Thursday, August 4, 2011

Baby Shower Gift

I have a friend who is having a baby in late September. I decided that rather than buying her something I would make her some unique, one-of-a-kind pieces for her and her little one. I made this oh so tiny onesie. I cute a design from the fabric, ironed it down with Steam n' Bond, then sewed about a 1/4 inch in from the edge. This creates a great frayed look after washing.
I then made a great nursing cover for mom with the same fabric from the onesie. I had a hard time deciding on the fabric to use but am really happy with what I got. This picture does not do it justice, it turned out so nice. This is a super easy sewing project and you can find many tutorials on the internet with step by step instructions and pictures!
Lastly, I sewed the same fabric on a burp cloth. What could be better than coordinating mom and baby?



Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Soccer Pillowcase



Recently we were invited to a soccer themed birthday party.  The little boy really likes playing soccer so I decided to make him a pillowcase with soccer fabric.  I found this cute red print and the accent fabrics at one of our local quilt shops, The Quilt Asylum.


I tried a new pattern.  It was confusing to read but simple to sew.


My super sweet neighbor used her embroidery machine to put his name on the cuff.  (Thanks Billie!)


It turned out just like I hoped!

Sondra

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

We went blueberry picking in late June and didn't get many berries at all, it was a disappointing trip to the patch. :(
Well, I had found this recipe in the Texas Co-Op Power monthly magazine and really wanted to try it so I used some blueberries we picked and some from the store.
Here is how it went...

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream  Phyllis Kitten
2 cups fresh blueberries
11/2 cups sugar
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese
2 pints heavy cream
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
Whole milk as needed


Cook blueberries and sugar until mixture reaches consistency of preserves, stirring constantly (about 30 minutes).  
Add cream cheese, heavy cream and condensed milk and cook until creamy.

 Pour mixture into prepared ice cream freeze and add whole milk as needed to fill line.
 Process until freezer stops.
 All the cousins had fun adding ice and rock salt while we waited!
Process until freezer stops. Remove dasher, pack and freeze one hour.

I didn't follow this recipe exactly.  I only had one brick of cream cheese and I think I only used one cup of sugar.  It was still very yummy!  We didn't pack and freeze it either, we ate is as soon as the ice cream maker stopped turning, it was creamy and smooth.


Monday, August 1, 2011

New Chalkboards from Old Cabinet Doors

Have you ever been to ReStore?

Habitat’s ReStore resale outlets sell reusable and surplus building materials to the public While every ReStore outlet is a little different, most focus on home improvement goods like furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances.

ReStore resale outlets accept donated goods which are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price. The proceeds help local Habitat affiliates fund the construction of Habitat homes within their communities.

Visit the website to see if there is a ReStore near you. 

I love going there to see what they have.  I am always looking for shutters when I go there but the lady that is always working tells me they go fast if they get any in.  So for now I know I can go there and get cabinet door fronts.  Lately I have been using them to make chalkboards.



 Clean them up a bit before you get started.


 Tape off the chalkboard area.  Apply a base coat of Kilz to the area you want to use as the frame.


Paint the frame the color you like.


I had to do several coats of red and only two coats of pink. I think I will spray paint the next one that I do.


Apply the chalk board paint, about two or three coats.


Embellish however you like.


This was part of the dessert table at Zac's party and I am excited to hang it in his room now. 
And the pink one is a late birthday gift for a niece.

Sondra