Spring and Easter Banner

Well I am participating in a 2 different swaps for Spring and Easter so I decided to make a reversible banner as part of my tuck-ins for the swaps. I received a Silhouette Machine for Christmas so I wanted to try it out on this craft. I ran cardstock through the Silhouette machine to cut out all the letters I would need for the reversible Easter and the Spring banners.

I cut enough of the same size rectangular shapes out of coordinating patterned paper to use as the outside of my banner. I cut up and used my empty cereal boxes to sandwich between the patterned paper to give my banner some weight and structure.

I also used the Silhouette machine to cut out a white design to use as the backdrop for my letters. I thought the patterned paper kind of made the letter blend into the background and the white made the letters pop out.

I made one side of the banner to say Spring and then I can flip the banner over and it says Easter. I used a special paper punch that made little slits on each side of the individual flags that hold the letters for the banner. That way I could string white ribbon through the entire banner so that I could hang it up to display it. I had so much fun making this that I ended up using a different color way and made another 3 banners out of that patterned paper. So it took me about a total of 1 1/2 hours to do all of the cutting and gluing and stringing but I made a total of 5 banners. The one I decided to keep for myself is of the lighter patterned paper. I thought it looked cute hanging above my kitchen window.

So 2 of the banners are going out to my swap partners and the other 2 I made as gifts for my daughter and daughter-in-law. I think they will look cute in their houses also!

I'm linking up with Cindy at My Romantic Home.
www.romantichome.blogspot.com
and Wendy at The Shabby Nest
www.shabbynest.blogspot.com
and Jennifer at Tatertots and Jello
www.tatertotsandjelloblogspot.com

Another Apron Swap

Shawnee over at Flirty Apron Swap is hosting a Spring Fling Apron Swap. You need to hurry over and sign up if you want to participate because the registration is over on March 31st.

We will be creating a handmade "Spring Fling" apron – a special apron that has something on it related to a springtime theme – flowers, a cleaning apron, Easter, or gardening. In addition to the apron, we will be tucking in three little gifts with our boxes, one for each letter of our partner's initials.

All of the tuck-in items must be handcrafted, new from the store, or thrifted (but only if they are in “better than new” condition). Each participant should plan on spending a minimum of $10 on tuck-ins in addition to our apron and the postage (boxes MUST be sent 2-day priority w/tracking). Then we should make it into a special box – gift wrapping, bows, the whole nine yards!

I can't wait to get my swap partner's information so I can get started on her special apron!

Friday Night Sew-In

Well my weekend was so busy that I forgot to post about what I did last Friday night. My friend Debbie and I got together to sew for a few hours so that we could participate in the latest Friday Night Sew In. Debbie came over with her sewing machine and quilting supplies and joined me for an evening of cutting and sewing out the latest block for our Starry Night quilt, which is the BOM for Cornerstone Quilt Shop in Fairfield, CA. We meet the third Saturday of every month, and we have to have our block completed and turned in then, and so with both of us being procrastinators this was the perfect opportunity for us to get them done and participate in the FNSI.

Debbie had already cut out her fabric for the BOM so she was ahead of me when we started. I didn't have too much trouble cutting out my fabric for the block so I soon joined her at the sewing machine. I had just recently ordered 2 different types of 1/4 inch quilting foots for my machine so I decided to try it out. I did one little square and hurriedly measured out the seam. It looked like the seam was measuring just a little bit smaller than 1/4 inch but I thought that would be okay. I was thinking that was what they are always referring to as a scant 1/4 inch seam.

Well I should have stopped and remeasured a few other of my seams. Needless to say that I didn't and soon had my block almost done minus the borders. I go and press it and go and measure it and it is way bigger than it should be. I guess they are right at the quilt store when they say one little bit off carried out over the whole block or the whole quilt makes a big difference. It was almost 1 inch bigger than it should be. I knew I couldn't just trim it because I would cut off all of my points. So I decided to rip everything out and start over. I had it almost completely ripped apart and Debbie suggested that if I had enough fabric left over it would probably be easier and quicker to just redo the whole thing. So Debbie left to go home and I stayed up and cut out another one and resewed the entire block. That was after I got my machine calibrated to precisely sew a 1/4 inch seam! So it took me all night but I did get my block done in time!

Free Stitchery Giveaway

Debbie over at Busy As Can Be is giving away the cutest embroidery design that would be adorable on a tea towel. She even put little fabric yo yo's across the bottom of her towel and it is so cute!!


You can go check it out and get the pattern for yourself.
http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-free-stitchery-giveaway.html

Friday Night Sew-In

I signed up to sew with Heidi and a bunch of other ladies on their upcoming Friday Night Sew-In on Friday, March 18th. Got a bunch of unfinished sewing projects or crafts that you need to get done? Then sign up to sew with a bunch of other ladies. Then you go back the next day after the Sew-In and post what you did. You might even win a prize! Plus most importantly you will be getting some of your sewing done.

Spring Apron Swap and Easter Basket Swap

I love swaps! I love aprons and I love Easter baskets so I signed up for a swap for each. Sue over at Country Pleasures is hosting the Spring Apron Swap and friends Alli and Paula are hosting the Easter Basket Swap at Perhaps Today or On A Rainy Night.

For the Spring Apron Swap you are suppose to hand craft an apron, full or half depending on your swap partner's preference, and include at least 2 tuck ins. Tuckins are simply goodies to tag along with your apron and they should match the theme. Some suggestions were coffee, tea's, mugs, tea towels, etc. Although the deadline to join is already past the aprons need to be mailed out by the 15th of March. So I have a few days to get my stuff together and get it all packed and on its way to my swap partner Mary Ann. This isn't a blind swap so Mary Ann and I have sent a few emails back and forth getting to know each other. It's great that she is also a fellow quilter as that makes me feel a little bit more confident as to what to send to her.

For the Easter Basket Swap I have to send a basket to my partner and include at least one Easter decoration - what kind of decoration is up to me and my partners likes. I also need to include an Easter card. I am also to include some type of chocolate or other yummy candy. I also need to send something that signifies Easter to my partner and I can include and other goodies that I think my partner will enjoy. The idea is to pamper your partner. At least one of my items that I send has to be homemade. I have to have this in the mail before April 4th.

So I need to get my thinking cap on real soon and get busy sewing and crafting up some great goodies for these nice two ladies. I don't know who has my name for the Easter Basket Swap so that part is still a surprise.

I'd Like to be a Teabag

I'd like to be a Teabag
And stay at home all day
And talk to other teabags
In a teabag sort of way...

I'd love to be a teabag
And lie in a little box
A never have to wash my face
Or change my dirty socks...

I'd like to be a teabag
An Earl Grey one perhaps,
And doze all day and lay around
With Earl Grey kind of chaps.

I wouldn't have to do a thing,
No homework, jobs, or chores
Comfy in my caddy
Of teabags and their snores.

I wouldn't have to do exams
I needn't tidy rooms,
Or sweep the floor or feed the cat
Or wash up all the spoons.

I wouldn't have to do a thing,
A life of bliss, you see...
Except that once in all my life
I'd make a cup of tea!

~original source unknown

Scones

Chocolate Chip Scones

Try this spin on a traditional scone. The chocolate adds a rich depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 2 cups chilled whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Additional sugar
• Powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.

Stir together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired. Stir whipping cream into flour mixture, stirring just until ingredients are moistened. Turn mixture out onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently until soft dough forms (about 2 minutes). Divide dough into three equal balls. One ball at a time, flatten into 7-inch circle; cut into 8 triangles. Transfer triangles to prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Makes 24 scones.

Recipe found at All Chocolate click Here to visit ;)