Short post

Oregon Duck Bow

This was a quick little bow for our great niece. There is one on the other side too. 

So she will have a matching set.

Well Ta Ta for now...XOXO

Apron for David

Here is the apron I made for our great nephew, 

He loves football and of course the Oregon Ducks.

 Close up of the top of the apron.

 His grandma liked the one that I made for Felix. And he likes Cars so he ended up with this one.

I have made a bunch of girls aprons too, so if anyone wants to 

see the pretty aprons let me know and I can post them too. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, xoxo

More wraps

I made a few more wraps today. I found out a older friend loved the one I gifted to Chris and was trying to figure out if she could make one. So I made one for her. (The plaid one)  The solid red one with poppies is for my Mom in law. She is 90 and frail so there is no filling in this one, as you can see I top stitched it. She is always cold at her neck and top of her shoulders. (so is her son) we figured this would be light weight and comfy for her. This is very warm and comfortable even with out the rice and herbs, and 2 pounds lighter.

 For Leah

 Close up of Poppies, I got the template from here: http://www.krewellakreations.co.uk/blog/?p=2116

For Someone Special!
Happy Anniversary Mom!!XOXO
Couldn't post who before as you would have known for sure ;-))

For BJ

Well I need to head to bed, have a Apron to make tomorrow for a special little boy who loves footballs.

Check back I will post a picture when done.

XO Nana

Thank You Card

I made this for a friend who came and visited me. She loves birds, so I wanted to send her a special thank you for the visit.
I got the bird template here: http://www.krewellakreations.co.uk/blog/?p=2911
The roses and leaves are from here: http://www.birdscards.com/free-digital-cut-files/flowers-leaves/
(Scroll down to number 6)

Warm or cold Wrap Tutorial

Warm or cold Wrap Tutorial

Gather all items together:
1 fleece blanket 50X60
2 pounds rice
5 bags peppermint tea
 (depending on how strong you want it to smell you can use more or less)
1/2 Cup Lavender flowers dried
(again depending on how strong you want it to smell you can use more or less)
Thread to sew with

Mix rice with herbs a week before you want to assemble to let the smells permeate the rice. Place rice and herbs in a resealable plastic baggie, mix daily by rolling bag around.

 Fold the blanket into quarters, cut out all 4 pieces at one time (make sure the middle is right sides facing)

Sew all 4 pieces together, turn right side out. Two layers on each side.

On neck piece mark center, then mark 2 inches and 4 inches on each side.  Sew strait down from neck edge to top edge. making pockets for the rice.

 Sew all around outside edge of the body and turn same way.

  Roll seam edge between fingers and thumbs to round out. Do NOT clip edges, this fabric really stretches and will come apart at the seams if you do clip them too short.

Top stitch between each scallop to within 3 inches of neck edge, this creates pockets for the rice around the body.  All ready for stuffing.

 I used a spoon to add 3 spoonful to each neck section, then pin shut as you don't want it to spill out. And you don't want to overfill, set aside until the body is stuffed.

 Now for the body I made a funnel out of scrap paper and put it in the body between stitching lines and add 1/3 Cup of rice  to each of the 11 pockets. Careful not to fill the same one twice. LOL I know...

Pin neck edge to body neck edge, leaving one side free. Sew, then lay flat and turn raw edge under and hand sew shut.

 I found draping across my knee made for fast and easy sewing.

Before you know it you are done and have a wonderful smelling warm or cold wrap to make you comfortable. 

***NOTE*** When heating in the microwave, do NOT heat more than 1 minute at a time. Shake in between heating so you don't get hotspots and burn your wrap. My DH burned a whole in mine that way.

Or if you need a cold wrap put it in the freezer for a while and it will cool you.

If you find anything wrong with this please feel free to let me know. This is my first tutorial.  Sorry the pictures aren't real good, but it is hard to sew and do and take the pictures at the same time. lol

Not much going on today...

Been a kind of lazy day today...

Printed some card patterns but just couldn't concentrate enough to get them cut out.

Made turkey noodle soup for hubby as that is what he asked for.  Maybe I will have something to post soon. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday.

(((Hugs)))

Warm Wraps

My sister in law gave me a very nice wrap. You heat it in the microwave or place it in the freezer if you want a cold one... I love it so much I decided to try and make some for a few friends. It is a little different than mine as mine is quilted on one side. I didn't bother doing that part. So far I've made 3 and have 3 more in the making.  They are filled with 2 pounds of rice with lavender (organic grown) and peppermint. Although I did make one without lavender as my friend is allergic to it. Hers has hops and peppermint. They all smell so good!!!

Green one is for an elderly friend with a bad shoulder that has been having a hard time keeping warm. She was so pleased. Stripped was for my newest daughter. I have more to make and will post pictures as soon as I can get them done. I didn't do too bad all 3 were made today in less than 3 hours. Pretty good. And make lovely gifts. For ANY occasion ;-))

Little MOO Cards

I made some MOO cards for trade. I found these pictures so pretty, I just had to make them into these.
Printed on card, hand colored with inks, watercolor pencils, paint, glitter and heat embossing.

These are all 1 inch wide by 2 3/4 in long. I had to use a magnifying glass.

If you want you can see each one individually at http://www.flickr.com/photos/abfnana/

I thought this little guy was cute too. I even added a real piece of shell.

When it is grey and cold out-

Bring sunshine in with paper flowers. I turned all the lights on in my craft room and sat and made these beautiful blossoms.  Made my day a bit brighter.  Hope it makes you smile too.  All ready to be placed on a card or?? To brighten someone else day.

A few more cards from today

It has been grey and gloomy all day, with rain and wind... I stayed in my nightgown all day in the No No (craft room) room working on cards and paper flowers. Here is what I made:
2 ATC's

 And a greeting card: I left it blank as I'm not sure whether it will be for a anniversary, thank you or get well. But it is ready for when I need it. If you would like to make something similar you can find the files I used here: http://www.birdscards.com/doily-easel-card-by-request/
        http://www.birdscards.com/ric-rac-flowe ... l-01-2011/
          http://www.birdscards.com/new-flower-an ... cut-files/
Bird makes her files in different formats for those who have machines. Unfortunately I don't so I greatly appreciate her making them in PDF form so I can hand cut them. 

Hope everyone is staying warm!

I learned to knit... (now I need to learn how to spell)

I wanted to learn to knit so watched a few You Tube videos and Voila... I did it.

Started with a dish rag as I was given some and love them so much! Best dish rag ever. 

And Red is my favorite color, especially in the kitchen as a accent color. 

Matches my Kitchen Aid the kids gave me

And then made me a poncho/wrap. Probably looks better on the chair, but it is for me to wear.

 Just can't get a picture of it while I'm wearing it. ha ha...

Front comes to a point like a poncho

Back wraps around like a wrap.. This is going to be so nice this winter. It is light weight but so warm.

Have a great day! And remember to smile...

It makes everyone wonder what your up to. ;-))

ATC's Do Re Mi

Remember singing Do Re Mi as a kid?  I was working on some new ATC's and just had to do these. I mean I was really compelled to ... What do you think? I like them they make me smile.

 Sew- A Needle pulling Thread

 Ray- a Drop of Golden Sun

Tea - a Drink with Jam & Bread

BEST! Ginger Cookies

I got this recipe from a Dear Friend, we both had Mini Schnauzers that would  tend to get a bit car sick. She shared this recipe and told me to make them in small bite size and feed to the dog when we traveled. It  helped too.
 Now I make them for hubby and kids as we no longer have any pets. I have found it best not to double this recipe. Better to make them separately as it does make a good sized batch.

Ginger Cookies
Cream
3/4 C butter 
2 C sugar.

Stir in
2 well beaten eggs
1/2 C molasses
2 t vinegar

Sift dry ingredients, then add to above:
3 3/4 C flour
1 1/2 ts soda
4-6 T ginger
2 round t cinnamon
1 1/2 t cloves 
1/2 t nutmeg

Mix all ingredients. drop on cookie sheets. Bake 325º 12 minutes

Todays cards

Isn't Percy the Polar Bear adorable.. He was designed by Sara at cardmakingparadise.com
The template for the pocket card is from there too.

 The Hibiscus flower is made out of paper. It is for my dad as he was so proud of the one he planted and showed us the blooms while we were visiting. So thought he would like this one. I'm putting pictures of each of the boys with their family's and hubby and I in the pockets for him.

Thank you's

A couple of cards for people who helped my dad through a bad time

                 The cut files for this card can be found here:
                 Doily = http://www.birdscards.com/a-card-for-my-mum/

                 Flowers 6 (Rose) = http://www.birdscards.com/new-flower-an ... cut-files/
                The smaller roses are made with a paper punch.

 Te cut file for this one can be found here: http://www.birdscards.com/ric-rac-flowe ... l-01-2011/
You can see how to make the Hydrangeas here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIgY34JGpCE
The rhinestones in the middle are for fingernail art, but make a very pretty addition to any cards and paper crafts.  But that is just my opinion...

Baklava

I got this recipe some time ago and I must admit it is so addictive...
If you make some remember one thing-- Enjoy!

Baklava

"A Greek favorite that makes everyone think you are a master chef and is sooo easy to make!!  The phyllo dough for this recipe is found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Add a little lemon zest to the sugar sauce, if desired."

    * 1 (16 ounce) package phyllo dough
    * 1 pound chopped nuts
    * 1 cup butter
    * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1 cup water
    * 1 cup white sugar
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 1/2 cup honey

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Butter the bottoms and sides of a 9x13 in pan.
2. Chop nuts and toss with cinnamon. Set aside. Unroll phyllo dough. Cut whole stack in half to fit pan. Cover phyllo with a dampened cloth to keep from drying out as you work. Place two sheets of dough in pan, butter thoroughly. Repeat until you have 8 sheets layered. Sprinkle 2 - 3 tablespoons of nut mixture on top. Top with two sheets of dough, butter, nuts, layering as you go. The top layer should be about 6 - 8 sheets deep.
3. Using a sharp knife cut into diamond or square shapes all the way to the bottom of the pan. You may cut into 4 long rows then make diagonal cuts. Bake for about 50 minutes until baklava is golden and crisp.
4. Make sauce while baklava is baking. Boil sugar and water until sugar is melted. Add vanilla and honey. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
5. Remove baklava from oven and immediately spoon sauce over it. Let cool. Serve in cupcake papers. This freezes well. Leave it uncovered as it gets soggy if it is wrapped up.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information
Amount Per Serving  Cal: 393 | Total Fat: 25.9g | Chol: 27mg