Friday, July 1, 2011

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

You're Still So Trendy...

Another fun, new dessert I can't wait to try out is the new twist on PIES!

...Except, oh wait, I ALREADY HAVE!!!
That's right! You are looking at an official trendsetter!

I made mini pecan pies for Thanksgiving 3 years ago!
And they were a hit! So good!

Check out the recipe and photos below:

Pecan Pie Tarts




Anyway, more on this current trend!

Mini-Pies

and Pie Pops


These little miniature desserts are so cute! Check them out!




These can add such a special touch to any dessert or event.  These little pies can be very glammed up and fancy, or laid back and fun.
I'd love to try these Strawberry-Rhubarb Mini Pies !

Or these Mini Key Lime Pies from Sweet & Saucy Shop in Long Beach


So give pie a chance!
So there

Monday, June 6, 2011

Pillow Victory is Mine!

I finally completed my first pillow on the sewing machine!
The real first attempt was the second piece of fabric that had ever touched my sewing machine, and let's just say it didn't go so well....
So this one counts as my real first project!


A throw pillow (which quickly became Kylie's new favorite thing that she sleeps with, hehe) made from 2 16x16 pre cut quilting squares of different coordinating patterns, sewn together and stuffed.

These pre cut squares are so great - I got them at JoAnns Fabric.  They have just about every color and pattern, and I try to locate 2 of the same print or just mix and match.
This made it SEW easy to make a pillow, because they were already cut out.
Thought, I did have to iron the fold creases out of them...

So, I sewed around the three sides, with the right sides facing each other, flipped the pillow right side out, stuffed it with batting, then, hand stitched the rest of the opening closed.
I now know for next time to sew around all 4 corners on the machine, and leave the opening in the middle of one side, because the finish is much nicer on a corner done by a machine than by hand. But mine looks ok!

I'd like to add some buttons to some pillows or other items I make soon...I bought a huge mixed bag of buttons, and some look so cool!
But actually, good thing I didn't, since Kylie actually sleeps on this one after all!

I think the next pillow I will make, I'll do a bit smaller (cut down the pre-cut squares a bit) so that I can put it around a 12x12 pillow form I bought , instead of stuffing it. This pillow took forever to stuff, and always is a bit lumpy, no matter how long I tried to get it smooth.

How to stuff that pillow form into the pillow is another story...any tips???
I guess just sew 3 sides, like usual, and barely around the corners, and then stuff the pillow inside, and finish by hand...I hope it fits!!

The next one is actually for Kylie, and is pink - just think how excited she will be if she loved this blue one so much! Score!

Also, adorable, Kylie now is dying for me to teach her how to sew!....If she only knew my real skill level...HA!  But, I had her sit on my lap at the sewing machine once while making the pillow and she thought that was pretty cool.  Then, I was hand sewing the pillow and she wanted to learn.  So, I took a scrap piece of fabric, and folded it in half - so she'd have 3 sides to sew together - and gave her a pile of straight pins, and a needle and thread. I showed her how to pin the sides, then thread the needle, and sew up and down from one side to the other. Surprisingly, she wasn't scared of the sharp objects, was very careful, and did great! So proud.
She's probably going to be better than me in no time!
I bought her her own little sewing kit, to be opened soon...that should be fun!

Learn-To-Sew-Frog-Felt-Critters-Kit

She did fine with real needles, but the kit has kid's plastic needles, and pre-punched holes in the fabric to make it even easier to practice.

Stay tuned for our next sewing adventure!


No fun food recipes to report...maybe soon!
I still want to make more flower hair clips, too....also soon...I hope!!

So There.

Friday, May 20, 2011

You're So Trendy...

OK, so whoopie pies had their run...(and I was terrible at those!) but the next big thing in baking is these little stacks of cake and icing, in Push-Pop containers like the ice cream/popsicle treats!

Called Push Up Cake Pops, Cake Push Pops, or Cake Shooters, these little individual and non-messy treats are so cute!!

I am not sure I'll actually get into making them, because you do have to buy the disposable or reusable, plastic holders which are pretty expensive (and recently sold out!! see?! TREND!) on Amazon.com and in restaurant supply stores.

But they are just so cool, I had to share!



See these two links for all the great details!!


Shout out to Maddycakes Muse and Edible Crafts blogs for the inspiration and photos!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Copycat Coleslaw

OK, so, I love coleslaw, but I can never seem to find one as good as good ol' KFC coleslaw!! I love the flavor and tang in theirs, that no one else seems to get quite right.


So, when I found this Top Secret Recipe for KFC Cole Slaw I knew I had to try it.
and it was dead on identical!! So good!!

Ingredients
( I halved this full recipe below, and still had leftovers for days)

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 cups finely chopped cabbage (about 1 head)  (I cheated, and bought the pre-shredded cabbage mix, with carrots)
1/4 cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot)
2 tablespoons minced onion

Directions

1. Be sure cabbage and carrots are chopped up into very fine pieces (about the size of rice).

2. Combine the mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and beat until smooth.

3. Add the cabbage, carrots, and onion, and mix well.

4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Serves 10 to 12.


Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Sorry, I have been neglecting this blog of mine!!

I finally started sewing, and made 2 mildly unsuccessful throw pillows - but learned what I did wrong, so I have a feeling #3 will actually be viable.


I bought quilt squares of cute fabric, which makes for the EASIEST throw pillows, with no fabric cutting needed. I just choose 2 that go together nicely (similar colors, etc.), pin them right sides together, and sew around 3+ sides, (now I know!!) making sure to sew all 4 corners, and leave a small opening in the middle of one of the sides. Then, flip right side out, stuff with pillow batting, and hand sew up the opening.
I think I have figured out this sewing machine now...it kept jamming on the bottom bobbin, and I didn't know how I was threading it that was wrong, and causing it to get stuck.
Well, Joe who graduated from fashion school years ago, to the rescue, because as I sit and pout, he was able to figure it out for me, and re-thread the machine each time it happened, and seems to work now.
So, stay tuned for pillow #3, with photos and hopefully a finished product.

I have been making healthier, low carb dinners lately, which have included (fail: no photos):
*My meatloaf, made with turkey instead of ground beef, but still with lots of A1 sauce, and no hidden veggies, so Joe was a fan!
*Turkey burger sliders wrapped "Protein-Style" in lettuce, instead of a bun, served with homemade Thousand Island "special sauce" **spoiler, just equal parts ketchup, mayo, and some pickle relish**
*Mexican-style salad with grilled chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, and more.
*Salad with turkey breast and just about every fruit and veggie you could think of, cut julienne style,  and tossed in a balsamic dressing (bell peppers, cucumbers, asparagus, apples, grapes, avocado....)

For Easter we did a fun craft I found online, thanks to my cousin Tracy who brought over all the supplies for Kylie and her kids!

and thanks to this blog for the craft idea:
http://www.thechocolatemuffintree.com/2011/03/tie-dyed-coffee-filter-easter-eggs.html



See the blog link for exact directions, but you cut egg shapes from coffee filters, draw any kind of design (stripes and simples shapes work best) with washable markers, then spray each egg with water from a spray bottle, and let dry.  The washable marker bleeds on the coffee filter and makes these beautiful tie dye Easter eggs! Then, hang them in your window for festive, homemade decorations!

OK, I think we are caught up!
I'll try and do better!
So there.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A girl with kaleidoscope eyes

Holy Beatles Themed Party!

check.this.OUT! 


SOOOO COOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!

She thought of everything. EVERYTHING!! So there.

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