Vintage Camper Kitchen Towel And A Machine Applique Tip!

I have definitely got vintage campers on my brain!  I made this towel (one of two) as a quick project to get some sewing time in.  With so many other things going I haven't done much sewing lately.

The camper is machine embroidered on 100% cotton toweling.  I really like the toweling.  It is sturdy and absorbent and just a great fabric.

 This is what it looks like if it is folded for hanging on a stove handle.  Soooooo cuuuute!

I love the red polka dot camper.  So here is a tip I wish someone had told me when machine appliqueing ---- spray starch the applique fabric so it is nice and stiff.  That makes everything lay nice and smooth so it doesn't pucker.  You don't have to pin it down or anything, it works so much better than limp fabric! 

Diana 

This towel(s) is available on our Etsy Shop. 

I Can't Believe I Finally Did it!

I opened an Etsy shop!  Yippee......and then "what was I thinking?"  Would anyone want to buy the things I have made?  That is yet to be seen.......but for now I am just so excited to be putting myself out there!  I will also have items from other crafters soon.  Be sure and check back often.  If you would like to take a look go here.  Many of the quilts have been posted on this blog and I am finally ready to let a few go.  We will also be at the Hebron Arts and Music Festival on Sept 28.  I am really throwing myself into this selling thing! 
Diana

Zucchini (and Corn) Patties

I came across the cutest blog today.  Shopgirl had left me a comment on my Rustic Apple Dumpling post and she sounded so sweet I decided to check out her blog.  One of the first things I knew I had to try were her Zucchini Patties!  They sounded so yummy.

 They also sounded easy to make, gotta love that.  AND they would use up some of that zucchini from my garden!  Win-win in my book.

 

Shopgirl's Zucchini Patties

2 cups grated zucchini (one medium sized zucchini)

1/2 small onion, finely diced

1 large egg

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Salt and Pepper

Olive oil
*You could add garlic or herbs for some extra flavor

(I added 1/2 corn of fresh corn-Diana) 

 

 1. To make these zucchini patties, grate the zucchini, then pat it dry with some paper towels (try to get as much of the moisture out as possible, without mushing up the zucchini).

 I used fresh corn right off the cob to add more crunch (and because I needed to get rid of some!)

  Place all the grated zucchini in a bowl, and add in the finely diced onion, Parmesan cheese (you can add in whatever cheese you like), the egg and flour and stir well. Season with salt and pepper. (remember to add the corn too-Diana)

 2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan and using a 1/4 cup measure, drop the zucchini batter into your pan, patting it down a little with a spatula.  I think you could use an ice cream scoop to keep the mixture from sticking to the cup.

 Cook on medium heat for about 2 - 3 minutes on each side, or until you get a nice, golden brown crust on the outside and the patties have cooked on the inside.

Let cool for a few minutes.  I served mine with a dollop of sour cream.  How do they taste?  REALLY, REALLY GOOD.  They reminded me a bit of corn fritters, which I love!  I will definitely be making these again.

Diana



Rustic Apple Dumplings

With apple harvests just around the corner, I am already craving apple pie, apple sauce and delicious apple dumplings!  Not able to wait, I picked up some grocery store apples and made some rustic apple dumplings that were soooooo good.  And, as long as you can make a decent pie crust, these are a cinch to put together.

Apple Dumplings

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a casserole large enough for 4 apples.

pie crust dough for 2 crusts
4 apples, cored and peeled
8 tablespoons of butter
6 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

Roll out pie crust dough into 4 circles large enough to wrap apples.  Place apple in center of each circle of dough.  Fill core of each apple with one tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar.  Wrap dough up sides and top of each apple, sealing well.  Place apples in casserole. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.

Make sauce by placing remaining butter in sauce pan.  Melt and then add 3/4 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of water.  Bring just to a boil.  Remove from heat and pour over apple dumplings.  Bake for 1 hour.  You may want to occasionally baste dumplings with sauce during baking.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Tires For Our VintageTrailer

The work has begun on our sweet little trailer.  First of all we named her......."A-frayed-knot"......it fits the shabby cottage decorating style we will decorate her in.  But first we have to get her road ready and that begins with new tires.

 Here she is in the barn, where she will live when not on the road.

 My husband took off the tires and rims.  We cleaned them up with paint remover, sand blasting and hand sanding til all the old  paint and rust were removed.  Then we primed them and painted them with automotive paint.

 It took a few days but they look great now.

While I was in the big city picking up new foam for the inside cushions (who knew how expensive foam was!), my husband got new tires put on the rims.  He showed me how to pack the bearings and put the tires back on the trailer.  The new chrome half moon hubs will arrive any day now.  I can't believe I am excited about hub caps, but I am!   Now we have to fix or replace the tail lights, but that will have to wait for my husband to be back from a business trip.  Until then I can work a little on the interior.......and maybe take a few naps in our sweet little "A-frayed-knot".

Diana

Crazy Life

 On top of having company for two back to back weeks, we also have been having some landscaping done in our backyard.  We had the ugly deck removed and a new stone patio put in it's place!  LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER.......  And in the process of removing the deck, we discovered that our fireplace support had completely rotted out!  The wood was like a soft sponge which you could squeeze water out of!  I felt like I was on a remodeling TV show where the homeowner finds tons of issues when doing a simple upgrade......  My husband took care of replacing the wood and the landscapers were able to get back to work.  Oh and did I mention that the guys cut through a water AND power line when digging out the footing for the patio? 

 But now it is all over and we have a beautiful patio that I love.

 

 
 

 Here is what is looked like for a few days..... 

 This is what is looks like today. 

It fits in with the rest of the yard now and I couldn't be happier.  We held a big BBQ for the guys today to thank them for all their hard work.  Now all that is left is hosing everything off to remove all the dust and enjoying the view.

Diana

Fabric Storage

How do you store your fabric stash?  Mine has been in baskets and tubs, bags and boxes, just about anywhere I could find a spot.  While much of it still to be organized, I have make a dent in that project just recently. 

Don't you just love these mini bolts!  I used comic book backings (available here) to wrap the fabric on.  They are cheap and just the right height for my new bookcase.  I got the bookcase at an Amish benefit auction for $200!  Beautifully made of solid wood, it was just what I have been looking for.

I still need to find nice bins or baskets to hold "works in progress".  This hodge podge of shoe boxes and baskets isn't cutting it.  And yes those are fruit baskets on the top shelf.......

Now all I have to do is wrap the rest of my stash on my mini bolts, gets some bins and I will be SOOOO organized.

Diana