New Blog!

I have a new blog dedicated to thread, yarn, needles, quilting, sewing, and creating treasures.   Please come check it out!

sewingforreal.blogspot.com

Chocolate Chip Cookies Kinda Day

Today I needed to bake.  I don't know what makes me get into the mood that I have to bake.  But, I do know, that if I get in the mood I should just do it....the results are usually good!  I have wanted to try a new recipe from Cook's Illustrated.  It deviates from the normal chocolate chip cookie....in a good way!  You have to melt the butter in a skillet and let it get golden brown and nutty smelling.  You don't use a mixer to make these...nice!  If you choose to make these follow the recipe exactly and read all their helpful hints.  It will help you make the best cookies.  I love that eating just one cookie is enough.  It's big, chewing, gooey, and filling.  It's a cookie with a lot of flavor and has a good texture.  I hope this post will make you try it, I believe you won't be disappointed.  I can't wait for my husband to get home.  He'll love it and I'll get all of the praise...really you have to start with a great recipe but he doesn't need to know that (wink, wink!).


P.S.  It only made a dozen for me!  Well, really that's a good thing...you understand, I know you do!

New Hobby, Crochet!

I recently started going to a stitching meet up locally.  I didn't know what to expect but am so happy that I ventured out because now I have started stitching in a new way.....

I have picked up a crochet hook and now I'm hooked!  I started with these round granny squares!  OK, that sounds weird!  How can something be round and square at the same time!  The above should (hopefully, will)  become a pillow when I'm done.  I have all the rounds needed now I just need to block them and put them together.  The inspiration and FREE pattern tutuorial  for this project came from Blair over at Wisecraft.  If you have never crochet but want to this is a great way to begin.  Between watching a few videos on how to get started crocheting  on youtube and Blair's well put together tutorial, you'll be hooked!  I will post a picture of the finished pillow soon!

Table Runner & Placemats

I needed to spruce up my table a bit so this is my new spring look.  This runner is simple and bright.  Of course, summer is around the corner so I'll need to change it up again!  That's OK, I love to sew!

After I finished this runner, I decided to make some placemats.  Of course, I added some flowers to make the place feel happy :)

Slouch Bag

Just finished sewing this cute bag from Ali Foster's sewing pattern, Slouch Bag.  Isn't it cute!  I visited my husband's country last fall in which we visited  many gardens and you would see really cute peacocks. This  fabric reminds me of my trip. The only changes  I would make to this pattern is the strap; it needs to be longer.

Need a Little Help from Sewers & Crafters

I am in need of buying an iron that really works! Right now I am using  Black & Deck Steam Xpress.  It's OK but I want something better.  It doesn't really get wrinkles or creases out of my fabric without having the cloth pretty damp.  Since I'm sewing, I need an iron that can stay on all the time.  I asking you guys who use their irons for sewing or crafting to please help me out here!  Do you have an iron that you can recommend?  What is it that you love (and not love) about your iron?  How much did it cost you? Have you tried a professional iron?  I have gone to amazon and looked at several but when I look how people rated their irons & their experiences, I'm scared!  So any help is appreciated.  If there is an iron I should stay clear of, please let me know that too!

Here's what I want in a new iron:

• Plenty (and I really mean A LOT) of steam with plenty of steam holes
• An iron that doesn't spit back
• the option of auto off but also leave it on all the time 
• I want the iron to be able to get out wrinkles and creases (is there an iron that can really do this, I haven't bought one yet)

If you can think of other things I should consider, please let me know.

(Picture from Black & Decker's website.)

First Hike of the Season: Superstition Mountain

Beginning of Gold Mine Trail

Beautiful Desert: Superstition Mountain

Zdenek waiting for me...I don't believe I'm that slow!

Phoenix in the distance: You can see the smog (:

The only wild flowers we saw today

Zdenek is always prepared!  We are trying our new water system out!

Which Direction?  Where's the trail?



He's not impressed with us!




 

I hope he brought me an apple too!





How many Cacti can there be??





Couples Differences

All couples have similarities and differences.  We learn to live with both.  But sometimes our differences clash.  Still, we learn to cope!  Although I have many things that Zdenek and I like together (such as our style) I believe he wishes I would be more like him as far as a someone who was neat about their personal space.  We both have areas, which we believe are our personal domain; for example, I cook so the kitchen is part of mine.  We both have a room/office that is totally our own.  Here’s a glimpse into our areas:

His tool drawers:

My kitchen drawers:

Zdenek has his say with
this drawer to keep peace in
our house!

His office:

My sewing studio:

I know where everything is!

Now, I don’t usually post pictures about my messiness.  But I refuse to be fake so I’m doing so.  I can clean a house that my mom would be so proud of, just ask my sister!  But I can make a mess faster than most kids! I believe this drives my husband nuts somedays.  He gets so many bonus points for not pointing it out to me on most days.  But just like my messiness can (OK, does) drive him nuts, so does him being so neat drives me nuts.  For example, I can be cooking a recipe and have everything I need out on the countertop and the dryer buzzer goes off.  I’ll go to take care of the clothes and when I come back to cooking, all the food has been put away! My honey didn’t know what I was doing but thought I just left the stuff out and put it away!  IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!  But somehow we live with each other in harmony!  I just find it fascinating how couples manage life together when we have different ideas, backgrounds and standards.  It must be *l*o*v*e*! I wouldn't trade him for the world! I hope he feels the same way; I'm afraid to ask!

Fabric that I Love

Sometimes you pick a piece of fabric that you love and when you go to show it to your friends they look at you funny.  Well, this is one of those pieces that may make you do a double take.  I bought it at a discount SAS warehouse in Tucson.  If you are my friend, I understand your puzzled look!  So, without writing more, here is one of my favorite fabrics:

It was not my intention to use a Halloween theme.  I am simply making myself a purse!  (The fabric serves as the lining in my purse).  I really can’t tell you why it tickles my fancy only that is does.  It might just be that I deal with bones for a living.  Or it might be the red & white fabric or the time period that it depicts (anybody remembers the skeleton period?). I’m not altogether clear why I like it; just that I do.  Have you ever picked up a piece of fabric or an article of clothing and just knew you liked it, no matter what others would say about it or what your choice says about you?  

The fabric is Alexander Henry “Midnight Pastoral” .  I find that a curious name for this fabric.  I wonder what his inspiration was?