Friday Night Sewing With Friends.......

This is only once a month but for me I am doing it every Friday night and I am making progress!  There is no knitting or crocheting that takes place on Friday  nights....only sewing and embroidery and applique.  Most evenings I'm tired and it's just so easy to pick up the needles or hook and I never get any of my other handwork or sewing done.  FNSWF solves that problem!
I spent the first couple hours cleaning and organizing my dining/sewing area so I can actually find my supplies and sit right down and sew when I want to.
I printed off the templates/pattern for the Hexie travel kit I'm working on, listed the supplies I don't have and finished my 2 hexie flowers that are needed for the kit.  They are both the same size but the angle I took the picture makes the bottom one look bigger.

 After that I spent the rest of the evening working on my cross stitch bookmark for Valentine's Day and part of my VD project list.  I also got my list made for the supplies I need for all those projects.

Have a great Saturday....Happy Trails to you!

Baking Day..........

I baked some cookies  and it is my own recipe .  I am a crisp cookie person but these are what I call Blueberry Cakies and I love them!  They're like eating nut bread in a cookie and for a cookie recipe they're rather good for you too.  I've been experimenting with different recipes as I wanted a blueberry cookie but not a purple cookie.  This is what I finally came up with and they're not purple!  Yay!!!!

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try them.  They're great with a cup of tea.

Blueberry Cakies:     Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes
--------------------------

1 C dried blueberries
1 C water
3/4 C butter, softened
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 1/2 C flour (I used a white/wheat combo)
1 t soda
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t ground cloves
2 C oats
1/2 C chopped nuts

 Simmer blueberries and water over medium heat for about 15 minutes. ( Watch so the water doesn't dry up....if it starts getting low add some more.)  Drain, reserving the liquid.  If necessary, add water to make 1/2 C.
Mix softened butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla.  Stir in liquid.  Blend in remaining ingredients.  Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Cook until light brown if using white flour (mine are a little browner since I used half wheat flour).  Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Let me know what you  think if you try them.
Happy Trails!

Finalists of my Valentine Projects

Yesterday was GORGEOUS here!  67 degrees and I was outside like a shot.  I got my car cleaned out and the garage swept up and the steps from the garage to the kitchen washed.  They were so dirty that when I washed them it looked like I'd put a fresh coat of paint on them.  Works for me!
I called the vet to see when the biopsy would be back and they said a good week.  I asked about walking her and they said okay but not the hikes we usually take so I decided to just work outside and let her bask in the sunshine. Although, she did run a little bit with the neighbor's dog (puppy) Missy who looks at Nitty like a mother and to Nitty it's the child she never had.
This morning was 24 degrees C and it hasn't gotten above 30 all day and windy as all get out.
But I did finalize my Valentine projects and here they are with one addition you haven't seen......

 Projects Picked:

1.       popcorn candy treat with vintage label on bags for all

  2.    giant Hershey Kiss of Rice Krispie Treats for the kids

 

3.       heart shaped rice krispie treats for adults

   4.  homemade cards but each will be different.........this is just a sample

  5. Mason jars with doilies on them for me

    6.   Crocheted granny square with heart in the middle for me for now anyway......maybe if I make enough they'll be for someone else next year...who knows...but I REALLY like them myself

  7.  Felt heart ornaments for my Valentine tree with lights too.........

8.  Painted Mason Jars for me

 

9.   Cross Stitched Bookmark for my daughter...below is not a bookmark but a little pillow that The Primitive Hare made.  (This is a free pattern that you can find on her website under"Freebies".  She has many wonderful patterns if you are a cross stitcher.)

I found some pre-made bookmarks at Walmart ready to cross stitch and VOILA....the design fits perfectly on it.  I'm pretty sure my daughter doesn't read my blog...she's a teacher with 2 little ones so...no, she's not reading my blog. LOL!  I'm thinking I might tea dye it after I'm all done...I'll see.

Now I need to make a supply list for all of it.  Mind you I considered the cost of supplies and the cost of shipping when I made my choices.  The planning is so fun but now I have to get to work!  What are your plans/projects for Valentine's Day?

YOP Sunday

Not much handwork got done this week with my dog having surgery. She's doing great BTW! And have I mentioned she hates having her picture taken?

  But I did manage to get a few things frogged (my sock and a hat) unfortunately.  Not permanently though....I think I was just tired and not paying attention but they weren't that far along so it will be alright....more experience!  Or maybe it was that full moon?

Anyway.....I have the Dubliner to finish today while watching football..........

I did start some things in other arenas...a present for someone.........

A "hexie" travel kit which you can find tutorials over at The Zen Of Making   Be careful though as "hexies" are addictive!  She's also got an in depth one on how to oil and clean your scissors in case your interested.

Have you seen the new dolls from Susan Anderson that she made for Quince & Co.?  Too cute!  I know Kepanie saw them because she left a comment there.  Kepanie, do you think I could handle these or should I take her class on Itty Bitty Toys first?  Anyway.....I love them.......the pattern is on Ravelry for purchase.

One of my blogging friends, Melody 
who has links to fabulous free patterns daily and is the Queen of hexies, proclaimed the other day that in 2014 she was going to 1)make something for a gift then 2) make something for charity and 3)make something for herself and rotate that throughout the year.  I thought that was a great idea!  I am now looking for a charity to make for and there are quite a few groups right on Ravelry.  If anyone has one they are involved with and would recommend please let me know.  One I found interesting was a group that makes things for a charity in each state in the U.S. and then they start over again. 
Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to how I can narrow my interests down that would probably help me too! LOL!
Happy Trails to you until we meet again.............