Elizabeth's Quilt pt. 2

On Saturday I visited a few garage sales and the thrift store and managed to collect some more cotton clothing in darker shades of pink.

This piece is my favorite from this group of clothing; I love how dark and rich the colors are.

Next week my rotary cutter will be getting a workout as I begin to cut the clothes into strips; lots and lots of strips!

A Small Sewing Project

I have been searching blogs for project ideas for one of the sewing classes I am currently teaching. This class consists of older kids which is nice because they catch on quickly but on the other hand, because they sew fast, I am quickly running out of ideas.

On the blog Retro Mama I saw a cute patchwork plastic bag holder which I knew would be a great class project. After digging through some of my fabric scraps here is my version of a patchwork bag holder.

I added ribbon to the top so it would easily open when adding more plastic bags;

And easily close once filled.

The bottom opening has elastic so the plastic bags will pull out with ease.

I am very pleased with this patchwork bag and I think the kids will like making one too.

Cookie Experiment

Yesterday I took my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, found on the back of the Nestle's bag, and made some substitutes; white chocolate instead of semi-sweet and macadamia nuts instead of pecans. The end result was amazing!Although the cookies are wonderful I will not be making them very often for two reasons. The first reason has to do with the nuts, they are 16-dollars a pound!

And the second reason is the cookie itself; while the taste is incredible the cookie is too rich.

Elizabeth's Quilt pt. 1

Here is the beginning of Elizabeth's quilt; assorted pink clothing just washed and blowing in the wind.

This is my favorite fabric so far.

I still need to find a few more darker pinks before starting; it's been a challenge to find pink clothing not made from knit fabric.

I Won a Giveaway

At the beginning of the month I read about a big "Fall into Fall" giveaway. At once I was interested; if I was ever going to win a giveaway this was probably my chance. With almost 150 blogs participating it took me the weekend to visit them all. I left comments on approximately 125 of the blogs; some blogs offered things I would not use so I decided not to enter all the giveaways.
By the end of the weekend my eyes were tired from reading so much but I gained some nice ideas and a few new blogs to read and my efforts were rewarded; on the 15th I was contacted by Clover and Violet as a winner! My prize was a pattern for a purse and the fabrics needed for the project.

More Bread Dough Fun

I remember, many years ago, trying to make yeast doughnuts but I do not remember how they turned out.Most of the time when I make doughnuts I use canned biscuits but I wanted to make a doughnut that tasted similar to a bakery doughnut.

So, using my recipe for white bread I gave it a try; and boy was it a success!

The doughnuts turned out soft, warm and so very good. I am looking forward to making these again and trying them with a powdered sugar icing and perhaps a chocolate icing.

Thrift Store Find

Today I found a vintage doll at the thrift store for $1.50; she is a ballerina and exactly like the doll my sister had growing up.

Her leg joints are a little odd but the legs still move.

She has what looks like her original ballet shoes.

Her hair is surprisingly in good shape.

After a good bath and some new clothes I believe she will be a keeper.