On the Worktable: Remnants to Ruffles

Lots of great remnants lately and so I thought these little gadget cases would be fun to make for the Holidays!

I am loving the mix of prints and colors for bright pops of color!

Available now in my Etsy Shoppe.

In My House: Milk Glass

In my house there is an abundance of milk glass. I love the look of simple white vessels spilling out of cupboards and piled up on counter tops. My mother has long been a collector of milk glass and ironstone. Not so long ago she declared HALF of that collection mine - she was simplifying as we all do, and knowing I had admiringly coveted her pieces for years, lovingly gifted me half of her small treasure.

Now it adorns every nook and cranny of my dining room and kitchen. I love it.

Photo Walk: November

• My view every day at 3:40 PM as I wait in car line at school.
• Things you will find in my car.
• An evening on the town with hubby.
• Headed home from town.
• My son, THE READER.
• Reminiscing. Last fall I was out west with great friends.

On the Worktable: Girls Series

I have been busy working on a few new little gadget bags - the girls series. These and others like them are available in my Etsy Shop.

On the Worktable: Custom Bible Cover

This little beauty is a custom Bible Cover for a lovely lady in Missouri. Made to protect your treasured favorite reads, this was created using several vintage quilt blocks that were once part of an unfinished quilt topper. The floral embellishment can be removed and repositioned or used on a scarf, hat, tote bag, pillow and more! I love the combination of solid and hand dyed silky materials. The stitched wool leaves add yet another favorite textile.

I love giving old quilts new life. Enjoy!

Something Delicious: Praline Whipped Sweet Potatoes

photo credit : kraftrecipes.com

Here is a delicious side dish! PRALINE WHIPPED SWEET POTATOES.

For years, this was the THE DISH I would be called upon to have ready at each and every Thanksgiving meal our family shared,
but since then it has grown into a season long holiday favorite!

PRALINE WHIPPED SWEET POTATOES

• 5 large sweet potatoes
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
• 2 cups Maple Pecan Crunch Cereal ( store brand is fine )
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 Tbsp. butter, softened

Preheat oven to 400*. Prick potatoes with a fork and microwave on high 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut each potato in half, lengthwise. Carefully, as skins are tender,
scoop out flesh into a medium sized bowl. RESERVE SHELLS FOR LATER!

Mash potatoes until smooth. Add cream cheese, and 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon - mix well. Spoon evenly
into the potato shells.

Pour cereal into a large zip lock bag and gently crush. Pour cereal into a medium sized bowl and
mix in brown sugar, butter and remaining 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon.

Sprinkle cereal mixture evenly over the top of each potato and BAKE for 15 minutes or until topping
is a golden brown.

Makes 10 servings.

TIPS:
Mashed potato mixture can be prepared and spooned into potato shells ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.
When ready to serve, uncover and sprinkle with cereal topping and bake as directed.

Don't have a microwave? Preheat oven to 400°F. Prick potatoes with fork, then bake 45 min. or until tender.
Remove from oven; cool 5 min. Continue as directed.

Random Act: Mail Art for a friend

I get great joy out of doing little things for people to make them smile.  It does not have to be a grand prize or a expensive gift to lift someone's heart - a simple thing made with love works best it seems.

These little trinkets have a flair for Autumn- pretty hand-dyed velvet & gauze ribbons, sweet and silky layered blooms, a handful of stitched and dyed paper leaves and cozy little sleeve for those hot drinks on cold nights.

This little package is headed to someone special who has above and beyond to help me and  never loses sight of what it means to be a true friend.

On the worktable: gadget case

a messy worktable - working on more vintage quilt block gadget bags.

Live the repurposed life: flowers & zippers

It is no secret i like to repurpose anything I can get my hands on....well -

a while back I was gifted these tiny paper flowers....
and more recently these cool vintage zippers.....

I wonder what their new lease on life will be?

Storage Worth Stealing: Thread, pins & needles

When I am sewing, which is a large part of my crafting lately, I want my favorite threads and needed tools close at hand. I am always looking at things wondering if there is another use for them. If I like it, I can usually find a way to use them in an unique way.

This votive candle holder was the perfect size to hold my most used colors of thread.

This tart tin was perfect for colorful straight pins.

Practical uses for pretty things = Creative Storage.