Sushi Cats

Do you ever crave sushi?  Yeah, me too!  Especially if it is as cute as this kitten sushi.  Unfortunately this sushi is made out of polymer clay not rice.

 I saw some pillows that inspired this project.  The source is not available so you can't get the pillows from that link.  So sad.  But you can make this sushi to hold you over.......

Yummy.

Diana

The Witch is Dead Bookmark

Have you seen this on Pinterest yet?  It seemed like a do-able polymer clay project and let's be serious ---it cracks me up just looking at it!

 I tracked it down to Oops, I Craft my Pants (another crack me up moment please).  I loooved the vintage witches she puts on her bookmarks.  I added just a pit of lacy petticoat too.  She painted on her stripes but I made mine out of clay, hence the wonky stripes.

 But if you just had a house fall on you, your stockings might be crooked too!

Now my only worry is.....does anyone read paper books anymore?

Diana

Old Fashion Crocheted Potholders

In between bigger projects I have been turning out these vintage looking potholders!

 It has been fun searching for patterns that I could whip up fast but would teach me new stitches. 

 I love the granny square potholder and the little red and white one that I made up as I went along.

 Who wouldn't love these color combos.

The simple pale green potholder was just as fun to make as the more elaborate one on the right.

I haven't yet decided what to do with these cuties......maybe they would look good in our vintage camper.......on tucked into baskets with home made goodies for friends?

Diana

Polka Dot Doily

In the latest issue of Molly Makes Magazine, there was the cutest doily pattern.  I knew I had to try to make it cuz it looked a little more cottage-y than most doilies.

 It took a lot of trial and error (read that as yanking out yards of finished but incorrect stitches) but I believe I finally ended up with a sweet little spot of color for my guest room.

I had a little difficulty following the pattern (chalk that down to my inexperience) but I was able to look at the picture in the magazine and duplicate it on my own.......

It really looks pretty and just makes me happy.  

Diana

Egg Gathering Basket

 Ever since I saw this cute vintage egg gathering basket over at The Beehive Cottage I have been wanting one!  Not at all obsessive.  No, not me.  Searched the net and found nothing like it.  This was not going to be easy.  I would have to make one myself.  I started searching for patterns.  It didn't have to be just like it, just something cute to give to a chicken loving friend.  That sounded weird, didn't it.

 Here is what I ended up making!  It is so cute I can't stand it.  It is tiny, just big enough for about 6 or 7 eggs.  I got the pattern here and modified it into this much smaller bag by using number 10 thread and a number 7 needle.  I also reduced the chain length in the main body of the bag.

 Seriously, how adorable will it be to gather eggs in this.

 And it is in my favorite color combo.

So my newly acquired doily making skills are already coming in handy.

Diana

Pretty Pink and White Doily

Yep, it's another doily.  This time I made no errors!  At least none that I've noticed.

And why is it that errors made early on are never evident until you have spent hours crocheting only to find out you are one stitch off!!!!   So frustrating..... so many stitches ripped out......and sometimes I really think it is all the pattern's fault!  Can we please start putting pictures in those things.

  

Alrighty then, glad I got that off my chest.  You wouldn't have guessed it but I am enjoying making these.

Sooo, does anyone have any tips on blocking these cuties?  I know that is necessary but I was hoping someone has a foolproof method.....with pictures.

Diana

Second Try at Doilies

I wrote yesterday of my taking up crocheting doilies.  Here is my second attempt.

Still making mistakes but they aren't noticeable as the ones on my last doily, that is unless you are counting my stitches or have really good eyesight.  I do really love this color.  If you want to try doily making here is a site that has a ton of free patterns!  You do need to have some crochet experience but not a lot.  I am at a beginner level so if I can do it most anyone should be able to.

Diana

Grandma Mergie's Legacy

 Mergie H Moore

My dear grandmother passed away last month.  She was an fiercely independent woman who lived a full life.  But at 92 her body finally failed her and she passed away after a short illness.  She will forever be my role model and to honor her I took up one of her many hobbies.  She made the most beautiful doilies that she generously gave away to both family and friends.  She also crocheted other items including intricate tablecloths.  I have one she did in a pineapple pattern.  I know she made one for all her daughters and grandchildren.  

It seemed tragic that our family would no longer have someone in it that crocheted as  masterfully as she did.  So, I am teaching myself to do the time consuming art of doily making.

Here is my first attempt.  I made so many mistakes.......but the finished doily doesn't look too bad......

and as I made it, in between muttering to myself as I tore out stitches, I thought of my grandmother.....and hoped she'd approve.

Diana

Little Pink Hankie

Why carry around a paper tissue when you can have a pretty little hankie instead.

 Used some leftover fabric from a dress I made and crocheted a delicate edging.

How cute will this look in my purse!

Details:

fabric cut 7 1/ x 7 1/4

1/8 inch rolled hem

number 10 crochet thread and US 7 hook

Using an awl or tapestry needle, poke holes along hem every 5/8 inch.

Attach thread in corner hole,  sc, *chain 3, sc, chain 7, sc, chain 3, sc all in same corner hole,*    **chain 7, sc, chain 3, sc in next hole**  (repeat ** until you reach next corner hole and then repeat *).  Continue around hankie until you meet up with first sc.  slip stitch into first sc.

Diana

Potholders and Cookies---They Go Together Right?

Here is a cute way to package a treat!

I made a potholder from some bright and cheerful fabrics.  Then I tucked a few homemade cookies inside.  I love cookies but I really love new and pretty kitchen items like potholders and towels.  The ones I use are so old and ugly and *gasp* store bought!  Maybe I can pull out some of the pretty ones I have made and then tucked away "for when company comes".  Life is too short to not have pretty thing around you everyday!

Diana

  

Copycat Panera Chocolate Cookies

Pinterest Recipe Test Alert

ThePinningMama Copycat Panera Chocolate Chip Cookies sounded so good I had to give them a try.   They looked big, soft and thick with loads of chocolate.  What's not to love?   

 So I got my ingredients together and baked up a batch, well actually four cookies cuz I'm on a diet and the last thing I need in the house is a cookie jar full of giant cookies.....The rest are frozen in my freezer. 

 They are frozen as individual cookies so you can pop one (or more) in the oven ANYTIME YOU NEED ONE.  

 I thought they would spread a bit more though.  Hmmmm.  So the one little tip I would offer is to let them thaw just a little before you bake them so you can flatten them down a bit.  Looks prettier and not so biscuit like.  Oh, and I added a bit more chocolate chips, both regular and chunks.  Since I have never had a Panera CC cookie I can't speak as to how close these come to the original.  But as far as I am concerned these cookies are delicious. 

Diana   

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Every year at Christmas time I can't wait for the Cordial Cherries to appear on the store shelves.  LOVE THEM

I think they taste so good because they are only available a few short months out of the year.  I have tried to make them before but I could never get the centers to liquefy.  Even after a couple of weeks thay sill were solid inside.  Delicious but solid.  I didn't give up and I finally learned the secret---invertase!

 But before we go there, what do you think of the cute little birdcage I packaged the chocolates in?

Adorable, right?

 OK back to the candy.....I found a great recipe here.   It listed invertase as an ingredient.  Wow, never heard of that before.  I googled it and found out it was what made the centers turn to liquid, was available on line and best of all was cheap.

 So a few clicks and two days later I had the invertase enzyme in my hot little hands and was ready to go.

The recipe was easy, and a lot of fun to make.  I have checked the candy every day and by the second day I had significant liquid.  Did I mention how I tested them.  You better believe I ate them!  I mean, I had to, right?  So now I can have these yummy treat all year long.  Yippee!

Diana