I really like making these!

I have made three of these so far and they are so much fun. I just bought some white notebooks with the insertable plastic sleeve on the front, and then cut some pretty scrapbook paper to insert, then added a label I printed with my computer. I place all my recipes in protective sleeves so that they don't get all gooped up. I splurged and bought some plastic dividers with tabs so that I could place pretty papers in them as well. (I haven't labeled my dividers yet, so it's kind of hard to tell that these have tabs.)

There were around 3 more categories, but I'm too lazy to upload the photos of them.

These would make a wonderful bridal shower gift and, believe me, they are fun to make.

Happy Birthday Matthew!

He was so excited about his cake! Makes it all worth the 2 1/2 hours it took to decorate it!

The reason he looks so serious is that he is studying the way this thing works!

CHANGE IN DIRECTION?

Instead of holding classes, I am now thinking of selling items directly through a consignment kind of business here in Utah. It is a huge crafters mall that charges a booth fee as well as a nominal commission. This is one of the items I would sell - a child's capri set. What do you think?

The reason for the shift in thinking is I am a little worried about signing up with new students on a continuing basis and trying to come up with new projects for them on an ongoing basis. I haven't given up on the idea completely, but maybe holding 'Sewing Camps' which would be held only during the summer and would be held for one week at a time - one week each month.

How Cold Is It?

The hubby got this email and we really got a chuckle out of it!

COLD IS A RELATIVE THING!

65 above zero:

Floridians tun on the heat.

People in Iowa plant gardens.

60 above zero:

Californians shiver uncontrollably.

People in Iowa sunbathe.

50 above zero:

Italian & English cars won't start

People in Iowa drive with the windows down.

40 above zero:

Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.

People in Iowa throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero:

New York landlords finally turn up the heat.

People in Iowa have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above zero:

People in Miami all die.

Iowans close their windows during the day time hours.

Zero:

Californians fly away to Mexico

People in Iowa get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:

Hollywood disintegrates.

The Girl Scouts in Iowa are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:

Washington DC runs out of hot air. (really???)

People in Iowa let the dog sleep indoors.

30 below zero:

Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.

Iowans go out and start the snow mobile.

40 below zero:

ALL atomic motion stops.

People in Iowa start ASKING...'Cold enough for you?'

50 below zero:

Hell freezes over.

Iowa public schools will open 2 hours late.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Ah, to have only 8 candles on your cake!

When you have cousins, you can always count on having help!

Isn't she a pretty construction worker?

This was taken at the Childrens Museum in Salt Lake. What a fun place!

This helicopter was outside on the patio and made a helicopter noise when the kids pushed a button. Every time they did, the 4 year olds got the funniest look on their faces - like they were worried about taking off without any adults with them.

There are so many pictures of the little guys because we had to follow them around.

The biggest hit of the day was the water play area.

Another construction worker

A New Discovery!

Crock Pots are great but don't you just hate scraping and soaking them to get the crusty bits of food off? Maybe it's just me - but I didn't know these liners existed until last week.

Anyway - just wanted to share.

It's Happened Again!

I can't believe it, but for the second time in a year, I have been layed off!! This can put a dent in a girl's self esteem let me tell you.
It may actually be the best thing that's ever happened to me because I think I have decided to start my own home based business - Sewing classes in my home.
I am getting more and more excited at the idea of doing what I love best and making money at the same time. (not a lot of money - but some, still the same)

One of the things that appeals to me is the fact that the start up cost shouldn't be too bad. I will have to purchase five simple machines, some tables and chairs and do some advertising.

The down side is trying to find students. I haven't quite figured that out yet and the other is that I will have to re-arrange my house somewhat and move my sewing room down to the basement - and I just got my sewing room looking so cute!

I will keep you posted on how this pans out.

Tastes Great- Looks Bad!

I want to be 'Bakerella' - but, I think she has nothing to worry about! The small football is from her Oreo Cookie recipe. Go to bakerella.com and click on the cute football picture for the directions. (they are on the February, 4 blog). You will receive excellent advice and instructions.

now for the Big Footballs...

These are actually Peanut Butter Easter Eggs shaped into a quasi-football shape:

CHOCOLATE COVERED PEANUT BUTTER EGGS (move over Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!)

3/4 C. creamy peanut butter

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. vanilla

1 can sweetened condensed milk

4 c. powdered sugar

Mix all ings. until thoroughly blended. Shape into egg shapes; and dip into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper and store in refrigerator.

DIPPING CHOCOLATE:

Use store-bought dipping chocolate and follow directions for melting, -OR-

Melt 1 large bag semi-sweet chocolate chips and 2 T. shortening over a double boiler. After all is melted, dip in melted chocolate. (can be decorated with icing flowers after cooled.)

Here's to Road Trips!

Probably our most favorite thing to do together is head out on the road. We recently took a pilgrimage to the town hubby's dad grew up in - Licking, Missouri. When I got home, I combined this favorite activity with another-scrapbooking, and this book is the result. I really liked making this book because it is small enough that I could actually finish it in just a couple of days, but big enough that there was room for almost all my photos and thoughts. Bo Bunny 3 ring binder.


We didn't make it to St. Louis, but cut down through the middle of Missouri to the little itty bitty town of Licking, where hubby's dad was born and raised. I can't say enough about how beautiful Missouri is. We went at the beginning of October so all the trees (and there are lots!) still had their leaves and the weather was perfect. We put a lot of miles on our little car so I can say, we really did see Missouri. We want to go back sometime and explore the St. Louis area, Mississippi River and states nearby.

Of course, along the way I stopped at many quilt shops and bought a few items - here are just some of them.

This bag is made of charm packs. I made it in this blue/red combo and bought fabric for the brown. It's really roomy and pretty.


I plan on making her some day- I really love dolls! I bought this pattern at the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead - Rocky Ridge - what a beautiful place.



This flannel was purchased somewhere out on the prairie in Kansas. It is the cutest fabric and I can't wait to make it into a quilt for a little farmer boy!

Some of the other things I found along the way were patterns and books. One of them that I am looking forward to is called "Skinny Quilts" and is an entire book of runners - my most favorite kid of quilt to make (they are quick, cheap, and easy for me to machine quilt)
Maybe, someday, I'll have some finished skinnys to post.

Quick and Easy Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls truly are quick and easy-- and yummy I might add.

INGREDIENTS:

1 3/4 cup warm water

1/4 c. sugar

1/2 c. oil

3 T. yeast (a 3-pack has 3 T. in it)

1/2 T. salt

5 1/4 C. flour

2 eggs

2 1/2 T. Cinnamon

1/3 C. softened butter

1 C. brown sugar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1- 8 oz pkg cream cheese

1/4 C. butter

1 1/4 to 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

dash salt

Milk, if needed

Note: The recipe calls for cream cheese frosting- not my favorite so I just make a simple butter frosting on the thick side.

DIRECTIONS:
Mix water, sugar, oil, yeast 2 cups of flour, eggs together in bowl and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then add salt and remaining flour. Put the dough in a ball ad let it sit for 15 mins.

Roll it out into a rectangle shape, approx. 1 inch think. Spread the soft butter over the entire piece of dough. Then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over top. Starting with the long side, roll dough up into tight tube. Slice off pieces. (thicker the slice, bigger the rolls). Place on greased cookie sheet. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Bake in pre heated oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes - use toothpick to see that middle is done and not gooey. Remember - if your rolls are big they will probably take some extra baking time. (I baked these for 25 minutes)


Frost as follows:
Cream together the butter and cream chese. Add vanilla and salt. Cream until smooth. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time until desired thickness. If you want it more like a glaze, add milk. Spread over warm rolls.