Ruffles

Here is another wrist warmer I knitted. I used tiny number 2 needles so this took a long time! I couldn't find a pattern I wanted so I made this up as I went along. Using soft 4 ply yarn I cast on 50 stitches. Using three double pointed needles, I joined the ends to form a circle and then used a pattern of k3 p2 for 4 1/2 inches. The thumb hole was made by stopping the circular pattern and treating the next two inches as a regular flat project. You have to keep track of the stitches because sometimes it is k3 p2 but the next row would be k2 p3. You get used to how the previous row stitches look and that helps out a lot. Then I rejoined the circle back together and k3 p2 til the glove is 8 inches long. The last four rows to make the ruffle are as follows. Row 1 k1 increase k1 increase until you have 100 stitches. Row 2 knit around. Row 3 k1 increase k1 increase until you have 200 stitches ( I added a four needle now) Row 4 knit around. Bind off. I hope you all can understand the pattern. I not much of a knitter but this worked out pretty well. Diana

Subway Art Candy Dish

I am a little slow at trends. The whole subway art thing almost passed me right by! I thought it was cool but couldn't find the time or wall space for a huge project like that. Then it hit me! I could do a candy dish and be oh so trendy....if you ignore the fact that the trend is months old! So I got this very heavy (the glass is thick) dish at Walmart for a few bucks and got out my cricut, etching cream and vinyl. I did the layout on Design Studio. Used Lyrical Letters, Wedding, Printing 101 and Plantin Schoolbook.

I did the etching on the inside of the dish. Next time I will do it on the back but you have to remember to do a mirror image thing and I forgot.......

Because the dish is so heavy, I think it has an expensive look going! Not bad for less than 4 bucks! Diana

Sleepy Time Mask

I have never used a sleep mask but I have a granddaughter who loves them! And after making this one I may have to start using one. I downloaded a pattern off the Internet. It seemed really large but after sewing seems just right.

I chalked the out line of the mask on the black fabric and put it in the hoop for my embroidery machine. If you don't have one these stars are so easy you could do them on a regular sewing machine! Then I cut out the pattern and sewed around the edge leaving an opening for turning.

The zz would be a little harder without an embroidery machine but I think it would be possible if you made them simpler.

I attached some very thin elastic before sewing. The fabric next to the face is a very soft terry cloth type fabric. I also top stitched around the mask. That closed the opening and gave a neater appearance to the edges. Now I'm ready for a little nappy time. Diana

Wrist Warmers

I used to wear leg warmers back in the 80's (that really dates me!) but these are so much cuter! Wrist warmers. And so easy to knit. (If you want the pattern I can email it).Diana

The Snow Is Melting

Jenn made these adorable melting snowmen for a special treat. since we are finally getting some snow melt, I thought these would be great to celebrate the sight of my driveway"s asphalt again! Diana

Paula Deen's Easy Fudge

I was looking for a recipe for EASY fudge that matched the ingredients I had on hand, namely marshmallow creme and milk chocolate chips. Luckily for me, Paula Deen had a recipe that looked both easy and delicious. Here is the site http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/view2/sweet_dreams_chocolate_fudge_candy/

It sets up quick too!

I used a pizza wheel to cut it. gives you great straight lines!

I have already ate TWO pieces so I better get out of the kitchen and harms way. Diana

Bev's Jello Salad

I love family recipes! And the best ones seem to have the weirdest ingredients! Mayonnaise and marshmallows....who knew you could combine these two and come up with something wonderful.
This dish was made by my late mother in law and her mother for family gatherings. For a number of years after they passed, we didn't make it. But a few years ago I found the recipe in my stash and revived the tradition. It is so delicious my daughter now asks for it at every holiday! Here it is. Don't let the ingredients scare you away!


Bev and Grandma Ollie's Jello Salad

1 can cherry pie filling (Comstock is great)
1 small box raspberry jello
1 small box lemon jello
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 small can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 to 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/3 cup mayonnaise
chopped walnuts, optional

Disolve raspberry jello in 1 cup boiling water. Add cherry pie filling to hot jello. Pour into an 8x8 dish and let set in fridge until thick.
Disolve lemon jello in 1 cup boiling water. Set aside. Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add mayonnaise to cream cheese and beat together. Slowly add lemon jello.

Beat until very smooth. Stir in undrained crushed pineapple. Set aside. In separate bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Stir whipped cream into lemon jello mixture until there are no lumps of whipped cream remaining. Now add marshmallows, stirring to coat them. Pour lemon/marshmallow mixture over raspberry jello layer.

You can now sprinkle walnuts on top but we never do. Chill until set or overnight. Cut into squares and serve. This stuff is so good, we fight over who gets to take home any leftovers! Diana