and get ready for Christmas.
Since all our sickness and last week’s art + craft class, we have had a lot of three things happening: Mother May I, Old Maid and making wool felt trees. Pattern for trees based off of this one found at little birds handmade. Oh, and last night/early this morning, I finally finished Lizzie’s quilt.
a new & favorite recipe…. from “jam it, pickle it, cure it” by Karen Solomon
homemade marshmallows
making marshmallows takes a couple of hours-so plan on making them when you have a bit of time.
2/3 c. water, divided
3 (1/4 oz) envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 c. granulated sugar
1 c. light corn syrup
pinch of kosher salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
1. Lightly oil the insie of an 8×8 or 9×6(?) pan with vegetable oil. Generously coat with confectioners’ sugar; set aside.
2. Pour 1/3 c. of the water into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water, and let stand for about 10 min.
3.In a saucepan, (with heat off) combine the remaining 1/3 c. water and the sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Clip a candy thermometer to the inside of the pan and make sure it doesn’t touch the bottom. Cook the mixture (without stirring it) until it reaches 240 F.
If there is any crystalized sugar on the side of the pan, wipe them down with a wet pastry brush (dipped in water).
4. With mixer on low speed, very carefully add the hot syrup to the softened gelatin. Add the vanilla, increase the speed of medium-high, and beat for 8-13 minutes, until the mixture becomes, white, stiff and sticky.
5. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan using a lightly oiled spatula. With wet hands (I ran them quickly under the faucet), press the marshmallow evenly into the pan-as flat as you can.
6. Set aside for at least 1 hour, or until the marshmallows are firm and cool.
7. Sift the confectioners’ sugar into a shallow dish. Run a wet knife around the edge of the cooled pan to loosen the marshmallow. You can remove the marshmallows from the pan and then cut, or cut while they are still in the pan. Just keep rewetting your knife so they will cut a little better. Then toss in the powdered sugar until completely coated.
To store, place in a single layer in layers separated by waxed paper. They will keep for at least 1 month when stored in airtight container.
*Matheau and I both like coconut, so for some of them, I mixed coconut with the powdered sugar and dipped them that way. You can also mix a bit of cardamon or cocoa powder with the powdered sugar. I really like them with cardamon. Or use food coloring after you add the vanilla (or a different flavor) so they are a different color…. and they are super as a smore.
*the book is pretty cool-it has some recipes for even making potato chips – fried and baked. Hannah is really hoping I try the barbeque ones. Also for your own graham crackers!
-I have totally messed up my sidebar-if you scroll to the bottom of this page you can find my categories. However I must warn you, it is a mess. I am working on a resolution. Thank you Matheau for fixing my sidebar issues. I am so grateful!
It has been awhile, but Abby reminded me early so I had a little time to think about it.
five senses friday.
hearing: lots and lots of coughing, leaves blowing, movies playing in the background
tasting: crispy peanut butter bars, hot malt sauce (both recipes from Baked”), taco soup I made for supper last night
smelling: vinegar (lots of sanitizing); taco soup, roses blooming
feeling: wool felt, embroidery floss, laundry
seeing: the mums finishing up, the new napkin rings from maya*made, the fun garland of leaves from Megan (which I would not have the patience for. : ))
the family video Matheau made for the Skipper family. He partnered with photographer, Amy Biggerstaff .
Fabric flower tutorial
Supplies needed:
First you need to make a pattern for the felt to fit around the barrette. There will be 2 pieces when you finish this.
1. First make your pattern to cover the barrette. Place the barrette on top on top of a piece of paper and trace around it, adding 1/4 in. around the outside as you trace. Cut your pattern out. Now repeat with the pattern, but cut off the last 3/4 in. of the pattern so when they are stacked on top of each other, one pattern piece is shorter then the other.
2. Now that you have your 2 pattern pieces, place them on your wool felt and either trace and cut out or just hold the pattern on the felt and cut.
3. With the smaller piece of wool felt, you are going to snip a small line in the back and slide the back of the barrette into it so that the wool is now “attached” to the back of the barrette.
4. Place the other piece of felt on the top side of the barrette and close the barrette. Now is when I use my sewing machine and I slowly sew the pieces of felt around the barrette. If you don’t have a sewing machine, or would rather, just sew it up by hand.
The Flower
1.The buttons (either use some buttons from your stash, or if you have a button maker you can use your fabric to make a button to color-coordinate with the fabric/wool felt.
2. Using the pattern below, or making your own, cut out the felt into the flower shape. If you want you can cut more then one size and stack them. You can also use fabric.
3. Sew the button (with the thread doubled up-so both sides knotted together at the base) in the center which will keep them together when you sew them to the felt covered barrette. I cut my thread long enough that I can complete this step and the next one with the same thread.
4. Now sew the flower to the felt on the barrette, making sure that it is pretty snug so it will last longer.
5. Cut the threads and wear.
Couple of thoughts…
-barrettes-I found mine at wal-mart in the craft/fabric department
-wool felt? It is worth paying a bit extra for the wool felt instead of buying the standard felt from the store. Once you have used it once-you’ll know what I mean. JoAnn’s carries it and they will cut it off the bolt, or you can order it from Purl SoHo and Hello My Name is Heather. (Many other stores-just google it.)
-IF you would rather make the barrettes with all fabric in no felt? To make sure it is sturdy, I cut at least 5 flowers (4 the same size and the 5th a bit smaller to go on top directly below the button). I would fold a few of the layers so they look fuller.
-pattern - fabric-flowers-barrette
If I have left some details out and you have questions-please email me.
Well, I am really wanting to finish Liz’s quilt and these finished, but in between taking care of the sick children I have been working on these barrettes.
I have been brainstorming on making a really good barrette almost as long as marshmallows, and this Sunday I finally came up with it. Some barrettes, wool felt, fabric and a button maker-plus my sewing machine- and my new fabric barrettes in a couple of styles. And all for a good cause too…
I am working on a tutorial so I hope to post it soon.
