A FUN LITTLE CHALLENGE-CREATING FROM SCRAPS

It is hard for me to realize that it has been almost 3 months since I saw  the "Box of Scraps" challenge issued by Sissy's Sewing on Facebook. It was a interesting concept-take some scraps, put them in the smallest USPS box, about the size of a vhs video, and send them to a fellow contestant whose name was given by the coordinator. It just sounded like a neat thing to do, and it was. I still can't get over looking forward to receiving a box of scraps when I have plenty of fabric-pretty fabric, nice fabric. Oh, well, we fabriholics are a weird lot, aren't we?

There were few guidelines-add no more than 1/2 yard of your own fabric to the scraps received and embellish to your hearts' content using whatever craft mode you wish:sewing, decoupage, quilting, etc

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Sissy was diligent to keep up with all of us entrants, to check and be sure we had sent out our scraps and then that we had all received them. We were reminded to think of the recipient, that we included all sizes of scraps-in other words-be fair, don't send itsy, bitsy strings, remember the Golden Rule [although not put in those words].

The deadline to have our photos in was December 14 and were posted on Facebook so we could all vote for our favorite. There were a lot of different projects from picture frames, to totes, to aprons, etc.-so much creativity.

The third place winner is Sammantha who created several items from the scraps she received.
I don't know which fabric Sammantha added or if she even added any. I really like the little lined apron [would like to have the pattern] she made with coordinating Christmas fabrics which she went on to use in other items here.

                          She went on to make a hat band and head band that matches a little skirt and              purse below.

Then there is this cute plaid skirt with pink lace that any little girl would be happy to wear. I wish I had thought to do this.

Another cap with roll up brim that again will match the skirt with rick rack above-I mean Sammantha was very diligent. There couldn't be more than a string left from the fabrics she received.

Another plaid skirt with matching hairband with bow-I mean, look what can be done with small pieces of fabric.

                                                A Christmas stocking from fabric as in the apron.

                                                            A small quilt maybe for a doll.

And an adorable skirt with ruffle and lace. How industrious can anyone be? I surely wasn't.

I think Sissy's Sewing has set into motion a new mind set of using up all that we can instead of running out and purchasing new fabric everytime we want to create something. How great to take a little and make a lot. I mean, really, 3 little girl's skirts, a Christmas stocking, an apron and a little quilt from scraps that fit into a box the size of a vhs tape.

 

I'm lovin' it. I'm waiting to see what the next idea she comes up with. I'll share the other winners shortly.

 

God bless you, Happy sewing and great job, Sammantha.

& MORE QUICK, QUIRKY STUFF-BANDANNA W/ BEADS NECK PIECE +++

This bandanna neck piece is really cute and only takes a little while to make. Just add some coordinating pony beads and stuff with, of all things, cotton balls, and you are good to go. I have always made these with left over batting or pillow stuffing but thought I would try cotton balls and they work really well and are all uniform in size. 

Just cut the bandanna according to instructions in the video, string on the beads and fill space with cotton ball to create fabric bead. 

Have fun with this one, the possibilities are endless. 

THE BANDANNA NECKPIECE 

The next piece is put together the same way as the bandanna neckpiece but uses lace ribbon. It has a Victorian look and feel and looks great with little summer dresses.

THE VICTORIAN LACE NECKPIECE

These neck pieces are popular bizarre items, don't take long to make and are not expensive to make.

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MY FAVORITE RECIPES

[they have to be quick, easy and really good]

To continue sharing my favorite, quick recipes that are favorites with my family and friends, I am including the following "Impossible Cheesecake" that, again, I have been making for years. I have never had a failure with this recipe. Mixed in one container-my blender, pour into a baking dish and that's it.

I had my first cheesecake at my friend's house when I was in grade school and thought it was the best ever but until I found this recipe by Bisquick in a magazine, none ever compared with my first cheesecake and it fits right into my criteria of quick and easy. I have the original little booklet that is dog eared it has been used. It has other "impossible" recipes that I have tried also and like every one. Each recipe makes its own crust.

If you like cheesecake, you need to try this one:

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHEESECAKE BY BISQUICK

3/4 CUP SUGAR

1/2 CUP BISQUICK BAKING MIX

2 EGGS

2 PACKAGES [8 OZS. EACH] CREAM CHEESE, CUT INTO 1-INCH CUBES AND SOFTENED

2 TEASPOONS VANILLA

1/2 TEASPOON GRATED LEMON PEEL

-CHEESECAKE TOPPING [BELOW-THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE CHEESECAKE GREAT]-

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease pie plate, 9x1 1/4 inches.

Place all ingredients except topping in blender container. Blend on high speed, stopping blender occasionally to stir, until smooth, about 3 minutes. 

[Or beat in large bowl on high speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl constantly, 2 minutes.]

Pour into plate.

Bake until just puffed and center is dry, about 30 minutes. [Do not overbake.]

Spread Cheesecake Topping carefully over top as soon as it comes out of oven. Cool.

Refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours. Serve with sweetened fresh fruit if desired. 

CHEESECAKE TOPPING

mix:

 1 cup dairy sour cream 

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

I have taken this cheesecake to all kinds of gatherings and it is always a hit.

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Happy Homemaking and God bless each of you

Carolyn Wainscott

KEEPING THINGS HANDY IN MY COFFEE MUG

I know this is a strange title but I like using things differently from their intended purpose and like them even more if they are cheap. I do keep quite a few things handy on the table by my chair so I don't have to jump and run every time I  want to do something or forget an idea or phone # if not jotted down immediately. It seems I am in constant need of:pencil/pens/paper clips, pins/needles/thimble/thread, fingernail clips/file, glue stick, notepad/daily planner, etc.

All this paraphernalia has been kept in a basket til now which took up too much space.

When the idea of this little coffee mug organizer hit, I just loved it and had to make one for myself to see if it would hold enough stuff for me. While I was at it, I made several more for friends, my sisters and my mother. I hope they get as much good from this as I do. The cup with its pockets holds everything I need in a much smaller area and looks so much better. 

[All that stuff in one little mug] 

It takes just a few cents worth of fabric and a coffee mug with your every day sewing tools. You probably have a mug in your cupboard that you can use or pick one up at a yard sale for a few cents. I, the great cheapo, broke down and actually bought special friend mugs for the gift organizers. Mine, on the other hand, came from my own kitchen.

The organizer can be really dressed up if you wish with any trims you have. Ours just has some of my plain vintage buttons securing the lace ties. I think these would also make a good bizarre or festival item. They could be made up in theme fabrics for fall, Christmas, teachers, patriotic to be used as a fund raiser.  

The video demonstrating how to make the coffee mug organizer was made for FaveCraft.com, the online craft site that provides free patterns, videos, tutorials and instructions for all kinds of crafts including:crochet, knitting, paper crafts, kids crafts, jewelry making, needlework and much more.

If you decide to make one of these, I would love to see it.

You can contact me at:quiltngrin.granny@blogspot.com

Happy crafting,

Carolyn Wainscott

the quilting granny

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