Church Bench – Weekend Project

On March 5, 2012
By Amy
In Blog
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This church pew was something my Dad collected from somewhere, then stored in his barn’s hayloft for decades. I brought it home with me last fall. This weekend I cleaned it up, including removing a few long-deserted mud dauber nests, and brought it from my garage into the house. This spring I hope to take it to the back porch and giving several coats of wood finish- the current finish is all but worn down to bare wood.

As I washed away decades of Illinois farm dust, then polished it with lemon oil, I got acquainted with the piece. You know how it is: you work closely with an object creating or restoring it, and next thing you know, it’s your friend. (Or maybe your enemy, but that’s not the case here…)

I wish I knew more about the bench, where it came from or how old it is. I wonder what faithful families took comfort in this pew during the trials and triumphs of their lives. I’m reminded how fleeting life is and I rejoice in being a Christian. I hope this pew enjoys its time here in my home, and some good memories are made, adding to the secrets it already holds.

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Yummy Easy Scone Recipe, Revealed

On February 16, 2012
By Amy
In Blog
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Have you ever been to a tea house for afternoon tea? And had their yummy scones and clotted cream? I’m lucky to have a few tea houses nearby and the scones are always so light with a moist crumb. I’ve tried a few recipes at home trying to duplicate the texture, and I’ve gotten pretty close, but I’m a lazy cook, so it’s not often I feel like making them from scratch. Which seemed to be the only way to make really yummy ones. Till now.

I discovered that if I start with a baking mix, like Krusteaz® or Bisquick® , then cut in some additional butter with a fork or pastry blender, I get the texture I’m looking for! Much easier than pulling a counter full of ingredients out of the cupboards to start from scratch. Here’s my recipe for simple scones with some dried fruit mixed in. Although tea houses serve tiny cute little wedges, I make big biscuit shaped ones. Remember, I’m lazy. As a side note, I’ve noticed I need a little more sugar when using Bisquick® than when using Krusteaz®. Now, to figure out a way to get clotted cream without having to go to the specialty store….

Simple Scones

Ingredients:

1¼ cups baking mix (Bisquick or Krusteaz)

2 Tablespoons cold butter

6 Tablespoons cold milk

1 Tablespoon sugar

¼ cup dried fruit, such as cherries or raisins or apricots

Brush on top: 2 Tablespoons melted butter

Sprinkle on top: granular sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°

2. Cut the cold butter into the baking mix. Don’t mix too thoroughly- just until the butter is broken into chunks the size of peas. Add the cold milk and sugar and mix until just combined.

3. Drop ¼ cup portions onto ungreased baking sheet.

4. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until the tops turn light brown.

Try to let them cool a little before diving into them… just try. This recipe makes a small batch because it’s my way of limiting myself, really. Enjoy!

Five minutes after plating them…

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DIY Knit Dress

On February 9, 2012
By Amy
In Blog
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I had some scraps of fabric left over from other projects, so I wanted to show you a quick way to create a dress pattern from your favorite t-shirt pattern. This is just a few rough notes for creating a dress a pattern, starting with a favorite basic t-shirt pattern you already know fits you nicely. Hmmm, maybe what I should do next is show you how to do a rub-off of your favorite clothes, that is, trace the clothes you already own and love so you have a collection of patterns you know fit. I’ll work on that, I promise.

Anyway, start by tracing your favorite t-shirt pattern, then follow my quick instructions below. My drawings are a little crooked, but I think you can get the idea. Go create!

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Rocky Mountain Sewing Expo 2012

Blizzard not withstanding, the 2012 Rocky Mountain Sewing Expo. kept their doors open this past weekend. I only had a bit of time to spend there this year, so only attended one workshop. It was hosted by Marcia McClintock of Saf-T-Pockets entitled “Sew You’re Traveling.” It was enjoyable. Marcia has a great sense of humor and told storied as she demonstrated how to pack a carry-on suitcase with a flexible wardrobe. Her patterns feature lots of hidden pockets, a boon to the traveler. I bought her reversible raincoat pattern and a simple hood wrap booklet. I love the big hood on the coat and already have some fabric in my stash that will work great.

There was also a booth for a little local business called The Fabric Yard. They feature mostly knit fabrics I have such a hard time finding anywhere else. I picked up some printed rayon knit for a summer sleeveless top. Then over to the Junk Jeans People booth to pick up some extra small grommets for a cardigan I designed a while back, but couldn’t find grommets small enough to not look like I was trying to make a curtain! These will be perfect.

But probably my favorite place of all was the booth for Craft Scraps, a local business that buys and sells used sewing and craft supplies. These enterprising owners buy craft supplies from overwhelmed crafters or estate sales, and sort, clean, and package it all up for easy shopping. I love vintage buttons and kind of went crazy, a little. OK, maybe a lot. But really, when would I see so many pretty vintage buttons together in one place again? At least until next year?

And the day after visiting the show, we were hit with about two feet of snow, so I should be using the indoor time to sew with my new treasures- off I go!

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Water Bottle Cozy – PDF Pattern

Water. It’s good for you. No one contends that fact, and living in a dry climate like Colorado makes me appreciate it all the more. I’ve almost always got a water bottle with me, and a spare in the car, and I try hard to drink as much water as “they” tell me to each day. Looking around, I’m not alone. I see people carrying bottles everywhere I go.

Enter the water bottle cozy. Function and beauty, a great combination. With just a few bits of fabric from your stash, you can show off your style and individuality. Accessorize it with a pocket just the right size to hold a granola bar snack, or a swivel clasp to attach it to your belt or purse strap. The drawstring makes it easy to grab and carry.

Function. The batting insulation really helps to keep your drink cool longer. My sister has been really impressed with how much longer her ice cubes stick around in her drink. Hot weather is a lot more pleasant with something cool to drink nearby!

You can stitch up a couple of these in an afternoon. I’ve included three sizes in the pattern to fit most bottles, from a disposable water bottle up to a 1 liter Nalgene® bottle. Finished sizes are listed on the pattern so you can measure your bottle for the best fit. The 8-page pdf pattern has clear, step-by-step instructions with detailed color photos. This pattern is easy for any skill level; I strive to make my patterns easy to understand and fun to complete.

Materials needed:

use pretty cotton fabrics from your stash for the outside

line the cozy with something simple like muslin.

a scrap of quilt batting provides the insulation

cording, about 2 feet

matching thread, cord lock, and optional swivel clasp

The button below will take you to my pattern place on Craftsy.com, where you can purchase and instantly download the pattern using your PayPal account (it’s secure). Thanks so much to purchasing my pattern, and fell free to contact me with any questions!