I Made Marshmallows!

Homemade marshmallows are so much better than store bought and they don't melt as fast in your cocoa.
My sister came over this weekend and we played around with a recipie we found on the website Cooking with Engineers:
http://www.cookingforengineers.com/recipe/106/Marshmallows

These were so much fun to make - it felt like we were conducting a science experiment in the kitchen!

I would recommend a smaller pan or doubling the recipe - my marshmallows were flatter than I had hoped when they were cooled and cut. Be sure to coat the pan well with powdered sugar- they are sticky!
I plan on adding some flavors to the next batch - maybe peppermint or chocolate.

Happy Marshmallow making!

Holidays, Babies and Crafts - oh my!

So many things going on with the holidays upon us - only 14 days till Christmas! Shopping, cooking, finding time to spend with friends and family.  With so many things already going on I can't seem to figure out why my crafty brain seems to be on hyper-drive! Maybe in an effort to save a little money on gifts this year I am plotting less expensive homemade ways to say Merry Christmas to those I love.  I am finding though that is not always the case.  By the time I have figured out how I want something to look I have spent more than it would have cost just to buy the item - I am being rather vague here in case those loved ones I am crafting for read this blog before they open their Christmas packages.  - I'll post pictures and DIY instructions after the 25th :) 

In addition to all the fun surround the holidays babies seem to be sprouting up everywhere.  I can't wait to meet my new nephew by friendship in a few days.  What a great holiday gift! We are also expecting a special package!  So much to plan as we get ready for a newborn - I should be cleaning up my craft projects (or clutter piles as my family calls them) but I keep digging into them.

I think I'll blame it on the cold weather keeping me in doors for now.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

What an amazing afternoon! Saturday was full of rain and sunshine - the perfect recipe for a rainbow. A double rainbow (can you see the second rainbow forming above the first in the picture above on the left hand side?) that touched the ground on both sides. Amazing. I have added a few pictures of it as proof of its existence :) The picture below was a photo merge of about 4 photos in Photoshop. The rainbow was so large I couldn't get it all in one shot.

Free Design: How to make a Key Chain Wristlet

Step 1: Select a fabric you enjoy cut strip 5inches high and 15 inches long (5x15)

    Step 2: Iron out wrinkles and with the wrong side facing you fold the top and bottom in toward the center until the edges match use iron to reinforce edges.

 

Step 3: Fold piece in half length wise so both edges touch. Reinforce edge with iron.

 

Step 4: Sew a 3/8ths seam along both sides of fabric lengthwise. *Start your stitches with the folded over side. This helps prevent slipping of the edges later.

Step 5: Fold piece in half and sew 1 ½ inches above the edges. Run your machine over this spot 4 times to ensure a secure stitch.

Step 6: Flip the piece right side out so the 1 ½ inch fabric is on the inside. Align this with the strip and pin down.

Step 7: Begin making your decorative X stitch ¾ inches from the now folded edge (this will leave room for you to secure your O ring once you are done sewing).

Step 8: Trim any remaining fabric from the 1 ½ inch piece that didn’t get sewn into the fold.




Step 9: Attach your O ring.
Step 10: Enjoy your new Key Chain Wristlet!

Original design by sweet harvest
Visit sweet harvest online at http://www.sweetharvestonline.etsy.com/

Another crafty day! With rain all afternoon it was the perfect saturday for staying in. I have a new posting on my etsy website for a key chain wristlet - I got the idea from always loosing my keys in my bag . Now I can leave my keys around my wrist and not have to hold on to them. It's a super easy project - now that I have worked out the kinks :) I have included a link to download my pattern for free below step by step pictures included.

Let me know what you think!

My Etsy store is open for business!

I am so excited to announce my long brewing love for all things 'hobby' is now available at an online retailer near you :) I think I have been waiting for Etsy since I picked up my first needle, piece of yarn, fabric, paint brush, cork (my college roommates know what I am talking about :) I am a hobby 'collector' always looking for a creative outlet.

I have always been surrounded by people who were far more creative and always appreciated their love and support with my constant 'clutter' that seemed to follow me around the house as I amassed the latest and greatest project idea -unfinished knitting or sewing projects -cork corkboards - thanks for the help collecting these roomies - oh college memories :), eye masks that would keep the sun from waking me up, creating a watermelon painted stool from an idea I had seen in a jewelry store at the beach that retailed for $100!
I thought "I can make that!" It's become a motto of sorts.

8.14.2009 Day 1

It's official - I am a blogger! How will I ever be able to fill this page with meaningful text people will actually want to read?