Thursday, July 23, 2009

Just a little something..


Well, I have a pot of chili on the stove and it seems that summer will never arrive in Northern Michigan sochili seemed appropriate for dinner!! I am busy crafting and preparing for a couple of big weekends I have coming up, but all work is a work in progress, so I thought I'd share some other bloggers handiwork to keep you inspired!!


A spoon full of sugar blog is a wonderful read and I fell in love with this tutorial for a little handmade wallet. I think it would be perfect for Christmas or even teacher gifts next year!! You can find the tutorial here!!

Craft Apple blog has this tutorial for altered tin cans, here. I love the paper scraps she used. These fall themes would be great Thanksgiving dinner guest favors!! I'd fill mine with homemade maple leaf cookies!! Yummy!!!


And Finally... one thing I am determined to learn by years end is to crochet. Specifically granny squares. I have tried many times and I have decided I am crochet challenged. Knitting is more my forte!! I LOVE Rose Hips pattern for these flower crochet squares and I may just have to learn and master them so I can one day have that crochet quilt I have always wanted!! Check out the pattern here!!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Hmmm... What to do...

What to do??? Cook, Clean??? I think I'll browse the internet for more crafty projects I will never catch up with!! Here are a few projects and links I found that I thought I'd share with you, then off to the lake with my kiddos to take advantage of this nice day before it RAINS tomorrow!!

Check out this cute button bracelet tutorial here. great idea for Christmas ( I am already making my list if you can believe it )
V and Co has done it again!! Another great tutorial on Moda Bake Shop for these delicious fabric Strawberries!!



These would be SOOO cute in some vinatge strawberry baskets!!


This is a quick and easy one, a tutorial for a canning jar pin cushion found here. I am planning on doing some canning this summer ( soon ) and I just may have to save one or two of the jars for this project!! I will post soon about my canning endeavors!!

And you just have to love Martha... Here is a tutorial to make these great Pom Poms. I am planning on making a bunch out of old sewing patterns for the big Barn Creek Salvage summer sale in August

Saturday, July 18, 2009



Ah...well,I have been diligently working on some recipies for our town's annual festival, Harbor Days. Each year there is a cherry bake off and this year I am going to enterthe contest and finding new and original recipies proves to be quite the task!! I thought I'd share a cherry recipe with ya and some pics so you can be inspired to get those fresh cherries that are everywhere now and get to baking!! I will post later about the bake off and what recipe I ended up deciding on!!


Check out these adorable cherry pie cupcakes!! Too Cute!!


Here is a recipe for ya!!


CHERRY BROWN BUTTER BARS


Cherry Brown Butter Bars

Crust:7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract,1 cup plus 1 tablespoon all purpose flour, Pinch of salt


Filling:1/2 cup sugar,2 large eggs,Pinch of salt, 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract,1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, diced1 pound sweet cherries, which will yield 12 ounces of pitted cherries, which yielded some leftovers, perfect for snacking (alternately, you can use 12 ounces of the berry of your choice)


Make crust: Preheat over to 375°F. Cut two 12-inch lengths of parchment paper and trim each to fit the 8-inch width of an 8×8-inch square baking pan. Press it into the bottom and sides of your pan in one direction, then use the second sheet to line the rest of the pan, perpendicular to the first sheet. Congratulations! You’ve just faked a square tart pan.


Using rubber spatula or fork, mix melted butter, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl, in the bottom of the small saucepan you used to melt the butter. Add flour and salt and stir until incorporated. Transfer dough to your prepared pan, and use your fingertips to press the dough evenly across the bottom of the pan. Bake the crust until golden, about 18 minutes (it will puff slightly while baking). Transfer crust to rack and cool in pan. Maintain oven temperature.


Make the filling: Cook butter in heavy small saucepan (a lighter-colored one will make it easier to see the color changing, which happens quickly) over medium heat until deep nutty brown (do not burn), stirring often and watching carefully, about six minutes. Immediately pour browned butter into glass measuring cup to cool slightly.


Whisk sugar, eggs, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add flour and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Gradually whisk browned butter into sugar-egg mixture; whisk until well blended.
Arrange pitted cherries, or the berries of your choice, in bottom of cooled crust. Carefully pour browned butter mixture evenly over the fruit. Bake bars until filling is puffed and golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool bars completely in pan on rack.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Crafty Inspiration


Summer is here and even though you'd think it's a time for lounging around in the sun... I have been very busy!! Getting ready for the Barn Creek Salvage sale in august.. ( more details to follow ) and my annual scrapbook weekend retreat in October has so far filled my summer days!! I love to look to other bloggers to get those creative juices flowing, so I thought I'd share with you some links to great ideas and inspiration!!

For all of you quilters and sewers out there, if you haven't checked out Moda Fabrics blog, http://www.modabakeshop.com/ it is worth the visit!! ALL tutorials for many quilts, home decor items, and cute whimsy pieces!! Here is a cute tutorial for this adorable apron!!


One of the designers that often contributes to moda bakeshop is V and Co. if you haven't checked out this blog, grab a cuppa coffee and plan on staying a while. This is one great blog FILLED with eye candy and great projects!! Here is a sample..





If you still have more time ( possibly hours ) check out one of my favorite blogs, Cynthias Cottage Design. She has great decor ideas and even has some great links for her favorite blogs!! Check it out here!! Here's a sneak peek at what she has to offer..





If you are looking for some tutorials and great projects for both mom and kids, visit the fiskars website.. http://www.fiskars.com/ they have great tutorials and many categories, so you are sure to find a project to suit your needs!! Here's one I am going to do for my kids!!

I love this tutorial for a very clever way to recycle that trash you may just be inclined to through away!! Check out this great tutorial here!