Resolving to craft more!

On December 31 I had so many New Year's resolutions that I just knew would change my life - HA! About 8 hours into the new year I had forgotten one of them and had a Diet Coke - shoot! Let's just say I have a long list so I'm not too hard on myself if a few drop off. Although I have since gotten back on the wagon and I'm trying really hard to give up soda. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

One of the other resolutions is to do more of the craft projects I have on my must-do list. As I'm checking in on my watched blogs each evening I bookmark posts I come across that feature a recipe or craft that I want to make sure I get to someday. I have quite a list and have I made a single one? The answer is a big fat N-O. This is the year, Baby! I thought I'd share some of my 2010 must-dos and maybe you too will be inspired to get crafty.

Skip to my Lou's Fabric Luggage Tag

Made by Petchy's Camera Strap Slipcover

Sew Dang Cute's Diaper Stacker

What About Orange's Gift Bow From Magazine Pages

Little Birdie Secrets' Christmas Countdown Blocks

Can't wait to get started! Happy New Year to all of you.

Good Friends

This past weekend we had a holiday baking marathon just for girls. Our very good friends Sarah and Naomi came over and we baked and baked and baked. We tried several new things and made some of the old stand bys. Everything turned out great and we had a great time in the process. It's great having good friends to share special holiday traditions with.

We made a special recipe (and in great number I might add) that was from my grandmother. Her special ingredient...lemon extract. Gives a unique twist to the timeless sugar cookie.  The girls waited all day to have their chance at decorating the cookies before they baked. They're very festive, not to mention tasty!

Grandma H.'s Sugar Cookies

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg well beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. lemon extract

Mix dry ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and flavoring. Add flour mixture 1/3 at a time. Chill about 2-3 hours. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Yours for the making,

redhairwithfreckles

It's what's on the inside that counts...

We have lived in our house 3.5 years and when we first moved in I bought a new comforter for our bedroom. I loved it then and still do. I spent lots of time making throw pillows for the bed, shopped for just the right fabric, etc. Some of the pillows have stayed, some have been replaced with store-bought pillows but the overall look of our 'made' bed is something I still very much enjoy. But something has been missing. I have always wanted some dark brown sheets and I've asked for them for several Christmases in a row. This year on Black Friday I got lucky with a great deal on a sheet set at JcPenney's.

Doesn't look like much I realize...

But it's the entire package that I enjoy the most...

 

 

Now if I could only find time to work on these windows...It's taken me three years just to get the sheets!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

My first try at pumpkin bread this year was a complete disaster. I don't know if it was me or the recipe I tried but the little loaves were like bricks, not only in texture, but in taste as well.  So, I set out to try again when I came across another recipe in a Quick Cooking magazine. The original recipe was submitted by Lora Stanley from Bennington, Kansas. While I don't know Lora, I thank her kindly for ending my search for a great pumpkin bread recipe. Try it for yourself!

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

2 c. cooked or canned pumpkin

1 1/4 c. vegetable oil

1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour into two greased 8x4x2 in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pans to wire racks.

Yours for the making,

redhairwithfreckles

Want it so bad I can taste it!

So one of the blogs I follow, Somewhat Simple, is having a giveaway and ooooooh how I want it! It's a new blog design by Designer Blogs. Like you are probably thinking, boy you sure need it girlie! I really want to take this blog to the next level and the cutesie designs Designer Blogs has are just what the doctor ordered. Check them out for yourself. Here's a few of my favorites...

I love me some gingham check!

I'm starting to see a pattern here...maybe green's my new color of choice.

Man, it would be so hard to choose. But I'd sure like the opportunity. Wish me luck!

redhairwithfreckles

One cute craft project...

photo credit: Skip to my Lou

One of the first craft projects I found after I started touring the blogging circuit was the crayon roll. So cute, easy and the perfect something for toddlers through school-aged children. I've made several now. The first I made for my daughter with the intention of her taking it to church with her. Something to keep her occupied and also to keep the crayons contained after an unfortunate incident when she was trying to hold the five crayons I allowed her to take in all in one hand while holding the coloring book in the other. All of the crayons hit the floor and rolled under our chairs and into the row behind us! Now the crayon roll keeps the crayons in check and she can have a whole rainbow of colors at her disposal.

Although there are several tutorials online for the crayon roll, I found mine at Skip to my Lou. It's a great blog that has tons of great projects. Even if you are not a super seamstress, the crayon roll is a pretty easy sewing project. The trickiest part for me was using ric rac. All I can say is thank goodness for my seam ripper :)


Find the tutorial here http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/04/25/on-a-roll/


Your for the making,
redhairwithfreckles

This Pizza Delivers!

So if your drooling for pepperoni and cheese this isn't what you had in mind but it's g-o-o-d! Just like your typical pizza, you'll have to negotiate with yourself to just eat one slice.

Caramel Apple Pizza

1 tube (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 T. milk
4 c. sliced, peeled tart apples (about 3 large)
1 can (12 oz.) lemon-lime soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 c. caramel ice cream topping
1/3 c. chopped pecans


Press cookie dough into a greased 14 inch pizza pan.

(had a little help from one of the kiddos for this part)


Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.



Cool completely. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, brown sugar and milk until smooth. Spread over cooled crust.


In a bowl, combine the apples and soda; drain well. Toss apples with cinnamon.


Arrange apples over cream cheese mixture. Drizzle with caramel topping and sprinkle with pecans if desired. Voila! Caramel apple pizza!

(half with pecans, half without or the kids would have refused to eat it!)

Yours for the making,
Red Hair with Freckles