written by marieann

I think this is fabulous in a very traditional home-maker kind of way. I tried to spice it up with Hawaiian fabrics but I could see this being very cute in a skull fabric or something. I was sick and tired of a giant mound of plastic bags piling up under my sink and set out to make this. This is SUPER quick to do and very easy but maybe I’ll inspire you to try this.

Supplies
Fabric (I think I chose too big of a piece and mine was like 20×30″ but just make sure it’s a rectangle)
Ribbon about 18″ long
About 6″ long of 1/2″ wide elastic

Tools
Sewing machine
Iron
Safety pin

Instructions
1. Press the two long edges over about 3/4″.
2. Sew both of the pressed edges down with a 5/8″ seam.
3. Put the safety pin into the elastic and thread it thru the casing on the bottom edge.
4. Pin the long edge of the tube shut (right sides together) and pull the elastic tight. You want to pull it so tight that the bottom almost completely closes.
5. Pin the elastic to the sides.
6. Sew along the side to close the tube.
7. Pin the ribbon to the top of the tube on the inside. Be sure you are exactly across the circle for each end of the ribbon.
8. Top stitch the ribbon to the tube.
9. Stuff with plastic bags thru the top, and pull out of the bottom. BAM!

Check out my matching Hawaiian ribbon with the aloha shirt fabric.

written by threadslinger

When I first got my sewing machine it came with a pattern for this secret pouch that was super easy to make. I call it a “secret pouch” because if you lift up the flap there isn’t a storage place, its actually behind the flap, thus throwing off sneaky pick pockets. It was a sew fast, sew easy project which I highly recommend for any beginning sewer.

written by marieann

I LOVE asparagus. When I cooked this, I ate the tips garnish like candy as I was cooking. If you’re lucky like me, asparagus is cheap this spring ($1 for 2 pounds!). This soup is so creamy and fulfilling. I didn’t realize how easy and satisfying it is to make cream vegetable soups. And it did not even change the color of my pee.

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh asparagus

4 tablespoons butter

1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped

1 large or two small leeks, the white part and some of the light green, thoroughly washed and chopped

1 1/2 cups russet potatoes, peeled and diced

2 heaping tablespoons of dried parsley
5 cups chicken or vegetable broth (canned or homemade)

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 or more cups heavy cream, light cream or milk 


Directions:

1. Wash and trim the asparagus, and cut into 1-inch pieces, reserving the tips. Cook the tips in a small amount of boiling water until barely tender, then drain, rinse them in cold water and set them aside for the garnish. 


2. In a large pot, melt the butter over low heat and saute the onions and leeks until soft and translucent. Add the potatoes, asparagus, parsley and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently just until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 or 15 minutes. 


3. Remove from the heat and puree the mixture in a blender or food processor. Return the soup to the pan, stir in enough cream to make a consistency you like, and heat just until steaming. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to bowls and garnish with the asparagus tips. 



Yield: serves 4 to 6

written by threadslinger

This is a craft project for you cookers/bakers that are super pratical. You don’t want a frilly apron, but one that you can get actually use for more than just “looking pretty”. I love mine and use it all the time. The one I am wearing in this picture was made for me by my mom, the woman who brought me up to be the crafter I am.

Materials

2 Dishtowels (one larger than the other one)
Ribbon (about 3 yrds)
A metal clasp (the kind that is two metal rings)
Sewing machine

Directions

1. Take one towel and lay it horizontally. Then lay the second dishtowel in the center of the towel vertically. Sew on the edges of the towel laid vertically. Make sure that the horizonal towel is in front of the towel you are sewing on vertically.

2. Now that your towels are sewn together make a pocket by sewing a square on top of the area where the two towels overlap.

3. Attach ribbon to the sides of the horizonal towel by sewing it to the edge. Make it long enough so you can tie it around you. Attach to the ribbon to the top of the apron on either side. Sew a loop of the ribbon around the metal clasp and thread the ribbon through it. Now you have an apron you can wipe your hands on! Score.

written by threadslinger

On Easter I wanted to make a quiche, but I accidentally dyed all the eggs in my house (oops) but 4 which is enough for a quiche, but not ideal so this recepie is modified a bit. This is also a very simple quiche reciepe because I am a no frills girl, there are more intense ones online if you are into making one that is more complicated. The great thing about this quiche is that it is nearly impossible to mess up, I just added the veggies I had on hand and feel free to substitute in your favorites. This was very tasty and super easy to make.

Ingredients

1 quiche pastry shell (found in most grocery stores in the refrigerated section)
4 eggs
1/2 C milk
10 mushrooms
1 onion
1/2 head of fresh broccoli
1/2 C cheese (cheddar)
1 t butter
1 t garlic powder
1 t basil or oregano

Directions

1. Boil some water and put the broccoli in, let it cook while you chop up the onions and mushrooms. Then saute mushrooms, onion and butter, add in garlic as it is cooking. Once the mushrooms have “shrunk” they are done. Take both the broccoli and the mushrooms and set aside.

2. Whisk together the eggs and the milk. Pour into pastry shell. Then mix in veggies. After that is done sprinkle cheese on top, press down with a fork to make sure that it sinks into the quiche.

3. Bake on 350 for 30 minutes, check and see if done (use the tooth pick test, ie stick a tooth pick in the middle, if it comes out clean then its done). If its not finished yet put back in for another 15 minutes until its done. Then eat to your hearts content.

written by marieann

I made these cute matching sewing machine accessories! There’s a trash can so that you can stop coating your entire house with loose threads and a pin cushion with easy access so that you can stick your pins in whenever you’re on a sewing roll. I love this tropical fabric because it reminds me of Hawai’i. I forget the pattern name/number but I will post later! This project reeks of housewife but it’s just so useful.

written by marieann

My mother and I made this coat over winter break. To her credit, she’s the real seamstress in the relationship and I couldn’t ever have done it without her. We chose this lovely fleece with sequins and gold stitching. It’s fully lined and looks so professional. Mom even sewed one of her “made by Diane” tags in the back. The total supplies cost about $25 which makes for a very cheap warm winter coat (that’s cute too!). I don’t remember the exact pattern we used but it was McCalls, I believe.

written by threadslinger

I started to make crochet animals (also called amigurumi) a few weekends ago. I just envisoned what kind of animal I wanted to make and there it was. I think that this is the best way to do this since the animals you dream up should have your own creative flare. However, I will write a tutorial for the mouse I made as well as the turtle so you have an idea of how to get your creative juices going.

You will need:

Yarn
crochet hook (k101/2-6.50MM)
Felt
Thread/needle

Mouse directions (this is really easy so its good for beginners)

1. Start your crochet with the usual slip knot. Then do a single crochet stitch and then just loop the fabric over without going through the loop for the second stitch. Repeat these steps for 9 rows, it should start to grow out like a circle.
2. Once you are satisfied with size of your mouse go back to a single crochet stitch. After 4 rows start to drop 1 stitch until it forms the point for the mouse nose. Just before it gets to the point where it will close put stuffing into your mouse. I used toilet paper and it worked fine though I am sure cotton would be better.
3. Cut out a strip of felt and then stitch to the end of the mouse. Then cut out two ears (half circles of felt) and stitch to mouse head, take a little dot of felt and stitch on for a nose. Now you have a little mouse friend (I’m planning on using mine as a kitten toy.)

Turtle instructions

1. Start with the head the same way that the mouse started; a single crochet stitch, then a stitch without going through the loop. Do this for 6 rows and then switch to doing only a single crochet stitch. Once you get to the 6th row drop 2 stitches each row. When you get about halfway make sure to put stuffing in your animal. The key with amigurumi’s is to shape as you go along, yarn is very pliant so take your fingers and bend it the way you want it to. If you think about how you want your animal to look as you go along it makes it easier.

2. Once the head is small enough that the two ends touch it is finished and set it aside. Now, for the shell do the start the same way you did with the head but this time do that for 15 rows. At the 15th row do a single crochet stitch dropping 2 stitches a row until you get to the end. Stuff shell before it closes up. Don’t forget to shape as you go along.

3. After the shell is finished you stitch the head to the top of the shell using thread that doesn’t easily show.

4. All you have to do now are the feet and tail. Flip turtle over and do a single crochet stitch in a small circle for about 6 rows or until the legs seem long enough. Repeat this in four places on the bottom of the shell to form all the legs. For the tail do a crochet chain about 4 rows long and tie onto turtle. Now you are done and you have your own ninja turtle.