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Felt noodles for the play kitchen

Yes, Mr. H made a whole fridge and I just made noodles but the noodles have been fun too.

 

And they are super easy to make!

Cut a strips of felt in noodlish colors about 1.75 inches wide. Then use pinking shears to cut into 2.25 inch lengths (or a little shorter--this one was a touch long).

 

Then  look at a piece of bowtie/farfalle pasta for inspiration on how to fold. Basically, do this:

Fold in half then fold the sides back. (photos just in case this is clear as mud)

Then sew it together. You can sew however you want but I made a LOT of these and found this technique worked pretty well. Use a hand sewing needle and strong thread or doubled over regular thread.

Make a knot and pull it into the center fold.

 

Then  take two stitches to secure one side. See below how there is already a stitch securing half the noodle? You have to go around again to catch the other half.

These photos are getting worse and worse.  After you stitch one side, take a stitch to get you over to the other side of the noodle and wrap the thread to secure that side.

 

Then tie it off and bury the end of the thread in the middle of the noodle.

 

I realize those photos didn't help much but it's seriously so easy you don't need any help! Put them in a real noodle box and you're all set.

 

Happy pasta making!

Make felt rocks in the washing machine

Ya'll seem to like the felt rocks; I encourage you to make your own. Here's how:
Find up to 10 smallish, roundish rocks. I wouldn't go any bigger than about 2 inch diameter.

Rinse if needed (it also helps the wool stick if the rocks are wet)

Now, if you have wool roving, this will be easier and your finished product will be smoother. In Sacramento you can get wool roving inexpensively and in every shade at Rumplestiltskin. (www.yarnyarnyarn.com). I have found that the more natural colors (less bleach used in processing) felt better.

Anyway, grab a largish handful (about a 2 foot long strand) of roving and spread apart the fibers a bit and wrap around the stone changing directions as much as possible so the strands don't all line up. Don't worry, doesn't need to be perfect.

If you happen to have raw wool that you can't be bothered to card, you can use that too. Lump handfuls of it around the stone and secure in place by wrapping with 100% wool yarn.

For either method, make sure your rock is completely covered as evenly as possible (you want the rocks in your washing machine to be padded!)

Now cut the leg off a pair of nylons.

Grab a wool covered stone in your hand and shove your fist all the way to the toe of the stocking. Be sure to use your hand to keep the wool from moving around. Bad photo, sorry.

Now tie a knot in the stocking. Don't use a bit of string to separate the stones, definitely knot the nylons. Trust me ;) Continue adding stones and knots until you run out of stocking. I found 10 smallish stones was the most it could handle.

Now, be brave and put it in the washing machine. I put it in with blankets and sheets and towels (wrapped in a blanket) to protect my new front loader as much as possible. Wash with soap on hot. Regular cycle.

After the wash, the wool will have shrunk around the stones and should be all felted. It may have fuzzed through the nylon a bit. It's okay (kinda unavoidable).

Untie the nylons (you can use them again for felting) and peel out the stones.

All done! The white ones look cocoons. This one is made with wool roving:

These two are from the raw wool. Much lumpier and they didn't felt as tight. Mr. H said they looked like granite. I think they look like sheep.

That's all there is to it. Enjoy!

Well, let's see....

I seem to have fallen mostly off the blogging band wagon so let's do this bullet point style.  Since Christmas I have:

• Been to San Diego with the fam to visit this fam. Warm weather, crazy lions at the Wild Animal Park and photos still in film form (digital on the fritz)
• During the 10 hour car ride back from San Diego (I love you, LA traffic) I discovered a new blog, Snickollet. I proceeded to read most of her archives which is weird because it's a rather tragic tale but once I got into it I had to know what led up to the current point. I think Lauren thinks I'm a voyeur and she's right but isn't that what personal blogs are all about?
• I know this because I talked to Lauren at the January IndieSacramento which I hadn't planned to sell at but she generously offered me half a table at the last minute. The traffic was better than I expected and I actually did sell a few things at my handmade garage sale.
• My goals for the sale were to learn to crochet. Done! Thanks, Tamie! And to make enough to pay for ..
• 
• A trip back to the Academy of Sciences. Today. With my mom. Lines were UNBELIEVABLE. Take a vacation day and go during the week, people. Biscuit loved the divers. Nobody loved the lines and crowds.
• Speaking of Biscuit, we've gone cold turkey with the love of her (sleeping) life. The Binky. It was genuinely lost at bedtime on Thursday. Now it's lost forever. She's been handling it better than expected but is at loose ends about a comfy sleeping positions and what to do with her hands when she sleeps. She still has her blankie but doesn't seem to use it now that companion binky is gone. Odd.
• 
• Finally. I put up an Instructable that I had planned to write in mid-December. It shows how to make a zipper pouch for a car first aid kit.

Whew!

Back to work tomorrow. Sleeping in ends....now.

A recipe book for you

I am making these as party favors. Little recipe books inside holiday cards with my most-requested holiday-party-food recipes.

Ten tasty recipes, one little book.

The binding is machine stitched to attach the pages to a holiday card. This would be a great way to use last year's greeting cards (if you don't happen to have a mom who buys lovely cards at 90% off after Christmas and then has stacks for you to choose from when you ask.) You could also hand stitch the binding.

You can cut the pages to fit whatever card you have on hand (as long as the card isn't too tiny).

I made the pages into pdf documents to share with you. Just download and print or copy double sided (you'll have to pay attention to the order of printing if you want the table of contents in order).

I am a little worried to share this because it includes the Barefoot Contessacookies which is her copyright and I made only a very minor change. That recipe and the one from Sunset Magazine (also with a minor change) don't seem to be available online from the copyright holder SO, please just print this for personal use AND be sure to go buy Barefoot Contessa's new book and subscribe to Sunset Magazine because both are awesome! All the other recipes are from online sources, family or product ads so I'm figuring they're okay to share again.

Without further ado, the downloadable pages:
Download Recipe book 1 salsa and nuts
Download Recipe book2 brie and truffles
Download Recipe book 3 soup and peppernuts
Download Recipe book 4 coconut and choc chip cookies
Download Recipe book 5 caramel and fudge
Download Recipe book 6  (table of contents)

Some documents may download two pages (one being blank) as I was having some formatting issues. I have faith you can work it out!

How to make: Simple pillow cases (with fancy french seams)

For their birthdays, I made the boys super simple pillowcases. Apparently they were a hit so here's a tutorial (and I'm going to enter the tutorial in this little contest; check it out):

Buy 1.25 yards of 45 " wide flannel or soft cotton (you can get by with a yard but it's tight).

Trim off the selvedges if you're feeling picky. Fold the fabric in half with back sides together matching the selvedge edges (actually, your fabric should be a square if you bought 1.25 yards so it doesn't really matter which way you fold it. If you only got 1 yard of fabric, definitely match selvedge edges).

{If you do much sewing, you're probably used to sewing with good sides together but this is the trick of french seams, back sides together.} See?:

Sew along one short side and all the way down the long side with a scant 1/4 inch seam. Here's a poor diagram (sorry, no scanner so a photo of a sketch will have to do):

Now, turn your pillow case inside out.  On the open end of your tube, fold in the raw fabric edge about 1/4-1/2 inch and stitch down all the way around. (this will make it easier to hem later). You can see on the image below that the narrow hem is stitched.

Now comes the fancy bit! You're going to sew over your first line of stitching, encasing the raw edges from the previous seam allowance in the new seam allowance. At this point, it may help to press your pillowcase making sure the edge seams are  ironed out. Then, stitch using a seam allowance just wider than 1/4 inch (to make sure you entirely encase the original seam). Make sense? Here's a photo:

As you can see, you're sewing with the good sides together. And,you can tell that the edge of the presser foot is going along the previous seam (on the right in this view).

One other tip, at the corner of the pillow case, plant the needle in the project when you're 1/4 inch from the edge, lift the presser foot and pivot the fabric. This gives a perfect 90 degree corner. Sorry for the fuzzy photo but maybe you can see here? (probably not, but you can see how the edge should look):
 

The final step is to fold in the open end and stitch a wide hem in place. I used my pillow off my bed to estimate how much I needed to fold it to make the right length pillow case. (I think it was about 5 inches for a standard size pillow). Just fold it to the inside and stitch more or less over your previous hem stitching (again, ironing first may help keep it even). I didn't photograph this step but it's simple.

That's it. Enjoy! (and if you really love pillow cases, let me know and I can write up directions for my mother-in-law's fancy pillow cases.)

Red wine poached pears

You're welcome.

I say that because I'm about to let you in on a giant secret. Red wine poached pears, one of the most impressive desserts I've ever seen, are incredibly easy to make. Here, complete with blurry photos, is all the information you need to impress your friends (or mother-in-law (Swistle))

{Note that the information provided is for a full recipe but I photographed myself making a half recipe--just to keep it interesting.}

Choose 4-5 smallish pears. I have successfully used Bartlett, Red Bartlett and Bosc so use what you've got. Choose the smallest possible saucepan that fits your pears in a single layer.

Carefully peel your pears leaving the stem intact.

Use a melon baller to remove the bottom bit of stem and seeds

Use a knife to finish the job (or just leave the seeds intact and assume your guests can eat around them)

Now mix your ingredients in your saucepan:
2 cups red wine (zinfandel is great but leftover, slightly bad cheap Malbec worked too)
2/3 cup sugar
dash of vanilla
one cinnamon stick
5-10 whole cloves

Heat and stir until the sugar dissolves and throw in your pears. It's okay if they aren't fully submerged (why waste extra wine on that?)

Put on the lid

Simmer on low for about 25 minutes, until the pears are very tender when poked with a sharp knife. Be sure to turn them periodically so they turn all red. Pull them out by the stems and set them on a plate to cool.

Now, keep your sauce simmering uncovered on med-low until it froths and is thickened. If you stop paying attention you will get a very thick sauce, like caramel sauce thick, and it will be good on ice cream. If you over thicken, you can thin with a bit of wine. Or, just keep an eye on the pot.

Also, whip some whipping cream with a bit of sugar.

Serve a pear (warmish, coolish, whatever) with a giant dollop of whipped cream and a healthy drizzle of sauce. Your friends will be impressed--these taste better than they look.

Like I said, you're welcome.

Peppers

I made this wooden cutting board for my sister after a conversation about telling "veggie" cutting boards from "meat" cutting boards.  My sister is a vegetarian with meatetarian roommates so it seemed like she should have a dedicated cutting board.

The BEST part (in my opinion) is the fact that I mailed it as-is. No box, no wrapping.  I woodburned her address on the back (with a soldering iron so don't knock the penmanship), affixed postage and dropped it in the mail.  Hers was a test run and it arrived safe and sound--ready to wash and use.

I have enough wood glued up to make two more of these so I thought I'd send one for my next round of Pay it Forward.  I'm heading out on vacation for a week so, leave a comment before I get back (next Saturday) and you'll be in the running.

And as a consolation prize since, unfortunately, you might not win, a recipe (the obsession with food preserving continues--I just took pickles out of the hot water bath):

Jalapeno Jam (adapted from this recipe)
1 large (or 2 small) green bell peppers
15 fresh, medium size jalapenos
1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
pinch salt
5 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 bag liquid pectin (about 3 oz)

Remove stems from jalapenos and remove seeds from all but 4 of them. Very finely chop jalapenos, bell pepper and some vinegar in a food processor (use gloves with the jalapenos!).  Dump puree and remaining vinegar in a non reactive (non metal) pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

Stir in sugar and salt and bring to a hard boil over medium-high heat. Boil one minute stirring constantly then turn off heat and immediately add pectin.  Stir well and put into sterile half pint jam jars. Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes.  Remove and let cool on a towel. (follow other directions for specifics of processing if you haven't done it before)

This made about 5 jars of jam for me. It was pretty spicy but was delish on a cracker over cream cheese.

Enjoy!

PS If you're going to comment anyway, feel free to share a random/stupid fact about yourself. I'd love to know more about you.

Button monogram tutorial

Button monograms are fantastic for a decorative pillow or, in this case, to embellish a tote bag. It's easy!

Start by sorting through your buttons--it's a bit easier if the buttons you choose are similar in size.  Then lay out your monogram on your fabric.

Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, use a tiny dab of glue to tack the buttons in position (it doesn't have to be fabri-tac but I had some on hand and it worked great!)

You really need just the smallest dab of glue and put it on the edge (away from the buttonholes). Like this:

When gluing the buttons, pay attention to keeping the holes in the buttons straight--it looks tidier.
Once all the buttons are glued down (and dry), it's time to sew.  Look, they don't fall off!

To sew, double over a coordinating thread (I matched my fabric since I couldn't match all my buttons) and put in a knot. Start at the back and stitch on the first button.  Just stitch it down tight to the fabric (since it's non functional) and then move on to the next button without cutting the thread.


What the back will look like since you aren't tying off the threads between buttons.

And that's it.  Your monogram is complete. I made my sister a pillow like this just because her name starts with L and cursive L's are the prettiest letters (don't you agree?).  She still has that pillow on her bed several years later so I guess she likes it.

Here's where the M ended up.  A library tote for Matthew's third birthday (I hope it's boyish enough....)

Lampshade beautification effort

 Before:

After:

The talented and generous Missy Ballance of Mohair Circus gave me a basket full of "cutter quilt" scraps (several months ago). Even though they were already cut, I had the HARDEST time cutting them again and spent ages trying to decide on the "perfect" project. (these quilt scraps are HAND pieces and HAND quilted with the most meticulous little stitches you can imagine)

Last weekend I took the plunge and cut into several of the smallest and most worn out pieces to make over a cheap-o lamp that has been sitting, unplugged in our bedroom for MONTHS while I used an ugly, plastic clip lamp for bedtime reading.

I must say, I am pleased with the results, rustic, unfinished edges and all. Biscuit immediately declared it "pretty" so we'll call it a success.

On the off chance you have an ugly lampshade and a cutter quilt (or other fabric) here's a quick'n'dirty tutorial (if you can even call it that). Let's call it "a few tips to make your own."

Make a pattern piece out of fabric by using a pen to trace the ridges of one section of the lampshade. You can pin through the lampshade to hold things in place.

Cut out your pattern and use it to cut out the relevant number of pieces of quilt--add about a quarter inch when you cut out the pieces, it's easier to trim than to make your fabric larger later! I also found that the sections of el cheapo lampshade were not entirely even.

Also note, my lamp is six-sided (I think this technique might be hard with a square shade but very easy with a circle if you have enough fabric).

Almost time to start sewing! Pin your quilt piece in place lining up one side along the center ridge of the boning that attaches the adjoining lamp panels.  Like this: (see how the edge of the quilt falls in the center of the boning?)

Ok, now that one edge is trimmed and the piece is pinned in place, start sewing.  I used hand quilting thread (a little thicker than all purpose but, whatever). Tie a knot in your thread and start inside the shade. Stitch as close to the edge of the boning as possible. You want to take long (almost 1 inch) stitches on the inside and very, very short stitches on the outside. Here's a view of the inside of the stitched shade. See the long stitches?:

Once I had one side of the first piece in place I stitched the two adjoining pieces at the same time making sure they were butting right up against one another and trimming as needed for fit.

Be sure the stitch the top and bottom edges as well and, that's it! If you were feeling all fancy like, you could stitch on some bias tape or hem tape to cover the raw edges but I thought the raw edges were part of the charm (and I'm lazy).

Here's to warm lampshades! Oh, one last note, the thick, quilt fabric does block most of the light from going through the shade so this is not a great option if you want the lamp to illuminate a whole room. In my case I wanted the light mostly going downward (so Mr. H can sleep while I read) so this was a perfect solution.

Hooray for cutter quilts and instant gratification projects!

Constructing a log cabin quilt square--a video tutorial

These are all taken in one shot with no editing (as if you couldn't tell). But I hope they make sense. My goal was to explain a log cabin quilt and introduce a few basic quilt sewing technique as I would to a friend sitting in my sewing room. In this case my "friend" was a camera precariously attached to my floor lamp.  Anyway, have fun with the log cabinning!