The Ruffled Apron

A lady in my ward brought one of these home from the store so we could figure out how to make them. Here's what we came up with. I don't profess to be good at giving detailed instructions. Let me know if you have questions.

You will need:
6 ruffles: top row: 4.5" x WOF
row 2-6: (1.5)- 4.5" x WOF strips each
waistband: (2) 4.5" x WOF strips
back: 14" x 39" muslin

1- Since you will need 1.5 strips for rows 2-6 of the ruffles, you will begin by sewing these strips together to make one long strip. Roll hem all strips on all 4 sides.

2- To gather your ruffles, use a basting stitch on the largest length possible at the top of each strip.
Leave extra thread on the ends. Pull on of the threads and "ruffle" your fabric.
3- Next, take your muslin and roll hem all but the top side. Mark on your fabric with a pencil how far apart you want your ruffles.
4- Starting at the bottom, lay your ruffle along the pre-marked line and sew to the back. Repeat for each row. You will need to gather the muslin for the top row since that row only has one WOF.
5- For the waistband, sew together your 2 WOF so it is one long strip. Fold right sides together and sew all sides except where you will insert your apron (about 29" in the center). Turn inside out and iron flat. Insert apron into opening of waistband, pin, and stitch shut (turning raw edges under).

You are done!

Chewy S'mores Bars

Warning: This treat is popular and should, therefore, be hoarded.

Ingredients:
1/2 c. whipping cream
1 3/4 c. (11.5 oz. bag) milk chocolate chips
3 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
7 1/2 oz. (1 pkg. from box) graham crackers, broken into bite-sized pieces

1. Grease a 9 in. square pan.

2. Heat cream in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 1-2 min. or until bubbles appear around edges. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips; stir until smooth. (You'll want to dip your fingers in at this point...be strong, it will be worth the wait.) Add marshmallows; stir to coat. Gently stir in graham cracker pieces until combined.

3. Spread mixture into prepared pan; press down lightly. Refrigerate for 2 hours (good luck waiting...your mouth will water for 2 hours straight) or until firm. Refrigerate any leftovers (don't worry, you won't have any). Makes 16 bars.

The Shannon Quilt

My SIL has been wanting to sew this quilt for about a year now. She has been gathering her fabric, and this week she came to sew it with me! The pattern can be found here.

Here's some pictures of our process...
sewing...
the blocks
the top (except for borders)

with borders

Homemade Salsa

We have had tomatoes growing out of our plant like CRAZY, so I wanted to make something that I could save for later and that both my hubby and I like.

I checked out a few recipes online and here's what I came up with:7 c. tomatoes
2 jalepeno peppers
2 pasillo peppers
4 cloves of garlic
6 green onions
1 large white onion
lime juice
salt
pepper

First, you have to blanch your tomatoes (peel the skins off) because home grown tomatoes have a thinker skin on them. I didn't get any pictures of this, however, I will explain. You core your tomatoes and put them in boiling water for about 30-60 seconds. Then put them in a bowl of ice water and the skins come right off. After your tomatoes are blanched, you chop everything up to chunky pieces to put in your blender. Blend to your desired chunkiness. Adjust seasonings to your liking. This recipe is a pretty mild salsa 'cause I took out all the seeds in the peppers.

You can eat it right away, of course...or
you can save it for a wintry day when you wish it were summer (can it).
makes 5 pints

Lucky Stars Update

Got the top together.

Little Barn

I found a tutorial to make a little barn/ doll house here and here. Obviously, I made mine a barn. I can see how this pattern is easier to make the second time around. I would have placed the elastics differently. I just need to move one on each side to the top of the barn and add a button to the corner at the very top. My boy still loves it though.

Lucky Stars

My newest project is to finish my Lucky Stars quilt. I have all the stars sewn. Now I need to trim them, add a border to each block and sew together!