Stickler

I'm a stickler for a holiday and always make too much snack-y, sweet things.  That's okay though, because my neighbors are on the recipient end of our treats!  And my family is sure to have fun in the kitchen, too.  Little wonder then today, as I was thinning out my herb garden, I got to thinking about the pretzels and chocolates in the pantry.  Hmmmm.

My oldest wasn't able to make it home for Thanksgiving due to school and work obligations so my youngest was part and parcel of Mom's "Hey let's do this!" and "Come, come, let's do that!" and "Wow, we have GOT to try this!"  I think she's alright with all the projects and whims because she jumps right in and gets busy.

We melted two batches of chocolate:  one white chocolate and the other dark chocolate.  I chopped up some Heath Toffee, some butterscotch bits and some peanut butter chunks.  After coating each pretzel with chocolate and coaxing it into draping thinly, then working with our hands, we pressed the chopped bits onto the chocolate slathered rod.  I know some folks put the pretzel rods in the freezer to firm up quickly but I leave them at room temperature for a few hours.  Voila!  A quick treat.


Try putting some in a glassine bag and tie with a
festive bow and you too can treat your neighbors.

I don't have to speculate for I know we're making memories in the kitchen today and we have a batch of sugary treats to give away!  It IS the most wonderful time of the year!

Long Winter's Nap

I admit I'm a cozy, comfy sort of gal.  Given the chance to wear yoga pants instead of tailored trousers, I'm all in.  Naturally this time of year our home is all about the comfy.  I also admit I can be found shuffling through pinterest at least once a week for that next great, wow-ie-ka-zow-ie project.  When I saw these, I had to do some of my own and put a different spin on them.

Instead of boiled wool I opted for a suit-grade flannel.  Something with a soft nap.  And right about the time I settled on this project my local fabric store, much to my surprise, had several bolts of suit fabric just in.  In plenty of color options.  I nabbed up about 8 yards of each style in grays, beiges, reds, navy blues and more.  Next, I made my way over to the bolts of wool flannel which I would need for the leaf appliques.  Lastly I settled on cotton batting which would make these cozy and comfy throws a bit warmer for those long, winter naps.

High-tailing it back home I threw all the fabrics in a very hot wash cycle drying them on the hottest dryer setting as well.  Preshrinking all the fabrics makes for warmer blankets.

Next I tracked down some basic leaf patterns.  The leaves are about 8 inches long.  Place the leaf patterns on  the flannel, cut them out and blanket stitch to the top portion of your throw.  You know the drill from this point.  Cut the flannel to the size you want: mine are 72 inches by 54 inches.  Cut the batting to match and the underside flannel, too.

Stitch them together leaving an opening to turn right side out.  Slip stitch the opening closed then at every 6 inch intervals tie off the throw with either satin ribbon or embroidery floss.  Don't skip this step.  This will keep the batting from bunching when you wash them.

I'm only speculating but I bet we'll enjoy plenty of wintery nights around the fire all comfy and cozy: sipping hot chocolate and watching the chestnuts pop.  Doesn't it just warm your heart to imagine it?

Dress Up!

You already know we finally hit our winter weather and have been keeping ourselves busy sewing dresses.  Once we finished the red polka dot, twirly dress, I took her to a fabric store where she browsed.  In less than 5 minutes she had already spied the perfect fabric:  a heather gray and white pinstripe, seersucker.  And again, it's a twirly dress.

Just to see the look on her face and hear her exclaim:  "Mom, this looks better than the dresses in the stores.  And it's lined and everything!" makes me swoon.

Ha!  And to think we're accomplishing all this on a 40 year old sewing machine with only straight stitching and zig-zag.  I tell you, they do not make sewing machines out of iron anymore, do they?

I'm speculating that we'll be taking a trip to the fabric store again this weekend and I'm all twirly inside wondering what we'll do next.  I think I'll dress up for the occasion.

Sew Simple

February proved to be a chilly and rainy month.  Oh, but we needed the rain and actually got excited to see standing puddles in the backyard.  To brighten up our days we got busy sewing.

She's got a flair for the 1940's-inspired dresses.  If it has a "twirly" skirt, she's sure to perk up.  And she's particular.  "I want red with white polka dots".  And besides all this, she has my heart.  A Mom's got to do what a Mom's got to do!

A trip to our local sewing and notions store and a thumb through pattern books got us revved-up. Voila!  We even found the perfect fabric.

 A little cutting.  A little fitting.  A lot of thread.

And she has a new dress.

It's really quite simple and I don't have to speculate, as soon as she twirled, danced, and smiled we got busy on another one.