Napkin Rings for my Mom

The other day my mom called me and wanted to finish some of her projects that she has had for years. (She hasn't been able to finish them, because I accidentally stole her sewing machine!) So she wanted to have a sewing day, when she said this I was so excited she wanted to spend time with me for an entire day! We have spent two entire days in the month of November together, shopping and sewing; two of my favorite things. She worked on some napkins, the fabric was by Alexander Henry and it was very cute, when I give her these rings I will have to take a photo of them with the rings on. I made these rings to match out of my good old DI wool stash!

Ruffle Pillow

This was a skirt, now a cute pillow!

Blossom Pillow

A friend needed a pillow pattern for a class that she is teaching, she told me how she wanted it, so I drew up the one she wanted and then I made my own version. I really like how it turned out. I really love designing patterns, it was fun to see how it turned up from my design. I used the wool from my DI stash! So it is all recycled except for the backing of the pillow. I even used old extra batting from quilts to make the pillow form.

Melissa's Earing Holder

I love this!! I usually use mesh and scrapbook paper behind the frame. As I was getting all of the stuff out to make it, I looked over and saw all of the doilies and such from my grandma and great grandma. I decided to use that instead of the other and I love how it turned out. The frame is an old one from my grandpas and then I think the doily is from my great grandma!

Sushi Attempt

I love sushi and I have always thought it would be fun to make, so me and my friend Cole found a sushi kit at Borders for six bucks and decided to try it. It wasn't too hard, and I think the next time it will be a lot better. I had a hard time with the rice, so if any one has suggestions on making sushi rice let me know! The rice was the only bad part...it was so thick it was hard to swallow! We just make California Rolls for starters and then did some teriyaki shrimp, cream cheese and cucumbers.

Spinach Artichoke Dip!

Mmmm...I love this recipe! I don't remember where this recipe is from...sorry!

BEST SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP
 
1 pkg. frozen spinach thawed
1 jar marinated artichokes, chopped
8 oz. Philly cream cheese
8 oz. sour cream
3/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 onion finely chopped
1 stick butter
red pepper flakes to taste

Sauté onions in butter, adding ingredients while mixing and blending well after each addition. Add ingredients in this order: Spinach, Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Artichoke Hearts, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes.
Remove from heat and put in crocks or microwave dish. Top with Monterey Jack Cheese and melt.
Serve hot with chips or bread.

Sewing Conference

I went to this sewing conference in the first part of November. It was put on by USU extensions, it was meant for Home Ec. teachers and 4-H sewing teachers. I am neither of those, but my aunt is, so I was lucky to go. It was so much fun, it was two full days of sewing all day! They gave us projects, patterns and fabric. The first night it was an open sew for a couple of hours, so while I was preparing to go I was trying to decide what to take. Little did I know I would have a million projects from the conference and there would be no time to even attempt my own.

During the conference there were speakers, my favorite was Joel Dewberry. I was so excited to meet him, he is such a talented designer and so down to earth. I was in awe just listening to him, I would love to be able to start designing, but I get too scared to try. You should check out his website and you will just love his stuff!

Joel Dewberry

I would love to teach a 4-H sewing class or just any sewing class, so let me know if any one is interested or if you know of some little girls that want to sew, I want to teach them.

Here are some of the projects we worked on, I still haven't finished them all. Some of them are basic projects, but they teach good sewing techniques for beginners.


Pin Cushion, inside they used walnut bird feeder which is supposed to sharpen your needles.


This pattern is from Joel Dewberry's book and it uses his great fabric!

Check out his book here!


Out of all the sewing and quilts that I have done, this is my first pillow case, I thought that was kind of funny. But this pattern is so great, there is a cool trick to get the seams hidden on the small piece of the pillow. Here is the link to the pattern. I want to use this trick for the hem line of a skirt!

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FL_ST_Construction_2006-102pr.pdf


This is a little snap bag, it is closed up by a measuring tape. It reminds me of those little snap bracelets that were in when I was little. Great project for little girls.





Don't you just wish you had this table runner??? Hahaha! The pattern is a good idea, but the fabric is not! Haha, we were laughing so hard about how this turned out. So if you come to a summer dinner party at my house you may see this sweet thing!

We also made a hot pad, I didn't look very good, I sewed random circles on it and when it finished it looked like something I would have given my mom when I was in kindergarten! We also worked on a quiet book, but I wanted to make it a little cuter, so we will see if I ever finish it. There were a lot of good sewing techniques to learn while making it and they are also good small motor skills for children. I started an apron, but didn't have time to finish it. Hopefully I get those finished and posted.