Chronic Crafting

April and I went to a “Handmade Boutique” this last week and saw—and worse–couldn’t resist so many things.  There was jewelry, clothing, art work, handbags, doll houses, stationery, baby toys–even homemade jam. Admittedly, April came out with more than I did, but she’ll have to confess her own sins…if you get my drift.

Here are a couple of my “indiscretions.”

The first thing that caught my eye was this stained glass bird. You can’t see it here but his tail is pink. I’m a sucker for lavender and pink. I hung him in my bedroom window and he simply sparkles up the whole room.

Then there were these “Babushka” magnets. They reminded me of my far away boy–so they came home with me too.

We even went a little nuts and bought one of those ridiculous cupcakes that seem to be all the rage these days. Somebody ate it before we could get a picture. Sheesh.

Ok, ok–it was pretty dang good.

For me, the best part about going to these things is that for a long time after, I can’t seem to stop…you know…making stuff. There’s just something very empowering about being surrounded by incredibly crafty souls.

The inspiration rubs off and makes me excited to try things like this “Flapper Hat” for Lily.  It feels so good to have my hands busy no matter what else is going on–I end up with projects in every room, and one in the car so that no time is wasted.

The more I make the more I can’t wait to make. It never ends!

Must. Find. More. Crochet. Thread. Now.

Chronic:  “Something that  has been going on for a long time. It may never get better. It is something you will have to live with.”

heh, heh, heh…

Cinnamon Crisps

Cinco de Mayo is a very popular holiday in Mexico. So…

Have some “Cinnamon Crisps” on us…

Lightly butter two flour tortillas.

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.

Cut tortilla into strips with a pizza cutter.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Gobble up.

The End.

 

Wheat Thins

We had a friend years ago that lived around the corner from us. She made slippers for my kids and even taught some of them in Primary. She was pretty famous among friends and family for her Whole Wheat Crackers–think Wheat Thins.

It’s a great recipe–just be sure to roll them out THIN or you’ll end up with a batch of Wheat Thicks, instead of…well, you know.

P.S. Mine were WAY too thick, but still good. Do better than I did, friends.

Emma’s Whole Wheat Crackers

4 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup butter

2 tsp. salt

1-1/2 cups milk

Mix flour, oats, salt and set aside. In a large bowl cream butter with sugar until fluffy. Stir in flour mixture alternately with milk. Dough will be soft and sticky. Turn out on well floured surface and knead.

 


 

Divide dough into four parts and refrigerate for 1 hour.

 


On a well floured surface, roll small portions, 1/8 inch thick. Prick with fork and cut in cracker shapes. Sprinkle salt on top.

Bake in preheated oven at 300 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Remove from pan to cool.

Gobble.

The Perfect Gown

I’ve always loved babies in gowns–you know the kind that have the mits you can fold over their hands so that they won’t scratch themselves. But that teeny, tiny baby gown phase was never enough for me. The problem is that my big-rubber-dolly babies always outgrew them way before I was finished with the look and feel of them.

It’s not like you can just buy a bigger size or anything because manufacturer’s seem to  think that newborns are the only one’s who would ever wear them. Well they’re wrong.

I need them. I need the soft, mushy, “I’m still a baby, hold me,” message that a sweet, cotton gown gives. So, when Dane was too big for the little ones–I made my own.

This particular gown worked perfectly for sweet Daney boy…

and baby bald kid–back when he had hair.

Now, 16 years later–it’s still making our babies soft and warm…

all the better to mush them with.

There are just some things that should go on forever…

and we’ve found one.