A Spring Day

I went running this morning. Although there was quite a bit of fog, the air was clear and it was easy to tell it was going to be a great warm day. It was 70 degrees today - I love California weather! I think with the weather inspiration, I've regenerated my energy to post some fun projects. I enjoy the process of coming up with a new idea and being too twitterpated about it to even consider another project until that one is complete. I think that's what blogging is about.

Since I haven't posted anything since December, here's to a new year! May it be filled with lots of crafting, sewing aprons, and running miles. I don't have a New Year's resolution related to sewing, but maybe I should. My list that includes have the dishes done before bed, always be reading a book, spending quality time with my kids every day, and running 10 miles consistently should include "make fabulous aprons or sew something I've never made before." Well, I have made something that I've never attempted before. {A shirt-dress is yet to come.}

Here's to happy creating! I hope you have a crafty goal for the year.

Gathered Cafe Apron - 1982

I have several aprons that have been given to me. This one was given to my parents when they were married from my Great Great Grandma (who had to be close to 90). She made it and embroidered the pattern at the bottom by hand. I don't think I realized when I was younger where it came from. I do remember that anytime I was in the kitchen, this was my favorite apron to wear. I always felt girly in it. I was excited when my mom gave it to me, especially now that I know where it came from.

Haircut Apron

One of the first aprons I received as a gift was from my husband. I was pregnant with my 1st child and he made me this for Christmas. I now use it to wear for the haircuts I give my boys. It's covered in hair and exudes love. Little did he know, but my husband started an obsession.

The Cookie Plate

This year, this is what my cookie plate for friends and family looked like:

I had a lot of fun making these. The four ingredients are snickerdoodles, zucchini bread, peppermint bark, and pretzel turtles. Here's the recipes.

Snickerdoodles

from Barbara Skovensky

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Topping: 2 Tbsp granulated sugar & 1 tsp cinnamon

In a large bow cream together butter and sugars. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. (**I added all together initially and beat for at least 10 minutes on high. The fluffier the creaming mixture, the softer and fluffier the cookies.)

In another bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix well. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and let the dough rest for 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator.

In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Take about 2 tablespoons dough and roll into a ball. Roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture and place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes and NO MORE. Allow cookies to cool on pan for 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack. The cookies may seem undercooked, but will continue to develop after they are removed from oven.

Makes approximately 3 dozen.

Zucchini Bread

from Great Grandma Ferrin

(coming)

Peppermint Bark

from Allrecipes

(note: I added a milk chocolate layer under the white chocolate. Just let the milk chocolate set for a little before you add the white. I think next time I will add a little peppermint extract to the white chocolate to make it taste that much better.)

Pretzel Turtles

from Allrecipes

Seven Layer Salad

No, this is not a bean dip. This is the real rabbit food type of salad. This is one of my husband's favorites and he requested it for his birthday recently. It's the type of food that is better the longer it's in the fridge. It's kind-of fun to experiment with different layer ideas, really anything goes. Here's what ours turned out like:

I like to put it in a 9x13 pan instead of a deeper dish, this way the dressing reaches more of the salad. This is the recipe I used with the addition of: sliced hard boiled eggs, bacon bits, sliced carrots, and cucumber. I omitted the cauliflower and celery. For the dressing I used 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayo and then also added grated parmesan cheese. Delicious!

Amy Apron

I was going to call this the Ty Apron after my husband, it was his pattern idea {thanks}, but it didn't sound right. This is named the Amy Apron because of it's colors. (Subsequent ones will still be called by this name.) I have a friend named Amy that anytime my little girl would wear these colors her comment would be, "I love pink and orange together!!" That works perfect for this apron. {Thanks, Amy.}

I've had this apron finished for over a month now and I'm finally showing everyone. It was a fun pattern to make but definitely needs some tweaking, as a first apron usually does. The pattern on the backside of the apron was done with double-sided fabric adhesive. I used a thick one, thinking that then I wouldn't have to stitch around the design. Wrong. I still had to. Next time I will use a thinner and more flexible adhesive since I have to stitch around it anyway. It's kind-of stiff on the apron, but it's cute enough to make up for it. One of the things I loved about this apron is that there are so many different pieces of fabric. It really could use up scraps you have lying around.

Whoa Sassy! 2nd Honeymoon Apron & Man-Thong

Yes, I cannot believe that I just wrote "Man-Thong" on my blog, but there it is. Someone gave me the idea to make a matching outfit as a bridal shower gift instead of just lingerie for the woman. I actually think it turned out cute, matching and all. :) My brother ordered black for his fiancee, little did he know that I'd throw in something extra for him. He was a great sport and we all enjoyed laughing together. This is not a gift that just anyone would appreciate. My husband was brave enough to model the outfit with me. Thanks, baby. The easiest thing about this project is that I use ribbon for all the ties (especially useful on the man's clothing).